Blind date

I wouldn’t say Richard is the man of my dreams

I rarely get further than the first date

EvERy week, we send a couple out on a blind date and report back. This time, Richard Ashley, 37, had dinner at The Lampery in central London with Gemma Ann Meadows, 36.

Richard is a railways health and safety adviser and lives in Aldershot, Hampshire. Gemma Ann manages a beauty salon and a tanning shop and lives in Hook, also in Hampshire, with her 13-year-old daughter.

GEMMA ANN, 36, SAYS:

I ARRIVED at the restaurant totally flustered, 15 minutes late, and the first thing I blurted out when I saw Richard was: ‘I don’t even know your name!’

Fortunately, he saw the funny side and started laughing.

Arriving late wasn’t the best start. The trains were cancelled, so I drove to London and then ordered a taxi — but that was running late, too!

My first impression was that, physically, Richard isn’t my usual type. So I was a bit more reserved — or, at least, I was until we began talking and never stopped.

He really made me laugh, and that’s good enough for me. It helps that we’re almost the same age, so we had the same cultural reference points from our teenage years.

our meal was delicious. I bravely had octopus to start and Richard did the same.

I didn’t go on a date for almost three years after I split with my daughter’s father. She was seven at the time, so I didn’t want to bring anyone home, and I haven’t felt comfortable involving anyone in her life.

WHENI have gone on dates over the past couple of years, they’ve just been fun. I have been tempted to try dating apps, too, but that’s been more at the insistence of my girlfriends.

While I have put my profile out there, there wasn’t anyone with whom I would have wanted a relationship.

I’d like to meet someone who makes me laugh and who I can get on with on a daily basis. you just can’t tell that about someone from talking online.

That’s why I decided to apply for a blind date. I thought: ‘Why not give it a try?’ I’m a confident person, but I knew I’d have a few butterflies on arrival.

Some of my girlfriends are in new relationships, and it’s a time when you’re typically loved-up, zoning everyone else out of your social life. We have all done it, but I do feel ready to meet someone.

I work incredibly hard managing two beauty businesses — a salon and a tanning shop. Financially, the bottom line for both stops with me. They have had to be my focus to make sure my daughter has a lovely life.

She was rather excited when I told her I was going on a blind

date. She is 13 and we’re very open with one another. She is very positive about her mum meeting someone and being happy.

As for me, I do get on better with men than women, and any long-term relationship will work only if he accepts that I have male friends.

I enjoy all sports, but I am a passionate Chelsea supporter and I refuse to miss a match. I won’t miss a Formula 1 Grand Prix, either. I have my dad to thank for that! While I wouldn’t say Richard is the man of my dreams, I have to wonder if such a guy even exists. Sometimes realism is healthier than romantic fantasy.

I was gobsmacked when we left the restaurant and discovered it was 11pm. We’d been together for four hours.

I had lots of fun, but I haven’t made up my mind if I’ll see Richard again. Right now, it’s a maybe. I gave him a lift home and we chatted away. He even asked me to message him when I got home, which was really sweet. It was natural for us to swap numbers. Richard has messaged me a few times since and I won’t rule out seeing him again. LIKED? I didn’t feel at all awkward with Richard. REGRETS? None — we had great conversation! COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee. Verdict: 8/10

RICHARD, 37, SAYS:

I WAS 15 minutes early, but Gemma Ann arrived just as I had nipped to the loo.

Fortunately, we hit it off — in fact, we talked so much it took ages for us to order.

Gemma Ann is attractive, with a smart, bubbly personality. Her smile is contagious.

I have been single for around three years now, and I’m looking for someone who is active, easy- going and who enjoys good conversation.

I have a hectic job in the rail and construction industry. I start early and finish around 4.30pm, so it means my evenings are free. But I work mostly with men, so there’s little chance of meeting someone new.

MoSTof my friends are settled, so my social network is decreasing. That’s probably why my friends and family are keen to pair me off.

I’ve been on lots of first dates using dating apps, and I do attract women, but it rarely goes any further.

I don’t think it’s because I’m a ‘commitment-phobe’ and it’s not that I’m picky. I’ve had lots of short-term relationships, but I’ve just not met the right person.

I enjoy sports, and following football is important to me. It’s great that Gemma Ann is also a fan — although I’m an Arsenal supporter and she likes Chelsea.

It’s unusual to meet women who are into football. It was great to go on a date with someone as attractive as Gemma Ann, who can also passionately discuss the merits of the game.

We laughed a lot throughout the evening — she has a good sense of humour and was quick to pick up on whatever I said. Even though our date was in London, we both live in Hampshire. Gemma Ann offered to give me a lift home and we just chatted away in the car. I think there was chemistry between us. I would definitely like to see her again. We’ve exchanged numbers, so hopefully, there will soon be an update on our blind date.

LIKED? I went with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised by how well we got on. REGRETS? None. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee. Verdict: 8/10