BLIND DATE

THIS is a column for those of us who are venturing back to dating, and need advice, reassurance and the solidarity of knowing we are not alone. Every week we send a couple out for dinner and report back on their blind date, with a little advice thrown in to help the rest of us.

This week, Lorraine Edwards and Stephen Cragen went on a blind date to The Botanist in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Lorraine divorced 17 years ago. She has four grown-up children, and although she has had relationships since, her last date was four years ago. Living in Liverpool, she is active and enjoys cultural outings, music, and eating out.

Stephen has been single for 17 years. He enjoys living on his own in Manchester, and is semi-retired from the building industry. He has three children, aged 26, 33 and 18. He’s joined the local gym and enjoys working out.

Lorraine, 61, says:

STEpHEn must have arrived just seconds before me because when I got to the restaurant he was standing at the door. As we were both early, we went to the bar first and had a drink.

First impressions? I thought he was tall and well-dressed, but I knew immediately I didn’t fancy him. That said, he didn’t repulse me, and if the night had worked out and he’d asked me out again, I probably would have said yes.

But the problem was he just had no conversation. He’s not working much, has no hobbies and didn’t want to talk about current affairs, so there was just nothing to talk about.

I tried to keep chatting but there were lots of long, awkward silences, which were difficult. I love a good chat so I even tried talking about football, which I don’t know much about, but I only got one sentence out of that.

In the end, I ended up chatting more to the waitress. It was like Stephen had lost the art of conversation.

He didn’t even seem interested in the food. I love eating out and the menu looked delightful, but while I was enthusing over my choices — should I have crispy calamari or salmon with rice? — all Stephen said was that he wanted a steak sandwich.

Eventually I persuaded him to order a steak and we shared a bottle of wine. Meanwhile, he asked me if I smoked and I told him I hated it. He then took tobacco out and rolled up at the table, which really shocked me.

I wouldn’t want Stephen to think badly of himself, but after struggling to even talk to me, he then started to make a few leery suggestions during the meal, which I’m sure he meant as compliments but made me desperate to get away.

I think he’d had a few drinks before he arrived and by the end of the night, he had drunk quite a bit of wine.

By 8.40pm, having only been there for just over an hour, we had finished the meal and I just wanted to go home. But Stephen said his train wasn’t until 10.30pm and I felt bad leaving him there so I stayed, drinking three cups of coffee and a litre of water just to stay awake!

Although I laughed off his sexual innuendos, it made me feel uncomfortable. As I was about to drive away, he knocked at my car window and asked for a goodbye kiss. I told him I don’t kiss on a first date and sped off!

The date was horrendous. We were just too different. I am looking for a man I can talk to and have a nice evening with. I’m not ready for pipe and slippers yet. LIKED: Stephen’s a nice man, but not for me. REGRETS: That I can’t find someone who loves life like me. CAB OR COFFEE? I know I stayed until his train was due, but I wanted to go home earlier. VERDICT: 4/10

Stephen, 65, says:

My LAST date was seven years ago and given I’m not one for small talk, I was very nervous in the lead-up to my dinner with Lorraine, I must confess.

you could say I’m out of the loop in terms of what women expect the first time you meet up. Having decided to get the train to Knutsford, the town where we agreed to meet as it’s half way for both of us, I arrived early so decided to go for a couple of pints in a pub first, just for a bit of Dutch courage really.

Lorraine and I arrived at the restaurant at the same time and I was immediately struck by what a good-looking woman she is.

At 65 years of age, I can’t be too picky can I?

But Lorraine was feminine and clearly keeps herself trim. I couldn’t believe my luck.

We decided to share a bottle of pinot Grigio, which I understand is a lady’s drink, and Lorraine was superb company.

She said she worked in the motor trade but didn’t go into too much detail about what she does. She’s a career woman — that’ll do me. She wasn’t at a loss for words either.

We talked about our respective divorces and our children, too. I’ve been single for 17 years now. After my last relationship failed, I wanted to be independent. My youngest son lives with me so I’m not totally on my own and I’m only semi-retired.

I haven’t stopped work completely because I dread the thought of staring at four walls all day.

My grown-up daughter Caroline, who lives in preston, worries about me being on my own. Every day she’s on the phone to me about getting out there and meeting people.

But it’s not easy to date at my age — certainly not with women as attractive as Lorraine. She’s the type of woman I’d like to spend more time with.

After the meal I escorted her to her car: I thought it was only proper. She drives a classy little Mini, which sums her up really.

I’d love to see her again and I’ve asked for her number. I hope she lets me have it.

It’ll put my daughter Caroline’s mind at rest if I’ve at last found some female company. LIKES: Lorraine got a big tick from me. REGRETS: I shouldn’t have had those pints before we met. But what man wouldn’t be nervous? COFFEE OR CAB? I’d certainly have taken up an invitation to go back to Lorraine’s for coffee. VERDICT: 8/10

I told him I don’t kiss on a first date — and sped off I’d love to see Lorraine again — who wouldn’t?