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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Blind date: ‘I’d once had a memorable encounter with his flatmate’

Blind date: Albie (left) and David

Albie on David

Albie

What were you hoping for?
The love of my life! And someone to shoot the shit with over some posh pub grub.

First impressions?
Very dapper, and welcoming. There was a glass of prosecco for me on arrival and we had a chat about “hun” culture, so that made me feel very comfortable.

What did you talk about?
Our lines of work. Literature. Scottish independence. His long-lost grandad. Queerness. The borough of Hackney. Chatroulette. And poppers.

Any awkward moments?
Not awkward, more wonderful! Discovering he’d slept with my housemate halfway through the meal made my day.

Good table manners?
The best! And we shared everything, from starter to dessert, which was cute.

Best thing about David?
His impressions and storytelling skills.

Would you introduce David to your friends?
In a heartbeat.

Describe David in three words.
Charismatic, cheeky, wise.

What do you think David made of you?
A name-dropper.

Did you go on somewhere?
Yes, for an overpriced Aperol spritz.

And … did you kiss?
That would be telling …

If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I’d have sat alfresco – it was too stunning an eve to be inside.

Marks out of 10?
9.

Would you meet again?
As friends, absolutely.

David (left) and Albie on their date.
David (left) and Albie on their date. Photograph: Courtesy of Albie and David

David on Albie

David

What were you hoping for?
Someone I could have a laugh with and a nice dinner.

First impressions?
Handsome, stylish and laughed easily.

What did you talk about?
New York. Scottish novels. Harold Wilson’s cabinet – doesn’t everyone? Clapham being confused for a personality rather than a place. The role of Chat-Avenue in our closeted youths. And death.

Any awkward moments?
No. He was very easy company.

Good table manners?
Impeccable. We split everything and no one dribbled.

Best thing about Albie?
He was full of interesting things to say, and passionate about life. I liked how open he was about how hard it can be to decide what you want to do with the time you’ve got.

Would you introduce Albie to your friends?
Happily. Actually, it seems that his flatmate and I have already had a brief but memorable encounter at the Edinburgh fringe in 2019.

Describe Albie in three words.
Insightful. Attractive. Engaging.

What do you think Albie made of you?
Nice enough, with an overly familiar relationship with the sound of my own voice.

Did you go on somewhere?
We went to Pop Brixton for one.

And … did you kiss?
Who, dear? Me, dear? Gay, dear? No, dear.

If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
The desperate journey from Finsbury Park to West Dulwich for dinner.

Marks out of 10?
9.

Would you meet again?
We’ve swapped numbers and agreed we’ll make good friends.

Albie and David ate at Walter’s, London SE21. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com

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