He didn’t smile or laugh once and argued over the bill

LUCINDA, 48 VITAL STATISTICS

DIVORCED with three grown-up children.

CURRENT ROLE

CUSTOMER service exec.

WOULD LIKE TO MEET

SOMEONE who is passionate, thoughtful and fun. My celebrity crush is Boris Johnson — but before he became Prime Minister.

DATING PAST?

I was with my ex-husband for 23 years but I’ve been single for longer than I can remember. I’ve been on a few dates but I don’t really like meeting people through online apps — I prefer to meet in person.

PRE-DATE NERVES? No, NoNe at all. FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

Not great. tom was already seated at the table when I arrived and he didn’t even look up. I had to pull out my chair and say hello to get his attention. he didn’t stand up or even smile. Perhaps he was nervous? Physically, he wasn’t my type. he reminded me of a shorter Gordon ramsay.

EASY TO TALK TO?

No! I’ve never been on a date where I’ve struggled for conversation so much. tom didn’t seem interested in anything I had to say. It didn’t help that the restaurant was loud, as I struggled to hear what he was saying.

It felt so awkward that at one point I thought: ‘have I turned up to the wrong blind date? Is this the person I’m supposed to be meeting?’

I’m disappointed as I went into it thinking that at least I might come away with another friendship. But it was clear early on that we were completely the wrong match.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

I dIdN’t have my glasses on so I couldn’t read the menu properly. I just picked the only thing I could see — some kind of chicken dish — and it wasn’t very nice, so I could have made a better choice.

DID SPARKS FLY?

aBsolutely not. I got the feeling he didn’t want to be there. he didn’t seem to know why he was there. he also quibbled over the bill which made me feel awkward. he was polite about it, but I thought he should have just left it. It was so unnecessary.

SEE HIM AGAIN?

No. It was a clunky end to the date. he asked me what I was going to do next and I said I might go to the shops. he said he was going to stay in the restaurant and do some work, so I made my excuses and left.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?

he dIdN’t smile or laugh once, as far as I can recall, so I don’t think he wanted to be there.

WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HIM?

they would know he is not right for me.

LUCINDA’S VERDICT: 3/10

LIKED? He chose a champagne from my native West Sussex. REGRETS? None. COFFEE OR CAB? Cab.