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Caleb the appointment book.“All the dancers who are scheduled for a manicure are written down in here. Don’t let anyone else in, okay?”

    Aly was in the middle of an I Love Dancing manicure for a girl named Zorah, with Golden Delicious fingernails and Copperfield pinkie hearts, when she heard Caleb say, “I’m sorry. If you don’t have an appointment, I can’t let you in.”
    Aly stopped mid-polish. And groaned. It was Suzy Davis.
    Ever since Aly fixed Suzy’s messed-up manicure and hairdo before the Sixth-Grade Fall Ball a few weeks ago, Suzy had been nicer to her than she used to be. But Suzy was still Suzy. That meant she still had some mean inside her.
    â€œI need a manicure. Now,” Suzy demanded. “And it looks like Sparkle Spa is open today. So I’m coming in. It’s a free country.”
    Caleb stood in the doorway. “Even in a free country, there are private places where people get to make their own rules. The rule here is that you need an appointment to come in. At least for today. No walk-ins.” He looked over at Aly for confirmation.
    â€œI’ll be right back,” Aly told Zorah. Usually, Brooke was the one who stood up to Suzy, but today Aly had no choice. She walked over to the door.
    â€œWhat’s the problem, Suzy?” she asked.
    â€œI just cracked my thumbnail. I need a manicure. This minute.” She shoved her broken nail past Caleb into Aly’s face. Aly winced. It looked like it hurt.
    â€œSuzy, I can’t take care of that right now—we’re too busy today with the dance showcase—but I can give you a nail file. You can fix the cracked part yourself.”
    â€œThis is a nail salon,” Suzy answered, her voice growing louder. “Not a do-it-yourself place. This is ridiculous!”
    All of the dancers in the salon stared at Suzy.
    Caleb cleared his throat. “If you don’t leave, I’m going to get Joan.”
    â€œWhat is your problem ?” Suzy said. “I mean, all I want is a manicure!”
    Caleb didn’t budge. “Bye, Suzy,” he said.
    Suzy glared at him. “You stink big-time, Caleb Cane,” she huffed, and left.
    Charlotte beamed. “Isn’t my brother awesome?” she said.
    â€œHe sure is,” Aly agreed, walking back to her station. “Zorah, let’s finish up your fingers.”

    By five thirty Aly had done nine manicures and Sophie had done five. “Nice work, team! I couldn’t have done this without you,” Aly said. Even though she missed Brooke, she was super happy she’d gotten through the day without any major disasters. Well,not counting Suzy Davis, but truly, because of Caleb, that had been only a minor mishap.
    And right then and there, Aly made the biggest ESSD of all: She offered everyone jobs at the Sparkle Spa.
    Lily would be the CFO; Charlotte, the COO; Caleb, the chief of security; and Sophie, a manicurist.
    Aly was delighted with her new Sparkle Spa team. She knew Brooke would be too. At least she hoped so.

seven
Silversmith
    A ly didn’t have to wait long to find out how Brooke felt.
    She arrived home to two surprises: a happy Dad, who had managed to return one day earlier and . . . a furious Brooke, who had just gotten off the phone with Sophie.
    â€œSophie is a Sparkle Spa manicurist? And she polished nails today instead of me? And you let Charlotte pick the Color of the Week? Who made you the boss of the world?” Brooke shouted. Shestomped up the stairs and slammed the bedroom door.
    Sparkly started yapping and whimpering.
    Mom and Dad exchanged looks.
    Aly felt her face turning the color of Ruby Red Slippers nail polish. It wasn’t exactly the response she was expecting.
    â€œAly, sit down,” Mom said firmly. “And, Mark, why don’t you go check on Brooke?”
    Sparkly followed Dad upstairs while Aly and her mother sat across from each other at the kitchen