Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box 6 by Jacqueline Harvey Read Free Book Online Page A

Clementine, Araminta and the twins took Lavender for a walk around the garden while the adults chatted.
    â€˜I’m so excited about the fete,’ Araminta said. ‘But I don’t think we’ve got anything much for the jumble sale.’
    Clementine’s face lit up. ‘We have heaps,’ she said. ‘In the attic.’
    â€˜Of course,’ Tilda said. ‘There’s loads of stuff up there.’
    â€˜Me and Tilda can help you sort it out,’ Teddy said.
    â€˜I can too,’ Araminta added. She didn’t want the little kids to think she was a complete scaredy-cat.
    â€˜Can you hold Lavender for a minute?’ Clementine passed the little pig’s lead to Tilda and ran over to where her mother, Uncle Digby and Mrs Mogg were busy discussing the best position for the cake stall.
    â€˜Mummy,’ Clementine called, interrupting the threesome.
    â€˜Clementine,’ her mother looked at her with a frown. ‘What do you need to remember?’
    Clementine bit her lip. ‘Excuse me, Mummy.’
    â€˜That’s better,’ said Lady Clarissa.
    â€˜Mummy, can we have a clear-out for the jumble sale?’ Clementine was bouncing about with excitement.
    â€˜Yes, of course. Do you have some toys you’d like to donate?’
    Clementine thought for a moment. ‘Maybe. But I meant in the attic.’
    Lady Clarissa nodded. ‘That’s a wonderful idea, Clementine. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.’
    â€˜We can finally get rid of some junk,’ Uncle Digby chimed in. ‘And then we’ll have room to take some more junk up there.’
    Clementine giggled. ‘Can Mintie and the twins help me? We can sort it all out.’
    â€˜If it’s all right with Basil and Ana, yes, absolutely. But there’s a lot,’ Clarissa said. ‘It might take a while.’
    â€˜And not all of it’s worthless, my dear,’ said Uncle Digby. ‘I think you’ll find some treasures.’
    Clarissa nodded. ‘I could send the really valuable things off to auction and we can add that money to the fund for the hall too.’
    Aunt Violet approached the group at that moment. ‘What auction?’ she asked.
    Clarissa explained.
    â€˜And what exactly are you planning to do with the money?’ Aunt Violet asked.
    â€˜Mummy said that we can donate it for the hall,’ Clementine said.
    â€˜I don’t think so,’ Aunt Violet protested. ‘You should be using it to fix that wretched bathroom I have to share.’
    â€˜We’ll see about that,’ Clarissa said firmly. She turned to her daughter. ‘Clemmie, would you rather have a new bath or ballet lessons?’
    Clementine’s eyes lit up. ‘That’s easy, Mummy. I want to do ballet. In a red tutu.’
    â€˜Of course you’d want that,’ Aunt Violet said with a sneer. ‘I’d much rather have a bath without scratching my bottom.’
    Digby Pertwhistle and Mrs Mogg smiled at one another.
    â€˜What are you smiling about, Pertwhistle? Your bath is fine. And you don’t have to share it either,’ Aunt Violet grumbled.
    â€˜Thank goodness for that, Miss Appleby. I can’t imagine sharing a bath with you,’ said Uncle Digby. He winked at Mrs Mogg.
    â€˜Digby Pertwhistle, you cheeky thing,’ Mrs Mogg laughed. ‘Oh well, I’d best get over to the shop.’
    â€˜Bye, Mrs Mogg,’ Clementine called.
    â€˜Bye bye, dear,’ said the old woman, waving.
    Lady Clarissa looked at her watch. ‘It’s time for us to get home too. We’ve got guests arriving in an hour. Clementine, we won’t be able to start any sorting until Sunday afternoon, when the weekend rush is over.’
    â€˜Heavens, I’d almost forgotten,’ Uncle Digby said. ‘But I think the house is in order.’ He frowned at Clementine, raising his eyebrows. She had a habit of leaving things in