Surf Sisters

by Laurine Croasdale

  Mitch stood as they approached, clapping and smiling. ‘Well done, Marlee.’ He gave her a hug and a kiss. ‘I’m proud of you. You did very well today.’ He laughed. ‘There’s going to be an almighty big fuss in the surfing press as news of you beating the world champion gets out.’

  While they were talking Pink set a table she’d rigged up under the trees with a sheet. ‘Okay, peoples, special lunch.’ She laid plates out with a running commentary. ‘We’ve got pizza, hot chips, cake, biscuits, chocolate bars and my all-time favourite, sausage rolls in a roll. It’s all the junk food we haven’t been able to eat for the last two weeks.’ She popped two jelly snakes into her mouth, dangling them over her bottom lip, holding up a tub of ice-cream with five spoons sticking out. ‘This is going to melt, so let’s start with the ice-cream.’

  After lunch Pink turned the music down and hopped from foot to foot waiting for everyone’s attention. ‘I have news, you guys, so listen up. Mum and Dad have asked me to join their business at the end of the year. So now I’ll have some real money to sponsor you with, Marlee, as well as clothes, travel, accommodation, everything.’ She spread her arms wide to emphasise the scope.

  ‘Does that mean you’re offering an Island Breeze sponsorship? What happened to your brand?’ Marlee asked, confused.

  ‘No!’ Pink pulled the banner off the tent and wrapped it around herself. ‘It’ll be for my new brand – Surf Sisters, after Fran’s idea. Dad’s been looking at her illustrations and he loves them too, so I’m going to talk to her about using some in my designs.’

  Marlee couldn’t stop smiling as she watched Pink fizzing like an energy drink. She glanced at Mitch and he confirmed it. ‘It’s true, Marlee. Jas and I have just been mapping it out. You’ll be the only one for a while because she’s only learning and she’ll start out with a very small range, but Jas has certainly proved she’s got skills to develop. So while Surf Sisters will be Jas’s project, it’ll be supported and administered by Christie and I until she’s capable of running it by herself.’

  ‘So what do you say, Marls?’ Pink bent and whispered in her ear, ‘I have so many great plans for us. We are going to be the best brand with the best surfer on the planet. You do the surfing and I’ll do the rest.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan, you mad woman,’ said Marlee, shaking her head and chuckling.

  Pink screamed, twirled around and around, the banner over her head. ‘This is so amazing.’ She screamed again, jogging furiously on the spot. ‘This is the best day of my life.’

  ‘Well there’s a lot to be said for enthusiasm,’ Mitch said, shaking his head. ‘When Jas calms down, we can talk this through properly. And when we get home,’ he got up from the log, ‘I’ll send you an agreement so we can go over it with you and your mother before you sign.’ He kissed Marlee’s cheek. ‘We’re thrilled to have you with us at last, Marlee. And I’m speaking for Christie too. Come on, Jas, let’s go back to the house and see your mum.’

  ‘So …’ Tilly said to no-one in particular, ‘I’m going to head back to the beach to catch Fizz’s heat. ‘Anyone want to come?’

  The sun had dropped slightly behind the trees casting a shadow over the campsite. Kyle roamed around the ground collecting wood. ‘I’ll pass,’ he said.

  Marlee smiled and Tilly could see the weariness etched on her face. ‘I don’t think I’d make it but thanks anyway.’ Tilly waved and headed down the dirt track. Marlee moved her leg gingerly trying to get more comfortable. ‘I feel a hundred years old and my leg feels older than that!’

  Kyle sat next to her, putting his hand in hers. ‘You okay?’

  She sighed. ‘Better than okay. I never expected that this trip would be so amazing. All my dreams are starting to happen. I’ve got a sponsorship I feel really good about, my friends are here, and you’re here too.’

  ‘Yeah, no help from you there.’ Kyle broke a stick and threw the two halves into the flames. ‘Mind you, it was worth it to see you in those giraffe pants.’

  Marlee kissed him. ‘You were right. I thought I had to be on my own to get through this but really I needed everyone around me. I’m glad you ignored me.’

  ‘Well someone has to. You’ve even more stubborn than me.’ Kyle pulled a hoodie out of his pack. ‘So you’re not going to send me away again?’

  Marlee grinned. ‘Only if I can come too.’