Charles stares at Julie through the window,

sees the flick of blonde hair framing her face.

He strokes his chin as she points at something in the room.

A friend she is with laughs and waves.

Charles needs a plan.

Something to grab her attention.

So with all his focus, he defecates where he is sat.

He stares at his waste, picks it up

and with his best aim throws it in Julie’s direction.

It splats on the window.

Julie recoils then laughs and laughs with her friend.

Charles waves at Julie, his sad eyes asking a question.

We should note, at this point, that Charles

is a chimpanzee at Chester Zoo.

Julie looks back at Charles, sees heartbreak in his face

then moves on to the elephants of the Asian Forest.

Charles wipes away a tear then consoles

himself with a slow ride on the tyre swing.