“This one is only for big boys”, says the mother of a Georgian boy named George, pointing to a large curved ladder, too big and dangerous for either George or L, who is both older and smaller than his new friend, to climb, and, surprisingly, she (or physics)succeeds in dissuading them.

I wait for her to be out of earshot, and whisper in L’s ear, “this one is only for big boys, AND BIG GIRLS”. He doesn’t object, hopefully takes it in, and runs to the small and more toddler-accessible stairs.