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The fears of playing 'hide and seek'

"26...27...28...29...30. Coming...ready or not.

I sit there, quiet, waiting to be found...or not. I can see Tom running past, looking for us; looking for a colour out of place; a sudden movement and an alien noise. So I sit there quiet, not daring to breathe, even though my heart's pounding and I'm panting hard.

And then I'm away with the fairies, in my own little world. There's a rustling of leaves over there. Probably a blackbird searching for food. Look there, right in front of me...a nest. I never even noticed it. Creepy crawlies burrowing through a jumble of leaves and twigs...and what's that scratching up my back. A bramble. Bingles Jack calls them. I'll keep still; there's always a sting in here to brush against your leg.

How long have I been here? It's a bit quiet. Where is everybody? They've gone. They've gone without me! They've gone! Should I go? Should I go? No, I'll wait. No, I'll go. No wait.

It's OK. There he is. The panic subsides. He's gone past. He's still on his own. He's not found anyone yet. He's trying the "I can see you, you can come out" routine but you can see he's desperate. He's worried; close to tears, he's thinking "I can't find them; they've gone without me!" All those fears you get when you're eight and playing hide and seek in the woods.

So there's me in the bushes looking out on Tom and Tom on the outside looking in, not seeing a soul. And if I'm not careful, he's going to wander off and get lost and I'm going to have to go and look for him. And what if I can't find him! And all those fears you get when you're 40 and playing hide and seek in the woods."

Please tell us a little about yourself
I'm the Interpretation Officer for the Countryside and Landscape Service of Caerphilly County Borough Council. Married to Hazel - our children star in the story.

What's your story about?
It's about enjoying the countryside, playing outside and sharing those things with your children that you enjoyed when you were a child.

Why did you choose to tell this particular story?
Hide and seek is a brilliant game because it's about not being seen, about watching others, about trying to find people, the pleasure and joy of finding and about the fear that you can't find anyone, or you can't be found yourself...

What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?
It's all been a rewarding experience working with Huw, Gina, Carwyn, Kate and Paul...and all the other Digi-Darlings on the course!