Just as I was hiding my journal, I heard Mom call from downstairs, "Mal? Can you come here for a sec?"

"Sure," I replied. I patted the bed to be sure the mattress didn't look lumpy, and then dashed downstairs.

Mom was in the kitchen. She was wearing oven mitts and setting a casserole on a cooling rack.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's a welcome-back present for Stacey and Mrs. McGill. I know they moved in a week ago, but I figure a casserole is always appreciated. They've been unpacking for a week, Mrs. McGill has been looking for a job, and Stacey's been busy with school and the Babysitters Club. I know they haven't had much time for cooking. If they don't want to eat this now, they can freeze it and have it some other night."

"Gosh, that's awfully nice of you, Mom," I said. "I know the McGills will appreciate it."

"Do you mind taking it over?" she asked me.

"Of course not. I'd love to see Stacey."

"Great. Just give it about fifteen minutes to cool off a little."

"Okay," I replied.

You may be wondering who Stacey and her mom are — and also what the Baby-sitters Club (the BSC) is. Well, while Mom's casserole

cools, I'll tell you about the McGills and my BSC friends.

First of all, the BSC is a club that I belong to. It's really more of a business, and the other people in it are my friends Jessi Ramsey, Stacey McGill, Kristy Thomas, Dawn Schafer, Mary Anne Spier, and Claudia Kishi. What our club does is baby-sit for families here inStoneybrook,Connecticut . It is super-fun, and I feel very cool to be allowed in it.

You see, the club was started by Kristy, Claudia, Stacey, and Mary Anne, who are all thirteen years old now and in eighth grade. Jessi and I are the only eleven-year-old sixth-graders. I am so glad the club is back together again.