MY FIANCE HAD A SORDID SECRET

Melissa Walsh, 57, found out the sleazy truth about her partner just in time

Swiping through the dating app, I caught sight of a silver-haired man in a naval uniform. His name was Fred, he was 54, and his profile explained he was a member of the Royal Australian Navy. I was impressed. It was May 2018 and, following a break-up, I was single and ready to meet someone nice. Fred was handsome, and when we got chatting he seemed a true gentleman.

When we met for dinner, he impressed me even more when he told me he was an artist in his spare time. 'I'd love to show you my paintings sometime,' he smiled. He was full of charm, and listened intently when I told him about my job and my kids, now adults.

PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS

Two weeks after our first date, I took Fred up on his invitation to see some of his artwork. Back at his place, hundreds of his paintings and drawings lined the walls, and I was a little taken aback. They were all of naked women, which I hadn't been expecting. They were all beautiful, and so lifelike. So much attention to detail had been put into every inch of exposed flesh. I was surprised to find myself feeling a little jealous, especially when he explained he'd had a lot of women pose for him.

I realised my feelings were irrational though after all, Fred was an artist and that was all these pictures were, pieces of art. I had no reason to feel insecure.

'You're very talented,' I smiled, and I meant it. Before long, Fred and I were in a serious relationship. But my kids weren't exactly taken by him or his art.

'Why can't he paint a fruit bowl? Why does it always need to be naked women?" my eldest daughter Chloe, then 26, scoffed.

I laughed, telling her it was just art. 'He's tried landscapes, but it's not his niche,' I explained.

ROMANTIC BREAK