10
Sleep Is the Least of Celeste’s Worries
Hunger woke me. I ignored it long enough to shower and dress, then picked up the phone and heard a rattling dial tone that went on until a cheery voice said, ‘Hello? Is that Dr Carlucci?’
‘Yes. Who’ve I got?’
‘It’s me, Dr Carlucci! Nicki! Isn’t that cool? They told me you were in the guest room!’
I nearly dropped the phone. ‘Um, I thought it was supposed to be a secret that I was here.’
‘Oh, that’s okay. I’m part of the organisation. My family’s been in it for generations. Ricky doesn’t know. I had to tell him that sometimes I need to go help out an elderly relative. Sort of true. And it’s really cool to be able to get help with my papers and research. All combined, the people here know pretty much everything.’
Just then my stomach growled.
