Laura leaps off the stair bannister (Larger Photo)

I sat her on a cushion atop the narrow post, with one arm bracing her against tipping sideways, but nothing bracing her against falling forwards or backwards. I stood beside her for several minutes to catch her if she began to tilt. I felt she was stable enough, so I retreated to the camera and pressed the shutter release as she fell forwards head-first onto the floor. Luckily there was no damage. (The damage done if she had fallen backwards does not bear thinking about.) I have resolved never to take such risks in future.

A lucky photo, nonetheless.