Broken Promises Read Online Free PDF Page B

evening sunlight. Antonia longed to be in the water, surfing with Cai and Hannah, or swimming with her dolphins. Her fingers strayed to her silver dolphin charm. Its soft body juddered slightly to her touch. Antonia stood very still. Was Spirit about to call? She waited, but there was no sense of being needed. She smiled to herself. She’d noticed her charm reacted to her touch sometimes; itwas as if Spirit was telling her that all was well. Feeling happier, Antonia went indoors to join Abi, who was slumped in front of the television watching one of the soaps.
    Oak Manor was a huge success. Everyone had a great time, except for Antonia. She wanted to enjoy herself. The rides were spectacular, but nothing could possibly compare with the thrill of swimming with the dolphins. Antonia spent the day wondering if Spirit would call and worrying about how she would answer him if he did. Although she had promised to think about taking a holiday from the Silver Dolphins, Antonia didn’t give it any serious thought. If Spirit needed her she knew she would go to him. Knowing that Hannahwas around made things worse, not better. Hannah worried Antonia. She seemed so competent. It was hard to believe that she ever made mistakes. What if after the seagull disaster Hannah thought Antonia wasn’t a good Silver Dolphin?
    To Antonia’s relief, Abi got on fantastically well with Sophie. They had lots of things in common, including a love of jewellery-making. Abi was more animated when talking to Sophie than Antonia had seen her since she’d arrived.
    By mid-afternoon the theme park was packed. People were queuing for over an hour to go on the rides so Mrs Lee decided it was time to go home. Antonia could hardly hide her relief. Then, as they drove into Sandy Bay, a familiar sensation swept over her. Spirit wasabout to call. Antonia willed her mother to drive faster but Mrs Lee was keeping to the thirty-mile-an-hour limit.
    â€œCould I go to Sea Watch for a bit when we get home?” asked Antonia impatiently. “I won’t be long. There’s something I need to finish before the litter-pick this weekend.”
    â€œCan’t it wait?” asked Mrs Lee, flicking the indicator down as she prepared to turn into Sophie’s road.
    Softly Antonia’s charm began to vibrate. She was desperate to answer it. “It won’t take long,” she pleaded.
    Sophie leant forward between the seats. “Abi can come home with me if she likes, Mrs Lee. I could show her some of the jewellery I’ve made.”
    â€œI’d love that,” said Abi, her eyes lighting up. “Can I, Aunty Helen? Then Antonia can go to Sea Watch and everyone’s happy.”
    Mrs Lee sighed. “Well, if you’re sure you really want to,” she said. “I’ll pop in and check it’s all right with your mum first, Sophie.”
    Mum took ages. By the time she came back to the car Antonia’s silver dolphin charm had started to whistle. Ella and Jess were giggling together. Even though only a Silver Dolphin could hear the dolphin’s call, Antonia was still nervous about the noise. She pretended to rub a crick in her neck so she could cover the charm with her hand. It muffled the sound a little. Then the whispering started in her head. It grew louder until Antonia recognised bothCai and Hannah’s voices answering Spirit’s call. Silently she added her own response.
    Spirit, I hear you.
    â€œCan I go to Sea Watch now?” she asked as Mum pulled open the car door.
    Mrs Lee tutted. “Yes, you can, but don’t be long. I want you home for tea.”
    â€œThanks, Mum,” said Antonia, leaning over and kissing her mum on the cheek.
    She jogged all the way to Gull Bay. The beach was busy, but Antonia found a quiet spot over by the cliffs. Pulling off her shoes and socks she left them in a neat pile and ran down to the sea. Tiny waves ran up the beach and Antonia leapt over them,