Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

In 1956, Ruth’s mother was in her early sixties and her father was well into his seventies. Ruth describes her father as, "A highly sexed man. We always knew he was very lovey-dovey ...", and Ruth tells the story that although her parents had a fulfilling sex life, her mother, worried about her husband's health. "Look Henry", she said, "This sex business has got to stop because it’s going to kill you!" Henry’s response, was "No sex, no marriage!" They’d been married about 40 years or more, and were, according to Ruth, a very loving couple. Ruth’s mother was a bit confused by this response from her husband - surely their marriage could sustain this change?

Some time later, and quite unexpectedly, a call came for Ruth’s mother from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, from the Edgar Lustgarten show,on television. The show aired all sorts of problems posed by their viewers, and Ruth's mother was told, "We’d love you to come to London and be on the show, because your problem is a nationwide problem." Ruth’s mother protested, "What problem? I didn't contact the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ!" The reply was, "But I've got your letter here!" An extract was read out to her. It said, "My husband says I’ve been living in fairyland because there is no such thing as pure love in a marriage, because sex is the main thing in the marriage." Ruth's mother realised that her husband had written the letter in her name and demanded its return. She also realised that it was his attempt to prove that, if aired in public, his point would be upheld.

Although Ruth's mother confided her hurt and disillusionment to her daughter, marital relations were resumed. Neither mother nor daughter revealed to the adored husband and father that they knew about the letter, "We never ever mentioned it," says Ruth, then adds, on a final irreverent note " but I dined out on it years later!"