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www.sadiethemermaid.com

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Copyright © 2016 Shrew Enterprises Ltd.

Text Copyright © Rosalind Paterson 2016

Illustrations Copyright © Rosalind Paterson 2016

The author and illustrator assert the moral right to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work

ISBN 978-0-473-22314-4

Conditions of Sale

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the authors’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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Special thanks must go to my long suffering sister

Frances Manwaring for supporting me through this and

everything else.

I’d also like to mention in dispatches my stunning and

very firm editor Bronwyn Watkins who helped me turn

my wooly and random thoughts and illustrations into a

lovely cohesive book.

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Chapter 1 ~ Strange News 7

Chapter 2 ~ Sadie Finds a Treasure 13

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Chapter 1 ~ Strange News

Wave-weaving with dolphins was the best fun ever!

Sadie held tight to the dorsal fins of two of her friends as

they sped along. The dolphins were easily twice her

length and she couldn’t believe how fast they swam—it

was hard to keep her grip. Sadie loved the feeling of

water, bubbles and her long jade hair flowing freely

down her back.

“Ready for another leap?” the one on the right clicked.

Sadie braced herself. “Too right, let’s do it!"

“Hold on tight, Sadie, here we go,” the bigger dolphin

on the left chuckled.

Two strong bodies moved in close to support her. Sadie

was so excited her hands began to shake and she almost

lost her hold. Power surged through their massive tails

as they arced upwards, causing millions of shimmering

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water droplets to explode in the air like pieces of a

shattered mirror.

“Spectacular!” Sadie gasped. She let go of the fins, threw

her arms out front and soared above the water singing

for joy. The dolphins laughed and clicked as they sailed

along beside her. Then at exactly the same time everyone

summersaulted and plunged back into the sea.

“Wow, you guys! That was unbelievable fun!” Sadie told

them. And it was of course. It was wonderful mixed up

with crazy-wild, but not a pace she could keep up for

long. “Thanks SO much for the lift,” She added,

searching for an excuse so she wouldn’t be forced to

admit that she couldn’t keep up with them any longer.

“I wish I didn’t have to go home to all that work.”

“No worries, Sadie, see ya next time,” they flicked their

tails at her and frolicked away through the waves.

Rolling over onto her back Sadie bobbed along on the

swell swishing her tail gently. A large black back gull

circled several times then swooped towards her. Sadie

admired the crisp contrast of his black and white feathers

and his flying skill. Typical black back though, he looks

fiercer than a walrus with tooth ache! she thought.

“Morning Sadie, have you heard the news today?” the

gull croaked. Sadie shook her head. “Some rich business

man has bought a tower block and all the waterfront

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buildings in Deltahaven,” the bird told her as he hovered

skilfully on an updraft.

“Well that is interesting Jacob, any idea who? I thought

that no-one except the Queen could own those towers.”

“Mr. Maaaa . . .” Jacob croaked, but his words were lost

on the wind as he flew away. “What was that Jacob?

Maa-something, Marrion? Majhong?” she shouted

pointlessly after him.

“Whatever this news meant, if the black backs were

talking about it, it was important. Anyway, time to go!

I’ve already wasted most of the morning and The Wild

Western Bays won’t look after itself.”

In one smooth move, Sadie flipped over and dived under

the water. “What if this Mr. Ma—whatever his name

was—had greedy plans to plunder the sea? “Oh well,

we’ll know soon enough!” Sadie sighed so hard she blew

a small starfish off a kelp strand. “Oh sorry, REALLY

sorry,” she said and put him back.

It was naughty to let the dolphins distract her. She could

imagine her mother’s scolding voice; ‘you are so

irresponsible, Sadie, you must put duty first.’ Of course

her mother was right—she couldn’t have it both ways—

if she wanted to be taken seriously she would have to

stop playing about like a silly child. Sadie sighed again

(careful not to dislodge any small creatures).

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The shortest route home from Aunt Destriana’s cave

took her behind The Dark Island and out over Ragged

Reef. Normally Sadie enjoyed visiting Aunt D but this

trip had made her angry. Why wouldn’t Destriana let

her join in any classes? “What kind of stupid answer is,

‘All in good time little one?’” she growled to herself. All

Sadie wanted in the whole wild ocean was to learn Song

Power and be a healer like her Aunt. She was totally

ready. It felt like the entire family was against her.

“Mum thinks I’m a baby and Aunt D obviously thinks I

am useless. It isn’t fair!” Sadie smacked a tall weed with

her hand and snapped it in half.

Always on duty, Sadie constantly scanned for creatures

who might need her help. A large shoal of little, silver

fish shimmied in a hollow ahead and Sadie found her

best smile.

“Hello everyone, how are you all this morning? Have

you had any more trouble with that mean Nargh fish?”

she asked.

Lots of tiny voices replied in unison. “No, we’re fine,

Thanks, Sadie. No more trouble. Whatever you said

worked. What did you say? Tell us, tell us!” they cried.

“I told him I was good friends with a sea dragon and if

there was any more bullying she’d hear about it. You

should have seen his face!” Sadie laughed. The funny,

bubbly sound those little fish made when they laughed

made her realise how much she loved her job. If only her

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family could see she was up to it. I am NOT too small, or

too timid, or too ordinary or too . . . anything else, Sadie

swished her tail so angrily that a family of prawns

washed off the rock ledge they lived on.

“Oh sorry, REALLY sorry,” she said popping them all

back. I MUST get myself under control before I hurt someone!

A huge manta ray passed silently overhead and for a few

seconds his dark shadow cut off the sun. “Morning Miss

Sadie. Look, you fixed it,” he called and wriggled his

large black wings at her. A nasty jagged scar gleamed

newly white. “See, good as new,” he beamed.

“That’s great Sean, it’s healing nicely. Looks like my

blue weed lotion worked really well.”

The great fish came down lower, “It sure did! And that

healing chant—just magic—I felt better the minute you

started to sing.”

“That’s all very well Sean, but don’t you overdo it now.”

Sadie wagged a warning finger at him. “No leaping or

racing or any other stunts for AT LEAST six tides,

understand?” she said firmly.

The ray smiled and winked as he performed a perfect one

eighty degree barrel roll.

Sadie burst out laughing “Honestly Sean, what did I just

tell you?” A warm glow spread right through her, she

was good at this.

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She’d show her mother and Aunt D who had the healing

talent in the family! I WILL be the best.

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Chapter 2 ~ Sadie Finds a Treasure

On the homeward swim Sadie fondly observed all the

little creatures that lived on the sea floor. Hermit crabs

scurried about; tiny eels and octopi peeked out of

crevices; multi coloured sea slugs showed off their frills;

goose barnacles did what they do best—gossip—and

prawns of all shapes and sizes simply went about their

business. Many waved and called ‘hello’ as she swan

overhead. They all seemed happy enough and no-one

needed her help.

GREAT! Looks like it’s going to be a nice, quiet afternoon.

Perhaps I will finally get some time to tidy my cave, she

thought.

Uh oh, what was that? Sadie pulled up fast—she sensed

someone needed help. “So much for a quiet day,

mermaids never get a break!” Sadie grumbled. There it

was again a very puzzling feeling. There was no-one in

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sight and she heard no voice, but the strong sensation

someone was in trouble tugged at her. Sadie looked

everywhere, in crevices, in holes and under rocks. She

swam slowly, guided by the strength of the ‘feeling’.

Following her senses she swam round a tall pinnacle of

rock and through some kelp towards a deep chasm.

“Come here, come here,” actual words begin to form in

her mind. Sadie didn’t like this uncomfortable intrusion

and she didn’t know what to do. Her heart told her to

swim home as fast as possible, but her mind had other

ideas. Go on, have a look, don’t be such a wimp, she told

herself. Mum is always saying you are FAR TOO timid.

Sadie gave herself a big shake from the top of her head

right down to the tips of her fins to get rid of the

tension. Right! We’ll see who’s too timid! I’ll find out what

this is all about!

Feeling more confident, Sadie called out loudly, “Hello

there. Do you need help? Where are you?”

The enticing voice in her head grew stronger, “Come on,

find me . . . over here . . . this way . . .” it urged.

Sadie swam out over the edge of the cliff and peered

down into the gloom. Something glinted way below her

and she gulped nervously. “Hold on I’m coming down,”

she called. It took her two seconds to reach a narrow

ledge but instead of the hurt animal she expected to see,

a beautiful glass globe teetered on the edge. Sadie

grabbed it just as the strong current washed in the

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direction of vicious pointed crags beneath her. Surely no-

one could survive being smashed into that lot.

“Hello, hello, anyone down there?” she called. A quick

dive to the jagged sea bed put her mind at rest. She

called out a couple of times more but still there was no

answer. Whoever it was must be long gone. Back in

shallower water Sadie held up globe for a closer look.

“Wow, am I lucky or what—to save something as

beautiful as you? And you are so lucky I came along, or

you’d be smashed to bits by now,” Sadie told the glass

globe. She heard a tiny spiteful sounding giggle.

A very strong desire to shake the globe came over her.

She didn’t resist. As the pretty glitter settled she heard a

gleeful laugh? Sadie looked around—once again there

was no-one there—not even so much as a tiny hermit

crab was in view. Where were these feelings and voices

coming from? Completely creeped out, Sadie popped the

globe into her collecting bag and swam off to look for

somewhere more private to inspect her newest

possession, away from these voices and giggles.

It didn’t take her long to find a secluded cove full of long

bushy kelp where no one could spy on her. Sadie sat on a

rock almost hidden by weeds, wriggled her tail fins into

the cool sand and felt the Deep Green Energy pulse

through her—it was just the recharge she needed. With

great care, she opened her bag and lifted out the

fascinating object. It was big and took both hands to

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hold it. Sadie turned it round in the sunlight—the thing

was Air World for sure, but what was it for? Inside the

glass globe was a miniature village and she marvelled at

the tiny houses. They clustered around a much bigger

building with coloured glass windows and a tower. Tall

dark trees, stood behind the village and everything was

covered in a layer of white stuff.

Watching the bubble with fascination, she tipped the

globe gently this way and that. White and silver glitter

twirled and twinkled when she righted it making her feel

day-dreamy. Sadie half shut her eyes and imagined

herself living in that little village. Which house would

she pick? Hmmmm, perhaps the pink and lavender one? No,

she liked the mint and cream one best. As the glitter

drifted to the bottom she fantasised about playing in the

sparkly water. When all the sparkles had settled she

shook it again but this time a mean giggle cut through

her dream.

“Who’s there?” she said snapping out of her trance. “I

can hear you, you know? Are you following me?” There

was no reply, not a sound. Sadie put the globe back in

her bag. She must get away from this laughing spy and

back to her cave. Keeping low, Sadie wove a stealthy

path through the kelp so as not to be seen. Her

swimming was erratic and wobbly and she felt faint.

Was she getting a dose of green kelp lurgy? How long

she had been sitting dreaming? The direction of the light

told her it was afternoon already.

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The tattered weed curtain which disguised the entrance

to her cave flapped as she swam past. She still felt sick—

this day was going from bad to worse. “It’s a complete

tip!” she cried. If her mother saw her cave in this state,

Sadie would fail her independence trial and she’d be

stuck living at home forever! Oh shells! It’s only five days

till her visit, Sadie threw herself on her bed causing a

mass of small bubbles to erupt.

Why couldn’t her mother see that she was plenty old

enough to live and work on her own? I bet she managed

fine when she was my age. Sure I’m small, but that doesn’t

make me stupid or useless. Mum’s standards are impossible, she

thought. Tears began to well up but she choked them

back. One creamy droplet escaped and floated towards

the bed. She caught the tear gently on her finger and

watched as it turned into a tiny seed pearl. When she

saw that the jar she stored her tear pearls in was almost

full she realised how sad she’d been recently and she

wanted to cry again.

“Stop it at once stupid!” Sadie launched off her bed and

swam up and down giving herself a real talking to.

“Sniveling isn’t going to get this done. That’s exactly

what Mum expects—she thinks I’ll give up and come

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home. No way! That’s not going to happen.” Sadie

looked again at the jar full of tears and this time she

laughed. There is always an upside, she thought. This

season I will have plenty of seed pearls to give the oysters—it’ll

be a bumper crop.

The warm afternoon sun filtered into her cave through a

massive fissure in the ceiling which went all the way up

through the rock to the cliffs above. The light glinted on

shiny crystals in the rocks and danced all around

highlighting this and that. Sadie’s gaze followed the

beams. She felt discouraged. The whole place was jam-

packed with stuff: jewellery; cloth; china; glass;

ornaments; boxes; baskets; strange metal bits and bobs

and lots of colourful plastic. More than half of it would

have to go.

Collecting pretty and interesting things was a favourite

pass time. Unfortunately Sadie thought everything she

found was pretty or interesting. It was amazing the stuff

humans lost in the sea—tons of it! Her Grandmother

said that it was mostly plastic rubbish not like the ‘good

stuff’ they used to find in the days of sailing ships. The

old mers moaned a lot because everything exciting was

shipped in containers, many of which floated in the

ocean like rusty, impenetrable icebergs. Sadie dreamed of

finding a way to open them and discover the untold

treasures stowed in their steel bellies.

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Then she remembered about the globe . . . her beautiful

globe . . . she couldn’t imagine finding anything more

delightful than that in any old sailing ship.

Sadie cleared a space in the centre of a rock ledge. The

globe looked amazing as it sparkled in its very own sun

beam spotlight. She couldn’t pull her eyes away. What a

find—her special globe, how she loved it. Everyone

would be so jealous of it—even her mother.

Without warning Sadie heard words in her head again.

She was shocked, it was one thing to hear a voice way

out on the reef but quite another to hear it inside her

own cave. Sadie realised reluctantly that her globe could

be the culprit, it was the only new thing in here. Could

that voice be coming from inside? She inched closer to

check it out.

It can’t be! NO, I won’t even consider it, Sadie decided. But

what if it’s dangerous? she thought. There you go again being

a scaredy-fish—don’t be so pathetic, she scolded herself. A

hollow giggle made her skin prickle and once more she

felt compelled to shake the globe. The only explanation

she could think of was magic—but, was it good or bad?

The globe was so exquisite that she refused to believe it

was bad. Sadie was forbidden to ‘mess about’ with any

kind of magic. ‘It’s much too dangerous for untrained

young mers,’ her mother often said. But what if it’s the

good kind? Sadie thought. Maybe I could use it for something

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really great like opening containers or to stop pollution. That

would impress her!

Hovering in front of the globe for a few more minutes,

Sadie waited but although no-one spoke she felt like she

was being watched. Now I am imagining things, it’s

probably just the hermies, she thought. Sadie glanced

around hopefully but didn’t see even a feeler of the

hermit crabs who shared her cave.

“Right! It’s tidying time! Angry mum is way scarier

than a talking globe,” Sadie told herself.

Where was her favourite lucky charm? She needed to

wear it. She always felt safer with the little dolphin

hanging inside her shirt. After a few minutes digging

around in a coloured glass vase on a ledge behind her

bed, she found the trinket—solid gold with sapphire

eyes. It was so lifelike that she was sure one day it would

wink at her and woosh away. She threaded some twine

through the loop and popped it over her head.

Suddenly a commotion flared up outside. “Sadie, Sadie,

come quick. Sadie, please hurry, Uncle Dover is caught

on a fishing line,” a little fish cried in the pandemonium.

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“Blast it!” Sadie muttered. “My Tidying will have to

wait, AGAIN!” She grabbed her first aid bag and

followed the fish. Nasty giggles followed her out. She

knew for sure that wasn’t the hermies.

“Vents blast all fishing hooks!” Sadie cursed under her

breath—the dreadful things caught so many of her

friends. Unless she got to the poor fish early, surgery

could be very risky. After a long fight with a hook, the

ensnared fish had little strength left and all too often

died of exhaustion as she operated. It was such a nasty

way to die.

Behind the Wobbly Rock a group of anxious fish were

holding up their uncle. Many other creatures also helped

support the large flounder so his weight didn’t pull the

hook further into his jaw. Freeze-weed and a healing

song soon relaxed the patient (and everyone else.) It was

an intricate job to remove the vicious double barb, but

Dover was big and strong and Sadie thought he would

definitely make it.

By the time the flounder was bandaged up and taken

home it was late. All the creatures were heading for the

safety of their corals and crevices and Sadie went home,

very pleased with her work.

The interior of the cave was illuminated by thousands of

glo’ bugs shining soft blue and green. Sadie grew their

favourite food on her walls in carefully designed patterns

so their lights made a lovely display. Normally the

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gleaming welcome home show gladdened Sadie, but

tonight everything looked sinister.

Just as she feared, the minute she returned The Voice

began again, “Come here, come here,” it enticed her.

“Please, who are you? Have I made you angry? Are you

a ghost?” she asked in a shaky voice clutching her

dolphin charm.

Sadie didn’t believe in ghosts but this creepy voice made

her less sure. Perhaps she had disturbed one when she

was poking about the old pirate wreck last week. Which

was worse, bad magic or a ghost? She couldn’t decide

but she didn’t like either possibility. She wished her

mother was here, she always knew what to do. For a

start, she’d tell me straight up, ‘Don’t be so silly, Sadie, you

know there are no such things as ghosts.’ Or are there? Sadie

thought. A movement from behind a wicker hamper

made her jump. First a forest of feelers waggled then a

row of six tiny hermit crabs appeared.

“Oh shells! You gave me such a fright!” she said. Her

small tenants scuttled up the rock wall and onto her lap

chattering and waving in alarm.

“So you heard it too!” The little crabs nodded their

stalky eyes twitching.

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