You may well be wondering what my little brother Paul was on about in the comments to this post - Light. You are in good company, because often I wonder what he's on about too. But let me clear this one up.

Without a doubt my mother ruled rules the roost in the house. Every so often we would find the vegetable of the evening meal would be Brussel Sprouts, hereafter referred to as BS. I know of no-one that can look into their hearts and say they like this vegetable. It is a travesty to call it a food, much like tofu. So the scene is set, one weekday night when I was about 14 years old:

Mumsie (dishing out dinner): "Here you go: potatoes, beef and BS."
Paul: "Thanks."
Da: "Thanks."
Me: "Actually Ma, I don't like BS. Can I please skip them."
Da and Paul: "..." (this is meant to be shocked and awed silence as jaws hit the ground. The cringing in anticipation of whatever may be next).
Mumsie: "OK, no problem. Enjoy."
Da and Paul: "..." (see above with more intensity).
Me: "Thanks Ma, your the best."
Da and Paul inner thoughts: "We too hate BS, but for years have also endured this torment. If we don't say something in the next 5 seconds, we will forever condemned to eat this blighted vegetable for all eternity."
Da and Paul inner thought continued: "Oh oh, all this thinking is lasting more than the 5 second window of opportunity. The window is slamming shut. Better think of Plan B."
Da and Paul (aloud this time): "That's OK, we both like BS."
Me (laughing): "Ha ha" (a la Nelson of the Simpsons).
Ma: "OK then, because there's Simon's extras to eat up as well."

The rest of dinner past in silence. A mixture of Da and Paul contending with their new-found love of BS, trying to convince themselves that with time they will learn to live the lie. Me, sitting there enjoying my liberation from BS forever more. And Mumsie basking in the warm glow, knowing that her domain remains intact.

I still look back fondly on that night. I think it was one of those rights-of-passage, when a child realises they can make decisions that are respected by others. And I have never eaten another BS again.