In a not so leafy suburb of Bristol the sun was shining. Spring had eventually arrived and was now content to sit back with its feet up and watch the world come to life. Peace reigned, or might have if it were not for the sound of yapping dogs, busy lawn mowers and some kids arguing in a nearby hot-tub. Behind firmly closed windows and doors the Smiths were having a well deserved rest following what Mrs Smith had described as a 'particularly stressful period of holiday packing'. She now lay stretched out on the sofa, resting her back and pinning a large ball of fir, teeth and claws to her bosom in a vice like grip. It was her usual battle to convince the cat that this was where it really wanted to be for the next half hour. The cat for its part knew that it had little choice in the matter so bided it's time, glowering at her mistress with muscles tensed ready to spring free. She had long since learnt that there was little to be gained from struggling, and even less by deploying her weapons of mass destruction, unless of course it wanted to stay outside for a prolonged period behind a firmly locked cat flap. For the moment all she needed to do was allow Mrs Smith to relax, doze off, and then make her escape. Like a finely set mouse trap she now lay there in all innocence but with calculated intent.
Oblivious to the titanic struggle of wills going on below, Mr Smith sat contentedly in the upstairs office polishing his camera equipment and humming tunelessly to himself.
Into this idyllic picture of urban life, where time sauntered by like an out of work adolescent with its hands in its pockets, came a small force. It knew nothing of Newton and his First Law of Motion, but that didn't matter because the universe had been sorting out all that sort of detail long before apes had decided to walk upright or even pick up a pencil. Suffice to say that no body (or bodies) could be allowed to remain at rest when poked by a small force, especially when it is applied to a button.
The front doorbell rang.
At this point inertia, as was its want got in the way of Mr Newton as the only discernible change to the status quo was that the cat's ears twitched, Mrs Smith stopped snoring and Mr Smith muttered something unintelligible under his breath. After a momentary pause, time resumed its leisurely pace.
Not content with the outcome of its first attempt, a second gentle force was applied, coupled with a slam of the letterbox for good measure. Mrs Smith opened one eye and relaxed her grip, the cat bolted and Mr Smith dropped the lens he had been polishing. Realising that any chance for a quiet afternoon were now over, time resumed its normal pace.
“Who is it darling?” called Mrs Smith.
“I'll let you know when I get there shall I?” replied Mr Smith and thumped down the stairs in such a way as to let whoever had disturbed their rest know that a warm welcome was decidedly, unlikely. Opening the front door he looked down the drive and into the street beyond. Nobody was in sight.
“The doorbell must be faulty,” he called over his shoulder. “Nobody's here.”
“Ahem,” came a somewhat timid voice. “Good afternoon Mr Smith, how lovely to see you again.”
If the owner of the voice had been expecting an equally cheery reply then they were somewhat disappointed by the rolling of Mr Smiths eyes, a heavy sigh punctuated by a simple statement of fact.
“Paddington.”
After a long pause for added effect Mr Smith remembered his manners. Composing his thoughts he kindly asked after the little bears health and enquired upon the reason for his visit on such a fine afternoon.
“Granny Smith mentioned that you were soon to head out on another grand adventure and I thought that you might like the pleasure of my company?”
At this point Mr Smith's manners took another short vacation leaving the mouth to hang open and intelligible speech to fail him.
“Who er..., Why um..., But ah… before eventually pointing to the doorbell and saying “How ah, er...” and then falling silent to stare at Paddington.
The bear, noting that Mr Smith was having a particularly hard time coming to terms with his arrival, helpfully pointed out that he had very much enjoyed their previous excursion together and this time he had even come prepared. To add emphasis to this last statement he lifted up a suitcase for Mr Smith to inspect.
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| Paddington held up his case |
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