“50$?” The man asks, disbelief in his voice. “You are crazy, lady.”

I get out my wallet. “Do we have a deal?”

His eyes dart from his daughter to my wallet and he seems to take a decision. “Fine.” He turns to his daughter. “Emily, sweety, why don’t you give your new teddy bear to this pretty lady and we go and pick another one you like?”

Emily looks confused. “But I love Burt, daddy. He’s my new best friend.”

The man looks at the 50$ I’m holding out to him. “Come on, sweetheart, it’s only a teddy bear. Just give it to this lady, you’ll make her very happy.”

I smile at the girl and she giggles back at me. “Why do I have to give it to her? She’s a big girl.”

“I’m gonna give it to a very special girl,” I say. “She will be very happy, she never had a teddy bear before.” It’s only a white lie.

Emily hands me the teddy bear and I give her father the money. I go along with them to the stand to pick up Tina and take care of the points.

Tina Kennard

I’m still standing there, waiting for Bette. I really hope she’s not too rude – she was pretty pissed. It really doesn’t matter to me, but I think it’s cute, how she was so determined to have that bear and now she won’t do with any other.

I see the huge teddy bear floating towards me. Next to the bear are a man with a beard and glasses and a small girl that probably is his daughter.

When the company approaches me, Bette peeks from behind the teddy bear. She gives me a peck on my lips.

“Hey sweetheart – Burt is all yours.”

“Burt?” I ask, laughing.

“Emily here already christened him. We can’t change his name now.”

“Is it true you never had a teddy bear,” the small girl that appears to be Emily asks me in amazement. I frown my eyebrows and look at Bette, who nods frantically.

“Uhm… yes,” I say. “I would really like one.”

“Well, then you’re very lucky because your friend here paid my daddy 50 buck so you can have the bear. I think it would be wise if you keep her as a friend, if she gives you so much presents,” the girl says seriously. I can’t help but to laugh – so do Bette and the man.