This is how we do it: Even after 16 years I only have to look at him and I'm ready to go'

"When Ally and I first met, she was 25 and fresh out of uni, and I was 47 and recently separated from my wife. I walked into work every day and saw this beautiful young woman with long dark hair and the most fantastic smile. Eventually I did the cheesy thing and wrote her a note telling her how I felt. I didn't expect to hear from her."

"We started having a sexual relationship really quickly. It wasn't expected, but it happened, and it was amazing. After three years, we broke up because of stress I was experiencing around work. It was the worst decision of my life. I didn't hear from her for 13 years. This summer we ended up meeting purely by chance at a cafe. I felt a sense of wonderment that I had found her again."

"Despite the age gap, we understand each other and things work so well. I have better sex than with her than I've ever had with anyone It's only since our relationship began again that I started to think about the age difference and the implications. I feel older, so I'm thinking about it more now than I did 16 years ago. There are of course a lot of very healthy, vibrant and fit old people. Many who are still having loads of sex, and I think, good on you."

When Ally and the narrator first met, she was 25 and he was 47; they connected artistically and intellectually and began a sexual relationship quickly. After three years they broke up due to work-related stress, and contact ceased for 13 years. They reunited by chance at a café and rekindled their relationship, experiencing strong mutual understanding and exceptional sexual chemistry. The narrator now reflects on the age gap and its implications more than before. Ally reacts to public attention by encouraging public displays of affection. Improved communication has increased intimacy and led to frequent sexual encounters throughout the night.

Read at www.theguardian.com