Chapter 4

Chapter FOUR It felt funny to be riding along in a bucket. It was very... swingy. Marina and I popped our heads over the rim while Isadora and Mirabelle carried us up the beach to Isadora's family. 'Collecting shells is my sister's favourite thing to do,'

said Isadora on the way. 'Her name is Honeyblossom. Honeyblossom looked up when we got close and spotted Marina and me peering over the edge of the bucket. We waved to her and she laughed excitedly, dropping her dummy out of her mouth onto the sand.

'What is it, Honeyblossom?' asked Isadora's mum, Countess Cordelia. She had long pink hair and shimmery fairy wings. She looked to where Honeyblossom was pointing. 'Oh!' she said, peering down at the bucket. 'Is that you, Marina? And another mermaid too, I see. You're both... tiny!' 'It's alright, Aunt Cordelia,' said Mirabelle, turning red. We won't cause any trouble this time, I promise! Marina and Emerald wanted to help us return Bertie. 'Yes, we really want to come!' Marina and I squeaked from the bucket. 'Isadora told us about your plans,'

said Isadora's dad, Count Bartholomew. He was wearing a large pair of sunglasses, a thick vampire cape, and holding a pointy parasol above his head to shield himself from the sun. 'A very kind thing to do.' 'We need to find Scallop Bay Lighthouse,' Isadora said. 'That's where Bertie's owner lives.' 'I think the lighthouse is just over the sand dunes,' said Cordelia, pointing that way. 'I can help you find it.'

'It's OK, Aunt Cordelia,' said Mirabelle sweetly. 'We can go ourselves.' 'I'm not sure about that!' said Bartholomew. 'Mischief just seems to follow you around, Mirabelle. Aunt Cordelia will go with you while I stay and look after Honeyblossom. 'I'm sure it won't take long,' said Cordelia. 'We'll be back for the picnic

soon. Come along, my sugarplums. Let's find the lighthouse!' We all waved goodbye to Count Bartholomew and Honeyblossom and ventured off towards the dunes with Bertie Bear in Mirabelle's backpack. Marina and I continued to poke our heads above the rim of the bucket.