Paddington and Scout Receive a Visitor

*Knock. Knock. Knock.*

 

SCOUT: "Paddy! Paddy who is at the front door?"

 

PADDY: "I'm not sure, Scout."

 

SCOUT: "Daddy says that we are not to open the door to strangers." *Puts paw to mouth in concern.*

 

PADDY: "Hullo! Who is at the door please?"

 

VOICE FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR: "Hullo Paddy! It's me, your cousin Paddington!"

 

PADDY: "Oh Cousin Paddington!"

 

SCOUT: "It could be a trick, Paddy!" *Tugs on Paddy's sleeve.* "Like the Big Bad Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood!"

*Looks concerned.*

 

PADDY: "Nonsense Scout! There are no Big Bad Wolves here!" *Opens front door.* "Cousin Paddington! How do you do? Please, do come inside."

 

COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Oh thank you Paddy! How do you do?"

 

PADDY: "What brings you here Cousin Paddington?"

 

COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Well Paddy, I was on my way to the airport to fly and stay with some friends when I was told by a very nice policeman that I would no longer be able to travel to stay with them."

 

PADDY: "Oh yes Cousin Paddington! We have heard about these travel bans from the news reporter on the telly!"

 

COUSIN PADDINGTON: "So you see Paddy, I need somewhere to stay right now whilst we wait for these travel bans to be lifted. Might I come and stay with you? I have nowhere else to go."

 

SCOUT: "Nowhere else Cousin Paddington?" *Puts paw to mouth in shock.*

 

COUSIN PADDINGTON: "No! I have been caught in transit, Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "Oh how terrible! Well, I'm sure Daddy won't mind if you stay with us for a little while Cousin Paddington. He won't will he, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "No, I'm sure he won't, Scout. Please come and have some elevenses with us Cousin Paddington. You must be quite tired and hungry after your long journey."

 

COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Oh thank you Paddy. I must confess that I do have a grumby tummy!"

 

SCOUT: "Grumbly tummy Cousin Paddington! Grumbly tummy Paddy!" *Giggles.*

 

My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.

 

He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.

 

Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.

 

Cousin Paddington is a recent visitor to our family. Travelling all the way from London, he was caught in transit thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, so it looks like he is stopping with us for a while. The more I look into his happy, smiling face, the more attached I am becoming to him.

Done