Date #4

Or, the One that Went Rather Well, Actually


She wasn't expecting to like him so much. Wasn't expecting that the rather cute boy outside the gallery might be the one waiting for her. But she noticed that, rather than looking like Ugly Betty Daniel exactly, he was more like a young, smiley Jeremy Irons. Which, dear reader, is really not a bad thing at all.

They met outside the gallery - she amazing herself by being actually on time for once in her life. Turned out he'd been there for more than half an hour. Eager? Or not a watch lover? Anyway, those were questions for later. There were tickets to be bought (each buying their own, she didn't want him to think she was a skinflint after the previous day's date cancelling/uncancelling debacle) and a rather odd exhibition to see.

And so, while the rest of the art-lovers were trying to work out the exact meaning of the actual-dead-cat-painted-black-and-cut-in-half sculpture, they talked. And they talked some more. Just general stuff - where they'd lived before, how they were finding London. But it probably annoyed the tits off all the other people trying to appreciate all the "art" in silence (a lot of whom, incidentally, were small people. Who takes their child to an exhibition that features disembodied penises floating past your face? Who?).

She was relieved they had the same baffled reaction to most of the exhibition. His suitable responses included going "Oh!" and then trying to conceal a snigger when said penis floated past, and "Arrgh!" when they stumbled across what looked like a dead man covered in a blanket.

Then, there were drinks to be had (after she found what appears to be the best thing in the world ever - a personal sound machine so you can have a round of applause wherever you go! How fantastic!). It was possibly a bit early in the day, but it was a daytime date, and wine spritzers were somewhat necessary.

They broached the tricky dating website and how-long-single-for conversations remarkably well, taking in a stroll by the river and generally talking rubbish. There was even food, then a walk back to the Tube and - no kiss. But that's a good thing, right? RIGHT??? Not putting out on a first date and all that! If she keeps repeating that, it will become true. Probably.

But she has heard from him today. Yay! And they are going to watch a suitably arty-wanky film together next week. Which is all, she has to admit, a little bit exciting.

She is just now trying to ignore the fact he told her he'd met some Amazonian woman last Sunday through the site. But the Amazonian didn't speak English, so she has at least one advantage over her.