Free Broken Promises by Summer Waters

said Antonia, flopping down on the lawn. “I’ve broken a few promises since Abi’s been here. It’s hard trying to keep everyone happy.”
    â€œI’m really lucky like that. It’s only me and mum, and she works such long hours she doesn’t mind if I stay out late.”
    â€œCool,” said Antonia.
    â€œSometimes,” said Hannah wistfully.
    Antonia picked at the grass. How would she feel if she was Hannah, with no brothers or sisters and a mother who was always at work? It sounded lonely. At times Antonia’s family life made things very complicated for her, but she wouldn’t want it any other way. Cai started to talk about his mum and dad and soon he was comparing notes with Hannah about whose parents worked the longest hours.
    â€œYou know,” said Hannah hesitantly. “You could…if you wanted to, that is…you could come and stay with me when I get home. Both of you, of course,” she said, waving a hand at Antonia to include her.
    â€œThat’d be great,” said Cai. “Then we could help you set up your very own Sea Watch.”
    â€œAntonia?” asked Hannah cautiously.
    â€œI’d love to,” said Antonia. “We might even get to meet Vision.”
    â€œBrilliant,” said Hannah, her eyes shining. “I’ll ask Mum to fix something up. Weekends are best. She usually gets them off.”
    â€œHere’s Aunty Claudia,” said Cai. “It can’t be that bad, Antonia, she’s smiling.”
    They scrambled up as Mrs Lee and Claudia walked towards them. Antonia stared at her mother and cheered up immediately. Mum didn’t look annoyed any more. She looked proud.
    â€œWhat an amazing thing you all did today,” she said. “Claudia told me about the rescue on the beach and how you also waded into the sea to stop a pod of dolphins from becoming stranded.”
    Claudia winked so quickly at the Silver Dolphins that Antonia almost missed it. Then taking a deep breath Claudia said, “They were brilliant and I couldn’t have done it without them. However, your mum tells me that Abi and Ella have two more days before they go home, Antonia. So I’m banning you from Sea Watch until then. You’re not to come back until Wednesday morning.”
    â€œOh!”
    How could Claudia do that?
    Antonia was about to protest when she realised that Claudia was smiling right at her. Thinking about all the promises she’d broken, Antonia supposed the ban was only fair. Claudia was helping her not get into any more trouble.
    â€œBut what about…” she trailed off, remembering her mum was there.
    Claudia raised her eyebrows.
    â€œToday was a very unusual day,” she said carefully. “It’s not often dolphins get stranded on a beach. Your help was invaluable, but I’m sure that we can manage without you for the next couple of days. So please, promise me that you’ll stay away until Wednesday?”
    â€œI promise,” said Antonia, and this time she knew it was a promise that she would keep.
    â€œWell done,” said Claudia. “Right, you two, into the car. It’s time we took Hannah home.”
    Antonia followed them through the side gate to the front of the house and waved until Claudia’s car was out of sight. As she let herself back into the garden, a ray of sunlightcaught her silver dolphin charm, making it sparkle. Antonia brushed her fingers across its smooth body.
    â€œSpirit,” she whispered. “I’m taking a short holiday. It’s only for two days, and then I’ll be able to answer your call again. I promise.”
    The dolphin charm, so soft to touch, juddered slightly in her fingers. Antonia grinned to herself. This time Spirit had answered her call.

Copyright
    First published in paperback by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2009
    HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers