Swinging from the handlebars, it felt like I was miles from the ground. Ms Lawson told me not to, that I'd hurt myself. No way was I taking her advice.

There was something in me, even then, that knew instinctively not to trust her. Who'd want to work as a teacher? Stomping around a playground telling kids what to do. Whoever gets their kicks that way just isn't right.

The rusted metal was searing into my palms, scraping the skin. I tried to swing to the next bar. Fell flat on my back. But I had decided as soon as I began to swing, that no matter what happened, no matter how painful the fall, there was no way I was letting her win.

I knew she was standing there, watching me like a hawk. I tumbled onto my side, turned to her and smiled. Man, it was worth the pain to see her looking so mad. That's the thing with teachers. You can't let them win.