I wanted to sneak out of my date’s flat – instead we had the most awkward goodbye

It was a relief to head home, until I felt a tide of vomit rise from my stomach (Picture: Georgia Lewis)

It was 10am on December 31, 2002, and I was driving along one of Sydney’s busiest roads covered in my own vomit: a slimy mix of white wine and deep-fried camembert.

I knew I would not be seeing in 2003 with last night’s date.

I had met John* online, on an Australian dating site. He was in his 30s, English and ...