Take over Dougie's morning routine and make all the decisions to get hime safely to the school, but remember, even some of the seemingly unimportant actions, can have a significant effect on his life.
What I would give for a lie-in. Just a few more minutes of duvet. But there's no point delaying the inevitable.
Aaahhhh! There it goes again.
Mornings should be banned. Definitely, definitely banned.
That zingy lime stuff always wakes me up. Smells magic.
I can get away without a shower. Oh wait...(sniff, sniff)..WOW, my armpits smell BAD.
Like a Sweaty Pot Noddle... and last night's spagbol. A big long spray of deodorant will sort that out...
...hopefully.
Sleep...sleep...beautiful sleep.
Noooooo!!!!! Not again. That was more like five seconds than five minutes.
I HATE mornings.
No shirts in the wardrobe! Great, that's all I need. Laundry basket, where's the laundry basket... It's not ironed!
I AM GOING TO BE SO LATE.
How glad am I that I looked out my uniform last night? Can't be doing with hassle of trying to find a clean shirt at this time of the morning.
I struggle trying to find my reflection.
Aagff! I've slept in. How did it get to be so late?
It's a banana and toast kind of day. Can't function without food.
Breakfast? Who has time for breakfast? I'll grab a roll on the way.
Shoes...where are my shoes? I kicked them off in the hall when I came in yesterday, but they're not there now. People are always moving things in this house! This is going to make me late...
Found them and ready to go...Now, what did I do with my phone?
Jacket...bag...sorted. The bus isn't due for over ten minutes.
Now that's a perfectly timed morning.
If I run I can grab a roll on the way. I'm starving. Now, what did I do with my phone?
Not going to have time to stop off for a roll. Even if my stomach is rumbling really loud.
Need my music. Always need my music. Walking is too boring without it. Need to download something that will wake me up a bit...the soundtrack in that film last night was amazing. I'll Google it, that's exactly the kind of music I nee...
BEEP - Whoah! What the...?
A CAR HAS HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID YOU. YOU JUST STEPPED OUT WITHOUT LOOKING.
Tunes would be good but I want to be paying full attention to what's going on around me - don't want any distractions.
Jeez...that was close. What an idiot I am. I didn't think to look..I was looking at my phone and just stepped out and..that car. That car nearly hit me. I'm shaking.
Deep breath.
That phone is going in my pocket and staying there. That was way, way too close for comfort.
What an idiot! He nearly killed me. He should have seen me step out and stop. Ok, so he did stop.
But he could have stopped a bit quicker instead of nearly giving me a heart attack.
Why is everyone looking at me? IT'S NOT MY FAULT THE DRIVER HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BRAKES...or is it?
I guess if I would pay more attention to the road than my phone that would never happen. Need to be careful from now on, don't want to end up under someone's wheels because of my lack of attention.
Just missed it by a second. If another one comes in the next five minutes, I'll still make it.
But that's a mighty big 'if'.
There would have to be a queue, wouldn't there? If I wait thenit's a dead cert that I'll be late, but I'm starving...and that bacon smells AMAZING.
No point rushing. There will be another one along in a minute. Or two. Whatever.
Better to arrive alive than arrive...well, dead.
Just brilliant. The bus comes when I'm between bus stops. That happens only to me. I need to cross the road but no matter how many times I press the traffic light button it doesn't change any quicker.
C'mon...C'mon...
I should leave. I know I should head, but that bacon smells amazing and it won't be that long... Only a couple more to go and then it's my turn.
YES, at last! I...
No time to wait in a queue that long. I better head to the bus stop.
The traffic's not too bad. Not bad at all. Might just be on time after all. It's 8.57 - three minutes until the bell goes. I should probably walk up the road and cross at the lights.
But if I do that I'll definitely be late. I need to cross now but this is a busy road.
I could try to make a run for it, but for what? Just so I make it to school on time? Nah, think I'd rather be told off for being late, than end up under the wheels of a car. No. Best play it safe. There will always be another bus, only one me. There...safely across. And the bus is still there.
Result.
I NEED to get that bus. Ok, so I know you're not MEANT to run across the road, but it will be fine. Everybody does it. I've done it loads of times and lived to tell the tale. It's only little kids that need to wait for the green man.
I've got enough change, but better keep it in case I need it for the bus.
I NEED to get that bus. AND I NEED all that traffic to stop so I can get across the road.
C'mon lights, change! Or should I just run?
Yeah, an all it takes is just one crazy driver. Like that one there. What kind of speed is that to drive?! Obviously doesn't know the difference between 20 miles and hour and 40. Nah, I don't trust any of them. I'll cross at the lights.
I'd rather the hear the bell than ambulance sirens because I'm under the wheel of a car.
Ah, it'll be fine. Everybody crosses here. It's just little kids that need to cross at the lights. If that silver car would hurry up, I can get across...
The traffic's not too bad. Not bad at all. I might just make it after all. I'm off the bus and it's 8:57 - three minutes until the bell goes. I should probably walk up the road and cross at the lights, but then I'll definitelty be late. If I can just get a gap, I can le it across. It's not that busy a road. And drivers are meant to slow down near schools anyway. Right?
I NEED to get that bus. And I NEED all that traffic to stop so I can get across the road.
C'mon lights, change!
So annoying. The bus is right there and I can't get across. But it's not worth risking it for the sake of a couple of minutes.
Better to arrive alive than not at all. Across in one piece - and there's another bus coming. You little beauty.
You started to run but didn’t see the car overtaking on the left. It started to brake but the car behind crashed straight into him accelerating the car in your direction at a full speed. You see it for a split second before it hits you.
You wake up in hospital, you’re lucky to be alive. Your recovery will take months – you now know that a split-second bad decision really can be the difference between life and death.
You started to run but slipped on the wet road, right in front of the bus. You try to get up, but there’s no time. Everything happens so fast and the bus is heading straight for you. You wake up in hospital.
You’re lucky to be alive. You’re recovery will take months – you now know that a split-second bad decision really can be the difference between life and death.
You've arrived safely at school, late but in one piece. The teacher is not too pleased and gives you detention but you know it's better than being injured or killed in a road accident. You had enough opportunities to break the rules and endanger yourself and others, but you kept your calm and stuck to the plan - get to school safely!
Well done, the world salutes you!