Tap, Tap, Tap

'twas a dark and rainy night as she hurried home after missing the last tram. She never gave a thought for the mysterious man in the shadows as she passed by. In a heavy raincoat, his hat pulled down, masking his eyes, he began to follow. All she heard was the tap, tap, tap of a walking cane coming behind her. She felt her heart race, looking about for a friendly face, there was no one, Just the tap, tap, tap of the cane echoing on the cobbled street. She could see her house, it seemed so far away, she tried not to panic, Her feet slipping on the rain slicked cobbles as she neared safety. Tap, tap, tap, it was incessant, driving her half crazy with fear, Her feet felt like lead, her dry throat strangling the scream that filled her head. Tap, tap, tap, ever closer, the beads of sweat now stinging her eyes, Tap, tap, tap, she was shaking and lightheaded, fearing the worst. She fumbled for her door key, her fingers trembling, She opened the door and turned on the light in one swift movement. Tap, tap, tap. It stopped. Her stomach in knots, she slowly turned to look outside. " Granddad" , she said, " why didn't you say something?" Beginning to think of Halloween now. © Dave Timperley September 2014