"Sure thing, pardner," God said companionably as Valkyrie left, and then as the cabbie walked away, still looking somewhat unnerved. The old fisherman stepped up onto the curb to get out of the road; as it happened, there was a free unmarked parking spot only a ways down, quite near the door.

"Here y'are, Bespoke," said the Creator gruffly, turning to Ghastly to hand him back his bears one by one. "Gotta get adopted out by the right person, don't they? Otherwise the kids won't know who to appreciate for 'em."

By the time Ghastly had his bears properly back in hand, Barney had parked his car and was coming back toward them. Dad turned to him with a broad grin. "That's the ticket. We're all set now, eh? Lead the way, pardner. This here's Ghastly Bespoke." He jerked His head at the tailor. "Just call me Dad. Got too many names to bother finding one of 'em. What's your handle, son?"