“You must try online dating, you deserve love and happiness too. You are going be an old spinster. Aaaargh, I can imagine, life is too short,” Charlotte said.

She was teasing Amanda, but she was really worried about her friend.

Amanda knew Charlotte was right, but online dating was dangerous. She knew you could date killers or murderers because they could claim to be someone they’re weren’t. The stories she heard of women being brutally murdered or raped made her think twice.

“No, I am fine,” she pretended.

Her mouth smiled but her eyes glittered with sadness.

Charlotte was Amanda’s best friend. Amanda was in her 30s but still single. Her previous relationships had failed and she had already given up. The thought of being single for the rest of her life made her crazy. Sometimes she cried at night until she curled up and slept. During the day she ran a business, but the loneliness got to her at night.

They sat in Amanda’s office for lunch: a Greek salad. Both ladies were keeping fit and staying away from carbs. They went to gym and exercised and they had bold legs: one would think they were athletes. Their bodies were attractive, especially Amanda’s: she was curvaceous. Charlotte was chubby and short but active. She was dating a guy named Will.

When men approached Amanda, things were on fire for less than three days, then boom! they weren’t compatible and she would dump them. Sammy was a cheat; even though she loved him, she couldn’t tolerate it. Dennis was always offish, just wanting a good night with no heavy conversation: it annoyed her and made her see there wasn’t much love. Larry talked about sex as if he ate it. He seemed only to be after the cookie. Cliff was always vicious and insecure. She was annoyed by that, but Cliff made her happy.

“Who is that guy? I don’t want my woman to have male friends!” he shouted.

She always ticked off their attributes: if one was missing from her list, she ditched them. She needed a man who was there for her every day, who always knew what words to say. He should be tall like her, have a muscular body and a good character, be loving, caring, kind, loyal, honest, and have a happy soul.

Swallowing the vegetables was like eating sour tasting leaves. She struggled.

“Please consider online dating,” Charlotte persisted and winked.

Amanda really felt lonely and was jealous of her best friend when she was with her boyfriend. That love-dovey behaviour irritated her.

“Disgusting! Guys, get a room please,” she teased, but also meant it to some degree.

She wished someone would take her in their arms and whisper the three magic words. Being single was depressing her even though she pretended to be fine.

Tell us: Do you think Amanda should consider online dating?