PADDY, JAGO and DAISY-MAUD: "Hullo Scout! Hullo Emmett!"
SCOUT: "Oh! Hullo Paddy, Jago and Daisy-Maud!"
EMMETT: "Hullo Daisy-Maud, Jago and Paddy! Daisy-Maud, may I have a cuddle?"
DAISY-MAUD: "Of course you may, Emmett!" *Cuddles Emmett.*
EMMETT: "Thank you Daisy-Maud! You give the best hugs."
PADDY: "What are you doing, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Oh Emmett and I are writing our Christmas lists for Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear."
PADDY: "That is very oranised, Scout."
SCOUT: "Well, you cannot be too prepared for Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear, Paddy!" *Nods seriously.* "Especially when it comes to wishes!"
JAGO: "Scout's list looks quite long Daisy-Maud." *Peers at Scout's Christmas list.*
DAISY-MAUD: *Whispers.* "Yes, but Emmett's page is blank." *Peers at Emmett's page with concern.*
PADDY: "Let's see what is on your list, Scout." *Looks at Scout's list.* "Tutus, a Red Riding Hood teapot like Mama Kim's." *Looks at Scout in alarm.*
SCOUT: "What?!?!"
PADDY: "Daddy gave that teapot especially to Mama Kim, Scout!"
SCOUT: "Well, he should have given it to me instead, Paddy!"
*Nods emphatically.*
PADDY: "I'm not sure that is how it works, Scout."
SCOUT: "Well, it should do, Paddy." *Nods more.*
PADDY: "Well, let's keep going through your list. Tutus." *Pauses.* "Oh I think you might have made a mistake, Scout."
SCOUT: "Me!" *Horrified.* "A mistake?" *Indignant.* "Never!"
PADDY: "Well, you have listed tutus twice, Scout."
SCOUT: "No I haven't, Paddy!" *Shakes head.*
PADDY: "Yes you have, Scout, at number one and number three on your list." *Points to entries on the list with paw.*
SCOUT: "No I haven't, Paddy!" *Shakes head more.*
PADDY: "Yes you have, Scout!" *Points again.* "Look there!"
SCOUT: "I don't need to look at my list to know that I haven't listed tutus twce, Paddy!" *Shakes head.* "I have listed tutus four times! They are also at number five and number seven on my list."
PADDY: "But why, Scout? Surely once is enough."
SCOUT: "No it isn't Paddy! Father Christmas is quite ancient, like you, and the Christmas Bear is very busy helping make up for Father Christmas' ancientness! If they skim read my list they may miss that I want tutus if I only list it once."
PADDY: "Oh!" *Surprised.*
DAISY-MAUD: "Umm... Scout," *Tentatively.* "Chocolate isn't spelt like that."
SCOUT: "What?"
DAISY-MAUD: "On your list, Scout: you have spelt chocolate incorrectly."
SCOUT: "Oh pooh!" *Disappointed.* "Well, I'm sure the Christmas Bear can work out that I am asking for chocolate. He's a very smart bear, you know, Daisy-Maud."
DAISY-MAUD: "Oh I know, Scout."
JAGO: "But Emmett, your list is empty."
PADDY: "Empty, Emmett?" *Alarmed.*
EMMETT: "I know, Jago and Paddy." *Smiles happily.*
PADDY: "But why, Emmett?"
DAISY-MAUD: "Don't you want anything nice from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear, Emmett?"
EMMETT: *Shakes head.*
JAGO: "Isn't there something you are wishing for, Emmett?"
EMMETT: "What could I possibly wish for, Jago, that I don't already have? I have everything I need, or ever wished for right here."
JAGO: "You have, Emmett?"
EMMETT: "Yes, Jago!" *Smiles broadly. "When I was in the orphanage for bears in Shropshire, I had many bear friends, and there was plenty of food to fill my grumbly tummy, so I was quite happy. However, all I wished for, juts like everybear there, was to have a Mummy or Daddy of my very own to love me and give me kisses and cuddles."
PADDY: "And now you have that with Daddy!"
EMMETT: "Yes, Paddy! I do! I'm so happy now! And if that weren't enough, I have a family with all of you, and I have a best friend in Funky at Mummy Marian's house! I have everything I have ever dreamed of, and ever so much more!"
DAISY-MAUD: "Oh Emmett!" *Tears well in eyes.* "That is so lovely! I am so touched. I shall give you another cuddle just for that!"
EMMETT: "Oh I'd like that Daisy-Maud!"
DAISY-MAUD: *Cuddles Emmett.*
SCOUT: "There must be something you want, Emmett! I can't have a full list, and you have nothing on yours!"
EMMETT: "But I just said, Scout, I don't need anything."
JAGO: "Well, perhaps you would like some sweets like Scout has on his list."
DAISY-MAUD: "Or chocolates."
PADDY: "Or tutus."
SCOUT: "Paddy no!" *Alarmed. * "Emmett can't ask for tutus, too!" *Shakes head vehmently.* "Rosie and I are asking for tutus, and I'm sure there are only so many tutus to go around!" *Concerned.* "I don't want to miss out!"
PADDY: "Alright Scout. Not tutus, Emmett."
DAISY-MAUD: "There must be something that you want, deep in your heart of hearts, Emmett."
EMMETT: *Sighs deeply.* "Well, there is one thing I'd love."
PADDY, DAISY-MAUD, JAGO and SCOUT: "What Emmett?"
EMMETT: *Sighs again.* "Well, I had a friend at the orphanage for bears in Shropshire called Edgar. I sometimes wish that Edgar was here too. I wish I could share all that I have with him. He is a very lovely, softly spoken bear who wears a pretty floral bow tie. He is very kind and gentle, and I know he would love all of you, and you would love him. I also know he would love my best friend Funky, and Funky would love Edgar too!"
PADDY: "Well, why don't you put that on your list, Emmett?"
JAGO: "Yes, a capital idea, Emmett!"
DAISY-MAUD: "I agree, Emmett."
EMMETT: "Oh, I couldn't ask Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear to bring Edgar all the way here, Paddy, JAGO and Daisy-Maud! They will be far too busy filling Scout's wishes, and Rosie's and all of yours!"
DAISY-MAUD: "Well, there is no harm in asking, Emmett."
SCOUT: "I think you should write it down, Emmett. I think it would be a good idea. It's almost as good an idea as me asking for tutus and a Little Red Riding Hood teapot like Mama Kim's!"
JAGO: "I think you should write it on your list."
EMMETT: "Edgar and I had a friend called Benjamin. Do you think I would be greedy if I asked Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear to bring him to Daddy's house too?"
DAISY-MAUD: "No, I don't think so, Emmett. In fact, I think that Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear would be pleased that you have been so selfless in your wish, Emmett."
SCOUT: "Are you suggesting that I am being selfish, asking Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear for tutus and a Little Red Riding Hood teapot like Mama Kim's, Daisy-Maud?" *Indigant.*
DAISY-MAUD: "Oh no, Scout!" *Shakes head.* "All I am suggesting is that your list is more... err... what Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear would expect from little bears around the world, whereas Emmett's wish is a little bit different to the usual."
SCOUT: "Gosh! I hope that lots of bears around the world don't ask for tutus, or there will be a tutu shortage!" *Puts paw to mouth in concern.*
DAISY-MAUD: "I'm sure you won't miss out, sweet Scout."
JAGO: "Emmett, write down on the top of your list that you wish for Edgar and... and... what is the other bear's name again?"
EMMETT: "Benjamin, Jago!"
JAGO: "Thank you! Write down on your list that you would like Edgar and Benjamin to come and stay here with you, at Daddy's house."
DAISY-MAUD: "Yes do, Emmett!"
SCOUT: "Just don't write down tutus on your list, Emmett."
EMMETT: "Not even if I write down that I wish for you to have them, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Best not risk it, Emmett." *Shakes head.*
EMMETT: *Writes that he would like Edgar and Benjamin to come and live with him at Daddy's house.*
JAGO: "Well done, Emmett."
DAISY-MAUD: "Indeed, very well done, sweet Emmett."
EMMETT: "But Paddy, what if Daddy doesn't like Edgar and Benjamin coming to stay with us?"
PADDY: "That won't happen if Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear fulfil your wish, Emmett." *Shakes head.*
EMMETT: "But how do you know, Paddy?"
PADDY: "Because Daddy has a saying, Emmett."
EMMETT: "What is it, Paddy?"
PADDY, SCOUT, DAISY-MAUD and JAGO: "There is always room for one more bear!"
EMMETT: "But Edgar and Benjamin and two bears!"
PADDY: "There is always room for two more bears!" *Nods emphatically.*
Scout's Christmas present from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear in 2022 was a beautiful 1930s Little Red Riding Hood tea set for six. It was made by an unknown maker in Stoke-on-Trent. Not all the set is being used today. It features beautiful, brightly coloured transfers of different parts of the faerie tale.
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.
Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.
Daisy Maud is Jago's little sister and was made by the same friend in England who made him. She is made of German mohair with floral fabric cotton paw pads that match her pretty sunhat, and glass eyes. A sweet and loving little girl bear, she is happy to be reunited with her big brother, Jago, and enjoys being spoiled by her new Daddy.
Made by Merrythought in England, Emmett is a charming little bear, sweet and smiling, crafted from multi-tonal marl grey mohair and featuring golden velvet paws. He is accessorised with a classic tartan woollen scarf. He is number 23 or a limited worldwide edition of 200.
