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

need to lie still,’ the man beside him instructed.
    ‘What happened?’ Digby asked, holding his hand to his head.
    ‘I’m not sure but we must get you to the hospital for a check-up.’
    ‘No, I can’t possibly leave now. There’s far too much to do.’ Uncle Digby’s chest tightened and the words came out as a wheeze.
    ‘Oh, thank heavens,’ Lady Clarissa exclaimed as she reached the pair and saw that Uncle Digby was conscious. ‘Is he all right, Dr Gunalingam?’
    The man was looking at his watch and taking Uncle Digby’s pulse. ‘Well, he’s awake, but I’m not prepared to take any chances. Is the ambulance on its way?’
    ‘Yes, it will be here soon.’
    ‘Is Uncle Digby going to be okay?’ Clementine asked.
    ‘Yes, darling, I’m sure he’ll be just fine. Can you run upstairs and ask Aunt Violet to come down? Someone needs to go with Uncle Digby to the hospital. And take Lavender inside too,’ Lady Clarissa instructed.
    In the distance, a siren began to wail.
    Clementine called the little pig, who came racing to the front door with her lead bumping along the ground behind her. Clementine ran up the main stairs to the third floor. She barged straight into the Blue Room.
    ‘Aunt Violet,’ she said, puffing.
    ‘Haven’t you heard of knocking? It’s not new, you know.’
    Clementine ran back to the door and rapped on it sharply.
    ‘What now?’ the old woman grumbled. ‘Can’t you see I was reading?’
    ‘It’s Uncle Digby. He fell down outside and the ambulance is coming,’ Clemmie blurted. ‘Mummy wants you to go to the hospital with him.’
    ‘Well, why didn’t you say so?’
    Clementine was confused. She did say so.
    Aunt Violet sprang into action. She stood up, smoothed her trousers and shoved her feet into her leopard-print ballet flats. Clementine had never seen her great-aunt move so quickly.
    ‘Come on then, what are you waiting for?’ the old woman asked Clementine. ‘An invitation?’
    Together they rushed down the stairs and out the door. At the front of the house, they saw Uncle Digby lying on the ground, covered by a throw rug that Clarissa had retrieved from the sitting room.
    ‘What’s the matter with him?’ Aunt Violet demanded. She stared at Digby, whose eyes were wide open and staring back up at her. ‘I thought you were dying.’
    ‘Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Appleby.’
    ‘Well, are you sick? Or did you just fall over?’ she asked tightly.
    Clarissa took her aunt by the arm and guided her away from Uncle Digby and the doctor.
    ‘Dr Gunalingam thinks Uncle Digby might have something wrong with his heart,’ Lady Clarissa whispered. ‘I don’t want to frighten Clementine but one of us has to go to the hospital with him.’
    Aunt Violet pursed her lips. ‘Don’t look at me. I’m not having Pertwhistle die on my watch.’
    ‘I don’t think that will happen but if you’re not prepared to go then you’ll have to stay here and greet the guests. There are quite a few groups about to arrive,’ Clarissa explained.
    Aunt Violet was about to tell Lady Clarissa that she couldn’t possibly be left in charge when the ambulance roared into the driveway with the lights flashing and siren blaring.
    Clementine was sitting beside Uncle Digby holding his hand.
    The old man managed a weak smile. ‘Don’t look so worried, Clemmie. I’ll be fine.’
    ‘But I don’t want you to go, Uncle Digby.’ Tears spilled onto her cheeks.
    He squeezed Clemmie’s hand. ‘Darling girl, it’s just a check-up. I’ll be back before you’ve had time to miss me. I can’t leave your mother and Aunt Violet with all of the wedding preparations now, can I?’
    Clementine shook her head. ‘No. Aunt Violet makes Mummy too stressed.’
    ‘Yes, I think you’re right about that,’ the old man agreed.
    The paramedics soon had Uncle Digby on a stretcher and ready to go into the back of the ambulance. Lady Clarissa turned to her aunt. ‘Aunt Violet, the bride and her family will be