Earthling Ambassador by Liane Moriarty Page A

upright on the water.
    â€œShimlara,” she said, “I’ve got an idea, and I think I’ll need your help.”
    â€œGreat!”
    â€œBut it’s illegal, probably dangerous, and we definitely can’t tell your dad.”

CHAPTER 16
    â€œAre you sure you can’t share your idea with us?” asked Georgio. “Or at least give us the teeniest hint?”
    It was later that day and Nicola, Shimlara, Mully, and Georgio were all sitting around the kitchen table, drinking blueberry tea from gigantic china cups. (Nicola had to use both hands just to lift hers.) Squid was kicking a ball around the house and falling over each time his foot didn’t connect.
    â€œI can’t tell you anything,” said Nicola firmly.
    She knew that if she told Georgio her idea, he would immediately forbid her to try anything so dangerous.
    Georgio looked at her suspiciously and twirled the ends of his mustache.
    Shimlara had taught Nicola that if you knew somebody was likely to try and read your mind, you could block them by reciting multiplication tables in your head.
    Five sixes are thirty , thought Nicola carefully. Six sixes are ... um , six sixes are ... erm , thirty-six?
    â€œAha! You’re blocking me!” Georgio pointed a finger at her. “I see Shimlara has been teaching you a thing or two. And yes, by the way, six sixes are thirty-six—goodness me, have they stopped teaching math on Earth, too?”
    â€œYou really must stop trying to read her mind, Georgio,” said Mully.
    â€œOh well, it’s no time to be worrying about etiquette,” said Georgio gloomily. “The fate of a planet is at stake and I have no idea whether Nicola’s idea is sensible or silly!”
    â€œI’m going to be there to make sure Nicola doesn’t do anything silly,” said Shimlara.
    â€œOh PHEW!” Georgio wiped his hand dramatically across his forehead. “My very sensible daughter will be involved. GOSH.That’s such a RELIEF!”
    â€œI hate it when you’re sarcastic like that, Dad,” said Shimlara. “Just because I got lost that time when I went cloud-surfing ...”
    â€œDid the Save the Little Earthlings Committee come up with any good ideas?” asked Nicola, to change the subject. She didn’t like it when her dad was sarcastic, either.
    â€œWell, we think it might be worth trying to reach the king and queen on their vacation again,” answered Georgio. “They would put a stop to this nonsense immediately! Unfortunately, they’re doing a three-month underground trek on the Planet of Doom and it’s impossible to contact anyone on Doom, especially when they’re underground.We’re also trying to lobby other planets in preparation for the worst-case scenario. If Earth actually is destroyed, we’ll need to find somewhere for you all to live. So far they’ve all said ...” Georgio lifted his hands in a hopeless gesture.
    â€œYes?” prompted Nicola.
    â€œNo,” answered Georgio sadly. “They’ve all said absolutely not. Not enough space, Earthlings are too short and annoying, Earthlings would take all the jobs, that sort of thing.”
    â€œWell those sound like great plans, Dad,” said Shimlara.
    â€œOooh, I hate it when you’re sarcastic like that, Shimlara,” Georgio put on a silly voice.
    â€œOh stop it, both of you!” said Mully. “You’re as bad as each other.Well, Georgio, to be honest, I think we just have to do what Nicola wishes. After all, we’re not Earthlings and she is here representing her planet.”
    Georgio sighed gustily. “Fine. I guess you’re right.You are the Earthling Ambassador, Nicola, and we must respect that. Don’t bother trying to block me, I’m not going to read your mind again. It’s too painful listening to you trying to do your tables! Tell me, can I help you in any way with putting this idea of