‘Thirty-eight messages.’ Clare whistled when we sat down on the sofa with my laptop a little later. ‘That’s a lot of admirers, young lady. We may have to forfeit a night out as it looks like we have a full evening’s work ahead of us, so we have.’ She grabbed the laptop off me and balanced it on her knee. ‘Are you sitting comfortably?’
‘Why are you in the driving seat again?’
‘Why do you bother asking? Ready?’
It was a bit more promising this time. ‘This one’s from a Steven.’ Clare scrolled down the page. ‘And, at first glance, he seems fairly normal.’
We both stared at the screen, reading the message:
Dear Sarah, I’ve never joined a dating site before and was a bit dubious until I read your profile. There are some strange women out there but I’m sure you’ve come across some strange men too!
Why did I join? I’m 32 and was happy with my single life until my friend Ade’s wedding a couple of weeks ago when it dawned on me that I was the only single one there.
I’m an engineer and work is male-dominated and it’s not easy to meet someone when you’re out and none of your mates are single.
I like your profile. We sound very similar. I’m intrigued as to what your business is.
A week on Friday, I’ll be on a stag do in Whitsborough Bay. The stag is a massiveDr Whofan so we’re doing a pub crawl inDr Whocostumes. Don’t panic that we’re a bunch of geeks because I’m not into sci-fi myself. The stag is a Dalek and I’m Tom Baker’s version ofDr Who(if you’ve never watched it, he played the fourth Doctor in 1974–81 – I Googled it! He’s the one with the long striped scarf andcurly hair). If you’re around, please come and say hi. We’re meeting at 7.30 and working our way down town. If you can’t make it or don’t fancy it, it would still be great to hear from you. In fact, even if you can make it, it would be great to hear from you first; break the ice and all that!
If you do come, remember the hair is a wig – I don’t have a huge curly bouffant normally! I’m waffling so I’ll say goodbye. Steve.
What do you think?’ Clare asked. ‘Not that I need to ask given that huge cheesy grin.’
‘He sounds nice. A week today, eh? Could be tempted.’
‘Er… no. It’s tonight your man’s talking about.’
‘It can’t be. He said a week on Friday.’
‘Look at the date.’ Clare jabbed the screen. ‘He sent it last week. That’ll teach you not to check your messages for nearly two weeks.’
‘Pants.’
‘How would you like to meet your doctor tonight?’
‘Sod it, why not? Is there a photo?’
Clare clicked on the link back to his profile. ‘Not yet.’
‘Oh well, I guess I won’t be able to miss the scarf and bouffant. Who else have we got?’
‘Don’t you want to get ready to meet him?’ Clare asked.
‘Yes, but it may look a bit desperate if we’re there right at the start. There’s a standard pub crawl down town so we’ll easily find him a few pubs in. And I’m dying to read my other responses. There may be someone even better.’
‘You’re the boss,’ she said. ‘But I’m still in control of your laptop.’
An hour or so later, we had a shortlist and an action plan. My search for Steven was starting to feel more positive although I did feel my resolve crumbling when I spotted a message from someone called Nick, which instantly got me thinking about Nick Derbyshire.
There were some tempting messages from non-Stevens, but Clare put her foot down and refused to let me even finish readingthem, let alone make contact. I didn’t argue. I knew exactly who my first port of call would be if I deviated from Stevens.
I didn’t tell Clare about Nick because it would provide her with the perfect excuse to call off the search for Steven. Despite the strong attraction to Nick, I still wasn’t ready to make that step. I wasn’t ready to dismiss the CD and I wasn’t prepared to risk hurting him and losing him as a friend.
The shortlist read:
Check out Steve Dennison on pub-crawl tonight
