Long-lost daughter has gone off the idea of meeting me

Dear Coleen I HAD a daughter with my ex-girlfriend 16 years ago when we were both teenagers. We were too young to be in a relationship and to be parents, and we broke up when my daughter was only a year old. My ex moved away, which I assumed was temporary at the time, and left no contact details.

For years I tried to find my daughter but had no success. I thought about her all the time and feel very guilty, especially now that I ’m happily married with a son, whom I adore.

A few months ago, my daughter found me through social media and we began emailing each other. My ex knew about this and wasn’t happy about it but allowed us to communicate nonetheless.

Now lockdown has eased, I’d love to meet my daughter but she stopped contacting me as much and just this week I got a letter from social services, saying she isn’t sure at the moment whether she wants to meet.