Paddington and the Happy Ending... Maybe...

PADDY: "Daddy, do I really have to keep wearing this patterned headscarf and knitted yellow shawl?"

 

DADDY: "Just for a little while longer, Paddy."

 

PADDY: "But Daddy, playing the part of Mother Paddy the wicked and ugly witch in Scout... err... Scoutpunzel's faerie tale is demoralising!" *Sighs heavily.* "I feel like a 1940s housewife with this scarf wrapped around my head!"

 

DADDY: "I know Paddy, but it makes Scout... err... Scoutpunzel and Peter... err... Prince Peter, happy. As Scoutpunzel said, somebear has to play the witch, and that mantle of the role, or rather the knitted yellow shawl, fell upon you." *Giggles.*

 

PADDY: "Not funny Daddy!" *Waves paw admonishingly at Daddy.*

 

DADDY: "But soon, when Prince Peter and Scoutpunzel ride off to live happily ever after, you can take off the headscarf and shawl."

 

PADDY: "Do you promise, Daddy?"

 

DADDY: "Yes Paddy!"

 

PADDY: "Good! Then I can live happily ever after too, not being the wicked and ugly old witch!"

 

DADDY: "You were never wicked or ugly, Paddy. Even wearing your headscarf and shawl, you still look cute." *Giggles.*

 

PADDY: "Daddy! You aren't helping!" *Gives Daddy a hard stare.*

 

DADDY: "Now, just gaze into the crystal ball in front of you, Paddy, and we'll conjure up Prince Peter and Scoutpunzel. Are you ready?"

 

PADDY: *Sighs.* "Ready, Daddy."

 

DADDY: "Now say the magic spell."

 

PADDY: "Crystal ball, crystal ball in my paws, show me Prince Peter and Scoutpunzel."

 

CRYSTAL BALL: *Shimmers, sparkles and glows with magic, and shows Prince Peter and Scoutpunzel riding away through the enchanted Vosbergen forest on a unicorn.*

 

PADDY: "There they are. I wonder what they are saying?" *Listens closely.*

 

SCOUTPUNZEL: "I'm so glad you saved me from that old mean witch with her ugly patterned headscarf and knitted yellow shawl! Prince Peter, my very best friend. I hope never to see her again!"

 

PRINCE PETER: "You are now safe Scoutpunzel. We are in the forest The Vosbergen which means we are almost home. You never have to see that old mean witch with her ugly patterned headscarf and knitted yellow shawl again!"

 

SCOUTPUNZEL: "What a brave prince you are Prince Peter!"

 

PADDY: "Well I never!" *Effronted.*

 

DADDY: "Eavesdroppers never hear good of themselves, Paddy."

 

PADDY: "The nerve of those two! I didn't think I was all that ugly, even if I do look like a 1940s housewife! If I had real magic, I might be inclined to cast a spell on them."

 

DADDY: "Well, isn't it lucky you don't, Paddy. Everybear deserves a happy ending!"

 

PADDY: "Including me, Daddy! Now, may I please take off the patterned headscarf and knitted yellow shawl, Daddy?"

 

DADDY: "Yes, Paddy. A happy ending for everybear."

 

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.

 

Thank you Marian Kloon (on and off) for the use of Peter and Scoutpunzel's image in my photo montage.

Done