Stolen Treasures by Summer Waters Read Free Book Online Page B

properly and water poured from her clothes as she headed up the beach. The net felt even heavier on land. Limp bits of seaweed snagged in its frayed squares, as Cai and Antonia rolled and dragged it along. When Cai stopped at the Sea Watch boat to retrievehis shoes, Antonia started to giggle.
    “I’ve just had a thought. I haven’t got any shoes to walk back to Gull Bay,” she chuckled.
    Cai laughed too, so much so that they both ended up rolling around in hysterics on the sand, until Claudia came from the garden to see what the noise was about.
    “I’ll drive Antonia home,” she offered. “We’ll stop off on the way to pick up your shoes and bag.”
    Antonia had to wait until all the jobs were finished before Claudia could take her home. She borrowed some socks from Cai and an ancient pair of welly boots from Claudia, so she could help finish the day’s tasks. One by one, the volunteers drifted home until onlyEmily was left. She came out of the back room from cleaning out the guillemots, carrying a sack of rubbish.
    “I didn’t know you were here. Why are you wearing those?” she asked, staring at Antonia’s feet.
    “I got my shoes wet,” Antonia fibbed.
    “How did you do that?”
    “Um…taking some samples of the sea water.”
    “Oh, right. And where did you disappear to?” Emily rounded on Cai. “Skiving, I bet.”
    Antonia was starting to get irritated with Emily’s questions. Reminding herself that Emily was only trying to be friendly, she forced a smile and said, “Did you remember to bring your camera, Emily? Some of theguillemots are almost ready to be released.”
    “I forgot again!” squeaked Emily, stamping her foot and narrowly missing treading on Cai. “And Mum’s really keen to see some pictures. She’s wondering if she could use guillemot feathers for some of her souvenirs.”
    “Dropped ones only, I hope,” called Claudia lightly.
    “Er, yeah, I suppose so,” said Emily. “I don’t get involved that much in the shop.” She lowered her voice and said confidingly, “To be honest, it’s really boring. Mum and Dad said I could work in the shop over the summer holidays, but I’d much rather be here with you lot.”
    “That’s nice,” Claudia smiled warmly at Emily. “And if your mum and dad have a sparemoment, they’re welcome to come along with you to see what we do. They might find it useful. Conservation is very good for tourism. It’s important to look after the environment. If we ruin the sea, then people won’t want to visit and spend money in the local shops.”
    “Thanks,” said Emily beaming back at Claudia. “I’ll tell them that.”
    “I’m going outside to check on Stripes, so I’ll put the rubbish out for you. Thanks for all your help, Emily. Will we see you tomorrow?”
    “Nah. It’s the play tomorrow,” said Emily. “Wish me luck. I dunno why they gave me a speaking part, when I’ve only been here a few days. I hope I don’t muck it up.”
    She accidentally knocked the rubbish sack against Claudia’s leg as she handed it over,then waving cheerfully, went home. Antonia smothered a sigh of relief. It was hard work being nice to Emily. But clever Claudia! She hoped Emily would remember to tell her parents about the invitation.
    “That’s it, then,” said Claudia. “We’re almost done.”
    “Can I come with you to check on Stripes?” asked Antonia.
    “Yes, of course.”
    Stripes was fast asleep. Claudia checked the padlock on her pen, then went back to the Sea Watch building to double check she’d locked that too, before heading up to the house for her car keys. Antonia clumped up the drive with Cai to help open the gates.
    On the way to Gull Bay, Cai sat in the frontof the car and told Claudia about rescuing Topper.
    “It was clever of you to get him above the water,” said Claudia, glancing at Antonia in the rear-view mirror.
    “I couldn’t have done it without Cai,” said Antonia modestly. “It was his idea to cut Topper free