Georgio had stopped doing his chicken dance after he knocked over everything on Mrs. Zucchini's shelf with his elbows. Now he'd switched to a very businesslike manner. He dropped his chin and seemed to be muttering something into the top button of his shirt.
"That's right, Plum, I've found her," Nicola heard him say. "Yes, it is quite a relief.You'd better get here right away, before the press gets wind of it. Oh--and send over the Wardrobewhizonic Ladies, please!"
"I hope you haven't got any plans for the next few days, Nicola." Georgio lifted his chin from his shirt and looked down at her. "We need you to go on a little trip."
"She's got a math test tomorrow," cried out Greta from the floor.
"Good Lord! How do you stand her?" asked Georgio, and everybody shrugged.
"Where is she? Where is she?" A group of pretty, rather plump women dressed in metallic silver overalls with gigantic Ws across their backs marched into the classroom carrying silver suitcases. Although they were as tall as ordinary basketball players, they only came up to Georgio's waist.
"Ah,Wardrobewhizonics, at last," said Georgio. "Excellent. I need you to make her look extraordinary. Like a princess. Or a pop star. Or an outlaw. Or whatever she chooses, but it must be suitable for swimming. Oh, and please get rid of that dreadful school uniform."
"Well, obviously the school uniform has to go! We're not silly, Georgio," said one of the ladies briskly. "Hello, dear. Congratulations. Princess, pop star, or outlaw?"
Nicola thought for a second. She'd like to look like a pop star, but what if that meant she had to sing? Singing was her next worst thing after gymnastics.
"Um. Princess."
"Good choice. Actually, that was your only choice. We don't approve of pop stars. Or outlaws, for that matter. What's your favorite color?"
"Blue," answered Nicola.
"Such an agreeable color," the lady said approvingly, and turned to Georgio. "Could we have some privacy now, please?"
"Of course. I'll see you in a minute, Nicola.You can choose one friend to stay with you while you have your wardrobe done, but everybody else, up to the school yard, please," said Georgio.
Nicola chose Katie to stay. Georgio nodded his approval and shuffled out of the classroom on his knees. He ducked his head under the door frame and stood up.The whole class followed him, sprinting to keep up as he strode away on his long legs.
In a moment the classroom was quiet and empty, except for Nicola, Katie, and the Wardrobewhizonics.
"Right, let's get cracking," said the lady who seemed to be in charge. "What do you think of these?"
She opened one of the suitcases and pulled out an entire rack of beautiful blue dresses, while the other ladies bustled about setting up a washbasin, hair dryers, makeup cases, and ironing boards.
Ten minutes later, one of the ladies held up a full-length mirror. "What do you think?"
Nicola's mouth dropped when she saw herself. "You do look like a princess!" said Katie. "Greta
is going to die!" Nicola's out-of-control curly brown hair was silky-smooth-straight and she was wearing shimmery strawberry lip gloss and glittery eye shadow. Her dress was a rich royal-blue satin, with a big full skirt that rustled and swirled around her legs. A sash of crimson fabric with the words EArthlInG AmbAssAdor was draped diagonally across one shoulder.
"Naturally, this dress is perfect for swimming," said one of the ladies.
"I beg your pardon?" said Nicola. "I wouldn't swim in this!"
"Well, you could hardly swim without it!" giggled the ladies.
Nicola and Katie looked at each other, completely perplexed, but there was no time to get to the bottom of it because all of a sudden the ladies were looking at their watches, shaking their heads, and frowning as they slammed shut their silver suitcases. "Quick sticks!" they cried. "Up to the school yard! The helicopter will be waiting!"
The Wardrobewhizonics hurried off and Nicola and Katie ran to keep up with them. Nicola had to lift up the heavy skirt of her dress with both hands so it was above her knees. Her dress might be perfect for swimming, but it wasn't that great for running. As they ran through the corridors they saw all the classrooms were deserted.
"The whole school must be up there!" panted Katie. "Everyone's going to be looking at you! Are you scared?"
"Yes," said Nicola as they pounded around the corner and caught sight of the yard packed with hundreds of students and teachers. "I'm very scared! I wish you were coming with me."
"So do I," replied Katie. "Sort of."
"Oh dear," said Nicola.Their school principal, Mr. Nix, was walking purposefully toward them.