As Nancy was looking through the shorts for her size, she heard the woman talking about a cruise she was going on in a few days.
“I’ve never been on one before,” the woman told the salesperson. “I have no idea what to take with me.”
“Well, I’ve never been on one either,” the salesperson replied. “I’d hate to sell you something that you wouldn’t need.”
Nancy didn’t know if she should admit she had been listening or not, but the woman seemed genuinely lost as to what would be suitable for such a trip. She laid the shorts back on the shelf and walked over to the woman. “Hi! I couldn’t help but hear what you were saying. My friends and I are going on a cruise in a few days too, and we’re here to buy our wardrobes.”
“Really?” the woman said. “Is it the SS Great Lakes, sailing from Chicago to Toronto?”
Nancy nodded.
“Great!” the woman said. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Amber Cosgrove.”
Nancy introduced herself. “Those are my friends over there, looking at the evening gowns: Bess Marvin and George Fayne.”
On hearing their names, Bess and George looked up and waved.
“If you’d like some suggestions, we’d be happy to help,” Nancy said.
“Oh, I’d love that!” Amber exclaimed.
The salesperson who had been helping Amber seemed genuinely pleased too.
Nancy led Amber over to Bess and George, who were still looking at gowns. “Amber’s going on the same cruise we are,” she said, “and she wants some advice on what clothes to buy.”
“Well! You’re in luck!” Bess said. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s fashion.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Nancy said.
Bess gave Amber the once-over, then pulled a midnight blue sheath off the rack and handed it to her. “This one, for sure,” she said.
Nancy could tell it would make Amber look stunning.
“Why don’t you try it on?” the salesperson suggested.
“Okay,” Amber said.
Nancy and George also let Bess choose gowns for them, although Nancy admitted that she had already bought one earlier.
“Too bad. You should have waited,” Bess said. “I can’t imagine not seeing you in this pink strapless at least one night on the cruise.”
After the other girls had finished choosing the evening gowns they wanted, they all headed for the swimsuits.
“You should see the one Nancy got, Amber,” Bess said. “It’s blue, and it’s just gorgeous on her! It brings out the color of her eyes.”
Nancy blushed. “Oh, stop it, Bess,” she said. She held up an emerald green dress. “Amber, this would look great on you!”
“Oh, yes, Amber!” Bess agreed. “Get it!”
Amber held it up against her and looked in the mirror. “I think Craig would like me in this.”
Nancy looked at Bess and George.
“Craig?” Bess said.
Amber blushed. “Craig’s my boyfriend. Actually, he works on the ship. That’s why I’m going. He got me a special price on the ticket.”
Suddenly, Nancy felt guilty. It had never occurred to her that perhaps Amber couldn’t afford as many clothes as they were telling her she should get. What were they going to do? She didn’t want to hurt Amber’s feelings.
“Bess, if I get all the clothes that you think I should get, I’ll clean out my bank account,” Nancy said. “Maybe I should put some of them back.”
Bess and George both gave her a confused look.
Nancy tried to catch their eyes to signal them not to say anything, but Bess didn’t make the connection.
“Since when have you ever been on an allowance, Nancy Drew?” Bess said. “Your father would want you to take whatever clothes you thought you needed on this cruise.”
Nancy glanced over at Amber, but Amber was completely focused on some pants and tops. “What about these?” she said.
“Definitely,” Bess said. “Perfect for when we’re shopping on land.”
For just a minute Nancy couldn’t understand how Amber would be able to handle this huge clothing bill and be taking a cruise at a reduced rate. Then she realized that there was really nothing unusual about it at all. Anyone would jump at the chance to go on a cruise for a reduced price. For all Nancy knew, Amber had a good job and could afford a nice new wardrobe. Everything she took with her on the cruise she could use when she got off the ship.
Finally, everyone agreed that they had acquired perfect wardrobes for themselves and that there could never be four better-dressed women on any cruise.
As they prepared to pay at the cash register Bess groaned a little, saying that her father would probably make her wear everything for two seasons. Nancy noticed that Amber didn’t flinch, though, when the salesperson told her how much her bill was. She paid with cash.
“This has been so much fun,” Amber said.
