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 oceanâs 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.
âThat was unexpected,â whispered Star, nuzzling at Spirit affectionately.
Spirit nuzzled his wife back.
âThere is more to come,â he clicked. âI sense stormy times ahead for our Silver Dolphins.â
âSurely not,â squeaked Star, alarmed.
âHush,â soothed Spirit. âThe Silver Dolphins will ride out the storm just as we do now.â
Starâs eyes were anxious.
âIt wonât be easy for them,â she clicked.
âBeing a Silver Dolphin is never easy,â Spirit replied. âBut the struggle is worthwhile.â
âCan we help them?â asked Star.
âThe Silver Dolphins must find their own way,â said Spirit calmly. âBut yes, we will be with them on their journey.â
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 hadnât 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 âitâ. She had almost reached the rocks when Cai broke cover. Like a rocket he shot past her, a huge grin on his face.
âNot âitâ,â he called triumphantly.
Antonia grinned back as he disappeared. Cai hadnât 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.
ââItâ!â she cried.
âNo, you are,â clicked Bubbles, flicking the seaweed back at her.
They played until the seaweed had almost disintegrated. Then, calling a truce, they floated on the seaâs surface, enjoying the warmth of the sun on their faces.
âWeâd better get back,â clicked Dream eventually. âDadâs taking the pod fishing soon.â
âSpoilsport,â 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.
âEnough,â panted Antonia. âWe have to go now. Itâs nearly tea time.â
âGoodbye,â said Bubbles, solemnly swimming forward as if to rub noses with her.
âGoodbyeâ¦BUBBLES!â she shrieked as, catching her unawares, he doused her with water.
Bubbles clicked a laugh. âSee you soon, Silver Dolphin,â he called, keeping a safe distance away.
âIâll get you for that,â 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, âWeâve forgotten the rubbish.â
She flushed guiltily, but Cai just laughed.
âWell remembered,â 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 a split carrier bag.
âWhat would have happened if weâd left this behind?â Antonia idly wondered. âDo you think Spirit would have been cross?â
âNo,â said Cai. âSpirit knows weâre not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. We might not have been allowed to play with Bubbles and Dream for a bit, though.â