‘So you think she’s too good for you? I’m sure that’s not true.’

Goes without saying I’m out of practice with this stuff, and the older you get the harder it seems to be.

In her mind’s eye, Hannah tried to picture Ed and his wife – a long-married couple who expected to be together forever. Until forever didn’t happen and now he lived alone in their home in a very different world.

But new relationships were harrowing no matter what age you were, she reflected wryly. She shuddered at the thought of still having to try to navigate this stuff in her advancing years. Terrifying.

So this time, I guess it’s me asking for some advice. How do I not make a fool out of myself?

The last question made Hannah laugh out loud. She was the last person he should be asking this.

No pressure. I just figured I might be able to benefit from some female insight since I truly don’t seem to know what I’m doing and which end is up.

How to tell him that I don’t know what I’m doing either, she pondered.

She was flattered that he had come to her for advice in return though. The anonymity of their back-and-forth conversations allowed an intimacy that she was certain wouldn’t have been possible had she and Ed ever met face to face.

Jumping off the stool, she went to seek out her pad of paper and a pen.

‘OK, Ed, I’ll try my best,’ she mumbled, aware of the irony of trying to give relationship advice to a senior, while her own experiences in that regard were always a raging disaster.

What was that saying again? Ah, yes … those who can’t do, teach.

And with that, Hannah started writing.

Firstly let me say that I’m flattered that you thought to approach me for advice in return. Though I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been going through life on your own for a while … loss of any kind is so painful. However, it’s exciting that you’ve met someone you feel you’d like to get to know better.

Hannah wondered momentarily if the woman in question was, in fact, his nurse or carer which might make things very awkward for him if she shot him down. Better not to overanalyze and just keep the advice general and unspecific.

And good on you for potentially putting yourself out there. Though I know it can be scary, too … and believe me, I understand how hard it is to face the risk of rejection. Let me begin by reminding you there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to love – and I have had my share of relationship disasters. So I’m by no means an expert (putting that disclaimer out there just in case).