My mother-in-law doesnt live with us, but she pops round every now and then to look after our son when my wife and I are at work. Ive suspected for a while now that she grills him about whats going on in the family, how my wife and I are doing, that sort of thing. Well, it turns out those little interrogations brought an unexpected resultour son told his granny that in the evenings, he and his mum sit on the sofa watching telly, while Im off going on dates.
Naturally, this topic made its grand entrance at the birthday dinner for our son.
My grandsons told me everything about Roberts adventures. He told me all about his evening dates! she announced with a flourish.
Mum, what dates are we talking about? My wife looked thoroughly confused.
The ones Robert goes on, while you sit with your son.
My wife realised what was happening much quicker than I did and burst out laughing.
Mum, Robert isnt running around with other women! The little one calls it that because we jokingly refer to Robert nipping out for a cigarette as a quick date. Its not exactly ideal to tell a five-year-old that his dad is forever popping outside for a smoke, so Robert just says, Off for a quick date now!
My mother-in-law looked utterly bamboozled and spent the rest of the evening apologising to me. She admitted shed flown off the handle because her ex-husband was a notorious cheater, and the thought that I might be the same pushed her over the edge.
I suppose Ill have to be extra careful about what I say around my five-year-old now, lest he manages to accidentally dob either one of us in again with stories fit for the tabloids.
