Broken Promises by Summer Waters Page A

she reached the dolphins, the water was all gone.
    The two dolphins lay very still, their dorsal fins pointing upwards like flags. Antonia crouched between them with one hand on each dolphin. Could she use her special healing powers to save them? Was it possibleto keep them alive until the tide turned again? Pressing her hands more firmly against each dolphin, Antonia imagined their skin staying cool and moist.
    Be strong , she thought. A warm feeling spread down Antonia’s hands and her fingers began to prickle. Excitedly, Antonia continued to press on the dolphins’ soft skin.
    Be strong.
    There was barely any response from the large dolphin, but a muscle began to twitch in the smaller one’s side. Encouraged, Antonia continued to press on both dolphins until the prickling sensation calmed and a warm glow spread through her hands. The smaller dolphin opened its mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle.
    â€œHelp!”
    She was calling to her friends.
    Suddenly, Antonia had a brilliant idea. She would call a friend to help too. Clearing part of her mind, she concentrated on Claudia, imagining her smiling sea-green eyes staring out from under her unruly mop of hair.
    Claudia, we need you.
    At first there was nothing. Disappointed, Antonia tried again.
    Claudia?
    She willed Claudia to hear her and almost cheered out loud when she did.
    Silver Dolphin? What’s wrong?
    Two dolphins are stranded in a creek. We need help to get them back in the water.
    I’ll be there.
    Antonia breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief. It was going to be all right. Claudia was on her way. She started to relax, then an alarming thought crossed her mind. How would Claudia know where to come?
    Silver Dolphin?
    Antonia jumped. Claudia was still listening to her thoughts!
    Keep thinking of me, so I can find you.
    I will.
    Cai and Hannah pounded up the beach and dripped water over the two dolphins. The smaller was still whistling for help. Cai shot Antonia an excited look.
    â€œDid you do that? Did you make her better?”
    â€œI’m helping them to stay strong whilethey’re out of the water. I just hope I can keep them alive until Claudia gets here.”
    â€œAunty Claudia’s coming? But how…” Cai was puzzled. Then suddenly working it out, his face lit up.
    â€œI knew there was something special between you two. I’ve suspected it for ages. Thank goodness for that.”
    He pounded back to the sea with renewed energy. Antonia kept her hands on both dolphins, willing them to stay alive. It was exhausting. She was concentrating so hard she almost didn’t realise that her dolphin charm had started to thrash again. A lump formed in Antonia’s throat and she swallowed it down. She was doing her best. Why was Spirit calling her? Didn’t he realise how hardshe was trying to keep the dolphins alive? What more could she do?
    Hannah and Cai ran up. Side by side, they dripped water on to the dolphins. Cai turned to go back to the sea then stopped.
    â€œOh no!” he cried. “Spirit’s calling us again.”
    â€œWhat now?” groaned Hannah, her hand flying to her own silver dolphin charm. “Surely it can wait?”
    â€œYes,” Cai nodded. “It’ll just have to wait. We can’t leave these dolphins here on the beach.”
    Ignoring their whistling charms, they continued wetting the stranded dolphins until suddenly there was a huge commotion in the creek. Surprised, everyone stopped for a moment to look.
    â€œNo!” gasped Antonia. “Please, let me be dreaming.”
    But it wasn’t a dream. A pod of bottlenose dolphins suddenly swam into view. They were heading for the beach, drawn by the calls of the stranded dolphin. Spirit swam amongst the dolphins, trying to turn them back with desperate whistles and squeaks.
    â€œWe have to stop them,” Antonia cried.
    She noticed one or two of the dolphins trying to turn back, but there wasn’t