Clementine Rose and the Movie Magic 9 Read Free Page A

roast beef.
    â€˜Don’t you worry about him,’ Digby said. ‘You run a fine establishment, and whoevermade that complaint was obviously just out to cause trouble.
    â€˜Mr Doncaster’s timing is terrible, with the movie being shot this week,’ Clarissa said as she closed the oven door. ‘The last thing we need is a bad report from the council.’
    â€˜Oh, you never know. The man might fancy being on film.’ Uncle Digby chortled. ‘I’m sure we could find him a part as an extra.’
    Clementine was halfway down the stairs when she heard her mother and Uncle Digby talking.
    â€˜Who’s Mr Doncaster?’ she asked as she leapt off the bottom step and onto the flagstone floor. ‘And why is the council giving us a bad report? I thought Mrs Bottomley was the only one who gave those,’ the child said, referring to her Kindergarten teacher.
    Lady Clarissa and Uncle Digby exchanged knowing grins. ‘Mr Doncaster is the Health and Safety Inspector who is staying for a couple of days. I need you to make sure that Lavender and Pharaoh don’t wander into the guest areas,and please don’t leave anything lying about for anyone to trip over,’ her mother instructed.
    â€˜I wonder if Mr Doncaster might not be thrilled to see a pig and a cat in the kitchen,’ Uncle Digby pointed out. Although we know they don’t go anywhere they shouldn’t, he might not believe it.’
    â€˜Oh, heavens, I hadn’t even thought of that,’ Lady Clarissa said. She dreaded to think what else she’d neglected to consider.
    â€˜They can stay in my room,’ Clementine offered. She picked up Pharaoh and gave him a cuddle. The sphynx nuzzled into her neck and began to purr like a lawnmower.
    â€˜I’m not sure that’s a good idea, darling,’ her mother replied. ‘What about the back shed?’
    â€˜No, Mummy, it smells really bad,’ Clementine said, wrinkling her nose.
    â€˜Who smells bad?’ Aunt Violet asked, stomping down the stairs.
    â€˜The back shed,’ Clementine replied.
    â€˜Old socks and dirt, it’s never been any different,’ Aunt Violet said with a nod. ‘Why,may I ask, are we discussing that spider-infested dump?’
    â€˜Mummy wants to put Lavender and Pharaoh in there while Mr Doncaster is staying.’
    â€˜Over my dead body!’ Aunt Violet barked. ‘I have half a mind to put him in the shed.’
    â€˜That’s probably not a good idea,’ Uncle Digby said as he filled a large gravy boat and placed it into the oven to keep warm.
    â€˜Well, you could save yourself all this worry and just sell up to that development company that keeps pestering you, Clarissa.’ Aunt Violet walked over to the dresser and counted out the knives and forks for dinner. ‘You could buy yourself a lovely little cottage and never have to work again.’
    Digby Pertwhistle looked up from where he was straining a saucepan of carrots. ‘Where would you live then?’ he asked pointedly.
    The old woman curled her lip at him.
    Clementine gasped. ‘Sell the house? But I love our house, and Granny and Grandpa would be so sad if we left them.’
    Pharaoh leapt out of the girl’s arms and darted into the pantry.
    â€˜Darling, we’re not going anywhere. Penberthy House is our home.’ Lady Clarissa glared at the old woman. ‘Why don’t you help Aunt Violet set the table?’
    Clementine washed her hands and counted out the placemats. ‘I asked Will if he wanted to have dinner with us in the kitchen but he said he’d rather be with his dad,’ she said with a tinge of disappointment.
    â€˜I think Will’s a bit shy, darling. It’s probably for the best that Ms Spencer has some company tonight, and there’s plenty of time for the two of you to play during the rest of the week,’ her mother replied.
    â€˜We’re not playing,