Chapter 34d Friend Lyris

Janice, “Lyris is my friend & friends treat each other & my allowance will cover us getting a few ice creams & colas in the day.”

Gaby. “No use arguing with her as she has already decided to treat Lyris.

Little Lily & Little Rose said & if her allowance is not sufficient there are plenty of us who can help out.”

Nichola, “I wish my sisters where more like you. None of them can help me as they have all problems of their own.”

Robyn, “Are you coming for some lunch?” Nichola looked at her envelope. Robyn, “Put that away at once. Nichola you are coming with us & you can forget about paying.”

Nichola, “You sounded forceful then almost like my late husband.” Janice & the others sat down at the table.

Robyn, “Nichola will you share with me as there is far more than I can eat on the plate.”

Nichola looked at the meal, “Is that your meal?” She looked at the children's portions, “Those are far bigger than I could ever eat.”

Robyn, “That is why we all share when we come here.” After the meal the girls all returned to the beach.”

Eventually Nichola looked at her watch. “By the time I have walked Lyris around the bay it will be tea time. If you are here tomorrow we perhaps can meet again.”

Robyn, “The girls will be here for the next eight weeks although we have a few excursions planned.”

Janice cuddled Lyris, “See you soon.” Nichola, Lyris & the babies departed around the bay.”

Janice, “You could have told her now that she has been transferred.”

Robyn, “No it is better this way at least she will not argue.”

It took Nichola at least an hour to walk round the bay to get back to the hotel. “Mum I hope we can meet up with Janice & her sisters again.”

They were just going to go to their room when the receptionist stopped them. “The management would like a word with you concerning your room.”

Nichola, “I have done nothing wrong.”

The manager, “We are the Hunters and are the managers of this hotel. Whilst you were out the ceiling in your room collapsed. All your belongings have been collected & cleaned & dried. Your room is unserviceable & we have no similar sized rooms available. With this in mind we have transferred you to The Crown Imperial & changed you to full board. We also have a few vouchers which you may find useful. Also as you will be at the Crown Imperial the children all have to have their photo taken which I have been instructed to do.”

“They will then get a card which will allow them to go to the kiosk in the south bay for drinks & ice-cream.”

“Mum it is just like the card Janice has to get drinks & Ice creams.”

Madame this is your card & you may use it to also obtain lunches for your family.” A long white Limo pulled up. “This will take you to your new hotel all your belongings have been transferred to the Crown imperial.”

Nichola looking fearful, “How much extra is this going to cost me?”

The Hunters, “Nothing the management has already covered it all.”

Lyris, “Driver please can we take the long route via the sea front?” They left the hotel.

Nichola, “Lyris if your friend is staying at the Crown Imperial perhaps we will see her & then you can arrange to play with her each day.

The limo pulled up outside the hotel. The driver went to open the door for Nichola & then helped bring the babies into the hotel.

Sharon was waiting to greet them & showed them to their room. “Mum this is massive we could fit an army in here.”

Nichola, “Where is the dining room.”

Sharon, “We have rather a special function on tonight & require all guests to wear evening dress.”

Nichola sighed, “I have nothing suitable.”

Sharon,” The management authorised the purchase of all you need & so I took the liberty of getting you a few items.”

Nichola looked at the dresses, “I could never afford to purchase them.”

Sharon, “No need it is all covered.”

Nichola, “I do not know the last names but I think my daughter & I have a few friends who may also be staying here. All I can tell you is there is one called Gaby, another called Robyn & a little girl called Janice who has made friends with my daughter.”

Sharon, “Sorry I do not know those names.”

Nichola, “Well apparently we must have a fairy godmother or something.”

Lyris, “I feel the same With Janice. All the time she has been there for me. Mum you & I both know that you did not have sufficient money to feed us. Those envelopes only have sufficient to get me a drink or ice-cream. You make us some sandwiches for lunch time.”

Nichola, “At least for the next two weeks we will all be well fed.”

Lyris, “Mum what where those other tokens we were given.”

Nichola looked, “free entry to a museum & to the sea life centre.”
Free admission to a swimming pool. Tickets for several shows. “

Nichola, “Lyris I am sorry but I cannot permit you to go to the swimming pool. But we can go to the Sealife centre.”

“Yes mum I realise that it is because we are freaks.”

“Come let us get dressed & go down for the meal.” They entered the dining room. They were shown to a table & sat down. They looked around

Lyris, “Mum there is my friend Janice”

She ran across to Janice & cuddled her. “Janice we have been moved here.”

Janice, “Tell your mother to come across here & join us. We are going to the Sealife centre after tea.”

Lyris, “Mum can we go as well & use our voucher.”

Nichola, “Yes we can go & you can join your friend there.” After the meal they all went to the sea life centre. Lyris was enjoying herself. The rays where coming to the top of the tank. Lyris stroked them & even talked to them. They all passed through a glass tunnel & could see some of the larger fish swimming. After that they went into the seal enclosure. Unseen by her mother Lyris went back to the big tank & tried to stroke the larger fish. Lyris fell in & started to swim. She quickly disposed of her clothes & started to swim.”

Robyn, “Gaby there can be no doubt now look we have a mermaid in the tank.”

Nichola screamed at Lyris, “Because of you Lyris now they all know we are freaks. I tried to avoid letting her swim as we both will develop tails in water.”

Janice, “I had better go and get her.” Janice dived in & swam to Lyris. At first Nichola did not realise that Janice was a mermaid. Janice took hold of Lyris & led her to the seal tank.”

Gaby, “Nichola you pose several problems for us because you & your daughters are mermaids. There is no doubt about that. Are your sister’s the same?”

“Gaby I honestly do not know as we were never permitted to go swimming. My mother always told me I was a freak & that I had never to ever go swimming or even take a bath. I always had to have a shower.”

“Time then we found out how much of a mermaid you are. Come we will go to the deep water tank & collect the girls.”

“Mummy, Mummy did you see Janice she is like me with a fishy tail. Mummy I am telling the truth & Janice said, I am beautiful & not a freak.”

Gaby, “Well Nichola are you going to enter?”

Nichola was hesitating & Robyn & Ariel took hold of her hands & leaped into the water taking Nichola with them.”

Nichola, “My new dress is ruined now.”

Ariel helped her remove it. “Now we can see you as you should be seen.”

Nichola, “My legs have gone. I am now half a fish.” She watched as the others all dived in & developed fins.”

Nichola rubbed her eyes “I thought I was dreaming.”

Robyn, “We are all going to Gibb point.” At Gibb point Robyn picked up a conch shell & blew it.

Nichola, “The Sea is boiling over there.”

Neptune emerged in his chariot. “Why did you summon me?”

Gaby, “Uncle I thought we had recovered all your daughters & wives.”

Lindi, “As far as I know we have all my sisters are recovered. I have no missing daughters or nieces.”

“That is what I thought then perhaps uncle could explain these two to me.”

Neptune looked at Nichola & Lyris, “Honestly Empress they are not my children or offspring. They do not even bear my mark or any marks come to that.”

Gaby, “Nichola here has several sisters & they were all forbidden to go swimming.”

Helen came up & Neptune said, “Mother honestly I have never seen either of them until a few minutes ago.”

Helen, “Look again I think I know where they have come from.”

Neptune looked again, “The young girl reminds me of my childhood.”

Lyris, “Have I done something wrong?”

Neptune picked her up. “No you did perfectly right what little mermaid does not want to swim with the rays.”

Lyris turned to Robyn, “Will I still be allowed to play on the beach & build sand castles.”

Neptune, “I think it is an ideal environment for the likes of you. Especially as you have all these to look after you. I may not be your Grandfather but I think it may be best to call me granddad like the others.
That also goes for you young lady & I suggest you collect all your sisters & their offspring & bring them to me. We cannot have lone Mermaids roaming the planet. Before I tell Gaby I want all your sisters & children in Valhalla tonight.”

Nichola, “Am I permitted to kiss you?”

Lindi laughed, “Go kiss your uncle for I think that is what he will be.”

Neptune, “You will be treated the same as all my children & nieces.” With that he vanished beneath the waves.

“I have to tell Gaby that he wants to see all my sisters & their children in Valhalla tonight.”

Gaby looked at her watch, “In that case we had better get back fast & you can be telling me where they all are. By the time Nichola arrived at the hotel. Poppy, Daisy & friends where returning with Nichola's sisters & children.

Poppy, “We needed to smarten them all up & every one of them looks as if they are starving.”

Lyris ran to greet her cousins. “I did something naughty & that is why you are all been brought here. I went swimming with all my clothing on in a fish tank in the sea life centre.”

“I bet Aunt Nichola was fuming with you.”

“Mummy ended up going swimming with her clothes on & we met an old man. The old man wanted to meet you all. This is my friend Janice.”

One of the cousins, “You saw what happened then?”

Janice laughed, “We ended up comparing our tails as I have one also.”

Gaby, “Now I have got you all together I hope you can give me some information. Your Mother or grandmother where are they?”

Nichola, “Our father was killed in a war & something similar happened to Grandfather. Our mother & grandmother are dead. They did not want interring or cremating. They both opted to be frozen instead.”

Gaby listened & spoke to Helen. “You know who their grandmother is.”

Helen, “I have my suspicions Neptune had a twin sister & she went missing as a child. Unlike him though she hated the water & tried to deny her heritage. I think these are some of her descendants.”

Gaby, “Helen will you & Neptune present all the girls & their families to me but first they all need to take a bath & I would suggest the new pool as it is closed to the public now.”

Janice, “Come on you lot do the same as me & forget about your mums they will follow soon.”

Nichola, “Oh no not again!”

Her sisters, “It looks like we will have to get wet to get them out of the pool.”
“See mum I told you Janice had a tail like mine. So have my cousins & aunts.”

Nichola, “No wonder mother told us not to go swimming.” Robyn stood at the side of the swimming pool with a megaphone “Will all you mermaids please come ashore.”

Nichola, “That is one of the two who dragged me in to the water.” She also pointed Ariel out.”

The sister, “Well sister we must repay them both.” As they got out two of the girls linked up with Ariel & two with Robyn. They then jumped back in taking Robyn & Ariel with them.

Ariel, “I will get even tomorrow.”

Nichola,” That was payback time.” She started to laugh. “It is such a long time since we all had so much fun.”

Ariel, “Well from now on there is going to be a lot of that & a lot of swimming.”

Lyris, “Well we all have to go and see the old Man.” Robyn & Ariel giggled at Neptune been called the Old man.”

Lorelei, “Children to the left adults to the right.” A short time later they all emerged dressed & decorated.”

Nichola looked at herself & her three sisters. “We all look pretty.” The children joined them.

“Mum have you seen my cousins we are all dressed in a Blue/Green dress we all look very pretty. Daisy came to collect them all & also instruct them what to do.

Lyris “Are you a mermaid too Daisy?”

Daisy, “No I am not a mermaid although I am almost as good at swimming as a mermaid.”

“My friend Janice is a mermaid & we are all mermaids.”

Daisy, “Yes I know & that is why I have come for you. I have to instruct you how to greet the Empress & how to curtsy.”

Lyris, “Oh that is easy you do it like this. I learned that in my lessons at dance school.”

Daisy had all of them do it until she was satisfied. “Right you can all follow me in pairs.”

Lyris, “There is only one of me so can I hold your hand to keep you safe?” As they got nearer Lyris saw Neptune, “That is the Old man & I have to call him Grandpa although he is not grandpa.” Lyris broke free & ran to Neptune, “Grandpa do you need a cuddle I do?”

Lyris looked at Helen “You can be my Granny? Well I am going to call you Granny because you remind me of Granny but you are almost as old as my mum.” Gaby & Robyn both tried to stifle giggles. “Grandpa I am going to meet a Queen & I have to curtsy to her.”

Helen, “Well I need some help will you show me how to curtsy?”

“Granny you are silly everybody knows how to curtsy & the Queen would be cross with you if you could not do it correctly.”

Helen, “I tell you what we will both do a curtsy in front of your friends & see if we have got it right.”

Helen, “Empress may I present my Granddaughter Lyris.”

Lyris, “No Granny you did that all wrong. You said Empress & we were taught that you curtsied like this to a Queen but like this to an Empress.”

Helen, “Lyris I do not know if I can get so low but I will try. See Granny you can do it & now we have done it for Gaby & Robyn we can do it for the Empress.”

Gaby, “Lyris why not go and bring your mother & her sisters & get them to do the same.”

Helen, “Empress may I present Nichola & Rula.”

Lyris inspected the curtsy, “Aunt you need to go lower like this.” “Yes now you have it correct remember mummy for a queen like this but for an Empress like this.” As all were presented they all got a lecture from Lyris then it was the turn of her cousins.

Lyris, “I will have to do two more curtsies as my baby sisters are far too young to be taught yet.”

Anna came & clapped her hands, “Bravo, Bravo, At least one here knows how to do it correctly. I ought to have you teach all these how to it correctly.”

Anna, “Lyris think of Maddy as a Queen & Gaby as an Empress.”

Lyris bobbed “Queen Maddy, Empress Gaby.”

Gaby, “Lyris as you are such an expert you had better come & sit with us & you can tell me who is doing it wrong & then they will have to do it again.”

Neptune smiled as Lyris said, “Aunt Ariel you will have to do it again or the Empress might chop off your head. Now remember Aunt Ariel do it correctly.”

Robyn, “Well teacher did I do it correctly.”

“Grandpa tell Aunt Robyn off she is making fun of me & my teacher told me if a job was worth doing it was worth doing correctly.”

Anna, “Lyris by any chance have you had lessons with Petrova?”

“That was the name of the lady who taught me when daddy was alive. Now mummy cannot afford to send me.”

Gaby, “Lyris it is compulsory for all mermaids to dance. I am afraid you & your family will have to take dancing lessons again.”

Several of Lyris's cousins, “That is great Lyris you have just got us all lessons.”

Anna, “Lyris can you show Gaby what you have learned.”

“I need a partner to help me.” Lyris looked at all the faces & then chose Victoria. “That lady said all mermaids must be able to dance so we will do it together.”
Petrova put the music on & Lyris went in to her routine. Victoria did the dance with her & then Darcie took over. “Can we do it again?”

Lyris looked at her. “You are not holding your leg correctly you will never make a great dancer if you hold yourself like that you have to do it like this.”

Anna, “Lyris will you show me?”

Lyris danced with Anna, “You did it correctly those others need lots or practice or they will never be as good as you.”

Anna, “You heard what Lyris said, You all need plenty of practice so I am going to have to start running extra classes soon as some of you are not performing to the best of your ability.”

Lyris, “We have all been practising & we still have to meet the Empress. She will be getting very cross because I have kept her waiting.”

Ariel, “Perhaps she will only chop off your head for being late.”

“Grandpa & my friends Gaby & Robyn would not let any harm come to me. I am a Princess of the Sea & you curtsy to a Princess like this.”

Neptune, “I think the Empress has been watching you all the time Lyris.”

Lyris ran & sat on Gaby's knees, “You will help protect this little Princess.”

Robyn, “Lyris all Princess need a little crown like the ones Little Lily & Rose are wearing.

Gaby, “I just happen to have enough spare for your cousins & their mothers.”

Robyn put a little necklace around Lyris's neck Gaby placed a crown on her head. Helen came to take Lyris back. But Lyris clung hold of Gaby “If they take me away from you the Empress might chop of my head. I will stay here with you.”

The next time Helen looked Lyris was fast asleep in Gaby's arms.

Neptune picked her up, “I promise nobody here will harm you & should anybody ever harm you they will have me to contend with.”

He handed her back to her mother who said, “She is going to be disappointed she did not get to meet the Queen & Empress.

Helen, “She may not know it but she is already a great favourite with more than one Empress & several Queens.”

Gaby, “Nichola from the day Lyris fell with her drink & ice-cream life for you will now be different, as it will for your sisters & their children.”

Rula, “I am glad we are all together at least now I can go swimming with friends who do not mind that I have grown a tail.”

Gaby looked at the others & one of the girls “Was the lady kidding or are we all expected to dance?”

“I vos not kidding, of course you vill all dance for me.”

“We are not as good as Lyris but she taught us all the moves she knew but we never went to school like Lyris.”

Anna, “Well we better see how good a teacher Lyris actually is.”

Sable, “These are good feet & these bad.”

Nancy, “This is first position,”

Sarah. “This third position.”

Peace. “Then we combine them all & do a Grande Jete like this.”

Petrova put the music on & Nancy said, “We need somebody to pretend to be curled up as a ball in the centre.”

Gaby, “Will I do?” Gaby went to the centre & curled up. The other four danced around. Eventually the music changed & Nancy said, “This is where you awake & dance with us.”

Lyris awoke to see Gaby dancing with her cousins & watched. “Mum Gaby knows all my moves.”

Nichola, “You have to admit Lyris Gaby is very good.”

Lyris, “I have not shown her the moves & she knows them all.”
Neptune, “I agree she is good it is a pity she does not dance often.”

Lyris,” “Well with me to teach her she is going to have lots of practice.”

Bridget, “Perhaps you could also teach me & Darcie as well.”

Lyris looked at them both, “You two need somebody older like the nice lady with the funny voice.”

Anna, “Do you think perhaps I should teach these two?”

Lyris, “This one was been naughty & should be sent to the kindergarten until she learns to hold her legs correctly. This one cannot even tap dance correctly.”

Anna was laughing, “Girls you two have been told off by an expert. “Now perhaps you both can do it correctly or you both will be in the kindergarten.”

“See I knew she could do it correctly one day she will be as good as you but not as good as Gaby.” Next was Bridget's turn. Lyris clapped her hand & went on to the floor to join Bridget. Lyris leaped into the air & let Bridget catch her.

Anna, “This one although she is young does not need lessons.”

Bridget, “Lyris could you do that again in front of people?” What I want you to do is sit on the front row & watch the dancing.” When it comes to this dance I want you to come on to the stage & do what you just have done.”

Lyris, “Can my cousins sit with me?”

Gaby, “If you accept then yes they can.”

All the girls looked at Lyris, “OK if Bridget is going to dance I need to be there to see she correctly performs the dance.”

Anna chuckled, “Bridget you have a personal tutor now.”

Lyris, “I am getting very tired now but with all this dancing need a bath & I never even got to meet the Empress & show her that I can curtsy correctly.”

Gaby, “Well I happen to know she thought you did very well. I have something else for you & your cousins before you go to bed.”

Lyris looked at the gift, “Am I also a Fairy Princess?”

Neptune, “Lyris you will always be a Princess of the Sea but yes you may also be a fairy Princess.”

Lyris looked at Oberon, “Have I to call you Grandpa also?”

Oberon, “Yes that will do nicely & I see you have been teaching my Bridget.”

“Yes Grandpa Aunt Bridget was been naughty & not dancing correctly.”

Oberon, “I have a little present for each of you.” He placed a bracelet on Lyris & then the others.”

Nichola & Nancy looked at the bracelet. “Granny had a bracelet identical to this but we could not remove it so we left it on her.”

Neptune, “Did she have a similar necklace to these.”

Lyris, “My Granny did have one similar but not the same. It had a big crown & not this little one & the chain was much shorter it was like a choker & there was a single stick not one with three points but it had waves like this.”

Neptune, “You are sure about this Lyris?”

Nichola, “Lyris will be correct about it she usually is.”

Neptune & Oberon, “There can be no doubt now where the mermaids have come from then.”

Helen, “Nichola can you or your sisters remember your Granny name.”

Nichola giggled, “Yes we all remember she was called Arctica. We all used to say Granny was named after the coldest driest sea. She would never go to a public bath & would never ever let us go. Granny even named mum after the seas because she was named Ocianus.”

Neptune, “Lyris you can still call Helen Grandma but it would be better if you called me Uncle & Oberon Uncle.

Lyris, “To me you will always be the old man. If you want me to call you Uncle then I will. Do you know Gaby's other old friend Libby called him The Old Salt.”

Neptune, “I have not seen him for a long time.”

“Well then Uncle you can take me to the beach with my cousins & look after us tomorrow & talk to him. Then you can take us to Gaby's cafe for a fish dinner.”

Neptune, “You want to go there for your meal.”

“I will buy you an ice-cream with my card.”

Neptune, “How can I refuse an invitation like that? A young mermaid offering to buy me an ice-cream. Of course I will come to the beach with you.”

Linda, “Lyris can all your aunts come as well.”

Lyris, “It would probably be better because uncle will be chatting all the time to his friend. You know what these men are like when they get chatting.”

Gaby, “Robyn & I have to go away on business with Maddy & Little Lily & Ariel but we will soon return. We will be back in time to have lunch at 13.30 so if we are not there you are to order for me & the others.”

Lyris, “Uncle you have to remember to order meals for Gaby & friends.”

Neptune, “Are you all going tonight or setting off in the morning?”

Gaby, “We had intended going in the morning but if we go now it would be quieter.”

Nichola was been looked after by Helen. Nichola, “I think I know your Business. You may need these for c18 & d18.”
Gaby, “Thank you.”

Nichola, “It is past your bedtime & I have no idea where our rooms are.” Starr, “Let me show you. Although it would be better if your sisters slept in your room with you & Lyris slept with her cousins in the adjoining room.”

“Mum can we do that?”

Nichola, “I am too tired to argue do what you want as I need some rest also.”

“Grandma Helen as mummy is tired will you tuck us all up & give us a kiss after we have said our prayers.”

Helen, “If that is what you & your cousins all want then I can do that.”

Nichola, “I am absolutely worn out thank you for seeing to them.”

Helen, “That is what Granny’s do help out with the children & you have more Granny’s than you may realise.” Nichola & sisters were asleep before their daughters.