Bel Mooney

My problem is one that's so common and happens to many people every day - a truly passionate and meaningful love affair. weI hardly ever have relations, and live more like flatmates.

On my last day I left him a card with my phone number and a message offering him to contact me if he wanted. He never did. The rejection hurt but I got over it. I thought that was the end.

Dear Bel, My mum was never maternal. She just yelled at us, good at smacking too, and beat me when I got brought back after running away for the second time as a child.

The months after my accident are a bit of a blur - hospitals, physio and people telling me how 'inspiring' I was for getting on with life. I just wanted my old life back.

Four years ago I lost my husband, David. We had good times and difficult ones but always came through them together. When he died, I believed the romantic part of my life had ended.

Dear Bel. We have been married a long time, with two grown-up children. Tom worked as a lorry driver then a taxi driver, spending a good deal of time away.

My family are close and religious. My parents are good people. Six months ago, I met someone at work. I'm falling in love with him but I can't invite him to meet them. I don't know what to do.

My husband and I have been married for over 40 years and have children and grandchildren. I thought we were happily married and enjoying retirement.

Bel Mooney dives into the world of sculpture and discovers how often artists have tried to capture our humanity through the natural objects around us.

Somewhere along the line, I think we forgot about us. Our conversations revolve around practical things. What we don't do is really talk.