Blind date

SECOND CHANCE ATLOVE

EveRY week we send a couple out on a blind date. This time David alford had lunch at the Old Tollgate Hotel in West sussex with sue Lawson.

David, 80, is a former police officer with two daughters, and lives in Horsham. sue, 70, is a retired hairdresser, also with two daughters, and lives in sompting. Both have been widowed.

SUE SAYS:

WHeN I walked into the restaurant, David was waiting for me in the entrance lounge, which was a gentlemanly thing to do. He gave me a lovely warm welcome. I thought he was attractive and smartly dressed.

We chatted away and found out that we had lots of little coincidences in common, such as the fact that we both have two daughters, one of whom is gay, and that we had lost our partners.

My husband died when I was only 57, and it’s much easier to talk to someone about that sort of grief if they have experienced it, too. It took me years to consider dating again, as I just didn’t know where or how to start. although I’ve had one relationship since then through a dating website, I would now love to meet someone new.

I was a little nervous, and nearly backed out of the date, but then thought why not? I’m a hairdresser after all, I can talk the hind leg off a donkey!

I go for long, solitary walks with my dog every day and I’d love to have someone to get out in the fresh air with. We walk along the Downs and by the sea. It’s an important part of my life to keep fit and active. I enjoy the theatre and hanging out with my girlfriends and my daughters as well.

I can see David fitting in with those plans. We got on so well together, and had lots of fun and laughter. There was never a moment when I had to think of something to say.

DavID

has a great sense of humour and was confident, but not showy. I have a full and active life and a lovely home, but it can get lonely when all my friends are with their partners. I’m a very sociable person.

One thing that did give me pause for thought was that he isn’t into walking, which is a real shame as it’s a big part of my life. But that doesn’t take away from the fact he is a lovely man, and I enjoyed his upbeat personality.

We chatted all afternoon, and afterwards he walked me to my car which was much further than his, so I thought that was a lovely gesture. We exchanged numbers and parted with a hug and a kiss.

When I got home, he phoned to check I had got there safely and we’ve been messaging since. I would like to see him again, although I’m disappointed he wouldn’t be up for some lovely dog walks. But he is great company and a gentleman, so he’d be a lovely companion for lunch or the theatre.

In fact, he said that if I ever felt down or lonely to call him and he’d take me out. You can’t ask for more, can you?

He did show me pictures of his motorbikes and joked he has two crash helmets. It wasn’t on my bucket list . . . but who knows! LIKE? His upbeat jolly personality and sense of humour. REGRETS? None. CAB or COFFEE? Coffee.

VERDICT: 8/10

DAVID SAYS:

I Was married for 56 years until my wife died four years ago. I’ve never been on a date in my life before, but my daughters knew I was doing this and thought I should go for it.

I get lonely, of course, but then I’d wonder, was I up for dating?

Thankfully the date couldn’t have been nicer. I nearly backed out because I lost my nerve, but I’m so glad I did it. I was a police sergeant in the Metropolitan Police for many years, during which I served on the special Patrol Group, dealing with major incidents in London, such as the IRa Hyde Park and Regent’s Park bombings.

I retired from the police when I was 46, going on to run two small businesses, and have enjoyed my life since. I swim three times a week, and enjoy the theatre and travelling, but my passion is motorcycling.

I have two large Yamaha motor-bikes, and love nothing more than hitting the road.

I have two daughters, four grand-children and a great-granddaughter. I keep busy, too, with Probus which is a business persons’ club, meeting monthly, and we have theatre trips and outings, and lunches arranged for members. I like to stay involved with that side of life.

WHeN

the time came I wasn’t nervous about the date, just excited. I wanted to get there early so sue didn’t have to wait alone, although I decided to drive my car rather than turn up on the bike with two helmets.

I was able to greet sue when she walked in — I guessed it was her arriving alone.

I immediately thought she was attractive, warm and friendly and we got on right away. I liked her straight talking, because as soon as she sat down she told me she came with baggage.

I joked that I’d better be off on my own then, but I thought, to be hon-est, who doesn’t have baggage?

The more we talked, the more we discovered how much we had in common. We both have two daugh-ters, and both of us used to work in Bromley. I really respected her honesty and humour. We laughed and got on well.

I felt so comfortable and after the meal we sat chatting drinking cups of coffee, until I looked round and the restaurant was empty and it was 4pm. The time had flown. We exchanged numbers and I walked her to her car, in case it didn’t start or something, and checked to make sure she got home ok.

I’ve no doubt we’ll see each other again. I hope so anyway.

We’ve been texting a little and I would like to meet up. It was a lovely experience, it felt like we’d known each other for years.

LIKE? she was friendly and warm, attractive and we had good fun. REGRETS? None whatsoever.

CAB or COFFEE? Coffee.

VERDICT: 10/10

We swapped numbers – and parted with a hug and a kiss I nearly backed out... but Sue has lost a partner too