At the Zoo

George and Megan are at London zoo with their eight-year-old son. When they are walking through the zoo, George sees a familiar face…

George: Paul Crawley! How are you?... Do you remember me?

Paul: George O’Connell…of course I do…How could I forget our school days! It’s been ages since I last saw you…and this must be your family…

George: Yes, this is my wife, Megan, and my son, Andrew.

Paul: What a beautiful family! But didn’t you move to Bristol?

George: Yes, I did, but my son loves animals. He’s been asking me all year to organise a trip to London Zoo, so here we are ... but anyway, tell me about you…

Paul: Well, I actually work here. I’m one of the zookeepers. I’m in charge of looking after the mammal’s area.

George: Really? If I’d known that, I would have planned this trip before. How long have you been working here?

Paul: Since I graduated ten years ago. I started working for a marketing firm, but I’ve always had a passion for animals, so when the zookeeper retired, I saw the job advert and I applied. You could say I got my dream job!

George: I’ m so happy for you. I’m sure it’s a hard job too though, isn’t it? And dangerous…

Paul: Sometimes…. but I think the hardest part of this job is not the danger, but when animals die or have to go to another zoo. We get very attached to the animals.

George: Paul, it sounds great and I’m so glad to see you again! We’re staying in London this week. We could meet up for lunch?

Paul: Yes, let’s do that! And, if you want, on my day off, I could organise a ‘close encounter’ with the chimpanzees for Andrew. They’re not dangerous…and I’d be with him all the time.

George: Wow…that would be fantastic! My phone number is 07860775066. Thank you, Paul, …let me know when you’re free. I’ll chat to you soon.