High Tide. Summer Waters

happily forgot all about Lauren and Stage Struck until after school, when she was back at Sea Watch. Emily, Eleanor and Karen were there too, chattering away together.

      “Stage Struck is filming in Gull Bay tomorrow,” said Emily, colouring in a poster for the Litter Fishing launch. “Danny Appleton told me when he came into our shop to buy a present for his little sister. He’s my favourite actor. He’s so cool. I wish I had an older brother like Danny.”

      “Me too!” Eleanor and Karen agreed.

      Hiding their groans, Antonia and Cai escaped outside to clean Tilly’s pen and feed her.

      Tilly was pleased to see them, as always. Honking noisily, she climbed out of the deepwater pool to see what Antonia was doing with the mop.

      “Aunty Claudia says we’ll let her go after the Litter Fishing launch,” said Cai.

      “Shoo.” Antonia gently shook the mop at the grey seal. “I hope she’ll be all right. She’s too nosy for her own good sometimes.”

      “She’ll be fine,” said Cai reassuringly. “There are a couple of friendly seals that hang around the harbour. The fishermen throw them fish to eat.”

      “The fishermen round here are really nice,” said Antonia, propping the mop against the mesh fencing and unreeling the hose. “It’s great that they’ve agreed to take part in the Litter Fishing project.”

      “They like fishing in clean seas,” said Cai. “Some of the stuff that comes up in their nets is horrible.”

      “I know,” Antonia shuddered, thinking of the nasty things she’d seen in the ocean. “I’m glad Sea Watch is co-ordinating the project. I can’t wait for the launch. It was nice of Claudia to ask us to give the fishermen their new sacks.”

      “Do you think the scheme will put the Silver Dolphins out of a job?” joked Cai.

      “Never,” said Antonia, hosing his feet.

      “You rat!” Cai lunged for the hose, but Antonia darted out of his reach.

      The Litter Fishing project had been arranged by an environmental organisation. They were providing free sacks for fishermen to put rubbish caught in their nets in, rather than throwing it back into the sea. The sacks could later be emptied into a special container at the harbour. Claudia had agreed that Sea Watch would keep a supply of the sacks and arrange for the container to be emptied when full.

      “Turn the hose off, Antonia. I’m going to get Tilly her food.”

      Tilly enjoyed swimming after the fish that Antonia and Cai threw for her. Gracefully, she zipped round the pool, diving deep then surfacing in a completely different place.

      “She’s a great swimmer,” said Cai when the bucket was empty. “Not long now, Tilly. Soon you’ll have the whole sea to play in.”

      “I hope she finds some friends to play with,” said Antonia.

      “She will,” said Cai. “Stop worrying about her. She’s going to be fine.”

      On her way home from Sea Watch, Antonia was so busy thinking about Tilly that she didn’t see Lauren and Becky coming up the path until she’d practically walked into them.

      “Where do you think you’re going?” snapped Lauren crossly.

      “Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” said Antonia, misunderstanding Lauren and sidestepping her to walk on.

      “If you’re thinking of hanging around the film crew, you’re too late. They’ve packed up for the day,” Lauren called after her.

      Antonia kept walking.

      “Huh! Think you can ignore me, do you? Well, you’ll be sorry tomorrow when everyone hears my news.”

      Antonia didn’t know what Lauren was talking about until the following day, when Lauren smugly announced to the whole class that she and Becky had been hired by the director of Stage Struck as extras.

      “Anyone would think she’d got the lead role,” grumbled Sophie, at home time, “but it’s not even a speaking part. Extras are just there in the background. You don’t even notice them.”

      “Just ignore her,” said Antonia. “She’s so wrapped up in being a film star that she hasn’t been nasty to anyone all day.”

      “That’s true,” said Sophie, brightening. “What are you doing after school?”

      “I’m going to the Litter Fishing launch with Claudia and Cai. Why don’t you come along too? It’ll be fun.”

      “Thanks, but it’s not my kind of thing. Come round some other time then?”

      “Definitely,” said Antonia. “I’d like that.”

       Chapter Four

      The moment school ended Antonia and Cai raced to Sea Watch. Claudia was still tending to the oiled razorbill, who’d needed a second bath.