Dimanche Diller

Dimanche Diller
Henrietta Branford

The ebook edition of the Smarties-Prize-winning story of escape and adventure, with wicked guardians, evil plots and a lively young female heroine.When Dimanche is orphaned at the tender age of one, Chief Inspector Barry Bullpit advertises for any known relative to come forward. Unluckily for Dimanche, her real aunt does not see the message, but an evil money-grabbing imposter does. Dimanche, heir to an enormous fortune, is sent to live with the dreaded Valburga Vilemile, who tries to rid herself of Dimanche at every opportunity. But her lack of success is partly due to Dimanche's wits and courage, and partly to Polly Pugh, Dimanche's young and pretty nanny, who foils all Valpurga's attempts and helps Dimanche find long-term happiness with her real aunt.All the ingredients for a brilliant, attention-grabbing shorter novel are here; evil plots, kidnapping, wicked villains and gorgous heroines. Every chapter makes you want to shout 'Look behind you' or 'Oh no she doesn't' at almost every page turn.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BOOK

by Vivian French

Take one orphan (fun, feisty, and not in the least bit wimpy), add a wicked aunt (truly revolting and utterly vile) and a kind and enterprising nanny (full of brilliant ideas).

Mix them up with nuns, disguises and a mysterious traveller, and finally throw in Hilton Hall and millions of pounds. Result? A wonderful adventure story that’s very VERY exciting!

Vivian French

Vivian French is the author of over two hundred children’s books and several plays. She loves reading – especially books by Henrietta Branford.

To Polly

Contents (#ulink_931d3d4d-bb02-50a6-b6fd-e58ce2bab1eb)

Cover (#ub7d0f522-8d4c-5efe-aaf3-3024b56e1b70)

Title Page (#u48ef04da-3254-5733-8617-499b548b68c9)

Dedication (#uad3028e8-7b11-512e-a935-dc050fce24fe)

Chapter One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Three (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

More than a Story

Famous Orphans (#litres_trial_promo)

Aunties and Uncles… (#litres_trial_promo)

Brain-Teasers Mind Benders! (#litres_trial_promo)

Polly’s Riddles (#litres_trial_promo)

Traveller’s Tart (#litres_trial_promo)

Final Fun and Games (#litres_trial_promo)

Answers (#litres_trial_promo)

Keep Reading (#litres_trial_promo)

Also by the Author (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

One (#ulink_415cb05d-3690-5f3f-8c64-d054602e22c9)

Dimanche was three years old when Polly Pugh arrived at Hilton Hall, the house her parents had lived in before they were lost at sea when she was just a baby. And let me tell you right now, this is not one of those stories in which the missing parents turn up at the end. You must just take it from me that every now and then fate deals someone a cruel blow. It dealt Dimanche Diller several, and the first and the worst of them was the loss of her mother and father. This is how it happened.

Sailing in their yacht Hippolytus among the rocky islands of the Cyclades, the Dillers were set upon by one of those storms that seem to come from nowhere. In a matter of seconds the sea had turned from blue to purple, and billows of black cloud had blotted out the summer sky.

“Cut loose sheets, Dolores! We’re carrying too much sail,” Darcy shouted above the sound of creaking wood and snapping canvas. “Batten down the hatches! You and Dimanche man the lifeboat.”

Dimanche’s mother was nothing if not thorough, and it was her thoroughness, even in the face of mortal danger, that saved her baby daughter’s life. She bundled Dimanche into her tiny lifejacket, wrapped her in a blanket and tied her securely to the thwart. She kissed her, and turned towards her husband.

“Don’t wait for me,” he shouted. “I must belay the mizzen! You get in with Dimanche.”