The one in which Small Sprog locks himself in the loo...

Four weeks ago Small Sprog had his first ever flu jab. He suffers from asthma, which is mostly under control but he had a big 'flare up' last winter, so the NHS have sent him an invitation to be stabbed in the arm. Twice!

The first jab went well, he couldn't remember having an injection before as he had been so young last time. I bought and applied 'Emla' cream so that he wouldn't feel the needle, and all was fine until after the jab, where he promptly threw up out of shock. Poor love. Anyway thankfully the jab left no side effects - other than a complete fear of needles and the knowledge that having a jab can make you vomit - and all was well. Until this morning, when he needed to go back for his booster.

Now, rather than reminding him of it days ago, and letting him fret, I thought I would tell him at the last minute. He woke, bumbled sleepily to the breakfast table and thought about what to eat. I suddenly realised that maybe it was not a good idea for him to eat before we went, so I had to tell him there and then, where he was going at 9am. His face crumpled in betrayal. How could I? He began to sob. I tried to say it would be better this time, it was important that he should go, better than having the flu etc etc. Over time he seemed to resign himself, and after a shower and dressing, he watched TV, to 'take his mind off it'!

By 8.50 it was time to leave " Come on" I said "Time to go"

"I'm not going" He replied

Oh no, he was not resigned at all. I tried to lift him into my arms. He's damned heavy now and it was all I could do to keep his feet off the ground. I hauled him towards the door. As we passed the downstairs toilet, he grabbed hold of the handle. "I need a wee" He shrieked, so I let him down.

Into the toilet he went, shut the door and guess what? He refused to come out again! The door was firmly locked and bolted, there was no way to get to him, the little rascal- though that may not have been what I wanted to call him at the time. He must have been planning it, as a last resort, all along!

After much cajoling, he did come out. Eventually! The only reason being there was nothing very amusing to do in there, except read his joke book on the toilet while his legs went numb, and the joke book was at least two Christmases old.

Note to self; do not leave exciting reading matter in the toilet for Small Sprog, in four weeks time he has his swine flu jab! Shhhhhh, don't tell him!