The recession has played havoc with people’s lives, not least those whose relationships have broken down. Countless couples who would otherwise have gone their separate ways have stayed together because they felt they couldn’t afford to divorce. Some couples have parted emotionally, but have continued to live under the same roof for because they’ve been unable to sell the marital home.   more »

I am friends with a couple who have been married for 40 years. Some time ago I asked them: “What’s your secret?” The husband’s prompt response was: “Inertia!”   more »

At Christmas, did you feel you had to go through the “isn’t it fantastic?” routine for the sake of the children, even if what you actually felt like doing was hiding under the duvet for a couple of weeks?   more »