Watching.

I saw a man today. He was not familiar but his stance was. He was not dressed for sticky hands and fingerpaint, but he was as on duty as I was, eyes roving and standing ready to react. At first I thought he had an unreliable but independent toddler, one that might make a break for a busy road or run into the path of swing at any moment. But he wasn't watching the children, although he was giving his charge all the independence and space he could while still being there, just in case.

I felt warmly to him, we were doing the same job. I suppose we're all bodyguards at Playcentre.