So we're living in Algeria, dad has a small boat with an outboard motor and the whole family are aboard pottering around the harbour area when the engine stalled and dad couldn't get it going.  We weren't far from the beach and the water wasn't too deep.  

Dad said "jump in Andrew, take this rope and pull us back to shore".

"OK" I said and did exactly as I was told.

It wasn't until about 15 years later that we are all sat around the dinner table telling stories when I found out to my horror that my mum and dad had seen sharks in the water AND STILL LET ME JUMP IN TO SAVE THE BOAT! 

This was clearly an attempt at getting rid of me.  Why?  I still have no idea...one less mouth to feed?