I'M IN LOVE WITH THE BOY I USED TO BABYSIT

Kelli Regini, 51, tried to fight her feelings but she couldn't help falling for a man 21 years younger

Pushing open the front door, I heard a low rumbling sound like thunder coming from outside. But spotting a flash of dark hair and a filthy red T-shirt, I knew that sound wasn't the weather. It was Andy, one of our neighbour's sons, running over the cars parked in our street. 'Stop it! I've told you about this before!' I shouted at him. But Andy just shrugged and ran off.

This was typical of Andy. Ever since he'd moved into the house opposite mine, I'd known he was going to be trouble. His parents had divorced and it was left to his dad to look after Andy and his four siblings, as well as hold down a job.

'Listen, I don't mind helping out, I told Andy's dad Bill one day in 2002. You've got your hands full, Andy's welcome to come over any time to play with my two boys.

Married, with two sons of my own, then eight and six, and a job at the local school, I hoped I could bring some stability into Andy's life. And soon, it was like having another child. Andy, 10, was often popping in and out of our house with his older sister, and I was forever tripping over his toys and shoes.

A GOOD KID

'You can be a right tearaway at times, I told him. 'But I know that deep down, you're a good kid." "Thanks Kelli.

Have you got any more biscuits?' he asked, wiping crumbs from his mouth with the grubby sleeve of his jumper. I laughed as I let out a sigh.

I tried my best with Andy but his behaviour was often out of control. By the time he was 13, he had been expelled from three schools. And when he was 14, he was caught taking his dad's car for a joyride. Still, he remained a big part of our family.