Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box 6 (4 page)

As the grandfather clock struck two, the doorbell rang. Clementine and Lavender skittered out of the kitchen to the front hall.

Clementine wrenched open the door and saw Basil, Ana and their three children standing on the porch.

‘Hello, please come in,' Clementine said. She made a slight bow. Lavender gave a small grunt.

‘Thank you, Clementine.' Basil doffed his stylish trilby hat.

Ana smiled but the children only had eyes for Lavender. They were just about bursting with excitement.

‘Oh my goodness, she's adorable!' Araminta exclaimed. ‘Can I hold her?'

Clementine nodded and bent down to pick up the little pig.

She passed Lavender to Araminta, and the pig immediately snuggled against the girl's chest. Tilda scratched the creature under the chin and Lavender repaid her with a nibble.

Teddy jigged about excitedly. ‘She's so cute. Mummy, can we have one?'

Ana shook her head. ‘I thought we'd settled on a dog and some chooks, and we've already got Flash.'

Lady Clarissa came through the hall and joined them. ‘Hello everyone. Welcome to Penberthy House.'

Basil was busily gazing about the foyer. His eyes came to rest on the Appleby family portraits lining the stairs.

‘That's Granny and Grandpa,' said Clementine. She pointed at a regal-looking couple halfway up the wall. ‘And that's Aunt Violet when she was young and beautiful. She's not like that any more.'

‘I heard that, Clementine,' a sharp voice echoed from the upstairs landing.

‘Oops!' Clementine covered her mouth and everyone exchanged grins.

‘And what is going on down there?' Aunt Violet's head appeared over the banister rail.

‘Aunt Violet, I'd like you to meet our new neighbours,' Lady Clarissa said.

‘You didn't tell me you'd invited anyone over, Clarissa.' The old woman walked downstairs. ‘Especially since I told you not to,' she muttered to herself.

‘Aunt Violet.' Lady Clarissa's voice was stern. ‘This is Basil and Ana Hobbs and their children Araminta, Teddy and Tilda.'

‘Yes, yes, lovely to meet you all,' Aunt Violet said wanly. The old woman reluctantly shook hands with Basil, then looked at Ana. She studied
the woman's face and it was as if a light came on. ‘Oh my heavens. You're Anastasia Barkov.'

Ana nodded. ‘That's what I was called professionally.'

‘Good heavens, Clarissa, why didn't you tell me that our new neighbour is the recently retired prima ballerina of the Royal Ballet?' Aunt Violet demanded.

‘I'm afraid I didn't know,' Lady Clarissa apologised.

‘Please, I wouldn't have expected you to,' said Ana. Her ears and cheeks turned a matching shade of pink.

‘The woman's a national icon, Clarissa. I suppose that's the trouble when you spend your life out here in the country, devoid of all culture,' Aunt Violet said. ‘I myself love the ballet. If only I were able to get up to the city more often. I have a subscription, you know.'

Clarissa eyeballed her aunt. That subscription had been cancelled along with various other luxuries her aunt could no longer afford.

‘No wonder you were planning on starting a ballet school,' Clementine said. ‘But now the hall's burnt down.'

‘The hall?' Basil queried, clearly unaware of the drama. ‘When did that happen?'

‘Last night,' Clementine said. ‘There were huge flames and lots of smoke and a fire truck and everyone in their pyjamas. Mummy and I went for a walk this morning, and there's a big pile of burnt wood where the hall was.' She nodded emphatically.

‘Oh dear,' said Ana. ‘That's terrible.'

‘Clementine, I thought we'd planned to break the news gently,' her mother said.

Clementine's face fell.

Ana noticed at once. ‘It doesn't matter, Clementine. It might just delay my plans a little. I'm sure they'll rebuild the hall.'

‘The rate anything happens around here, my dear, I wouldn't count on starting that school any time soon,' Aunt Violet said. ‘Perhaps you'd be better off to find another venue.'

‘I've already investigated lots of other
places and the Penberthy Floss Village Hall seemed to be the only space available. We'll just have to postpone, I suppose.'

Clementine didn't like that idea at all. She was keen to start ballet lessons as soon as possible.

‘Please, why don't you all come and have something to eat,' Lady Clarissa suggested.

Digby Pertwhistle had just popped the kettle onto the stove when Clarissa appeared in the kitchen with the guests.

She quickly introduced him and asked that everyone take a seat. Clementine had to show the children Pharaoh first, of course.

‘He looks weird,' Teddy whispered.

Clementine nodded. ‘I know. He's a sphynx. They've got no hair. But he's lovable and he's Lavender's best friend apart from me.'

‘What are you whispering about, Clementine?' Aunt Violet demanded.

‘Nothing.' Clementine shook her head. She knew from experience that it was better not to comment aloud on Pharaoh's appearance.

‘Why don't you show the children where to wash their hands, and then come and sit down,' Lady Clarissa suggested.

She placed a large strawberry sponge cake in the middle of the table. There was another platter of brownies to follow and some homemade honey jumbles too.

‘Goodness me, Clarissa, you must be the world's best baker,' Ana commented.

‘I can't take credit for all this. Pierre Rousseau owns the patisserie in Highton Mill. He delivers cakes and bread for Mrs Mogg to sell in the shop so I snapped up the sponge this morning. The brownies and honey jumbles are mine but they're a cinch.'

Clementine and the children returned and quickly sat down, eyeing off the tasty treats.

‘That's still impressive,' said Ana. ‘I don't cook.'

‘Not at all?' Clarissa said.

‘No. Basil is in charge of the food at our place. With all my touring and strict diets and the like, I'm sad to say it's not something
I've ever mastered. Maybe you could give me some lessons?'

‘Of course not,' Aunt Violet said briskly. ‘A performer such as yourself, dear, has no mind slaving over a hot stove. I don't believe in it either.'

‘But you're not a ballerina, Aunt Violet,' Clementine said. ‘You just don't like cooking.'

Aunt Violet wrinkled her lip and looked away. ‘And what about you, Basil? What's your line of work?'

‘I'm a filmmaker,' the man replied.

‘Oh, fascinating.' Aunt Violet was paying the new neighbours far more attention than anyone might have imagined. ‘Feature films?'

‘Documentaries,' Basil said.

‘Oh. How … educational.' Aunt Violet barely disguised her disappointment.

‘Actually, I was thinking I'd like to make a film about Penberthy House,' Basil said.

‘A film about our house?' Clementine asked, her eyes widening.

Aunt Violet's did too. ‘Really?' A smug smile began to form.

‘Well, I'm sure it has a wonderful history and from the little I've seen so far, the house seems mostly original.'

‘That's just a polite way of saying “tatty”, Basil,' Lady Clarissa said, smiling.

‘No, not at all. This place is a gem and I'd love to uncover everything about it. Of course, I need your permission, Clarissa. I'd want to feature the family too,' Basil explained.

Uncle Digby looked at Lady Clarissa, who in turn looked towards Aunt Violet, who was preening her hair and looking very satisfied with herself.

‘I don't know, Basil. We've always been quite a private family,' Lady Clarissa said.

‘How can you say that, Clarissa?' Aunt Violet snapped. ‘You've opened our beautiful home so that all the riffraff under the sun can stay here.'

‘It could be very good for business, Clarissa,' said Uncle Digby.

‘Yes, Mummy, imagine if we were on the
television. Lots of people would want to come and see Lavender and Pharaoh,' Clementine enthused.

‘Can I have some time to think about it, Basil?' Lady Clarissa asked.

‘Yes, of course. I'm busy for the next couple of months anyway. We couldn't start shooting for a while yet.'

‘Well, that will give you some time to get things in pristine order, won't it, Clarissa?' Aunt Violet looked at her niece. ‘We'd want the house looking her best. And perhaps, Clementine, you can convince Mrs Mogg to make me something new to wear. I'd like to look my best too.'

‘Are you in possession of a time machine, Miss Appleby?' Digby Pertwhistle gave the woman a wry smile.

‘Very funny, Pertwhistle.'

The adults around the table did their best to smother smiles.

‘Why does Aunt Violet need a time machine, Uncle Digby?' Clementine asked.

‘I don't. Pertwhistle just wanted to borrow it so he could travel back and locate his hair,' the old woman quipped.

This time everyone laughed out loud. Even Uncle Digby.

Clementine and the children soon finished their afternoon tea and began fidgeting in their seats.

‘Mummy, may we go up to my room?' Clementine asked. She was keen to show her new friends around the house, just as the children had shown her their home the day before.

Lady Clarissa nodded. ‘Yes, of course, darling. I'm going to give Basil and Ana a tour in a little while.'

‘I could do that,' Aunt Violet offered. ‘Wouldn't you prefer to get on with the washing up?'

Clarissa glared at her aunt. ‘No, Aunt Violet. The washing up can wait. But you're welcome to join us if you'd like.'

The old woman's mouth puckered.

Uncle Digby offered everyone some more tea.

‘See you later,' Clementine said.

She darted away and the three Hobbs children followed her up the back stairs to the landing.

‘What's up here?' Araminta asked.

‘This is where the guests stay.' Clementine said. ‘My room's on the next floor.'

She raced up the second flight of steps and along the corridor. Clemmie's room was at the front of the house, overlooking the garden. It was a large space with high ceilings and a pretty bedstead. She had a beautiful old rocking horse, which had been in the family longer than anyone could remember, and a
doll's house that Aunt Violet said had been given to her as a child.

‘What a lovely room,' Araminta said.

‘This used to be Aunt Violet's bedroom when she was a little girl,' Clementine explained.

Teddy climbed up on the rocking horse and Araminta and Tilda explored the doll's house. After a few minutes, Clementine offered to show them the rest of the house.

The group followed Clementine back into the corridor, where she pointed out the bedrooms belonging to Uncle Digby, her mother and Aunt Violet.

Araminta looked towards a little door at the end of the hall. ‘What's through there?' she asked.

‘The stairs to the attic,' said Clementine.

‘The attic?' Teddy's face lit up. ‘What's up there?'

‘Lots of stuff. Do you want to see it?'

‘Yes, please,' the twins chorused.

Clementine opened the door and walked into a small corridor with a staircase. She flicked on the light.

Araminta hung back a bit. ‘Is it dark?'

‘No.' Clementine shook her head. ‘But there's lots of junk.'

Teddy looked at Tilda and winked. ‘I don't know. It looks pretty dark to me. And spooky. Don't you think, Mintie?'

Araminta frowned.

‘Don't look so scared, Mintie. If there are any ghosts Teddy and I will protect you.' Tilda grabbed hold of her big sister's hand.

Araminta didn't want to believe in ghosts, but if they were ever going to see one, surely it would be in the attic of a grand old house like this. She hated that her little brother and sister were so much braver than she was.

Clemmie led the way. ‘Wow!' she exclaimed. ‘I can't see sunlight through the slates any more.'

But her visitors weren't remotely interested in the newly repaired roof.

They reached the top and Clementine flicked on another light switch.

The three visitors couldn't believe all of the
things that were jammed into the enormous space.

‘Look at this.' Teddy ran over to a large dome, which contained a stuffed pheasant.

One side of the room was taken up by a row of old wardrobes.

‘What's in those?' Araminta asked hesitantly.

‘Dress-ups,' Clementine said. She guessed what was troubling the older girl. ‘No ghosts.'

Clementine opened the closest wardrobe and pulled out a long ball gown. It was pink and had faded flowers around the neckline.

Araminta and the twins gasped as they realised that the whole wardrobe was crammed with clothes, and so was the next one and the one after that.

‘That one there has hats,' Clementine said and scurried over to open it. She pulled out a black bonnet and popped it on her head.

‘That's so cute,' Tilda giggled.

As well as the wardrobes, there was all manner of furniture, knick-knacks and household items.

‘Look at this vacuum!' Teddy exclaimed. He picked up the handle. ‘It looks like a spaceship.'

‘What about this?' Tilda had pushed her way further into the room and located a gigantic globe of the world on a timber stand.

‘There's a better one in the library,' Clementine said.

All of a sudden Araminta squealed.

‘What's the matter?' Clementine called.

‘Did you find a ghost?' her little brother teased.

Araminta hesitated. ‘There's … there's a … creature …'

Clementine knew at once what the girl was looking at. ‘No, that's just Theodore. He won't hurt you.'

‘Are you sure?' Araminta squeaked. ‘He looks real to me.'

Clementine closed the wardrobe door and hurried over to the girl. Tilda and Teddy followed her.

‘Wow,' Teddy laughed.

‘Hello Theo,' Clementine cooed. ‘This is Mintie and the twins, Teddy and Tilda.' Before her was a stuffed warthog complete with tusks.

‘Where did it come from?' Tilda asked, a look of horror on her face.

‘Great Grandpa Appleby went on a safari to Africa a long time ago. Theo used to live in the library but Mummy said that he upset too many of the guests, so now he has to live up here.'

Araminta gulped. ‘Are there any more creatures?'

‘No.' Clementine shook her head. ‘Mummy gave Boo to a museum. He was a lion.'

‘I think it's awful how in the olden days people used to shoot wild animals just so they could have them stuffed and put in the lounge room,' said Araminta.

‘That's what Mummy and Uncle Digby said too. Uncle Digby said that people weren't as smart about animals back then and they didn't realise they could become stink,' Clementine explained.

‘Do you mean “extinct”, Clementine?' Araminta asked with a smile.

‘Oh.' Clementine giggled. ‘That's what I meant.'

The children continued their explorations until they heard Lady Clarissa's voice.

‘Clementine, are you up there?'

‘Yes, Mummy,' Clemmie called back.

There was the sound of footsteps on the stairs and Lady Clarissa appeared at the end of the room.

‘Goodness me, darling, I'm so pleased that you're showing off the most beautiful parts of the house.' Lady Clarissa shook her head. ‘Have you taken the children to see the library and the sitting room?'

‘Not yet,' Clementine said. ‘We were going there next.'

Tilda's head popped up. She was wearing a striking pink hat with a long peacock feather sticking out of the top. Teddy had found himself an old triangular hat, which looked like it was from a navy uniform.

‘It's fun up here,' the girl grinned.

‘Yeah, it's way more exciting than our attic,' Teddy added.

‘I just think it's an awful mess. One of these days we're going to have to sort it out,' Lady Clarissa replied with a smile. ‘I'm glad you're having fun, but I have to interrupt it. We're all going to walk over to the village. Mrs Mogg called to say there's a meeting at the church to talk about the hall.'

Tilda and Teddy put their hats back into the wardrobe and the children made their way through the maze of bric-a-brac to Lady Clarissa.

‘Is Aunt Violet coming, Mummy?' Clementine asked.

‘Yes, I think she's having a lovely time with Ana and Basil,' Lady Clarissa replied.

Her aunt was being far more hospitable than usual. Clarissa had a sneaking suspicion that it had more to do with Ana being a famous ballerina than anything else.

‘Can we take Lavender?'

‘Yes, she needs a walk. Why don't you run along and get her ready. I'll take the children downstairs and show them the library and the sitting room and we'll meet you at the front door in a few minutes.'

Clementine nodded and scurried off.

The Hobbs children followed Lady Clarissa.

A few minutes later, the Hobbses and Applebys gathered out the front of Penberthy House.

‘It's really a splendid house, Clarissa,' Basil enthused.

‘Thank you, Basil. We love her, even though she's a bit worn around the edges,' Lady Clarissa smiled.

‘So you'll think about the film then?' Basil's eyes twinkled.

Lady Clarissa nodded.

Aunt Violet tutted. ‘Really, Clarissa, you should give Basil the go-ahead right away.'

‘I'm a little surprised by your enthusiasm, Aunt Violet,' said Clarissa. ‘When you realised that I'd opened the hotel you were less than
impressed about sharing Penberthy House with anyone.'

‘Well, that was different. Basil's team won't be nearly as invasive,' said Aunt Violet.

‘I'm afraid we will be,' Basil said earnestly. ‘The crew will have to stay here while we're filming, and I'll be doing lots of research to uncover everything I possibly can about the house and the family.'

‘So you'll have to find out why Aunt Violet came to live with us,' Clementine said.

Aunt Violet's jaw dropped. ‘That's quite enough, Clementine. My living here is of no interest to anyone.'

‘I'm afraid you're wrong about that,' Basil said, rubbing his beard. ‘People love a human interest story.'

‘Yes, well, we'll need some more time to think about things won't we, Clarissa?' Aunt Violet glared at her niece, who could barely contain a smile. The old woman stalked off down the driveway. Basil frowned at Ana in puzzlement, wondering what Aunt Violet was hiding.

‘Do you want to hold Lavender's lead?' Clementine asked Teddy.

‘Yes, please,' the boy said.

‘That pig is so cute,' said Araminta, as she and her younger sister walked along behind.

Lavender turned and gave a little grunt just as Araminta spoke.

‘She always knows when someone is talking about her,' Clementine said with a smile.