Blind date

David ticks every box – I’d give him a ten out of ten We ended the night with a hug and kiss

EvEry week, we send a couple on a blind date and report back. This week, David Chaffer, 61, had dinner at london’s Paternoster Chop House with Catherine Graham, also 61.

David, from Sussex, is a driver. He is separated and has four grown-up children.

Catherine, a nurse, lives in farnborough, Hampshire. She is divorced and also has four grown-up children.

CATHERINE, 61, SAYS:

I HAD actually given up on dating when I read the Blind Date column and thought to myself: ‘Why not?’ I am so glad I did!

David was already there when I arrived. As I was walking towards the door, I saw a lovely chap standing by the bar, smartly dressed, with lovely hair and a nice smile. I thought: ‘Oh, I hope it’s him.’ luckily, it was!

He was smiling at me and came straight over and kissed me on both cheeks. He was really welcoming, which just started everything off perfectly.

We talked about everything: what we did, children, grandchildren, a little bit about our exes.

We talked a lot about hobbies and he told me he’s a horologist. I think he was quite impressed that I knew that was someone who loves old clocks with chimes!

I love dancing, travel and going to the theatre and cinema, so there was plenty to discuss. We laughed a lot, the conversation was easy and the food was good. The date felt very comfortable — not strange at all.

I loved the fact his daughter put him forward for the date and that he’s humble and not a show-off, with a quietly confident manner. He listened to me, but likes to chat, too, and we have a similar attitude to life.

I’ve been on dates where I would have given them a score of 1/20 if anyone had asked, but David got a 10/10.

He ticked every box and, despite the fact he tells me he has two left feet, he even says he might be up for learning to dance. He is fit and active, so that’s half the battle . . . I can show him the moves!

My daughter is thrilled! We had spent three hours together deciding what I would wear and I know she wants me to be happy. The girls at work are so jealous and want to get in on the act, too.

I’m a retired military nursing officer, but now work part-time for the NHS, which can be really demanding. I have four grown-up children and seven wonderful grandchildren aged between nine months and nine years, so they keep me on my toes, too.

I’m always busy, but I would make time for a relationship that mattered and — to be really honest — perhaps I keep myself busy to take up time!

I was married for more than 30 years, but I’ve been single since 2010. I’ve been on a couple of unsuccessful dates and dabbled in online dating, but I don’t do it any more, as I found it a horrible experience. It’s just not for me.

But I would really like to meet someone who can keep up with me. I am curvy, but fit, and I know I would get on better with someone who is fit, independent and enjoys adventures.

I love to socialise, too, so they would need to enjoy going out and, if they can’t dance, they’d have to be prepared to learn or at least happy for me to continue!

I definitely think David would be a good companion for some of those adventures.

The whole night with David was brilliant and we were the last ones to leave the restaurant. He walked me to the Tube, where we caught our trains and he asked me for my number, which I was very happy to give him. He gave me a kiss on the lips goodnight and was very gentlemanly.

David is a lovely, charming man and we have been texting every day. We’ve even met up a couple of times since — with more plans in the making!

LIKED? Everything. I couldn’t find a fault with him.

REGRETS? None. It’s the best thing I’ve done. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee. Verdict: 10/10 DAVE, 61, SAYS: I fElT that it would be rude to leave Catherine to wait alone, so I got there early. I was nervous but, once I was in the restaurant and had a beer in my hand, I was OK.

Then in walked a pretty blonde woman wearing a lovely dress and heels — and I was pleased to discover it was Catherine.

She was very easy to talk to and we covered everything — you name it, we talked about it! from music to family and everything in between, and there was a lot of laughter and banter, although we had some serious discussions, too.

for example, it was nice to find out that we are both very close to our families.

My daughter set me up for this date by putting me forward and my kids were all very interested to find out how it went! Catherine’s daughter had also been involved and helped her get ready, so that was lovely.

After being married for nearly 30 years and having four children, I separated from my wife more than five years ago. I have dated a bit since, even running a cattery business in Dorset with someone for a couple of years. I now live in Sussex and have been single for just over a year.

I’ve been online and tried to date, but found it really tedious.

I am looking for a kind and sociable woman who can provide companionship and wants to build a future together — and that’s not always easy to work out online.

So, when I met Catherine, I was filled with hope because the date went very well.

I thought she was lovely and warm and it just seemed like a natural thing to acknowledge that I felt a connection during the date.

She made some comment about the future and I turned around and told her I was going to ask for her number, and did that answer her question? I liked that the decision to meet again came from us both.

The food was wonderful — I had pâté and steak and kidney pudding, followed by sticky toffee pudding. After the meal, we just sat and chatted, as we didn’t want to rush. In the end, they were trying to get us to leave!

I escorted Catherine to her train and we parted there with a kiss and a hug. We have been texting and chatting and have been out a couple of times again — and we’re planning our next date.

I thought she was lovely and I hope she still feels the same.

LIKED? I liked the way she dressed and her warm personality.

REGRETS? No. COFFEE OR CAB? Definitely coffee. Verdict: 9/10