Clementine Rose and the Special Promise 11

by Jacqueline Harvey

  ‘Oh, that’s no good,’ the man said. ‘We were going to go for a milkshake and a treat at Pierre’s.’

  ‘It’s not Pierre’s anymore. It’s Roger’s,’ Clementine huffed. ‘Can we just go home?’

  Drew frowned at Clarissa, who turned around and patted her daughter’s leg. ‘Did something happen at school today?’ she asked. ‘Are you sad about not being picked to host Grandparents’ Day?’

  ‘No, I just want to go home,’ the child said. ‘Can you help me with my homework, Mummy?’

  ‘I can give you a hand,’ Drew offered.

  Clementine shook her head. ‘I want Mummy to do it.’

  ‘Okay, sweetheart,’ Clarissa said. ‘I guess our big surprise will have to wait.’ She put away the envelope she had pulled out of her handbag.

  ‘Don’t you want to know what it is?’ Drew asked.

  Clementine shook her head again.

  ‘What about you, Will?’ Drew asked.

  ‘I don’t feel like any surprises at the moment,’ Will mumbled.

  And that was that. The children didn’t say a word the entire way home, despite Drew and Clarissa’s best attempts. Once Drew turned into the gravel drive, Clementine seemed to breathe a little easier.

  ‘When are you moving into your house?’ she asked Drew as the engine shut off.

  ‘On Sunday,’ Drew replied. ‘The builder still has a few more things to do and I have a bit of painting to finish before then. That reminds me, Clarissa – can we have a look at that cupboard this afternoon?’

  Clementine sat up straight in her seat. ‘What cupboard?’ she asked.

  ‘You know the one,’ her mother said. ‘It was a servant’s bedroom a long time ago. I don’t imagine we’ll need to use it as a bedroom again, so I suggested that Drew store his things in there.’

  ‘Never say never,’ Drew said with a grin.

  Clementine had heard enough. She jumped out of the car and scampered through the back door. She dropped her bag on the floor and collected Lavender from her basket.

  ‘I need to talk to you,’ she said, and carried the little pig up to her bedroom. Lavender nuzzled into Clementine’s neck as the child told her everything.

  Lady Clarissa was perplexed. As far as she could tell, there was nothing particularly tricky about Clementine’s homework and it certainly wasn’t anything the girl couldn’t manage on her own. Perhaps she was missing Sophie even more than Clarissa had first thought.

  ‘It looks like you’re all finished, darling. Well done.’ Lady Clarissa kissed the top of her daughter’s head and pushed back her chair. She walked to the sideboard and pulled out the cutlery drawer. ‘I just need to set the dining-room table and then I’ll be right back.’

  ‘Why are we eating in there?’ Clementine asked. The dining room was usually reserved for guests and special occasions, like birthdays and Christmas.

  ‘Well, it’s a special occasion,’ Clarissa said.

  Clementine and Will glanced at each other and frowned. Drew opened the oven door and pulled out a large leg of pork nestled in among roasted vegetables. He placed the baking dish onto the bench and pierced the joint of meat with a long skewer.

  At that moment Violet Appleby walked into the kitchen. She inhaled deeply and sighed. ‘If that tastes anywhere near as good as it smells, Drew, I’d suggest you put a tenant into Crabtree Cottage and stay here permanently,’ she declared.

  Clementine’s eyes widened at the thought.

  ‘Do you need a hand with anything?’ Aunt Violet offered.

  ‘Goodness me. If I knew you were going to become such an enthusiastic assistant, I’d have asked Drew to move to the village months ago,’ Clarissa teased.

  ‘Everything’s under control,’ the man replied. ‘I’ll just get this back into the oven. I might even have a little surprise for you all later tonight.’

  Clementine blanched. ‘What surprise?’

  ‘It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you now, Clemmie,’ Drew said. He was pleased to see the child had regained her curiosity.

  ‘I’d better get that table set,’ Clarissa said.

  ‘I’ll help you.’ Clementine hopped off her chair and followed her mother to the door, slipping her hand into Clarissa’s.

  The woman looked down and smiled. ‘Are you sure everything is all right?’

  Clementine nodded. ‘I love you, Mummy.’

  A crease ran across the top of Clarissa’s nose. ‘And I love you too, sweetheart.’

  Clementine tightened her grip on her mother’s fingers as the pair walked down the hall. Clarissa felt the warmth of her daughter’s little hand in hers and felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

  Aunt Violet lifted her cutlery. ‘Bon appétit, everyone.’

  ‘That’s French,’ Clementine said. She thought of Sophie and wondered what she was doing at the moment.

  ‘Very good,’ Aunt Violet said with a smile.

  ‘So what sort of treat are we in for on Friday, Clemmie?’ Uncle Digby asked.

  ‘Just some boring songs Mrs Bottomley says old people like and Saskia being the boss,’ Clementine replied. ‘And I’m saying a poem.’

  ‘That’s wonderful,’ Clarissa said. ‘Why didn’t you tell us?’

  ‘I forgot,’ Clementine said.

  ‘What do you mean Saskia is in charge?’ Aunt Violet asked. ‘I thought you were going to be the host.’

  Clementine shook her head. ‘Mrs Bottomley chose Saskia because she has no grandparents,’ the girl explained. ‘And I muddled up my line.’

  ‘Don’t tell me that brat’s managed to pull the wool over Ethel’s eyes already,’ Aunt Violet said. ‘I’ll have a word to her.’

  ‘Please don’t get involved,’ Lady Clarissa said. ‘Just because the child was a bit tricky with us doesn’t mean she’s like that at school.’

  Drew nodded and passed her the gravy boat. ‘She might be one of those school angels and home devils.’

  ‘She was mean to Clemmie at lunchtime,’ Will piped up.

  ‘Oh, darling, really?’ Clarissa reached out and patted her daughter’s arm. It explained why she had been out of sorts when they had picked her up from school. ‘Do you want me to say something to Mr Smee?’

  ‘No! I can look after myself,’ Clementine insisted.

  Clarissa smiled at her. ‘I know you can.’

  ‘I’m going to give Will’s grandparents a call tonight and see if they can come along too,’ Drew said.

  ‘Why don’t you ask them to stay for the weekend?’ Clarissa suggested.

  ‘Meeting the parents, hey?’ Uncle Digby said, popping a piece of pumpkin into his mouth. Clarissa’s face blushed a deep shade of red.

  ‘Well, why not?’ Drew said, grinning.

  Clementine bit her lip.

  ‘I must say, Drew, I like the way you’ve glazed this pork,’ Aunt Violet said. ‘It’s got quite the bite to it.’

  ‘Yes, and this crackling is superb – although I’d better not break a tooth,’ Digby joked. ‘It’s good to have another man in the house who knows his way around the kitchen.’

  ‘Speaking of which, I’ve got a little surprise,’ Drew said.

  Clementine, who had been reaching for a glass of water, gasped at the mention of a surprise. Her arm shot out, sending the glass flying across the table. Digby Pertwhistle was out of his seat in a flash and raced off to the kitchen, bringing back a couple of clean tea towels to mop up the spill.

  ‘Sorry, Mummy,’ Clementine said, just as the shrill ring of the telephone sounded.

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Lady Clarissa said, hurrying from the room. She was gone for quite a while before she returned looking rather flustered.

  ‘Is everything all right?’ Drew asked.

  ‘I’m afraid we’re about to get a lot busier,’ Clarissa said. ‘I’ve just had a booking for a group of ladies who are coming to take art lessons in Highton Mill for the rest of the week. They had reservations at another place but apparently there was a mistake.
’

  ‘How many are in their group?’ Digby asked.

  ‘Eight,’ Clarissa replied. ‘And I know we have some other bookings later in the week too. I’m sorry, I had thought things were going to be quiet.’

  ‘Don’t apologise, Clarissa,’ said Drew. ‘It’s much better to be busy, and Will and I don’t require any looking after.’

  ‘Certainly not. You’re practically family,’ Aunt Violet said. ‘You know, when that happens, it’s all downhill from there. You’ll be hard-pressed to get anyone to make a cup of tea for you.’

  Drew smiled. ‘You know I’m very happy to make my own tea.’

  Once Uncle Digby had cleared the plates and made a trip to the kitchen, Drew hopped up. ‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ he said mysteriously.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Clementine asked.

  ‘Yeah, what are you doing, Dad?’ Will said.

  ‘You two are such little stickybeaks,’ Drew laughed. ‘You’ll see. It’s a surprise.’

  Clementine looked at Will. She wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was.

  ‘So, Will, what do you think of Ellery Prep?’ Uncle Digby asked.

  ‘It’s good, mostly,’ the boy replied.

  Digby Pertwhistle nodded. ‘It’s always tricky being new.’

  Aunt Violet rolled her eyes. ‘How would you know that? You’ve had the same job your whole life!’

  ‘Okay, eyes closed, everyone,’ Drew called from the hallway.

  Clementine shut her eyes and put her fingers over the top. But she couldn’t bear it and spread them apart a tiny bit.

  There was a small pause followed by fumbling before Drew spoke up again. ‘Clarissa, will you –’

  Clementine gasped and leapt out of her chair. She rushed to the door just as Drew walked through it. The little girl crashed straight into him and the towering confection he was carrying flew into the air, showering pastry missiles all over the room. Uncle Digby lunged forward with his arms outstretched, skilfully catching profiteroles in both hands. Aunt Violet wasn’t so lucky. One smacked against her forehead, leaving a giant splodge of yellow custard dripping down her nose. Will’s mouth fell open and Clarissa’s eyes were the size of dinner plates.

  ‘Clemmie!’ Clarissa scolded. ‘What did you do that for?’

  Clementine looked back at the mess, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I’m sorry,’ she blurted, then fled across the entrance foyer and up the stairs. She ran into her room and hurled herself onto the bed, sobbing into the pillows.

  By the time Will tapped on Clementine’s bedroom door, the girl’s racking sobs had calmed to shuddering sniffles. ‘Are you okay?’ Will asked as he sat down beside her. Lavender was sitting on the floor, staring up at her mistress.

  Clementine rolled over. ‘Is Mummy very cross?’ she asked, her voice wavering.

  Will shook his head and passed her a tissue. ‘It’s all fixed and they’re eating now.’

  ‘Really?’ Clementine’s blue eyes shone like crystal pools. ‘I didn’t mean to ruin your dad’s dessert. I just … panicked.’

  ‘Did you think he was going to ask your mum to marry him?’ Will asked.

  Aunt Violet had walked upstairs and was about to head into Clementine’s room when she heard the two children talking. She stopped just outside the door.

  ‘He said he had a surprise,’ Clementine explained. ‘And then he said, “Clarissa, will you?”’

  ‘I know,’ Will said, ‘but I think he was just going to ask her to clear a place for the dessert.’

  Clementine nodded. ‘Anyway, you said he wouldn’t marry Mummy.’

  ‘I don’t know that for sure. I was just mad because of Saskia,’ Will replied sheepishly.

  ‘Me too,’ Clementine said. ‘But what if she’s right? What if they do get married and have a baby and they don’t want us anymore?’

  Violet Appleby listened carefully. ‘Oh, those poor poppets,’ she whispered.

  ‘My dad loves me a lot and your mum loves you a lot too. Maybe they would just love us twice as much,’ Will said.

  ‘My mummy says that she loves me to the moon and back and that’s really far,’ Clementine agreed.

  ‘My dad says he loves me times infinity, which means forever,’ Will said.

  ‘So they could love us to the moon and back times infinity.’ Clementine smiled and looked at the boy. ‘I wouldn’t mind if you were my brother.’

  ‘Me either,’ Will said. He leaned over and hugged her.

  Violet Appleby poked her head around the door just in time to see the pair embrace.

  ‘You’re a really good listener,’ Clementine said, hugging him back.

  Aunt Violet dabbed at her eyes, then blew her nose, alerting the children to her arrival. ‘Is everyone all right in here?’ she asked.

  Clementine and Will turned around and nodded.

  ‘Good. Now, Clemmie, you mustn’t be worried. Your mother is not in the least bit upset, although Drew’s dessert looks like it’s been hit by a bus – or perhaps trampled by a small child in a hurry – it still tastes delicious,’ Aunt Violet assured her.

  Clementine managed a tiny smile.

  ‘Yes, and one other thing.’ The old woman paused and stood in front of the children. ‘No matter what happens in life, your parents will never stop loving you. It’s just what they do.’ She turned around and hurried out into the hallway, catching a little sob in her throat before it had a chance to escape. Then she rushed into her own room and closed the door behind her.

  ‘Do you want some smashed dessert?’ Will asked Clementine, holding out his hand.

  Clementine grinned and placed her hand in his. ‘Okay.’

  The children hopped off the bed and walked back downstairs. Clementine stopped at the first-floor landing. ‘That’s Granny and Grandpa,’ she said, pointing at the portraits on the wall. ‘They’re really good listeners too.’

  With a houseful of guests and endless rehearsals for Grandparents’ Day, the rest of the week sped by. Clementine had recited her poem perfectly on every occasion. Saskia, on the other hand, kept making up new lines and adding to her part, much to Mrs Bottomley’s displeasure.

  Life in the classroom had improved a lot too. Clementine hadn’t said a thing to Mr Smee about Saskia, but when she arrived at school on Tuesday, the teacher had already moved the girl to sit with Astrid. Clementine was glad, especially as she now got to sit with Poppy instead. Astrid didn’t tolerate one second of Saskia’s nonsense. When she caught the girl copying her work, she dobbed her in right away. Mr Smee warned Saskia that, if she continued looking at Astrid’s work, he’d let Mrs Bottomley know to find another host for the Grandparents’ Day. That appeared to be enough of a threat to keep the girl in line for a little while.

  Clementine had begun her first letter to Sophie, but was planning to finish it on the weekend and add some photographs as well. She and Will were back to their usual happy selves, and there was only one thing they were waiting for. But there had been no announcement as yet.

  On Friday morning, Clarissa and Drew accompanied the two children to school with a car boot full of cakes for the Grandparents’ Day morning tea. Clarissa had been enlisted to help set up and serve the guests, along with a few other parents. Their special reward was being able to see the concert, as the hall wasn’t big enough to accommodate parents and grandparents at the event.

  ‘Is it just me or does this week seem like it’s been going forever?’ Clarissa sighed.

  ‘You poor thing. You must be exhausted from looking after all those guests,’ Drew said.

  Clarissa shrugged. ‘At least they were lovely. They enjoyed your lasagne last night, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Me too,’ Clementine piped up from the back of the car.

  ‘Dad, remember when you picked us up from school on Monday and you were going to tell us something?’ Will said. ‘What was it?’

  Drew and Clarissa smiled at each other. ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ the man replied, w
inking in the rear-vision mirror.

  ‘I thought you two said you didn’t want any surprises?’ Clarissa teased.

  ‘Monday was a bad day,’ Clementine replied. ‘But we’re ready for a surprise now.’

  ‘Are you just?’ Clarissa’s eyes twinkled. She and Drew had thought it best to save their announcement until the weekend, when they could celebrate properly and have time to answer the inevitable bombardment of questions.

  Clementine clenched her fists in anticipation and Will raised his eyebrows, making her giggle.

  ‘Look, there’s Miss Critchley,’ Clarissa said. The head teacher was standing by the gate and waving at them. ‘I think she wants us to go to the teachers’ car park.’

  Drew turned into the driveway and found a spot. Miss Critchley, looking as elegant as ever in a pale pink silk blouse and navy trousers, hurried over to them.

  ‘Miss Critchley’s getting married in the next holidays,’ Clementine said to Will. ‘She was supposed to get married when I was in Kindy but they put it off for some reason. Do you know why, Mummy?’

  ‘Miss Critchley’s father wasn’t well but he’s better now. She’s going to be a gorgeous bride, isn’t she?’ Clarissa said.

  ‘I know someone else who’d make a beautiful bride,’ Drew said as he shut off the engine.

  Clarissa blushed and shook her head. ‘More like an ancient one,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Did you hear that?’ Clementine whispered to Will as they clambered out of the car. ‘I think they’re talking about my mum.’

  Will nodded and grinned. ‘I think so too.’

  The children said goodbye to their parents and dashed off to their classrooms.

  Ethel Bottomley waved her arms about in an attempt to wrangle some additional volume out of the children. Most inconveniently, the sound system had suddenly packed it in. The rotten thing had worked perfectly all week until now. She’d sent Angus to tell Miss Critchley, who had been helping Drew and Clarissa to set up the morning tea. When the boy alerted her to the impending disaster of a hall full of elderly people and no amplification, Drew had immediately offered to help. He had followed cords all over the place, looking for a loose connection, and was still trying to unravel the mystery when the doors at the back of the hall opened. A man with a walking stick shuffled down the aisle to take up a seat in the front row.