the local news on television. A picture of Sandy Bay filled the screen and Antonia gasped at the sight of so many crates littering the shore line.
“The Italian cargo ship, Princess Romana, suffered some damage when it grounded and there’s been a slight oil spill,” said the news reporter, sounding grave. “It’s not serious and marine experts say the oil should disperse on its own; however, they are keeping an eye on the situation. Several oiled birds have already been found on the beach and are being dealt with by Sea Watch, a local charity for marine conservation.”
“Oh, those poor birds!”
As the picture switched back to the television studio Antonia turned to her mum and dad.
“Claudia’s going to need help. Can I have the day off school and go to Sea Watch instead?”
“No,” said Mum and Dad together.
“But Claudia needs me,” said Antonia, lightly touching her silver dolphin charm.
“There’ll be plenty of time to help at Sea Watch after school,” said Mum firmly. “Claudia wouldn’t want you to skip lessons.”
“Pleeeease,” wheedled Antonia. “Just for today.”
“No,” said Mum, sounding cross. “You spend quite enough time at Sea Watch as it is. We hardly see you these days. Now go and get dressed. Breakfast is ready.”
Antonia was desperate to help at Sea Watch, but when Mum said no in that tone of voice she meant it. Disappointed, she went upstairs to dress.
It was a beautiful morning and Antonia could hardly believe that a few hours ago everything was being battered by the wind and rain. The air smelt clean and fresh and the early morning sun warmed Antonia’s face and legs as she walked round to Sophie’s house. Sophie was Antonia’s oldest friend and they always walked to school together. Recently they’d fallen out, but it hadn’t taken long for them to make up again. Antonia was glad; she was so close to Sophie that sometimes it felt like they were sisters. Sophie was waiting at the end of her drive, her blue eyes shining with excitement. She’d seen Sandy Bay on television too and was dying to go and look at the stricken ship.
“Let’s go down to the beach before school,” she suggested. “It’s almost on our way and we’ve heaps of time.”
Antonia wanted to see the Princess Romana and couldn’t see the harm in having a quick look. As she approached the beach she found half her school were there too; their blue and yellow Sandy Bay Primary uniforms standing out amongst the throng of sightseers. Antonia stood on the promenade gaping at the sight before her. It looked as if someone had organised a massive jumble sale on the beach. The white-gold sand was littered with all sorts of items: packets of nappies, tins of food, barrels of wine and crockery. There was even a motorbike being wheeled away by two sturdy men. People were rummaging through crates, tossing items on to the sand and stuffing others into large plastic sacks. An argument broke out between a boy and girl. Recognising the girl’s voice Antonia looked closer and saw it was Lauren Hampton, the class bully. There was a mean look on Lauren’s face as she wrestled a steering wheel from the hands of the boy.
“Whatever does she want with that?” giggled Sophie, following Antonia’s gaze.
“I have no idea.” Antonia giggled too. “It’s stealing, though. There’s an old law that says lost cargo has to be returned to its owner.”
“Are you sure?” Sophie sounded disbelieving. “Only there’s a brand-new set of paintbrushes down there I kind of had my eye on. Look, I’m going to take them anyway. I can always give them back if you’re right.”
She jumped down on to the sand, grabbed the paintbrushes and stuffed them into her school bag. Antonia was surprised by her friend’s behaviour. Sophie was mad about art and her dad was a professional artist. Surely she had enough paintbrushes at home? Then Antonia noticed a bucket abandoned on the sand. It was full of sea water that glistened with an oily sheen. Remembering the news report on television Antonia squeaked in alarm. What about her dolphins? Did Spirit know about the shipwreck? Had he taken his pod far enough out to sea to avoid the oil? The thought of her beautiful friends struggling to breathe, their soft skin covered in sticky black tar, was too much. Protectively she clasped her silver dolphin necklace. “Please keep my dolphins safe,” she whispered. The dolphin charm quivered slightly in her hand. Antonia stared at it. Was Spirit about to call her? She waited, her fingers lightly clasping the charm’s soft body, but it didn’t move again. Disappointment, like sour milk, stuck in her throat and suddenly Antonia wanted to get away from the madness on the beach.
“Hurry up, Sophie,” she called. “We’re going to be late for school.”
When she arrived at school Antonia sought out Cai, her newest friend. Cai started at Sandy Bay Primary two weeks ago. He was staying with his great-aunt Claudia for six months while his parents worked abroad.
“What’s happening at Sea Watch?” she asked. “Is Claudia very busy?”
“Aunty Claudia took in ten oiled birds, all guillemots,” said Cai. “I asked if I could stay home to help her clean them, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She said there’d still be plenty to do after school. She’s hoping you’ll come and help too.”
“Try keeping me away,” said Antonia.
Sophie raised her eyebrows. “Sea Watch-mad, both of you,” she groaned, but she was smiling.
Morning lessons went on for ever. Antonia was more concerned about the oil spill in Sandy Bay than how to multiply fractions and she got told off by Miss Brown for not paying attention. It didn’t help that lots of her class arrived late because they’d been down to the beach with their parents to see the Princess Romana. Lauren turned up just before lunch and shot Antonia a poisonous look as she took her seat.
“What’s with her?” whispered Sophie, who’d been allowed to sit next to Antonia for paired reading.
Antonia shrugged. It was no secret that the two girls disliked each other. When everyone lined up for lunch Lauren shoved Antonia, making her fall against Cai and Toby.
“Slow down, Antonia,” Miss Brown sighed. “If you weren’t always in such a hurry you wouldn’t keep bumping into people.”
“It wasn’t my fault!” said Antonia indignantly, but Miss Brown had moved on.
“Loser,” hissed Lauren.
Taking a deep breath Antonia ignored the comment. Even though it was difficult, she’d found that not reacting was the best way to deal with Lauren. Afternoon lessons went a little quicker and finally the bell rang for home time.
“Sure you don’t want to come to Sea Watch?” Antonia asked Sophie as they stacked their chairs in the corner of the classroom.
Sophie shook her head. “What, to get pecked and pooped on by frightened birds covered in oil? No, thanks. You go enjoy yourself. I’m going to paint a picture of the beach.”
In the cloakroom Lauren tried to barge Antonia again, but she smartly sidestepped so the bigger girl fell against
