The term ‘Hop, Skip, Jump’ will no doubt bring back bad memories for anyone who was forced into taking P.E. lessons at school.

It will probably be a surprise to you all to learn that I am not referring to my latest exploits in the local gym.

This is another tale – or should that be tail? – about our loveable house rabbit, Roman.

Roman is a very sociable bunny. In his own way, he shows Claire and I affection, and we like to believe he loves his human parents. He is also keen on familiar visitors to our home – mainly my parents, as well as Claire’s mum and dad.

The poor furry cherub has been getting a bit confused lately. As we are respecting lockdown, the only visitors to our house have been our parents, and even they haven’t been able to get beyond the front door or garden!

While Roman would not have been able to see any visitors, he has certainly heard them – and recognises all their voices! Before lockdown, our parents would often visit, paying much attention to our house bunny – something the sociable creature truly loved.

When Claire and I went on our cruise last September, all our parents took care of him and ensured he was fed twice a day. You will have heard the saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” – you couldn’t be closer to the truth, were you to also apply this to Roman!

He has therefore become understandably confused and even unhappy by the fact these familiar voices are not coming to see him.

My mum dropped some carrot tops into our porch at the weekend. Roman became incredibly excited by the sound of her voice alone. He ran, jumped and skipped around his run in delight.

I think he became a bit over-excited, as he accidentally kicked his water bowl – the contents of which went all over him! If nothing else, this cooled him down, but he spent the next hour trying to tidy himself up and repair his damaged pride. Poor Roman!

IT ALL BECAME A LITTLE TOO MUCH FOR ROMY, WHO WAS FORCED TO HAVE A SIESTA.