Haunted 08.02.07

We have the oddest problem at home. It has become so bad that I think we are being haunted - by a smell. No, I'm not talking about the pungent smell of fox after Megan has rolled in her favourite brand of poo, actually she prefers tortoise poo, but that is seasonal. The smell in question is an unmistakable odour of curry that occurs in our hall close to the radiator and the lounge door frame. Some days it is hardly noticeable, but on other days it overwhelming.

I have ruled out all sorts of possible causes, there is no spilled food and we don't eat curry anyway, there is no smell in the carpet and there is no odour creeping under the front door from outside - I have never smelled curry outside so that is not likely. Sam assures me that it is not caused by one of his practical jokes, there is no smell coming from inside the radiator and I have even delved into Robbie's briefcase in case something was festering in there. It seems there is no rational explanation, so we have to consider more bizarre possibilities. Maybe it is a case for Mulder and Scully! Perhaps we have a curry eating ghost in the hall - unlikely I know, but I can't think of anything else! I can't imagine why a self respecting ghost would loiter in the hall when he or she could be relaxing in the lounge watching TV.

This has been going on for months with no solution. It drives me mad because I hate the smell of curry - as Robbie has found to his cost. I can't bear strong smells especially garlic and curry, I don't like onion either, he can eat whatever he likes as long as he doesn't come near me. He isn't too fond of the sofa, so he tends to avoid smelly food most of the time. He used to try to fool me by eating mints, but I have a nose like a bloodhound and he soon realised that I am not easily fooled.

I guess we have to learn to live with our 'ghostly' smell, unless anyone has any suggestions to resolve the problem?