‘ I’m new to the dating game and not sure how to go about it ’

VIKAS, 44

VITAL STATISTICS

DIVORCED with a ten-year-old daughter.

CURRENT ROLE

JOB in the civil service.

VIKAS’S VERDICT: 7/10

LIKED? Sheba. REGRETS? I had no regrets at all. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

WOULD LIKE TO MEET

SOMEONE open-minded, respectful and honest who likes to explore new things. I’m not into women who are controlling.

DATING PAST?

I Was married for 11 years, but sadly it didn’t work out as we have different values and parenting styles. I’ve been single for four years and dabbled with online dating but found it very forced. I’m an active single father so I don’t have much free time.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

none at all. I was looking forward to meeting sheba. I wore a shirt and jacket and got some presents for her and her daughter to make a good impression.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

I Was pleasantly surprised. she was lovely and seemed friendly. I realised she was in the same message group for single parents as me which is such a coincidence.

EASY TO TALK TO?

We Talked a lot about single parenting. she is her daughter’s sole carer, whereas my daughter’s mother and I are equal parents.

I was impressed with how much sheba has achieved. she’s a strong, confident woman who is so handson with her daughter and is great at dIY, which I’m rubbish at.

normally on a date you would sit opposite each other but we were seated side by side — she caught me watching the other tables a few times because there was so much going on, but I did try to make eye contact as much as possible.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

sHe said she was embarrassed when she had to send her starter back due to food allergies, but it didn’t bother me at all.

DID SPARKS FLY?

I don’T think so. neither of us were in that zone. It might have been nice to go for a walk before the date to break the ice. But I got a feeling we are too comfortable in our own single-parenting world. That said, she’s a lovely person and it was only our first meeting.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET AGAIN?

I folloWed up with a message the next day so maybe we can keep in touch. I’m so new to this dating game and I’m not sure how to go about it to be honest.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I don’T know. There was no lull in conversation but I’m not sure there was any chemistry either.

WOULD YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS LIKE HER?

I THInk so. she’s a feisty, beautiful woman and a great mum.