Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend 7 Read Free Page A

a smile.
    Aunt Violet rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, lucky me.’
    Lady Clarissa scooped the last of the mashed potato onto the fifth plate while Uncle Digby poured a trail of gravy over the top of the roast chicken and vegetables.
    He placed one of the plates onto a large tray, along with a pair of crystal salt and pepper shakers and a tall glass with a bottle of mineral water beside it.
    â€˜Please may I help, Uncle Digby?’ asked Clementine. She rushed over to see what she might carry.
    â€˜No, it’s fine, Clemmie. I’ll be back in a jiffyand we can have our dinner,’ he said, and set off upstairs.
    Clementine frowned. ‘Will I ever get to meet Miss Richardson?’
    â€˜She’s very busy with her work, darling. I don’t want you to interrupt her and I’m sure you’ll get to meet her when she’s ready,’ said Lady Clarissa.
    â€˜She’s no one special, Clementine,’ Aunt Violet said. ‘I told you that before. Don’t go thinking we’ve got anyone famous up there.’

    After dinner, Pharaoh and Lavender wandered over to Clemmie for their nightly tummy tickles. Both creatures rolled about on the flagstone floor, enjoying all the attention. Lady Clarissa had gone upstairs to run Clementine a bath.
    â€˜Well, the washing up won’t do itself,’ Uncle Digby declared as he stood up to clear the last of the plates.
    Aunt Violet rose too. ‘You’ll have to manage it on your own, Pertwhistle. My head is pounding. It must be the thought of that wretched dinner.’
    Clementine looked up at her great-aunt. ‘Your head is always pounding when it’s time to do the washing up, Aunt Violet. Are you allergic?’
    Uncle Digby glanced over his shoulder with a knowing look.
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous, Clementine,’ said the old woman. She stalked across the room and disappeared up the back stairs.
    â€˜I’ll wipe up, Uncle Digby,’ Clementine offered. She ran off to wash her hands first.
    â€˜Good girl,’ said Uncle Digby.
    Just as Clementine picked up a clean tea towel the front doorbell rang.
    Digby glanced at the kitchen clock. It was almost seven. ‘I wonder who that could be. Unless it’s our wine delivery. He should have been here hours ago.’
    â€˜I’ll go,’ Clementine offered.
    â€˜No, you stay here.’ The old man took offhis yellow rubber gloves and hurried from the room.
    A few seconds later another bell tinkled by the pantry. Clementine looked at the old-fashioned light box above the pantry door. Each light was labelled with the name of a room in the house. It could only be Aunt Violet or Miss Richardson ringing the bell. The light for the Rose Room was glowing. The bell rang again.
    Clementine ran out into the hall to find Uncle Digby. He was standing at the open front door talking to a man in overalls.
    â€˜Sorry it’s so late but there was an accident on the motorway,’ the man said gruffly.
    â€˜Why don’t you drive around to the garage and I’ll help you unload it,’ said Uncle Digby.
    He walked out the door and closed it behind him.
    Clementine frowned and scurried back into the kitchen to see if her mother had returned, but there was no sign of her. The bell rang again.
    There was only one thing to do. Clementinescampered up the back stairs and along the corridor.
    She tapped gently on the door of the Rose Room. There was no answer. She opened the door and poked her head inside.
    â€˜Hello Miss Richardson?’ Clementine said. ‘May I help you?’
    â€˜Who are you?’ a high voice wavered from deep inside the room. ‘Where’s Miss Appleby?’
    The Rose Room was the largest bedroom in the house with a four-poster bed in the centre and a small dining table for two in one corner. A roll-top writing desk with carved legs stood behind the enormous bed, by one of the windows. There was a huge wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom