ACXSample3

Lizzie wakes up her dad, who is reluctant to get out of bed. She encourages him to eat breakfast and take care of himself, as he has been neglecting his appearance. Lizzie's dad reveals that he has plans to enter a bird-flying competition. Lizzie is skeptical but supportive. She reminds him to eat a good lunch and mentions that Auntie Doreen might visit. Lizzie insists that he be nice to Auntie Doreen, as she cares about him. An ordinary spring morning in 12 Lark Lane. The birds were tweeting and whistling outside. The city traffic rumbled and roared. Lizzie's alarm went ring-ding-ding. She jumped out of bed, washed her face, scrubbed behind her ears, brushed her teeth, brushed her hair, put on her uniform, went downstairs, filled the kettle, switched it on, put bread in the toaster, set the table with two plates, two mugs, two knives, milk and butter and jam, then went to the foot of the stairs. Dad! she shouted. Daddy! No answer. Dad! Time to get up! No answer. If you don't get up now, I'll come up there and... She stepped heavily on to the first step, then on to the second step. I'm on me way! she shouted. She heard a grunt and a groan, then nothing. I'll count to five. One, two, two and a half. Daddy! There was a muffled shout from upstairs. All right, Lizzie, all right. There was a crash and another groan, then there he was in a scruffy dressing gown and holey slippers and his hair was all wild and his face was all hairy. Downstairs now, said Lizzie. He stumbled down. And don't look at me like that. No, Lizzie. She tugged the dressing gown straight on his shoulders. Look at the state of you, she said. What on earth have you been doing up there? He grinned. Been dreaming, he said. Dreaming? What a man. Now sit at the table. Sit up straight. Yes, Lizzie. He sat down on the edge of a chair. His eyes were shining and excited. Lizzie poured him a mug of tea. Drink this, she said. And he took a little sip. And eat the toast. He nibbled the corner of the toast. Eat it properly, Dad. He took a bigger bite. And chew it, she said. He chewed for a moment. And swallow it, Dad. He grinned. Yes, Lizzie. He took a big bite. Chewed. Swallowed. And opened his mouth wide for her to look inside. All gone, he said. See? She clipped her tongue and turned her eyes away. Don't be silly, Dad, she said. Then she smoothed his hair down and brushed it. She straightened the collar of his pyjama jacket. She felt the thick stubble on his chin. You've got to look after yourself, she said. You can't go on the way you are, can you? He shook his head. No, Lizzie, he answered. Certainly not, Lizzie. I want you to have a shower and shave today. And to get properly dressed. Yes, Lizzie. Good. And what plans have you got for today? He sat up straight and looked her in the eye. I'm going to fly, Lizzie, just like a bird. Lizzie rolled her eyes. Are you now, she said. Yes, I am. And I'm going to enter the competition. Competition? What competition? He laughed and leaned forward and held her arm. The Great Human Bird Competition, of course. Have you not heard about it? It's coming to town. I heard about it yesterday. No, the day before yesterday. Or a day and a week gone last Tuesday. Anyway, the first one to fly across the river wins a thousand pounds. And I'm going to enter. It's true, Lizzie. It's really true. I'm going to win. I'm going to make me mark at last. He stood up and held his arms out straight and slapped them. Are me feet off the floor, he asked. Are they? Are me feet off the floor? He ran and slapped like he was flying. Oh, Dad, said Lizzie. Don't be silly. She ran after him. He led her round and round the room. She caught up with him at last and smoothed his hair down again and straightened his dressing gown. OK, she said. Maybe you are going to fly like a bird, but make sure you get some fresh air and get a good lunch inside you, OK? He nodded. OK, Lizzie, he said. And then he slapped again and giggled. Oh, and Auntie Doreen said she might pop round today. That stopped Dad in his tracks. His face crashed. Auntie Doreen, he said. He twisted his face inside. Not her again. Yes, her again. She'll bring you down to earth. He stamped his left foot. He stamped his right foot. But Lizzie, he groaned. Never mind but Lizzie, said Lizzie. Auntie Doreen loves you just like I do and she worries about you just like I do. So be nice to her.