Sexual healing

Pamela Stephenson Connolly: It is perfectly normal for women to have orgasms during sleep or on awakening. It is probably the female equivalent of male nocturnal orgasm and ejaculation - except that we rarely notice because there is no tell-tale semen left in the bed

Stumped by difficult relationship

Dear Mariella: A friend I have had since school has become selfish and rude. I wish to step back from the caring role I seem to be in, as I want to look to the future and be positive'

An unwelcome crush

The dilemma: 'After I kissed another man it took years for my marriage to recover. Now I've got a crush again. I'd like to make light of it, but the more I dwell on the secret, the more I magnify it'

Out of touch

Dear Mariella: 'I have few relatives, and my only sister is very egotistical. We have been extremely close, but now we're out of touch. Is it pointless trying to rebuild our relationship?'

What women don’t understand about men

For some time now, Lisa has been covertly seeing her ex, Nick. Randomly, she has bumped into him and his wife, Justine, in a department store. They are making conversation

The vicious stepdaughter

Dear Mariella: 'My boyfriend is 52 and I'm 38. His 22-year-old daughter tells him we have an abusive relationship, and if we have a baby I know that she will treat us all like enemies'

What women don’t understand about men

Nick is standing watching Justine (his wife) and Lisa (his ex, with whom he is secretly sleeping) have a bit of a chat. I'd guess his pulse is around the 230bpm mark.

Judgmental arrogance

Dear Mariella: 'My atheist friend wants her son baptised as a Catholic to secure a school place. She's asked me to be godmother, but I don't think it's right to manipulate the system'

Playing it dumb

Love by numbers: I'm a 30-year-old single woman and I have no trouble finding dates. However, they rarely progress beyond the first one and I get the feeling I am intimidating men.