High Tide

by Summer Waters

  Silver Dolphins

  9

  High Tide

  by

  Summer Waters

  For Lucy Broom

  Table of Contents

  Cover Page

  Title Page

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Copyright

  About the Publisher

  Prologue

  Hidden behind some rocks, Spirit, a magnificent dolphin with striking yellow markings, lazily watched the younger dolphins searching the seabed for a strand of seaweed. His wife, Star, was watching them too.

  “I’ve found some,” clicked Bubbles, digging in the sand with his nose and uncovering a long, green, crinkly piece.

  “Good,” clicked Swift, an athletic dolphin with a sleek, muscular body. “Now we can play seaweed tag. Who wants to be ‘it’?”

  “Me,” squeaked Velvet, shyly swimming forward.

  As she reached out to take the seaweed from Bubbles, Swift swam in front of her, blocking the way.

  “Who said you could play?” he clicked bossily.

  “N-n-no one,” said Velvet uncertainly. “But I can, can’t I?”

  “No,” Swift clicked. “Boys only. Go away.”

  Star went to intervene, but Spirit stopped her.

  “Wait a moment,” he said softly. “Let’s see if they can sort this out for themselves.”

  Just then Bubbles swam forward and tossed the seaweed down in the sand. “If Velvet can’t play then I don’t want to either,” he said.

  “Boys only,” said Swift firmly. “And you will play or else.”

  As he spoke, Swift seemed to grow larger. The other young dolphins huddled together, nervously watching what would happen next.

  “Or else what?” asked Bubbles calmly. “You don’t scare me. Come on, Velvet. Let’s go play somewhere else.”

  Swift stared in surprise as Bubbles and Velvet left with the other dolphins chasing after them calling, “Wait for us. Can we play too?”

  When they’d gone, Star smiled at Spirit.

  “Bubbles did well,” she said. “It takes courage to stand up to someone who looks stronger than you.”

  “He did,” clicked Spirit proudly.

  “The Silver Dolphins do well too,” Star mused. “They stand up for us and our oceans.”

  “The Silver Dolphins are very brave,” Spirit agreed. “We are lucky to have them.”

  Chapter One

  Antonia Lee and Sophie Hastings were on their way to school.

  “Antonia, were you listening to anything I’ve been saying?” asked Sophie, gently tapping her best friend.

  Smiling apologetically, Antonia took Sophie’s arm and linked it with hers.

  “Sorry, Soph. I was, but then I got distracted by that seagull cawing. It reminded me how much there is to do at Sea Watch right now.”

  Sophie sighed and rolled her eyes, but she was only joking.

  “Forget Sea Watch for just one minute,” she said. “This is exciting news. You know that TV programme Stage Struck? The one about the teenagers who go to a drama school? Well, it’s coming here, to Sandy Bay, to film for the new series!”

  “You don’t watch Stage Struck,” said Antonia, waving at Cai and Toby who were waiting at the school gates.

  “Not very often,” Sophie agreed, “but it’s still exciting. There are lots of opportunities for artists on a film set: scenery, make-up, costumes, that sort of thing. I’m definitely going to go and watch the filming. I might learn something new.”

  Sophie was mad about art and rarely went anywhere without her sketch book and a pencil.

  “The film cast and crew are arriving today. Dad says everyone’s staying at the Sandy Bay Hotel. They’ve taken over two whole floors and the penthouse suite.”

  “Not you as well!” exclaimed Toby. “Everyone’s talking about Stage Stuck.”

  “Stage Struck,” Sophie corrected him.

  Toby gave her a cheeky grin and, realising he was teasing her, Sophie groaned.

  The whole school was buzzing with the news and soon Antonia was fed up of hearing about Stage Struck.

  “Not long now,” whispered Cai, as they filed into afternoon assembly.

  Antonia glanced at the clock. Fifteen minutes until the end of the school day, then she and Cai would be free to go to Sea Watch, the marine conservation charity run by Cai’s great-aunt Claudia. She could hardly wait! She didn’t hear a word that the headmaster, Mr Cordier, said. Antonia rested her hand lightly on her school polo shirt, knowing that her silver dolphin charm necklace was hidden underneath it. Jewellery was forbidden at Sandy Bay Primary School, but Antonia never went anywhere without her special necklace.

  Antonia and Cai shared a wonderful secret. They were Silver Dolphins, guardians of the sea. When the dolphins called to them through their special jewellery, Silver Dolphin magic allowed Antonia and Cai to swim with real dolphins so they could look after the ocean and the creatures living there. Silver Dolphins were rare. Claudia was a Silver Dolphin too, although she rarely answered the call these days.

  “Antonia Lee, I said Year Six could lead out,” said Mr Cordier. “It’s home time.”

  Antonia’s face flamed red as the rest of the school giggled.

  “She wasn’t listening because she’s thinking about Stage Struck!” hissed Lauren nastily.

  “She’s not such a big fan as you are!” Becky whispered loyally.

  “I know,” Lauren’s voice became louder as they moved out of the hall and filed along the corridor back to class. “I’ve got all the old series on DVD. I’ve got posters round my room and the fact-file diary. And soon I’m going to have autographs of the whole cast. Mum bought me an autograph book to collect them in. What do you think of that, Toni?”

  “That’s nice,” said Antonia.

  Lauren eyed her suspiciously. “I suppose you’ll get an autograph book now!”

  Antonia ignored her and concentrated on getting her things ready to go home. When the school bell rang she stood smartly at her desk with her bag packed and her fleece on.

  “Antonia, Alicia, Sophie, Charlie, Cai and Toby can all go,” said Mrs Howard.

  “Hmmph!” grumbled Lauren as Antonia walked past her. “I bet I get their autographs before you do.”

  “What was all that about?” asked Cai, as they set out to Sea Watch together.

  Antonia shrugged. “Lauren seems to think I’m dying to meet the cast of Stage Struck.”

  Cai laughed. “Like you’ve got time for that!”

  When they arrived at Sea Watch, Claudia was pleased to see them.

  “Someone’s just brought in a razorbill with oil on his feathers. I’m about to start cleaning him up, so if you could feed the herring gulls and clean out their cage and see to Tilly that would be very helpful.”

  Antonia’s heart skipped a beat.

  “Has there been another oil spill?” she asked.

  “No, this bird’s just been unlucky enough to find a patch of oily sea. Boats often leak small amounts of oil.”

  Sighing softly, Claudia went to fetch an apron and some thick gloves.

  Antonia and Cai took a quick look at the razorbill before starting their jobs. “He looks very fed up,” commented Antonia.

  “I’m not surprised,” said Cai. “Look at the state of him.”

  Razorbills in the wild were proud-looking birds, black with snowy-w
hite chests and a distinctive white line on their beaks. This bird’s feathers were clogged with oil and his white parts were a grimy grey.

  “Steady,” soothed Antonia, as the bird let out a frightened growl.

  The bird stared at her and after a bit gradually relaxed.

  “It’s amazing how you do that,” said Cai.

  Before Antonia could think of a modest reply, Claudia returned with a solution to cleanse the bird’s stomach of poisonous oil and a special washing-up liquid for his feathers.

  “Let’s get started,” she said, putting the solutions next to the sink.

  Antonia and Cai put on gloves and aprons and went outside.

  “Who shall we do first?” asked Cai.

  “The gulls,” answered Antonia, wanting to save her favourite animal until last. Tilly the seal had been at Sea Watch for many months now, much longer than expected, but after several setbacks she was finally fit enough to return to the sea. Antonia was pleased that Tilly was going home, but she was really going to miss her.

  There were four gulls in the outside aviary; two with broken wings, one with a broken leg and the other with injuries to her chest. Like most of the herring gulls around Sandy Bay, they were an inquisitive bunch who stared unnervingly at Antonia and Cai while they worked.

  “They’re so greedy,” said Cai. “They’re only watching us to see if we’ve got something to eat.”

  “I know,” said Antonia. “The other day that big one nearly pecked off my finger thinking my cleaning cloth was food.”

  When the aviary was clean they left the birds squabbling over a bucket of fish and went to feed Tilly, who was in the deepwater pool.

  The friendly seal swam over, sticking her whiskery nose out of the water and honking a hello.

  “Hello, Tilly,” said Antonia, careful not to touch her.

  The animals at Sea Watch weren’t pets and for their own safety it wasn’t good for them to become too familiar with people.

  Tilly swam around the pool grunting noisily as Cai and Antonia brushed and hosed down the walkway. Next they fed Tilly, throwing fish into the water to make her swim for her dinner.

  “That was fun,” said Antonia, as they returned to the Sea Watch building.

  Inside, Claudia was rubbing the razorbill dry with an old towel.

  “It’s very quiet today. Where is everyone?” Antonia asked, suddenly missing her friends from the secondary school.

  “They’re not coming. Emily texted to say everyone’s gone to wait for the cast of some TV show to arrive,” said Claudia.

  “Huh!” snorted Cai. “I thought they had more sense than that.”

  Claudia smiled. “It’s OK. Everyone works so hard for Sea Watch. It’s not fair to expect volunteers to come every day. Emily said they’d be here tomorrow. Are you all right, Antonia? You seem troubled.”

  Antonia and Claudia were very good at knowing what each other was thinking. A bad feeling had suddenly come over Antonia, but she wasn’t sure why. Shaking the feeling away, she said brightly, “I’m fine. I can stay a bit later tonight, so what shall I do next?”

  Chapter Two

  Antonia was starving when she got home. It was meatballs in tomato sauce for tea. She tucked in hungrily, spearing a meatball with her fork and popping it in her mouth as the phone rang.

  “It’s Sophie,” said her mum, passing the telephone over.

  Swallowing quickly, Antonia took it.

  “Hi, Sophie, what’s up?” she asked.

  Sophie was breathless with excitement. “The film crew are shooting their first scene in Sandy Bay early tomorrow morning. Mum says I can go and watch for a bit before school. Do you want to come with me?” she asked.

  It sounded fun, but Antonia had already promised to meet up with Cai.

  “Sorry, Sophie, but we’ve some last-minute things to do before the launch of the Litter Fishing scheme. Remember I told you about it – giving free rubbish sacks to fishermen? Sea Watch is co-ordinating it for Sandy Bay.”

  “Never mind,” said Sophie cheerfully. “I’m taking my sketch book so I probably won’t be great company anyway. See you at school.”

  “Have fun,” said Antonia, putting the phone down.

  The following morning as Antonia put her lunchbox into her school bag, a familiar and exciting sensation came over her. The dolphins were going to call! Thank goodness she was walking to school alone. Antonia hurriedly pulled on her shoes and fleece, and said goodbye to Mum and little sister, Jessica.

  “Bye,” called Jess, as Antonia rushed out of the front door.

  Suddenly the dolphin charm hanging around Antonia’s neck began to vibrate. Seconds later a shrill whistle sounded.

  Silver Dolphin, we need you.

  Spirit, I hear your call, Antonia answered in her head.

  Antonia ran, following the Coastal Path until it forked, then taking the right-hand lane that led down to Gull Bay. The dolphin charm beat out a rhythm on her neck. Antonia loved the feel of its silky-soft tail thrumming against her skin, urging her to hurry. She ran on, past the tiny beach shop, shuttered now but due to open at the start of the holiday season in a few weeks’ time. At last she arrived at Gull Bay.

  She pulled off her shoes and socks and left them with her bag at the top of the beach. The powdery sand felt cold and crunchy under her feet as she ran for the sea.

  “Eeek!” The water was freezing and numbed her feet and legs.

  Ignoring the discomfort, Antonia splashed through the surf until the icy water reached her thighs. Taking a deep breath, she lunged forward and swam. A few seconds later her legs melded together, flicking at the sea like a tail. Excitement fizzled through her. The water didn’t feel at all cold now. Expertly, Antonia used her hands like flippers and, arching her body, leapt in and out of the water as gracefully as a dolphin.

  Spirit, I’m on my way, she whistled.

  The thrill of becoming a Silver Dolphin was something Antonia knew she’d never tire of. Using Spirit’s vibrations to guide her, she swam underwater to him. She didn’t have to travel far. Spirit and his family were waiting a little way round from the headland. Seeing Cai approaching from the other direction Antonia swam faster, reaching the dolphins first and shooting him a playful smile.

  “You came quickly, Silver Dolphin,” said Spirit, rubbing his nose against Antonia’s in greeting.

  Spirit was a proud-looking animal with intelligent eyes, a silver head and a striking yellow blaze that ran along his side from his face to his dorsal fin.

  Cai swam up, and as he greeted Spirit, Antonia said hello to Star, Dream and Bubbles.

  “Flipper Feet,” squeaked Bubbles, splashing her in a friendly way.

  “Today it’s a litter-picking task,” said Spirit. “There’s a lot of rubbish in the sea by the cliffs.”

  “Can we help the Silver Dolphins, Dad?” Bubbles asked.

  “Yes, but be careful. Don’t touch anything sharp and keep away from plastic bags.”

  “Bubbly!” clicked Bubbles. “Race you to the cliffs, Silver Dolphins.”

  Without waiting for an answer, Bubbles swam away, his body flashing silver as he dived in and out of the water.

  Antonia, Cai and Dream gave chase, but Bubbles won, reaching the cliffs before them by several tail-lengths.

  “Yuk!” said Antonia, suddenly noticing the floating rubbish.

  There was a plastic drink bottle, two empty crisp packets, a chocolate bar wrapper, an empty sandwich container and a train timetable that was soggier than old cornflakes.

  “City people,” said Antonia, squinting at the timetable. “These times are for underground trains.”

  Cai was from the city, but was living with his Aunty Claudia while his parents worked abroad in Australia.

  “Country people are just as bad for littering,” he said defensively.

  “I know,” said Antonia. “What I meant was that this rubbish comes from visitors and not from local people.”

  Fishing the chocolate bar wrap
per and timetable out of the water, she stuffed them into one of the crisp packets.

  Cai emptied a strand of seaweed out of the sandwich carton and tucked the rest of the litter inside it.

  “Is that all?” he asked, looking around.

  “I found something,” said Dream, nosing a polystyrene coffee cup towards him.

  “Thanks.” Cai scrunched up the cup to make it fit inside the sandwich carton. “Let’s get this ashore and find a bin.”

  “Bubbly!” clicked Bubbles, somersaulting. “That was quick work. Now we can play.”

  “Not today,” Antonia said, pulling a sad face. “We have to go to school.”

  Bubbles smacked the sea with his tail.

  “You’re always going to school!” he said disgustedly.

  Antonia and Cai laughed. “It feels like it,” they agreed.

  “Can’t we have one quick game of sprat?” asked Bubbles, his dark eyes pleading.

  “Bubbles, I’m sorry, but we have to go. Mum works at our school so I can’t be late or I’ll be in trouble with her too.”

  “Next time,” clicked Cai. “We’ll play sprat and seaweed tag.”

  “OK then,” Bubbles agreed.

  Bubbles and Dream swam with the Silver Dolphins back to where they’d first met.

  “My shoes and bag are at Sandy Bay. I’ll wait for you there,” said Cai.

  Antonia shook her head. “You’d better not. I think I can get to school on time from Gull Bay, but there’s no point in making us both late,” she said.

  “Bye, Bubbles, bye, Dream.”

  Clutching the rubbish, Antonia struck out for Gull Bay. There wasn’t a second to lose. If Antonia wasn’t in school before Mrs Howard called the register, she’d have to sign in at the office where her mum worked as a receptionist. Then there’d be trouble. Mum would want to know why, having left the house before Jessica and her, Antonia had managed to arrive after them. With determined strokes, Antonia swam on.