Blind Date
DATING PAST?
IN MY 20s and 30s, i worked in hospitality at home and abroad. i was married to my job. But six months ago, i left and started a new career. now i’m ready to begin dating again. i don’t bother with the apps; they’re generally pretty smutty and full of sleazy types.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
MY HEART was beating out of my chest. i knew my date was from york, so i’d nicknamed him ‘mr yorky’ to my friends. i was wearing a flowery dress and a jacket, and before i left home my son reassured me i was doing something brilliant. i was out of my comfort zone, but excited.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
I WAS led to the table where mr yorky was sitting... head down
looking at his phone. he didn’t even say hello. in the end i said,
‘hellooooo!’ to interrupt him. it was so rude. That said, gary was at least complimentary about my hair and my jacket.
EASY TO TALK TO?
I SUGGESTED we share a bottle of wine, but he pointed at the cocktail menu. i had a peartini and he had a rhubarb gin cocktail. during our starters, there was quite a bit of phone-in-and-phone-out action. gary happily talked about the companies he’s worked for, and the conversation mostly centred on him. i don’t think he actually asked me what i do for a living.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
I’D HOPED we would go for a walk afterwards, but gary was worried about making his train home. he made it crystal clear he was on the clock. i was a bit disappointed.
DID SPARKS FLY?
NO! There was no chemistry. i can honestly say i’ve never had a date like this one before.
SEE HIM AGAIN?
NO. GARY did say he hadn’t been on a date for years. maybe he had forgotten how to behave when romance might be on the cards. i treated myself to a drink at the station before my journey home and met two lovely ladies i’d seen on the train down. i ended up swapping numbers with them instead.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I DON’T know. i must have done something wrong because gary didn’t say hello or goodbye. when he hailed his taxi, he jumped in without a word — charming!
WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY LIKE HIM?
AGAIN — it’s a no!
DATING PAST?
LIVING at home alone throughout the pandemic was tough and it’s meant i’ve got out of the habit of dating. The last thing my mum said to me before she died was: ‘it’s time you settled down, gary.’
PRE-DATE NERVES?
I WAS excited. i’d taken an early train to london and the capital was buzzing. it was the first time i’d put on a pair of decent trousers for a while and they were a bit tight. i took the long view that it’s motivation for me to get in shape now i’m back in the dating game.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
I ARRIVED ten minutes early. emma turned up on time, but i was busy on my phone. she sat down without me even noticing
her! emma’s a good-looking woman. she’s got fantastic hair. i’ve got a thing about redheads.
EASY TO TALK TO?
WE TALKED about our love of movies. we both adore Patrick swayze and are fans of dirty
dancing and ghost. emma enjoys watching love island, too, which was a relief. we’re banned from talking about it at my workplace, so it was great to discuss it with someone who knows who gemma Owen is.
That said, the conversation did dip in and out a fair few times.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
NONE, although they usually do happen to me. i turned up at the wrong funeral once (and, inexplicably, still cried over the stranger in the casket).
DID SPARKS FLY?
EMMA is a good-looking girl but i don’t think so. There was good friend chemistry but no love chemistry on my part. The experience has taught me i need to get back into shape if i want to start dating again.
SEE HER AGAIN?
UNFORTUNATELY, when i left, west london was heaving. i found a taxi and when i got in it, i turned to say goodbye to emma but i’d lost her in the crowd. i did look for her to try to wave goodbye though — sorry, emma.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I’M CONFIDENT she thinks i’m a relaxed, easy-going guy. The experience was positive because it’s taught me i’ve missed dating.
WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY LIKE HER?
YES, she’s genuine.
‘ When I arrived he was on his phone and didn’t even look up ’
‘ My trousers were too tight — it’s a while since I’ve had a date’