Friends won’t accept my toy boy

My ex-husband and I split three years ago and, at the start of this year, I found love again – with a man 18 years younger than me. I adore him – he makes me feel young and truly brings out the best in me. The age difference doesn’t bother either of us, but my friends are causing me anguish. They refuse to take this relationship seriously, are hypercritical and keep saying, ‘You know this won’t last.’ I’m so angry, but I don’t want to fall out with my friends over him.

Gillian, Liverpool

Why are you so worried about what people say if you’re feeling fabulous and having such fun? Age means little, especially these days. A pal of mine got the same reaction to her partner as you, but they went with their hearts. She is now 91, and he’s just turned 60. They’ve been blissfully happy for many, many years. My advice is to go for it and pay no heed to your friends’ reactions. Time will reveal how good you are for each other.