Firstly, thank you for all the suggestions. I just wanted to give you all an update on what he decided.

He emailed me from school yesterday asking if he could come over after school, I said no probs and I would pick him up.

On the drive back to mine I asked him if he had decided on where he would like to book because even cafes need a booking with numbers being restricted at the moment.

"Aunty, I know (name of Italian restaurant) is more money but I would really like to go there. I don't want to spend all your money but maybe I could do some things at your house that you usually pay someone else to do so I have enough and you save money too?"

Heart be still.

"Buddy, I appreciate what you're saying but it's really not that expensive. I'm proud of your choice to treat her somewhere nice and I'm even prouder of you for trying to work for the money. I'm happy to pay for it all on the original deal of doing the extra chores for your mum."

He was so happy and he is excited beyond words. He also somehow swindled me into taking him to the shops so he could buy a snappy new outfit to wear but hey, what are aunties for?

So there ya go. He wanted the Italian restaurant all along, was just worried about the cost. His mum has booked the restaurant and nephew and I will be picking her up at 11:45am for a 12 o'clock booking. She has alerted them that they will be dining alone and that's fine as long as they have authority to pre authorise my credit card for the anticipated cost of the meals. Seems fair.

They have both decided that they would like to go to the shops afterwards which I agree is fine given their ages. I love that he asks my opinion. I have told him to lurk on FDS if he likes to find out what girls really want and reminded him he is unable to participate.

I have reminded him not to kiss her and he asked what to do if she kisses him haha. I told him to offer a quick peck back so she isn't offended but he needs to remain respectful and smooching should be done in private. I know some people think I'm making a big deal out of this, but some of the girls in his year level have recently been offering the boys "blow jobs" and asking them to "finger" them. We have discussed how that is a fast track way to STD town and to just keep away from those people, but you can never be too careful. He assures me she is not part of that group. He was actually really quick to tell his mum when he was sent naked photos from a peer because I have drilled into his head that it is technically child porn and he can get into trouble.

I'm sure I will update you all after the event :)