"How long is Derek staying this time?" I asked Charlotte. She seemed to have all the inside information on Derek and his plans.

"Well, his show's on hiatus," she said knowingly. "So I guess he'll be here for a couple of months."

"His show is onwhat?" I said.

"On hiatus. It's just a break," said Becca. "Like, they've already made all the shows for this season, so now they have some time off until they start again."

"How do you know so much about this stuff?" I asked. I was amazed at how sophisticated they sounded, for eight-year-olds.

"Derek told Nicky all about it," said Charlotte. "And Nicky told us."

Nicky is Nicky Pike, who is Derek's best friend in Stoneybrook. "So, did Nicky tell you when Derek will be here?" I asked.

"Today!" cried Charlotte. "He's coming today!" She sounded like an eight-year-old again.

"But we probably won't see him for a few days," added Becca. "He might not start school until Monday."

"I don't know if I canstand it," said Charlotte, dramatically. "It's only Wednesday. How can I wait five whole days to see him?"

"Well, you've already waited for about fivemonths," pointed out Becca. "I think you'll make it." She sounded very mature. Then she started to giggle. "But I don't know ifI will! I can'twait to see him. Maybe this time he got Lament's autograph for me!"

The girls started to talk excitedly about what they would wear to school on Monday, and what they would say to Derek when they saw him. I listened for a bit, and then I tuned out.