“Now that sounds like the real Bess,” said George.

“Bess, I’m not joking! Motorcycles are dangerous. Especially when driven by eccentric artists who don’t know how to walk like a normal person!”

“Fine, fine. I’ll wear the stupid helmet. But you’re signing on to fix my hair when I get to the party.”

“Deal. See you there!”

“Can’t wait to see your dress!” Bess squealed.

“Me neither,” said George.

“I’m hanging up! I have to finish getting ready. George, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes!”

“Roger that,” said George. I ended the call.

Standing in front of my mirror, I admired my handiwork. My dress was velvet with a blue skirt shaped like a bell, where I’d hidden not two, but four pockets for gathering clues. I’d taken two of my dad’s old coats and cut them up, then sewed the pieces back together to create a reconstructed trench coat that belted at the waist. I touched up my hair and added a little blush, then nodded at my reflection. Holding out a white-gloved hand, I said, “Nancy Drew, detective. And you are? Charmed. Charmed, I’m sure.”

I jumped as Hannah politely rapped on my doorframe. “Oof, this is embarrassing.” I groaned.

“Don’t worry. I was doing the same thing fifteen minutes ago,” she said, chuckling. “But we’d better go now, or we’ll be late!”

Hannah pulled out a bundle of glittery netting from her coat. It was her finished hat, a pink fascinator decorated with the plastic cherries and small loops of sequins. She affixed it to her head at a jaunty angle.

I clapped with delight. “That hat is awesome, Hannah. You’re so elegant, like a duchess!”

Hannah hugged me, nearly crushing her hat in the process.

Just then my dad and Ned emerged from the study, Ned rubbing his eyes blearily. When he saw me, his jaw dropped open.

“Nancy, is that you? Of course it is. That’s the most Nancy Drew outfit I’ve ever seen. You look incredible.”

“Yes, it suits you perfectly,” my dad chimed in. “But … are those my trench coats?”

“Not anymore,” I said. “Anyway, you hadn’t worn these in years.”

“You certainly look better in them than I ever did.”

“Thanks, Dad. Any chance you might release my boyfriend from your study dungeon so he can escort your beautiful daughter to the party?”

“I’m afraid not. At this rate, we’ll be working through the night.”

Ned groaned. “Need more coffee …”

“I brewed a fresh pot, extra strong,” said Hannah. “That should keep you going until sunrise.”

“Thanks, Hannah. I don’t know what we’d do without you,” my dad replied.

“We’d better leave now. My date is probably wondering where we are … ,” I said.

Ned groaned louder. I gave him a kiss on the cheek as a consolation prize and waved goodbye to my dad.

“Be good, boys!” I shouted over my shoulder, swirling my skirts around me like Cinderella.

Hannah and I got into the hybrid and headed for George’s house. When we pulled into the Faynes’ driveway, I spotted a stranger leaning in the doorway. The person wore a navy-blue tailored tuxedo with a gold stripe up the leg and held a bouquet of pink roses. I wondered if George’s parents had invited a friend to drive to the Duchess’s with them, or if this was their chauffeur. The stranger’s hair was slicked back, so it took me a moment to recognize that this dapper person was really my dear friend George Fayne.