Clementine Rose and the Perfect Present 3 by Jacqueline Harvey Page B

behind her, the two little girls wore the prettiest white dresses, which were tied at the waist with large purple bows. Their tiny brother wore a black suit with a sparkly purple bow tie.
    ‘You all look beautiful,’ Clementine gasped. She remembered her conversation with Mrs Mogg at the shop. ‘Is that a sari?’
    ‘That’s right, Clementine.’ The woman spun around to show off the whole garment.
    ‘It’s so pretty,’ Clemmie said.
    A man carrying a huge camera skirted the group at the top of the stairs and walked halfway down. He pulled out the tripod legs and set up to take some photographs.
    ‘We’ll take some more shots inside the house before we head out into the garden,’ he instructed.
    He arranged the children on the stairs in front of the bride. Clementine watched, spellbound. When they finally moved into the front sitting room for some seated pictures, Mrs Gunalingam whispered something to the photographer.

    ‘Yes, of course, ask her to join us.’
    ‘Clementine, would you like to have a picture with Harriet and the children?’ Mrs Gunalingam asked.
    Clementine clapped her hands together. ‘Yes, please.’
    The man showed the group to their positions and then snapped away. Clementine beamed for the camera.
    Mr and Mrs Fox arrived downstairs with Uncle Orville. Clementine decided that she would go and find her mother, Aunt Violet and Mrs Mogg, and let them know that the wedding was about to start. They could watch from the garden.
    Lavender was snuffling about Clemmie’s feet as she entered the kitchen. She clipped the little pig’s red lead onto her collar. She thought she’d better not risk upsetting the guests by allowing Lavender to wander around on her own.
    Outside, a large group of people had gathered in the walled garden for the ceremony. Clementine admired all of the gorgeous outfits; there were women wearing sparkly saris like Mrs Gunalingam’s and others dressed in pretty gowns. The men looked handsome too. And Mr Smote was smiling as he watched on from the side. The rain had cleared and the sun was shining.
    Clementine stood between her mother and great-aunt as Harriet Fox and her father walked down the makeshift aisle behind the three dark-haired children. A string quartet played and Clementine thought it was the most beautiful music she’d ever heard.
    Everyone oohed and aahed as Aksara tried to scatter rose petals from a little basket. He soon grew tired of his job and tipped the basket upside down, dumping a pile of petals onto Uncle Orville’s foot. The guests roared with laughter.
    During the ceremony, the bride and groom said a lot of words before exchanging rings. Then they kissed. Clementine closed her eyes. Kissing was yucky.
    Afterwards, the guests moved into the marquee while the bride and groom posed for photographs with their family. Clementine loved watching the children climb up onto the lions outside the tent for a special picture.
    ‘Well, that’s that then.’ Mrs Mogg smiled at Clementine. ‘What did you think?’
    ‘It was beautiful. I can’t wait to be a bride. But I don’t want to have to kiss a boy.’ Clementine screwed up her face at the thought.
    Aunt Violet raised her eyebrows. ‘I think that’s a long way off, young lady.’
    ‘I should think so.’ Her mother laughed and squeezed her hand.
    ‘I don’t know about you lot, but there’s a warm fire and a cup of tea inside,’ Mrs Mogg said. She turned to go.
    ‘That is an excellent plan,’ Aunt Violet nodded.
    Clementine shivered. ‘Won’t they be cold out here in the tent?’
    ‘Oh no, I had a quick peek earlier. Would you believe they have heaters in there? At least if it rains it will be drier than inside the house,’ Mrs Mogg declared.
    ‘Perhaps you should leave the tent up, Clarissa, and we can all move in there,’ Aunt Violet suggested, raising her eyebrows playfully.
    ‘You might be right about that, Aunt Violet. We’ll have to move out when I can afford for the roof to be