SEEING HIM EVERY DAY IS DIFFICULT

When I moved into my house many years ago, a neighbour made it clear from the start that he would like a relationship with me, even though he was married and 30 years older than me. I resisted for many years and had relationships with other men. Then when I was feeling at a low ebb, I agreed to go out with him. We got on well and a relationship developed from there. Eventually his marriage came to an end as his wife left him for someone else. At first there was a sexual attraction. Then we became just two people who hung out together. I began to question what I was doing as I am only in my 40s. I told him that I wanted to break up as things had fizzled out and it wasn’t going anywhere. As he is my neighbour, I see him practically every day in the street, which is difficult. Am I being heartless to want a future with someone closer to my own age? No, you are not being heartless. For a start, you are not in love with him and he is in his 70s. Given his age and the fact that he was married, he should not have set his cap at you. It sounds as though his marriage was not very happy, which is probably why his wife left. It is awkward because he is your neighbour. As when an office romance founders, you can’t avoid him. So be friendly and smile, but only stop to chat occasionally and gradually the awkwardness will lessen. Meanwhile, be open to opportunities to meet and fall in love with someone your own age.