Every week, FEMAIL asks two singletons to report back from their blind date.
This week, it's the turn of Amanda, 49, and Nick, 48 - but will romance be on the cards for these two hopefuls?
Amanda, 49
Separated with two children, aged 15 and 13.
Current Role: Magazine editor.
Would like to meet: A relaxed man I can have fun and go on holiday with. I’m not after another husband, just someone to share things with.
Amanda says she's not after another husband, just someone to share things with
Dating Past?
I was married for 14 years but we separated more than two years ago. We are still friends. I’ve been on three dates since then, one of whom was a catfish — a completely different man to the one I thought I’d been chatting to. It was all very weird — I suspect he was married.
Pre-date nerves?
I was a bit anxious as I knew so little about Nick. While I was waiting, a man walked in who looked about 80 and I thought: ‘Could that be him?’
First impressions?
He wasn’t 80! And yes, he was attractive and smartly dressed in a dark blue T-shirt and trousers. He had a big smile which made him look friendly, and I knew it was going to be fine. He told me he was nervous, too, so that helped.
Easy to talk to?
We come from quite different backgrounds — he’s a Greek Cypriot from North London, whereas I’m from the West Country — but we’re both gregarious and could talk about growing up in the rave culture of the 1990s.
We also covered children, cats, holidays and even ghosts. I used to edit a ghost magazine and told Nick about the man I interviewed once who thought his bottom was haunted! Nick told me about an eerily accurate reading he’d had from a psychic, even though he isn’t a real believer.
We both go off on tangents in conversation, which I loved. I had a brilliant time. My 13-year-old joined us at the end — she’d been shopping — but it wasn’t awkward and Nick made her feel welcome, which was lovely.
Embarrassing Moments?
Not at all.
Did sparks fly?
It’s too early to say, although I think we found each other attractive and there was a bit of flirting. We swapped numbers and he’s already texted me, so maybe.
See him again?
I think we will meet again without the pressure of having to tell a national newspaper afterwards. Something more relaxed like a pub lunch. And without having my daughter join us on the date...
What do you think he thought of you?
I would be surprised if he wasn’t positive.
Would your family like him?
My daughter spent two hours with us and thought he was lovely.
Amanda’s verdict: 9.5/10
Liked?We never stopped talking; it was such fun.
Regrets? No.
Coffee or cab? Coffee.
Nick, 48
Separated with one son, aged 15.
Current role: Bus driver.
Would like to meet: An independent woman with her own life, who doesn’t depend on me for her happiness.
Nick says he loves it when a woman has a fabulous sense of humour.The only thing he and Amanda didn't talk about was past relationships
Dating past?
My longest relationship lasted six years but we parted amicably three years ago. I’m still friends with the mother of my son, who I was with for four years. Lately, though, dating hasn’t been a priority as I’ve been far too busy.
Pre-date nerves?
It’s my first official date in two years, but I tried to use the nerves as fuel.
First impressions?
I was really impressed. Amanda was wearing a red dress and she had a great figure — you can see she looks after herself and goes to the gym. From the moment we sat down, we never stopped chatting.
Easy to talk to?
We were talking for an hour and a half before we even ordered food. Amanda loves travelling — as do I — and we spoke about the ups and downs of having teenagers. We are clearly from different backgrounds, but that didn’t matter. The only thing we didn’t talk about was past relationships, which I don’t think either of us thought was a good subject for a first date. We also laughed a lot. I love it when a woman has a fabulous sense of humour.
Embarrassing moments?
Not once.
Did sparks fly?
I don’t think so at this early stage. She was simply someone I got on incredibly well with. There was no sexual chemistry, even though she’s attractive, but I put that down to it being my first date in two years.
See her again?
We swapped numbers but nothing was said about whether we’d like to meet again. She possibly thought there wasn’t any chemistry either, but I’m not too disappointed about that. I felt the same. So I’ve no idea if we’ll have another date, but I’d like to see her again, even as friends.
What do you think she thought of you?
I hope she’d say I’m easy to talk to and well-mannered.
Would your family like her?
She’s got a cracking personality. I actually got to meet her 13-year-old daughter after the date as she was shopping nearby. We all ended up going to a pub afterwards, which was lovely and relaxed. We had a great time.
Nick’s verdict: 10/10
Liked? She didn’t look at her phone once.
Regrets? None at all.
Coffee or cab? Coffee.
