High Tide Read online

  Chapter Three

  When Antonia finally arrived at school, hot and out of breath, the playground was deserted. She hurried indoors, hung up her fleece in the cloakroom and went straight into the classroom. The class watched in silence as she came through the door. Warm with embarrassment, Antonia sat down.

  “Sorry I’m late,” she mumbled.

  “You’re just in time,” said Mrs Howard. “I’m about to call the register. I suppose you’ve been watching the filming too?”

  “No, I…” Antonia hesitated. She didn’t like telling lies, but she couldn’t tell Mrs Howard where she’d been.

  Luckily for her the door opened and Charlie came in late too. With an exaggerated sigh, Mrs Howard stood up and lectured the whole class on how lateness would not be tolerated and how they were not to let the excitement of having a film crew around stand in the way of their education. At playtime Lauren grabbed Antonia by the arm as she came out of the girls’ toilets.

  “So what happened to you this morning?” she asked, pushing her large face into Antonia’s.

  Shaking her arm free, Antonia carried on walking.

  “Where were you?” Lauren persisted, following her. “You were watching the filming, weren’t you? That’s why you were late.”

  “None of your business,” Antonia answered, heading for Sophie, Cai and Toby who were standing in a group on the opposite side of the playground.

  “I bet you didn’t get any autographs. The director said the actors were too busy to sign autographs until lunchtime.”

  Antonia stopped walking and swung round to face Lauren, her green-grey eyes holding Lauren’s small, hazel ones.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I was nowhere near the film crew this morning,” she said firmly and, giving Lauren a pitying look, Antonia moved on.

  “Loser,” Lauren bellowed after her. “I’m a much bigger fan of Stage Struck than you. I know everything about the actors. I even know where they’re filming next and I’m not telling you!”

  Cai ran over to Antonia. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Antonia grinned. “I’m used to it,” she said. “She doesn’t scare me.”

  Antonia happily forgot all about Lauren and Stage Struck until after school, when she was back at Sea Watch. Emily, Eleanor and Karen were there too, chattering away together.

  “Stage Struck is filming in Gull Bay tomorrow,” said Emily, colouring in a poster for the Litter Fishing launch. “Danny Appleton told me when he came into our shop to buy a present for his little sister. He’s my favourite actor. He’s so cool. I wish I had an older brother like Danny.”

  “Me too!” Eleanor and Karen agreed.

  Hiding their groans, Antonia and Cai escaped outside to clean Tilly’s pen and feed her.

  Tilly was pleased to see them, as always. Honking noisily, she climbed out of the deepwater pool to see what Antonia was doing with the mop.

  “Aunty Claudia says we’ll let her go after the Litter Fishing launch,” said Cai.

  “Shoo.” Antonia gently shook the mop at the grey seal. “I hope she’ll be all right. She’s too nosy for her own good sometimes.”

  “She’ll be fine,” said Cai reassuringly. “There are a couple of friendly seals that hang around the harbour. The fishermen throw them fish to eat.”

  “The fishermen round here are really nice,” said Antonia, propping the mop against the mesh fencing and unreeling the hose. “It’s great that they’ve agreed to take part in the Litter Fishing project.”

  “They like fishing in clean seas,” said Cai. “Some of the stuff that comes up in their nets is horrible.”

  “I know,” Antonia shuddered, thinking of the nasty things she’d seen in the ocean. “I’m glad Sea Watch is co-ordinating the project. I can’t wait for the launch. It was nice of Claudia to ask us to give the fishermen their new sacks.”

  “Do you think the scheme will put the Silver Dolphins out of a job?” joked Cai.

  “Never,” said Antonia, hosing his feet.

  “You rat!” Cai lunged for the hose, but Antonia darted out of his reach.

  The Litter Fishing project had been arranged by an environmental organisation. They were providing free sacks for fishermen to put rubbish caught in their nets in, rather than throwing it back into the sea. The sacks could later be emptied into a special container at the harbour. Claudia had agreed that Sea Watch would keep a supply of the sacks and arrange for the container to be emptied when full.

  “Turn the hose off, Antonia. I’m going to get Tilly her food.”

  Tilly enjoyed swimming after the fish that Antonia and Cai threw for her. Gracefully, she zipped round the pool, diving deep then surfacing in a completely different place.

  “She’s a great swimmer,” said Cai when the bucket was empty. “Not long now, Tilly. Soon you’ll have the whole sea to play in.”

  “I hope she finds some friends to play with,” said Antonia.

  “She will,” said Cai. “Stop worrying about her. She’s going to be fine.”

  On her way home from Sea Watch, Antonia was so busy thinking about Tilly that she didn’t see Lauren and Becky coming up the path until she’d practically walked into them.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” snapped Lauren crossly.

  “Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” said Antonia, misunderstanding Lauren and sidestepping her to walk on.

  “If you’re thinking of hanging around the film crew, you’re too late. They’ve packed up for the day,” Lauren called after her.

  Antonia kept walking.

  “Huh! Think you can ignore me, do you? Well, you’ll be sorry tomorrow when everyone hears my news.”

  Antonia didn’t know what Lauren was talking about until the following day, when Lauren smugly announced to the whole class that she and Becky had been hired by the director of Stage Struck as extras.

  “Anyone would think she’d got the lead role,” grumbled Sophie, at home time, “but it’s not even a speaking part. Extras are just there in the background. You don’t even notice them.”

  “Just ignore her,” said Antonia. “She’s so wrapped up in being a film star that she hasn’t been nasty to anyone all day.”

  “That’s true,” said Sophie, brightening. “What are you doing after school?”

  “I’m going to the Litter Fishing launch with Claudia and Cai. Why don’t you come along too? It’ll be fun.”

  “Thanks, but it’s not my kind of thing. Come round some other time then?”

  “Definitely,” said Antonia. “I’d like that.”

  Chapter Four

  The moment school ended Antonia and Cai raced to Sea Watch. Claudia was still tending to the oiled razorbill, who’d needed a second bath.

  “Can you put him back in his pen for me while I go and tidy myself up?” she asked.

  While Claudia went to put on clean clothes and comb her unruly hair, Antonia and Cai donned thick gloves and carried the razorbill to the back room.

  “He looks so much better than when he first came in,” said Cai.

  “He’s not as nervous either,” said Antonia, gently putting the bird down in his pen. They topped up his water, then went into the house to wait for Claudia.

  “Wow!” exclaimed Cai when Claudia finally appeared in the kitchen dressed in a smart skirt with a matching jacket. “Who are you? You’re not my aunty.”

  “You look lovely,” said Antonia.

  Claudia blushed. “I thought I’d better make an effort,” she said. “Lots of important people will be there, and at the reception afterwards.”

  The launch was being held at the harbour, so there was no point in taking the car. On the walk there they stopped several times to admire the posters made by Sea Watch volunteers to advertise the Litter Fishing scheme. The harbour was packed with fishermen and sightseers, and Antonia got an attack of the butterflies as Claudia steered her to the front of the crowd where a small stage had been erected. When Claudia had asked if she and
Cai wanted to present the fishermen with their litter sacks, Antonia hadn’t realised that she’d be doing it in front of an audience.

  As she climbed on to the stage, Antonia noticed her mum and Jess amongst the crowd. Jess’s face lit up when she saw Antonia and she waved excitedly. Antonia waved back, then Jess waved with both with hands, nudging Mum and making her wave too.

  “Aw, sweet,” said Cai, blowing Jess a kiss.

  Antonia felt a sudden rush of pride for her little sister. Jess was an unbelievable pain at times, but she could be lovely too. Seeing her cheering them on calmed Antonia’s nerves.

  The presentation ceremony started with Claudia giving a short talk to explain how the Litter Fishing scheme worked and how it benefited everyone. A local politician had been invited to speak too, but unfortunately he gave a much longer talk. Antonia stifled a yawn. She was bored of standing still for so long and was beginning to get fidgety. She glanced at Cai and grinned. He was bored too, if his fixed smile was anything to go by. It looked like it had been painted across his face. A funny feeling came over Antonia and she inwardly groaned. Spirit was about to call. Now what? The politician was still talking so she and Cai couldn’t just leave – they hadn’t yet presented the sacks to the fishermen. Panic-stricken, she glanced at Claudia.

  The dolphins need us, Antonia said, inside her head.

  I know, Claudia answered silently.

  Claudia took a step forward and when the politician paused for a breath she smoothly interrupted. “Thank you, Mr Fielder. And now the moment I know you’ve all been waiting for. If our two representatives from the fishing community could come forward, Sea Watch will present them with their new litter sacks.”

  The politician shot Claudia a startled look as Antonia and Cai hastily handed over their yellow sacks and shook hands with two burly fishermen. Someone in the crowd cheered and everyone started clapping. Antonia felt her silver dolphin charm leap to life. As its tail beat against her skin an accompanying whistle shrilled through the air. Even though only a Silver Dolphin could hear the whistling cry, Antonia was still grateful that everyone was busy clapping. She and Cai walked quickly from the stage and disappeared into the crowd, worming their way between people until they were free.

  “Shame about missing the reception,” said Cai, running alongside Antonia. “There was going to be a buffet.”

  Antonia laughed. Trust Cai to think of the food. She was just grateful that Claudia had helped them to get away. Unsurprisingly, on a chilly March afternoon, the beach was deserted. Antonia and Cai ran to the rocks where they pulled off their shoes, socks and fleeces. They hobbled across the sharp stones and splashed into the sea.

  Silver Dolphin, we need you.

  “Spirit, I hear your call,” Cai called as he walked further out.

  Antonia waded alongside him until together they dived into the water, gasping as the coldness hit them. But the moment she started swimming, Antonia forgot about the cold. Her legs melded quickly and kicking them like a tail she swam, arching her body in and out of the waves.

  “This way,” called Cai, swimming eastwards.

  “We’re being called towards Gull Bay,” said Antonia, swimming alongside him.

  Just before they rounded the cliff, Antonia saw a silver head in the water. Spirit had come alone and there was clearly no time for a greeting.

  “A bird is suffering. Follow me,” he clicked.

  Diving deep into the sea, Spirit swam fast, slicing through the water until he was round the headland. Antonia and Cai followed behind Spirit in silence until he suddenly pointed his nose upwards and surfaced near an outcrop of jagged rock. Antonia and Cai broke through the water on either side of him – Antonia pushing her long, blonde hair out of her eyes and Cai coughing up a mouthful of water.

  “Up there,” clicked Spirit, tossing his head in the direction of the rocky cliff.

  At first Antonia couldn’t see anything. She screwed up her eyes, scanning the rocks until at last she saw a bird on a bumpy ledge. It was hopping round in frightened circles while frantically flapping its wings. From its short, black legs Antonia thought it was a kittiwake, but she couldn’t be sure because the poor bird’s head was engulfed in plastic. Its claws sounded like rain tapping on the ledge as it struggled to get free. Antonia swam closer and, gripping the rocks with both hands, pulled herself out of the water. Barnacles scrapped at her knees and feet making her eyes sting, but Antonia carried on climbing until the bird was only a head-length above her. Sensing her presence, it panicked, warning her off with a shrill cry.

  “Steady there,” called Antonia. “We’re here to help you.”

  “Antonia,” hissed Cai.

  Antonia didn’t hear him. She was too busy watching the bird frantically hopping backwards. What if it fell off the ledge?

  “Hush,” she whispered. “Stand still. We won’t hurt you.”

  The bird stood rigid, its grey body trembling. Antonia was dimly aware of a buzzing noise coming from her left, but ignoring it she reached out to pull herself up to the bird’s level.

  “Antonia!” Cai’s shout was low and urgent, and it stopped Antonia from going any further.

  She turned her head and stared out to sea in disbelief. Cai and Spirit had vanished. Only a rippled patch in the water showed where they’d been. A small motorboat was speeding towards her. Where had that come from? She had thought Gull Bay was empty when they’d arrived, but maybe it wasn’t. In the distance, Antonia could see a cluster of people moving around on the sand. The boat’s engine tone changed from an angry buzz to a quiet hum as it approached the rocks. Neither of the two passengers, a middle-aged man and a young woman wearing smart clothes and lots of make-up, looked happy.

  “You there,” shouted the man, pointing straight at Antonia. “What the blazes do you think you’re doing?”

  Chapter Five

  The man’s angry voice made Antonia feel wobbly inside. Clutching at the rocks for support, she wondered how to explain what she was doing, without giving away the secret of the Silver Dolphins. Then the kittiwake made another desperate attempt to free himself from the plastic.

  “Steady there,” said Antonia, reaching up to him.

  “Did you hear me? We’re trying to film here and you’re spoiling our sightlines.”

  Something snapped inside Antonia and she glared down at the man.

  “I’m helping this bird,” she said icily. “It’s going to suffocate.”

  As she spoke Antonia could feel the magic draining out of her in a tingling stream. No! This couldn’t be happening. Not now, when the kittiwake was in so much danger. But it was too late. Sadly Antonia realised that the people in the boat had broken the magic.

  Spirit, she called silently.

  Silver Dolphin, don’t…Antonia could hardly hear Spirit’s reply. She closed her eyes blotting out everything around her, but it was no good. His voice had faded away.

  Impulsively, Antonia tried to grab the plastic from round the kittiwake’s neck. She moved too fast, startling the bird and he flapped his feathers and lashed out, almost scratching her with a black claw.

  “Get in the boat!” shouted the man. “We’re taking you back to the beach.”

  “It’s for your own safety,” the lady added, in a gentler voice. “We can’t leave you here on the cliff.”

  Antonia hardly heard them. She stared at her hands. She should have taken things more slowly. It was obvious that the poor bird was petrified.

  “What about the bird? We can’t leave him. He’ll die.”

  “It’s a seagull,” said the man harshly. “No one will miss it.”

  Antonia knew that kittiwakes were a special type of gull, but she was too outraged to correct him. He might be able to leave an animal to die, but she couldn’t. Furiously, she tried to pull herself on to the kittiwake’s ledge, but the rocks were harder and much more slippery than when she’d climbed up using her Silver Dolphin magic. Realising that it wasn’t safe to carry on, Antonia finally ad
mitted defeat. Swallowing her disappointment, she climbed down and meekly allowed the lady to help her into the boat.

  “How did you get here?” asked the lady, as Antonia sat down. “Did you climb round the cliff?”

  Antonia hesitated. Thankfully the magic had mostly dried her clothes, so they were just a little damp in places and it didn’t look like she had swum there.

  “I climbed over the rocks,” she said.

  “Didn’t you see us filming?” snapped the man, not looking at her, but keeping his eyes fixed on the shore.

  “I didn’t realise,” Antonia stammered. “Aren’t you filming on the beach?”

  “We are mostly, but we could see you in some of the long distance shots,” said the lady gently. “I’m Louise, by the way, assistant film director. And this is Mr Harry Brewer, our director. Are you a fan of Stage Struck?”

  Antonia shook her head. “I don’t watch much television,” she said.

  “Too busy rescuing seagulls,” said Mr Brewer, with a false laugh.

  Antonia was shocked by Mr Brewer’s attitude. She was also cross with herself for getting caught. It had been careless. She might have blown the secret of the Silver Dolphins. Thank goodness Cai had been smarter than her. Maybe he could rescue the kittiwake. Hope sparked in Antonia’s eyes. Yes, of course he would. And she could help him by distracting attention away from the cliffs.

  “So, um, how long are you going to be filming in Gull Bay?” she asked, resisting the urge to look for Cai and Spirit.

  When the boat was in shallow water Mr Brewer cut the engine. He wore sandals with no socks and rolled up his trousers before climbing out.

  “You’re one crazy girl,” he said to Antonia, as he indicated for her to get out too. “Do you always go around in bare feet?”

  “My shoes are over there,” she replied, waving vaguely at the beach.

  “Well, do me a favour. Put them on and go home.”

  He raised his voice for the benefit of the crew, cast and spectators watching with interest. “Crazy girl!”

  Antonia glared at the back of Mr Brewer’s head. There were plenty of rude things she could say about him right now, but none of them would help the kittiwake. In a dignified silence she walked round the crowd of smirking onlookers until she was finally off the beach. Several times she thought she heard her name being called, but Antonia refused to look back. She was sure that plenty of people from school had witnessed her humiliation. No doubt they’d all be talking about it tomorrow. She focused on the edge of the beach and kept walking up the steps, on to the hard ground and along the lane until she reached the shuttered beach shop. Then she stopped. Now what? She couldn’t go home without her shoes again. There would be too many questions from Mum. Claudia had bailed her out when she’d got stuck without shoes in the past, but she was at the launch party for the Litter Fishing scheme. Antonia couldn’t interrupt that either.