Secret Friends (6 page)

“It’s when you swim behind a boat in its waves. The faster the boat goes, the choppier the water gets. It’s great fun.” Dream managed a small smile.

“It’s also dangerous if you get too close,” said Star sharply. “We’ve warned you before to be careful. Now perhaps you’ll listen to us.”

As Star continued her lecture Antonia couldn’t help but smile. Poor Dream. Star sounded so much like her own mother! When Star finally paused Antonia quickly changed the subject.

“Why are there dolphins circling us?”

“They’re in our pod. They’re protecting me. Blood attracts sharks,” said Dream.

“It’s just a precaution,” said Star quickly. “There aren’t any sharks here. Hush now, darling. You mustn’t wear yourself out talking.”

“
Muum!”
Dream flushed with embarrassment.

Antonia gave Dream a sympathetic look.

“I could really do with that seaweed,” she said. “Star, will you
go
and look for some too?”

Star hesitated. “I suppose I could. You’ll be all right, won’t you, darling?”

“Of course I will,” said Dream.

Star rubbed noses first with her daughter and then Antonia before swimming out of the dolphin ring. Antonia noticed Dream wince
and was impressed by her bravery.

“Thanks,” said Dream, when they were alone. “She was starting to drive me mad.”

“My mum’s the same,” said Antonia. “They fuss because they care.”

Her fingers were turning numb from pressing Dream’s wound together. Carefully, Antonia flexed her fingers to get some life back in them. Blood spurted into the water. Gasping, Antonia held her fingers still.

“Is it really bad?” asked Dream.

Antonia hesitated, but Dream would expect her to tell the truth and she didn’t want to break the dolphin’s trust in her.

“It’s not brilliant,” she said at last. “But don’t worry. Bubbles will be back soon. He’s good at finding seaweed.”

“I know,” said Dream. “He’s all right really, but don’t tell him I said that.”

A
ntonia kept her fingers firmly pressed against Dream’s wound.
Heal
she thought, frightened by her inability to help the dolphin. In her mind she imagined the wound closing up. First its sides would knit together. Then the blood would stop leaking. A picture formed in her head of Dream’s damaged skin repairing
itself. At once a warm feeling spread down Antonia’s hands and into her fingers. Suddenly, her fingers began to prickle. The sensation hurt so badly Antonia wanted to pull her hands away. No! She had to keep her hands against Dream’s wound. Gritting her teeth, Antonia continued to press down.

Heal!
Antonia imagined Dream’s soft skin re-growing, covering the wound. Dream trembled, but didn’t make a sound.

Gradually the prickling lessened. Now it was more of an irritation. Antonia’s hands still felt warm so she kept them pressed against Dream’s soft skin until Dream cautiously said, “I’ve stopped hurting.”

“Really?” asked Antonia in surprise.

Just then Spirit, followed by Star and
Bubbles slipped inside the dolphin circle. Their fins were covered in seaweed. Slowly Antonia lifted her hands away from Dream to inspect the wound. At first she could hardly believe her eyes. She looked again. The gash had healed, leaving a long scar with puckered edges.

“Silver Dolphin, that’s amazing!”

Spirit stared at Antonia in awe. Then swimming forward he lightly touched the top of Antonia’s head with his nose.

“Silver Dolphin, you are even more powerful than I imagined. We are very lucky to have you with us.”

“But…” Antonia stared at Dream’s scar in disbelief. “How did…that wasn’t me, was it?”

“Who else?” Spirit smiled. “It is rare for a Silver Dolphin to have the power to heal. I know only of one other who can do this.”

“Claudia,” said Antonia at once.

Spirit nodded and Antonia felt a sudden rush of pride. Claudia was so good with injured animals. Could she really be that good herself?

“Hey, Flipper Feet, that’s so bubbly,” squealed Bubbles, turning a somersault.

“Steady, Bubbles,” Star warned him. “Your sister needs time to recover. She’s had a nasty shock.”

“It’s all right, Mum,” said Dream. “Bubbles is cool. He’s had a shock too.”

“Can we play?” asked Bubbles. “Seaweed tag.” He flipped the long strand of seaweed draped over his flipper at Antonia.

“Not now, Bubbles,” said Spirit. “Your mother is right. Dream should rest. Besides, the Silver Dolphin must go home. You can play another time.”

Antonia wasn’t sure if she had the energy to go anywhere. She felt exhausted. Her arms ached and her fingers still tingled. It was peaceful inside the dolphin circle. She wished she could stay there longer.

“Do you need help?” asked Spirit. “Two of my dolphins can tow you some of the way.”

Antonia pulled herself together. “I can manage,” she said.

Spirit nodded approvingly.

“I’ll swim some of the way with you,” he said. “No, Bubbles, you can’t come this time. Stay with your sister and don’t annoy her too much.”

“As if!” clicked Bubbles, pulling a face and making everyone laugh.

Antonia felt slightly awkward saying goodbye. Star especially made a huge fuss of her, rubbing her nose against Antonia’s nose and stroking her hair with a flipper.

“Thanks, Silver Dolphin,” said Dream, lightly tapping her fin against Antonia’s hand in a gesture of friendship.

“Flipper Feet!” clicked Bubbles, high-fiving Antonia with his fin. “Seaweed tag next time.”

“You’re on,” said Antonia, high-fiving him back.

Spirit swam with Antonia as close to the
Princess Romana
as he dared. Then he turned to look at her, his liquid eyes serious.

“Take care, Silver Dolphin. Remember we
are secret friends. There are many who seek magic for their own gain and their greed causes nothing but harm.”

“Our secret is safe,” said Antonia, solemnly placing a hand on Spirit’s fin. “I promise that I’ll be careful.”

They stared at each other in silence until Spirit dipped his head, then lightly ruffling Antonia’s hair with a flipper, he dived under the water and was gone. Antonia lay on her back feeling the vibrations in the water lessen as Spirit swam further away. When they were no more than a whisper she dived down and swam halfway back to Claudia’s beach underwater.

Reaching the shore, Antonia felt like sinking down on the sand and falling asleep. Her
muscles ached and it was a struggle to keep her eyes open. She forced herself on, not daring to sit as she recovered her swimming bag from the Sea Watch boat and pulled on her shoes.

Antonia loved the light summer evenings, but tonight, as she crept into Claudia’s garden, she longed for the dark. Nervously she glanced up at the house and then she froze. Cai stood at an upstairs window looking out to sea. If he looked down now he would be able to see her. Antonia pressed herself into the shrubs and stood like a statue. The seconds ticked by. Antonia willed Cai to move away from the window, but to her horror he suddenly turned to the garden and looked straight at her. Antonia felt her heart fall to her feet. She could
see Cai clearly, but could he see her in the shadows?

Then a second figure came up behind Cai. It was Claudia, stepping forward and swiftly drawing the curtains. Antonia was grateful that Claudia still kept in touch with the dolphins. She must have guessed that Antonia would use her beach to answer their call. But had Cai seen her or not?

Antonia’s stomach churned with worry as she scurried alongside the house and out into the street. What would she say if he’d seen her? She would have to make up an excuse. She hated the thought of fibbing to Cai, but knew she might have to. Becoming a Silver Dolphin was the most wonderful thing that had happened to her. She couldn’t break her
promise to the dolphins. Touching her charm for comfort, Antonia forced her tired legs to carry her back to the swimming pool.

When she was almost there she pulled Dad’s mobile phone out of her bag and called up ‘home’ in the address book. She was about to press the Send button when she noticed a blue people carrier parked outside the swimming-pool doors. Antonia’s heart raced. Nothing was going right for her. The car belonged to her dad. He must have come early to watch her swim.

Stuffing the mobile phone back in her bag Antonia broke into a run. Her throat went dry as she imagined Dad seeking out one of the coaches to ask why his daughter wasn’t in the swimming pool. Both Mum and Dad had strict
rules about her going out. At this time in the evening she was only allowed to take part in organised activities.

Out of breath, Antonia arrived at the swimming-pool entrance. She made herself stand outside until she’d stopped panting then, wiping sweaty palms down her leggings, she went in. The reception hall was empty except for the lady she’d seen earlier at the desk. Luckily she was tapping away at a computer and didn’t notice Antonia heading towards the spectators’ door. Feeling sick with fear Antonia pushed the door open at exactly the same time as someone came through it from the other side.

“Oh!” gasped Antonia, her face flushing a guilty shade of red as she faced her dad.

“There you are.” Dad sounded relieved. “Why aren’t you in the pool with everyone else?”

Antonia linked her arm through Dad’s and steered him outside.

“I was allowed to get out early as it’s my first time.”

“Was it fun?” asked Dad, unlocking the car door.

Antonia hugged her swimming bag close to her chest. Fun didn’t even begin to describe the adventures she’d had this evening. Giving her dad a huge smile she said, “I’ve had an amazing time.”

A
t school everyone was very excited. The damaged
Romana
had been repaired and the boat was due to sail that afternoon. Mr Cordier decided that the whole school should
go
down to the promenade to wave her off. Only Sophie wasn’t happy about the news.

“It can’t leave yet. I haven’t finished my picture,” she wailed.

“Take your sketch pad with you and you can do some more drawing before the ship sails,” Antonia suggested, knowing that Sophie always brought her sketch pad to school.

“I suppose I could, but it won’t be the same,” said Sophie glumly. “I can’t concentrate with too many people around.”

Antonia laughed. “Once you get started you’ll soon forget everyone. You
go
into your own little world when you’re drawing.”

Antonia was right. In fact, Sophie became dreamy and distracted as soon as she decided that she’d take her sketch pad on their outing to the beach. In English she did all her work in her maths book by mistake. Miss Brown was
so cross she made Sophie stay in at playtime to copy the work out in her English book. Antonia was dismayed. She’d managed to avoid being alone with Cai all morning, but it would be more difficult with no Sophie to hang around with in the playground. She needn’t have worried. Cai didn’t seem to want to be alone with her either and ran off to play football with the boys. Miserably, Antonia sat on the edge of the field watching everyone having fun around her. She hated avoiding Cai, but what if he had seen her the night before and asked about it? However she explained herself Cai would know she was keeping secrets from him. Lunchtime was a little better. Cai, Toby, Sophie and Antonia sat together on the field to eat their sandwiches.

“It’ll be good to see the back of the
Princess Romana
,” said Cai. “I used to see dolphins swimming in the bay, but they haven’t been around since that boat’s been stuck here.”

Antonia choked on a mouthful of sandwich.

“Steady,” said Cai, thumping her on the back. “Are you all right? You’ve gone a funny colour.”

“I’m fine,” spluttered Antonia.

She took a long swig from her drink bottle, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She would have to learn to control herself and not start acting funnily if Cai mentioned dolphins again.

“The beaches are opening again tomorrow,” said Toby. “The coastguard told Mum that the oil has almost gone and that most of the stuff
washed up has been cleared away. The funniest thing they found was a whole crate of false teeth. Some of the teeth had dead fish stuck between them like they were having a snack.”

“I bet you made that up!” said Cai when the laughter died down.

“Would I lie to you?” Toby grinned.

“Yes, you would,” said Cai, looking at Antonia. She felt her face colouring up. Cai started unwrapping a slice of cake.

“Mmm,” he said appreciatively. “It’s not like I don’t miss my parents or anything, but Aunty Claudia is a much better cook. Did you ask about staying to tea tonight, Antonia? We’re having homemade pasta.”

“Yes, I can come,” said Antonia, pleased
that he still wanted her to
go
.

Biting into her apple Antonia decided she was worrying about nothing. Cai was still being friendly so he couldn’t have seen her last night.

After lunch Miss Brown made the class line up in pairs to
go
down to the promenade. It was crowded with onlookers so the police allowed the children of Sandy Bay Primary to
go
down on to the sand. The
Princess Romana
was flying several flags, including the Union Jack, alongside its own green, white and red striped Italian one.

“Doesn’t it look pretty?” said Sophie, pulling out her sketch pad. “I can’t wait to paint this.”

The crew lined the deck and when the boat
began to sail they released a hundred green, white and red balloons into the air. Antonia cheered almost as loudly as the whole school put together. The beach was almost cleared and the oil spill had nearly dispersed so it wouldn’t be long before Spirit and his family could return to the bay. Suddenly, Antonia was so excited she did a little dance in the sand.

“Antonia!” cried Sophie, brushing sand from her sketch pad. “Watch out!”

“Sorry,” said Antonia, standing still again. “Wow, Sophie, that’s brilliant.”

“It’s not bad,” said Sophie, rapidly sketching. “I could have done with longer, though.”
After school Antonia walked to Sea Watch with Cai, Eleanor and Karen. As they entered the Sea Watch building Claudia drew Antonia to one side.