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.
Denne historien er fra March 13, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 13, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories