Rising Star Read online

  “You too,” said Antonia, who was already keeping a careful eye on the traffic.

  The pufflings were a slippery bunch. Each time Antonia and Cai managed to herd them back to the safety of the cliff top, a small but determined group would suddenly dash back the opposite way. Most of the workmen were very careful, slowing their cars when they saw Antonia and Cai by the side of the road. But not everyone slowed down. Suddenly a battered red car drew up alongside them. For a wild moment Antonia thought the driver was going to offer to help, but she couldn’t have been more wrong.

  “Nutty kids!” The driver, a thickset man with small eyes, hung out of the side window laughing unpleasantly. “Aint got nothing better to do than play with the birdies? Where are your shoes, losers?”

  Music blared from his open car window, startling the pufflings and making them run in confused circles. Laughing raucously, the driver revved up his engine and drove away.

  “What an idiot!” exclaimed Cai, his face red with anger.

  “Forget him,” soothed Antonia. She hopped sideways to prevent a breakaway group of pufflings from slipping past her.

  It was a full fifteen minutes before the last car left the building site, but by that time Antonia and Cai had somehow persuaded the pufflings to explore the area along the cliffs instead of the roadside.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Antonia, shielding her eyes from the late afternoon sun.

  There were puffins everywhere. The black and white adult birds with their clown-like eyes, brightly coloured beaks and distinctive orange legs were so pretty. So was the craggy cliff top, whose muted greys and greens contrasted sharply with the colourful birds.

  “I love the way the puffins sit in rocky hollows so you can only see their heads peeping out,” said Cai. “They look like they’re watching us.”

  “I don’t blame them,” said Antonia, laughing. “Not all people are friendly. I love the pufflings. They’re so adorable I want to pick them up and cuddle them.”

  “That’s nature’s way of protecting them,” said Cai, his voice becoming serious. “Baby animals are usually cute so you feel you have to look after them.”

  Slowly, keeping well away from the cliff edge, they walked among the birds, stopping now and then for a closer look. Even though Antonia would have loved to cuddle the baby pufflings, she knew she mustn’t. Wild animals weren’t pets. It wasn’t safe for them to become too friendly with humans, and some animals could inflict nasty wounds by pecking, scratching or biting, if they were frightened.

  “I think we’re done here now,” said Antonia, once they’d walked around the whole colony. Her eyes swept the road, totally empty of traffic now the builders had packed up and gone home.

  “For today,” said Cai.

  “Yes,” said Antonia, immediately catching his meaning. She looked over to the building site, her grey-green eyes troubled. “So how do we stop the same thing happening tomorrow afternoon?”

  “And in the morning. Now the pufflings are ready to leave their nests they’ll want to keep on exploring. They’ll be in danger first thing in the morning when the workmen arrive for work too,” mused Cai.

  “You’re right,” said Antonia thoughtfully, as they headed down the cliff path in single file. She was silent as she concentrated on walking down the narrow cliff path. But as she jumped down the last step and on to the beach she smiled triumphantly.

  “I’ve got it. We need a puffling patrol.”

  “Pardon?” said Cai.

  “Puffling patrol,” Antonia repeated excitedly. “You know, like the schools that have a lollipop person to help children cross the road. We could do something similar for the puffins. We could do a puffling patrol at the beginning and end of the day to keep the pufflings away from the road.”

  “That’s a brilliant idea,” said Cai, his brown eyes shining excitedly.

  “It would mean getting up really early,” warned Antonia.

  “I know, Claudia’s builder starts at the crack of dawn!” said Cai. “It’s going to take up all our spare time,” he added, “although Claudia will help. I bet she’ll drive us and take us back again so we’re not late for school.”

  They padded across the beach and waded into the water.

  “Where’s Spirit?” asked Cai suddenly. “He usually waits for us.”

  “Over there, near the rocks. There’s someone with him.” Antonia’s heart leapt. “I hope it’s Bubbles or Dream. I’d love a game of sprat.”

  “It’s too big for either of them,” said Cai, gazing into the distance. “It’s Star.”

  “Oh!” Antonia tried not to be disappointed. She loved Star too but, like her own mum, Star was always too busy to play.

  “It’s probably a good thing it’s not Bubbles and Dream,” said Cai sensibly. “We need to get back and ask Claudia if she’ll help with the puffins.”

  “Yes!” sighed Antonia. “And I better not be too late home, especially if I’m going to get Mum to agree to me going out so early tomorrow.”

  Mrs Lee was very strict about knowing where Antonia was and what time she’d be back. She knew nothing about the Silver Dolphins as Antonia had to keep the magic a secret. Claudia, who was a Silver Dolphin and knew when Antonia and Cai were answering a call, didn’t worry so much.

  Cai was about to launch himself into the sea, but he paused. “Your mum will let you go tomorrow, won’t she?” he asked.

  Antonia said nothing for a moment, enjoying the magical feeling of being in the sea and knowing that soon she would be diving through the waves as fast as a dolphin.

  “Yes,” she said slowly, sounding more certain than she felt.

  But what if Mum wouldn’t let her go? Antonia cast the thought aside. She would worry about that if it happened. Plunging headfirst into the water she swam to join Spirit and Star, joyfully leaping in and out of the waves, glittering drops of sea spray flying from her body like diamonds.

  Chapter Four

  “I don’t know, Antonia,” said Mum, when Antonia asked if she could go with Cai to do an early-morning puffling patrol at the building site. “It sounds dangerous. And what about school? Year Six is an important year.”

  “Please, Mum,” Antonia wheedled. “I’ll be really careful, and I promise I won’t be late for school.”

  “I think she should go,” said Dad. “Claudia’s very responsible. She wouldn’t let her Sea Watch helpers do anything dangerous. It’s good for young people to get involved with the environment. After all, it’s their future.”

  Antonia went quiet. It was true – Claudia wouldn’t allow them to do anything dangerous on purpose – but being a Silver Dolphin was full of risks.

  “All right, you can go. Wear something bright so you can be easily seen, and no running around in the road! Stay on the path. And don’t be late for school or I will ground you for the whole term!” said Mum sternly.

  “Thanks Mum, thanks Dad!” Antonia hugged her parents.

  She phoned Sophie first, to tell her not to wait for her the following morning. Then she phoned Cai to give him the good news.

  That night, to be on the safe side, Antonia borrowed an alarm clock from her little sister Jessica and set it five minutes after her own was due to go off. She needn’t have worried. She woke before either of the alarms and leapt out of bed to open the blind covering her sloping attic window. The sky was a clear blue, but as Antonia stared through the open window she noticed small beads of condensation on the wooden frame. There was a slight nip to the early-morning air. She shivered, knowing sadly that summer would soon be over. Antonia brushed the tangles from her long blonde hair, dressed in her brightest clothes then packed her yellow and blue uniform in her school bag. After a quick wash she crept downstairs and poured herself a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk. After stacking the dirty dishes in the dishwasher she pulled on her shoes before hurrying outside to wait for Cai and Claudia. Minutes later their car pulled on to the drive.

  “Hi there,” said Cai, twisting round in the
front seat as Antonia climbed in the back.

  The building site was deserted. Claudia turned the car round in the temporary car park. Her mobile phone rang as she turned the engine off, making everyone jump. Cai and Antonia got out of the car and Claudia waved and mouthed at them not to go too far.

  “Sorry,” she said, when she was able to join them. “There’s a problem back at Sea Watch. The builder needs a decision on something. Will you be all right if I leave you here? I’ll be back in time to get you to school.”

  “Good,” said Antonia. “Because Mum will ground me forever if I’m late.”

  “Quite right too,” said Claudia. “Now I want you to promise me you’ll both be careful. No running on to the road and stay away from the cliff edge too.”

  “Promise,” said Antonia and Cai together.

  “I’ll come back up and have a proper look at the puffins later. I never realised there was a colony here. I’m surprised the builders got planning permission when the build was this close to their breeding ground,” called Claudia, hurrying away.

  For a brief moment as the car disappeared, Antonia felt uneasy. The building site was enclosed by a high temporary metal fence standing in concrete blocks. She peered through the rectangular-shaped mesh at the silent concrete mixers, diggers and fork lifts. The machines stared defiantly back, as if they were waiting for her to turn away so they could leap to life and chase after her.

  Are you all right? Do you want me to come back?

  Embarrassed that Claudia had heard her thoughts, Antonia blushed so deeply that even her scalp turned pink.

  No thanks. I’m fine, she answered silently.

  Well done, Silver Dolphin!

  “Antonia? I asked if you were ready.” Cai tapped Antonia’s arm.

  “Sorry. I was miles away.”

  Cai gave her a knowing look. “I thought you were.”

  They headed towards the cliffs on the opposite side of the road to the new flats. It was too early for most of the adult puffins, who were hunkered down between the rocks. A few of the pufflings were beginning to stir, and it wasn’t long before the more adventurous ones came out to explore. Antonia and Cai shepherded them back. It felt a much easier task than the day before, even when the builders started to arrive in their cars.

  “We’re getting good at this,” said Cai, cheerfully directing a fluffy puffling in the opposite direction.

  “Whoops! Spoke too soon,” said Antonia, as another cheeky puffling darted round Cai. “Go back to your friends, go on. Shoo!”

  Purring indignantly the puffling shuffled away. Eventually the number of cars coming along the road slowed to a trickle and stopped. Antonia glared over at the building site, now in full swing.

  “The poor puffins! It’s so noisy,” she complained.

  “It won’t be like this forever,” said Cai. “Once the builders have gone things should quieten down.”

  “Then they’ll be stuck with the flats. The people who don’t want them built here are right. It spoils the view.”

  “I know,” said Cai glumly. “But people have to live somewhere.”

  Antonia and Cai perched on a rock while they waited for Claudia.

  “I don’t want to go to school. I want to stay and keep an eye on the pufflings,” said Antonia. “There might be more traffic during the day.”

  “School doesn’t feel as important as the puffling’s safety,” Cai agreed.

  “I can’t believe Mrs Howard put me with Lauren.” The thought had been niggling Antonia since yesterday.

  “She’s not bullying you, is she?” asked Cai sharply.

  “It’s nothing that I can’t handle,” said Antonia, not wanting a fuss.

  “If it gets out of hand you’ll tell someone?”

  “I won’t let it get out of hand,” said Antonia lightly.

  Antonia had hoped that by not reacting to Lauren the bigger girl would grow bored of annoying her. But at school Lauren continued to be a pain. She was crafty not to do anything too nasty, but the low-level incidents were getting Antonia down.

  “Please stop prodding me with that ruler,” said Antonia loudly, when Lauren dug her in the ribs for the third time.

  Mrs Howard looked over, but Lauren had dropped the ruler and was studiously looking at her maths book. When Mrs Howard looked away Lauren whispered to Charlie and Harry.

  “Are you coming to my party? It’s gonna be great. Dad’s hired a hall, we’re having a disco inside and an inflatable slide outside. Mum’s getting caterers to do the food cos I’m inviting too many people for her to do it all.”

  “Cool. Are we invited then?” asked Harry.

  “I’m inviting the whole class. Well, almost the whole class.” Lauren paused and stared at Antonia. “I’m giving out the invitations tomorrow.”

  Antonia kept her head bent over her work and pretended she hadn’t heard. She didn’t want to go to Lauren’s party, but she didn’t want to be the only one in the class not invited. That would be horrible!

  “How come you’re having such a big party?” asked Charlie.

  “Dad’s got a new job. It’s on a building site over at Crane Point. Hey, get this! Yesterday when he was leaving work he saw two kids playing with the gulls. They were running about waving their arms like they were trying to fly or something. Dad said it was hilarious.”

  “They weren’t gulls, they were baby puffins,” said Antonia. “And we were stopping them from getting run over.”

  Lauren stared at Antonia in gleeful amazement.

  “It was you!” she exclaimed. “You were bird girl! How sad! You should have seen it. Dad did a wicked impression last night.”

  Lauren put her hands on her hips and stuck out her elbows, flapping her arms and making Charlie and Harry roll around the desk with laughter.

  “Bird girl,” they cackled. “Go on, Antonia, teach Lauren how to fly.”

  “Antonia’s table,” called Mrs Howard sharply. “There is far too much noise over there. Settle down or I will keep you in at break.”

  Smirking at Charlie and Harry Lauren picked up her pencil and pretended to work. Antonia was so furious she had to bite her lip from saying something rude. It wasn’t fair. Couldn’t her new teacher see she wasn’t the one causing the trouble? Tightly gripping her own pencil Antonia forced herself to concentrate on her sums. But the Year Six work was hard and Antonia’s thoughts kept straying to the pufflings. Would they be safe while she and Cai were at school?

  Chapter Five

  Sea Watch was just the thing to cheer Antonia up after a bad day at school. The deepwater pool was coming along nicely and the builder thought that Tilly the seal would be able to use it the following week.

  “Tilly will love that,” said Antonia.

  The seal pup had been recovering at Sea Watch for nearly a month and Antonia was convinced she missed being in the water.

  “Claudia’s asked if we could clean out her pen again,” said Cai, “but I think we should ask someone else to do it so we can get back to Crane Point.”

  “Definitely,” agreed Antonia. “I’ve been worrying about the pufflings all day.”

  They asked Emily to look after Tilly and she readily agreed. Claudia said she would run them to Crane Point in the car.

  “There you go. Your first rescue,” said Claudia, stopping the car in the middle of the road leading to the building site.

  Antonia and Cai leapt out and shooed the puffling brazenly waddling towards them back towards the cliffs.

  “Good luck,” called Claudia through her open window. “I’d stay with you if it wasn’t so busy at Sea Watch right now. I’ll pick you up later.” Slowly she turned the car around and drove away.

  The pufflings kept Antonia and Cai busy until the workmen had left for the day and the building site was still and deserted. Cai plonked himself down on the rock they’d sat on that morning to wait for Claudia. Antonia hovered beside him, not wanting to get comfortable, as she had a strong feeling that their work wasn’t ove
r. The sensation grew until suddenly the silver dolphin charm around Antonia’s neck twitched.

  Spirit, I hear your call.

  She glanced at Cai, smiling as the silver dolphin badge pinned to his shirt also began to twitch. Suddenly both dolphin charms let out a loud whistle. Startled, Cai leapt to his feet.

  “Spirit!” he exclaimed.

  Antonia was already sprinting for the cliff path. Cai pounded after her shouting, “Spirit, I hear your call.”

  They thundered down the path as fast as they dared, their feet kicking up stones and sending them spinning ahead of them. Antonia’s face was red and she was panting as she jumped from the end of the path, down the steps and on to the beach.

  “Oomph!” exclaimed Cai, almost landing on top of her.

  The call was urgent. Antonia sensed it even without feeling her silver dolphin charm wildly thrashing against her neck. Pulling off her shoes and socks, she tossed them in the sand and raced down to the sea. Cai ran alongside her and together they splashed into the water, deeper and deeper until at last Antonia’s legs began melding together. Relieved, she dived into the waves, her body arching and leaping in and out of the sea as she raced to answer Spirit’s call. Graceful as real dolphins, and twice as fast, Antonia and Cai sped on.

  “There,” called Cai, suddenly spotting Spirit’s silver head in the water.

  Spirit was swimming in agitated circles, but stopped as the Silver Dolphins grew closer.

  “Thank goodness you’re here,” he clicked. “A puffin is drowning out at sea.”

  Spirit led the way until Antonia and Cai saw a frightened bird struggling in the water.

  “Steady,” soothed Antonia, swimming closer.

  Reaching the puffin, she stretched out and held on to its writhing body to keep its head above the water while she found out what was dragging the bird under. Its legs and body were tangled in a long sheet of plastic and the bird’s efforts to free itself were making things worse.

  “Hold him steady,” said Cai, frantically tearing at the plastic with his bare hands.

  The plastic was tough and wouldn’t give, but eventually Cai made a small hole with his finger.