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

wantsit then she should have it,’ Lady Clarissa called. She couldn’t believe her eyes and neither could anyone else.
    â€˜It’s not just an old box. It’s my box,’ Aunt Violet snapped. ‘You should have asked me if you could sell it.’
    Clementine, Tilda, Teddy and Araminta were standing beside Lady Clarissa, watching the two old women wrestling.
    Basil and Ana were there too. Basil raised his camera to his face but Ana put out her hand.
    â€˜No, Basil, you can’t take a photograph. They’d never forgive you.’ Ana tried to stifle the grin that was tickling her lips.
    â€˜Give it to me, Ethel!’
    â€˜NO! I’m having it!’ Mrs Bottomley shouted.
    Joshua Tribble had heard the ruckus and come to investigate too. He roared with laughter at the two old women fighting.
    â€˜It’s mine!’ Aunt Violet bellowed and gave one last heave. Mrs Bottomley let go of the box and Aunt Violet went flying backwards, tumbling over Joshua Tribble.
    â€˜Cool, I didn’t know old ladies could do somersaults,’ said the boy. He crashed to the ground just as the box went soaring into the air.
    â€˜Noooooo!’ Aunt Violet landed with a thud on her bottom.
    The box fell to the ground and the lid sprang open.
    There was a collective gasp from the crowd.
    â€˜Flash!’ Tilda raced forward and looked into the box. She lifted the tortoise out.
    â€˜Is he all right?’ Clementine asked, trying to see if his shell was still in one piece.
    The little tortoise poked his head out and looked at the crowd.
    â€˜Oh, Tilda, that’s wonderful. But how on earth did he get in there?’ Ana said with a frown.
    â€˜The moving boxes,’ Basil said. ‘He must have been in one of the boxes I brought over for the attic. Poor old Flash will be starving.’
    Aunt Violet was lying on the ground moaning softly.

    â€˜Are you all right, Aunt Violet?’ Clementine looked down at her great-aunt, who opened her eyes and sat upright.
    â€˜No, of course I’m not all right. Ridiculous nonsense,’ she spluttered.
    Uncle Digby held out his hand to help her up.
    Lady Clarissa eyeballed the woman. ‘Aunt Violet, you couldn’t possibly have known that Tilda’s tortoise was in that box. So why did you want it?’
    Clementine knelt down on the grass and looked inside the box. She noticed a lump in the lining at the bottom. ‘Mummy, there’s something in here.’
    â€˜Aunt Violet?’ Lady Clarissa asked sharply. ‘Are you going to tell me what it is?’
    â€˜If my memory serves me correctly, Clarissa, I think you’ll find the missing Appleby necklace,’ Aunt Violet said with a sniff.
    There was another gasp from the crowd.
    â€˜Why didn’t you just say so, Violet?’ Mrs Bottomley pursed her lips. ‘I would have given it back to you.’
    â€˜Because I suspect someone would have liked to keep that a secret, wouldn’t they?’ said Uncle Digby.
    Clementine pulled back the lining of the box.
    â€˜Mummy, look! It’s Granny’s necklace from the painting.’ Clementine held up the dazzling jewellery. It glinted in the sunshine.
    â€˜Oh, it’s lovely.’ Lady Clarissa took the long strand of diamonds and pearls from the girl. ‘It’s even more beautiful in real life.’
    â€˜It’s mine, Clarissa,’ Aunt Violet whispered.
    Lady Clarissa shook her head.
    â€˜Aunt Violet, this was my mother’s and before that it was Granny Appleby’s and now it belongs to me. I’ve made a decision about the necklace and the matching earrings and tiara,’ Lady Clarissa said. The rest of the set had been found some months beforehand and now resided in the safe in the library.
    â€˜What are you going to do?’ Aunt Violet demanded.
    â€˜These jewels are so beautiful they should be in a museum. I’m never going to wear them and I doubt Clementine will