A Close Shave/Shock

After a pub lunch, the evening meal is whatever anyone want to get themselves, so you have made a cheese toastie and made a start on a bottle of supermarket Merlot. Daisy settles for a packet of cheese and onion and begs for a share of the wine. "Half a glass," you say, pouring it.

The sports report finishes and she grabs the remote and turns the TV off. Daad," she says in that special voice that all fathers will recognise.

You groan inside, knowing that this is probably something embarrassing or expensive, or both. "Yes Darling?"

The answer is a shock. "Did Mummy shave?"

"Err. Well. Yes - under her arms, and her legs."

"What about her pubic hair?"

"WTF? You always said you'd be honest about this stuff." "Uhu. Yes, there too."

"Why?"

"She started when she was a teenager, before I knew her. What made you ask?"

"We were taking about it at school. Someone said that all the women in porn movies shave their pubes. Then Maria said that, with my dark hair, I would probably have to if I wanted to wear a bikini."

You think hard before answering. "I think it's something girls need to decide for themselves. A word of warning though. Your Mum said that once you start, you have to keep doing it because stubble gets pretty scratchy. You know what I'm like if I don't shave in the morning."

"Hmmm! Thanks Dad. About that bikini"

She dodges the cushion you throw at her and heads back to her bedroom.

• Sunday Morning