Making Waves Read online

  The boat slowed down and EJ jumped in and grabbed hold of the rope. As the boat sped up again, she felt the rush as she was swept along through the waves. It was exhilarating.

  ‘Look behind you,’ shouted A1.

  EJ turned her head. At first she could only see the foam from the boat but then she glimpsed a fin. She shrieked with excitement as Squirt rose out of the water and then dived down right next to her. As EJ was pulled through the water, Squirt swam alongside her, diving in and out of the wake. When EJ put her head under the water, she could hear the dolphin’s clicks and whistles. There was no buzzing now that all was well. After what seemed only minutes but what A1 assured her was much, much longer, EJ reluctantly climbed back into the boat. She looked out to sea as Squirt did one final leap into the air before swimming away. EJ could have sworn the dolphin was looking right at her, almost smiling.

  Maybe she was.

  Back at home, it was the day of the swimming carnival. It was about twenty seconds before the start of the girls’ under-twelve freestyle relay race.

  The carnival official was starting the race. ‘On your marks. Get set. Go!’

  Nema was the first swimmer. She sprang off the blocks at the other end of the pool and powered down the lane towards where Emma and Hannah were waiting for their turns to swim. Nema was easily coming first in her leg. The moment she touched the edge of the pool, Hannah dived in. She set off strongly but was slowly being overtaken by a girl in lane four.

  ‘Come on, Han,’ yelled Emma, who was now on the block Hannah had just dived off. She would be the last swimmer.

  Nema climbed out of the pool beside her. As soon as Nema had her breath back, she shouted, ‘Go Hannah! You can do it!’

  Emma looked at Nema, surprised. That was nice of her, she thought. Then they both yelled at the same time, ‘Go Hannah!’

  Up at the other end of the pool, Isi for once wasn’t yelling and jumping up and down. She was leaning forward, ready to dive in.

  Hannah slapped the end of the pool, finishing second in her leg but only just. Isi dived off the blocks for the third leg.

  Emma stopped shouting and prepared herself for her swim. She shook her legs and looked down into deep water, smiling. The only thing she was worried about now was not being able to swim fast enough.

  Isi raced up the length of the pool and stretched to touch the end in second place. Emma dived in.

  ‘Go Em, go Em, go Em!’ chanted all three girls who had run down to the finishing end to wait for her. Each time Emma came up for air she could hear them screaming her name.

  She kept kicking as hard as she could; she knew she could catch the girl just in front. As she turned to breathe with only five metres to go, Emma took her final breath of the race. She put her head down and willed her arms to go faster, stronger.

  Emma and the girl in lane four were neck and neck. At two metres, Emma took one final stroke and propelled herself to the edge. She touched. Just in front.

  The girls had won the relay! The crowd cheered loudly. It had been the closest race of the carnival. Emma climbed out of the pool and was immediately mobbed by the other girls. Isi squeezed her so hard, she could hardly breathe.

  A beaming Ms Tenga came up and congratulated the girls. She turned to Emma. ‘Congratulations, Emma,’ she whispered. ‘On both victories.’

  Emma grinned.

  It was the end of the carnival. All the girls were proudly wearing their blue ribbons and Isi and Hannah had gone to ask Ms Tenga if they were allowed in the dive pool leaving Emma and Nema alone together. Nema looked a bit uncomfortable, and then turned slightly towards Emma.

  ‘I’m sorry I told everyone your secret,’ whispered Nema.

  Emma did a double take. ‘Pardon?’ she said.

  ‘I’m sorry I made fun of you. I shouldn’t have done that,’ Nema said.

  Emma was surprised but grateful. ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘Anyway, I’m not afraid of deep water any more, you know.’

  ‘I didn’t think so,’ said Nema. ‘You’re not scared of anything are you, Emma?’

  Emma did another double take. Is that what Nema thinks?

  Isi bounded up to them.

  ‘We can! We can! Ms Tenga said we can do the bombs! Come on!’ she cried as Hannah came up behind her. ‘But let’s do a team bomb into the diving pool!’

  The four girls stood on the edge of the pool.

  ‘Let’s hold hands and all jump together,’ yelled Isi, grabbing Hannah’s hand.

  Hannah grabbed Emma’s hand and Emma looked at Nema. Then Emma put her hand out and smiled. Nema smiled back and took Emma’s hand and, together, the whole team jumped out and up in the air over the deep end.

  Emma was in over her head—and loving it!

  With, she thought to herself, only a little help from EJ12!

  Back Cover Material

  MAKING WAVES

  SHADOW is really making waves and now the coral reef is in hot water.

  Special Agent EJ12 could be in over her head but she must stop SHADOW before it is too late.

  That's the easy part. As EJ12 Emma Jacks can do anything.

  So why is she so nervous about the school swimming carnival?

  Perhaps she isn't after all?