How much are babysitters paid per hour in London? I have in mind someone who comes into your home when you go out in the evening for dinner or whatever.

Blimey, Ani, it's years since I had to bother about that - but it depends on whether you have a friend with a teenage daughter (more trusted than boys. No, really, you don't say? JoPo you're a marvel)... in which case if they're local you might get away with ...ooh ... £5 an hour and a lift (or taxi) home. Or there's baby-sitting circles where the women (men just don't make the cut as far as I know)trade 'hours' of commitment to each others' sprogs.

Is this a practical question, or research for a story? If the sum of money is not key to the plot, just say something like "X paid off the bay-sitter". (LOL)

Joe

<Added>

Try: 'X paid off the BABY-sitter'. I hate to think that you would think that we sit round here in the Great Wen, minding each other's trees, laurels or literary reputations.

Joe

Joe, that helps. It's for a story, and now I can fill in a blank!

Thanks!

Ani