Tom’s eyes are warm, inviting. And there’s a definite cheeky glint. I swipe right on him, and a new screen pops up telling me it’s a match. Tom had already swiped right on me in the past. That means we’re now able to talk to each other.

I think about what to say to him. I’m not good with openers. I don’t want to go down the boring ‘Hi’ route, but what else is there to say to someone you don’t know but are expected to speak to? This is why us women tend to let guys make the first move. They seem to know what to do. Well, some of them do.

I have a closer look at his profile for some inspiration. Maybe there’s something on there I can lead in with. It doesn’t say much, though.

Positive, open-minded and friendly. Still seeking the yin to my yang. I know she can’t be far off. Maybe it’s you?

Perhaps a little cheesy and unoriginal, but there’s something I like about that. He doesn’t come across as trying to be something he’s not, unlike 90% of the guys on Tinder who claim to be surfing vegan martial artists who visit sixty countries a year and go to the gym every three hours. If that was the case, local leisure centres and the departures lounge at Luton Airport would be reclassified as zoo exhibits for the male of the species.

While I’m still thinking of what to say to Tom, a message pops up on the screen. He got there first. That’s no bad thing, and at least it shows he has some confidence in making the first move.

Hi Grace! Gorgeous photos, especially the one with the butterfly dress. It’s an Apricot one, isn’t it? x

I feel my eyebrows flick upwards, momentarily and voluntarily. This guy knows what he’s doing.

I’m impressed. So which are you, fashion designer or drag artist? x

He’s keen. I see the three dots appear on the screen almost immediately, which tells me he’s already composing a reply. After a few seconds, it appears.

Haha - neither I’m afraid. I was a friend of mine’s ‘shopping buddy’ for a while and I think I’ve probably memorised every dress in that shop x

I have a little chuckle at the thought of him being dragged around shopping centres, laden with bags while his friend tries on every dress in sight.

Always on the lookout for a bag carrier. So is it a good thing or a bad thing that I reminded you of your friend? :P x

Can’t go wrong with a cheeky little tongue-sticky-out face. At least it shows I’m only teasing.

She’s got a boyfriend now so I’ve been relieved of my duties. And relieved is definitely the right word! You remind me of lots of things, but I’m not about to wheel those old lines out. I’d put you off your breakfast. Much planned for the day? x

Just work, I type. I’m not sure whether that’s preferable to listening to cheesy chat-up lines or not. It’s a tough one… What do you do for a living? x