Read Online Clementine Rose and the Surprise Visitor 1 by Jacqueline Harvey - Free Book Online Page A

place.’ She strode to the opposite end of the bookshelf, reached up, and rested her hand on the spine of one of the books. The shelf spun around, revealing a safe buried in the wall.
    ‘I think that’s a very good idea,’ said Digby.
    ‘It’s okay, Lady Clarissa, we’re on safari,’ Jules declared. ‘Nothing can get past the wildlife photographers.’
    Lady Clarissa spun the dial and swivelled the books back into place. ‘All right, off to sleep everyone,’ she instructed, ‘or you’ll never get up in the morning.’
    Clementine kissed her mother goodnight and climbed back under the desk. Sophie followed her and Jules disappeared into his tent.
    ‘Would you like to join me for some cocoa, dear?’ Digby asked.
    ‘That would be lovely, thank you,’ Clarissa replied wearily.

T he next morning the storm had blown away and the sky was a dazzling shade of blue. Clementine, Sophie and Jules slept in until Lavender told them it was time to get up. She made the rounds, pressing her little snout onto the sides of their faces until they stirred.
    In the kitchen, Digby Pertwhistle was making tea.
    ‘Hello Uncle Digby,’ said Clementine, yawning, as the trio arrived to have breakfast. ‘Where’s Mummy?’
    ‘She’s upstairs talking to Aunt Violet,’ the old man said. ‘Did you enjoy your safari?’
    ‘It was exciting,’ said Clementine, beaming. ‘We saw some strange creatures.’
    Jules placed three photographs down on the table. He spread them out. Digby laughed.
    ‘Just as well that pig of yours is patient,’ he said, marvelling at the pictures. There was Lavender with elephant ears, Lavender with a monkey mask and Lavender wearing a tutu.
    ‘That’s a rather unusual animal to find on an African safari,’ said Digby, pointing at the one of Lavender in the tutu.
    ‘I thought the tutu might have made her look like a lion but I think she just looks like a ballerina pig,’ Clementine sighed.
    The doorbell rang.
    ‘I’ll get it,’ Clemmie yelled and raced out of the kitchen. She almost ran into Aunt Violet and her mother as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
    ‘Good heavens, young lady, you might have killed us,’ said Violet, a scowl creasing her face.
    ‘I’m sorry, Aunt Violet. You look nice today,’ Clementine said, noticing her great-aunt’s white pants-suit and stylish pink shoes.
    ‘Yes, well, I can’t say the same for you at the moment.’ The old woman shook her head.
    Clarissa opened the front door and Clementine skipped across the giant entrance hall to see who was there. A man in a uniform handed her mother an envelope.
    ‘Special delivery for Lady Clarissa Appleby from Cunard’s,’ the young man announced. ‘Please sign here.’
    Clarissa scribbled her signature and thanked the fellow, then closed the door.
    ‘What is it, Mummy?’ Clementine asked.
    ‘I don’t know, but I think we should open it together in the kitchen,’ Clarissa smiled.
    Violet was standing at the bottom of the stairs looking up at the portraits on the wall.
    Clementine stopped and followed her gaze. ‘You were lovely.’
    ‘Yes, I was, wasn’t I?’ The old woman’s eyes took on a sparkly sheen.
    ‘Do you want to have some breakfast?’ Clementine held out her hand to Aunt Violet.
    ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, I’m perfectly capable of finding my own way to the kitchen – which is where I presume we’ll be eating, seeing that the dining room is reserved for paying guests,’ Violet snapped.
    Clementine’s lip began to tremble. The old woman caught sight of her and sighed.
    ‘Oh, all right. Come along, Clementine, if it makes you feel better, you can show me the way.’
    The old woman reached down and slipped her hand into Clemmie’s. There was a spark of electricity between them. ‘Oh!’ they both gasped in unison. Clemmie giggled and looked up at her great-aunt. She stared at her face, past the wrinkles and the frown lines.
    ‘You know, Aunt Violet, it’s funny but we have exactly the