Not Quite a Mermaid

by Linda Chapman

  ‘No,’ Electra whispered, her heart pounding.

  Her mum looked torn and unhappy. ‘I really don’t want him to go either, but there’s a saying: if you love someone, set them free. It means that if you love someone you should do what is needed to make them happy. If it would make Splash happiest to be with the other dolphins, then we should let him go.’

  ‘But it wouldn’t make him happy!’ The words burst out of Electra. ‘He wouldn’t like it!’

  ‘You mean you wouldn’t like it,’ her mum said gently. She squeezed Electra’s hands. ‘Maybe we should ask Splash what he wants.’

  Electra stared at her.

  ‘We have to give him the choice, Electra. Look, I’ll talk to him…’ Maris began.

  ‘No, Mum,’ Electra said quickly. The last thing she wanted was her mum persuading Splash to leave.

  ‘Well, then you must promise me that you will,’ Maris said.

  Electra hesitated and then nodded.

  ‘OK, I promise,’ she muttered.

  Maris hugged her. ‘Good girl. I’ll see you later and we can talk then.’

  She swam away.

  Electra sank down on her bed. She thought about the way Splash’s eyes sparkled when he talked about the wild dolphins’ adventures and about how much he loved playing with them. Maybe he would be happier living with them.

  But then she shook her head. Whatever her mum said, she knew Splash would be happier with her on Mermaid Island. I can’t let him go, she thought fiercely. I won’t!

  Chapter Four

  Splash raced into Electra’s room when he got back later that morning. ‘Oh, Electra, I’ve had a brilliant time! It was great, we…’

  But Electra didn’t want to hear about how much fun he’d been having with the dolphins. ‘I’ve had an idea!’ she interrupted, jumping to her feet. ‘Why don’t we go to Turtle Rock and play hide and seek?’ Playing in the waters around Turtle Rock was one of Splash’s favourite things to do.

  ‘OK,’ Splash said eagerly.

  Electra felt a flutter of relief. Maybe if they did all the things he really liked doing he’d stop thinking about how much fun it was being with the other dolphins and think about the great time he had with her on Mermaid Island instead.

  They swam to Turtle Rock and began to play hide and seek.

  ‘Found you!’ whistled Splash as he found Electra hiding behind a giant clam.

  Electra grinned. ‘This is fun, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, and I had loads more fun with the other dolphins this morning too,’ Splash said happily. ‘I love hearing their stories.’

  ‘I can tell you stories,’ said Electra. ‘Once upon a time there was a sea fairy and—’

  ‘Don’t be silly! That’s just a made-up story, Electra,’ Splash said, bumping her with his nose. ‘The wild dolphins tell stories about real adventures, not pretend ones.’

  Electra felt hurt. Splash had always liked her stories before.

  ‘We all played tag again as well,’ said Splash.

  ‘We can do that!’ Electra said quickly.

  ‘Come on!’ She tagged him and dashed away. ‘You’re it!’

  Splash caught her easily.

  ‘Got you!’ he whistled. ‘You’re so easy to catch — much easier than the other dolphins. Try and get me.’

  But, hard as Electra tried, she couldn’t. She felt herself swimming slower and slower as he swam away from her. Tears prickled in her eyes. She would never be as good as the wild dolphins, never be as much fun as them. Maybe her mum was right. Maybe Splash really should go with them.

  Splash swam back to her in surprise. ‘Why aren’t you trying to catch me any more?’

  ‘I don’t feel like it,’ she muttered.

  He pushed her arm with his nose.

  ‘You’re sad. What’s the matter?’

  She didn’t say anything.

  ‘Electra?’ Splash said anxiously. ‘What is it?’

  She put her arms round him. ‘I’m OK,’ she said, burying her head in his neck and swallowing hard. ‘I… I love you, Splash. I really do.’

  ‘I know that. I love you too,’ he said, sounding confused.

  Electra hugged him tightly.

  She heard her mum’s voice in her mind: if you love someone, set them free.

  She knew that now was the moment when she should ask Splash if he wanted to leave Mermaid Island and go with the other dolphins. But she just couldn’t bring herself to. What if he said yes?

  I can’t do it, she thought desperately.

  I just can’t.

  ‘Electra?’ Splash said, his voice muffled by her arms. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing,’ she lied. She pushed all thoughts of asking him out of her mind. ‘Come on, let’s go home.’

  Electra didn’t sleep well that night. When she got up, much earlier than normal, Maris was in the kitchen. ‘Did you talk to Splash yesterday?’ she asked Electra.

  Electra shook her head.

  ‘Oh, Electra,’ her mum said, swimming over to her. ‘I know it’s hard. I don’t want Splash to go with the other dolphins either, but we have to let him decide for himself. If you won’t ask him then I will.’

  ‘No, I’ll do it, Mum,’ Electra said quickly. ‘I promise.’

  She swam out of the kitchen before her mum could say anything more.

  When Splash got up he looked sad and his flippers drooped. ‘I don’t want any breakfast,’ he told Maris quietly. ‘I’m going to go and say goodbye to my friends. They said they’d be leaving early.’

  Maris exchanged looks with Electra. Electra’s heart sank. She guessed she couldn’t put off talking to him any longer.

  ‘I’ll swim to the reef wall with you,’ she said.

  They set off. Splash sighed. ‘I can’t believe I’ve got to say goodbye to them. I’ll miss them so much.’

  Electra took a deep breath. ‘Maybe you don’t have to say goodbye.’

  Splash frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You… you could go with them if you wanted,’ Electra whispered. The words felt like they were hurting her throat.

  He looked puzzled. ‘Go with them?’

  Electra swallowed hard. ‘Yes, you could go and be a wild dolphin.’

  ‘But that would mean leaving you,’ Splash said slowly.

  Electra nodded.

  Splash stared at her. ‘Don’t be silly. I don’t want to leave you, Electra.’

  ‘But you really like being with the other dolphins. You’ve said how much you would love to be like them and you’ve been really unhappy at the thought of saying goodbye. Maybe you should go, Splash. I… I don’t mind,’ she lied.

  Splash looked confused. ‘Wouldn’t you miss me if I went then?’

  ‘Of course I would!’ The words burst out of Electra.

  This was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Harder than stopping sharks attacking the merpeople, harder than stopping a shoal of starfish eating the coral reef. Every bit of her wanted to beg Splash not to go, to tell him that she would be really unhappy, but, once again, her mum’s words ran round in her head: if you love someone, set them free. She did love Splash and she wanted him to be happy even if that meant she had to say goodbye to him. She took a deep breath and tried to sound calmer. ‘Of course I’d miss you, Splash, but I’ve got other friends. I’ll… I’ll be all right.’

  ‘Oh.’ Splash’s fins suddenly seemed to droop more.

  ‘If you want to go, you really should,’ Electra told him.

  Splash didn’t seem to know what to say.

  Electra felt a sob rise up inside her. He really was thinking about going! She turned and dived away. She didn’t want him to see her cry. I want him to be happy, she told herself over and over again.

  ‘Electra!’ Splash whistled desperately.

  She glanced round. He was looking confused and upset.

  ‘I’ve got to go,’ he said, turning.

  ‘But—’

  ‘You’re going?’ she inter
rupted.

  ‘Yes, they’re about to leave and I need to—’

  Electra couldn’t bear it. She dived away, cutting him off before he could say any more. When she next looked round, there was just empty sea.

  Splash had gone!

  Chapter Five

  Electra burst into tears. Seeing the cave that she had made for his den, she swam inside. It was just as she and the twins had left it the day before, the rug on the floor, the pictures on the walls, and the notice that said Splash’s Den.

  Sitting on the rug, Electra wrapped her arms around her knees and sobbed. Splash had left her. He really had gone and he hadn’t even said a proper goodbye.

  Suddenly Sam and Sasha’s voices floated through the water towards her. ‘I wonder if Electra’s here.’

  ‘I can’t wait for the party.’

  Electra froze. The party! Oh, no! She’d forgotten all about it. It was that morning. What was she going to say to everyone?

  The twins swam round the rock and into the cave. They were both carrying streamers made of pink and purple seaweed. ‘Oh, hi, Electra,’ Sam said, looking surprised to see her sitting on the floor.

  ‘H-hi,’ she stammered, jumping to her feet.

  ‘We thought we’d come and put up a few decorations in here as well,’ Sam said. ‘Is Splash with the dolphins again?’

  Electra couldn’t bring herself to say that Splash had gone. She nodded wordlessly.

  ‘I can’t wait until he gets back,’ Sasha said. ‘He’s going to love his party!’

  ‘And this cave!’ said Sam. ‘Let’s get these decorations up.’

  ‘I… I don’t feel very well,’ Electra mumbled. ‘I think I might go home.’

  ‘Are you OK?’ said Sasha in concern. ‘Should I come with you?’

  Electra shook her head. ‘I… I’m fine.’ She swam out of the den. Memories of Splash flashed into her mind — Splash when she’d first seen him on the beach on Craggy Island, Splash playing jokes with her, Splash and her talking to a giant Napoleon fish, Splash’s mischievous dark eyes sparkling at her…

  She reached their cave. She couldn’t face going in and telling her mum that the party was off — that Splash had gone. She sat down on a rock outside. I can’t bear it, she thought desperately. I really can’t bear it.

  Misery overwhelmed her and, burying her head in her arms, she began to sob as if her heart was breaking.

  Suddenly someone nudged her arm. She looked up — and gasped. Splash was swimming in the water next to her.

  ‘Splash!’ Electra exclaimed.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked. ‘Why are you crying, Electra?’

  ‘I thought you’d gone.’ Electra could hardly believe he was there in front of her. She put out a hand and touched him. ‘I thought you’d left to be with the dolphins.’

  ‘No,’ Splash said. ‘I just went to say goodbye to them. I had to because they were about to go.’ He looked sad. ‘I know it doesn’t matter to you very much if I stay or not,’ he muttered. ‘But I want to stay. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to go anywhere without you.’

  ‘Oh, Splash!’ Happiness rushed through Electra. ‘You’re my best friend too! I’m so glad you’re not going!’

  Splash looked confused. ‘But you said you wouldn’t mind if I went.’

  ‘I didn’t mean it! I just didn’t want you to stay if you would really be happier with the dolphins.’ Electra threw her arms round him. ‘I hated the thought you might leave!’

  ‘And I hated the thought of going,’ Splash whistled. ‘I know the wild dolphins have fun but I wouldn’t have enjoyed being with them. I would have been too unhappy without you.’

  Electra felt relief roll over her. She hugged him as tightly as she could. ‘Don’t ever go away, Splash.’

  ‘Never ever,’ he promised, nuzzling her hair.

  Electra hugged him and then broke free as she suddenly remembered the party. She had to get Splash out of the way or it wouldn’t be a surprise!

  ‘Come on, why don’t we play for a bit? We can celebrate you not going.’

  ‘OK,’ Splash said.

  ‘I’ll just tell Mum. You stay here!’ Electra popped in through the shell curtain. Maris was in the lounge.

  ‘Electra, have you asked Splash about the dolphins?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, but he doesn’t want to! He’s staying!’ Electra grabbed her mum’s hands and swung her round. ‘He’s staying! He’s staying! He’s staying!’

  Maris looked very relieved. ‘Oh, I’m so glad! I didn’t think he would leave but I just felt we had to give him the choice.’ She kissed Electra. ‘I’m proud of you for asking.’

  Electra felt so happy she swam a loop-the-loop. She glanced round. ‘I’d better go. He’s just outside.’

  ‘Bring him back here just after eleven,’ Maris said. She smiled. ‘We don’t want Splash to be late for his own party!’

  Electra grinned back. ‘I’ll bring him back on time! I promise!’ And with that she dived out of the cave.

  Chapter Six

  Electra and Splash played hide and seek with Electra keeping a careful eye on the time. Just before eleven o’clock they headed home. When they got there Electra hung back and let Splash swim into the cave first.

  ‘Surprise!’ all the guests yelled as they popped out from behind the sofa and chairs and out of the doorways. They were all wearing party hats and throwing streamers. Splash stopped in astonishment.

  ‘Happy birthday, Splash.’ Maris swam forward with a birthday hat and put it on his head.

  ‘A birthday party? For me!’ Splash said as Electra joined him.

  Maris kissed him. ‘Yes, for you. We realized that you hadn’t had a birthday since you got here so we decided to celebrate today — a whole year since you came to live with us.’

  Everyone crowded round and handed him present after present. Splash looked as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. ‘A new blanket! A chest of sweets. A shell necklace,’ he said. ‘Thank you, everyone!’

  When everyone had given him their presents they all began to eat. There were sandwiches, cakes with different-coloured icing, strands of sugar seaweed, shells made out of candy, wobbly red jellyfish jellies and a huge birthday cake with a dolphin on top. After a while, Maris put some music on and people started to dance.

  Electra and Splash sat together. Electra sighed happily. ‘Are you enjoying yourself, Splash?’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ he said, watching as Sam and Sasha danced and all their other friends and the grown-ups joined in too. ‘I think this is the best day of my life.’

  ‘And mine,’ said Electra. She put her arm around him. ‘And to think I thought it was going to be the worst.’ She remembered the den. Everyone was having so much fun dancing they wouldn’t miss her and Splash for a little while. ‘I’ve got a surprise for you.’

  ‘Another one!’ Splash said in astonishment.

  Electra nodded. ‘My own special one.’ She swam out of the cave. ‘Come on!’

  As Electra showed him into the den, Splash looked around in astonishment. ‘Where are we?’

  Electra pointed at the notice.

  ‘Splash’s Den,’ Splash read out. His eyes widened in wonder as he took in the cushions, the pictures, the rug, the seaweed streamers the twins had put up, the tin of biscuits. ‘This is all for me?’

  Electra nodded. ‘It’s your own special place. The twins helped me to get it ready. Do you like it?’

  ‘I love it!’ gasped Splash. ‘Thank you, Electra! This is the best present ever.’ He nuzzled her. ‘And you’re the best friend ever.’

  She was delighted.

  ‘I can’t believe you thought I’d really want to leave you,’ Splash said.

  ‘I didn’t, it was just that Mum said now you were growing up you might need different things,’ Electra explained. ‘She thought that you might not be happy here on Mermaid Island with us — I wanted you to be happy.’

  ‘But I couldn’t be happy without you, Elect
ra,’ protested Splash. ‘I’m never going to leave you. I’m going to be your dolphin for life.’ He clapped his flippers. ‘Your life dolphin!’

  Electra grinned. ‘And I’ll be your life mermaid.’

  Splash whistled happily. ‘We’ll live on Mermaid Island forever — having adventures!’

  ‘Lots and lots of adventures,’ Electra agreed. ‘I want us to go out looking for a sea witch and to find a sea dragon.’

  ‘And I want us to go swimming with some giant rays,’ said Splash. ‘And meet a sea cow.’

  ‘There are so many exciting things for us to do!’ Electra said happily.

  ‘And the best thing is we’re going to be doing them together,’ Splash declared.

  Electra kissed his nose. ‘Forever,’ she smiled.