Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

32. Pressure Cooker

Cleo called me up with a sense of urgency, explaining that Mr. Sertori started seeing another woman. I tried assuring her that maybe it wasn't that and since her dad was a fisherman, there were bound to be people looking to buy fresh catch from him and that the woman was a buyer or was a restaurant owner and was interested in buying the fish. Grandma and Grandpa's friends who ran their own fishing business at times had people buy whatever fish they caught.

If Dad ever started dating, I'd be fine with it. Plus, it had been over a couple of years since Mom died. I figured Dad had been taking his time if he ever decided to date.

I met up with the other girls at the moon pool since the coral reef was spawning that evening. It only happened once a year. It'll be the first time I've seen it occur.

"First Mum leaves. Then I broke up with Lewis, and now this," Cleo sighed, "I don't know what to do."

"I do. Blow them all off," Rikki remarked.

"Rikki," Emma frowned at her.

"Come on, Cleo, the coral reef is spawning tonight, remember. You've been looking forward to this for months."

"Yeah, I know," Cleo nodded.

"It's amazing. And it only happens once a year. You can't miss this," Rikki begged.

"It would make you feel better," Emma smiled.

Noting Cleo's conflicted expression, I could tell she had other priorities going on. After learning about the divorce, Grandma assured Cleo that she wasn't alone in all of it and that the door was always open for her. I never forgot that day when all of us found out that her mom up and left the family. Cleo had showed up at the house upset. Grandma and I dropped everything and comforted her. Grandpa even threw in some jokes to try and help her feel better.

"I'm sorry," Cleo shook her head at us, "I have to be there for Dad." She swam a bit before submerging underwater, leaving the moon pool.

"I don't blame her," I shrugged, "When my dad suggests something, it's best to stick with it."

"She'll miss the coral spawning," Rikki sighed dejectedly.

"I know. We'll tell her all about it, and even have her see it in person next year."

🌊

As night fell, Emma, Rikki, and I swam, taking in the oceanic scenery.

The three of us arrived near the coral beds and watched as the spawning began. I found myself smiling as the fish nearby swam around it as if they were celebrating the event. It made me wish I had an underwater camera! Plus, I wished Cleo stayed to see it all.

After it spread, the girls and I swam off once again.

After getting back to the mainland, I headed straight back home. With it being a Saturday, it was also family movie night. Usually, I let either Dad or my grandparents choose any film to put on. Since the weekdays kept all of us occupied, we often tried to keep the weekends as times to do some activities as a family.

"How was the evening out with the girls?" Grandma smiled knowing about the coral spawning. Plus, since Dad and Grandpa were unaware of everything, she made sure to keep it all lowkey.

"It was awesome," I nodded.

After Grandpa chose a film that was made back in the 70s, my phone went off, notifying me that I had a text. I opened it and read that it was from Emma who informed me that the woman Mr. Sertori was seeing was Charlotte's mother. I found myself surprised at the revelation but wasn't exactly convinced that it was true. 

"Is everything ok, Zo?" Grandma wondered as she and I made kettle corn and smoothies.

"That was just Emma updating me on something," I replied as I closed up my phone.

Even though I didn't like bringing up a lot of drama about what went on with my friends, Grandma was interested in everything that happened.

🌊

The next day, the other girls informed me of how they sabotaged the dinner with their powers, though nobody except Lewis, who happened to show up caught on to what they were doing. Next, I learned that Charlotte's mother, Mrs. Watsford was actually a business partner who had been inspecting the fish Mr. Sertori caught to buy for her restaurant. I told Cleo to not jump to conclusions!

"How could I get it so wrong?" Cleo sighed as the four of us relaxed in the moon pool.

"You might have been wrong about your dad, but Lewis is still a little worm," Rikki stated.

"No. Forget about Lewis."

"I take it he's not the issue right now," I guessed.

"That's right, Zoey," Cleo nodded, "I broke up with him. I understand if he wants to find someone else."

"Even if that someone else is Charlotte?" Emma asked.

"Yep. It's his choice. It's an incredibly dumb choice, but it's still his choice."

"So what about your dad?" Rikki wondered.

"I'm gonna need your help on that one," Cleo answered.

"Whatever it is, we'll do it," I agreed and she smiled at me.

The four of us swam over to some rock and coral beds where Cleo pointed out a small school of fish, the type Mr. Sertori caught and sold to a number of people. Working as a team, we managed to catch a few of them.

"How do I look?" Rikki playfully moved the dead fish's mouth like a puppeteer.

Cleo had contacted Mrs. Watsford to meet at the cafe where we had the caught fish out on display.

"Do you actually think this is gonna work?" Emma wondered.

"We can only hope for the best," I replied.

"Well, we're about to find out," Rikki answered as Mrs. Watsford arrived.

"I got your call," the woman informed us, "What is this about?" She glanced at our display of the fish, "Oh, that's impressive." She checked them out, "It's firm and fresh. Where did you get it?"

"From Don Sertori, the freshest fish in town," Cleo answered with confidence as she entered the main room, "I'm sorry about last night. It was an accident." She had a softer tone at that last sentence, "Forgive us?"

"Well, this is just the sort of produce my restaurant needs."

"You bet it is."

"You tell Don to give me a call. I'm sure we can do business."

Mrs. Watsford smiled at us and then turned to leave. Cleo smiled at the rest of us knowing that we all just saved her dad's business.

"Thanks again for coming, Annette," Cleo nodded at the woman as we saw her out.

"Thank you," she smiled at us and left.

After having gotten outside, I noticed Lewis had briefly talked with Charlotte and then took off. Charlotte turned to the rest of us with a smirk on her face, though it was more in Cleo's direction.

"Charlotte," Mrs. Watsford called out and Charlotte turned to catch up with her mother, but not sending Cleo one last sneer.

Noting everything, I could tell Cleo was beginning to not like Charlotte at all. Emma and Rikki were in the same boat as Cleo. As for me, I wasn't sure how to take in the situation. Still, I was on neutral ground.