5 JANUARY 2008, Page 47

Q. I love my wife very much but would like

your advice on how she might be cured of an annoying habit. Whenever a friend rings up and, no matter how long they talk for, my wife seems unable to wind up the call. This despite the fact that I know she is busy. I have often had to wait up to 20 minutes to get her attention. Short of never allowing her to answer the telephone at all, how can we surmount this problem?

C.H., Pershore, Worcs A. Buy an old-fashioned kettle of the sort that whistles when the water has boiled. Set it a-going when you feel your wife has become entrapped in a call. Then head out to the garden to rake over some unsightly mole hills.