Chapter 5

Chapter FIVE That afternoon, we all sat on the beach together with Isadora's family, Jack, and his dad, and had a picnic. Marina and I sat on the rim of the bucket, dangling our tails into the water. I watched as Jack sat with Bertie on his lap, so happy to have his bear back. I still felt a bit sad about saying goodbye to Bertie, but I knew that we had

done the right thing. Isadora and Mirabelle kept passing us pieces of food to eat. 'This is a strawberry,' said Isadora, holding a big red fruit out towards me. 'Oof!' I said, wrapping my arms around it. 'It's heavy! But it smells so sweet!'

I took a bite from the giant strawberry, and Marina took a bite from the other side. 'Yum!' we both said. 'This strawberry tastes quite different from the ones we have under the sea,' said Marina.

'Try this!' said Mirabelle, holding out a crumb from her sandwich. 'It's peanut butter!' 'Peanut butter?' I said, taking a small lick. 'Mmm!' 'Peanut butter sandwiches are my absolute favourite!' said Isadora. 'Oh, mine too!' said Jack happily. 'I prefer red juice,' said Count Bartholomew as he slurped some through a straw. 'Would you like to try some, Emerald and Marina? I've got plenty— and there's nothing quite as delicious and nutritious for a vampire!' Marina and I glanced at each other. 'That's OK, Mr Moon,' we said.

Once we'd finished the sandwiches and fruit, Countess Cordelia produced a huge cake with swirls of buttercream and cherries. We munched it down while Honeyblossom crawled about looking for more shells, and by the time everything had been eaten, a few drops of light rain were beginning to sprinkle from the afternoon sky, glimmering in the sunshine. 'Ooh!' squealed Marina. 'Rain! We don't get rain under the sea!' Bartholomew looked up at the sky, worried.

'We should probably start packing up,' he said. 'It's getting late, and rain does nothing for sleek vampire hair-dos.' Isadora, Mirabelle, and Jack looked disappointed. 'Isn't there time for just one game?' asked Mirabelle. 'We could play sea tag.' I suppose rain doesn't matter if you're playing in the sea!' said Cordelia cheerfully. 'Let's play one quick game of tag,' I said. 'And then Marina and I ought to be getting home too. Isadora picked up the bucket and walked us down to the water's edge. Mirabelle reached for her necklace again