Was I nervous? I haven’t dated in nearly 50 years!
FRANCES, 71 VITAL STATISTICS
WIDOWED, with two adult children and two stepchildren.
CURRENT ROLE
RETIRED teacher.
WOULD LIKE TO MEET
A SINCERE, worldly-wise man.
DATING PAST?
I’ve been single for almost five years since I lost my husband. He was older than me and we were together for 46 years. I haven’t been on a date since before I met him.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
THIs was a new experience for me, so yes, I was a bit nervous.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
PaTrIck was very gentlemanly and got up to pull my chair out, which was lovely. I wasn’t initially drawn to his looks, and was disappointed he wasn’t in a shirt and tie. But then I discovered he’s australian and that’s just his style rather than a lack of effort.
EASY TO TALK TO?
We jusT laughed and chatted away about all sorts of nonsense. I can rattle on about my family for ages. We both ordered the shepherd’s pie and discovered a mutual love of brown sauce. I told him he needed to try the fruity version for a bacon sandwich, which made him laugh. He seems to do a lot for charity and travels to India once a year, which was interesting, and I told him about my 47-year career as a teacher.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS? NoT really, it was good fun. DID SPARKS FLY?
I THougHT he was a lovely man, and very f l a t t e r i n g. I complimented him, too, on his pocket handkerchief.
But it was my first date in a long time so I wasn’t expecting to be swept off my feet. I felt initially we are more suited to friendship, but who knows what may happen over time?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET AGAIN?
Yes, he was great company and I didn’t feel I had to be on my best behaviour. We swapped numbers and he messaged me afterwards to say thanks for a great afternoon, ending it with ‘your friend always’, which I thought was lovely.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I THINk he quite liked me and enjoyed my company, and he seemed to agree we would carry on as friends.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS LIKE HIM?
He’s such a lovely man, so I think so. although, they’re struggling with the idea of me meeting anyone at the moment.