‘There’s no such thing as monsters,’ he tells her.
The girl screws up her nose. ‘Look anyway. Please.’
‘Okay.’
She hugs Hoppy Bunny tight as her dad slides sideways off the bed and onto the floor, pulling the duvet to one side and peering into the shadows.
‘Nothing there.’
‘Are you sure?’
Even at five years old she knows that grown-ups can’t be trusted with this stuff. They aren’t clear about what is and isn’t in the dark.
‘I am absolutely, totally sure there’s nothing under your bed.’
‘Check the wardrobe.’
With an exaggerated sigh, he moves across the room and pulls the doors open quickly. Dresses and coats sway violently, like zombie hordes.
‘Dad!’
‘It’s okay.’ He grabs the clothes. ‘Nothing to worry about.’ He pushes them aside and peers into the back of the wardrobe. ‘Just clothes, no lions or witches.’
Her eyes widen. ‘Did you think there would be?’
‘No. No… I was just being silly.’ He sits back on the edge of her bed. ‘There’s nothing there, darling.’
‘Nothing now! What if a monster slides under the door when I’m asleep?’
‘Once I kiss you goodnight the room is sealed, nothing can come into your bedroom in the night.’
She frowns. ‘What about the tooth fairy?’
‘Well…’
‘Santa?’
‘I meant…’ He frowns too. ‘Nothing bad can come in, and Hoppy Bunny’s here to keep you safe.’
‘How?’ She looks dubiously at the small stuffed rabbit.
‘Hoppy was specially trained, he only lets in good fairies or Santa.’
‘Hmmm.’
‘Don’t worry, Dani. Mummy and I are downstairs. Nothing bad is going to happen. I promise.’ He kisses her forehead…
… and the memory starts to fade.
