Chapter 3

Chapter THREE Eventually, we travelled out of Scallop City and into calmer waters, where there were fewer houses, shops, and parks. Huge fronds of seaweed waved about in the silky current, and multicoloured shoals of fish darted above acres of rippled sand. I looked into the inky-blue distance and felt myself relax a little bit. The camping trip

could start properly now! I settled myself on Spinner's back and tried to enjoy the scenery as we swished through the water alongside the royal carriage. I could see my family through the windows, playing Find the Fish, and although I really didn't want to travel by carriage, I couldn't help feeling a tiny bit left out. Auster spotted me through the window. 'Want to join, Emerald?' he asked. 'No, thank you,' I said, defiantly. 'I'm enjoying sea trekking!' And I was enjoying sea trekking. It's just that Find the Fish looked fun too... I pulled ahead of the carriage and kept my eyes fixed on the path ahead.

There were so many beautiful types of seaweed and billowy ocean flowers around. Some of them were even bigger than the carriage! It was starting to feel like we were in the proper wilderness.

After a few hours, we stopped beside a coral reef dotted with glowing neon anemones. Mum and Auster swam out of the carriage, with Delphina following close behind, clutching her squishy pufferfish toy in her arms. I slipped off Spinner's back and went over to join them.

'This looks like a lovely spot for a picnic,' Mum was saying. 'Look, there's even a ledge we can sit on.' She gestured to a smooth, flat part of the coral reef. 'Lovely!' replied Auster. 'I am ravenous. What have we got to eat?' 'Sandwiches,' said Mum, opening a picnic bag that she had brought with her from the carriage.

Auster looked slightly disappointed as Mum took out four sandwiches, along with a few cartons of juice. 'Yum!' I said as I unwrapped my sandwich and began to munch. Sea cheese! This was more like it. This felt like a proper camping picnic with ordinary non-royal food, out in the wilderness. 'Ah,' said Auster, looking at his sandwich. 'While this does look delicious, I wouldn't mind something