Q.   My boyfriend is growing close to one of his female mates.  They text constantly and share lots of flirty jokes.  I've tried speaking to him, but he doesn't understand and says she's just a friend.


A.   You need to invite this girl on a night out with you and your boyfriend.  If she says no, then it's a sign that perhaps they aren't 'just friends'.  Or, if your boyfriend isn't happy for her to come along, then you're right to be suspicious.  If you do find he's trying to keep something from you, or they refuse to include you in their friendship, you need to grow a pair and make it clear to your boyfriend that you won't stand for it.  But if they are both happy to go out with you there as well, and they act like they normally do when it's just the two of them, you don't have anything to worry about.