Bears and Bennets

Monday, November 10 08

It was a huge responsibility to look after five lively girls. But it was an even bigger responsibility to look after the classroom teddy. Girls were one thing, a cuddly bear was another. The Miss Bennets were extremely vocal if they were unhappy or left out. A cute-faced furry bear couldn’t tell you if he had been left behind. Such was the case for poor Benjamin Bear who had gone missing. This high-flyer, accustomed to travelling all over the world and well-cuddled by four and five year olds, had somehow got lost on his recent vacation in his very own town. Last seen in a certain fast-food restaurant, the little bear was sorely missed. Even Mrs Bennet was sorry. Little Benjamin had been on holiday with the Bennets on numerous occasions. As the school was mourning his disappearance, Miss Emily Bennet walked out with Benjamin’s older brother Barnaby.
“Mummy, Barnaby can come with us to Liverpool!” declared Emily.
“That’s lovely for him!” Mrs Bennet replied, inwardly praying he and his red knitted trousers which were hanging round his knees, (he’d obviously lost weight worrying about his brother) would remain in one piece after a week with the Bennets. To report back that Benjamin’s next of kin was also lost, last seen wearing a red scarf at Anfield would be awful for both Mrs Bennet and school.
As it happened, Barnaby thoroughly enjoyed his time in the European Capital of Culture. He perched on a lambanana, a sculpture half-lamb, half-banana; was pressed against aquarium glass so he could watch humbug and puff fish; and was even allowed to sit on Ring Star’s drums, worth £30,000! Mrs Bennet was constantly counting heads – including Barnaby’s – to ensure no one was left behind.
Thankfully he wasn’t and Mrs Bennet breathed a sigh of relief as Emily with Barnaby and his photographic record of his Liverpool trip in tow, bounced back to school, where jubilations were in the air as little Benjamin had been found.
Mrs Bennet was eternally grateful that her children’s school no longer had real classroom pets. As a bachelor, Mr Bennet had accidentally killed a poor hamster after hitting a cricket bat at the ceiling to stop it running round its wheel in the flat upstairs. It died from shock three days later.
“Hmm, a cuddly bear is a much more sensible option. Five girls and a live four-legged animal on loan would be far too risky,” decided Mrs Bennet, adding: “And too much for the Bennet nerves!”