Читать книгу Moonlight Magic - Summer Waters - Страница 7

Antonia woke with the sun on her face. It was filtering in from a different direction than she was used to and for a second she couldn’t work out where she was. She opened her eyes and saw three leaping dolphins on the wall opposite. Suddenly everything came back in a rush. She was in Australia with Cai!

At once Antonia jumped out of bed and rummaged through her suitcase for shorts and a T-shirt. Finding her washbag, she pulled out a hairbrush and combed the tangles from her long blonde hair.

On her way to the bathroom she bumped into Cai, still in his pyjamas.

“Hi,” he yawned sleepily. “Mum’s making us brunch.”

Antonia’s stomach grumbled hungrily, making them both laugh.

“I’ll just have a quick wash,” she said.

“No hurry,” said Cai, yawning again. “Suppose I’d better get dressed.”

Cai took ages and eventually Antonia gave up hovering outside his room and went in search of his parents. They were in the kitchen, where Mr Pacific was cutting up a fresh pineapple while Mrs Pacific fried bacon.

“Hi, did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thanks. Can I do anything?” Antonia felt awkward watching Cai’s parents doing all the work.

“You could put the plates on the patio table. We’re eating outside.” Mrs Pacific pointed her spatula in the direction of the plates then expertly flipped the bacon over. It sizzled and spat and Antonia’s stomach growled again.

“Hungry?” Mrs Pacific smiled.

“Very,” said Antonia, suddenly feeling more relaxed.

She carried the plates outside then leant on the balcony, taking in the view. It was magnificent. The hotel gardens dropped steeply down to the beach about three metres beneath her. The golden sand, dotted with scrubby vegetation and palms, was fringed by crystal blue sea.

Dazzled by its brightness, Antonia screwed up her eyes. It was so hot. Guiltily, she remembered her sun hat and suncream were still somewhere in her suitcase. Mum had made her promise to wear both whenever she went outside.

But before she could fetch them, Cai and his parents came out, carrying trays of food and drink. While Mrs Pacific arranged the food on the table, Mr Pacific erected a sun umbrella. Thankfully it gave plenty of shade so Antonia stopped worrying about suncream and sat down to eat. It was one of the best meals she had ever tasted. There was a fresh tropical-fruit salad, club sandwiches bursting with bacon, prawn salad sandwiches and ice-cold mango and orange smoothies.

“We’re planning a few trips out,” said Mrs Pacific, helping herself to a large bowl of fruit salad. “And there’s plenty to do here in the hotel complex. Why don’t you spend today exploring? The pools all have lifeguards so you can swim whenever you like.”

“Great,” said Cai. “I’d love a swim. What about you, Antonia?”

“Yes,” said Antonia decisively. It was so hot she could happily spend all day in the pool.

“Sounds fun,” said Mr Pacific. “I might swim too. You two go for a wander while we clear up. I’ll come and find you later by one of the pools.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind helping with the washing up,” said Antonia, pushing back her chair. Was it her imagination or did the tail of her dolphin charm twitch just then?

“Thanks, but there’s a dishwasher,” said Mrs Pacific, chuckling. “That was one of my holiday requests! Tonight we’re eating in the hotel restaurant. There’s an outdoor one overlooking the beach. It’s wonderful and has great food.”

Antonia couldn’t wait to explore. Quickly she went to her room to put on suncream and get her hat. As she rubbed the cream into her arms, the dolphin picture caught her eye. It was a stunning photo. The leaping dolphins reminded her of Bubbles when he did the twister: a full circle standing on the sea on his tail.

Suddenly Antonia had a very strong feeling that the dolphins needed her. She raised a hand to touch her charm, but stopped when she remembered her fingers were covered with sticky suncream. The dolphin charm began to vibrate, softly at first, then more rapidly.

Antonia was so surprised she stood rooted to the spot. Spirit knew she wasn’t in Sandy Bay, so who was calling to her? An ear-splitting whistle rang round the room.

Silver Dolphin, we need you.

I hear your call. Antonia automatically answered the unfamiliar voice in her head.

She wiped her hands clean and ran to the door. At the same time Cai shot out of his room. His brown eyes were wide with shock.

“Is that Spirit?” he asked.

“No,” said Antonia, who was a more powerful Silver Dolphin than Cai and could communicate with Spirit telepathically. “But we still have to answer the call.”

“I know,” said Cai.

Shouting a hasty goodbye to his parents, Cai opened the apartment door and ran outside. At the end of the road, past the last bungalow apartment, was a flight of steps with an arrow pointing to the beach.

Antonia and Cai sprinted over to the stone steps, which were steep and twisty. Clutching the metal handrail for support, they scrambled down them until they reached the hotel’s private beach. It was packed with holiday-makers enjoying a day in the sun.

Antonia and Cai were used to making themselves invisible in crowded places. They left their shoes under a low, prickly bush at the furthest end of the beach and ran across the golden sand. As they splashed into the water, Antonia caught her breath in surprise. The sea was lovely and warm! She waded out until it was deep enough to swim before diving into the clear blue water. Immediately her legs melded together, kicking the water like a dolphin’s tail.

Hurry, Silver Dolphin.

The charm thrummed urgently against her neck.

I’m coming.

Using her hands like flippers, Antonia sliced through the water. Her arching body leapt in and out of the sea like a real dolphin. She swam for ages, conscious only of the call of the dolphin and Cai racing along beside her. When the hotel beach was a small speck in the distance, Antonia felt vibrations in the water. They grew stronger until at last she saw a magnificent bottlenose dolphin swimming towards her.

The dolphin stopped a tail’s length away, mouth open slightly, showing a neat row of small white teeth. For a split second Antonia thought the dolphin was laughing, but realised that there was no laughter in those dark eyes. She hesitated, wondering if she should greet the dolphin by rubbing noses like she did with Spirit.

Then the dolphin clicked, “Thank you for answering my call, Silver Dolphins. We urgently need your help. Please follow me.”