"What's wrong, Daddy?" Daphne asked when she walked downstairs to find her parents grumbling and pacing back and forth.
"It seems we're going to have to cancel our vacation to the Bahamas." Mr. Blake told Daphne.
"What? Why? I've been waiting all year for this vacation!" Daphne cried, watching her dad.
"Three of the maids quit and the rest of the help is on vacation." Mr. Blake informed Daphne.
"I'm sorry, Dear. I know how much you were looking forward to this; your father and I were as well." Mrs. Blake apologized to her daughter.
"Can't we get someone else to watch the house for us?" Daphne questioned, watching her parents.
"Who? Who would we get to watch the house for us? And don't you dare say Freddy whatever his name is. It's already bad enough that you're dating that fool, but the last time we let him house sit on your word, we came home to find that he not only threw some kind of party; he also destroyed several valuable items, claiming he was solving some mystery. I get that's what you kids do for fun or whatever, but he had no right." Mr. Blake firmly told Daphne, not wanting Freddy Jones in his house unsupervised.
"And that pot-head friend of yours and his dog. The last time they house sat, they ate us out of house and home—and got dog fur everywhere. I like them, but I also like to eat now and then." Mrs. Jones added.
"Well, what about Velma?" Daphne suggested.
"Who?" Mr. and Mrs. Blake questioned, raising their eyebrows.
"My best girlfriend, Velma Dinkley; she hangs out with the rest of us. She's the smart, quiet one of our group. She doesn't smoke pot (neither does Shaggy), eat everything in sight, and she doesn't throw parties. Heck. She doesn't even like parties—or being in large groups." Daphne explained who Velma was to her parents.
"Oh, right. The Dinkley girl. She comes from a good family—a smart family." Mr. Blake spoke with his hand on his chin.
"So, can I ask her to housesit for us?" Daphne begged her parents.
"You can ask her. But if she says no or she can't, don't push her. And you can make the call right here. I know how you can get." Mr. Blake allowed Daphen to ask Velma.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Daphne happily squealed, taking the phone.
"Daphne. No leaving the kitchen, remember." Mrs. Blake firmly told her daughter.
"She can go to her room if she wishes. I'll just follow her there." Mr. Blake calmly told his wife.
"Fine." Daphne grumbled, going to sit at the table.
"Dinkley residence." A male voice spoke.
"Is Velma home? This is Daphne." Daphne politely replied.
"Just one moment, please." The male voice spoke.
"Hello? What's going on, Daphne. Aren't you supposed to be on your way to the Bahamas?" Velma answered the phone.
"Yeeeah. That's just the thing: we have no one to watch the house. The staff either quit or are on vacation." Daphne explained.
"I'm sorry. Do you need to go out or something?" Velma questioned.
"No. Well, not today. I was wondering if you'd be willing to watch the house for me." Daphne got straight to the point.
"Me? Why me?" Velma questioned, shocked.
"Well, Dad already told me that Freddy wasn't allowed to watch the house. Actually, he doesn't want him here alone at all. And Mom doesn't want Shaggy here because he eats everything—along with Scooby. And while I do have other friends, you're the only other person I trust not to steal any of our things here. I also know you won't destroy anything." Daphne explained.
"Gee, Daphney; I don't know." Velma started, sighing a little.
"Please." Daphne begged Velma over the speakerphone.
"How long are you going to be gone?" Velma questioned.
"A week and a half only." Daphne answered.
"*Sigh…* I suppose I can watch your home for you and your parents. But only because you never ask me for anything. And on the condition, you bring me something home from the Bahamas. And you know me, it doesn't have to be overly expensive." Velma agreed to watch Daphne's home for her.
"Yes! I knew I could count on you! Thank you so much! You're the best! Of course, I'm going to bring you back something; I plan on bringing something back for everyone. But I'll get you something extra." Daphne excitedly thanked Velma.
"That's not necessary, Daphne. But thank you. When do I need to be to your home?" Velma questioned.
"Tomorrow morning around eight. I'll drop a key off to you later tonight." Daphne answered Velma with a smile.
"Ok. I'm meeting the guys and Scooby-Doo at the ice cream shop around five tonight." Velma replied.
"Oh, of course. I forgot Freddy invited me there tonight. I'll see you then and there." Daphne replied, completely forgetting about the ice cream shop plan.
"Ok. See you then." Velma replied before hanging up.
"You have some nice friends, Daphne." Mr. and Mrs. Blake told Daphne with smiles.
"I know. I have the bestest friends ever!" Daphne happily agreed before going to her room to get ready to head out later…