Free Clementine Rose and the Pet Day Disaster 2 by Jacqueline Harvey Page B

went.
    Aunt Violet let out an enormous sigh. As far as she was concerned the day couldn’t possibly get any worse. But she hadn’t noticed Queen Georgiana walking towards her.
    ‘Oh my goodness, dear, if I didn’t think you looked alike before, you certainly do now,’ the Queen said with a grin.
    ‘I don’t know what you mean, Ma’am.’ Violet gulped and clutched Pharaoh closer to her chest.
    Queen Georgiana touched the corner of her own lip with her forefinger.
    Violet wondered what she was doing.
    Clementine rushed over with Lavender in tow. She pointed at Aunt Violet’s face and passed her a tissue.
    ‘What? What’s the matter now?’ Violet asked.
    ‘Your lip, dear. It’s covered in cream,’ Queen Georgiana smiled. ‘Just like that naughty little fiend.’ She pointed at Pharaoh.
    ‘Oh. Thank you,’ Violet mumbled and wiped her face.
    Queen Georgiana was ushered away by her bodyguard and lady-in-waiting.
    ‘Would you like to go home, Aunt Violet?’ Clementine asked. ‘Lavender’s exhausted. And Pharaoh looks as if he could do with a nap too.’
    ‘Yes, I’m going right now,’ Aunt Violet fumed and began to stride away.
    ‘Can I come with you?’ Clementine called. ‘Mummy and Uncle Digby are staying to help clean up and I thought we could read some more of that story.’
    But Aunt Violet was in no mood to babysit. ‘No. I’m taking Pharaoh and you’re not coming.’
    Clementine frowned. Uncle Digby had disappeared inside and Sophie and Poppy were nowhere to be seen either. Her mother was near the entrance to the hall, still trying to calm Mrs Bottomley.
    Clemmie hadn’t noticed Angus Archibald skulking around behind her.
    ‘You – love – a – pig,’ Angus sniffled.
    ‘Go away, Angus,’ Clementine replied. ‘You’ve made enough trouble.’ She spun around to face the lad. It was obvious he’d been crying. She almost felt sorry for him.
    ‘I didn’t do it,’ Angus protested. ‘I didn’t.’
    Clementine wondered if maybe he was telling the truth. He had been a lot better the past few days.
    ‘Where’s your dog?’ Clementine asked.
    ‘Mum took him and I have to stay here and help clean up,’ Angus explained between sniffs. ‘Then I have to go to Nan’s and she’s really mad.’
    ‘Well, you shouldn’t have let Pharaoh out,’ Clementine admonished. ‘Aunt Violet is really cross with you too.’
    ‘But I told you. I didn’t,’ Angus huffed. ‘I found that pin on the ground.’
    The boy stared at Lavender, who was munching on some cake that Mrs Bottomley had scraped from her chest at the height of the drama. The little pig looked up at the boy.
    ‘Can I pat her?’ Angus asked Clementine.
    ‘Yes, but you have to promise to be gentle,’ Clemmie replied.
    The lad knelt down and gave the little pig a scratch behind her ear. She pressed her snout against his other hand and gave him a nibble.
    Angus giggled. ‘That tickles.’
    ‘See, she’s really lovely,’ Clementine said. ‘And she likes you.’
    Angus didn’t notice the shadow looming over them, blocking out the sun. When finally he glanced up, his face crumpled and he raced off to put a safe distance between him and Clementine’s terrifying great-aunt.
    ‘Well, are you coming or not?’ Aunt Violet had deposited Pharaoh into the car and returned to the scene of the crime.
    The child smiled up at her. ‘Oh, yes please,’ Clementine said. ‘You take Lavender and I’ll just find Mummy and Uncle Digby and let them know I’m going with you.’ She thrust the pig into Aunt Violet’s arms.
    The old woman flinched. She held Lavender out in front of her and the little pig kicked her legs about. Aunt Violet walked back to the car, where she placed Lavender on the back seat beside Pharaoh, who was locked up in his borrowed cage.
    A minute later Clementine appeared. ‘I’m ready.’ She hopped into the passenger seat and closed the door. ‘Mummy said that she and Uncle Digby will be home soon.’
    Aunt Violet