Paddington, Garnet and Scout's Important Question

PADDY: *Sips tea.* "So, you are settling well here at Daddy's house, Garnet?"

 

GARNET: "Oh yes thank you, Paddy!" *Sips tea.* "Everybear is so nice here at Daddy's house, and Daddy is so lovely! How could I not be happy here?"

 

PADDY: "Oh good, Garnet, because we want you to be very happy here with us."

 

GARNET: "Well I am, Paddy. Thank you!"

 

SCOUT: *Skips up to Paddy and Garnet clutching Dolly.* "Hullo Paddy! Hullo Garnet!"

 

PADDY: "Hullo Scout!"

 

GARNET: "Hullo little Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "What are you two doing?"

 

GARNET: "We're just enjoying the garden beneath this parasol and sipping tea, here on the lawn. Daddy has a very pretty garden."

 

SCOUT: "Oh he does, Garnet! And do you like being here with us and with Daddy, Garnet?"

 

GARNET: "I was only just saying to Paddy how happy I am here, and how it shall be my forever home."

 

SCOUT: "Oh that's good!" *Smiles.* "Now Garnet. I need to ask you a very important question."

 

GARNET: "Yes little Scout."

 

SCOUT: "A very, VERY important question that is of vital importance!"

 

GARNET: "Goodness, that does sound important, little Scout!" *Puts paw to mouth.* "What is it that you need to ask me that is so important?"

 

SCOUT: "And of vital importance, Garnet!" *Nods seriously.*

 

GARNET: "Oh... oh yes of course, little Scout! What do you wish to ask me that is very, VERY important, and of vital importance?"

 

SCOUT: "Well, I need to know, do you like Little Red Riding Hood as a faerie tale, Garnet?"

 

GARNET: "Hhhmmm..." *Ponders for a moment.* "Why yes, I do like Little Red Riding Hood as a faerie tale, little Scout."

 

PADDY: *Whispering.* "That's a good answer, Garnet."

 

SCOUT: "Oh! That's good! Phew!" *Wipes forehead with back of paw.* "What a relief!"

 

GARNET: "And why exactly is that so good, and such a relief, little Scout?"

 

SCOUT: "Well, you see Garnet, Little Red Riding Hood is my most favouritest faerie tale in the whole wide world, EVER!" *Nods emphatically.*

 

GARNET: "Is that right, Little Scout?"

 

SCOUT: "Yes Garnet!" *Nods more and cuddles Dolly tightly.*

 

GARNET: *Quietly chuckles.* "I would never have guessed that." *Winks at Paddy.*

 

SCOUT: "Oh yes! It is!"

 

GARNET: "Would you like me to read you the story of Little Red Riding Hood, little Scout?"

 

PADDY: *Whispering.* "Also an excellent answer, Garnet."

 

SCOUT: *Gasps.* "Oh! Oh would you, Garnet? Could you?"

 

GARNET: "Why yes, little Scout."

 

SCOUT: *Squeals with delight.* "Oh thank you Garnet! That will be soooo much fun! I shall go and fetch the book right now!" *Skips away happily with Dolly.*

 

GARNET: *Turns to Paddy.* "Little Scout is a sweet little bear, isn't he?"

 

PADDY: "Yes he is, dear Garnet! Thank you for making him so happy today."

 

GARNET: "Oh it's my pleasure, Paddy."

 

PADDY: "I'll get Daddy to make some fresh tea for us. Reading to Scout can leave you with a parched mouth if you aren't prepared."

 

This beautiful Willow Pattern nursery tea set was made in England by the Shell China Company in the 1920s. It features four cups and saucers as well as a tea pot, coffee pot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Each piece is gilt edged and decorated with the Willow Pattern in blue, just like the life-size equivalent. It has two sister sets: a 1920s Shell China Company nursery rhyme tea set that I was given as a gift some years ago by a close friend who knows I collect nursery ware and children’s tea sets and a faerie tale set from the 1930s Shell China Company faerie tale tea set that I have built up from various sellers over time.

 

The parasol that Garnet and Paddy are sheltering under is a child's parasol from the 1920s. It has a little hand painted wooden sailor as a handle. It was made by S. Fox and Company in England.

 

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.

 

Garnet is a beautiful hand made English bear given to me by my mother for my birthday after she was selected out of the collection of a former teddy bear enthusiast. Garnet is made from garnet coloured mohair plush (thus her name), with soft russet coloured suede paws and black glass eyes. The heart locket pendant about her neck is gold, and was given to her by her former Mummy. I do hope that she will be very happy living with me. She is certainly making herself at home here, as she should.

Done