The Break-in

Picture credit: Eve Morrison

We have all heard the advice before – not to store up treasure on earth where the moth and rust destroy and where a thief might break in and steal.

But I would have to admit that I have my study where I store the books that are precious to me.

It is protected from my grandchildren by a gate at the bottom of the stairs. So, I thought it was safe enough.

One day, while I was tidying up the kitchen after having a meal with my family, I heard a noise upstairs. Was there a burglar in the house? I went upstairs to see if I could catch the criminal.

I found Eve, three years old, rummaging in my study, the first time she had ever broken into it. Obviously, she had overcome the obstacle of the stairgate.

‘Eve,’ I said, ‘You shouldn’t be in here. This is my special room.’

‘Don’t worry, Pa,’ she replied.

She smiled, trying to put my mind at ease. ‘Why don’t we do a selfie in here?’ she asked. ‘Where’s your phone? I’ll show you how to do it.’

I had to accept that the small burglar had got the better of me. I handed over my mobile phone.