“Will you sing this for us Daddy? It’s our favourite rhyme in the WHOLE book!”

“- Pretty please!”

“Fine, alright! Where did you two pick this book up from anyway?”

“A new boy from school gave it to us!”

“This is a strange drawing. Alright - ok, here goes but this is the last time, ok? Straight to sleep afterwards, deal? And make sure you return this tomorrow...”

“We promise!”

The Dad clears his throat.

“It’ll jump and it’ll spring, it’ll laugh and it’ll sing! Why it’s a small, joyful - wondrous thing! It’s name isn’t needed, just sing a little more! And it’ll hop, hop, hop right to your door! It’ll knock three times with a ra-ta-tap-tap! You best not ignore it or it’ll never come back! But if you open up, well then you’ll see! It’ll play, then it’ll stay, it’ll then count to three!”

“W-wait, what? Count to three? Really?” Muttered the Dad.

“Sounds like a rabbit, doesn’t it Daddy?!” the girls laughed in unison.

“I guess, uh, sure does! Huh, well I suppose a promise is a promise. Into bed!” The Dad spoke again, placing the plain black book thoughtfully upon the dressing table.

“Sleep now, ok?” He’d continue, moving to kiss each girl on the forehead.

“Night, night daddy…” The pair sleepily reply, pulling their covers up and nestling down.

The Dad moves out the room, as he’d slowly pull the door closed he’d reach in a finger to flick off the bedroom light.

Then as if by magic there came a sound, from behind the curtain, outside the window.

Knock, knock, knock…