Blind Date
MY DATING PAST
MY LONGEST relationship was ten years, then six years. since then, I’ve dated occasionally, but men I meet online are a bit of a let-down! I’m happy in my own skin, so I’m not desperate. But if someone wants to join me on my adventure, then great!
PRE-DATE NERVES?
I WAS a bit nervous, and Brian was running late, so I wondered if I should order a cocktail. I had bought a new, Moroccan-style dress as I wanted to match the mood of the restaurant, Momo in london. I also wore gold bangles and hoops; I felt as if I could start belly dancing! I held off on the cocktail and instead had a mint tea.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
IF I had passed Brian in the street, I probably wouldn’t have noticed him. I’ve always dated much younger men. I once dated a guy who was older and it became very monotonous. He wanted me to be like his ex-wife!
But I was about to discover that it pays to give someone a chance. Brian looks great, and I like that he’s tall and confident with a great smile.
EASY TO TALK TO?
WE CHATTED for ages before we ordered drinks and found we have a lot in common — mostly disasterrelated! we’ve both had bad injuries recently. It was great to speak to someone who understands how hard it is to put life on hold to recover. we both feel we can’t waste a moment.
He showed me pictures from his ice hockey days and I showed him one of me with big eighties hair, which made him laugh.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
ONLY when I said ‘cous cous’ and he thought I said: ‘Kiss kiss?’ I told him it was rather early in the day!
DID SPARKS FLY?
WE LAUGHED a lot and he was a bit cheeky at times. at one point he said something risque and I wondered if he was being a bit forward. But we were definitely flirting, holding eye contact. we even shared a pudding.
DID YOU KISS?
AFTER lunch, we went for a drink and he held my hand. we kissed goodbye, but nothing passionate.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I THINK it went well; I told him I was going to greece on holiday and he said he’d like to join me! He told me he liked my london accent and that I was sexy. we swapped numbers.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?
YES. He is a good man and made me think I need to move beyond my usual type. I’d shave his head so he was bald, like Jason statham!
MY DATING PAST
I’VE been single for a couple of years, but I don’t really do online dating — I’m not very ‘techie’. I have a fantastic 11-yearold daughter and I try to see her as much as I can. when I’m not working, I like to relax in my cabin in canada, skiing or sitting in my hot tub overlooking the lake.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
I WOULDN’T say I was nervous — but I was looking forward to meeting gaynor. unfortunately, I was a few minutes late due to train problems, as is often the way in london, but she was very good about it.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
I COULD tell immediately she was engaging, bubbly and down to earth. she’s an attractive lady and I knew we would have a great time.
EASY TO TALK TO?
THERE are always a few minutes of awkwardness, but that quickly dissipated. we’re both very sociable people. she had been chatting to the waiters and knew their names, which impressed me. you can always tell what a person is like by the way they treat others.
we didn’t delve too far into past relationships — I would rather keep things light on a first date.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
I DIDN’T drop any food on my shirt, so all good!
DID SPARKS FLY?
I DON’T know if we were flirting as such, but we had a wonderful time. we had a drink after lunch and I had no desire to cut things short.
there are so many moving parts in my life right now — my daughter, my work — that I would need to be truly swept away by someone to alter my path. I really enjoyed being with gaynor, and would like to see her again, but I’m not sure if there was an instant romantic connection.
DID YOU KISS?
WE KISSED goodbye, but nothing passionate. I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I DON’T know! I hope she found me at least entertaining. I would say gaynor prefers to let things develop slowly, whereas I’m a spontaneous person. we have texted a bit, but I don’t want to harass her, so I’ve left it for a while.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HER?
YES. I think she’s brilliant. she’d be the first person I’d invite to a dinner party because she is great company.