VIVE la diffrence! ("Boys are no worse than girls", Helen Mead, April 27).

The only trouble with boys is that some never grow out of wanting to bring machinery, power tools and oily rags indoors. Grandma allowed the repair of motorbikes to take place in her kitchen. (This scenario could have led to a BAFTA nomination for an exasperated Gordon Ramsay, had he been around at the time).

I just know the slightly repressed desire to give a repeat performance is still there.

A regenerated, leather-clad Hell's Angel, complete with white silk fringed scarf, is poised ready to leap out at me (wishful thinking?) in an unguarded moment.

Margaret Lawson,

Aldborough House,

The Groves,

York.

Updated: 11:34 Tuesday, May 04, 2004