All this will be fine at a later date, just not right now. Thaaaanks.

My friend went to the bar to get another round of mid-afternoon Martinis. At which point I did that thing every bugger does the minute they are left to their own devices: err, check my devices.

A number I didn't recognise sat on my phone screen next to the words "Now then...". Intrigued, I unlocked the keypad and opened up the text message.

"Oh, for gods sake" I muttered, while that familiar cringing feeling crept over my stomach.

Five minutes later, my friend came back and I slid my phone across the table. "You know how we were saying earlier about me not wanting dates with boys at the moment?"

She read the message and laughed. "Aw, it's sweet though!" she said, "Who is he?"

A month or so ago there had been a last minute trip to the races. Some university friends and others gathered in Berkshire and spent the day drinking copious amounts of gin and tonic, interspersed by the odd flutter on the gee-gees. It was two weeks after the break up, and I welcomed the distraction from friends I hadn't seen in a while and those I'd never met before. Talk on the train back to London that evening had revolved around my recent relationship horrors, and the failed attempts of one of the boys, Mr Northerner, to seduce my good friend PIB at a recent dinner party.

It was this boy who introduced himself to me by text, stating he'd got my number from our Mutual Friend - and would I like go for drinks with him this week.

"It is a nice message" I conceded, "But that doesn't excuse the fact that a) I don't fancy him, b) he's already tried it on with my mate and c) I can't think of anything I'd less like to do than go for a drink with any boy at the moment, let alone one who meets that criteria. Urgh, god. How do I reply to this one?"

Putting my phone back in my bag and the awkward feeling to the back of my mind, I knew ignoring wasn't an option. This time, where a mutual friend was involved, there would have to be a reply.

In bed later that night, honesty prevailed.

Thanks for the offer. However I'm taking a break from 'drinks with boys' at the moment. Sorry if that sounds shit. It's just the way it is. Catch you with Mutual Friend soon.

The next morning I awoke to a nice message of the "No worries" variety. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was flattering in a way, after all. And with that one out the way, as far as men and their text messages were concerned, the coast was clear once again.

Or so I thought. Sitting on my bed watching TV last night, my phone buzzed through the duvet.

Hi Jo, it's Mr TDH. We met the other week, remember me? How was your Easter? Just wondered if you fancied going for a drink on Friday?x

Oh, for gods sake.

Doesn't anyone just want to be single any more?