As First Dates Go

Chapter Four

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Peri ... Oh no, sweetie - not yet!"

Pearl abandoned the traditional song midway through and rushed to secure her young son, who was intent on pulling the  decorative woven seaweed strands from the top of the birthday cake that served as candles underwater. Shellington couldn't help but laugh at his nephew's cheeky, intelligent smile as the rest of the group of sea otters and dachshund gathered around the cake finished the song at the top of their (predominantly Scottish) voices. "Happy birthday to you!"

Pearl smiled apologetically as the large group of sea otters began to disperse, chattering lightly among themselves and greeting each other brightly. "Sorry about Peri, everyone. He's just overexcited for the party. He's been running around all morning with more energy than I can ever imagine having myself. He'll calm down soon. Probably. Maybe."

Her son smiled brightly before darting off to grab someone's leg.

"Reminds me of someone I used to know," came a cheerful voice from behind him amongst the background chatter, and Shellington turned to see the familiar face of his younger brother, the usual dishevelled fringe framing a delighted smile that lit up his features, and an acoustic guitar strapped over his shoulder.

"Sachairi! You're here!"

"Well, I do live here, so I'm not likely to be anywhere else on my nephew's birthday. I'm not the one off gallivanting around the world and having adventures after all," pointed out Sachairi, meeting Shellington with a tight hug. The scientist mentally noted his outfit, a blue checked shirt, similar to his own, and shorts held by a white buckled belt - the kind of clothes Shellington had always remembered him in. "Great to see you, Shel."

"So you're the entertainment today, I see," noted the scientist as they pulled away, gesturing to the guitar held loosely in the other otter's arms. "You were always happy to please a crowd, Sach."

Sachairi grinned. "Well, how could I resist when Pearl told me all the folks were coming? It's not every day you get lots of sea otters gathering in one place for a party. Let alone a birthday party - that means there's cake! Have you ever known me to resist a party with cake?"

"Sach?" The younger research scientist turned, seeing Pearl gesturing to the makeshift stage at the front of the clearing. "Do you want to come and make some music now? The party appears to have begun in full swing, and we'll need some tunes if we want to dance."

"Sorry, I've been summoned." Sachairi leant in, lowering his voice in a mock whisper and flicking his eyes over to where Dashi was chatting to one of Shellington's cousins, laughing at something the younger girl had said. "By the way, I see you managed to get yourself a girlfriend, Shel. How on earth did that happen?"

"Oy - don't sound so surprised, you!" With the retort, Shellington punched him lightly on the shoulder. Sach dodged easily, shrugging cheerfully and heading off through the large group, his guitar swinging casually over his shoulder. Just that one motion seemed to resurface countless old memories of how they used to play-fight when they were younger, having a million tiny arguments all the time, but always curling up peacefully together at the end of any day, floating on top of the water whilst holding onto a strand of kelp, hands clasped together like they would never let go. God, he'd missed Sachairi.

"Shellington!" As the sea otter turned, nearly dislodging his Octonaut hat in the process, he was met by the smiling faces of his parents, accompanied by Dashi who was now standing having a new conversation with them.

"Mum! Dad!" Shellington greeted, unable to hide a smile as he hugged his parents tightly.

Mrs Sea Otter pulled away first, brushing a motherly paw over her son's ears and trying to straighten out the curls that hung defiantly over his forehead. "How have you been, dear? Still the same unkempt hairstyle, I see. And is that dirt on your chin there?"