Frances

After four years together, she discovered a handwritten letter revealing her partner's feelings for another woman. She also learned he had had sex with someone else. While she had been giving him space and supporting him through what he described as grief, he had been pursuing other relationships.

His criticism often came disguised as a compliment or a casual observation. She was “boring”, a “Plain Jane”, a “5/10”. He told her she was not his dream girl and that he would never marry her.

Those words followed her into a healthier relationship. Even with a caring partner, she sometimes worries that she is only the safe, familiar option until someone better comes along. She wants it understood that his cheating was his decision, not a consequence of her being quiet or of how she looked.

She paints, plays rugby and takes pride in work that helps improve people's lives. She describes herself as strange and funny, and wants to be recognised as beautiful and interesting without having to become someone else.