Opportunity by Charlotte Grimshaw Page A

soft and spoiled to sleep in a tent.
    I bought a computer, and when I told Dan this he said he
would help me set it up. He was an expert on the internet. He
knew everything about computers, and I asked his advice
because I didn't know much. He said, 'I'll be your computer
fixer. You'll never need anyone else. Call me for advice any
time.' He said he wanted to create a website for Tom. 'It's a fun
thing. I'll get Charles's photo and we can post it on the web.
Then they can communicate with kids all over the world. It'll
be educational.'
    Another thing Dan knew about was cameras. He videoed
sports days, school outings. Karen got him to video the school
play.
    In March I invited Tom to Charles's birthday party. It was
already a riot by the time Dan and Tom arrived. The boys
were throwing themselves into the pool and shooting one
another with water guns. Max was already talking about
needing a gin and tonic. Dan pushed Tom ahead of him and
said, 'Make sure you behave yourself.' Tom walked away,
towards the pool.
    'About four o'clock, then,' I said, putting on a wry, brave
face, because of the bedlam.
    'Actually, I thought I'd stay, if that's all right,' Dan said. 'It's
a long drive home and my car's making a funny noise.'
    'Oh. Okay, fine.' I was flustered. I went to my room and
looked in the mirror. I put on some makeup, to cover my
blushing. I thought about offering him some wine.
    When I looked out, Dan was running across the lawn with
a water gun, shooting the boys. I watched him wrestle a boy to
the ground. It was strange to see a man throwing himself
about in that way. His shirt came up and I saw his chest. I felt
hot watching him. He put his foot on the boy and did a Tarzan
pose, showing his arm muscles. The boys stopped running
and watched uncertainly, trailing their guns. The boy under
Dan suddenly twisted away, and Dan fell. He got up, marched
over, took hold of the boy's collar and put his face up close,
talking. The boy bowed his head, hunching his small shoulders.
Dan said something and flipped the boy away. Then they were
all running again, hooting and shrieking.
    I went out on the deck and offered him a glass of wine. He
came over, sweating. He refused the wine. He said, 'Honestly.
Kids.'
    'What happened?'
    'They get a bit carried away, don't they? They need a bit of
telling.'
    He went back to the lawn.
    I was icing the cake when Charles came in, crying.
    'What's wrong?' I asked.
    Dan walked in, hot and laughing. 'He banged his face in
battle.'
    'Never mind, old chap,' Max said. He and Dan exchanged
wry smiles. Max handed Dan a beer.
    'What did you bang it on?' I asked. I touched the bruise on
his cheek.
    'His gun,' Charles said loudly, pointing at Dan.
    'Never mind,' Max said again, and hustled the boys towards
the table.
    Charles cheered up and the party carried on. Afterwards Max
    and I drank some wine. I wanted to talk to him but he went to sleep in his
    chair when I was in the middle of telling him something. I read a book, watched
    some TV. I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered whether my face was
    getting old.
    ***
    We were sitting on the benches, waiting for the boys to come
out of class. Karen said, 'I'm going to set up my own business.
Selling designer children's clothes?'
    Dan nudged me. 'There's a book I want to lend you.' We
were sitting close together. I could feel the muscles in his
arm.
    Some boys came tearing out. Dan got up and went over.
'Excuse me,' he said to Tom. 'Don't you know you're not
allowed to run?'
    Tom looked down. The boys shifted uneasily.
    'I don't want to see you doing it again,' he said. He took
hold of Tom's arm. 'Is that clear?'
    He came back. 'They need boundaries. Boys respond to that.'
    Karen sighed sententiously. 'It's a fact.'
    'For example . . .' Dan went on. He stopped. 'Just a minute.'
    The boys were play fighting. Dan walked over to them very
fast. He took hold of two and pulled them apart, then he
pushed the other boys into a line. He walked up and