Bad News Nails by Jill Santopolo Page A

Sparkle Spa. “What’s happening in here?” she asked.
    â€œSuzy Davis stole our party!” Brooke told her. “And our customer records! And we’re going to get them back!”
    â€œWhat?” Mom said, stepping into the spa.
    â€œWe can’t be one hundred percent sure about the customer files, but the whole soccer team is at herhouse,” Aly informed her mom. “So we’re moving the party to Suzy’s. Can you take us?”
    â€œSuzy came here to learn how to run a business and then tried to take over yours?” Mom did not look happy. “Oh, I can take you, all right,” she said. “And I’m going to have a talk with Suzy’s mother when we get there.”
    The girls marched out of the salon with Mrs. Tanner leading the way. “Joan, I need you to rearrange the schedule so my next two appointments are taken care of,” she said. “The girls and I have some important business to attend to right away.”
    â€œIs everything okay?” Joan asked.
    â€œIt will be,” Mom said. “Let’s go, girls.”
    They all squished into Mom’s car with cookies and streamers and backdrops on their laps.
    Suzy Davis had totally taken the Sparkle Spa by surprise.
    Now it was time to surprise Suzy.

ten
Celegrape Good Times
    M om parked the car in the Davises’ driveway and headed straight for the front door.
    â€œWhoa,” Brooke said. “This house is enormous.”
    Aly stopped to look. Wow. It was huge. Aly counted three floors. To the side of the house, it looked like there was a tennis court with the pool behind that.
    â€œThey’re here!” Aly heard Jenica call from the backyard, and then Maxie and Joelle came running around the side of the house to greet them.
    â€œWhat color polishes did you bring? Did you remember Under the Sea?” Maxie asked excitedly.
    â€œWe want the most partyish polishes you have,” Joelle added.
    â€œWe brought a bunch,” Aly said. “But we need to get set up first. Where’s Suzy?”
    â€œIn the kitchen, I think,” Joelle said. “The pizza came just before you did.”
    â€œThanks,” Aly said. “We’ll let you know when everything’s ready.”
    Aly headed into the house with Brooke, Charlotte, and Lily behind her. The door was open, so she walked right in and found her mom having a conversation with Suzy’s mom in the front hall.
    â€œI had no idea,” Suzy’s mom was saying. “I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to her.”
    â€œI’d appreciate that, Carolyn. You know how hard it is for women in business. We’re supposed to sticktogether, not undermine each other. I’ve taught my girls about teamwork.”
    â€œI’ll talk to her,” Suzy’s mom said again.
    â€œI’m so tempted to take my daughters and their friends—and their customers—back to the salon,” Mrs. Tanner continued, “but they seem to be having fun here, so I’ll let them stay. But if Suzy doesn’t hand over their customer files today, I don’t think I want her back at the salon. At least not for a while.”
    Mom turned around then and saw the girls standing there. “I’ll be back for you in a few hours,” she said. “Make this party great.”
    An embarrassed look crossed Suzy’s mom’s face. “The kitchen’s that way,” she said to the girls, pointing. “Please tell Suzy I need to see her out here.”
    â€œThanks, Mrs. Washington,” Aly answered. “We will.”
    Suzy squealed when Brooke and Aly entered thekitchen. “Isn’t this great? Everyone’s having the best time! Thanks for sending over the pizza. I had to pay for it from my allowance, so if you have the money . . .”
    â€œYour mom wants to see you out there,” Brooke said, pointing a thumb toward the hallway.
    Suzy’s smile turned to a