Three years ago my husband started building us a conservatory - and it still isn't finished! He's always been laid back about doing things properly around the house, but this is ridiculous. The conservatory lets in rain and is freezing, but he prefers to sit doing the crossword rather than sort it. I've tried not to nag, but it's really starting to get me down - I've even threatened to leave him, and that's after being married for 42 years!

Susan advises
If I had a pound for every time I get a reader complaining about how their partner hasn't finished a household job, I'd be rich!

So take heart from the fact that you're not alone - men all over the world are failing to finish conservatories, and women all over the world are getting frustrated at this.

But please don't get so frustrated that you ruin such a long and happy marriage. If it comes to the crunch, simply think of other ways to have what you want here - get in a builder, ask one of your relatives or friends to do the job. If your husband isn't prepared to finish the job himself, then he can't object to your sorting it yourself.

But along with going that route, I do think you should talk through what's behind your husband's stubbornness. Is it that he feels nagged - or even worse, bullied? Is it that he has lost faith in his ability to finish this and needs support from you?

Almost always, behind a practical problem like this there's an emotional difficulty - and after 42 years, given some good solid communication, the two of you should be able to sort it out.