He went in for a kiss, but I don’t do that in public
DATING PAST?
i waS married for 25 years, but we drifted apart after our daughters left home. i’ve since had a string of disastrous relationships with men i met online — from one chap whose wife reappeared after a six-year separation to another who went through my drawers, emptied out my jewellery case and took £300.
PRE-DATE NERVES?
i went to the hairdresser’s as it was a big occasion. i told my daughter i was nervous and she said: ‘Please don’t be too over the top.’
FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
oUR socially distanced date was at the captain’s club hotel on the dorset coast. it was the first time i’d gone out to a restaurant since lockdown. matthew arrived five minutes late and said rather loudly: ‘i’m your blind date!’ this was a posh restaurant — i cringed and asked him to keep his voice down.
he looked attractive enough, and had his own teeth. he is a safe dresser and wore a plain shirt with brown shoes and trousers.
EASY TO TALK TO?
he taLKed about star signs, which i’m not interested in. i’m a Leo and he is an earth sign. i was shocked to learn he would date someone who doesn’t own a house. i said, ‘what if they try to take your assets?’
the only hobby we have in common is walking. i enjoy water sports and kayaking, but matthew can’t even swim. i suspect he leads a slower lifestyle than me. he asked me to take my sunglasses off once, to see the colour of my eyes, but it was sunny so i put them back on.
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?
he foRgot his reading glasses, so i had to read the menu out to him.
DID SPARKS FLY?
no, bUt he hoped something would happen. we walked by the waterfront and he asked to hold my hand, but i didn’t feel any connection. it was a shame as the setting was perfect for a romantic moment.
DID YOU KISS?
matthew went in for one — i said i don’t do that sort of thing in public. i was so nervous i didn’t even think about the social distancing rules.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?
i don’t know. at the end of our date he asked about my ex-husband, who i think is narcissistic, then said i was damaged goods. i was glad to say goodbye. i went out with a friend that evening to commiserate.
WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?
my famiLy would like him as he would calm me down, but my friends would know he’s too boring for me.