If I went on a date now, it would have to be booked two weeks in advance

Sandwiched in bed between her kids and the dog, Charlotte Cripps recalls a blissfully romantic moment with Alex long before the drought set in ...

(Amara May)

I couldn’t quite believe my eyes when Alex opened the front door in a fluffy white towelling bathrobe – the type you find in a five-star luxury hotel and then steal. He was very welcoming as he ushered me into my sister’s sitting room. The flat smelt exquisitely of... what was it… oh yes… amber. Perhaps he is about to have a bath, I thought. Where is the post? I hope he doesn’t rush me out.

There are candles lit by the fireplace with a roaring fire. How cosy! He texted me to say there was lots of post for my sister in the hallway, so it’s not like he didn’t know I was coming over. So, why this demonstrative, half-naked welcome? Could this romantic atmosphere possibly be a signal? Such was my disbelief that he wanted to be with me that I must have missed it, like being airlifted out of a rom-com just before the climax.

He waved his arms around in an animated way and told me about some big design and build deal he was hoping to clinch. Not once did I suspect he was about to make a move. But then, out of the blue, he pulled me gently down on the floor with him. Wow, it felt like I was sinking into an ocean with wonderfully coloured fish as all the candle flames shone around us.