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a written task that had to be done in silence. Antonia finished hers with time to spare and was told to read.
    She didn’t feel like reading. Her mind kept wandering to her disappointment about not going to the harbour after school. It was all Emily’s fault. If only she’d been more careful locking Stripes’s cage, then Antonia and Cai could have explored the harbour yesterday. Emily had made it awkward for Antonia at swimming club and now she was muscling in on her friendship with Cai.
    Antonia was finding it hard to trust Claudia’s words, when she was sure that the girl was as bad as her parents. Antonia sighed. She’d had more than enough ofEmily today. When the home-time bell finally rang, she couldn’t face seeing her again, so she waylaid Cai as he left the classroom.
    “I’m not coming to Sea Watch tonight.”
    Cai stopped in surprise. “Everything all right?” he asked.
    “Yes, I’ve just got a bit of a headache.”
    Antonia couldn’t look at Cai, in case he guessed she wasn’t telling the truth.
    “Bad luck. I expect it was all that writing. Are you sure you don’t want to come to Sea Watch? You can sit up at the house until your head clears.”
    “Thanks, but no,” said Antonia.
    “Looks like it’s me and Emily then.” Cai pulled a face. “She’s all right, but I wish shedidn’t talk so much. I hope you feel better soon.”
    “Thanks,” said Antonia.

Chapter Eight
    A ntonia walked home slowly, trying not to think about all the exciting things she would be missing at Sea Watch. It was very hot and Sandy Bay Road seemed steeper than usual. Antonia stopped when she reached the top and sat on the wooden bench overlooking the bay to get her breath back. The sea waspacked with swimmers. Antonia imagined floating in the cool salty water and suddenly she had a strong urge to be in the sea. She wasn’t allowed to swim without an adult, but Claudia often let her and Cai paddle from her private beach.
    “I should have gone to Sea Watch,” Antonia told an inquisitive wren watching from a nearby bush.
    She closed her eyes, savouring the warm sun on her face. Immediately her thoughts turned to Emily. Why had she let the new girl put her off from going? There was room for everyone at Sea Watch, regardless of whether you liked them or not. And why didn’t she like Emily? Was it just because of her parents’ shop? Antonia knew she wasn’t being fair. Itwas wrong to blame Emily for her parents’ behaviour. But that wasn’t the only problem. Deep down, Antonia was a little scared that Emily might steal Cai away. The moment she admitted it, Antonia knew it was a ridiculous fear. She and Cai had an extra-special friendship cemented by their amazing secret, the Silver Dolphins. Cross with herself, Antonia jumped up, startling the wren into flying away chattering loudly.
    “I’ve been such an idiot!” she exclaimed.
    She decided to turn back and go to Sea Watch, but then a strong sense that Spirit needed urgent help came over her. The feeling was too intense to ignore. School bag bumping against her back, Antonia sprinted for Gull Bay, knowing her favourite beachwould be quieter than Sandy Bay. She was halfway down the lane when her dolphin charm began to vibrate. Its silver tail thrashed against her neck, urging her into the sea. Antonia touched the charm with her left hand, pleased that once again she’d sensed Spirit’s call before it had happened.
    “Spirit, I hear you,” she whistled as the silver dolphin charm broke into a piercing whistle.
    On the sand, Antonia stopped to pull off her socks and sandals. There were a handful of people in the cove, dedicated sun worshippers plugged into their iPods or reading books while their bodies tanned. Unnoticed, Antonia left her sandals and bag high up the beach then ran down to the water.
    Silver Dolphin
, called her necklace, its soft body thrashing against her neck.
    “I’m coming,” Antonia clicked back.
    She splashed into the water, shivering