He loved languages, but didn’t respond when I spoke French

DATING PAST?

I hAve dated online over the past five years, mainly at my daughter’s prompting. we’re both single and encourage each other to find someone. But I haven’t seen anyone seriously and I’m not currently on any dating sites. I am open to meeting someone, although coronavirus has made that difficult this year.

PRE-DATE NERVES? nO, I’M a sociable person. I did tell my daughter and two friends I was going on a blind date and they said, ‘You go, girl’. As a former college lecturer, I’m used to meeting new people. I was excited about going to london. For the date, I chose a green outfit that I’d bought in spain before lockdown. I often travel to nerja to stay with a friend and we go shopping together.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

I wAs a couple of minutes early, and was sitting by the window when I saw a man with a moustache and wearing a blazer and thought, ‘I bet that’s him’. while a moustache is not to my liking, he immediately struck me as a nice man.

EASY TO TALK TO?

MAtthew has lived abroad nearly all of his life and told me about his time in the Far east running hotels and his more recent career on cruise ships. his heart is clearly hankering to live abroad again.

Matthew did all the talking and rather liked to chat about himself. when I found out he spoke languages, as I do, I attempted to start a conversation in French, but he didn’t continue the conversation and changed the subject. I was surprised, but he may have misheard me.

he has sacrificed a lot for his lifestyle and told me being childless was one of his regrets.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS? nOne, it was a lovely afternoon.

DID SPARKS FLY? nO, he smiled and talked a lot, but there was no chemistry.

DID YOU KISS? nO, It was not relevant.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I dOn’t think he was interested in me at all. he only asked me one question at the end of our meal, plus I’m not sure Matthew wants to settle down.

WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM? nO, BecAUse we’re not on the same wavelength. I liked listening to his stories, but we are too different. I have no regrets, although it was a real leap of faith for me to leave my hertfordshire home.