Chapter 7

Chapter SEVEN By the time we left the cave, the first few rays of early-morning sunlight had started to pierce the surface of the sea, turning it bright aqua. 'We had better hurry back to our camping spot,' I said. 'Mum and Auster will be worried if they wake up and find us gone.'

'Let's go!' agreed Delphina as we both got onto Squishy's back. Squishy seemed so much calmer after his time in the cave. I used the compass to steer us through the kelp forest, being sure to avoid the deepest parts. As we got closer to our camping spot, I hoped, hoped, hoped that we would make it back before Mum and Auster woke up! We arrived just as Mum was unzipping the flap of her tent. Uh-oh... She poked her head out of the tent, hair waving about all over the place. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw Delphina and I bobbing towards

her on the giant pufferfish! 'Auster!' she called. 'Come quickly! I think I might still be dreaming!' Now Auster's head appeared through the tent flap too. Isn't that your... plushie, Delphina?' he asked.

'What has been going on?' asked Mum. I confessed to taking the conch shell and how the magic went wrong. Then Delphina told them how we chased Squishy through the forest and ended up in the magical jewel cave. By the time we finished our story, Mum and Auster looked a little stern.

'You should have woken us up!' said Mum. 'I know,' I replied. 'I'm really sorry I borrowed the shell without asking. I promise I won't do it again. I would have magicked you up a lovely warm tent and sleeping bag if you were cold, added Auster. With mer-fairy lights and everything!'

'But that was the problem,' I mumbled. 'I didn't want you to magic up anything for me. I wanted the holiday to be like the other camping trips I've been on... Auster nodded, understanding. Maybe I've been trying too hard to impress you, Emerald,' he said. 'I just thought it would be nice to have a little bit of luxury, but we can leave the magic shell at home next time. 'No!' I replied quickly. 'Actually...