Blind date

Every week we send a couple out on a blind date. This week John Feore, 74, had dinner at Hartwell House, in Buckinghamshire, with Audrey Stephenson-Taylor, 65.

John is a retired chartered accountant with four grown-up children and lives in Aylesbury. Audrey, from ruislip, West london, has a grown-up daughter. Both are divorced.

AUDREY, 65, SAYS:

AS I arrived early, I was shown around Hartwell House by a helpful member of staff. It’s a beautiful place. I thought: ‘oh well, if my date isn’t great, at least it will have been worth the drive here.’

But luckily, when John arrived he was smartly dressed with a cheeky smile and had brought some pretty flowers for me, which was thoughtful. He was a little taller than me, which is always nice, and although he was clearly older, he wasn’t old — he was slim and appeared fit.

I wasn’t nervous at all. The prospect of meeting a potential partner was exciting. I’m retired and have been single for far too long. I’m always out with friends and my family keep me busy, so I’m not lonely, but I’d like to have someone special in my life.

I’ve been married twice, at 21 and 35, and had a daughter with my second husband. We divorced in 2002. I’ve had relationships since but not lived with anyone else.

I would like another relationship before it’s too late, but I’m not sure I’m looking to move in with or marry anyone. I like my independence — but never say never!

The most important thing for me in a man is personality; someone who is kind, comfortable in their own skin and enjoys laughing and smiling. I would like someone with a degree of sophistication, but rough diamonds fascinate me, too!

So which was John? definitely a sophisticate. We began chatting over a drink and never stopped. There were no awkward silences and we both had lots to say.

We did talk briefly about our emotional ‘baggage’, but we didn’t let it weigh things down. I loved hearing about John’s experience when he appeared on Come dine With Me, one of my favourite Tv programmes.

It was a lovely first date, but now for the million-dollar question: was there any chemistry?

Chemistry is so elusive and hard to pin down, but the answer is, there is definitely potential.

We have much in common, although John’s interests — cycling and dancing — require a level of fitness far greater than mine. I’m in excellent health, but I admit I’m woefully unfit.

I’m a sun-worshipper so would love company on trips abroad. I think I’m warm, amusing and relatively uncomplicated, although I admit to a few radical ideas. I have a small, close family. My daughter lives nearby, but is doing her own thing. John and I seemed to have a similar attitude to life and we both appear easy-going.

There was one potential sticking point: he is a regular churchgoer. However, he didn’t spontaneously combust when I told him I was a staunch atheist.

It was a pleasure to meet him and I enjoyed our lovely lunch. I gave him my phone number and we have texted, so we’ll see. LIKED: He is a good man and we had lots in common. REGRETS: None. CAB/COFFEE? Coffee. VERDICT: 8/10

JOHN, 74, SAYS:

I love good food so I was really looking forward to eating at Hartwell House, although of course I was much more excited about meeting Audrey! I was hoping to be first, but when I arrived, Audrey was waiting in the drawing room. She looked very graceful, had a lovely smile and was easy on the eye. We really enjoyed each other’s company and three hours flew by.

Audrey is really well travelled and has also written three books, albeit not yet published.

She told me about her life in Spain as owner of a restaurant. She is elegant and graceful with impeccable manners, but still very down to earth — always the sign of a proper lady. She is interested in current affairs and leads quite a social life, so we had lots to talk about and have quite a few interests in common. I’ve been divorced for nearly 20 years and have had a few girlfriends since then, but nothing too serious. I’ve been on dating sites but I like to meet someone face to face, and see the sparkle in their eyes. I’m really active and my life is full, with sport and family gatherings, but I miss that special companionship. I’m fit and healthy and, even though I say it myself, young-looking for my age, possibly as a result of regular golf, lots of cycling and hill-climbing and healthy eating. I’ve cycled from london to Paris for charity twice. I have a few other interests, too, like photography and astronomy, and I do some voluntary work as a speaker for SurvIve-MIvA — a charity that provides transport for medical and missionary people. A udrey and I had a lovely relaxed conversation over pre-lunch drinks. We chatted about our lives and family before heading into the restaurant, where we both had a salmon starter.

For the main course, Audrey ordered pork and I had hake, with a great selection of veg, beautifully served up as works of art. We just had a glass of wine each as we were both driving.

If there was a drawback to the date it would be that Audrey is not very into sports, since I’m obsessed. She is, however, a fan of long walks, which is good. We also both detest Tv programmes such as love Island and Big Brother, which was a bonus.

Chemistry? I think there was a little, so que sera, sera!

I do think we will see each other again. We exchanged phone numbers and shared a warm kiss in the car park. We’ve been in touch by text, so hopefully we can plan to meet up again.

LIKE: Her elegance and positivity, plus her beautiful smile.

REGRETS: only that she’s not as sporty as me.

CAB/COFFEE? Coffee. VERDICT: 8/10

Chemistry? There is definitely potential! We shared a warm kiss in the car park