HE'S MY LOVER NOT MY GRANDAD!

Chelsea Birkenhead, 33, and her partner have faced criticism for their relationship...

- MISHAAL KHAN, LAUREN GREGORY.

Catching up with friends at the local pub, I was surprised by an interruption.

‘This is for you, from the gentleman over there,’ said one of the bar staff, handing me a glass of wine as she gestured to a man perched by the bar.

I had a giggle with the girls, before taking a peek at my secret admirer.

‘A lot older than I imagined,’ I said, taking in the 50-something man wearing jeans and a smart jumper.

Still, at 23, I’d dated older men in the past and had always found them to be more mature and interesting.

Heading to the bar when it was my round, I noticed he was still there.

‘I’m Don,’ he smiled.

‘I’m Chelsea. Thanks for the drink,’ I replied.

Don insisted on buying me another, before putting his number into my phone and telling me to give him a call.

BLOSSOMING ROMANCE

Truth be told, I wasn’t blown away y Don, and when I texted him a week after in September 2013, I really wasn’t expecting it to go anywhere.

But Don invited me out for dinner and I agreed. And next day, he was at my doorstep, picking me up and treating me to a meal at a local Italian restaurant.

We chatted for hours, and I told him about my job as a dental nurse. He told me he was 52 and worked as a builder.

I'm divorced, with a grown-up son,' he also told me.

'Doesn't bother me,' I smiled. And I meant it. I really loved Don's honesty and now I'd got to know him a bit, he seemed like such a decent and respectful man.