Clementine Rose and the Perfect Present 3 Read Online Free Page A

flag,’ Clementine explained.
    ‘Ah yes, your mother said that he was Sri Lankan, so that makes sense. I wonder if the bride will wear a white gown or a sari,’ Mrs Mogg said.
    ‘What’s that?’ Clementine asked.
    ‘Saris are beautiful, Clemmie. They’re sort of like a wraparound dress but far more complicated and with thousands of sparkles on the fabric,’ said Mrs Mogg.
    ‘Can you make one for me?’ Clementine asked.
    ‘I don’t think so, dear. They’re very specialised.’
    Clementine was disappointed. She liked the idea of a dress with thousands of sparkles on it.
    The doorbell tinkled and Clementine was surprised to see Joshua from school and his mother.
    ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Tribble,’ the shopkeeper called.
    ‘Oh hello, Mrs Mogg,’ the woman replied. Joshua raced to the counter, his eyes scanning the lolly jars, which contained all manner of treats. He didn’t even notice Clementine standing beside him.
    His mother reached the counter too. ‘I was wondering if you had any cardboard. I have to make his royal highness here a crown for Tuesday.’ Mrs Tribble glanced at her son, who was attempting to lift the lid on the container of red frogs.
    ‘It’s for Angus’s party,’ Joshua said. ‘I’m going to be a king.’
    Clementine felt as if she’d been slugged in the tummy. She decided to go and find Uncle Digby before Joshua noticed her.
    ‘Are you going too, Clementine?’ Mrs Mogg asked.
    Clemmie quickly shook her head.
    ‘Oh, that’s a pity. It must be for the boys,’ the old woman said.
    ‘No. It’s for girls too. Everyone’s going.’ Joshua looked at Clementine, and then poked out his tongue at her.
    He didn’t realise that his mother was watching. She placed her hand firmly on his shoulder. ‘Joshua Tribble, last time I looked you were a boy, not a lizard. Apologise at once.’
    This time Joshua’s mouth stayed closed.
    His mother tightened her grip.
    ‘Ow!’ Joshua complained. ‘You’re hurting me.’
    The woman leaned down and whispered something into his ear.
    ‘Sorry,’ he spat.
    ‘I didn’t hear you,’ Mrs Tribble said through gritted teeth.
    Joshua folded his arms and said with a scowl, ‘Sorry, Clementine.’
    Clementine said nothing.
    Mrs Mogg rubbed her hands together. ‘Ahem. Right then. The cardboard is just over in the school supplies.’
    ‘Thank you, Mrs Mogg.’ Mrs Tribble grabbed Joshua’s hand and headed for the middle of the shop.
    ‘But you said I could have a lolly,’ the boy whined.
    Clementine couldn’t hear exactly what Mrs Tribble said but she thought it sounded like she was going to give him something else.
    ‘Why don’t you have a look at some of the lovely new fabrics that came in last week, Clementine?’ Mrs Mogg suggested with a smile.
    Clementine nodded. Her tummy still didn’t feel right, but she walked to the far corner of the shop, where Mrs Mogg kept all of the material, buttons and threads.
    Everyone in the village knew about Clemmie’s sense of style. Her mother didn’t know where it came from, given that the child had arrived in a basket of dinner rolls and been adopted by Lady Clarissa. Clementine and Mrs Mogg shared a love of pretty things. The elderly woman had made Clementine lots of dresses and other bits and pieces over the years. Mr and Mrs Mogg had never had any children, so Clementine was the closest thing they had to a granddaughter and they adored her.
    ‘How are you getting on back there, Digby?’ Mrs Mogg called. ‘Is there anything I can help you with?’
    Mrs Mogg’s shop was always pleasantly heated but today Digby Pertwhistle felt as if he’d walked into a blast furnace. Tiny beads of perspiration formed on his temples and he hastily wiped them away with the back of his hand.
    ‘Yes, thank you, Margaret,’ he called back. ‘Would you mind locating me some lemon-coloured soap?’
    A few minutes later, with Mrs Mogg’s help, Uncle Digby had managed to find everything on Clarissa’s list and was