Blind date

The minute I met him I knew it was going to be good We talked for hours - and parted with a kiss

EvERy week, we send a couple on a blind date. This week, Angus Donaldson, 24, had dinner at Hawksmoor Borough in London with Alice Tonks, 22.

Angus, from East Sussex, left the Royal Marines last December and now owns a fitness club. Alice is an events manager and lives in London. ALICE, 22, SAYS: My MuM wrote to the Daily Mail and put me forward for a blind date because she felt I had become a bit disheartened with the whole dating scene.

Since graduating last year and moving to London, it has felt much more difficult to meet people. I want a loving relationship but, while it’s easy enough to find dates, most of the men I meet just seem to want hook-ups and casual sex. No one wants a meaningful relationship.

I dabbled with online and app dating for a while, but deleted it all in the spring because it got so boring. I’d end up messaging a man for a while, go on one or two dates and then it would fizzle out.

In one sense, there is too much choice because there are so many potential matches, but on the other hand, you have less choice because it’s hard to find someone who actually wants to progress a date into a relationship or even find out if there is a genuine connection there.

I’ve found most guys haven’t really engaged with me or asked questions about me — they much prefer talking about themselves!

So, after recovering from my surprise that Mum had taken matters into her own hands, I was more excited than nervous about going on the blind date — and the minute I met Angus, I knew it was going to be good.

He saw me get out of the taxi and approached me with a beautiful, warm smile, so I didn’t have to walk in alone, which was really sweet. I thought he was really good-looking. I like a masculine man and he is so striking and tall.

There was no awkwardness and the conversation flowed. We chatted about our lives, families and career dreams and the evening went by quickly. The chemistry was really strong and I think we both flirted naturally without it being over the top.

I loved the fact he was quite old-school — he opened doors for me, let me order first and, when he suggested going for a walk along the South Bank afterwards, he held out his arm to link with mine.

He seemed genuinely interested in me, with both of us asking questions about each other.

I liked that he doesn’t seem like someone who dates all the time on a superficial level. He comes across as having strong morals and principles. Being an exMarine, he had a serious side, but I saw his funny side, too, and I imagine he will let that out more and more as I get to know him.

The restaurant was the perfect setting, with great food, and I loved that he suggested a walk afterwards. It was so natural, I felt I could say anything to him.

Angus asked if I would see him again — immediately, I said ‘yes’ and we swapped numbers.

Early on, he put it out there that he’s going travelling for a couple of months, but I would still be interested to see if this has the potential for something more.

I have had one long- term relationship, which lasted for two years, but I’ve been single for nearly two years now, so I know how hard it is to meet someone I really click with.

I value kindness and humour and I’d like to be with someone family- oriented, respectful and mature — Angus definitely came across as that kind of person.

When it was time to say goodbye, we walked to the station and parted with a kiss on the cheek. He texted me to say he got home safely and we’ve been messaging ever since. I can’t stop smiling. When I got home, I rang my mum — she was really pleased! LIKED? His smile and character. And he’s really good-looking! REGRETS? None. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee. Verdict: 10/10 WHEN I first saw Alice, I was so relieved. I had never been on a blind date before, so I was out of my comfort zone and didn’t know what to expect. But she is gorgeous, with a stunning figure and a beautiful smile. There was definitely an attraction there — though, to me, someone having a good sense of humour and a sense of spontaneity is just as important. What I liked most about the date was that there were no periods of silence the entire evening.

In fact, it took ages to eat because every time the waitress came to take our order, we hadn’t even looked at the menu. We chatted about our work, our families and our values in life and I think we are very much on the same page.

There was definitely chemistry and, although time will tell if this initial attraction will blossom, I think if you can talk to someone for three hours straight and still find them attractive, it’s a really good sign. It was so lovely just to sit there and get to know each other, rather than start everything based on a photo online.

I’ve been single for seven months after an 18-month relationship. I’ve tried apps and online dating, but haven’t invested much time in it, as I don’t like the superficial level on which it works.

After three hours, we had to leave the restaurant, so we went for a stroll along the river bank and chatted about our lives a bit more. But, all too soon, I had to leave to get the last train home.

We parted with a kiss on the cheek and we’ve been texting ever since. I wouldn’t try to push things on a first date, as I prefer to take things slowly.

I’m actually going travelling to Australia and New Zealand at the end of the month for two months — I told Alice early on and she seemed interested, but I would really like to see her a few more times before I go. I don’t think I have a particular type (although my celebrity crush is actress Margot Robbie). I’m more interested in finding someone I click with, who is easy to be around.

Apart from being incredibly beautiful, Alice has a very gentle and loving nature and she is absolutely the kind of woman I can relate to.

LIKED? Alice is beautiful and lovely. REGRETS? None at all.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee. Verdict: 10/10 ANGUS, 24, SAYS: