The smell of seaweed and vinegar filled the air. Cathy had kindly used her dress of stars to magic up their lunch and Shadow, Jake, and Cathy sat on the beach eating chips from old newspapers.

"There's too much salt on mine," Jake grumbled as he shoved three chips into his mouth.

"Stop complaining," Cathy said. "You're so ungrateful. Can't you just say thank you?"

"Nope." Jake popped another chip into his mouth and wiped his fingers on his jeans. "Shadow, what time does the boat leave?"

Shadow sighed. This was the tenth time Boy had asked since their arrival ten minutes earlier. "In one hour. Eat your food and be silent."

Jake tutted and raised his eyes to the sky.

Overhead, a flock of seagulls hovered, each one greedily eyeing up the greasy treats.

Jake squinted as they circled wider and further away. It appeared they were leaving... Until they turned.

Jake jumped to his feet and pointed to the sky. "Incoming!"

Cathy stopped eating and looked up. Several large seagulls swooped toward her.

"Oh, no you don't, they're mine." She scrambled to her feet, kicking sand behind her and all over Shadow.

Tipping his sandy chips onto the beach, Shadow shook his coat. "Lunch is over. Let's go."

*

The old boat was barely seaworthy, but Jake didn't care. He chatted excitedly about spending an entire day and night on board the wooden boat, with no concerns that it may sink before they reached land. A love of boats was something he and Shadow shared. How the sails flapped in the breeze and the timbers creaked as the waves hit the sides of the boat.

"I've got an idea," Jake announced.

"Oh," said Shadow, with a concerned look.

"Why don't we play pirates?" Jake would make a splendid pirate.

"That's a terrible idea," Cathy said.

"I don't know how to play. Is it fun?" Shadow said.

Cathy had forgotten Shadow was never a child. Dark magic had created him by accident, and he'd missed so much. "Yes, Shadow, games are fun. If you like, I can wish you a costume?"

Shadow pondered for a while and then nodded.

Cathy closed her eyes and imagined how a pirate may look. Then she made a wish. In a flash, Shadow wore a bright red jacket with gold trim, a tricorn hat, and a black sash across his chest.

"I look like a real pirate." Shadow smiled broadly.

"I'm next," Jake said.

Cathy focused on Jake and visualised as clearly as she could. As Jake transformed, a crafty smirk appeared on her lips.

Shadow drew a long breath, shook his head, and muttered, "This won't end well."

"What?" Jake asked. And then he saw. "Cathy! You're horrid!" The flowing skirt of his pink gown swished around his ankles. His white bonnet flopped into his eyes, and he nearly slipped over in his dainty shoes.

Cathy laughed until her sides ached and tears streamed down her cheeks. Jake reached to grab her, but she dodged his hand and ran below deck.

Hitching up the hem of his dress Jake chased her as fast as he could in heels.

In the cargo hold Cathy ducked behind barrels of Pixie Brew and clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.

"Cathy, where are you?" Jake ran past Cathy's hiding place in a flash of pink.

She snuck out from behind the barrels and shot into the bustling galley kitchen.

"Out-out-out," the ship's cook shouted and waved a large silver ladle above his head.

Cathy dodged the cook and ran into the corridor. She slammed through the double doors into the ballroom.

Oh, no! She'd run out of exits.

The doors flew open behind her.

"Nowhere to go now, Cathy!" Jake had lost his bonnet whilst running, and his face flushed red with annoyance.

Cathy hopped from foot to foot, trying to decide which way to run.

"Pink suits you." She grinned.

Jake lunged for her, but she skidded sideways and shot through the double doors. She darted up the stairs and onto the deck. In her haste she tripped and landed at Shadow's feet.

Jake stepped onto the deck.

"I give up," Cathy said, breathlessly. "You win." And in another flash, Jake wore a royal blue pirate's outfit with a long silver sword at his side.

"That's quite enough," Shadow snapped at the children. "I have no desire to play this game. Now sit down and be quiet."

"But..." Jake began.

"I said, ENOUGH!" Shadow pointed to the floor. Jake dropped to the floor beside Cathy and tried to catch his breath.

When his breathing slowed, Jake turned to Cathy and muttered, "I'll get you when you least expect it."