"Sarah?" he said.

"Yes Dad?"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

He came in and sat on Sarah's bed.

"I'm sorry I growled at you like that," said Dad, "I was very tired, and in a bad mood. I should have found out what you were doing first"

"That's OK," said Sarah.

"You're very special to me," said Dad, "It was wrong for me to behave like that."

Sarah reached up to Dad. He leaned over and let her give him a big kiss.

"Mum will finish your lunch for tomorrow," said Dad as he left the room, "You have a good time, won't you."

"Yes Dad," said Sarah.

………………………..

Later that night, when Sarah's father was in bed, he couldn't sleep. He lay awake and thought about what he had done. The very last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt his daughter's feelings. She was too precious to him.

He got out of bed and dressed.

"Where are you going?" asked Mum sleepily.

'To town," said Dad, "I have some shopping to do."

"In the middle of the night?" said Mum, very surprised.

"Yes," said Dad, "It can't wait till tomorrow."

And away he went, down to the garage. He started the car and backed out on to the street, then off he drove to the shops.

It took Dad quite a while to find what he was looking for, but at last he found it. He placed it on the seat beside him and drove home again.

When he got back he tiptoed into the kitchen, and put the surprise into a glass of water, then he went back to bed.