We had a real scare last night. I had found the position on a videotape for a program taped during the week for Ma and Pa. Then I left Liquorice with them, closed the door to the vestibule to keep out the noise and disappeared into my office. About 30 minutes later I heard a plaintive calling of my name. Something was wrong! I dashed past Keaton lying contentedly on the floor and raced into the darkened familyroom where Ma and Pa were watching TV. The air seemed tense, scary somehow, then Ma stammers out in a hoarse whisper, “There’s someone at the door, twice now the handle has turned halfway, but no one came in or knocked!” I tossed my reading glasses on the lounge and strode toward the door, trying to display bravado as opposed to the icy fear that crept upon me. I had no weapon readily available for protection and someone was out there in the darkness beyond the glass panels in the door! As I approached I was all to aware that they could see my actions by the dim light inside whereas they, my mind had multiplied the numbers of evildoers waiting in ambush, waited silently and unseen for their opportunity. One cannot live in fear of the unknown, and if they were “home invaders”, popular pastime among the criminal classes of Sydney, may as well get it over and done with. I took the precaution of planting my foot on the tiles just inside the door, to prevent it being shoved open as they charged inside, and switched the outside lights on! The longest fraction of a second passed as the light illuminated no evil forms ready to crash inside however they must be lurking either side of the doorway! With heart pounding and tempting fate I opened the door slowly, ready to put up whatever pathetic defense of my home was mine to offer. My thoughts were in a panic as I turned the handle slowly, hopefully silently. It reached the point where the catch released. Then the door flew open as a startled Liquorice flopped inside! She had apparently been leaning comfortably against the door, her black form indistinguishable from the blackness outside and I was looking at eye level when the light went on! It was then that I realized that if anything were wrong Liquorice would have been sounding the alarm! When I came out to the familyroom I noted Liquorice was not lying where I had left her but at that stage more important issues concerning Ma and Pa were in need of my attention! Unknown to me Dad had let Liquorice outside. I cannot tell you the relief felt when the realization that it was only Liquorice at the back door displaced the fear clawing at my innards! <vbg>
How did Liquorice turn the handle, or Ma see it turn in the poorly lit room as they watched TV? Well later on Liquorice went outside again and when she wanted to dome inside I heard a sound like the doorknob turning but was just Liquorice pawing the woodwork! So Ma probably heard the sound with darkness and imagination doing the rest! 🙂
Arthur Witten
Liquorice
Keaton