Double Danger

by Summer Waters

  “I’m fine, thanks,” said Antonia. She was tempted to confess that she’d lost her necklace. But surely she ought to tell Claudia first?

  “Aunty Claudia was worried about you too. But I knew you’d tell us if something was bothering you.” Cai’s dark eyes challenged Antonia.

  “Of course. Where is Claudia? I could do with a chat.”

  “She had to go out. She got a call from a tourist who’d seen a sick seal over towards Newport. She left Sally in charge.”

  “Oh!” Could the day get any worse? Antonia didn’t cry easily, but tears were gathering in her eyes and threatening to run down her face. Swallowing, she brushed them away.

  “Do you want to go somewhere more private?” asked Cai.

  “Yes,” said Antonia, deciding she must tell him her shocking news. “Let’s go and sit on the beach.”

  Cai was really kind about the lost necklace and immediately offered to lend Antonia his charm.

  “You can’t do that!” Antonia exclaimed, but her heartbeat quickened.

  “It makes sense,” insisted Cai. “You’re a much more powerful Silver Dolphin than I am. If there’s an emergency, you’ll be better at dealing with it.”

  Antonia hesitated. Cai was right, but was it fair to stop him from answering the dolphin’s call because of her own carelessness? If only she’d not been in such a hurry, she’d have remembered to put her necklace back on. Then there wouldn’t have been a problem.

  Sensing her dilemma, Cai said, “I bet Aunty Claudia would think it was a good idea. And I could borrow hers. She lent it to me once before.”

  “Yes, but that was different,” said Antonia. “She lent it to you because she wanted to know if you were a Silver Dolphin.”

  She sat with her back against the Sea Watch boat, scrunching up the gritty sand with her bare feet as she thought about Claudia. What would she say? The answer came to her in a flash—Claudia’s voice in her head.

  Go and work it out.

  It was what Claudia always said in a crisis. Antonia concentrated on Claudia, picturing her kindly face with its sea-green eyes, framed by her unruly curls.

  I’m sorry. I let you down.

  You haven’t.

  But I’ve lost my charm.

  Believe in yourself, Silver Dolphin.

  Antonia thought she heard a chuckle, then her head was silent. Claudia often told Antonia to believe in herself and it helped her to make up her mind.

  “Thanks, Cai, but I’m not going to take your charm,” she said. “I’m going to find mine.”

  Her words came back to haunt her later that night as she lay wide awake in bed, staring at the stars through her sloping bedroom window. Earlier in the evening, she’d carefully put her things away until her bedroom was tidy again, but she didn’t find the silver dolphin necklace. Try as she did to stop herself, Antonia strongly suspected that Jessica had taken it. Her little sister had swung between being secretive and bubbling with excitement, all evening. She was going to the beach with Naomi and her mum the following day and had begged Antonia to go with them.

  “I’ve not been invited, Jess,” Antonia protested.

  “You don’t need an invitation to go to the beach,” said Jessica. “Please come and watch me swim.”

  Eventually, to get some peace, Antonia promised to go down to the beach before she went to Sea Watch. Afterwards, she’d regretted her decision. What had she been thinking? She had to get to Sea Watch early to be near Cai. It had been bad enough spending a whole evening away from him, even though Cai had assured her he would ring if he got a call from Spirit. Maybe she should break her promise and not go and watch Jessica. Antonia climbed out of bed and stood in front of her open window. In the dark, the sea looked like an enormous black lake. Where were her dolphins now? Knowing she was powerless to hear them if they called for help, Antonia hoped they were safe, somewhere out at sea.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning, Antonia woke with a hollow feeling inside her. Her fingers crept to her neck, seeking reassurance in her dolphin charm. They found nothing. Immediately, Antonia struggled up, pushing her duvet away as yesterday’s awfulness came rushing back. Her silver dolphin necklace was missing and she had no way of hearing Spirit’s call. Before she dressed, Antonia checked her room once more in the hope that her necklace might have reappeared as mysteriously as it had vanished. But it hadn’t. Disappointed, she went downstairs for breakfast.

  Jessica was already halfway through a bowl of cereal.

  “Hello,” she mumbled.

  Antonia studied her sister. She seemed nervous and kept yawning as if she hadn’t slept properly.

  “Hi, Jess. Where are Mum and Dad?”

  “Dad’s in the bathroom; Mum’s taken him up a mug of tea. Don’t forget you said you’d come to the beach and watch me swim today.”

  “Er…I’m going to Sea Watch. But I could come to the beach later. How long are you going for?”

  “All day,” said Jessica. She pushed her cereal bowl away from her. “You promised you’d come.”

  She looked so fierce, Antonia decided she couldn’t break her promise after all.

  “I’ll be there,” she agreed.

  “Good,” said Jessica. “Cos I’m going to surprise you.”

  She shot Antonia a triumphant look, then pushing back her chair, went upstairs to her room.

  Antonia sat down. What did Jessica mean by surprising her? Antonia was so deep in thought, she didn’t hear her mother come into the kitchen and switch on the kettle.

  “Antonia, I asked if you wanted a cup of tea.”

  “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t hear you. Yes, please,” said Antonia.

  She drank the tea and nibbled on a piece of toast. She didn’t really want either, but no way would Mum let her go out unless she’d eaten something. Antonia wondered if she should challenge her sister again over the missing necklace. It was worth a try. Sighing heavily, she dumped her mug and plate in the dishwasher, then went to her sister’s room. The door wouldn’t open. None of the bedroom doors had locks, so Jessica must have wedged something against it. She’d never done that before!

  “Jess, it’s me. Can I come in?”

  “No, I’m not ready. Go away.” Jessica sounded alarmed.

  “Ready for what?”

  “Going out with Naomi. I haven’t got my swimming stuff together. You won’t forget to come to the beach, will you?”

  “I won’t forget. Jess, I…” Antonia hesitated before adding, “I’m going to look for my necklace. If you see it, you will tell me, won’t you?”

  There was a moment of silence before Jessica answered crossly, “Yes.”

  Antonia stood for a bit, listening to her sister furtively creeping around her room. Jessica wasn’t giving anything away. Despondently, Antonia collected her packed lunch from the kitchen and went to Sea Watch.

  Claudia wasn’t there again. Sensing Antonia’s disappointment, Cai said awkwardly, “I told Aunty Claudia about your dolphin charm and asked if I should lend you mine, but she said no. She wasn’t cross with you or anything. She was smiling.”

  “It’s OK,” said Antonia. Claudia was probably amused because she’d known about the charm before he told her. Cai wasn’t aware of the telepathy between Antonia and Claudia. Antonia hadn’t told him because she didn’t want Cai to think she was boasting. Idly, she wondered why Claudia hadn’t wanted Cai to lend her his own charm, or offered to lend Antonia hers. Was it because she didn’t trust her not to lose it?

  Believe in yourself.

  Remembering Claudia’s words, Antonia grinned. Of course Claudia still trusted her.

  Even with the guillemots gone, there was plenty to do at Sea Watch. Claudia was organising a litter-picking day on the beach for the public and needed posters to advertise the event. The poster makers—Antonia, Emily, Karen, Eleanor and new volunteers, Eddie and Oliver—sat round the big table sharing coloured pens and chatting.

  Antonia tried to relax and enjoy the company,
but she was more wound up than an old-fashioned clock. She only had one ear for conversation. The other was busy listening out for Cai’s silver dolphin charm. At mid morning, when Sally called to the volunteers for a tea break, Antonia excused herself. It was time to go to Sandy Bay and watch Jessica swim. She half hoped that Cai might offer to go with her. But he didn’t, and Antonia didn’t invite him along because then he would have felt obliged to go with her even if he didn’t want to.

  Sandy Bay beach was heaving with holiday-makers. Antonia sat on the promenade, scanning the crowd for Jessica, while she took off her sandals. The lifeguards had erected two flags on the beach, marking out a safe area for bathers to swim. Guessing that her little sister would be somewhere between the two flags, Antonia headed in that direction. Jessica must have been watching out for her. She suddenly leapt up, shouting and waving her beach towel. Antonia waved back. Jessica dropped the towel and began an earnest conversation with Mrs Simmons, Naomi’s mum. Then she and Naomi headed towards the sea. Mrs Simmons stood up and waved at Antonia before hurrying after the two girls. Antonia hopped across the beach and left her shoes by Jessica’s screwed-up towel. As she continued down to the sea, a familiar sensation washed over her, making her body tingle with anticipation. Antonia stopped dead and her hands flew to her bare neck. Spirit was about to call. But how would she know for definite when that call came? Another startling thought occurred to her. Why had Jessica suddenly rushed into the sea? Antonia stared after her little sister, now jumping through the surf. Why was she in such a hurry?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Antonia remained where she was, unsure what to do. If Spirit was about to call, should she run back to Sea Watch to meet Cai? But what if she didn’t make it in time and he answered the call without her? Could she become a Silver Dolphin without being near his charm? Antonia’s eyes focused on the sea again. Jessica was easily identifiable in her bright pink costume, swimming with jerky movements towards the orange safety buoy. Naomi had stopped when the sea reached her waist. She must have swallowed some water because her mum was patting her on the back. Suddenly, Mrs Simmons noticed that Jessica had gone on without them and she shouted for her to wait. Jessica kept swimming until she was level with the orange safety buoy. Then, waving a hand, she swam past it.

  “Jessica!” gasped Antonia. It was an unbreakable rule in the Lee household that no one went further than the orange safety buoy. Was Jessica showing off? Antonia was too concerned for her sister’s safety to be impressed by how far she’d swum.

  Suddenly, a high-pitched whistle sounded in Antonia’s head. It was so unexpected, it made her wince. The whistle was followed by a series of clicks.

  Silver Dolphin. Come quickly!

  Shocked to hear Spirit’s voice so clearly in her head, Antonia almost didn’t answer him.

  Spirit?

  Hurry, Silver Dolphin!

  But how? I’ve lost my magic charm.

  Believe in yourself. Believe you can.

  All at once, a fog cleared in Antonia’s head. She remembered talking to Claudia when she first became a Silver Dolphin. Claudia had told her that the necklace was a receiver. It was a way for Spirit to communicate with the Silver Dolphins. But she’d also said that to turn into a Silver Dolphin, you only had to believe in the magic. So Antonia didn’t need her charm to become a Silver Dolphin! And now, to her amazement, Antonia was communicating with Spirit without even wearing her charm. No wonder Claudia wasn’t worried when Antonia told her that she’d lost it. She must have known all along that Antonia was such a powerful Silver Dolphin, she didn’t need it!

  A sudden scream brought her sharply back to the beach. It was Jessica—she was in trouble! She was thrashing about and her head kept disappearing under the water.

  Hurry, Silver Dolphin!

  Antonia froze. Here was double danger. Both Spirit and Jessica needed her help. Antonia’s brain raced. Mrs Simmons was already in the water, but she was helping Naomi. There were two lifeguards on duty. But this was her sister.

  Still dressed in her shorts and T-shirt, Antonia ran into the sea. The moment she swam, her clothes filled with water, pulling her back. Frustrated by her wet clothes, Antonia struggled on. She felt bad about ignoring Spirit, but was terrified for Jess. Would she reach her sister in time? A whisper stole into her confused thoughts. It was a sound she’d heard several times before, when Spirit called, only this time it was clearer. Antonia listened to it as she swam. The whispering was growing louder. Gradually, it turned into a familiar voice.

  Spirit. I hear your call.

  Antonia was so astonished, she almost stopped swimming. She heard Spirit’s voice next, urging Cai to come quickly, then his reply.

  I’m on my way.

  Cai?

  No reply. No matter how hard Antonia tried, she couldn’t make Cai hear her. Never mind. It was brilliant that she’d heard him. She swam on, feeling better now she knew that Cai was answering Spirit’s call.

  The gap between her and Jessica was closing. Scared she wouldn’t get to her quickly enough, Antonia forced herself to swim even faster. She reached Jessica just as her sister disappeared under the water and didn’t resurface. Diving down, Antonia grabbed the back of her bright pink costume. She hauled Jessica upwards until they both surfaced. Jessica spluttered and coughed up water. Quickly, Antonia hooked her left arm round her sister’s chest.

  “You’re safe now,” she said.

  Jessica struggled, but Antonia held her firmly. “Jess, it’s me, Antonia. Relax. I’ve got you.”

  “Antonia!” sobbed Jessica. Swallowing another mouthful of salty water, she began coughing and retching.

  “Sssh,” said Antonia soothingly. “Relax. I’m going to tow you ashore.”

  Antonia kicked her legs and paddled with her free hand. The life-saving lessons she’d had at her swimming club quickly came back to her. It was awkward towing someone almost as big as you, but Antonia was a strong swimmer and little by little, she towed her sister nearer to the beach. Jessica was sobbing uncontrollably.

  “It didn’t work,” she hiccupped. “It stopped working. My legs hurt and I couldn’t breathe.”

  “Hush,” said Antonia, with no spare breath to talk.

  As she approached other swimmers, people came to help her: Mrs Simmons, a boy in an inflatable dinghy and one of the lifeguards carrying a swimming float. The lifeguard offered Antonia the float, but she shook her head. She allowed him to take Jessica from her, though. She swam alongside him, murmuring words of comfort to her sister. When the water was shallow enough to walk, the lifeguard scooped Jessica up into his arms and carried her ashore. He took her straight to the first-aid trailer that was parked at the top of the beach. Antonia, Mrs Simmons and Naomi followed, Antonia’s wet clothes squelching uncomfortably.

  There was a small stretcher bed inside the trailer and the lifeguard laid Jessica on it, covering her with a thick grey blanket. “We’ll call an ambulance,” he said, reaching for a mobile phone. “What’s your name, sweetheart? Jessica. That’s a pretty name.”

  “Don’t want to go to hospital,” muttered Jessica.

  “Well, you seem fine, but you’ve had quite a shock. It’s best to let the hospital check you over.”

  The lifeguard rang for an ambulance and then for Mrs Lee, who said she would come straight away. Then, after rummaging in a small cupboard, he handed out towels.

  “Well done you,” he said to Antonia, handing her the biggest one. “Hero of the day. You saved Jessica’s life.”

  “She’s my sister,” said Antonia, wiping a strand of wet hair away from Jessica’s face.

  Jessica was crying again. She mumbled something and Antonia bent her head to hear her.

  “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I didn’t steal it. I only wanted to borrow it. But it didn’t work properly. The good luck magic ran out.”

  Suddenly, noticing the silver dolphin necklace hanging round Jessica’s neck, Antonia’s eyes widened. So she’d been right all along! Jessic
a had taken it.

  “Oh, Jess!” said Antonia. “I told you before. There’s only one way to improve your swimming. That’s by practising.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jessica struggled up and, propping herself on an elbow, unfastened Antonia’s chain.

  As the dolphin charm dropped into Antonia’s hand, she felt it vibrating. Her eyes flew to Jessica. She was still looking at the necklace, but she didn’t seem to notice that it was moving. So Jessica wasn’t a Silver Dolphin after all. Antonia felt a mixture of relief and guilt. A sharp whistle echoed round the trailer. Then Spirit’s voice clicked inside her head.

  Silver Dolphin. Come quickly!

  No one was taking any notice of the ear-splitting noise. Mrs Simmons was talking with the lifeguard and Naomi was munching on a bar of chocolate he’d given her.

  “Do you forgive me?” asked Jessica.

  Antonia was so happy to have her necklace back, she would have forgiven her sister most things, right then. She fastened it round her own neck. The dolphin’s tail began to beat. Faster and faster it went. Startled by its intensity, Antonia covered it with her hand. Was this the same call for help or a new one? Jessica’s lip began to tremble.

  “Please will you forgive me?”

  “Of course I will,” said Antonia. “Listen, Jess, I’ve got something important to do. Will you be all right if I leave you with Naomi and Mrs Simmons? Mum’ll be here soon.”

  Jessica nodded bravely.

  “Thanks.” Antonia bent down and hugged her. “I wish I was going to the hospital with you. What fun to ride in an ambulance! When you get home, you can tell me all about it.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Antonia headed for the rocks at the furthest end of Sandy Bay beach. There were a few people there with nets, but they were too busy catching shrimps in the rock pools to notice her as she waded into the sea, fully dressed. As soon as the water was deep enough, Antonia swam, with flipper hands.

  Immediately, her legs melded together and kicked like a tail. It felt fantastic. Antonia wanted to leap out of the sea, but instead she dived down and swam underwater so as not to draw attention to herself. Spirit’s call was coming from the same direction as the seahorse colony.