Paddington, Scout and Scoutarella's Coach

SCOUT: "Paddy! Paddy!" *Excited.* "Paddy come and look!"

 

PADDY: "What is it, Scout? Are you alright?"

 

SCOUT: "Of course I am alright. Paddy! Why would anything be wrong?"

 

PADDY: "Well, usually when you call me, Scout, it's because something is... well wrong... and you need help."

 

SCOUT: "Oh!" *Puts paw to mouth.* "Well, in this case I don't need help today, Paddy! I am excited!"

 

PADDY: "Why Scout? What did you find in this pumpkin patch?"

 

SCOUT: "I found a coach, Paddy!"

 

PADDY: "A coach?" *Surprised.*

 

SCOUT: "Yes Paddy!" *Nods emphatically.* "You know, a carriage."

 

PADDY: "Yes Scout, I know what a coach is." *Looks around.* "I don't see any coach."

 

SCOUT: "Then you aren't looking hard enough, Paddy! It's right here!" *Points excitedly towards a nice ripe pumpkin.*

 

PADDY: "That isn't a coach Scout!" *Shakes head.*

 

SCOUT: "Yes it is, Paddy!" *Nods head.*

 

PADDY: "No it's not!" *Shakes head more.* "It's a pumpkin!"

 

SCOUT: "It is a coach Paddy! Don't listen to him, my beautiful one!" *Strokes pumpkin's rind with paw lovingly.* "Or rather, it could be, Paddy, with a bit of magic! It is full of potential! It could be the best coach in the whole wide world, EVER!"

 

PADDY: "Do you mean like Cinderella's coach, Scout?"

 

SCOUT: "Oh no, Paddy!" *Shakes head.* "Better than that, Paddy: Scoutarella's coach!" *Jumps up and down excitedly.*

 

PADDY: "Scoutarella?" *Alarmed.*

 

SCOUT: "Yes! That will be me!" *Pats chest with paw proudly.* "I shall be Scoutarella, and my magic pumpkin coach can drive me to the royal ball where I can dance in my very best tutu with Prince Peter, who also happens to be mijn beste vriend, and Princess Rosie, who also happens to be Prince Peter's princess! You can come too, Paddy, but no-one will dance with you."

 

PADDY: "Why not, Scout? I happen to be a very good dancer." *Disgruntled.*

 

SCOUT: "Well, for somebear who is ancient, from ye olden days when the world was black and white, you are a good dancer, but no-one dances like that any more!" *Giggles.* "Besides, somebear has to play a wicked stepsister!

 

PADDY: "Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "What?!?!"

 

PADDY: "Well it isn't going to be me, Scout!" *Folds paws akimbo across chest. "Besides, how many times must I tell you that it is rude to discuss my age in such a way! Anyway, as I keep saying, it wasn't the world that was black and white. It was the telly that was!"

 

SCOUT: "That's what you say, Paddy!" *Scoffs.* "Well... what's your magic like?"

 

PADDY: "My magic, Scout?" *Alarmed.*

 

SCOUT: "Yes Paddy! I need a faerie godbear to come and transform this pumpkin into my beautiful magical golden coach coach. That could be you... if your magic is good enough that is!" *Nods seriously.*

 

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.

Done