Chapter 2

Chapter TWO 'Hi, Dad!' I yelled, pushing open the front door and swooshing through to the kitchen with Marina and Inkibelle. 'Emerald!' Dad exclaimed, opening his arms for a big hug. 'And it's nice to see you too, Marina. Would you like to stay for dinner?' 'Yes, please!' replied Marina. 'I

already checked with my mum, and she said it was OK.' 'Hello, you two!' smiled Sirena, swimming into the kitchen. Sirena is my dad's girlfriend. I didn't like her at first, but now I think she's lovely! Marina and I went to my bedroom to play before dinner. I pulled Starfish Plushie out of my bag and propped her against the pillow, then carefully sat Bertie next to her.

A teddy looked a bit out of place among all the other sea creature toys and ornaments in my bedroom. 'Do you want to make bracelets?' I asked Marina. 'I've got some new pearls in pink and green. They're so shimmery!' 'Ooh, yes!' said Marina. So I got the beads out and we sat together for a while by the window, threading beads onto string and watching the colourful fish that swam by. My bracelet was going to be a little one for Bertie Bear. My gaze kept drifting over to him. His fur was all fuzzy in the water! He was so cute. But I was sure that his button eyes looked just a little bit sad.

'Do you think he's missing Jack?' I asked. 'Who?' asked Marina. 'The bear! He must be missing his human! Jack must be missing Bertie!' 'Oh,' said Marina. 'Well, maybe. But I don't think you should worry about it. You know the rules of the sea—whatever lands down here is ours to keep.' 'I know,' I said, but I didn't feel sure. There was something about Bertie being here that didn't feel right. 'I wonder if there's a way to get him back to Jack...' I said. 'What?!' Marina stopped threading beads and stared at me, shocked. 'Jack

is a human who lives on land, and we're mermaids! It's not possible!' 'Isn't it?' I said, as a brilliant and exciting idea suddenly fell into my head. 'All we need is a human to help us, Marina! You know someone who lives on land. Isadora Moon! She came to your birthday sleepover.' 'Isadora Moon!' said Marina, her eyes suddenly lighting up. 'Oh, I haven't seen her in ages! I didn't even think of that! She's not technically a human, you know. She's a vampire fairy.'

'Even better!' I said. 'She has magic. I'm sure she could help us!' Marina's tail began to twitch with excitement. 'It would be an adventure!' she said. 'Let's write Isadora a letter right now!' I said. 'We can send it by seagull.' 'OK,' agreed Marina. 'We'll ask Isadora to come to Scallop Bay at the weekend. We can swim up to the shore and give her the bear, then hopefully, she'll be able to find Jack and return it. I nodded trying to ignore the twinge of sadness I got from the thought of saying goodbye to Bertie. 'If Isadora can't find Jack,' said