Chapter Thirty Seven – Day Twenty Eight Continued
"When we first decided to build Eden, we wanted to create a place where people from all over the world could come together to help ensure a future for our planet, and that is, I hope, what we have achieved." The speaker pauses. I have met him once but if he had not introduced himself, I would not have remembered his name.
"This is a place where we can educate everyone by making the facts tangible, and involving them in the reality of our beautiful world. We can investigate ways to make a sustainable future, share ideas and help to implement solutions." Gesturing expansively, he continues. "We open our doors today, but what we have built inside is only the beginning of an ongoing project, to be a real success Eden must make a difference, and to do that, we will need all your help."
Other people take his place one after another, explaining some of the history and sharing their own visions for their groundbreaking project.
The rest of the speeches are mercifully – since Wheeler has already started fidgeting – short and there is only one embarrassing moment, where I am named and thanked for my involvement.
I smile at them, and force myself not to hide my face as all eyes turn to me, but I can feel the tension building in my neck... Wheeler will have his work cut out for him tonight! But then, I do not think either of us truly minds when his massages have to last a bit longer.
"Thank you all for coming, Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Eden."
We give a final round of applause and stand, waiting to slowly file through the gates into the miniature world we have created. Wheeler has a firm grip on my hand as if he is afraid of losing me, but there is no real danger of us being separated.
I stop to buy a copy of the guide book they have produced, I know Stuart would give me one for free if I asked, but the money goes to help keep the project running.
Ma-Ti and Gi brought their cameras with them and are busy taking pictures from the balcony, but I am content just to look down over the man-made valley.
My Yankee wraps his arms around me, and stands looking over my shoulder. "They've done a terrific job Babe." he says, "The clay pit they built in must have been a complete eyesore."
I nod. He is right, but a part of me is still sad to see the lingering traces of what humans have done to the landscape.
The others are ready to go on so we make our way down into the artificial valley. Everyone wants to see the rainforest environment first so we head straight there, despite my pointing out that it is not the route recommended in the guide book. Wheeler just tells me to 'Lighten up Babe'.
Simulating the rainforests of Malaysia, West Africa and South America, we can feel the heat radiating out before we even enter the biome and it takes a few minutes to adjust.
It is so beautiful in here, so green with giant trees and plants, some stretching up to the roof of the dome and rivers and waterfalls completing the effect. Of course, it is not just about experiencing the environment, there is information everywhere and it depicts some of the life styles from those areas and explains the trade we have with them... like chocolate.
I want to take in each brightly coloured plant as we go and read the description plaques, but I am moving too slowly for the others, who begin to drift off, moving ahead or wandering down a different path between the greenery.
Wheeler stays at my side, and he seems content enough to listen to my excited ramblings, though I know he must be bored. Plants and learning are not exactly his thing.
Part of the display is set high up overlooking the rest and though determined to get up there, I struggle and have to rely on Wheeler's support. I hate this, I hope no-one can see me... what would the press make of it.
"Are you okay Babe?" he asks, his face full of concern.
I nod but my legs are still weak and I feel like they are going to give way any second.
"There's a bench, let's sit for a bit and enjoy the scenery." Wheeler suggests thoughtfully. I agree as casually as I can and we make ourselves comfortable with his arm tucked around me as I lean against him.
After a while I say. "Thank you for doing this with me, I know you must find all this quite boring."
"I'm not too interested in the educational stuff," he admits, giving me a squeeze. "But I'm not bored of being with you and it's great seeing you so happy. I'm proud of you."
My stomach does a little flip at his words, I am not sure when his opinion came to mean so much, but it does. All I do though, is smile back at him and then lay my head on his shoulder while we discuss some of the things we have seen.
It is too hot in here to stay like that for long though, so as soon as I feel I can walk, we make our way back down to the restaurants for a light lunch. We have completely lost track of the others by this point, but it does not matter, they are here somewhere.
Despite the variety on offer, my current physical condition makes it more difficult to find something I can eat, and I still need to sit down very badly, so I am getting short tempered. I am lucky that Wheeler knows me so well… he is being very patient.
I finally settle on trying a traditional Cornish Pasty, which the sign says is a local delicacy. It is made with beef, potato, swede and onion all wrapped in pastry. Wheeler chooses the pizza and chips option, not very healthy but his constitution can stand nearly anything.
For once I do not try to argue when my Yankee suggests he queue for our meals while I find a table. The muscles in my legs are already tight and the day is not half over, I do not want to miss out on anything.
"There you go Babe," He says sitting opposite me on the bench table. He looks dubiously at my food as I cut into it. "Are you sure you wanna try it? I don't even know what a swede is but the menu said they put that in there too!"
I chuckle. "It is a vegetable Yankee… like a… rutabaga I think."
"If you say so." He is teasing now.
I smile, partly because of his joking, and partly because the first taste of my pasty has confirmed that I made the right choice.
Loading my fork a second time, I hold it up to Wheeler's mouth. "Try it."
Still pretending to be worried (his eyes are sparkling with mischief), he bows his head and takes the offering. "Hmm not bad. Think I'll stick with the pizza though."
The pasty is delicious, and I am feeling hungry after my exercise so I finish it off with ease… I only hope I will not regret it later.
We wash our lunch down with bottled water and since there is still no sign of the others, we head on to the Mediterranean area.
To be continued…
A/N: And don't forget, to get the full affect of the story, you HAVE TO read Wheeler's side of the story in Becks7's Co-dependents Chapter 37! Let us know what you think!