Page 62 Daily Mail, Thursday, March 5, 2020
femail sex & Love
LIKED: We had a real
giggle together.
REGRETS: None.
COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.LIKED: Stuart is easy to
talk to. It was fabulous.
REGRETS: None.
COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.KAREN’S
VERdict:
9/10
Blind Date
WOuLD
yOu LIKE
uS TO
FI nD y Ou
A DATE?
FANCY a posh meal
with an eligible
single like you? Or
would you like to
play cupid for
someone else?
Email your — or
their — details
and a photo to
blinddate@
dailymail.co.ukI went for the French
double kiss. She didn’t,
which was confusing
A four-hour date
is always a sign of
a good evening
DAtINg PASt
My 11-year relationship with
my son’s dad ended a year ago.
Since then I have been on a few
dates with men I’ve met online,
but they are never who they say
they are.
I’ve just turned 40 and I’ve never
been on a blind date before, so I
thought ‘Why not?’ It can’t be
worse than the dating apps.
PrE-DAtE N ErvES?
I don’t tend to get nervous, but I
did prepare my outfit the night
before because I like to plan ahead.
FIrSt IMPrESSIONS?
Stuart arrived first. He’d already
told the maitre d’ we were on a blind
date and said I wouldn’t recognise
him, which was a thoughtful gesture.
Stuart is definitely good-looking,
with lovely hair and a welcoming
manner. He was wearing a smart
jacket, too.
EASY tO tAlk tO?
tHe waiter came over four times
before he could take our order —
we were talking so much we didn’t
have time to look at the menu.
We talked about tV shows and
films our generation is supposed to
have seen. I was shocked that
Stuart has never watched an episode
of Coronation Street, whereas I have
never seen Star Wars or et.
We both enjoy cooking, and I learned
that Stuart once ran a furniture shop
at the end of my road.
He also lived in France for years,
which may explains why he had pâté
and a rare steak — he’s a real carnivore.
He fancied a pudding, but was happy
to follow my lead and have another
drink instead.
EMbArrASSINg MOMENtS?
Stuart spilled his mojito at the start
of our date, and some peas from my
plate scattered all over the floor. But
we just laughed about it.
DID S PArkS FlY?
tHIngS weren’t flirty between us, but
we enjoyed sparky conversation. People
looking at us might have assumed we
were a couple. We met at 5pm and I got
my cab at 9.10pm — a four-hour date
is always a sign of a good evening.
DID Y Ou kISS?
no. at the end of the date, Stuart
walked me to my taxi and made sure I
got in safely, which was lovely. We
exchanged numbers and I texted him
to let him know I’d arrived home.WhAt DO YOu thINk
hE thOught OF YOu?
I don’t know, though I hope he liked
me in my dress. I felt really good in it.WOulD YOur FAMIlY l IkE h IM?
We got on like a house on fire, so for
that reason alone I know they would
love Stuart.Stuart, 42
VItaL StatIStICS
DIvOrCED two years ago, with a
daughter aged seven.cURRENt ROLE
COMMErCIAl car
sales executive.WOuLD LIKE tO MEEt
SOMEONE gorgeous who
embraces the outdoors and
looks cute in a dress.KarEn, 40
VItaL StatIStICS
SEPArAtED a year ago, with a son,
aged three.cURRENt ROLE
trAININg coordinator in
civil engineering.WOuLD LIKE tO MEEt
A MAN who’s happy to try new
things. I won’t date ‘woke’
men, or vain gym obsessives.DAtINg PASt
I lIVed in France for eight
years, but returned to the uK
after my divorce. I’ve tried
dating apps, but it’s been
awful as I’m old-fashioned.
My daughter lives full-time
with my ex in France, but at
Christmas she said: ‘dad, I’m
going to look for someone for
you — I want a half-sister.’
PrE-DAtE N ErvES?
I dIdn’t really feel nervous,
though my mum was very
excited and asked me to text
her updates throughout the
date. I took my time over what to
wear. the weather was awful, but
in the end fashion won and I went
for a light jacket rather than a coat.
FIrSt IMPrESSIONS?
Karen is beautiful and looked
fantastic in her pillarbox-red dress.
But (and I hate myself for saying
this) I wasn’t blown away. I wanted
that ‘I want the night to never end’
feeling, and it wasn’t there. at my age
you know what you want.
EASY tO tAlk tO?
Karen makes great conversation.
We talked about everything from the
property I renovated in France to our
children. Coincidentally, she actually
grew up near where I live today.
EMbArrASSINg MOMENtS?
My MojIto was full to the brim and
I spilt it down myself within seconds
of us sitting at our table. Fortunately
Karen laughed, and I was able to do
the same when she dropped food on
the floor. It tickled us both.
DID S PArkS FlY?
I aM a flirt, and Karen has a cracking
figure. after a few drinks I could have
easily flirted, but it wouldn’t have been
fair to lead her on. the older you get,
the fussier you get.
DID Y Ou kISS?
WHen we met I went for the
French double kiss and
Karen opted for just one,
which was confusing. We
had a big hug before I walked
her to her cab.
WhAt DO YOu thINk ShE
thOught OF YOu?
SHe texted to thank me for a ‘perfect
date’, and we’ve agreed to keep in
touch — as friends. I’m too old to be in
and out of relationships if I’m not sure
they are ‘the one’. When children are
involved it isn’t fair to constantly
introduce people into their lives.
WOulD YOur FAMIlY l IkE h Er?
M y Fa M Ily w o u l d l i k e h e r —
especially my mum. But my mum
can’t force it. I’ll know ‘the one’ when
I meet her. I’m looking for love.StUARt’S
VERdict:
10/10
Interviews: SAMAnTHA BRICK
Pictures: JOHN GODWIN
Make-up: VINA ABIS
Styling: EMILY MONCKTON