We met for lunch – I left his place six days later

Seth made me emotionally prepared for future long-term relationships (Picture: Maja Proescholdt)

‘I think I’m going to do a lap of Australia, and after I finish travelling I’d love to work for myself with a career in travel.’ 

I was strolling hand-in-hand down a beach in Australia with Seth*, talking about our hopes and dreams for the future. It was the picture of romance – yet I’d only met him the day before.

And I was about to leave, and never see him again. 

Several years earlier, I’d ended my toxic marriage and slowly rebuilt a life I loved. Now di...