13 SEPTEMBER 2008, Page 71

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.