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
said Don’t go near the East Lagoon Rocks Ms Mullet will tell you all about it I’m sure but I’ve seen for myself the dangers of not listening to her Your aunt sat on the rocks and some humans spotted her and Mermaid Lagoon was almost discovered Aunt Christabel said She dropped to the kitchen sofa with a heavy sigh If I had a sand dollar for every time I’ve heard that lecture I would be rich You ARE rich Chrissie said Marnie’s mom Is that new Auntie asked Marnie noticing the large sparkly ring on Christabel’s finger
Aunt Christabel beamed Isn’t it gorgeous I love sparkly things she said So does Garbo Do you know she stole my crystal mirror the other day I found it in her bowl So naughty She smiled fondly at the snoozing goldfish in her lap Just like her mommy I know Aunt Christabel was always in trouble but I won’t be Marnie said I promise But her mom’s large blue eyes were worried Just be careful You’re just like her you know Marnie didn’t feel at all like her glamorous aunt Christabel wasn’t scared of making friends or riding seahorses The only thing they had in common was their singing voices Marnie’s voice was just like Christabel’s high and pure and perfectly in tune But that was all Christabel never meant to get into trouble but somehow or other she always did her mom said Your grandpa once got so angry with her that he snapped his trident in half Oh fishsticks said Aunt Christabel She was now lying full-length on the sofa with Garbo Some rules are meant to be broken and Ms Mullet was a silly old crab Still is I wasn’t that bad Marnie’s mom put her hands on her hips Singing rude words at the Clamshell Show 7
