Al was right, Otis was pretentious.
What you really need (I spoke to my dad last night , in case I dreamt it- his memory was hazy, but it was true)- you need to make marrow rum
). Turns out, he failed to make marrow rum. Just an almightly mess in an antique wardrobe, but at least I didn't dream it.
1)You need, a marrow, sugar, yeast, some sort of muslin bag, other stuff he forgot, hang in inherited antique wardrobe (important there is something in to catch drips- this msy be where the problems occurred) - forget about it until there is a stench of rotting flesh).
2)Be grateful it's the spare room and your job involves lengthy periods working away from home.
3)Never repeat experiment again.
My mother is incredibly house proud, but I don't think this was cited in the divorce proceedings.