Dear Bel, I have been married for 28 years, but four years ago I discovered the 'innocent' relationship my husband had with a family friend was, in fact, a full‑blown affair...
There are times in life when you shake yourself hard, as if wishing to awaken from sleep, only to find that the nightmare is all too present and frighteningly real.
Dear Bel, I've thought about this problem a lot. It's a very old issue (and I don't expect you to have an answer) but I find it very hard to get over being hurt by friends, relatives and others.
Dear Bel, I was brought up in a volatile household, scared of my mother. My parents often fought. Arguments went on all night, so fierce at times my brother and I called the police.
Dear Bel, How to come to terms with memories of the awful person you once were? I've been married for ten years to my wonderful second husband, but, to be honest, I've gone off sex
Dear Bel, Widowed quite young, I moved next to a nice neighbour who introduced me to her step-brother Jim and five step-sisters. The girls were standoffish but Jim was lovely.
Dear Bel, I'm writing about my 13-year-old daughter, although the problem is far more mine than hers. But she's talked to me about this and last night I found myself so anxious I couldn't sleep.
Dear Bel, My boyfriend and I have good friends who have just had a baby. They are understandably thrilled. I'm happy for them but I'm not happy about the baby because really it means nothing to me
Dear Bel, I am in a relationship with a wonderful man who would do anything for me. Just one thing is driving a wedge between us - he drinks extremely heavily.