“David! You forgot to set the alarm!” Mam shouted. 

Dad leapt out of bed and suddenly we were all racing around the house like our hair was on fire. We grabbed our bags and bolted for the car.

Dad drove way too fast, zooming through traffic while Mam kept saying, “This is all your fault!”

We parked the car and hurried towards the terminal building when a little voice cried out – it was my brother – “I left my teddy in the car”.  One thing’s for sure, we weren’t going anywhere without his monkey.  “I’m too old for this” dad announced as he ran back to the car.

Another eight minutes lost but we were back on track weaving in and out of other travellers.  Dad was last through security and his belt must have set the alarm off – BEEP BEEP – another two minutes lost. 

The big screen told us we’d a 12 minute walk to the gate.  Dad told us we could do it in seven if we ran.

At last, gasping for breath, we skidded up to the gate. “We made it!” I wheezed.

The airline staff smiled and said, “Relax. The flight’s delayed by two hours.”

All that chaos—for nothing!

Mam flopped into a chair and said, “Next time, I’m setting the alarm.”