Parental Misguidance

One of our chatty regulars came in today and cornered me for a chinwag while I was checking the stock rotation in the upright fridges (My work life is such fun). 
Mrs Nash drives a Suzuki and fills it up once a week or so. Today she brought with her ‘little Johnnie’ her home-schooled boy of seven who is kept away from ‘the germ-ridden, brainwashing, malcontent-infested hellpit of school education’ and consequently is incredibly lonely.
She was waxing lyrical about their decision to bring him up sugar-free. 
“We keep him away from anything processed that might have added sugar. We tried making some no-sugar chocolate over Christmas but he decided it was too bitter and rejected it.”
“So he didn’t have any kinds of treats over Christmas then?” I asked.
“Only non-edible ones” she said, smiling.
Now I’d respect the rights of any parent to raise their child as they see fit, and in keeping with their own beliefs; and I’m not saying what they’re doing is wrong. But Johnnie has the saddest expression on his face I’ve ever seen a child wear, and it will haunt me while I‘m sleeping.

RC 17-1-17