Blind date
What happened next...
I wish the physical chemistry was still there I longed for romance but I’ve had to settle for friendship
SIx months ago, we sent Laura Hall on a blind date with Jean- Paul Noel-Cephise. The couple got on so well that there was even a kiss at the end of the evening.
We caught up with them at ChamporChampor Thai restaurant in London, to see if romance blossomed. Jean-Paul (JP), 47, is a business lecturer and dad of two living in Croydon while Laura, 42, also lives in London and is an optical engineer. Dating Doctor ALANA KIRK found out how they got on . . .
JEAN-PAUL, 47, SAYS:
THe first time Laura and I met six months ago there was a lot of chemistry and it was a great date.
We felt such a buzz that I think we were both sure there was a connection, despite the fact we weren’t each other’s usual type.
There was lots of flirting and as the evening drew to a close, we ended up sharing a kiss.
We met up a few times after that — Laura cooked me dinner — but no romance developed so I was looking forward to seeing her again to discover if the chemistry would still be there.
We had a lovely time. We shared a fair amount of wine between us, and I found we were both able to open up more and discuss our lives in greater depth than when we first dated.
The food was amazing, which certainly helped — I had duck breast then Thai green curry.
Laura has so much energy. She is a radiant person and is always smiley and interested in the people around her.
We laughed a lot — she has a really good sense of humour — and I love spending time with a woman I have that kind of rapport with. She’s so intelligent and articulate, and she also gives great advice. That’s a rare quality to have and it gives me a fresh perspective on life.
It was a very relaxed and comfortable experience.
Since my divorce four years ago, I’ve dated periodically but have had some terrible experiences, particularly online. The reason why a blind date initially appealed was because it felt like more of a natural way to meet someone.
My two sons split their time between me and their mum. Although they are 17 and 12 and getting more independent, they are still a factor in who I choose to see.
They know I date and I think they would be happy if I met someone. Laura hasn’t met them but I’m sure they would enjoy her company.
However, now we’ve met up again, I think we’re both sure we’d rather be friends than lovers. We’ve established a wonderful playful pl relationship and an our night out this w week confirmed that fo for both of us.
I wish the physical chemistry c was there — but I just don’t think th it is. In a way, though, t that’ s refreshing refreshin because wecan flirt and joke but we both know the boundaries are clear.
We compared notes on recent dates we’ve been on, too, and Laura gives me fantastic advice from a woman’s perspective.
Now that we’ve got all the flirting out of the way, we can be more open with each other.
I even felt able to ask her about comments I’ve received from another girl that I’m not sure about.
We plan to meet up again, but I see her more as my non-date date. I’d happily be her pretend partner or plus one to an event, as I know I’ll have a good time and be in excellent company.
I would really like to help Laura find love — as long I don’t lose her as a friend! LIKES: Her energy and spirit. REGRETS: None. CAB OR COFFEE? Always coffee. VERDICT: 10/10
LAURA, 42, SAYS:
WHeN I went on that first date with JP I was looking for love.
On our first date, I knew he wasn’t really the type I normally go for — I usually prefer skinny, tall men, more like David Bowie.
But the connection between us was so strong that I wanted to see what might happen.
JP makes me laugh so much, and it’s very refreshing to have an actual conversation with someone who is able to listen and interact engagingly. He is quite inquisitive and there is never any shallow chit-chat.
For a couple of weeks, we flirted and pursued the beginnings of a romance. We shared a few kisses but I started to feel like the chemistry wasn’t there.
I like to flirt and am very playful, but when it comes to serious things I am quite cautious so we didn’t take it any further.
Six months on, we are in constant contact, keeping in touch by email and text, so it was lovely to see him again for dinner. I had a starter of scallops and then red snapper.
We greatly enjoyed each other’s company and it was yet another wonderful evening.
I have other male friends but no one I feel comfortable enough to let flirt and be playful with me like JP. He’s so genuine and an open book — it’s a joy to chat to him.
I wouldn’t exclude him from dating me in the future, as I never rule anything out.
I can see how he would be quite a catch for many girls, but this dinner demonstrated that our relationship falls more naturally into a friendship and I’m very glad about that.
I think if we had tried to force a romance, it might have worked for a while and then ended, perhaps with us not keeping in touch. Now, we still have each other.
We are both looking for love, but keeping in touch means we have someone to bounce our thoughts off and to ask advice from.
I liked being able to help him out when he asked me for feedback about his recent dates.
I’ve personally stopped online dating because I don’t have the time and energy it requires.
I have always been the ‘love at first sight’ type of person, jumping into relationships head first. But clearly my choices haven’t always been the best, so I am revising my methods and taking baby steps with love.
JP is a very interesting guy, and this could slowly develop into something, or it may turn out that I need to fall madly in love again with somebody else.
I’m not a jealous person though, so hearing about JP’s dates doesn’t bother me at all.
I went into our blind date looking for love but I came out with a good friend. Who could ask for more?
I haven’t asked JP if he has any single friends yet, but I should...
LIKES: He’s a chatty, open and bright person.
REGRETS: None — I just wish I fancied him! CAB OR COFFEE? Coffee. VERDICT: 10/10