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4
The return of the Sea Wolf
When Debra arrived at the lighthouse the first thing she wanted to do was jump into the sea to swim with Dilo. But it was Sunday and the bay was buzzing with boats of all kinds. Debra knew most of them would leave in the early evening. So she decided to wait until then, when she hoped to have Dilo to herself - for a little while at least.
It was a glorious sunny day. After standing by the wall outside the lighthouse the twins walked to one of their favourite places on the top of the cliffs. It was in a slight hollow away from the path. From their lofty perch they could see most of the bay. In the distance was the harbour. Rows of brightly coloured houses and small hotels lined the waterfront. Behind them rose majestic hills.
Below the lighthouse was a deep channel. It led to the wide open sea that stretched to the horizon and sparkled silver in the bright sunshine. There was just one break in the vast expanse of blue, Black Rock. a lonely outcrop of dark stone. Even on a lovely day like today it looked sinister. Black Rock was surrounded by a necklace of white foam where the waves were broken by sharp rocks.
“Uncle Pat says there’s a hidden cave on Black Rock,” said Debra.
“He also says it’s the home of a witch,” added Robin.
“Do you believe that?” asked Debra.
“I’d need scientific proof first,” replied Robin.
“Oh you would. I wonder where Dilo is?” said Debra changing the subject.
In the distance sailing ships leaned over in the breeze. Most of the boating activity, however, was concentrated in a cove opposite the lighthouse. Small vessels of different shapes and sizes were gathering there. Debra knew why. A few moments later Dilo’s dorsal fin rose briefly out of the sea and then disappeared. The dolphin was heading towards a boat packed with visitors.
When Dilo surfaced, the twins heard shrieks of delight as those on board rushed to one side. They all wanted the dolphin to come close enough to touch. Dilo obliged, letting some of the passengers briefly touch his fin. Then suddenly Dilo dived and vanished.
Those on board could not see in which direction he was heading. From their lookout on top of the cliffs Debra and her brother could. They saw the dolphin’s dark shape speeding like a torpedo towards another boat in the middle of the bay.
It was a small cabin cruiser towing an inflated car tyre inner-tube. Hanging onto the tube were two people in wetsuits. In the next instant there was an explosion in the water beside them. Dilo burst through the surface. He soared into the air.
For a moment he looked like a shining, silver bridge. Then he was back into the sea again. Dilo turned instantly. Three seconds later the dolphin was once again flying over the startled swimmers.
Debra couldn’t stop herself. She jumped up and shrieked. “Wow, what a jump! Do it again Dilo!”
“Sit down Debbie,” said her brother. “Don’t make a spectacle of yourself. You’ve seen him do that before.”
“I know,” said Debra, “but every time he does it I feel so excited.”
“Oh, you’re incorrigible.” said Robin.
“What does incorrigible mean?” asked Debra indignantly.
“1 don’t know,” said Robin, “ but whatever it is - that’s what you are.
“1 cant wait to go for a swim with Dilo again.”
“You said you would wait until this evening when everything has quietened down.” remembered Robin.
“I know - but it doesn’t stop me being impatient does it?”
It was then that Robin noticed a powerboat moving through the channel. He recognised it instantly.
“Look,” he called to Debra. “There’s Sea Wolf. I wonder what that’s doing here?”
“Probably on holiday like everyone else,” replied Debra.
“Whenever that boat’s been here in the past there’s been trouble,” continued Robin. “Come on Sis, let’s get back to the lighthouse. I want to have a look at Sea Wolf through the telescope.”
It was late afternoon before Debra finally got into the sea with Dilo. When the dolphin towed her down into his underwater realm, Debra expected it to be the first of many more magical swims with Dilo. But evil forces were afoot. As she climbed back out of the water Debra did not know that she would never again swim with Dilo in Lighthouse Bay that summer.
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