For Melanie it was just going to be another baby-sitting job. One of her last because at eighteen she considered herself a little too old for that sort of thing. Yes, the pocket money had been nice when she was younger, but she now had a proper job and the sitting ate into her free time. Still, the Briggs were old customers so she'd agreed to sit for them one last time.

Heather and Bram were quite a nice couple, still in their twenties, with just the one little girl. Jeanette was a sweet kid and quite easy to look after.

It was rather a hot night and Melanie had...