If it rises past our knees there’s a danger that the tide will be strong enough to push us off the causeway into deep water. All that scares me is the way the water keeps on getting deeper. Rain’s driving in too, big flapping sheets of rain that hide the rocks. Surely the causeway will start to slope upwards soon, to the Island shore. The sea’s putting out claws of grey water now, slopping over our feet. It’s only because I had a detention and Jenna waited for me that we were both late. If anyone saw us we’d get in so much trouble. Jenna and I run on side by side, clutching hands. There’s no mobile reception out here, or on the Island. We’re not going to be stuck up there, waving for help like tourists. We don’t have to discuss it because Jenna feels the same as I do. It’s only just been rebuilt because the old one was swept away by last winter’s storms. Here’s the refuge, standing firm with its ladder and iron handholds. The tide’s not racing, but it’s coming in relentlessly, pulse after pulse. We race as fast as we can over the causeway cobbles. There’s a refuge a hundred metres ahead but if we have to climb up there someone’s got to bring a boat out to rescue us and everyone will know how stupid we’ve been.
Dad will be so angry if we get caught by the tide. Jenna’s the sensible one usually, but if we stand here much longer it’ll be too late to go on as well as too late to go back. But we can still reach the Island if we run as fast as we can. When you’re looking ahead, the water slides in stealthily from behind. We can’t go back to the mainland now, even if we want to. We’ll drown if we stay here! You’ve got to run! I pull her hard, but it’s like pulling a statue. I want to keep running but my feet won’t do it. The wind flails her hair over her face and the creeping water is already at her feet. My sister is standing stock still on the causeway. I’m not turning back to wait for the boat now. The tide has reached Dragon Rock and is pouring round it. Sure enough, I hear her feet splashing over the cobbles behind me. We’re nearly half-way across the causeway to the Island. Chapter Title orveren! We’ll get caught! Let’s go back and wait for the boat!" shouts Jenna, but I keep on running as if I haven’t heard.
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