A bad feeling had suddenly come over Antonia, but she wasn’t sure why. Shaking the feeling away, she said brightly, “I’m fine. I can stay a bit later tonight, so what shall I do next?”
Antonia was starving when she got home. It was meatballs in tomato sauce for tea. She tucked in hungrily, spearing a meatball with her fork and popping it in her mouth as the phone rang.
“It’s Sophie,” said her mum, passing the telephone over.
Swallowing quickly, Antonia took it.
“Hi, Sophie, what’s up?” she asked.
Sophie was breathless with excitement. “The film crew are shooting their first scene in Sandy Bay early tomorrow morning. Mum says I can go and watch for a bit before school. Do you want to come with me?” she asked.
It sounded fun, but Antonia had already promised to meet up with Cai.
“Sorry, Sophie, but we’ve some last-minute things to do before the launch of the Litter Fishing scheme. Remember I told you about it – giving free rubbish sacks to fishermen? Sea Watch is co-ordinating it for Sandy Bay.”
“Never mind,” said Sophie cheerfully. “I’m taking my sketch book so I probably won’t be great company anyway. See you at school.”
“Have fun,” said Antonia, putting the phone down.
The following morning as Antonia put her lunchbox into her school bag, a familiar and exciting sensation came over her. The dolphins were going to call! Thank goodness she was walking to school alone. Antonia hurriedly pulled on her shoes and fleece, and said goodbye to Mum and little sister, Jessica.
“Bye,” called Jess, as Antonia rushed out of the front door.
Suddenly the dolphin charm hanging around Antonia’s neck began to vibrate. Seconds later a shrill whistle sounded.
Silver Dolphin, we need you.
Spirit, I hear your call, Antonia answered in her head.
Antonia ran, following the Coastal Path until it forked, then taking the right-hand lane that led down to Gull Bay. The dolphin charm beat out a rhythm on her neck. Antonia loved the feel of its silky-soft tail thrumming against her skin, urging her to hurry. She ran on, past the tiny beach shop, shuttered now but due to open at the start of the holiday season in a few weeks’ time. At last she arrived at Gull Bay.
She pulled off her shoes and socks and left them with her bag at the top of the beach. The powdery sand felt cold and crunchy under her feet as she ran for the sea.
“Eeek!” The water was freezing and numbed her feet and legs.
Ignoring the discomfort, Antonia splashed through the surf until the icy water reached her thighs. Taking a deep breath, she lunged forward and swam. A few seconds later her legs melded together, flicking at the sea like a tail. Excitement fizzled through her. The water didn’t feel at all cold now. Expertly, Antonia used her hands like flippers and, arching her body, leapt in and out of the water as gracefully as a dolphin.
Spirit, I’m on my way, she whistled.
The thrill of becoming a Silver Dolphin was something Antonia knew she’d never tire of. Using Spirit’s vibrations to guide her, she swam underwater to him. She didn’t have to travel far. Spirit and his family were waiting a little way round from the headland. Seeing Cai approaching from the other direction Antonia swam faster, reaching the dolphins first and shooting him a playful smile.
“You came quickly, Silver Dolphin,” said Spirit, rubbing his nose against Antonia’s in greeting.
Spirit was a proud-looking animal with intelligent eyes, a silver head and a striking yellow blaze that ran along his side from his face to his dorsal fin.
Cai swam up, and as he greeted Spirit, Antonia said hello to Star, Dream and Bubbles.
“Flipper Feet,” squeaked Bubbles, splashing her in a friendly way.
“Today it’s a litter-picking task,” said Spirit. “There’s a lot of rubbish in the sea by the cliffs.”
“Can we help the Silver Dolphins, Dad?” Bubbles asked.
“Yes, but be careful. Don’t touch anything sharp and keep away from plastic bags.”
“Bubbly!” clicked Bubbles. “Race you to the cliffs, Silver Dolphins.”
Without waiting for an answer, Bubbles swam away, his body flashing silver as he dived in and out of the water.
Antonia, Cai and Dream gave chase, but Bubbles won, reaching the cliffs before them by several tail-lengths.
“Yuk!” said Antonia, suddenly noticing the floating rubbish.
There was a plastic drink bottle, two empty crisp packets, a chocolate bar wrapper, an empty sandwich container and a train timetable that was soggier than old cornflakes.
“City people,” said Antonia, squinting at the timetable. “These times are for underground trains.”
Cai was from the city, but was living with his Aunty Claudia while his parents worked abroad in Australia.
“Country people are just as bad for littering,” he said defensively.
“I know,” said Antonia. “What I meant was that this rubbish comes from visitors and not from local people.”
Fishing the chocolate bar wrapper and timetable out of the water, she stuffed them into one of the crisp packets.
Cai emptied a strand of seaweed out of the sandwich carton and tucked the rest of the litter inside it.
“Is that all?” he asked, looking around.
“I found something,” said Dream, nosing a polystyrene coffee cup towards him.
“Thanks.” Cai scrunched up the cup to make it fit inside the sandwich carton. “Let’s get this ashore and find a bin.”
“Bubbly!” clicked Bubbles, somersaulting. “That was quick work. Now we can play.”
“Not today,” Antonia said, pulling a sad face. “We have to go to school.”
Bubbles smacked the sea with his tail.
“You’re always going to school!” he said disgustedly.
Antonia and Cai laughed. “It feels like it,” they agreed.
“Can’t we have one quick game of sprat?” asked Bubbles, his dark eyes pleading.
“Bubbles, I’m sorry, but we have to go. Mum works at our school so I can’t be late or I’ll be in trouble with her too.”
“Next time,” clicked Cai. “We’ll
