Hey, I came as soon as I could. What's so urgent? Is everything okay?
Yeah. Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to show you something.
Oh.
What are you doing? Charlotte, you're gonna start a fire!
Relax, Lewis.
See? Everything's under control.
I've mastered my powers.
Wow.
So, how long did it take the others before they could do this kind of thing?
Well, let's just say it took more than a couple of weeks.
I knew it. I'm better than them.
I guess I really am becoming a super mermaid.
Hey, stranger!
Hey.
Long time no see.
Yeah, you know how it is. I've been kind of busy.
Mermaid club?
I should've guessed.
Why don't you give that a rest for today and come and hang out with me instead?
I can't.
Come on, Rikki. We could pretend we're in a relationship or something like that.
I'll settle for a movie. Your shout.
Some other day, okay?
Hey, girls. - Hi.
- Do you ever knock? - Keep your hair on. I'm not staying.
You know how it is: busy, busy, busy.
Well, don't let us hold you up, then.
Actually, there was something I wanted to talk about.
- Lewis's birthday is coming up. - Oh, yeah. I've got a really good idea.
- Yeah, so have I. - No, you're gonna love this.
A party boat.
Excellent!
No, no, no. Those party boats are lame.
We should throw him a surprise party. He'd love that.
Actually, I think Lewis is more of a party boat kind of guy.
Trust me, Cleo.
I know Lewis even better than he knows himself.
We'll go with the surprise party idea. Keep it quiet, though, okay?
Mom! I've got a favor to ask.
Oh, don't I even get a "hi" anymore?
Oh, sorry. Hi.
How can I help you?
I want to throw a surprise party for Lewis.
Oh, I'm happy to cater. Where are you holding it?
Well, uh, I was thinking maybe here.
It's perfect.
I mean, the garden looks great.
Finally, someone can appreciate all your hard work out here.
- Alright. - You're the best.
How many hungry teenagers will I be feeding, and when?
Not many.
And it's tomorrow.
- Thank you for the notice. - Sorry.
We're gonna need extra chairs.
There are some in the pool filter room, but they need a clean.
Okay. I'll check it out. Thanks, Mum.
- It's all organized. - Already?
So, Lewis's surprise party will be at my place. Now, let's talk food.
I think we should do burgers.
That's a bit boring, isn't it?
Lewis loves burgers.
Well, I mean, he can have burgers any time.
I want this party to be a bit different, a bit more classy.
Besides, my mom will be catering,
so I was just wondering if there were any particular suggestions?
Can she do petite-sized watermelon cubes
topped with smoked trout mousse and a sprig of mint?
Yeah, she can do that.
Now, I've got you guys turning up at 4:00 p.m. to help set up.
- So mark that time in your diaries. - Diaries?
And the next item on my list is music. Any ideas?
Sure, I can whip up a playlist.
Okay. Just run the songs by me first.
What? Why?
We know your taste isn't exactly mainstream.
If you knew Lewis as well as you think you do,
you'd know he likes the same bands I do.
Actually, his tastes have grown lately, so…
- What, is there a problem? - Yeah, there is a problem.
- You're the problem. - Rikki.
If you want to make all the decisions about Lewis's party, fine, go ahead.
But I don't want anything to do with it, or with you. I'm out.
Hm.
That gonna take much longer? - What, no mermaid club?
I've decided to take a step back from the girls.
- Really? - I'm not kidding.
I promise.
You were right, we hardly ever see each other,
and it's about time that changed.
So, what happened?
Nothing. I just decided.
Did you have an argument?
Can't you just be happy I'm here?
I am.
I'm really worried
about Rikki.
Maybe we should talk to her about it.
If you want my advice… I've dealt with moody people like Rikki before.
Sometimes the best thing to do is just ignore them.
Besides, let's keep our eye on the ball. This party's about Lewis.
- You're right. Hey there.
Hey.
I'm just wondering if anyone's free tomorrow.
Oh, yeah. Actually, that's what I've been meaning to talk to you about.
- Oh, you have? - Yeah.
Oh, good. To be honest, I was starting to worry—
Well, I told Mom that I would clean the pool tomorrow.
Want to be my handyman?
It has to be done tomorrow?
Yeah. I promised.
- Can't really do it by myself, can I? - Of course.
I wouldn't let you do that. It's fine. I'll do it.
Great.
I'll call you.
So, you having mermaid withdrawals yet?
Zane.
- What? Is that a yes? - If it were a yes, I would've said yes.
- You've got to admit, I'm better company. - Well…
That's debatable.
Rikki!
- Great timing. - Hmm.
Sorry. We just wanted to talk to Rikki for a second.
In private.
Rikki, we just wanted to say we support you 100 percent.
Charlotte was rude.
We love your music. - Guys—
- She doesn't know what she's missing. - Guys!
This isn't about the music.
It's the whole thing.
Well, we shouldn't let a little incident like that ruin everything.
Charlotte already has.
She ruined everything the second we let her take over.
Why can't you guys see that?
- Rikki, we can't just exclude her. - Whatever.
Rikki, please!
Alright, I'll make this easier for everyone.
I'm excluding myself.
I'm sorry, but I just don't want to be a part of it.
At least come to Lewis's party.
Not if Charlotte's gonna be there.
Where were we?
Kissing.
Ah.
Uh, Cleo.
That does not look like a swan or an orchid. I said origami for the napkins.
- But— - It looks like a triangle.
Haven't you been consulting the list?
Yes, but I thought Lewis would be just as happy with triangles.
- Hey, Amber. Have you seen Cleo? - Uh, no, sorry.
- How about Emma? - Nope.
- Rikki? - Uh, no, not today. Sorry.
Happy Birthday to me.
Who are they?
No idea.
Cleo, Emma, Ash, this is Kelly, Mark and Elisha.
We went to school together till I moved here.
Uh, Charlotte, where are all Lewis's friends?
I guess that's us.
Does anyone else find this a bit weird?
It's weird.
I don't get it. Why would you throw a party for someone
and invite a whole bunch of people they don't even know?
- Charlotte, hey.
Yeah, yeah, I'm on my way.
Oh, I can't wait to get into that pool.
Oh, uh… Probably only a couple of minutes away?
Okay, I'll see you shortly. Bye.
Okay, everybody!
He'll be here any second. Everyone, hide!
Surprise! Happy birthday!
- Happy birthday! - Happy birthday!
Lewis, come meet my friends.
Everyone, this is Lewis.
Hey, how you going? Hi.
- So, let's all go get some food. Yeah? - Yeah.
Wow. Um, is anyone from school coming?
I couldn't get in touch with them.
I'm sure you'll love my friends once you get to know them. Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, I've been at school with Charlotte for a while.
- She rocked up…
- Happy birthday, man. - Thank you.
I'm so glad you guys are here. Um, where's Rikki?
She got tied up.
I have something for you. This is for you.
- No way! Is that a Piscator 3000? - It sure is.
How did you find it? I've been looking everywhere for these.
I have my ways and means. Anyway, happy birthday, Lewis.
Thank you so much.
Lewis, there's more people that I want you to meet.
- Come on. - Yep.
Uh, Cleo, could you give me a hand and get some more chairs
out of the pool room, please?
- Sure. - They're by the door.
You can't miss them.
Charlotte can't handle me spending even one minute with Lewis.
We are here to help. I'll give you a hand with the chairs.
Oh, no.
Charlotte!
- So, what do you want to do now? - Whatever.
- We could just go to Lewis's party. - No. Not interested.
You don't have to let Charlotte win.
You're the one who chose to walk.
You can go back anytime you want.
Hey, having fun?
Yeah, it's great.
But you're not eating.
Oh, sorry, I'm not sure I'm really much of a canapé kind of guy.
Well, you won't know until you try it.
Where did Cleo and Emma disappear to?
- Haven't seen them. - I've looked everywhere for them.
I think they had something else on.
Cleo wouldn't just leave. Neither would Emma, without saying goodbye.
Well, Lewis, isn't that exactly what they've just done?
I'll get you some vol-au-vents. You'll love them.
Yummy.
- Hey. - Hi.
- Nice party. - Oh, yeah.
Oh, the girls went all out.
Speaking of, where are they?
I wish I knew.
- Don't do that! - Well, I've got to stop the water somehow.
Freeze that and we'll be stuck here like two fish-flavored icy poles.
Hello? Oh, hi, Ash. How's the party?
You're not really missing much.
There's a lot of people that no one knows and I've kind of lost the girls.
- What? - I was wondering if they were with you.
No. Sorry, they're not here.
Yeah.
I'll let you know if I see them. Bye.
Cleo and Emma have left Lewis's party.
- That's not like them. - Exactly.
Rikki was so right about Charlotte. She's way out of line.
Out of line? She's just…
She's just really mean!
Mean? You bet she is!
Emma, Cleo, are you in there?
Uh…
We're fine.
Just go back to the party. We'll be there soon.
What are you doing? I can't open this door.
Don't come in!
We're just, um…
having a bit of girl talk.
We'll be fine, honest.
I'm gonna get something to open that lock, I'll get you out.
So, where's the birthday boy?
Yeah, there he is. There he is. Oh, birthday boy.
Thank you.
Wow.
Guys, I'll have you out in a minute.
No, don't, Ash!
Really! We're okay.
No problem. Almost done.
Just leave us!
Ash, Cleo's really upset. We just want to be alone.
Almost got it.
- What are you doing? - Emma and Cleo are locked in here.
Um, I'll take care of it.
No. It's okay. It's under control.
Please,
we just want to be left alone.
I think they just want some privacy.
Forget about it, mate. It's secret women's business.
Anyone for a steam clean?
You're the best.
I do what I can. Now, it's gonna get a little hot in here.
- Hip, hip… - Hooray!
- Hip, hip… Hooray!
- Happy birthday. - Thanks.
Don't forget to make a wish.
Oh, uh…
Yep.
What made you come back?
You know how much I like birthday cake.
Come on, the real reason.
- Maybe I missed you guys a little. - Really?
Besides, you two are too nice to stand up to Charlotte.
You need my short temper.
You were right. Charlotte is bad news.
Yeah, but she doesn't always need to win, does she?
What is this music?
Don't you like it? It's my cousin's jazz band.
Oh.
So, how'd I do?
I'm sorry?
With your surprise party. You having fun?
You did great. It's really— It's good. I mean…
It's just that most of these people are strangers.
Strangers? Don't be silly. I've known them all my life.
That is more like it!
Party! Yeah! Come on!
Lewis, come on!
Come on! It's fun! Hey, Lewis! Come on!
Is this your idea?
No, it was ours.
I get it. That's where you guys have been. You've been organizing this.
- You got it. - You guys rock.
- What are you doing here? - Celebrating Lewis's birthday.
We know what you did and we're not going to forget it.
Oh? I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, I think you do.
Just so you know, you're on your own from now on.
JS