I’ve just come out of a relationship of a few weeks and would love to get an outside perspective on things. I met a girl on a free dating site back in September. After many weeks of chatting online, we progressed to the phone and text. Then we agreed to a date. We didn’t live particularly close to each other so dates had to be carefully co-ordinated, so we could meet when I wasn’t working, or when she didn’t have her son (she has a 6 year old boy, who goes with his dad midweek and weekends). Everything was going great, we really connected, she said each time I was really funny, and that she had a brill time. Our first date was a full day packed full of stuff, we did everything from the cinema to dinner. We were more pushed for time on our second date (cinema), but still it went really well. The third date went even better, we hung at hers, and things got physical. We chatted about future dates and becoming ‘official’. Then a couple of days later I got the dreaded “I’m not ready for a relationship” speech. The reason she cited was that her life was really complicated at the moment, with her ex being difficult about when he could have her son. She also said “I think you are a fantastic person and I really do like you, I really do want to still be friends with you.” She’s 26, me 30. Her ex has married someone else (she ditched him for being too controlling). I don’t think she’s been in a serious relationship for over a year. Since her decision, we have just defaulted to texts every few days. The last few times it’s felt as if I have had to start the conversation. When we do text, the exchanges are fun, long and really friendly. So my question to you is, how should I play it? I’d love to date her again when she does feel ready, but I don’t want to come across as clingy or needy. Is there any sort of slim possibility that she might have a rethink about us, and if so, how do I put myself in the best position for that? I know the ‘done thing’ would be to move on and date other people but there is just something about this girl, and I thought things were progressing really nicely into something special – I haven’t had that much of a laugh - or connected in such a way - with someone in a VERY long time. Many thanks in advance for any advice! Mark