Mr. Lainston suggested a first date at a beautiful hotel in my local area, the setting was something out of Downton Abbey. Although i was excited about the venue I'm a modern day girl and expect to pay half for drinks or dinner (but kinda hope he pays) however when he set the expensive venue I seriously hoped he wouldn't make me pay half....at the end of the date I went for the handbag reach, fully knowing i couldn't afford it, and thankfully he declined my offer. But let's not jump to the end....
As I drove up the long drive to the beautiful hotel I played Celine Dion over the radio and allowed my imagination to play away. I pictured Mr.Darcy waiting to greet me by the manor house doors, he would take my arm and glide me towards the garden terrace for champagne and strawberries. In my mind I was Elizabeth Bennet not Bridget Jones, I would have the same spark and wit as Jane Austen's protagonist; but I would not have any prejudice.
Despite trying to channel the classy Miss. Bennet character I floundered in the first 10 minutes. Instead of being a Jane Austen character I was more like Bridget Jones....Mr. Lainston casually asked me when I'd last visited the hotel, my filter must have deleted itself....
"Well, Mr. Lainston, the last time I was here was my wedding night...which was in 2006, basically a lifetime ago... i barely recognise this place..."
I believe in honesty but my goodness I wish I had lied, the poor man couldn't hide his stutter.
After my unnecessary revelation, we fell in to a comfortable discussion surrounding work and personal progression. We had a lot in common despite a nine year age gap and there was no awkward silences, although it was obvious we were both thinking ahead on what to say next.
After a while we got on to why we were single and why he didn't have children. He described how his ex wife had children who were around 8 years and 10 years old (roughly the same as mine) and how his ex wasn't prepared to "go through it" again after a decade. At this point I fell in to my Bridget Jones character and started to sympathise with my dates ex wife.... I agreed with her worries and felt her pain (despite her being over 10 years older than me.) Word to the wise... things aren't going well when you have more in common with your dates ex, than you have with your date.
That being said, Mr. Lainston must have liked my Bridget Jones personality more than my desired Miss.Bennet as the second date has already been booked.
I guess Mr. Lainston came without prejudice....but I hope he came with some pride.
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