AM I wrong in saying that, by nature, us dads are simply more accommodating that mums? I don’t think I am – let me give you an example.

A little while back, before leaving for work, I was in the shower at home when the telephone rang downstairs in the kitchen.

The ringing persisted in a way that suggested it must be important so I got out and, wrapped in a small towel that didn’t quite stretch far enough (not a nice image, I know), I ran down two flights of stairs.

It was my wife, who’d left for work half an hour earlier, and she sounded flustered.

“Could you do something for me please,” she said. “I’ve come to work without an avocado in my packed lunch – could you drop one off for me?”

I stood there, dripping in my inadequate towel, as her words sank in.

An avocado? She’d got me out of the shower and down two flights of stairs for an avocado?

I admit to being a little miffed, but my accommodating nature came to the surface. Over the years, I’ve come to fully appreciate the need to keep on my wife’s good side, so I simply replied: “Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Within half an hour, I was at her office with a pleasant smile, a kiss on the cheek, and a ripe avocado. Her packed lunch was complete and all was well with the world.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and there I was, playing my usual game of Sunday morning tennis against the club champ, who’s more than 20 years younger than me.

It was one of those cold, damp winter mornings and I was getting a bit of a runaround by by fitter, more talented opponent. I suffer from asthma and my chest had begun to tighten.

Within a few games, I was really struggling to breathe properly, but I realised I’d left my inhaler at home.

At the end of the first set, unable to carry on, I phoned my wife: “Could you do something for me?” I gasped.

“I’ve come out without my inhaler and I’m in the middle of a match. Do you think you could pop it out to me – I’m struggling with my breathing.”

There was a silence that made me wonder if she’d been disconnected.

“Are you there?” I wheezed.

I heard a deep sigh on the other end of the phone, followed by: “I suppose I’ll have to, but I am trying to prepare the lunch.”

I suppose I could have driven back home myself, but the lack of oxygen was making me feel dizzy. It’s only a five-minute drive from our house to the tennis club, but you’d think I’d asked her to walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats in her bare feet.

Asthma inhaler… avocado... asthma inhaler… avocado… asthma inhaler… avocado. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you’re likely to die from not having an avocado in your packed lunch.

The things they say

THANKS to Karen Westcott, of Middlesbrough, for letting me know about her son Harvey coming home from school to announce his class had been designing Valentine’s cards.

“What did you draw?” asked Karen.

“A Valentine’s dinosaur,” came the reply.

The things they draw

THANKS also to my my mate and fellow dad Noel Greaves-Lord for sending this classroom drawing of some international flags…

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