Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box 6 by Jacqueline Harvey Page A

head. ‘It’s not a dump any more, Aunt Violet. It’s lovely.’
    â€˜I can’t imagine it. No one’s lived there since I was a girl,’ the old woman replied.
    It was true that the place had been abandoned for years. Weeds and creepers hadwrapped around the cottage’s whitewashed walls, poking their way through cracks in the floorboards and into the house. The rafters were full of birds’ nests and a family of rabbits had made itself at home in one of the kitchen cupboards. But that was before the builders had arrived.
    Uncle Digby and Clementine had walked down to take a look at the progress the previous weekend. The house had been extended, re-roofed and repainted. Sitting in its pretty, tamed garden, it seemed as good as new.
    Clementine looked up at her mother. ‘Do you think there’ll be any children?’
    â€˜I can’t say for sure, but I thought I saw some in the back of the car,’ Clarissa replied.
    Clementine danced about on the spot. ‘Can we go and visit them, Mummy? Please?’
    â€˜Not today, sweetheart,’ said Clarissa. ‘We need to give the family some time to get unpacked and settled. Maybe we can take them a cake tomorrow to welcome them to the village.’
    Clementine felt as if she might burst. ‘I’ll help make it. It should be chocolate with sprinkles and chocolate icing.’
    â€˜Settle down, Clementine. They’re only neighbours,’ Aunt Violet said, rolling her eyes. ‘The last family I remember living there had two of the most horrible brats I’ve ever known. They used to steal apples from the trees in our garden and their dog was always up here making a nuisance of itself. It would leave steaming messages all around the place.’
    Clementine frowned. ‘What do you mean, Aunt Violet?’
    The old woman arched an eyebrow. ‘Think about it, Clementine – have you ever seen a dog writing a note? What sort of messages do they leave?’
    Clementine realised what her great-aunt was talking about and giggled. ‘Oh. But we don’t even know if this family has a dog.’
    â€˜Well, we can jolly well hope not,’ Aunt Violet said with a grimace.
    But Clementine would be very happy to have some children close by. Her two best friends from school lived in Highton Mill, and even then Poppy was on a farm a way out of the village. It would be lovely to have someone to play with after school.
    â€˜Come on, Clemmie, let’s get those sandwiches,’ called Lady Clarissa, as she walked through the front door.
    Aunt Violet marched in behind her. ‘A cup of tea would be nice too.’
    Clementine lingered on the porch a little longer. She didn’t care what Aunt Violet said. She couldn’t wait to meet the neighbours.

Clementine licked the spatula, smearing cake batter around her mouth. She scraped the bowl one last time before Lady Clarissa scooped it up and popped it in the sink.
    â€˜But, Mummy, I wasn’t finished,’ Clementine protested.
    â€˜You were about to take the colour off that bowl, young lady,’ her mother said with a grin. ‘Besides, the cake will be ready soon and we still have to make the icing.’
    â€˜Can I help?’ Clementine asked.
    â€˜Of course.’
    The tantalising aroma of warm chocolate cake filled the kitchen.
    Uncle Digby arrived back from Mrs Mogg’s store. He placed a small pile of letters on the bench and then began to unpack the grocery bag.

    â€˜Hello Uncle Digby,’ Clementine said.
    â€˜Hello. Something smells delicious,’ said the old man. ‘I think these are for you.’ He handed Clementine a packet of chocolate sprinkles.
    â€˜Thank you. Do you want to come meet the neighbours this afternoon? Clementine asked.
    â€˜I’m afraid I can’t. I have quite a bit to do. We have lots of guests arriving this weekend.’
    The timer on the bench dinged and Clementine leapt down