Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend 7 by Jacqueline Harvey

Clementine Rose sat in the front row of the assembly hall. Her schoolmates fidgeted and chatted as a stream of teachers took their seats on the stage. Poppy and Sophie were talking about their holidays but Clementine’s new friends, Tilda and Teddy Hobbs, were unusually quiet. The twins and their big sister, Araminta, had moved into the cottage at the end of Clementine’s road during the term break. Today was their first day at Ellery Prep and the start of a new school year.
    Clementine felt a tug on her sleeve. Tilda pointed at the man sitting at the end of the row of teachers. ‘What’s his name?’
    Clementine shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before.’
    The man wore a smart grey suit and a purple tie with yellow flowers. His wavy, chocolate-coloured hair skimmed the back of his collar. He noticed the girls pointing and smiled at them.
    â€˜I think he saw us,’ Tilda said with a giggle. ‘He looks nice.’
    Clementine nodded. ‘I like his tie.’
    Miss Critchley stepped up to the microphone. Clementine’s tummy fluttered but she wasn’t nearly as worried as she had been this time last year. This wasn’t her first day of Kindergarten – now she was one of the big girls.
    The head teacher beamed at the bright-eyed crowd. ‘Good morning, children.’
    Clementine thought Miss Critchley looked as beautiful as ever in her red dress and matching red heels. Her long brown curls were pulled back into a ponytail.
    â€˜Go-ood mor-ning, Miss Critch-ley,’ the group chorused.
    â€˜I hope you all had a lovely holiday and that you’re looking forward to a wonderful year.’
    Rows of heads bobbed up and down, like puppets on strings.
    â€˜Now, I am sure you’re all eager to know who your teachers will be,’ Miss Critchley said. She looked at the front row of students. ‘I can hardly believe you’re in Year One – it only seems like yesterday that I was welcoming you into Kindergarten. Who can remember last year, when you met Mrs Bottomley?’
    â€˜Who could forget Bossy Boots Bottomley?’ Joshua blurted.
    Laughter spread like a wave through the assembly hall.
    Angus Archibald poked Joshua in the ribs. ‘That’s my nan you’re talking about.’
    Miss Critchley gave them an icy stare. ‘Boys, that’s quite enough.’
    Clementine looked at the row of teachers and wondered where Mrs Bottomley was. Shewas probably getting things ready for the new Kindergarten class, Clementine decided.
    A hand shot up in the second row.
    â€˜Yes, Nigel?’ said Miss Critchley.
    The boy pointed at the man with the purple-and-yellow tie. ‘Who’s that?’
    â€˜I was just about to introduce Mr Smee,’ said Miss Critchley. She motioned for the man to join her at the microphone. ‘Children, this is Mr Roderick Smee and he’s going to be teaching …’ She paused. ‘Year One.’
    There was a gasp from the children in the front row.
    â€˜Yes!’ Joshua pumped his fist in the air. ‘A boy teacher.’
    â€˜That I am,’ Mr Smee replied with a grin.
    â€˜Mr Smee has lots of experience,’ said Miss Critchley. She looked straight at Joshua and Angus and wiggled her eyebrows. ‘So don’t go thinking that he’s a pushover just because he smiles a lot.’
    The Year One students nodded.
    â€˜Could you tell us a few things about yourself,Mr Smee?’ asked Miss Critchley. ‘It’s lovely for the children to get to know the teachers.’

    â€˜Well, I play the guitar and I like making movies, and reading is just about one of the best things you can do,’ said the man with a big smile. ‘And I can’t wait to meet everyone in Year One.’
    The children watched him, wide-eyed.
    â€˜He’s cool,’ said Joshua Tribble. It came out much louder than he had intended.
    Mr Smee winked. ‘Thanks,