Stormy Skies

by Summer Waters

  “We’d better get back and see if Kathleen’s all right,” she said, guiltily remembering how they’d abandoned her to the council lady.

  No one spoke on the way back to the beach. Furtively glancing at Cai and Hannah, Antonia could see they shared her anxieties about the future of Ocean Watch. They swam ashore, bracing themselves against the surf erupting in a seething mass of foam on the deserted beach. The sea water poured off them and soon their clothes were completely dry.

  Antonia shivered, pulling the hood of her coat over her head to protect her from the wind. The moment she took her hands away, the hood blew down again. Cold as she was, Antonia laughed.

  “Let’s race back,” said Hannah. “That’ll warm us up.”

  Running into the wind was hard work, especially as they were carrying the table leg. Antonia’s face felt stretched as the wind tugged at her skin and pulled at her eyes and mouth. But she was lovely and warm by the time she arrived back at Kathleen’s and her damp hair had dried too. It took all three of them to open the gate and ease it shut without having it ripped from their hands by the wind.

  “It’s blowing a gale,” said Cai, snatching his fingers away before the gate slammed shut on them.

  “Look, Kathleen’s started painting the shed!” Hannah shouted.

  Antonia’s heart soared. Surely that was good news? Kathleen wouldn’t be painting if the council lady was going to shut them down.

  They ran over, giggling at the sight of Kathleen who’d covered her hair with a huge scarf.

  “You’ve got paint on your nose,” said Hannah.

  “I expect that’s an improvement!” Kathleen answered.

  Antonia was impatient to know Ocean Watch’s fate. “Sorry we left you. What happened with that lady?” she cut in.

  Kathleen finished the bit she was painting then carefully placed her roller in the paint tray.

  “I don’t know! Susan Birch is a newly qualified planning officer. She doesn’t think I’m breaking any laws, but she wasn’t sure. She’s coming back with a more senior colleague.”

  “When?” Antonia almost stamped her foot in exasperation.

  “Tomorrow morning. Don’t worry about it – I’m not. Everything’s going to be fine, even if we do have to apply for planning permission.” Kathleen sounded calm, but Antonia noticed her hands were shaking.

  “Of course,” Antonia smiled back at Kathleen. Inside, her stomach was churning. The feeling of doom she’d had before was back and this time it was much stronger. Slowly and deliberately Antonia said under her breath, “It’s going to be fine.”

  But no matter how many times she repeated it, she couldn’t quite believe it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kathleen was keen to hear about their latest rescue mission as she examined the stumpy piece of wood.

  “It certainly looks like it came from a table,” she agreed. “We definitely ought to take a look round the café and see what’s going on up there. How about we go tomorrow, after our visitors have been?”

  Antonia was torn between visiting the café straight away and staying put to get on with the jobs that needed doing at Kathleen’s. The wind was very strong. What if something else got blown over the cliff? But there was so little time left to get Ocean Watch up and running before she and Cai went home. Of course the café visit could wait until tomorrow.

  While Kathleen finished painting the shed, Antonia, Cai and Hannah worked in the utility room, sorting out the things that needed to go in it.

  “We’ll divide the disposable gloves, aprons and paper towels in half so we’ve some for in here and some for Ocean Watch,” said Hannah.

  Here and Ocean Watch? It took a moment for Antonia to realise that Hannah meant the shed, but once she’d worked it out she liked it. Actually calling the shed Ocean Watch made it sound permanent, like it was definitely happening.

  Kathleen had ordered lots of supplies including scissors, tweezers and bandages. They stacked everything they needed next to the sink.

  “There’s a cupboard to put all this in,” said Hannah. “It’s in the garage. It came as a flat pack so it needs putting together. There isn’t time now, but we can build it tomorrow. We won’t be able to move any of the animals to Ocean Watch yet because of the wet paint.”

  “It’s our last whole day tomorrow,” said Antonia glumly. She was looking forward to going home and getting back to Sea Watch, but at the same time wanted to stay longer to help Hannah and Kathleen.

  “I’m going to miss you both,” said Hannah. “I’ll ask Daisy, my best friend at school, to come and help, but it won’t be as good as having other Silver Dolphins around.”

  “We’ll miss you too,” said Antonia.

  “You could always invite us to stay again,” said Cai cheekily. “And you can visit us any time.”

  “Yes! That’d be great,” Antonia agreed enthusiastically. When Hannah had first helped out at Sea Watch, Antonia hadn’t been very friendly towards her. Now she was one of Antonia’s closest friends. Next time Hannah visited, Antonia was determined to make sure she had a good time.

  “It’s a deal,” said Hannah.

  It was getting dark when all the jobs were finally done so Kathleen ran them home in the car.

  “Watch your fingers in the car doors,” she said. “It’s even windier than yesterday.”

  “At least it’s dry,” said Hannah, but she spoke too soon. Almost at once it started to rain. By the time they arrived home, the rain was so heavy it was coming down in sheets. Hannah stood in the entrance hall, shaking her long red hair like a wet dog.

  “Stop it! I’m getting wet,” chuckled Cai.

  They climbed the stairs to the first floor and were met by a delicious smell drifting along the corridor.

  “That can’t be coming from our flat!” Hannah was incredulous.

  But it was! Mrs Davies opened the door wearing a brand-new red and white apron and brandishing a wooden spoon.

  “Good, you’re back,” she said, ushering everyone inside. “Dinner’s nearly ready.” “

  You’ve cooked!” Hannah was so surprised she went straight to the kitchen to see for herself.

  “It wasn’t that difficult,” said Mrs Davies defensively. “Anyone would think I’m useless.”

  Wrapping her arms round her mum, Hannah gave her a big hug.

  “You’re a brilliant photographer,” she said. “But you don’t usually cook.”

  “I don’t usually have any free time,” said Mrs Davies, shooing her out of the kitchen. “Go and wash your hands.”

  Antonia thought she would have trouble sleeping that night. At first she lay in bed worrying about the visit from the planning department the following day. Outside it was blowing a gale. Rain splattered against the window and the wind shrieked and moaned. Antonia hoped Vision had led his dolphins safely out to sea.

  Antonia’s eyelids drooped and she fell asleep. Hours later she woke with a crick in her neck. The room was coal-black. Carefully, so as not to wake Hannah, Antonia sat up and rubbed her neck. That felt better. She was about to snuggle down again when she felt a familiar sensation. Antonia tensed, knowing that Vision was about to call.

  Silently she threw back the duvet and climbed down the bunk ladder. She groped around in the dark for her clothes. Her silver dolphin charm began to thrash against her neck and a shrill whistle rang out in the room. Antonia was startled. The charm usually started off by fluttering softly. This must be very serious! The noise woke Hannah who jumped out of bed and turned on the light.

  Silver Dolphins, we need you.

  Vision, I hear your call, Antonia answered silently while Hannah spoke the same words out loud.

  “Oh, my goodness!” Hannah exclaimed, glancing at her alarm. “It’s five in the morning.”

  “It’s urgent.” Antonia tugged a jumper over her head.

  “I know,” said Hannah, touching her vibrating dolphin.

  Cai beat them to the front door. He quietly unbolted it as the gir
ls put on their shoes. In silence they tiptoed along the corridor, down the stairs and into the softly lit entrance hall. Hannah shivered.

  “It’s still raining, but it sounds like the wind’s dropped.”

  They pulled up the hoods on their coats. The rain was so heavy that soon they were soaked through.

  “Lucky I brought this,” said Cai, switching on a waterproof torch as they ran across the grass to the garden gate.

  “I’ve got one too,” said Antonia, switching on her torch.

  The grass was slippery, forcing them to slow their pace. “Better to get there in one piece than not at all,” muttered Hannah.

  The path was even worse than the grass. Gingerly the Silver Dolphins ran along, feet squelching in the sticky mud. It was a relief to reach the sand dunes. The wet sand held firm as they climbed to the top and ran down the other side, torches swinging wildly. Leaving their shoes and torches at the bottom of the dunes, they ran across the beach, wet sand splattering their clothes and oozing between their toes.

  Hurry, Silver Dolphins. Vision’s voice, loud and clear in Antonia’s head, sounded desperate.

  I’m coming, she silently answered.

  Running even faster, Antonia hurtled across the beach with Cai and Hannah. At first the inky water sucked at their legs, holding them back. Antonia kept walking, concentrating on becoming a Silver Dolphin, then diving into the sea, she swam. Her legs melded together to kick like a tail and her hands paddled like flippers.

  Antonia raced alongside Cai and Hannah, swimming even faster than real dolphins as they answered Vision’s call for help.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Vision’s call was coming from the same direction as the cliff-top café. Deep down Antonia had expected it. Ignoring the cold rain splashing on her face, she swam on until she saw four shapes agitatedly swimming in the water.

  Antonia reached the dolphins a body’s length before Cai and Hannah.

  There was no time for a friendly greeting. Even Lulu and Rolly looked serious. Antonia suddenly felt sick with anxiety.

  “We came as fast as we could,” panted Hannah, arriving with Cai.

  “Silver Dolphins, thank goodness you’re here. A terrible thing has happened,” clicked Vision. “The storm caused a landslide on to the seals’ beach. Lots of seals are injured and trapped. Please help them.”

  It was starting to get light. Antonia squinted at the beach and her insides turned ice-cold. Instead of golden sand there was a dirty mountain of soil, rocks and vegetation from the cliff top. At once Antonia swam towards the shore. Drawing closer she could hear the seals barking in distress. She glanced at Cai and Hannah, swimming alongside her. “Hurry,” she urged them.

  The landslide was the worse disaster Antonia had ever seen. The mountain of fallen soil was huge. Injured and scared seals lay everywhere. As she waded through the surf, Antonia saw a massive tree lying across the beach. An outside table and a litter bin were tangled in its branches. Antonia rushed forward, tears stinging her eyes as she realised a seal was trapped under there too.

  She scrambled towards him. Branches caught at her clothes and scratched her hands. Antonia hardly noticed. She fought her way forward until finally she reached the seal. He was a handsome male with a sleek grey coat.

  “Steady, boy.” Antonia spoke soothingly as she pulled at the branch lying on top of him. Dried leaves fell from the branch, covering the seal in an orangey-brown blanket. The seal watched Antonia with soulful eyes.

  “That’s better. I can see you now.” Antonia carefully brushed the leaves off the seal’s coat to examine him. Miraculously, apart from a few scratches, he didn’t seem to be injured.

  “You’ve had a lucky escape,” she told him. “Be patient. We’ll soon have you out of there.”

  Cai and Hannah helped, snapping away the twigs and branches until finally the seal was able to wriggle clear.

  “One down. But who do we help next?” Hannah stared at the beach in dismay. There were so many seals trapped by soil or fallen branches that it was impossible to know where to start.

  “Over there,” said Cai, pointing to a seal whose tail was pinned by a rock. He ran over and began pushing the rock away.

  “Oomph!” Cai grunted, his face reddening with exertion. “This one needs your help, Antonia.”

  Antonia went forward to give him a hand, her eyes widening at the livid red gash along the seal’s tail.

  “Steady there,” she soothed as the seal, a female with huge eyes and freckled face, tried to pull away. The seal’s whiskers twitched fearfully, her big brown eyes begging Antonia not to hurt her any more.

  “I’m here to help.”

  Antonia sat down and ran her hand over the seal’s soft coat until she reached the gash. Gently she placed her hands on either side of it and pushed.

  Heal.

  Antonia concentrated on helping the seal. A tingling sensation spread along her arms and into her hands. As the magic warmed her fingers, Antonia pressed the edges of the wound more firmly together.

  Heal.

  She was dimly aware of Hannah and Cai holding a fierce conversation.

  Heal.

  A final burst of warmth exploded in Antonia’s fingers. She held them in place for a short while longer then slowly lifted them up. The wound had closed, leaving a pale pink line in its place. The seal beat her tail in thanks.

  “You’re welcome,” said Antonia, pushing her hair back from her face. “Now who’s next?”

  “We’ve been talking about that,” said Cai. “There are too many for us to cope with on our own. We need help.”

  Claudia, thought Antonia automatically. But Claudia was too far away.

  “We need Kathleen,” said Hannah. “I don’t suppose you’ve got a mobile phone, Antonia? If not, someone’s going to have to go back for her.”

  Antonia shook her head. Even if she did own a mobile, she wouldn’t have carried it into the sea!

  Kathleen! Antonia willed her to hear her cry for help.

  Kathleen, we need you.

  Nothing.

  Sadly Antonia realised that Kathleen couldn’t hear her that way.

  “I’ll go back,” said Cai decisively. “Antonia’s the fastest swimmer, but we need her here to heal the injured seals.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll go,” Hannah offered.

  “Wait!” Antonia had an idea. She wasn’t sure if it would work, but it was worth a try. She closed her eyes and thought about Claudia. Would she be awake yet?

  Claudia?

  A picture of her friend swam into her mind. Claudia dressed in work clothes, pushing her unruly hair away from her sea-green eyes.

  Claudia?

  Antonia concentrated as hard as she could.

  Silver Dolphin, is that you?

  Yes! There’s been an accident. A landslide at the seal beach. We need help. Can you tell Kathleen?

  I’ll ring her. Will she know where you are?

  Tell her it’s the beach beneath the café.

  Antonia thought Kathleen would know where the seal beach was, but it was better to be sure.

  Be strong, Silver Dolphin.

  Antonia’s head was suddenly silent. Antonia was so relieved. Claudia had sensed this was serious. She’d gone to ring Kathleen straight away.

  “Antonia?” Cai touched her arm.

  She opened her eyes and smiled at Cai.

  “Help’s coming,” she said.

  “Is Kathleen…I mean, does she…”

  “No, but Claudia’s going to ring her,” said Antonia.

  Cai grinned back. “You’re amazing,” he said. “Both of you.”

  Antonia flushed. “We all are,” she said warmly. “Come on. There’s work to do.”

  They divided themselves up. Hannah and Cai freed trapped seals and Antonia healed them. It was hard, exhausting work. Antonia had never used her healing powers on so many animals at the same time and she wasn’t sure how long her magic would last. As they cleared up the debris, Hanna
h and Cai piled it into a corner of the beach to avoid further injuries. Their fingernails were black with dirt and their hands and faces were covered in scratches.

  “We need an axe,” said Hannah. “It’d be easier to clear this stuff if we could get rid of the fallen tree.”

  “It’s enormous.” Cai eyed the tree speculatively. Suddenly he leant forward. “Listen, did you hear that?”

  Something in his tone made Antonia look up from the seal she had just finished healing. A plaintive cry like a kitten mewling came from under the tree.

  Cai fell on the tree, tearing at the branches with his hands. Antonia and Hannah rushed over to join him.

  “It’s a seal,” panted Cai. “I can just see it.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  There was one branch in the way that was too thick to break with their bare hands. Antonia, Cai and Hannah pulled the smaller twigs and dead leaves from it until it was completely stripped. The naked branch lay over the seal, caging her in. The seal gave a weak bark of distress.

  “Be strong,” Antonia soothed her. “We’re going to help you.”

  She looked around for something sharp. There was plenty to choose from. A flint-shaped stone caught her eye and she slipped down from the tree trunk to fetch it. The stone felt heavy in her hand, but would it be weighty enough for what she had in mind?

  Holding it tightly, Antonia climbed back on to the fallen tree trunk, inching her way along it until she reached the branch. She leant forward, picking a spot where the branch was thinner. Antonia held the stone to the wood. With a sawing motion, she pushed it backwards and forwards.

  Cut.

  She concentrated on the stone, willing it to slice through the wood. A tingling sensation passed down her arms and slowly moved along to her hands. It was sluggish and felt lukewarm. Antonia was tired and her magic was weakening. She stopped sawing. Closing her eyes, she took a long deep breath in. She held it for a couple of seconds then slowly let it out. She repeated this a few times before placing the stone back on the branch.