Mr Marlin frowned at the class Hmm he said Good morning Mr Marlin said the class cautiously tattooed There was a pair of pretty on the new PE teacher’s arms He flexed his muscles making the ladies bounce around Miss Haddock would definitely not approve of those Marnie thought ladies TEN LAPS OF THE SPORTS CAVE Mr Marlin suddenly screamed making Marnie jump GET THOSE FLABBY FINS MOVIIIIIIING 4
Half the class shot forward in a blur of brightly-colored tails The rest followed more slowly Marnie stayed beside Orla and Pearl in the middle of the pack Lupita’s gleaming black tail was streaking ahead of everyone else Gilly wasn’t far behind MY GRANDMOTHER CAN SWIM FASTER THAN YOU Mr Marlin shrieked AND SHE’S A HUNDRED AND THREE Pearl was smaller than the rest of the class and now her little tail was struggling to keep up Marnie and Orla slowed down to keep her company NO SLACKING AT THE BACK screeched Mr Marlin Soon Marnie had a pain in her side Pearl’s glasses were misting up with the effort Orla’s pale face was almost as purple as her tail Lupita overtook them on the next lap shooting them a grin over her shoulder Move your tails sea snails whooped Gilly following close behind Lupita Round and round they went Marnie lost count of the number of times they swam past the old fishball nets She just wanted it to end Finally it did Lupita won of course Marnie and her friends collapsed to the floor of the Sports Cave groaning 5
You said Mr Marlin pointing at Lupita Very good Marnie clapped So did a few others Lupita was really popular You Mr Marlin pointed at Gilly who had come second Useless A few people giggled Gilly turned bright red with humiliation If you’re not first you lose said Mr Marlin WINNING is the most important thing I nearly won Mr Marlin Gilly’s lip wobbled I was only half a tail behind Lupita I Make like a sardine and can it said Mr Marlin I only want WINNERS in my class He glared at everyone else who lay sprawled and wheezing on the rocky floor FIVE MORE LAPS FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT TODAY’S WINNER The class groaned Can I do five more laps anyway sir asked Lupita Excellent attitude said Mr Marlin The rest of you could learn a thing or two from this pupil Now off you go What are you waiting for I thought torture was against the law Orla grumbled as the class swam around the Sports Cave all over again 6
