My lover’s teenage daughter is driving us apart

her more than you . . . and wouldn’t it be great if you weren’t there?

Now let’s move to you — much more mature, and yet thinking the same thing: that life would be far more pleasant were this other female not in it.

It’s easy to understand why. honestly, when my two were teenagers, they drove me bonkers, so the thought of somebody else’s sulky daughter not saying thank you to me etc . . . yes, totally trying.

Nevertheless, you love the man, so you have to accept his daughter. Like it or not, you’re now a family unit, so you might as well come to terms with the fact her teenage years will not be easy. Stop being surprised by this.

You need to take deep breaths to get through her weekends. Moaning about money and manners only makes things worse, so you need to stop. As for saying they’re ‘like lovebirds’ . . . well, come on!

In your place, I’d do my best to be calm and cheerful, telling yourself that in time you’ll be able to give this young woman the companionship she may not get from her mother.

Try to find out what makes her tick: clothes, make-up, school, music. Sound her out, expecting monosyllabic replies and being silently amused by them.

Make sure you have at least one sit-down family meal on her weekends, so you can get to know her. This will be seen as a positive by Will rather than all the negatives he has been hearing — and just see how he changes, too.

Are you in this relationship for the long term? If so, there’s no choice.