Summer Waters - Moonlight Magic

“Darling, you sound like a holiday brochure,” interrupted Mrs Pacific. “Let’s get these poor children to bed and they can explore for themselves tomorrow.”

Sleepily, Antonia and Cai followed Mr and Mrs Pacific into the holiday apartment. It was the nicest place Antonia had ever stayed in and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Antonia and Cai’s rooms were next door to each other. The spacious lounge had patio doors and a tiny modern kitchen and dining area at one end.

Antonia stood at the doors, staring into the night. The patio was lit by soft garden lights. Beyond it was a balcony overlooking the sea. A huge moon hung in the sky and the water sparkled like black diamonds.

“I can’t wait to go swimming,” said Cai, yawning.

“Me too,” agreed Antonia, although right now she was too tired to do anything. Mrs Pacific let Antonia telephone her mum and dad to tell them she’d arrived safely. It felt funny knowing they were so far away. Antonia was too tired to talk for long and promised to phone back when she was more awake.

“Bedtime,” said Mrs Pacific, when Antonia came off the phone.

Gratefully, Antonia followed her to the bedroom where Mr Pacific had put her suitcase and bag. She looked around, taking in the single bed, wardrobe, dressing table and wall-mounted television.

“If you need anything in the night, just ask.” Mrs Pacific smiled at Antonia then, blowing her a kiss, closed the door.

Antonia pulled her pyjamas out of the suitcase. It was an effort to undress and she left her clothes in an untidy heap. Without bothering to brush her hair or teeth, she peeled back the duvet and climbed into bed. Bliss! She reached for the bedside light to turn it off then stopped. On the wall opposite the bed hung a picture of three dolphins, their gleaming bodies almost vertical as they leapt out of the sea.

Antonia stared at the picture for a moment. The dolphins were bottlenoses, unlike her own pod of common dolphins. Antonia felt a sharp pang of homesickness. What had she done? She’d left her mum, dad and little sister Jessica, and her wonderful dolphins, Spirit, Star, Dream and Bubbles, to travel to the other side of the world and stay with people she hardly knew.

Antonia had been very worried about leaving the dolphins. What if they needed help while she and Cai were away? But Claudia had promised that she would answer their call.

“I’m not that ancient that I can’t fill in for you both for a couple of weeks!” she’d said indignantly.

Antonia’s fingers curled round her dolphin charm. It felt soft and slippery, just like a real dolphin. Slowly her anxiety slipped away. She hadn’t travelled to Australia alone. She was here with Cai, and if his parents were as nice as he was then she would have a wonderful time. Cai was the brave one. When he’d first come to Sandy Bay, he’d not known anyone apart from his Great Aunty Claudia, whom he’d only visited a few times.

Switching off the light, Antonia snuggled down in bed. The moment her eyes closed she saw dolphins. She slept soundly and dreamt she was playing a game of Sprat with Bubbles, Dream and Cai.

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.”