Paddington’s Finest Hour

Paddington’s Finest Hour
Michael Bond

Peggy Fortnum

R. W. Alley

Paddington – the beloved classic bear from Darkest Peru, now a major movie star – is back in this fantastically funny, brand new illustrated novel from master storyteller Michael Bond!Hurrying forward, he held out a welcoming hand. “Sir Percival Rushmoor,” he said. “I’m invigilating.”“I’m sorry to hear that, Sir Percival,” said Paddington. “I hope you feel better very soon.”Paddington always finds himself in unusual situations so it is no surprise when he has a run-in with the police, appears in a TV cookery show, and gives one of his hard stares to a hypnotist!

For more activities, games, books and fun visit: www.paddington.com (http://www.paddington.com)

First published in hardback in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2017 This edition published in 2018

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Text copyright © Michael Bond 2017

Jacket illustration © Peggy Fortnum and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd 2017

Jacket Design © HarperCollins Publishers Ltd 2017

Cover illustrations adapted and coloured by Mark Burgess from the originals by Peggy Fortnum

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

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Source ISBN: 9780008226206

Ebook Edition © 2017 ISBN: 9780008226213

Version: 2018-05-23

Contents

Cover (#uef4bfc0f-c03f-5c9a-84e4-b50ef6cb5b61)

Title Page (#uff00344d-2b1e-5ba5-9938-b2fb48760c62)

Copyright (#u078dc217-aee7-50fb-8f0c-ab3b9888d891)

1. Parking Problems (#u48c7aaa5-dafb-53ff-b975-517f4393742e)

2. A Bird in the Hand (#litres_trial_promo)

3. Curry’s the Name (#litres_trial_promo)

4. Paddington’s Magical Moments (#litres_trial_promo)

5. Dinner for One (#litres_trial_promo)

6. A Visit to the Cleaners (#litres_trial_promo)

7. Paddington’s Finest Hour (#litres_trial_promo)

Keep Reading … (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Author

By the Same Author (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ulink_7605774d-6036-5f1c-ace4-2fbec1d53693)

PARKING PROBLEMS (#ulink_7605774d-6036-5f1c-ace4-2fbec1d53693)

“IT’S NONE OF my business,” said the policeman, “but there’s an old codger in the back of your car and he’s got a sandwich on his head. Leastways, it was there a moment ago when he raised his hat – I don’t know where it is now.”

“He would hardly have a sandwich on top of his hat,” said Mr Brown, easing the driving-side window slightly shut in order to protect himself from the rain. “He isn’t English, and he has his funny little ways.”

“You mean he’s one of them illegal immigrants?” said the policeman.

“I wouldn’t call him that,” said Mr Brown cautiously. “He does have a Peruvian passport, so you could say he’s here on an extended holiday. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, but just to be on the safe side he keeps a marmalade sandwich under his hat in case he has an emergency.”

“Heaven help him if anyone from Health and Safety catches him at it,” retorted the policeman. “They’re going to blow a gasket and I wouldn’t blame them. I only hope it doesn’t catch on.”

“I’ve never heard of anyone else doing it,” said Mr Brown.

“And he certainly isn’t an old codger,” broke in Mrs Brown.

“Pardon me, ma’am.” The policeman lowered himself until he was level with the front passenger seat. “But he could do with a good shave whatever age he is. That’s all I can say.”

“In that case, if you don’t mind, I’ll close this window,” said Mr Brown, seizing the opportunity. “I’m getting soaked.”

“You’re getting soaked!” repeated the policeman. There was a rustle of oilskin. “Wait until you’re where I’m standing …” The rest of what he was about to say was drowned by the sound of rain beating against glass as Mr Brown beat him to it and wound the window tightly shut.

“Was that wise, Henry?” asked Mrs Brown. “He’s getting his notebook out now.”

“Good luck to him,” said Mr Brown. “Catch me getting out of the car in this weather, Mary. I haven’t even got a top coat. And the chances of him writing anything in his notebook are pretty remote.”

“But we are parked on a double yellow line,” said Mrs Brown. “On a bend.”

“Along with a dozen other cars,” said Mr Brown. “Goodness knows what’s going on ahead of us. There’s nothing coming the other way.”