Rising Star. Summer Waters

way of protecting them,” said Cai, his voice becoming serious. “Baby animals are usually cute so you feel you have to look after them.”

      Slowly, keeping well away from the cliff edge, they walked among the birds, stopping now and then for a closer look. Even though Antonia would have loved to cuddle the baby pufflings, she knew she mustn’t. Wild animals weren’t pets. It wasn’t safe for them to become too friendly with humans, and some animals could inflict nasty wounds by pecking, scratching or biting, if they were frightened.

      “I think we’re done here now,” said Antonia, once they’d walked around the whole colony. Her eyes swept the road, totally empty of traffic now the builders had packed up and gone home.

      “For today,” said Cai.

      “Yes,” said Antonia, immediately catching his meaning. She looked over to the building site, her grey-green eyes troubled. “So how do we stop the same thing happening tomorrow afternoon?”

      “And in the morning. Now the pufflings are ready to leave their nests they’ll want to keep on exploring. They’ll be in danger first thing in the morning when the workmen arrive for work too,” mused Cai.

      “You’re right,” said Antonia thoughtfully, as they headed down the cliff path in single file. She was silent as she concentrated on walking down the narrow cliff path. But as she jumped down the last step and on to the beach she smiled triumphantly.

      “I’ve got it. We need a puffling patrol.”

      “Pardon?” said Cai.

      “Puffling patrol,” Antonia repeated excitedly. “You know, like the schools that have a lollipop person to help children cross the road. We could do something similar for the puffins. We could do a puffling patrol at the beginning and end of the day to keep the pufflings away from the road.”

      “That’s a brilliant idea,” said Cai, his brown eyes shining excitedly.

      “It would mean getting up really early,” warned Antonia.

      “I know, Claudia’s builder starts at the crack of dawn!” said Cai. “It’s going to take up all our spare time,” he added, “although Claudia will help. I bet she’ll drive us and take us back again so we’re not late for school.”

      They padded across the beach and waded into the water.

      “Where’s Spirit?” asked Cai suddenly. “He usually waits for us.”

      “Over there, near the rocks. There’s someone with him.” Antonia’s heart leapt. “I hope it’s Bubbles or Dream. I’d love a game of sprat.”

      “It’s too big for either of them,” said Cai, gazing into the distance. “It’s Star.”

      “Oh!” Antonia tried not to be disappointed. She loved Star too but, like her own mum, Star was always too busy to play.

      “It’s probably a good thing it’s not Bubbles and Dream,” said Cai sensibly. “We need to get back and ask Claudia if she’ll help with the puffins.”

      “Yes!” sighed Antonia. “And I better not be too late home, especially if I’m going to get Mum to agree to me going out so early tomorrow.”

      Mrs Lee was very strict about knowing where Antonia was and what time she’d be back. She knew nothing about the Silver Dolphins as Antonia had to keep the magic a secret. Claudia, who was a Silver Dolphin and knew when Antonia and Cai were answering a call, didn’t worry so much.

      Cai was about to launch himself into the sea, but he paused. “Your mum will let you go tomorrow, won’t she?” he asked.

      Antonia said nothing for a moment, enjoying the magical feeling of being in the sea and knowing that soon she would be diving through the waves as fast as a dolphin.

      “Yes,” she said slowly, sounding more certain than she felt.

      But what if Mum wouldn’t let her go? Antonia cast the thought aside. She would worry about that if it happened. Plunging headfirst into the water she swam to join Spirit and Star, joyfully leaping in and out of the waves, glittering drops of sea spray flying from her body like diamonds.

       Chapter Four

      “I don’t know, Antonia,” said Mum, when Antonia asked if she could go with Cai to do an early-morning puffling patrol at the building site. “It sounds dangerous. And what about school? Year Six is an important year.”

      “Please, Mum,” Antonia wheedled. “I’ll be really careful, and I promise I won’t be late for school.”

      “I think she should go,” said Dad. “Claudia’s very responsible. She wouldn’t let her Sea Watch helpers do anything dangerous. It’s good for young people to get involved with the environment. After all, it’s their future.”

      Antonia went quiet. It was true – Claudia wouldn’t allow them to do anything dangerous on purpose – but being a Silver Dolphin was full of risks.

      “All right, you can go. Wear something bright so you can be easily seen, and no running around in the road! Stay on the path. And don’t be late for school or I will ground you for the whole term!” said Mum sternly.

      “Thanks Mum, thanks Dad!” Antonia hugged her parents.

      She phoned Sophie first, to tell her not to wait for her the following morning. Then she phoned Cai to give him the good news.

      That night, to be on the safe side, Antonia borrowed an alarm clock from her little sister Jessica and set it five minutes after her own was due to go off. She needn’t have worried. She woke before either of the alarms and leapt out of bed to open the blind covering her sloping attic window. The sky was a clear blue, but as Antonia stared through the open window she noticed small beads of condensation on the wooden frame. There was a slight nip to the early-morning air. She shivered, knowing sadly that summer would soon be over. Antonia brushed the tangles from her long blonde hair, dressed in her brightest clothes then packed her yellow and blue uniform in her school bag. After a quick wash she crept downstairs and poured herself a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk. After stacking the dirty dishes in the dishwasher she pulled on her shoes before hurrying outside to wait for Cai and Claudia. Minutes later their car pulled on to the drive.

      “Hi there,” said Cai, twisting round in the front seat as Antonia climbed in the back.

      The building site was deserted. Claudia turned the car round in the temporary car park. Her mobile phone rang as she turned the engine off, making everyone jump. Cai and Antonia got out of the car and Claudia waved and mouthed at them not to go too far.