Men are unpredictable beasts. Every girl's had a time when things look like they're going well, then suddenly the calls stop. And just when you think the culprit's gone for good, he makes a comeback. What's going on? And is he worth a second chance or a cick in the head? Or, indeed both?

Mr 'No Second Date'

You go out. It's one of those nights where the conversation never stops and neither of you spills a drink over the other. At the end of the night, there's a kiss of the quality that suggests the date's in the bag. He leaves saying, 'I'll call you at the weekend.' The weekend comes. The call doesn't. You've almost forgotten about it, then 10 days later he texts you.

The expert says:

Dating coach Sam van Rood says, 'This man has lots on - he probably has other girls on the go. If he was really interested he'd call within four days.'

The bloke says:

'This is usually true, but I had a top night out with one girl, and just got sidetracked (well it was during Euro 2004). I didn't get roudn to calling her afterwards. It's not that I didn't like her - it only hit me after two weeks how long it had been. By then, I was too embarrassed to call her. Then she called me, and I'm gald she did, because we've been together for a year now'. James, 25

Tip: Take his number. You do the dialing.

Mr' Ex-Boyfriend'

It's that old cliche - you split up but promise to stay friends. Then, gradually, you both make excuses not to see each other. "Oh yeah, I'd love to go out drinking next week, but I'm busy. And the week after that...'. Before you know it, a year's gone by. Then suddenly he calls to see how you are, and whether you want to meet up.

The expert says:

'You both made excuses not to see ache other at first because it was too painful,' says Sam. 'This isn't a random comeback - he's either feeling down, or something's triggered off memories and he wants to see you. It might be worth getting together one more time to see if there is any spark.'

The bloke Says:

'When I split up with my girlfriend, I started seeing someone else straight away. I never did get over my ex and me and my new girlfriend split up six months later. I felt worse then ever - all those old feelings of hurt about my ex came back. I texted her and she called me right back. It took a while for her to trust me again, but we ended up getting back together.' George 28.

Tip: He's and ex for a reasons: proceed with caution!

Mr 'One night only'

You've been building up to a night of hot loving. When you do finally get down to it, it's all good. The next morning - or afternoon, if it's really good - you leave and send him a text. There's no reply. OK, he's playing it cool. But the text never comes. One month later, you get a response.

The expert says:

According to Sam, 'This is a simple case of hit and run. He's a player. So he's left it a month to call - maybe his regular sex-buddies haven't been returning his calls. Or it could be his way of inviting you to become one.'

The bloke says:

'This is going to sound bad, but if I sleep with a girl I'll always take her number and say, "I'll call you next week." It just seems like the right thing to do. Elliot, 24.

Tip: Have 'the talk' before you do the deed.

My 'I'm so into you'

Se he declares his love after two weeks - but a couple of months later, you give the smallest hint you feel the same way and he suddenly stops calling. He's disappeared. Then he comes back months later.

The expert says:

"This man is a committment phobe,' says Sam, 'He knows declaring love will suck you in - but as soon as you look like you're up for some serious, it terrifies him.'

The bloke says:

I'd just come out of a big relationship and started seeing someone new. I thought she was amazing, but then I got scared of getting hurt. I'm not proud of what I did - I just did a runner. A few months later, I realised how stupid I'd been and called her. This time, she was the one keeping me hanging on. And it worked! Alex, 26

Tip: Treat him (a little bit) mean

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