Dick on Nicole
What were you hoping for?
To meet a new friend and have a great meal.
First impressions?
Open, vivacious, lively and very friendly.
What did you talk about?
Our families. Our mutual interest in sketching, drawing and painting – we even showed each other our sketchbooks. Nicole’s were full of lovely studies of people.
Any awkward moments?
Having arrived too early, I wandered around and eventually arrived at about 10 to seven in the hope of being there to greet Nicole. I found that she was already there and had been waiting some time. Oh dear! We had a flurried embrace.
Good table manners?
Certainly. I only hope mine were as good.
Best thing about Nicole?
Her open gaiety and cheerful charm.
Would you introduce Nicole to your friends?
I would love to have the chance, and I am sure they would enjoy her company.
Describe Nicole in three words.
Lively, open and vivacious.
What do you think Nicole made of you?
Too talkative and a little disappointed, I fear.
Did you go on somewhere?
Nicole was staying with a friend who normally goes to bed by 10.30 – it was later than that when we left the restaurant, so we only had time to hurry to the station together. I feel bad that I did not deliver Nicole safely to her friend. I hope she got there safely.
And… … did you kiss?
A chaste peck on the cheek, Brief Encounter-style, at the ticket barrier!
What would you change?
Many things, but top of the list would be quieter music in the restaurant and I should talk less.
Marks out of 10?
9.
Would you meet again?
I would love the chance to. We talked of visiting the Winslow Homer exhibition at the National Gallery but we did not exchange contact details. Silly me – or was it deliberate on Nicole’s part? Only time will tell.
Nicole on Dick
What were you hoping for?
A good dinner with a nice, intelligent man, some witty conversation. Maybe a bit of flirting.
First impressions?
I arrived uncharacteristically early, so was already sitting at our table as there was no bar. But I made the most of the occasion. I had olives and focaccia with my negroni while I was waiting. He apologised for being late, which he wasn’t. He was shorter than I expected, but had a kind face.
What did you talk about?
The menu. This dating process. His previous career, which he described, surprisingly, as boring. His amateur choir. My bilingual background. Regrettably too much about my history as a singer and coach. The art of Winslow Homer. Why I moved away from London and why he moved back. I’d like to have heard more about his adventures in his boat and his trip to Antarctica, which he seemed reluctant to expand upon. We laughed at his inability to take selfies or send pictures from his phone.
Any awkward moments?
He brought me a pink rosebud, which he produced between simultaneously trying to greet me with kisses on the cheek and accepting my proffered hand. He immediately warned me he hates opera and lieder, and never gives a 10! I feared the worst.
Good table manners?
Probably better than mine. He apologised for eating slowly. I tried not to appear greedy. Not sure I succeeded.
Best thing about Dick?
Unsurprisingly for an architect he draws really well, and I suspect his watercolours are charming. He draws really well – I was delighted to find we both carry a sketchbook. He was complimentary about my efforts.
Would you introduce Dick to your friends?
I’m not sure.
Describe Dick in three words.
Polite, self-deprecating, old-school.
What do you think Dick made of you?
Maybe a bit scary.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. But he gallantly carried my heavy bag and saw me to my train.
And… … did you kiss?
Do people kiss on a first date at our age?
What would you change?
More mutual interests please. I would hope also for a quieter restaurant. It was deafening by the end of the evening. I loathe straining my voice to shout, and we often had to repeat what we were saying to each other, rather ruining the chance of any subtlety.
Marks out of 10?
7.
Would you meet again?
Unlikely. There was no flirting. A compliment or two would’ve been nice! He was charmingly flirtatious with the ladies on the table behind at one point – he needs to bring that twinkle to his date. I also think he would prefer that I live locally.
Dick & Nicole ate at Trullo, London N1. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
