The Wildlife Games by Bindi Irwin Page A

know, not bad-looking. The cousins were both looking immaculate in crisp T-shirts and clean shorts. It was clear their morning had not involved feeding crocs, mixing up zoo food for the animals and getting climbed on by lemurs.
    Josie had an inkling of what was going through Bindi’s mind and gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Bindi, this is my cousin, Andrew. Andrew, this is Bindi Irwin.’
    â€˜Hi Bindi. Really nice to meet you.’ He held out his hand for her to shake. She surreptitiously wiped her hand on the leg of her shorts but she knew her hand was still pretty clammy when she shook Andrew’s.
    â€˜Hi Andrew, I didn’t realise Josie’s cousin was a boy,’ she said, glancing pointedly at Josie.
    Josie’s grin just got bigger. ‘Well, now you do.’
    â€˜How’s the filming for The Wildlife Games going?’ Andrew asked. ‘Josie told me it was your idea. That’s so awesome.’
    Bindi was finally starting to cool down, which was a big relief. But the relief was short-lived. She now realised she hadn’t been to the toilet for hours and hours, and that she really needed to go.
    â€˜Yes, good,’ she said vaguely, after remembering that she’d been asked a question.
    Josie looked quizzically at her friend. ‘Um, how long do you have before you need to go back to your TV show?’
    Bindi’s bladder was saying ‘TOILET, NOW!’ It was not safe to ignore it any longer. ‘Umm, look, I just need to head over there –’ she pointed in thegeneral direction of the bathrooms – ‘Why don’t you start with the rhinoceros iguana, followed by the alligators over in that direction, and I’ll catch you up, okay?’
    â€˜Okay. See you soon then.’ The cousins walked off, Josie beginning to point out various landmarks.
    Bindi berated herself. Why and when had it become embarrassing to mention that you needed to go to the toilet in front of a good-looking guy? Totally ridiculous! If it had just been Josie, it would have been no big deal. She sprinted off towards the toilet.
    Josie and Andrew were checking out the ancient alligators when Bindi caught up with them a few moments later.
    â€˜Hi guys, I’m back.’
    Josie gave her friend a hug. ‘Great. We were just talking about how amazing it is that reptiles live to be so old.’
    Andrew nodded enthusiastically. ‘Yeah, Bindi. Imagine, if these guys could talk, what could they tell you about all the things they’ve seen?’
    Bindi smiled. ‘That’s such a good question. Up until a few years ago we had Harriet the giant Galapagos tortoise with us. She had been brought to Australia in 1842 by a friend of Charles Darwin’s. I remember celebrating her 175th birthday! That tortoise had firsthand knowledge of white settlement in Australia!’
    â€˜It’s incredible that these reptiles are built to last so long and we only last around 80 years if we’re lucky,’ said Andrew.
    Bindi’s walkie-talkie buzzed. ‘Bindi, are youthere, over?’
    It was Tara. Bindi picked up and pressed the receive button. ‘Yes, I’m with Josie, Tara. Everything okay?’
    There was a moment’s hesitation before Tara continued. ‘Well, not exactly. There’s been a slight . . . incident, over?’
    Bindi gripped the walkie-talkie, worried. ‘What kind of incident, over?’
    â€˜It would be better if you came over to the food hall and saw for yourself . . . before the ambulance gets here,’ said Tara meekly.
    â€˜Oh my gosh! I’ll be there in two seconds, over!’
    She turned to Josie and Andrew guiltily. Josie gave her a quick hug. ‘Go, we’ll be fine.’
    â€˜I’m so sorry, I –’ started Bindi.
    Josie shook her head. ‘Go!’
    Bindi nodded, gave an apologetic half-wave to Andrew and took off, tearing across the grounds of