Your problems solved
Q. When my husband retired two years ago I was pleased that I would no longer be obliged to be polite to his colleague, Bob. Now my husband says the reason he’s so restless at night is that he keeps having hectic action-adventure dreams featuring Bob. On holiday, Bob managed to infiltrate our room in Corsica. I don’t like Bob, Mary. How can I evict him from my bedroom?
D.M., Cannes, France
A. The dreams suggest that your husband stepped down too early and that the disturbing figure of Bob has become conflated with his former high-octane activities. He should now take up some part-time low-octane work. This would not only satisfy his continuing lust for the adrenalising thrill of achievement it would also present him with new colleagues. One of these could become a more benign bogeyman to topple Bob from his position as chief nocturnal tormenter.
Q. Further to your letter from J.W. in Phnom Penh who asked where, in the absence of a mantelpiece, he should display invitations, you may tell him that many ambassadors without fireplaces use their windowsills.
P.W., East Kennet, Wiltshire
A. Thank you for alerting tropical and sub-tropical readers to this alternative display method.
Q. I am one of a group of six young women who have known each other since college and we plan much of our social calendars around each other. In recent years, however, one of our group has fallen by the wayside owing to her contracting a marriage with someone whom the rest of the group consider an inappropriate suitor. During a brief renaissance in our friendship I suggested that in the lead-up to her wedding we girls organise a weekend break to celebrate her upcoming nuptials.
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