Now, I was sitting next to that someone, and I began thinking a chip or two would be nice after all that batting and fielding in match that was obviously flagged up as 'fun' and it was, very much so, but got more and more of a competitive edge as time went on, with collisions a go-go and muscles pulled.

Anyway, I asked my chip-munching colleague if he was territorial about his food.

"So, you want a chip then?" he answered back, very astutely.

"That would be lovely," I said, preparing to pick the plumpest and most golden.

"Why don't you order some then?" he asked, quite reasonably.

"Because I don't want a whole bowlful, I just want one," I said, quite reasonably back, or so I thought.

"Ah, ha," all the lads on the table chorused, knowingly. They had all had, obviously, been through all this with wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, anyone female basically.

Their food, all of which they wanted for themselves, had been delved into at some point by the female fork. Puddings, take-aways, chips, you name it. And this wasn't on, clearly.

I admit I am a major culprit in this - never ordering a dessert but wanting just a little teeny weeny taste of husband's or sons'. And they get majorly cross unless it is my birthday or something.

Husband is as far from one of those in touch with their female side men who open out their bags of crisps for a communal dip in as you can get.

He eats his with his shoulder turned from me, shielding his bag from possible attack.

And he has been known to stab my hand with his fork, and not in a playful way. Oh no.

And without even thinking about it, male colleague say: "Yep, sorry, but with him on that one."



* As I write this weather has been sweltering for days on end, with blue skies, hot sun and not a cloud in sight. Why is it then that I still can't quite leave my cardi behind when I venture out of the house.

Is it just me?

sue.gilson@chiobserver.co.uk


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