PLAY DATE

Gemma Parker, 38, from Wolverhampton, let her son Guy and his friend Verity go on a grown-up date...to the pub!

- ELLIE FAWCETT AND MADDY BURGESS

Watching my six-year-old son, Guy, run around the florist excitedly, unsure which bright flower to pick out, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Guy has always been a confident, crazy kid who loves meeting new people.

So, part of me wasn’t surprised when he came home from school and told me about his new friend, Verity.

‘Mum, I’ve got a girlfriend, can she come over for tea?’ he asked enthusiastically one evening after school. ‘You and Dad have to sit in a different room though!’

Well, that’s strange, I thought. We’ve not heard that one before!

He had his heart set on it and I was completely thrilled for him.

Guy is always making new friends, he’s very sociable.

The same day he met Verity on the playground, he was already planning to spend time with her outside of school.

It was so sweet. ‘Would you rather go out for dinner?’ I suggested. ‘I can get you both a pizza.’

Only, Guy had something a little bit more extravagant in mind for the two of them!

‘Can we go on a date to the pub?’ he asked, hopefully.

Why not? I thought to myself. It would be super cute!

I thought it was sweet, and quite funny, too!

Guy loves to eat out at different restaurants and it’s something we do a lot as a family, so I think that’s what sparked the idea.

We bring him along for everything we do – he’s a very worldly six-year-old!

‘Sure, let’s do it,’ I said, and picked up the phone to call our local pub.