Paddington 2: The Story of the Movie: Movie tie-in. Anna Wilson

he knew he could trust the Browns, for example – but he found the toffee apple had glued his teeth together so he remained silent.

      Mrs Brown put a hand on Judy’s shoulder. “Is this about Tony, darling?” she asked.

      “No,” Judy snapped.

      “Everything’s about Tony,” Jonathan teased.

      “At least I’m not pretending to be someone I’m not,” Judy retaliated.

      “Nor am I,” said Jonathan irritably. He moved away from his sister towards a group of boys who all appeared to be dressed in a similar fashion with cyber-shades and baseball caps. “Hey, G-Man!” Jonathan cried, slipping on his own shades and performing a complicated hand gesture.

      “J-Dog,” said the boy, walking over in a slouch, one hand raised. “Spud bounce, man,” he said, bumping his fist against Jonathan’s.

      Paddington had finally managed to work his mouth free of the toffee. “But, Mr Brown,” he said, continuing the conversation from before, “I’m sure I will be fine in the workplace. Aunt Lucy said if you’re kind and polite, all will be right.”

      “Someone’s making sense at last,” said Mrs Bird. She gave Jonathan and his friend a funny look.

      “You are kind and polite, Mr Brown,” Paddington went on. “And you’ve made it to the top.”

      Mr Brown grimaced. “I’m nowhere near the top, Paddington. I peaked in the middle. And now my hair’s going grey and my belly has popped out and I creak.”

      Mrs Brown took her husband’s arm. “You don’t creak, darling,” she said. “When do you creak?”

      “When I sit down. When I get up …” said Mr Brown.

      “I thought that was the chair,” said Mrs Brown kindly.

      “Nope,” Mr Brown said, looking miserable.

      Just then there was a burst of applause from the crowd and the family turned to see a handsome man bounce on to the stage in front of them.

      “Oh!” cried Paddington. “Doesn’t that man live in the big house on the corner of Windsor Gardens?”

      “Yes,” said Judy, taking a photo. “He’s one of dad’s celebrity clients – Phoenix Buchanan.”

      Mr Brown nodded importantly. “He’s a Platinum Club member and a very famous actor.”

      “Or used to be,” said Mrs Bird knowingly. “Now he does dog-food commercials.”

      Mrs Brown smiled. “Mrs Bird doesn’t like him, Paddington, because he can never remember her name.”

      “That’s not the only reason …” muttered Mrs Bird.

      Paddington saw that behind the man there was a banner that read: “Kozlova’s Steam Fair – Where All Your Dreams Come True”.

      Just like the line on the cover of the pop-up book, Paddington thought dreamily. If only I could find a way of getting enough money to buy it for Aunt Lucy – then her dreams would come true as well.

      His thoughts were interrupted by Phoenix Buchanan’s voice ringing out from the stage.

      “Thank you. Oh, please, stop it!” the actor was saying as the crowd continued to clap and cheer. He flapped his hands coyly, pretending to be embarrassed by the attention. The applause petered out and Phoenix cried, “No, no, please carry on … Oh, what am I like?” he simpered. “I’m at my absolute naughtiest tonight. I’m tickled to the deepest shade of shrimp to open this wonderful old steam fair.” The crowd cheered. “But let me tell you,” Phoenix went on, “when Madame Kozlova created it years ago she didn’t do it for the likes of me – ‘celebrity’, ‘star of stage and screen’ (I hate all that stuff, honest I do). ‘West End legend’ – there’s another one. Ha ha! No, she made it for the ordinary guys, like you lot.” He pointed at the audience. “And that’s why I’d like to ask one of you to come up here and help start things off. Any volunteers?” he asked, surveying the crowd.

      Paddington’s paw shot up. “Bears are good at volunteering,” he said.

      Phoenix looked out at the sea of hands. “Let me see … Eeny, meeny, miny – bear?” he said, looking puzzled as he spotted Paddington. “Yes, why not?” he said. “What about you, young ursine? Come on up.” He beckoned to Paddington to join him as the audience clapped.

      “And you are …?” Phoenix asked.

      “Paddington Brown,” said Paddington, raising his hat.

      “Of course you are!” exclaimed Phoenix. “You’re my next-door neighbour.” He beamed. “You live with Henry and Mary and Mrs – er – Fuh-Nuh-Nuh,” he mumbled.

      “You mean Mrs Bird,” said Paddington helpfully.

      “That’s the one,” said Phoenix dismissively. “More importantly, do you know who I am?” He pointed to himself and winked at the crowd.

      “You’re a very famous actor,” said Paddington.

      “Oh, blah!” said Phoenix, fluttering his eyelashes with false modesty.

      “Or used to be …” Paddington went on. “Now you do dog-food commercials.”

      A snigger ran through the crowd and Phoenix’s smile faded. “Well, a man has to eat,” he said.

      “What, dog food?” Paddington asked, puzzled.

      The crowd erupted into laughter and Phoenix forced a laugh along with them. “Ha ha! Very funny.” He paused and became dramatically serious and mysterious. “Enough of me … They say that at Kozlova’s ‘all your dreams come true’. Did you know that, young bear? If you could have one wish come true tonight, what would it be?”

      “That’s easy,” said Paddington. “I’d like to get Aunt Lucy a birthday present.”

      “Aww!” Phoenix gushed, clutching his hands together. “How sweet!”

      “Yes, I’ve had my eye on an old pop-up book of London,” Paddington explained. “Made by Madame Kozlova’s great-grandmother, as it happens.”

      Phoenix’s eyes lit up at this bit of information. He quickly tried to hide his interest. “Really?” he said carelessly. “How … fascinating.”

      “Yes, just as soon as I saw it I knew Aunt Lucy would love it,” said Paddington.

      “Well, I’m not sure I could promise you that,” said Phoenix. “But …” He faced the crowd and raised his voice. “I can promise you will all have oodles of fun, darlings! So, if you’ll lend me a paw, Paddington, I’d like to declare Madame Kozlova’s Steam Fair OPEN!”

      Paddington put his paw on top of Phoenix’s hand and together they pulled a lever. Immediately the old fairground organ sprang to life. Paddington stared in awe as thousands of light bulbs flicked on around the fair and the magnificent old steam rides started moving. The horses spun round and round and up and down on the carousel, the swingboats began swinging, and the ghost train let out a stream of spooky noises. Paddington couldn’t wait to go and explore.

      He was about to set off to find the Browns again when Phoenix Buchanan took him to one side.

      “Young bear! Young bear! A word in your ear. This pop-up book,” said the actor, looking around to check that no one was listening in.

      “Do you know it?” asked Paddington.

      “I know OF it,” said Phoenix, “but I was led to believe it was lost. Where on earth did you find it?”

      Not picking up on the eagerness in Phoenix’s voice, Paddington replied, “I saw it in Mr Gruber’s antique shop on the Portobello Road. He’s keeping it to one