Liane Moriarty - Nicola Berry and the Wicked War on the Planet of Whimsy

Nicola! Phone call!

Nicola Berry was startled. Who would be calling her here at this time of night?

For me? Really?

It was past midnight and she was at her great-grandmothers one-hundredth birthday party. The music was thumping, and Grammy was tapping her feet and jiggling her hips, leaning on a walking stick in each hand. Nicola and her cousins were all hiding yawns as they danced in a circle around their tiny, white-haired grandmother, who might have been the oldest one at the party, but seemed to have the most energy. The littler cousins were asleep, curled up in corners. Even Nicolas dad had collapsed on a sofa, his head tipped back, twitching violently each time he snored.

She said its Shimlara, yelled Nicolas crazy great-aunt Annie over the music, handing the phone over to her. I said it was a bit late to be calling. She said it was lunchtime on her planet. Her planet! What a jokester!

Nicola took the phone from Great-Aunt Annie, who marched off, muttering and shaking her head. When will they start believing that I actually do know people from other planets? she wondered. After all, it had been international news when Nicola and her friends saved Earth from being destroyed by a spoiled princess from the planet of Globagaskar.

Why would Shimlara be calling Nicola now? It had only been a matter of hours since they had dropped her back home after their last mission.

Nicolas older brother, Sean, appeared by Nicolas side. Why is Shimlara calling you?

How would I know? said Nicola, irritably, because she was worried.

They went down Grammys hallway toward her bed-room, where it was quiet.

Hello? Shimlara?

Oh, Nicola! Shimlaras voice sounded tiny and strange, and then she burst into tears. Nicola made an alarmed face at Sean. It wasnt like Shimlara to cry for no reason.

Whats the matter? Whats happened?

Mom and Dad and Squid have vanished! sobbed Shimlara.

But are you sure? said Nicola. Maybe they went shopping and forgot to leave a note. Her own family was constantly doing that.

There is a note, said Shimlara. Her voice became stronger. In Dads handwriting. It says, Help, Shiml and then nothing else, as if he was interrupted. I think theyve been kidnapped!

Have you called the police? asked Nicola.

What are police? said Shimlara.

Maybe they had a different name for the police force on Globagaskar. Who do you call when someone commits a crime?

We dont have crime on Globagaskar. Were far too advanced for that. That only happens on prehistoric planets. No offense.

Okay, but isnt kidnapping a crime?

Stop being so picky! snapped Shimlara. All I know is that Ive got a very bad feeling. Can you and the Space Brigade come to Globagaskar? Please?

Were on our way, Shimlara. Sean said, leaning close to the phone.

Nicola gritted her teeth. She was the leader of the Space Brigade. It was her job to say dramatic things like that.

Well be there as soon as we can, said Nicola. Just try and stay calm.

Hurry, said Shimlara. Please hurry. She hung up.

Sean looked at Nicola, his eyes shining. Looks like were going back into space sooner than we thought.

It looks like it, agreed Nicola. She was suddenly feeling very wide awake.