smiled at the child. âVery good, Clementine. Thatâs not a bad idea at all.â
âWhat about a fair?â said Mrs Mogg.
âYes, we could have a fair but it might take a little while to organise,â Father Bob replied. âIs there something we could do quickly?â
Basil leaned over and whispered in Lady Clarissaâs ear. She turned to him and smiled. âThatâs a great idea, Basil. If you think people would come?â
âAbsolutely,â he said.
âWhat about we open Penberthy House and the garden and charge visitors a fee for a guided tour?â Lady Clarissa said.
There was a murmur of approval around the room. Aunt Violet glared at Lady Clarissa.
Mrs Tribble raised her hand.
âYes?â Father Bob looked at the woman. He hoped her suggestion was sensible, given thatshe looked as if she might cry if it wasnât well received.
âWhat about a jumble sale on the lawn at Penberthy House at the same time?â she said.
âOh, godfathers no,â Aunt Violet moaned. âI donât think we want a whole lot of other peopleâs junk masking the beauty of our home.â
Mrs Tribbleâs lip began to tremble.
âI donât know, Miss Appleby. I think thatâs rather a good idea. Surely we all have some bits and pieces at home that weâd like to clear out,â said Father Bob. He gave Mrs Tribble a wink.
âYouâre not getting rid of my toys,â Joshua whined. His father glared at him.
âWhat if we have a cake stall at the same time?â Mrs Mogg suggested. âIâm sure Pierre Rousseau would be willing to lend a hand.â
âIt could be like a mini fete,â Clyde Mogg said. âInstead of a pet show, Clementine, perhaps people might pay to have their picture taken with your Lavender?â
Clementineâs eyes lit up.
âWe should take a vote,â said Father Bob.
Heads nodded all over the church.
âWho would like to support a fete hosted in the grounds of Penberthy House?â
Hands shot into the air.
Father Bob glanced around and noticed only one person without a raised hand â both of hers were firmly clasped in her lap.
âMiss Appleby, do you have a better idea?â the man asked.
Ana Hobbs turned to Lady Clarissa and whispered loudly, âWhat wonderful community spirit. Iâm so glad we moved here.â
Aunt Violet heard her and gulped.
âWell, Miss Appleby, is there something else you think we should do instead?â Father Bob asked.
Aunt Violetâs hand crept upwards and she gave an ever-so-slight shake of her head.
âSplendid,â the man said. âItâs unanimous. Now, shall we set a date?â
It was quickly decided to hold the fete the weekend after next. Mrs Mogg was put in charge of the cake stall. Mrs Tribble would coordinate the jumble sale as long as donations could be taken straight to Penberthy House. Uncle Digby agreed to help her. They could store items in the old garden shed. Basil said that heâd be happy to contact the local newspapers.
Clementine was very excited about setting up a photo booth with Lavender. Araminta and the twins offered to help. Ana offered to paint signs and put them up around the village and some of the surrounding villages too.
âWhat about you, Aunt Violet?â Clementine turned and looked at her great-aunt. âWhat are you going to do to help?â
The old woman thought for a moment. âSupervise.â
âAunt Violet, why donât you coordinate the tours of the house?â Lady Clarissa asked. âYou know the place better than anyone.â
Aunt Violet straightened her back. âYes, I suppose thatâs true. And then I could make sure that people donât go anywhere we donât want them.â
Lady Clarissa looked at Clementine and gave a sly smile. âOf course,â she said.
The villagers spilled out of the church into the sunshine.
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley