When the Taxi Is Late

Ben goes to school by taxi. Most mornings, the same driver picks him up. Today, Ben has his bag ready. Anna, his support person, waits with him.

The pick-up time passes. Ben looks at his watch, then at the empty drive. “Where is my taxi?” he asks. “I don’t want to miss my class.”

Ben feels tight inside. He keeps looking down the road. “I feel worried,” he tells Anna. “I understand,” she says. “Let’s find out what has happened.”

Anna calls the taxi company. Ben listens beside her. Their usual driver is delayed. Another driver will collect Ben. “The taxi will be silver today,” Anna explains.

“I don’t know that driver,” says Ben. “We can check the booking together,” Anna says. Ben asks her to stay until he is ready to leave. She agrees.

Ben stays in his agreed waiting place, near the front door. He sits on the bench and takes a slow breath. He is still a little worried, but he knows what will happen next.

A silver taxi arrives. The driver is someone new. Ben waits with Anna. He does not get in straight away. Together, they check that this is the taxi sent for his booking.

Anna checks the driver’s details with the taxi company and confirms the trip to Ben’s school. “This is your booked taxi,” she tells Ben. Ben asks the driver, “Can you tell me when we arrive?”

At school, Ben tells his teacher, “My taxi was late, and the driver changed.” His teacher welcomes him into class. It was a different morning. Ben asked for help and made his journey with support.