I know I’m fussy, but I didn’t like his pointy brown shoes
KAREN, 46 VITAL STATISTICS
SINGLE for seven months with two daughters, 25 and 19.
CURRENT ROLE
PRIMARY school after-school and breakfast club manager.
WOULD LIKE TO MEET
SOMEONE down to earth who can make me laugh.
DATING PAST
I was with my children’s father for 17 years. we got together when I was just 17. since we split I’ve had a three-year relationship, followed by another that lasted four years. My last relationship was, against my better judgment, with a married man for 14 months. Naturally, it didn’t end well.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
No, you get to a certain stage in life when you take things in your stride. My cousin put me forward for this — we’re always moaning that we’d like to meet someone our age but when it gets to Friday evening, we’re always too tired to go out.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
I was ten minutes early and Laurence arrived a couple of minutes late. He seemed shy and spoke quietly. I was wearing a zebraprint dress with black ankle boots, while Laurence wore a pale pink shirt with a navy jumper, blue chinos and brown pointy shoes. I know I’m fussy, but I didn’t like those shoes!
EASY TO TALK TO?
LaureNce got his wires crossed as he assumed I liked cycling, but I enjoy walking. as I now live in the countryside, I go for long treks in the forest near my Kent home and out hiking with my girlfriends. I explained to Laurence that I suffer with coeliac disease. I don’t like being seen as highmaintenance but it means I have to avoid certain foods.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
Poor Laurence got confused with the cutlery order and started from the inside out. It meant he used his steak knife on his smoked salmon. I didn’t say anything, but the waitress did.
DID SPARKS FLY?
wHILe I think Laurence liked me, there weren’t any sparks on my part. For me, there has to be an immediate attraction to someone.
SEE HIM AGAIN?
as a friend, yes. He enjoyed my sense of humour and laughed at the things I said. when we parted, Laurence asked for my number and I gave it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
THaT I’m possibly a bit of a crank, I don’t know. I said to Laurence that in the past, I’ve been told I’m feisty. apparently, he could see why that might have been said.
WOULD YOUR FRIENDS LIKE HIM?
I goT a picture of us together and sent it to some friends; the consensus was they couldn’t see us together. But I think they’d like him as a person.