Microwave Mystery

“I have put the chops on to defrost in the Microwave for six minutes, is that okay?” This questioned aimed at Mrs Birdwatcher as she stands in the kitchen.

“What do you mean you have put them on to defrost for eight minutes? How much do they weigh?”

I look at her slightly perplexed. I stall for time and lob one back at her. “What do you mean how much do they weight?” and try a bit of light hearted laugh.

She is not put off however and comes back with, “Well how have you ascertained the time they need to defrost if you don't know how much they weight?” and suddenly I am fourteen and twisting uncomfortably on the hard wooden stools of the science block while all around me a sea of hands are raised and frantically waving desperate to impart the answer.

Mrs BW brings me back to the present by pointing her finger at the 600g on the packet. “You need to press the defrost button six times so that it reads 600. You see?”

I see! Light bulbs go on and suddenly another one of the microwaves little mystery has been solved. You see I had never quite managed to work out what the figures meant when you pressed the defrost button, so I used to guess.

“What have you been doing all these years?” She asked as I knew she must. The question hangs unanswered as I sneek back to the microwave to make the necessary adjustments.