AN: I didn't really expect this to see the light of day again, but apparently at least one person remembers it from Tumblr and has requested I put it up. So this is a short, light hearted bit of nonsense based on a fic prompt of Winnie and Nerys coming to London to visit Delia after the end of Little Things Mean a Lot. It will only mean anything if you've read that I'm afraid! If you like it let me know and I'll post the other chapter too, otherwise we can leave it here! :)

'I'm home! Sorry I'm so late, I couldn't get away. You'll never believe the conversation I just had with Mrs Chirrish on my way back. Honestly, you'd think she was doing us the biggest favour allowing us to help her with her pregnancy the way she goes on. I've half a mind to- Delia? Sweetheart what on Earth's the matter? You look as though you've just seen a ghost'.

'Oh Pats it's awful. I don't know what we're going to do. I really don't see how we can get out of it'.

'Out of what? Do tell me what's going on Delia, it can't be as bad as all that'.

'It's... I got this letter through today and... well, I think you'd better read it for yourself'.

…

Darling Dilly,

I can't believe you're already gone! Neenaw and I are simply inconsolable, it isn't at all the same here without our Daffadown Dilly! It seems only days ago that Sister Davies told us you'd accepted a place at The London and were to be transferring within the month, but now you're actually gone! I suppose you must be arriving at your brand new flat even as I'm writing this, and saying hello to the girl you're boarding with. I do hope you'll get along and that she will be sweet to you. I wonder if the two of you will become twinsies like Neenaw and I? I hope so because I tell you Dilly, if you find a best friend like that there is no need for boyfriends at all. I think most of us would be happier with a really good girl friend than a steady chap, don't you? Boys are just so noisy and make all sorts of strange smells! (Neenaw's brothers are bad enough when they come to visit, I'd hate to actually livewith a boy!). Oh but isn't this girl the one you went to the seaside with? Patty is it? So I'm sure you are already the best of friends. Have you given each other nicknames yet? Did you tell her yours is Dilly? I'm sure she won't mind yout keeping it and I don't mind at all if she shares it – as your new roomy she's almost one of us now after all!

It must help to know someone, and I suppose you did used to live there, but I can hardly believe that you've really gone all the way to London. I don't know how you're not scared to go so far. But of course I am mad with jealously that you're going to walk the very same London streets where Christopher Robin played 'not walking on the cracks' (because hundreds of bears are waiting to eat the sillies who walk on the lines of the street, so watch out Dilly!). And you'll get to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and gosh just imagine seeing Big Ben and Westminster every day, it's all so grand!

Speaking of our dear friend Christopher Robin and the bears, my little Daffy Bear (the one you gave me Dilly darling, do you remember? I named her in remembrance of you and your daffodil dress) is sitting happily on my pillow next to Pinky (my cuddly poodle) and they are already great friends. I only wish I had a cuddly friend to send you to remember me by now you're off in the big city! But perhaps we can do one better than that after all. Neenaw and I have some leave coming up and we were saying just last week how we'd love to spend it exploring London. We thought we wouldn't be able to (because it's so far away and so big and we didn't like to try and find a respectable sort of boarding house without knowing anything about it first), but then Neenaw reminded me that of course, we didn't needto find a guest house because who was in London but our very own sweet Dilly? So how about it sweetie-pea? Might we come and stay? Not for a few weeks of course, I know you'll need time to settle in to your new home, but we simply can't waitto see you again and hear all about your life there, and of course we'd just love to meet our soon to be good chum Patty! Just think of all the fun the four of us could have together! Let us know which days would be best for us to come and we'll arrange it with Sister Davies right away. You mustn't worry about space if your flat is small, Neenaw and I are happy to share a bed, it will be like camping!

Lots and lots of love

Pooh Bear

xxxxxxxxxxxx

…

'...Patsy? You've been quiet ever such a long time. Please say something'.

'Oh Delia, how could you?'

'I know it's not ideal, but I didn't actually invite them. You can see, she's just sort of invited-'

'Not THAT. I mean how could you? All this time I thought we were so close, and now I find out!'

'What? We ARE. Oh Patsy whatever do you mean? Find out what? You've gone bright red. What have I done?'

'It's what you haven't done! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN ME A NICKNAME YET! I FEEL SO BETRAYED DILLY!'

'You rotten creature Patience Mount, I really thought you were angry with me!

...Oh look you'd better stop laughing and help me answer it properly.

...Patsy. I mean it!'

'But... but D-Dilly... it's just. Oh it's just so perfect. Oh goodness that has made my morning, I can't breath!'

'You'd better stop that right this minute and help me work out a way to let them down gently or I shall make you personally escort the pair of them all round London by yourself, and then you WILL get your nickname!'

'You wouldn't'.

'I might. How does this sound? "Dear Pooh Bear, I'm afraid I will be working all weekend as the hospital is quite overstretched at the moment, but my darling roomie PeePee would be delighted to show you the sights of London! Please stay as long as you like as she is absolutely dying to spend lots and lots of time with you. Love Dilly, xxx"'

'Delia! You promised never to refer to me as PeePee! We had a deal!'

'Yes, well, that was before you were so utterly unhelpful in dealing with this catastrophe. And if you don't help now you will have to endure it all politely because as exasperating as they are I won't have you hurt their feelings with your sharp tongue!'

'Yes, alright, I surrender! No more laughter I promise. Just... give me a moment to catch my breath'.

'Alright, let me see the letter again. Goodness I half feel as though they must be pulling your leg a bit. They can't be for real!'

'You say that because you haven't met them. They are absolutely for real and don't seem to realize that other people don't think the way they do. They really are sweet girls and can even be quite good fun in small doses, but I don't know how I'd cope with a few days of their company without respite, and as for you. Well, I'm afraid one way or another having the three of you in close proximity would end in tears'.

'You really think I'd be cruel to them? They're you're friends Delia, and I know how to behave. I'm not such a monster as all that am I?'

'I think it can be very hard not to be cruel to them. Or at least to get a little short tempered, which they take to heart and view as cruelty. Don't you remember them falling out with me simply because I snapped at Winnie when I was upset? It isn't you being unreasonable that I'm afraid of. Besides, this is your home too Pats, and I want it always to be somewhere you look forward to returning to, not somewhere you feel trapped by unrelenting visitors'.

'Even so, I really don't think we can say no without causing a great deal of offence and upset, especially if they are as sensitive as you say. Perhaps if they realize the reality of the East End they won't be quite so keen to come? Winnie seems to think you're living in Knightsbridge the way she talks about London'.

'I suppose that might work'.

'There we are then. And if not... well, we will make the best of it'.

'Really?'

'Really. But I have to warn you if they call me PeePee I will not be responsible for whatever tantrums ensue, because I will be correcting them. I love you Delia, but that is a step too far'.

'Understood'.

'Right then. Cup of tea? I'm quite parched and you look as though you could do with one after all this trauma! Then we'll sit down together and come up with some truly shocking East End horror stories to send back to the Hundred Acre Wood'.

'Please'.