Page 21 - Story Book_Neat

“We will save her” called Bells taking control of the situation.

“Perhaps we should get our towels to form a chain”, suggested James.

“And bring the football. It may be useful”, added Harry.

Everyone raced up the beach, picked up their towels and raced back down to the

water’s edge.

“Ellie, go in first as far as you can, next James, then Harry and finally me.
Form a chain with the towels and outstretched arms. Harry, you will be out of
your depth so you hold the ball to keep afloat. I will swim to the boat and push
it back to you”, directed Bells, who was the best swimmer.

Bells swam as fast as she was able towards the boat while the others waded out
as far as they could with Harry eventually relying on the ball to keep his head
above water.

The little boat was slowly moving further out to sea and so Bells had to swim
even harder to catch up. Eventually, exhausted, she reached little Lucy and held
onto the side of the dinghy to catch her breath. Lucy was crying with fear and

Bells had to reassure her that all would be well.

Now Bells had to push the boat back to Harry. She hung on to the back and did
her best leg kick. They moved very slowly back towards the beach. Lucy
stopped crying and put her hands into the water and paddled which was a great
relief to Bells who wondered whether she really could push the boat all the way
back to Harry.

After some ten minutes, which seemed like hours to Bells, the boat reached
Harry. He grabbed it and told James to pull. Unfortunately, this meant that he
had to let go of the ball. As soon as James pulled, Ellie pulled and everyone