Read Online Clementine Rose and the Pet Day Disaster 2 by Jacqueline Harvey - Free Book Online

Angus, who had a very loose grip on the lead. ‘I don’t know if that boy would be strong enough to hold the pup if something took his fancy.’
    Sophie nodded. She wanted to say something but the words just wouldn’t come out.
    The Queen looked at the silent girl closely. ‘Are you all right?’
    Sophie nodded again.
    ‘I don’t bite, you know,’ the Queen grinned.
    Sophie nodded for a third time and was very cross with herself.
    There were only a couple more pets at the end of the line, including Esteban, Fergus’s python. When Queen Georgiana reached him she stooped lower to make eye contact. Mrs Marmalade stepped away from the creature with a look of horror.
    ‘Good grief, Marmalade, it’s a python not a viper. Cute as a button too.’ The Queen touched the serpent on the end of his scaly nose.
    Fergus grinned broadly.
    Mrs Marmalade shuddered.
    The Queen concluded her inspections and moved over to confer with Miss Critchley, who was holding a blue ribbon.
    There was a lot of nodding and smiling between them before Queen Georgiana took the microphone. ‘It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Cutest Pet at today’s Ellery Prep Pet Day is . . .’ There was a long pause as the Queen cast her eye over the entrants one last time.
    The audience members all held their breath.
    ‘I must tell you that it was a terribly difficult decision and if I had my way everyone would take home a ribbon,’ said Queen Georgiana, smiling at the children.
    The audience exhaled, as if a room full of balloons had been let down at once.
    ‘But, alas, there can only be one winner.’ The group breathed in again. ‘And today that title belongs to . . . Mintie the lovely little white cat.’
    Everyone clapped. Sophie couldn’t believe it. Her jaw dropped and her mouth gaped open like a stunned cod. She had been quite sure that Lavender would win.
    ‘Sophie, close your mouth,’ her father Pierre called from the audience, ‘or you will catch some flies.’ Everyone laughed.
    Clementine smiled at her friend, and then leaned down and gave Lavender a pat. ‘There’s still the Best Dressed,’ she whispered. ‘And you’ll look beautiful in your ballet slippers.’
    Queen Georgiana strode over to Sophie, who was busy pulling Mintie out of her cage. The Queen pinned the oversized rosette onto the cat’s collar. Mintie immediately started tearing at it with her teeth. Flashes were going off as Pierre snapped pictures of his daughter and her prize-winning cat standing next to the Queen.
    ‘Would you like to say anything, dear?’ Queen Georgiana held out the microphone to the astounded child.
    Sophie could only manage to shake her head.
    ‘I see the cat’s still got your tongue.’ Queen Georgiana winked at Sophie.
    Mintie meowed loudly. It sounded rather like ‘thank you’. The audience giggled.
    Sophie’s cheeks turned bright red.
    ‘Thank you, Your Majesty,’ she whispered.
    ‘You’re very welcome, my dear. Now put that kitty away again quick smart.’ The Queen glared at Angus and his hound, who had moved to the front row. She wondered if he was entered in the next category: Dribbliest Pet.
    Meanwhile, outside, Aunt Violet screeched to a halt at the front gate. She gathered up the black bag on the seat beside her and opened the driver’s door, failing to see the ‘No parking’ sign right beside her car.
    ‘Silly child would forget her head if it wasn’t screwed on,’ she tutted under her breath.
    Digby Pertwhistle was outside helping set up the morning tea. He spotted the old woman exiting her car and scurried to meet her.
    ‘Good morning, Miss Appleby, I see you changed your mind.’
    ‘No, I did not.’ Aunt Violet peered over the roof of her expensive red car. She didn’t notice the shadow that scurried underneath the vehicle.
    ‘May I ask what you’re doing here then?’ said the old man.
    ‘I have this.’ Aunt Violet held the bag aloft. She slammed the car door.
    ‘Oh, it’s very good of you to