The fur on the seal’s head began to lighten and disappear. Ali as Teddy turned to Emily. “I’m glad you covered him with a blanket. I don’t know what his clothes are going to be like when he changes. He’s been a seal for a long time.”

“Whoa,” said Murray. “This all just got real.”

Ali leaned down again. “Come back, Teddy. You can do it,” she pleaded.

And then he was there, curled up on the stony beach under the blanket, his clothes in tatters. Ali shook him. “He’s not breathing!”

“Thump him on the back!” Cassie yelled.

Ali’s Teddy hands thumped hard six times on the real Teddy’s back, but nothing happened.

“Sit him up and try again!” Murray cried.

Ali pulled Teddy forward and thumped again.

“He needs the Heimlich maneuver!” cried Emily. She pushed Murray aside, wrapped her around Teddy’s chest, and squeezed hard.

All of a sudden, Teddy gasped. Then everything went quiet as they watched him cough and hack and shiver. Another minute more, and his breathing was regular. He glanced up at Ali, stunned.

“Who are you?” he gasped.

“Whoops,” Ali said, and changed back into herself. When Teddy continued to look bewildered, she said, “I’m Ali, Digger’s daughter.”

Teddy shook his head. “You can’t be Ali. Ginger hasn’t had her baby yet.”

“Uh-oh,” said Murray.

“You’ve been gone a long time, Teddy,” said Ali. “Twelve years.”

Teddy swayed a little, like he might faint. Murray wrapped the blanket around him and put an arm around him so he’d stay sitting up. “It’s okay, Mr. Sloane; you’re home now.”

“He’s going to get hypothermia if we don’t get him something to wear,” said Emily. “My house is just up the hill. I’ll run home and get him some of my dad’s clothes.”

“I’ll go with you,” Cassie said. They hopped on the bikes and raced off.

Murray tried to help Teddy to his feet, but years of being a seal had left him wobbly. Ali changed into Digger, and the two of them managed to get him onto the grass that bordered the beach so he was away from the frigid water. Murray took off his jacket and put it on the ground for Teddy to sit on.

Ali held out her hand. “Can I borrow your phone? I need to call my dad.”

Should she tell him what was going on? No—it would be easier if he saw for himself. She dialed the number, never taking her eyes off Teddy. “Digger, I’m down at Tin Can Beach. Can you come get me? I’ll explain everything when you get here.” She passed the phone back to Murray. “He’s super annoyed.”

“He’ll get over it,” said Murray. He sounded choked up when he spoke next. “Alfie is going to be so happy.”