Clementine Rose and the Birthday Emergency (8 page)

On Sunday morning Clementine awoke to the sound of the tea trolley rattling down the hallway. She looked at the empty chair beside her bed and was just wondering where her mother was when Lady Clarissa appeared in the doorway.

‘Hello, darling,' the woman said, gliding into the room. ‘Did you sleep well?'

Clementine nodded. ‘I was dreaming about the book Aunt Violet was reading to me yesterday. I can't wait to find out what happens
to Sara Crewe at Miss Minchin's. What are you holding, Mummy?'

Lady Clarissa produced a small parcel from behind her back. It was beautifully wrapped in pink paper and tied up with an aqua ribbon. ‘Happy birthday, Clemmie,' she said, and leaned down to kiss the top of her daughter's head. ‘I know this is not the way we planned to spend your special day, but we will make it up to you, I promise.'

Clementine sat up in her bed. She smiled as she tugged at the ribbon, then carefully picked at the sticky tape one piece at a time until the wrapping paper fell away to reveal a little red box.

‘It's something that belonged to my mother a long time ago,' Lady Clarissa said. ‘She gave it to me when I was your age, and I thought you should have it now that you're a big girl.'

The box was the deepest of reds with a curved top and a tiny latch, which Clementine flicked open. She pushed back the lid and gazed at the gold signet ring nestled inside the silk lining. ‘It's beautiful,' she breathed.

Lady Clarissa nodded. ‘Try it on.'

Clementine took the ring and slipped it onto her right ring finger. ‘It's perfect,' she gasped, before hugging her mother tightly. ‘Thank you so much, Mummy.'

Her mother smiled and hugged her back. ‘I'm so glad you love it. I always have. Happy birthday, darling.'

An hour later Clementine was up and dressed and engaged in a vigorous game of Snap with her mother when Uncle Digby arrived. He hid behind a huge bunch of pink gerberas and began to sing ‘Happy Birthday to You'.

Clementine giggled with delight. ‘Stop singing, Uncle Digby, or you'll wake up everyone in the hospital.'

He poked his head around the flowers and winked at Clemmie. Then he walked to the bed and gave the child a big hug.

‘They're so pretty,' Clementine said. She strained to look past the man. ‘Where's Aunt Violet?' she asked.

‘I'm not sure, dear,' Uncle Digby replied. ‘She raced off without a word this morning. It was all very mysterious.'

At that moment Sister Vivien appeared at the door with a wheelchair. ‘I thought you might like to go for a walk around the garden on this fine day,' the woman said with a smile.

‘That's a marvellous idea,' Lady Clarissa agreed.

Uncle Digby clapped his hands. ‘Indeed. It's a beautiful day out there.'

Sister Vivien picked up a parcel that was sitting on the seat of the wheelchair and took it over to Clementine. ‘Mrs Mogg popped in and left this for you. She said she was sorry she couldn't stay, but there was a problem at the shop and she needed to get back.'

‘Oh dear, I hope everything's all right,' Lady Clarissa said with a frown. ‘It's very kind of Mrs Mogg, isn't it, Clemmie?'

Clementine nodded. She picked at the sticky tape and pulled the spotted paper open, revealing the most beautiful pink dress, a sparkling tiara and matching silver slippers.

‘Mummy, it's my princess dress,' Clementine said. ‘Isn't it lovely? I wish I could have worn it to my party.'

Lady Clarissa held up the gown.

‘Why don't you put it on anyway, Clementine?' Sister Vivien suggested. ‘If you can't be a princess on your birthday, when can you?'

Clementine glanced expectantly at her mother, who nodded. She scrambled off the bed to get changed and was soon looking fit for the royal palace. Clementine climbed into the chair and Sister Vivien wheeled her into the quiet hallway.

‘I wonder where Aunt Violet is,' Lady Clarissa whispered to Uncle Digby. ‘Surely she wouldn't miss Clemmie's birthday.'

‘I was just thinking the same thing,' he replied with a nod.

The pair followed Sister Vivien and Clementine down the corridor and through a door that led into the garden. Sister Vivien pushed the chair down a long path, towards a white building at the end.

‘The hospital has the most wonderful summer house,' the woman said. ‘It's lovely to sit out here, Clementine. It will be a bit warmer than the garden. I hadn't realised there was a bit of a breeze.'

Uncle Digby frowned. He couldn't even feel a breath of wind.

Clementine considered the dark building. Although the walls were made of glass, the shutters were closed and Clemmie didn't think it looked very summery.

‘I'd rather stay in the garden,' the child said softly.

Lady Clarissa and Uncle Digby exchanged quizzical glances. They would too.

Sister Vivien pushed on, right up to the front door, which Uncle Digby opened. The place was swathed in darkness.

‘Goodness me, it's terribly gloomy in here,' the nurse tutted. ‘These shutters should be open. I just need to find the switch. I think it's right … here.'

All of a sudden the lights flickered on and the entire place erupted. ‘SURPRISE!'

Clementine recoiled in her chair, and her mother and Uncle Digby almost went through the roof in shock. The child's eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. Glittered bunting crisscrossed the ceiling, which was filled with balloons, and her princess posters and Uncle Digby's
Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate
adorned the walls. Best of all, every single one of Clementine's friends was there, calling and shouting and wishing her the best birthday ever.

Clementine turned and looked at Lady Clarissa. ‘Mummy, you're so tricky.'

The woman shook her head. ‘I'm afraid it wasn't me, darling.'

Clementine turned to Uncle Digby, but the man held up his hands. ‘Don't look at me, Clemmie. I had nothing to do with it.'

‘Then who?' Clementine scanned the room.

She saw Mrs Mogg and Father Bob, and there was Ana and Pierre and Odette and Tilda and Teddy, Mintie, Poppy, Sophie, Angus and all her friends from school.

‘Mummy, look at Lavender!' Clementine exclaimed when she spotted the little pig dressed as a pirate and cradled in Basil's arms.

‘Drew! Will!' Clementine gasped when she realised it was them. Will was dressed up as a pirate, with a parrot on his shoulder and an eye patch too. His father had on a black beard and a wooden leg. The pair grinned and waved at Clementine.

The noise died down and all eyes turned to the birthday girl. The crowd parted and there, standing to one side of the room, was a beautiful princess in a floor-length navy gown and a sparkly tiara atop her head.

‘Who's that?' Clementine gasped. She looked closer and suddenly realised exactly who it was. ‘Aunt Violet!' Clementine pushed herself out of the chair and rushed to the
woman, throwing her arms around her waist. ‘You got dressed up and you said you wouldn't.'

Violet Appleby, her cheeks aglow. ‘Actually, it was quite good fun trying on some of my old gowns.'

‘Did you do all this?' Clementine stared up at her great-aunt, her eyes like pools of blue ink.

‘Well, I had some help from Peg Leg Ethel here,' Aunt Violet replied, pointing at one of the pirates.

Clementine looked over and couldn't believe her eyes. ‘Is that you, Mrs Bottomley?'

‘Aye, it most certainly is,' the woman replied in a perfect pirate voice.

‘That rascal there was in on it too.' Aunt Violet gestured to a pirate with a long beard and a tricorn hat.

‘Mr Smee!' Clementine cried out.

Lady Clarissa shook her head in wonder. ‘Aunt Violet, you're incredible.'

‘So that's what you've been up to,' Uncle Digby said.

Clementine looked at the table groaning
under the weight of treats and all the beautiful decorations.

‘I love you, Aunt Violet.' Clementine hugged the woman tightly.

‘I love you too, Clementine. Happy birthday,' Aunt Violet whispered back. She brushed her hand across her face and sniffed before snapping back into action. ‘Right, let's get this party started, shall we? Pertwhistle, Clarissa, your costumes are in the room at the back there. Might I suggest you both hurry up and get changed, or you'll ruin the whole atmosphere,' the woman barked. ‘Joshua Tribble, get your hands out of that lolly jar. We'll eat when I give the go-ahead. Mr Smee, you're on. Games are your thing. Ethel, hit the music. I'm exhausted.'

Basil passed Lavender to Clementine. The little pig squealed loudly.

‘Fancy having two emergencies in the one week and your birthday too, Clemmie,' Uncle Digby said, smiling at the child.

Clementine giggled. ‘You know, Uncle Digby, this is the best birthday emergency ever!'