Today was Marnie’s first day at Lady Sealia Foam’s Mermaid School and she had so many questions she felt like she was going to burst Was Lady Sealia fierce What about her deputy Ms Mullet Would she have to ride a seahorse Would everyone be annoyed or impressed that Marnie’s aunt was Christabel Blue famous singer and radio personality And most important of all would she make any friends That was the part she was really worried about But what is the school like she asked Dreadful said Aunt Christabel Perfectly lovely said Marnie’s mom at the same time
Marnie felt anxious It can’t be both she said Lady Sealia’s is perfectly lovely Marnie’s mom repeated IF you are good and IF you stick to the rules Aunt Christabel lowered her sunglasses But Marnie isn’t going to do any of those things I hope she said So it’s going to be dreadful I will do those things said Marnie firmly I’ll be the perfect student Pity said Aunt Christabel You’re going to be fine Marnie told herself as she brushed her long silver-blonde hair after breakfast and polished her coral pink tail so it gleamed No one will care that Christabel Blue is your aunt and you will be NORMAL and FIT IN Oh she burst out But I do hope I make friends and don’t have to ride a seahorse 3
Her mom was waiting by the front door when Marnie returned to the kitchen Her mom’s hair was in an untidy knot on the back of her head and she had only put one shell earring on this morning She was so different from Aunt Christabel it was hard to believe they were sisters It’s very important that you make a good impression Marnie her mom began Behind her Aunt Christabel snorted You won’t have much to do with Lady Sealia her mom continued but watch out for Ms Mullet She’s fair and kind but very strict She’s a silly old crab said Aunt Christabel turning the page of her magazine She doesn’t like mermaids to be late and she hates it when students forget things her mom went on I once forgot my homework and she wouldn’t let me outside to swim at breaktime for three days This was the worst thing Marnie’s mom had ever done at school It wasn’t very impressive to be honest Marnie wrapped her arms around her fluttery tummy I know Mom she said You’ve told me a hundred times Her mom pushed a loose strand of hair away from Marnie’s eyes Have you got everything 4
Marnie had a moment of panic Where was her bag with her shell pens and her seaweed hair bands for gym class She’d packed it ages ago and she was sure she had put it beside the cave door last night Looking for this asked Aunt Christabel lifting a shimmering pearl covered backpack with one of her perfect aqua fingernails Thanks Auntie Marnie said with relief I packed it days ago Please can we go now If we don’t leave soon she thought I’ll lose my nerve and I’ll never go at all But her mom wasn’t finished One last thing she
