I said I probably wouldn't finish this today...and I haven't. But I couldn't resist sharing another little chapter with you. LONG LIVE ANDITH!
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way to the success of Andith Fest 2017, but most especially to Lady Tarlea/ShowTunesDream for organising it and running it and being a heroine.
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When Paddington woke the next morning, he was a bear with a very sore head…as was Stewart. But despite Anthony's entreaties, Stewart insisted on getting up and fulfilling his duties as a kind of self-inflicted punishment for getting squiffy on duty, and leading Paddington into bad habits too. It was the first time Paddington had ever got drunk, and, he promised himself, it would definitely be the last. Stewart brought him glasses of iced water and made sure the bear had ice packs to soothe his head.
Downstairs, Anthony, Edith, and Celia talked about the House of Peers.
"We really need to know from Matthew what the feeling is in the House. Do they intend to stand in the bill's way? And if so, who wants to stop it becoming law as it stands at present" declared Celia. She was having the time of her life, feeling useful and important and being surrounded by smart friends. She knew that returning to her own household would feel dull and unexciting in comparison. Her husband was a boring civil servant who had refused point blank to help with Paddington's cause. Here at Strallan House was Paddington and all his adventures, but there was also the thought that she might be able to help her sweet, sad brother find real love.
"I'm not sure Matthew is the right person to ask really" said Anthony. "I mean it might be asking too much of him. He's only a young barrister just making his way in the world."
"I hear that he's much more in demand now thanks to the opportunity you have given him" said Edith.
"I'm glad of that, I really am. Still, I think what we really need is someone in the House of Lords to keep an ear to the ground for us." They all looked at Edith, knowing that the obvious person, her father, was against them.
"Dickie Grey; Lord Merton!" exclaimed Edith. "He's Mary's godfather, and he's a bit sweet on Matthew's mother, Isobel."
"That's a brilliant idea, Edith!" said Anthony. "Could you get hold of him do you think?"
"I have his contact details, but I think it might be better coming from Isobel. I'll speak to Matthew."
So Edith spoke to Matthew who was happy to help because he wanted to show Mary that he could stand up for himself.
Matthew spoke to his mother who was happy to help because she wanted to support her son, and because she thought the cause was a just one and she just loved causes.
Isobel spoke to Richard Grey who was happy to help because he wanted to impress Isobel.
Before the week was out Lord Merton was back in the House of Lords, hanging around the bars and restaurants and lobbies and making small bear talk with anyone he could.
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"The majority of the bishops think the law is totally against Scripture, but there aren't that many of them, and some of them are very vocal in their more modern interpretation that all of creation was created equal. I think they will balance out in the end."
Dickie was having dinner at Strallan House a few days before the vote in the Lords, bringing them up to date with his findings.
"You seem to have done a good job of convincing the cross-benchers. The Marquess of Salisbury was particularly impressed. Otherwise it's a bit of a guess. Chaps seem to be playing their cards close to their chests."
They were quiet, thinking about this.
"Everyone, except your father, Lady Edith. Robert seems to have been touched by the Devil. He is spouting fire and brimstone like some hellfire preacher. I didn't know he could be so passionate about something."
"Oh dear" mumbled Edith.
"Well, actually, my dear, it seems to be having the opposite effect to that which Robert desires. Chaps are beginning to see him as a bit, well, touched. They're comparing Robert's ranting and raving to Paddington's quiet dignity and reason and coming to their own conclusions."
"Oh poor Papa!"
Paddington put his paw around her shoulders.
"If it would help heal the rift between you and your father, Lady Edith, I would be willing to step back and not follow this bill through."
"Oh Paddington!" she sobbed "oh Paddington. I can't accept that. We're so close to winning. It wouldn't help at all; it would only make Papa even more insufferable. The only thing that could bring him to his senses now…is a miracle."
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But sometimes miracles happen.
The day before the vote, Paddington, Edith, Matthew, and Anthony were outside of the Palace of Westminster having a few last minute meetings with undecided peers when suddenly the atmosphere changed.
Robert was standing right next to the small group. The other peers mumbled their goodbyes and quickly got away.
"Aren't you going to introduce me, Edith?"
"My lord, I would be delighted to do so, if that is your wish." Turning to Paddington, she said "Mr Paddington Bear, this is Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, my father. My lord, Mr Paddington Bear."
Robert humphed at Edith's studied formality, but didn't comment on it. Instead he looked at Paddington very closely.
"Haven't we met before?"**
"I do not think that I have had the pleasure, my lord. I'm sure I would have remembered" Paddington replied, beginning to give Robert a Hard Stare.
"Anyway, tomorrow, when the vote is over, Edith, I shall be travelling back to Downton, and I will expect you to join me. Your mother is especially keen to see you. She will forgive you anything, but I fear it may take me a little more time to overlook the damage you have done to the Crawley name."
"That is most unfair, my lord!" stamped Paddington. "The lady has given me her support because she thought it was the right thing to do. She has argued for my freedom in a most reasonable and civilised way. Blame me for whatever damage might have been caused, (although I fail to see any, and I have been reading the newspapers avidly to ensure we avoided such), but please don't blame your daughter. She's a credit to you, sir, and to your family name."
Robert looked at Paddington as though he hadn't really seen him before. Anthony stood behind Paddington, placed his hand on the bear's shoulder and said "And I agree with him."
"Oh shut up, Anthony…as though you have any rights here! You threw them all away when you ran from the church." Robert had lost his stiffness and was now just having a family argument. Anthony stiffened, although he knew Robert was bound to bring that up.
"Sir Anthony left the church because you, my lord, gave him to believe that you disapproved of the match" growled Paddington. He was so angry now that he was almost lapsing into the Bear language.
"Well, it's true. I did disapprove. He's far too old, and crippled. How could he make Edith happy?"
"Perhaps because I love him." Edith's voice cut through all the others. She looked Anthony in the eye. "I have loved him for seven years. And I'll always love him."
The charged silence was shattered by the call of a newspaper boy.
"Late edition. Queen Mary's Bear Revealed! Royal Support For Bear Freedom Bill! Read All About It!"
Matthew ran over to buy several copies of the paper, handing them out to Anthony & Edith, Paddington, and Robert.
It appeared that one of the Queen's Ladies-In-Waiting was a bear similar in stature, and linguistic and intellectual abilities to Paddington. Queen Mary and King George V were so fond of her that she held a position in the Royal Household, although they kept her existence secret because they feared she might be persecuted. Paddington's crusade had convinced them that they must speak out on her behalf, and to support Paddington.
"There are other bears like me!" Paddington breathed.
"And royal support like this will only mean one thing tomorrow!" insisted Matthew. "Victory!"
"Oh God!" swore Robert.
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** Hugh Bonneville plays Mr Brown in the Paddington films. But I'm sure you knew that.