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Silver Dolphins Broken Promises by Summer Waters
To Alistair, William, Tim and Antonia for putting up withlate dinners and broken plates
Table of Contents The summer storm came from nowhere. Rain beat down and the squalling wind whipped up the waves until they were higher than houses. Out at sea, thirty dolphins followed their leader as he dived underwater. It was a struggle to swim in the churning ocean as they headed for the seabed. Fighting tired muscles, the dolphins battled on until gradually, the ocean’s mighty force lessened. At last the pod reached the bottom where all was calm and dark. For a while they chatted excitedly in whistles and clicks. Then, one by one they began to rest, the youngest first, followed by the adults, swimming together in a slow lazy circle. Soon only two dolphins were properly awake; Star, a pretty dolphin with dark friendly eyes and Spirit, the leader. “That was unexpected,” whispered Star, nuzzling at Spirit affectionately. Spirit nuzzled his wife back. “There is more to come,” he clicked. “I sense stormy times ahead for our Silver Dolphins.” “Surely not,” squeaked Star, alarmed. “Hush,” soothed Spirit. “The Silver Dolphins will ride out the storm just as we do now.” Star’s eyes were anxious. “It won’t be easy for them,” she clicked. “Being a Silver Dolphin is never easy,” Spirit replied. “But the struggle is worthwhile.” “Can we help them?” asked Star. “The Silver Dolphins must find their own way,” said Spirit calmly. “But yes, we will be with them on their journey.” Antonia Lee trod water, staring around at the empty sea. Where was everyone hiding? Movement over by the rocks caught her eye. Antonia squinted into the sunlight. Was that Cai? She thought she could see his curly brown hair sticking over the top of the rock. Antonia turned her back, pretending she hadn’t noticed him. Casually she swam in the opposite direction, then diving down, she doubled back underwater. In one hand she trailed a long piece of crinkly brown seaweed. If she could sneak up on Cai and tag him then it would be his turn to be ‘it’. She had almost reached the rocks when Cai broke cover. Like a rocket he shot past her, a huge grin on his face. “Not ‘it’,” he called triumphantly. Antonia grinned back as he disappeared. Cai hadn’t been a Silver Dolphin for very long, but he was a quick learner. Already he was as at home in the water as their dolphin friends, Bubbles and Dream. Antonia swam on, her eyes searching for the dolphins. At last she saw them, hiding together in a kelp bed. Antonia paddled through the kelp, parting it with her free hand. A school of tiny fish darted across her path, startling her. Taking advantage of her surprise, Dream and Bubbles made a dash for a new hiding place. The chase was on. Antonia pretended to follow Dream. Then, in a sudden change of direction, she lunged at Bubbles, tagging his tail with the seaweed. “‘It’!” she cried. “No, you are,” clicked Bubbles, flicking the seaweed back at her. They played until the seaweed had almost disintegrated. Then, calling a truce, they floated on the sea’s surface, enjoying the warmth of the sun on their faces. “We’d better get back,” clicked Dream eventually. “Dad’s taking the pod fishing soon.” “Spoilsport,” clicked Bubbles, flicking water at her. Dream looked slightly cross until Cai flicked water back at Bubbles. That started a water fight with everyone splashing so hard they churned up the sea like a whirlpool. “Enough,” panted Antonia. “We have to go now. It’s nearly tea time.” “Goodbye,” said Bubbles, solemnly swimming forward as if to rub noses with her. “Goodbye…BUBBLES!” she shrieked as, catching her unawares, he doused her with water. Bubbles clicked a laugh. “See you soon, Silver Dolphin,” he called, keeping a safe distance away. “I’ll get you for that,” Antonia laughed back. She waited for Cai to finish saying goodbye to Dream, then rubbed noses with the older dolphin. The dolphins swam out to sea, leaping in and out of the water, their silver bodies curving like half-moons. Antonia and Cai headed in the opposite direction, swimming in companionable silence until Antonia suddenly exclaimed, “We’ve forgotten the rubbish.” She flushed guiltily, but Cai just laughed. “Well remembered,” he said placidly. Somersaulting neatly they swam back to the rocks to collect their bundle: several crisp packets, an old shoe and two polystyrene cups all wrapped up in
