Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape 5 Read Free

pictures of her long-departed grandparents on the walls in the grand entry at Penberthy House. She hoped they wouldn’t be too lonely without her chatting to them and practising her poems.
    ‘Come along, then. I’ll take you upstairs,’ said Mrs Dent.
    ‘Where are your grandchildren?’ Clementine asked as they trooped down the hall.
    ‘They’ll be back soon. I sent them to the shop to pick up some more vegetables for dinner.’
    Lavender grunted loudly at this.
    ‘Yes, I’m sure you like vegetables too, little one,’ Mrs Dent said with a laugh.
    Clementine giggled.

In no time flat, Uncle Digby had delivered the suitcases to the rooms and everyone had unpacked, ready to start their holiday. Mr Phipps towed Uncle Digby’s car to his workshop. It wasn’t a bother, as they weren’t planning to use the car at all. They wouldn’t need to, because the guesthouse was right in the middle of the village, with the beach just across the road.
    Downstairs, the sweet smell of freshly baked cakes filled the air and the long dining room table was perfectly laid with fine china and pretty floral napkins.
    ‘Mrs Dent, you really didn’t have to go to all this trouble,’ Clarissa protested when she saw the room. ‘We’d have been just as happy in the kitchen.’
    ‘Oh, my dear, I couldn’t do that to you on your first afternoon. But I might from now on, if you really don’t mind. I’ve got a beautiful old table in there – perhaps we can have breakfast and lunch in the kitchen and I’ll use the dining room in the evenings,’ the old woman suggested.
    Clementine thought Mrs Dent had the loveliest smile wrinkles she’d ever seen.
    ‘Well, I know that Clementine and Uncle Digby and I would be very happy with that, and Aunt Violet will just have to get used to it,’ said Lady Clarissa firmly.
    Aunt Violet appeared in the doorway. ‘What will I have to get used to?’ She’d changed out of the navy pants-suit she’d worn for travelling and was now in a smart pair of cream trousers with a red silk blouse and matching ballet flats. Clementine thought that she looked very stylish, although perhaps a bit overdressed for a beach holiday.
    ‘I was just saying that Mrs Dent didn’t have to go to all this trouble for us. We’d be happy taking tea in the kitchen,’ Clarissa said.
    ‘Oh yes, absolutely,’ Aunt Violet agreed.
    Clarissa was surprised to hear it. So was Clementine, who asked if her great-aunt was feeling all right.
    ‘Yes, of course. A bit thirsty, but I’m fine,’ the old woman replied. ‘Why do you ask?’
    ‘Well, at home you’re always grouching that the guests get to use the dining room and we have to stay in the kitchen,’ Clementine explained.
    ‘Just as long as I don’t have to do any work for the next week, I don’t mind where Mrs Dent feeds us,’ Aunt Violet said.
    Clementine stared at her, puzzled. ‘But you don’t do any work at home.’
    ‘I beg your pardon, young lady,’ the old woman snapped. ‘I’ll have you know I’m a very busy person.’
    ‘Usually busy complaining,’ said Uncle Digby under his breath.
    Aunt Violet spun around and narrowed her eyes. ‘I heard that, Pertwhistle.’
    ‘Why don’t you all come and have a drink and something to eat?’ said Mrs Dent. She winked at Clementine. She could see that her guests were going to keep her entertained.
    Digby Pertwhistle helped seat the ladies, as he was used to doing at home. He glanced up at Mrs Dent, and his forehead creased. ‘I can’t help thinking I’ve met you before, Mrs Dent.’
    She looked up. ‘You know, I’ve been thinking the same thing. You look familiar but I don’t recognise your name.’
    ‘Has the house always taken guests?’ Digby asked.
    The woman shook her head. ‘No, my late husband and I bought it as a family home – from my aunt and uncle, actually. They used to come here for holidays. When Hector passed away a few years ago, I turned it into a guesthouse. I couldn’t stand