‘ I knew this wasn’t going any further than one meal ’
DATING PAST?
I’ve just come out of my first relationship after a divorce eight years ago. It only lasted three months as he didn’t want to commit. I was with my ex for 25 years but it was an amicable divorce and we’re still friends.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
no, none at all. I’m not a nervous kind of person and besides, what’s to be nervous about when you’re simply meeting someone new for a nice meal? It doesn’t matter if it works out or not.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
Ian was at the restaurant when I arrived and looked incredibly smart in a three-piece suit. he’d clearly made an effort and muttered: ‘I feel a bit overdressed now.’ But I reassured him that it’s always better to be over than underdressed.
he seemed pleasant and is not a bad- looking guy. But I knew straight away that, physically, I wasn’t attracted to him.
EASY TO TALK TO?
he was chatty and open and we talked about the things we have in common: we both live in the same area of south manchester and have three children. he was proud as punch of his daughters and loves his dogs, too.
when he first said he was a boat captain I had an idea he would sail one of those ‘sangria boats’ in a resort like magaluf, but instead it was a boat on the manchester ship Canal. The conversation flowed but that didn’t change my initial response: this wasn’t going any further than one meal.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
NOT really. at one point, he started sounding off about ‘all this woke stuff ’ and showed he wasn’t particularly liberal. I didn’t challenge him. People have different views and I’m more of a ‘live and let live’ kind of person.
DID SPARKS FLY?
no, he’s a reasonable-looking man but I just didn’t fancy him at all. at the end of the night, we had a polite kiss on the cheek goodbye but neither of us seemed interested in repeating the experience.
SEE HIM AGAIN?
no, I wouldn’t.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
I Don’T think I rocked his boat in terms of a potential relationship or even friendship but that’s fine. we had a nice evening.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?
I’m sure if they met him, they would know he wasn’t right for me.