The Grave: A Zombie Novel Read Online Free Page A

one is just so exciting. I can’t wait to get stuck in. I was talking to Tricia earlier and she said there would be ten of us going. I knew of you and Suzy and of course, Tricia and myself. Josef rang me yesterday to say he and Wilfred were going to meet us in LA and pick up the flight there. Who else are we bringing along to the freezing depths of the Antarctic?”
    “ Well I’ve managed to get National Geographic on board. It’s a bit last minute, but they’re sending a reporter, Mark Osborn. He’s one of their best photographers and journalists. They haven’t done a piece on the Antarctic Tundra for a while, so it’s a good opportunity for them. The museum will get a fair bit of coverage out of it too. He’s going to document what we’re doing out there and will probably do some interviews with you guys too so talk us up. Let him see the research we’re doing; this is a really good chance for some publicity for the museum.”
    “Good work, Kelly, I’m sure he’ll be a fine addition to the team. So who else?” asked Rasmus.
    “Brian Hadley. Everyone calls him Tug. Don’t call him by his real name or you’ll be in for it. He hates being called Brian. He’s an English guy and I’ve worked with him a couple of times. Officially, he is the ‘Executive Administrator’ of our trip. Unofficially - he’s the dogsbody. He’ll be doing the heavy lifting, carrying the gear, sorting out the equipment, cooking our meals, and tucking us in at night. If you need anything, you come to him or me. Our last guest is a bit of a surprise: Claire Bishop.”
    “I don’t believe I know her. Where is she from? Not another journalist, I hope. I think one is plenty, don’t you?” said Rasmus.
    “ Actually, we’ve been running a competition in the schools and colleges in the area for the last few months. You know, trying to get the kids interested in geology and science, rather than basketball and baseball for a change. We have a wonderful young girl from Philadelphia. She’s showing real promise and the museum is paying for her to come along. I’m going to get her involved with what we’re doing, so it’s not a free holiday. Hopefully, if it works out, we might even offer her a scholarship. I’m going to be announcing it in my speech shortly.”
    “Well, well, well,” said Rasmus scratching his beard furiously. “I must say you are going to have your work cut out for you, my dear: a reporter, a school girl, an old man like me pestering you every five minutes and our two budding lovebirds. It’s certainly going to be an interesting trip.”
    “I’ll say.” Kelly took Rasmus by the arm and they began walking toward the main hall where everyone was congregating. They said hello as they passed various colleagues and acquaintances . Kelly saw Tricia as she entered the Guggenheim Hall and waved. Tricia waved back and mouthed ‘good luck’ to her as she passed.
    Once inside the hall, Kelly was taken aback at how splendidly they had made the place look. Instead of the quiet museum she knew, the hall was now full of colour, life and laughter. Huge sweeping curtains had been raised with the museum’s logo displayed on each side. Helium filled balloons bobbed around the ceiling and she saw attentive waiters skirting amongst the guests with platters of food and drink. Kelly felt proud. Every year, it seemed to get better and better. Her father would have loved to see the museum today.
    The sound of the orchestra was almost drowned out by the chatter and conversations going on. Kelly spied Suzy in a corne r of the room discreetly fixing her dress behind a glass case full of stuffed birds. She left Rasmus and went on over to Suzy.
    “How’s it going?”
    “Wonderful,” said Suzy straightening up. “I saw Tricia on the way in. She’s looking good. Has she lost some weight?”
    “ Yeah, she’s on some new diet. Don’t ask me. We both know whatever she loses, she’ll put straight back on. Shit, how much of a bitch