May 21st

May is the start of summer, so naturally it was bucketing rain when the first couple arrived. Sandra and Bill wanted me to mind their son, Callum, five days a week from 6.30 in the morning until seven in the evening.

“It’s so hard finding childcare. The earliest daycare opens at 7.30 and we need to be on the motorway before then.” Sandra looked exhausted and stressed. My heart went out to her. I’d been that parent once, long ago with Jamie. It was awful.

Callum lay on Jamie’s old playmat and kicked his legs in the air with total abandon.

“That’s a really long work day for you both.”

Bill answered. “It’s not that long really. The commute&r...

Please subscribe to keep reading.