The first time you get a baby-sitter you tend to get one of the neighbourhood girls. A student, generally from a family you know. Some kid who's looking to earn a few extra bucks for spending money. If you're lucky she does a good job and you continue using her. If you're unlucky you mutter rude words under your breath and start looking for someone else.

We were lucky. Charlene, commonly known as Charli, proved to be competent the first time we hired her. She was fifteen at the time, quite pretty, intelligent, and a willing worker. Naturally we kept using her and even gave her references for other baby-sitting...