NOTICES One Marnie Blue and her friends Orla Finnegan and Pearl Cockle were waiting beside a large rocky bulletin board outside Lady Sealia’s office Marnie covered a yawn It was early Much earlier than they usually came to school But auditions for the Clamshell Show only happened once a year and Marnie had been too excited to sleep in Marnie’s aunt Christabel Mermaid Lagoon’s most famous radio star had gotten her first big break at the Clamshell Show Now it might be Marnie’s turn She couldn’t wait The The music The famous guests in the audience the music agents and the record producers Marnie had been practicing her singing exercises for weeks lights Chapter
Lady Sealia NOTICES The only thing missing was the audition sign-up sheet It should be up by now whispered Orla They said it would go up this morning Why is it taking so long Marnie checked the large starfish clock that clung to the wall above the headmistress’s door for what felt like the hundredth time It had hardly moved I guess we just have to wait she whispered back And we’d better keep our voices down Lady Sealia was not someone who liked to be disturbed Orla glanced at the small freckled mermaid beside her Why are you here Pearl she asked This audition sheet is for the singing parts Pearl Cockle’s singing voice was well-known at Lady Sealia’s Mermaid School And not for any good reasons
I’m not here to audition Pearl said flicking her golden tail I just got up early so I could do some fish spotting And then I saw you guys so I followed you into school Her eyes shone I spotted a luminous carnival fish this morning They only come out at dawn and they are SUPER rare Boring said Orla You promised never to be mean to Pearl again Marnie reminded Orla Not since she helped rescue you from the East Lagoon Rocks Orla blew her dark hair out of her eyes Sorry she sighed You’re right Then she folded her arms and glared at the wall as if she could change the time with the power of her mind Although I am going to be in the show Pearl added I’m playing the rock tuba in the orchestra Really Don’t you have to audition asked Marnie I’m the only rock-tuba player in the school Pearl explained So I’ve definitely got the part Rock-tuba players were rare Marnie knew that Rock tubas were rare too There were only two in the whole of Mermaid Lagoon one in the school Music Cave and a huge one in Clamshell Grotto where the show took place 3
