And it is, in fact, a very smoothly run operation. As a staff babysitter, it’s my responsibility, after punching in, to ask for my assignment for the day. That’s when I find out whether I’ll be washing strained carrots or burger fixings out of my hair after work. On the whole, I prefer burgers, but there’s something to be said for strained carrots: generally the people who eat them can’t talk back to you. When I heard my assignment for that particular day, however, I was disappointed, even though it was a burger-eater. “Simon, Susannah,” Caitlin called. “You’re assigned to Slater, Jack.” “For God’s sake,” I said to Caitlin, who was my supervisor. “I was stuck with Jack Slater yesterday. And the day before.” Caitlin is only two years older than me, but she treats me like I’m twelve. In fact, I’m sure the only reason she tolerates me is because of Sleepy: She is as warm for his form as every other girl on this planet…except, of course, me. “Jack’s parents,”
