IT'S all right for some. John Phillpott writes (Evening News, Monday, April 14): "The years pass... you are left with your partner in an otherwise empty house."

I'm left with my canary in an otherwise empty flat. I just cannot afford a live-in partner - who'd want me anyway - although I'm not sure I could cope with one 24 hours a day.

Still, I can always listen to Shirley Bassey and Lulu and dream. When I'm tired of them, I can put them back in their rack.

GEORGE COWLEY,

Worcester.