Ease, by gum

I retired seven years ago at 65. I promised myself then that I would not allow my attention to focus on very much.

The news that people are not relaxed until 8.44pm (your report, 3 May) came as a surprise to me and no doubt to many of my generation and I deemed it worthy of my attention.

I feel that this development illustrates a further schism in our already divided society: those who have and those who do not. I am talking about teeth.

By 8.44pm those without have been relaxed for some time. A gin and tonic more than likely long since dispatched, the evening meal well and truly digested, the sound of the chains on the drawbridge finally silenced, while the nightcap malt has already gently washed our unfettered gums.

From the waspish Miss Robinson to the wistful 8.44pm we are well and truly relaxed. So like our own dear Queen.

DONALD MACKENZIE

Laverockhall

Lanark