Date #3

Now I was hesitant to include this, mainly because it didn't go ahead. But since it was going to be a date I decided to include it. Not everything goes as smoothly as we hope after all.

Preamble : Date #3 I met online last summer when I first started trying to date again after the marriage had failed. I have to say my heart really wasn't in it, but Date #3 caught my eye and we exchanged some polite emails which ultimately led to nothing as she deleted her profile. Some months later she reappeared and we struck up conversation again, although she didn't remember me. Never a good start.

Shortly before Christmas, I had loads of holiday to take so took random Friday afternoons off and made arrangements to meet on one of those. We chose to meet at Charring Cross station as it was convenient for us both and set about finding somewhere for lunch. The afternoon passed quickly and we got on really well, although she was slightly 'different' (see weird factor below). Towards the end of the lunch and several glasses of wine later, she just came out with 'can I see you again?' and knowing that I can never say no, I said yes. We parted company and as we did so she stood on tip toes and planted a kiss on my lips and said thank you.

The following Friday I suggested we meet again for lunch, this time close to my home (she's self employed hence her flexibility in regards to daytime meetings, although she has an aversion to meeting after 5pm too). The weather was abysmal and given that we planned to walk, this was replaced by more drinks in the pub. After several hours I dropped her off at the tube, shared a few polite kisses, not snogs and she was on her way for Christmas.

I knew now that this wasn't going to work, mainly because of the unorthodox personality, work hours, interests, well basically everything. I explained over email in the coming days my feelings and it was all cool. Fast forward 5 months and we planned (and aborted) several meetings and finally agreed that we would meet yesterday. Just as friends I guess, although I did feel that she was still keen for something to develop. Second chance? Maybe.

So last week we arranged to meet in Greenwich on Saturday for lunch, I proposed 2pm but had to meet a friend at 6pm in Pimlico, so hopefully 3-4 hours would be more than enough. She replied that it felt that she was being 'booked in by the hour', well my email did have an air of that (defence, I was replying to her email on my iPhone and my emails are always short/curt). Anyway, she cancelled, I apologised (like you do for email mistranslations) and then she said how about 12:30 and I agreed. Then on Friday evening, I receive a mail around 7pm saying that she would be arriving now at 11:30 to which I replied I'm still getting there for 12:30. She called me insensitive (??!!). After that I said it was best that she go alone. So that was that.

Location : Would have been Greenwich

Stats : In age terms she's 37, in looks she looks 21. If there is a secret to eternal beauty, she has it. But her mental age was much younger I thought. I mean, she has a blog. What kind of grown up adult would have a blog? Er....

Weird factor : High. Alarm bell rigging high. Her hours of operation seem to be 4am to 5pm. Anything outside of this she's not interested. She mailed me last week to say she was off to bed at 6pm as it had been a lovely day and wanted to dream about it as soon as possible. This heatwave is obviously affecting her.

Wife skills : 0/10 Lost in her own world, a world that is so different from the norm. Whilst she told me she'd had relationships in the past, I got the impression they were fantasies rather than emotional ties.

Snog factor : 3/10 OK, yes I did share a gentle kiss, but that was more of a goodbye-your-off-to-waitrose type of kiss. Although she's attractive and very petite plus looks incredible for her age, there is something 'different' about her appearance that kind of puts you off. 

Going Dutch : ££/££ Two previous occasions I picked up the tab for lunch and drinks. Mainly on account that she doesn't seem to have a job despite the claim of being self employed.

After effects : Steering clear I think. What I thought could be a friendship rather than a potential mother of my children is never going to happen. And as for friendship, I'll pass on that too.