Virtual Date
My worst fear was the children knocking on the door during the date We had a giggle over pictures of our Ibiza clubbing pasts
LAUREN, 32 VITAL STATISTICS
SEPARATED for six months, with three children aged three, six, and 12.
CURRENT ROLE
BEAUTY therapist and business owner.
WOULD LIKE TO MEET
SOMEONE athletic, funny and not too self-centred.
DATING PAST?
I settled down at an early age and started my family almost straight away. I was with my ex for eight years, and we were married for five.
since we split last July, I’ve been on a couple of dates but they were both disastrous. I walked into a restaurant to meet a guy and the sole fell off my shoe. then, just before the second lockdown, I met a date for a meal and on the way home, my car broke down on the motorway. I didn’t get in until 1am.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
I’ve never had a virtual date or been on a blind date before, so I was nervous. Mum knew I was doing this — she was looking after the children — and my friends wanted a full report. My worst nightmare was the children knocking on the door during the date.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
SIMON seemed so happy and friendly, he instantly put me at my ease. I wore leggings and a jumper, while simon had on a t-shirt and jeans.
EASY TO TALK TO?
Yes, simon is fascinating. He owns the farm where the tv series the darling Buds of May was filmed and hires it out for weddings and conferences. And he’s in a Coldplay tribute act. I like the band and thought it was a cool job. He also runs a social media company.
simon did make me laugh — he’s a hoot. He showed me a picture of himself dressed up as elton John for a talent show. I love fancy dress and he made a very good elton.
When one of his dogs came into his office, he suggested we go for a dog walk together at some point.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
I HAD to plug my iPad into the electric socket because the battery was flat, so the camera was initially looking upwards highlighting my nose and neck which isn’t flattering for anyone! Fortunately, simon didn’t laugh.
DID SPARKS FLY?
SIMON has a fantastic personality. I connected with him. We only stopped talking after two-and-a-half hours because Mum sent me a text saying my youngest was ready for bed.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET IN PERSON?
I’d Be happy to, you can’t fault simon.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
A GIRLFRIEND asked the same question. the date lasted a while so that’s a good sign, right?
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?
Yes. He’s easy to get on with and laid back, too. SIMON, 49 VITAL STATISTICS SINGLE for three months with one son, 11.
CURRENT ROLE
ENTREPRENEUR and musician.
WOULD LIKE TO MEET
SOMEONE successful, driven and fun who enjoys going out.
DATING PAST?
I SPLIT from my son’s mum when he was a year old. she’s since married and we live in different areas, so I don’t see much of him. I was with my last long- term girlfriend for two years, but our relationship ended during the first lockdown. I dated someone over the autumn, but that ended in november. I’ve just never really found the one.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
I’M A public speaker and musician so I don’t get massively nervous. I can be shy and introverted, but I don’t tend to fret too much.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
LAUREN is rather cute. she was wearing a black and white woollen number. I was going to put on a shirt, but I forgot. luckily, I had on smart jeans and a t- shirt. For a restaurant date I’d have changed, but as it was on Zoom in my office, my outfit seemed ok.
EASY TO TALK TO?
We Both run our own businesses so understand what’s involved when you work for yourself. We had a giggle. We have both spent youthful summers raving in Ibiza and held up to the screen pictures of our clubbing outfits — we were in stitches. I was pulling a face in one and lauren was dancing in hers. I love going to music gigs and have been to hundreds, but lauren hasn’t been to a single one. she is open to trying one though.
As for food, lauren had got something Chinese in from M&s. I ordered a curry, but I didn’t want to end up with sauce around my mouth, so I had a rather small and dry chicken tikka.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
At one point lauren said, I like ‘really big ones’. she was referring to cars, but it made me laugh a lot.
DID SPARKS FLY?
Yes, we swapped numbers and plan to meet up for a socially distanced dog walk. We’re both dog lovers which is a bonus. I’ve got two border collies, while lauren owns a French bulldog and a staffie cross. I like that lauren isn’t high maintenance or opinionated, she’s relaxed company.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET IN PERSON?
Yes, we’re going to.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I PLAY my cards close to my chest but if pushed, I think she liked me.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HER?
Yes, my family are down to earth and that’s a good character trait lauren shares, too. Interviews: SAMANTHA BRICK