The Magic Charm (3 page)

“Teatime,” said Antonia, hopping up and down. The dolphin necklace had started clicking. The noise grew louder as Antonia sidestepped her mother to pull open the front door.

“Ring me if you’re going to be late,” said Mum.

“I will.” Antonia was amazed that her mother hadn’t noticed the dolphin noises emitting from her necklace. The whistles and squeaks were ear-splitting. Antonia ran down her road towards the coastal path.

“Silver Dolphin,” whistled her necklace. “Come to us.”

“I’m on my way,” Antonia whistled back.

As she reached the cove she wondered about getting into the sea: it was Saturday afternoon and even Gull Bay was busy. Would anyone try to stop her from swimming on her own? Antonia picked her way across the beach. Today there were no
dolphins waiting for her, but the necklace was still clicking, urging her to get into the water. Antonia changed out of her clothes, put her bag on an empty patch of sand and took a deep breath. She was ready. She splashed into the sea, gasping at its coldness. The moment she was in deep enough to swim Antonia struck out in the water, breaststroke arms and dolphin legs. Her body moved like a real dolphin, her legs melding together like a tail. No one seemed to notice her as she swam towards the open sea, but in case anyone was watching Antonia dived down under the water just before she passed the orange safety buoy. Usually she could swim for fifteen strokes before needing to come up for air, but today her lungs felt stronger. Antonia stayed under the water as she swam further out to sea.

S
he swam all the way to the mouth of the cove before surfacing. The sunlight was dazzling. Antonia screwed up her eyes and shook her head as droplets of water ran down her face and into her nose and mouth. Where were the dolphins? Were they in danger? She swam in a circle as her eyes searched for them. The swell was greater out here and Antonia had to kick hard to stop herself from
drifting into the open water. When she swam out as the Silver Dolphin, her legs moved together as if they were joined like a tail. Antonia wished they would work like that when she was just swimming for fun.

“Silver Dolphin.”

The call was so close it made Antonia jump. She spun round expecting to see Spirit behind her, but the sea was empty.

“Where are you?” she whistled back.

“Over here. Come and find me, Silver Dolphin.”

Antonia hesitated, unsure whether to carry on. The water would be even rougher once she was out in the open sea. She had already broken her parents’ rules by swimming alone and past the orange safety buoy. But what good was a Silver Dolphin who only stayed inshore? Convinced she was doing the right thing Antonia struck out for the
open water. She had just swum clear of the cove when Spirit called again. His high-pitched whistling sounded from her left. Antonia changed direction, swimming faster as she headed towards the rocky coastline. Suddenly her skin felt tingly. It was a few moments before Antonia realised the tingling was coming from tiny vibrations in the water. Seconds later a shape swam past.

“Bubbles! Are you OK?” she exclaimed.

“You found us.” He squeaked a laugh. “You passed your first test.”

“I have to pass tests?” Antonia was surprised and felt a bit put out.

“Of course,” said Bubbles. “You can only be our Silver Dolphin if you can do the job. There’d be no point otherwise.”

“Well done, Silver Dolphin.” Spirit and Star swam up with Dream trailing behind them. Spirit
lifted his head out of the water, bobbing a half bow. “Your swimming is much stronger today.”

“I can swim underwater for ages,” said Antonia excitedly. “And I can feel vibrations in the water. I sensed Bubbles when he swam up behind me.”

Spirit opened his mouth, smiling. “Now you are ready for your first task. It’s a simple one to start with. Litter has gathered along the rocks; if left it will be washed into the sea where it becomes a danger to the marine life. I’d like you to clear it up.”

“Of course.”

Antonia smiled at Spirit, hoping he couldn’t sense her disappointment. She knew litter was dangerous to turtles and seabirds, who often mistook plastic bags for food. But she’d hoped for something a little more exciting than litter-picking for her first job as a Silver Dolphin.

“Bubbles can swim with you and show you
where the litter has gathered. Any problems, just call me,” said Spirit.

“Thank you,” Antonia brightened immediately. It would be fun swimming with Bubbles.

The little dolphin obviously thought so too. He leapt from the water, his silver body curving gracefully as he flew through the air.

“Show off,” clicked Dream.

“He’s young. He’s enthusiastic,” said Spirit. “Come on. We’re supposed to be meeting the rest of the pod. They’ll wonder where we’ve got to.”

Spirit flicked goodbye with his tail while Star lightly rubbed noses first with Bubbles and then gently with Antonia. She nearly fainted with excitement. Antonia still couldn’t believe she was actually swimming and speaking with dolphins.

“Come on, Flipper Feet,” called Bubbles.

Antonia snapped to attention and dived after
Bubbles. He was fast, reaching the rocky cliff face where it plunged into the sea long before she did. She raced after him, leaping in and out of the water, loving the way it felt as if she was flying.

“Now it’s your turn to show off,” said Bubbles. “I can’t climb rocks or pick up litter.”

He bobbed in the water, whistling encouragingly, as Antonia scrambled on to a cluster of rocks. The rocks were slimy with seaweed and she almost fell back into the sea. Her face fell when she saw the awful mess. There were crisp packets, drinks cans, polystyrene food cartons and a long tangle of fishing net. Bubbles became very subdued at the sight of the torn net.

“One of our pod got caught in an old net last year,” he said.

“What happened? Was he hurt?” asked Antonia.

Bubbles shivered.

“It was a female and she drowned. We called for the Silver Dolphin, but we were way out at sea and it was too late by the time she arrived.”

“Oh,” Antonia’s heart sank. She hadn’t considered that she might fail at her job. The thought frightened her.

“That’s why litter-picking is so important,” said Bubbles.

Antonia carefully combed the rocks, not wanting to miss a scrap of rubbish. She found an old carrier bag, which she crammed most of the litter into. The rest she wrapped up tightly in the fishing net.

“Play time,” said Bubbles. “Leave the rubbish bundles there and we’ll collect them in a bit. Come and play Sprat.”

“What’s Sprat?” asked Antonia, lowering herself from the rocks into the water.

“It’s a catching game,” explained Bubbles. “You can be the sprat. I’ll give you a three waves’ head start.”

It was fun chasing each other in the water. Bubbles kept leaping out of the sea to suddenly change direction. Antonia tried that too, but the move was harder than it looked and she ended up doing an enormous belly flop. It reminded her of a swimming game she played with Sophie called Sharks. Sophie! Antonia guiltily remembered she was supposed to be meeting up with her friend. What was the time now? Was she very late?

“Bubbles,” called Antonia. “I have to go.”

The little dolphin ignored her and swam further out to sea.

“Bubbles, I’ve got to go now.” Antonia suddenly realised she was talking in her own language and called again, this time with clicks and whistles.

“Don’t go.” Bubbles twirled along the surface of the sea as if he were dancing on his tail. “Stay a bit longer and I’ll teach you how to somersault.”

Antonia knew it would be fun to stay with Bubbles, but it wasn’t fair to let Sophie down.

“Next time.”

Antonia swam back to the rocks to collect her bundles of litter. Towing them back to the shore was awkward. The bundles dragged in the water, slowing her down. Something transparent floated past her. Antonia reached out thinking it was a plastic bag then drew her hand back quickly.

“Jellyfish!” she squeaked.

Bubbles clicked a laugh.

“Jellyfish!” he exclaimed. “Sharks are scarier. They chase you. Jellyfish usually just float on past.”

But Antonia was scared of jellyfish. She’d been
stung by one at low tide once when she’d been rock-pooling with her family. Her hand had swollen up like a balloon and it hurt for ages. She still had nightmares about it sometimes.

As they neared the mouth of the cove Bubbles slowed.

“I’ll leave you now,” he said. “The beach is packed and there are lots of swimmers in the water.”

He dived under the water and surfaced a centimetre from her then gently rubbed his nose against hers.

“See you soon, Silver Dolphin.”

“Yes,” Antonia grinned. “Yes, you will.”

She watched until Bubbles was out of sight before heading back to the beach. This time there would be no swimming under the water. She was carrying too much rubbish for that. Antonia hoped
that she wouldn’t draw too much attention to herself by arriving on the beach looking like a floating dustbin!

“T
here she is. I told you it was a simple mix-up. Hello, Antonia.” Antonia, who was cramming the broken fishing net into a litter bin, spun round, flushing guiltily. Sophie and her dad stood watching her.

“Sorry we’re late. Sophie insisted she’d arranged to meet you at ours. We waited half an hour before I persuaded her she’d got it wrong.
I hope you weren’t worried.”

“It wasn’t Sophie’s fault.” Antonia tried to apologise, but Mr Hastings waved it away.

“Of course it was Sophie’s fault. She goes around with her head in the clouds. It’s her artistic nature. Now how about I get you girls an ice cream while you find us a good spot on the beach?”

Sophie’s dad didn’t wait for an answer and strode off back up the lane towards the tiny wooden beach shop.

Sophie looked confused.

“You did say you’d come to mine, didn’t you?” she said.

“I know. I’m really sorry.”

“What happened?”

Antonia couldn’t tell Sophie the truth, but she had to come up with a good excuse. Her friend was understandably upset.

“I’ve become a Sea Watch volunteer,” she fibbed. “I was litter-picking on the beach and I forgot the time.”

Sophie’s voice came out in a high-pitched squeak. “You actually forgot me, your best friend, to do litter-picking?”

“Sophie, I didn’t think…”

“Oh, just forget it,” Sophie sniffed. “At least you’re here now.”

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” promised Antonia.

She started to say more, but just then Mr Hastings came back grinning sheepishly.

“I forgot to ask what flavour,” he said. “That makes me as bad as you, Sophie–two airheads together.”

“And I forgot to give you this,” said Antonia, pulling the money Mum had given her out of her bag.

“That’s all right. It’s my treat,” said Mr Hastings.

The afternoon did not get any better. Sophie was being really quiet and anything Antonia did or said just seemed to irritate her. They were lying on their towels, drying in the sun after a dip in the sea, when suddenly Sophie sat up.

“Can I try your necklace on now?” she asked.

Antonia’s heart skipped a beat and her hand flew up to cover the dolphin charm.

“Why now?” she asked, her words coming out in a rush.

“Why not? Unless you don’t want me to.”

“No, I mean, yes, of course you can.” Antonia sat up. Her heart was beating very fast. The necklace felt like a part of her and she didn’t want Sophie to try it on, but her friend was already reaching forward to take it.

“Careful,” said Antonia. “Here, let me.”

Her hand shook slightly as she undid the clasp and reluctantly handed the necklace to Sophie. What if Spirit called to her now? Would Sophie have a sudden urge to dive into the sea to answer him?

“A silver dolphin,” Sophie mused. She turned the necklace over. “It’s probably just sterling silver, isn’t it? Dad bought some once to model with.”

Antonia was surprised. Couldn’t Sophie feel how soft the dolphin charm was? It couldn’t be made from metal. To her it felt like a real dolphin. She watched anxiously as Sophie fixed the necklace around her neck.

“It’s quite pretty, I suppose. We’re going to a barbecue tonight. Can I wear it there?”

“No!” said Antonia, more forcefully than she meant to.

Surprise flickered across Sophie’s face.

“Why not? I let you borrow my hair slide last week.”

“We swapped hair slides. You wore mine and I wore yours.”

“But we always lend each other stuff. Why won’t you lend me your necklace? Don’t you trust me?” said Sophie in a hurt voice.

Antonia was suddenly very anxious to get her necklace back.

“It’s not that,” she protested. “I’ve promised to lend it to Jessica because she wanted to come to the beach, but she had to go shopping with Mum and Dad instead.”

“Oh, well another time then,” said Sophie, handing back the necklace to Antonia.

“Another time,” Antonia agreed, gratefully fastening it around her neck.

Sophie was very cool to Antonia for the rest of their time on the beach. Antonia was filled with a mixture of emotions. She wanted to make it up with her friend, but it was clear that Sophie was not going to be happy unless Antonia let her borrow the necklace soon. It was a relief when Mr Hastings said it was time to go.

The following day was Sunday and Antonia wished that Spirit would call, to justify her refusal to lend the necklace to Sophie. But to her disappointment the dolphin charm lay still. She wasn’t needed. Antonia mooched about in the garden hoping for a glimpse of the dolphins, but the only thing she saw were speed boats and an aeroplane trailing a banner about the local aquarium.

On Monday morning Antonia was determined to be extra nice to Sophie at school. But Sophie was in a funny mood and hardly spoke on the way
there. Antonia perched on Sophie’s desk chattering away, asking her questions about the rest of the weekend, but all she got back were one-word answers. When Miss Brown finally arrived Antonia thankfully slid off the desk and went back to her own place. Miss Brown didn’t let the girls sit together in class as she said they talked too much.