Date 6

 26th March 2022 - ' Runner Boy'

I can't quite remember how I managed to match with this one, however we bonded over us both having twin siblings, a love for chocolate cake and a trade off - I would teach him my signature chocolate cake, he would train me how to run (a new skill I have wanted to learn for a long time).

We decided to have a chilled date, one alcoholic beverage, the rest mocktails as I decided to drive into Newcastle (a busy cake weekend pending - hangovers are off limits). His chat pre-date was average, and so, I thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt. I was currently still dating Mr Teacher at this point, but hadn't had the exclusivity chat, and still feeling doubtful of him, I continued to date other men. 

The date:

We had been messaging throughout the day and had agreed to meet by Central Station, close by to Lane 7 where we agreed to play a game of Ping Pong before heading for some drinks. As I parked my car further across the city, I walked to Central Station, half expecting my date to be waiting outside of the station ready to meet me. Oh no, why would be wait in the cold where I could see him? Instead, he messaged me to inform me he decided to sit and wait outside of Marks and Spencer in the train station. As I replied 'I am just about to get there' my own, polite manners would be to walk to meet a date, but instead he stayed put and waited for me to walk to meet him. Already, I was getting red flags. His confidence levels, and working knowledge of date etiquette was not impressing me. I am never seeking an arrogant, cocky man; but someone who knows how to greet a date would be a good start. (Too much to ask?!)

We headed to Lane 7, where he had already booked and pre-paid a game of ping pong (+ 5 points). We headed downstairs and all I can say is thank god for the pingpong. This offered a welcome distraction to his dire, drab, below par level of conversation. I was already bored and wished I was at home cuddling my dog. I suppose I am a natural chatty, inquisitive person who arguably talks TOO much, but his random chat about his seemingly dull job, and his lack of signing knowledge despite his twin being hearing impaired threw me off completely.

After we played pingpong, we headed to our reservation at a bar I had been wanting to try for a while; Mother Mercy. A cool, edgy, sit-down-night-club style bar underground that is always BUSY on a Saturday night and often impossible to get into without reservation. As we were shown to our table, I felt awkward - something I had not felt on any first date I had experienced (and this was my sixth in the month of March alone). We quickly ordered a drink (lord knows I needed it) and his interaction with myself and the server was poor. Our chat was minimal, I cringed as he answered my usually light hearted questions. As the time at our table drew to a close, I almost wanted to escape there and then. Having booked a table at a cool bar, WC, and having wanted to go for ages, we went along. If nothing else, I could get a good Instagram? 

We were seated in a little booth and the bar was intimate. Not exactly what you want with a date you cannot abide. I ordered a delicious mocktail (driving) and he ordered a cocktail. I was so disinterested I could not tell you which one it was, but what I can tell you is that the bar, service and extensive drinks menu was 10/10. A 'must return' with a date I actually fancy!

We had two drinks there, after the first drink the server came back. Before I had a second to ask for the Raspberry Spritz mocktail - different from my passionfruit, creamy number I had started with, he had promptly responded 'same again please!' This wouldn't normally be a problem if he hadn't already irritated me, but at this point I couldn't cope much more.

I sipped the drink that yes I loved, but no didn't want another, and reminded him that I needed to be home soon to finish off some Mother's Day cakes (ordinarily, I would have stayed out and caught up with any work the morning, but at this point I was needing an excuse to escape).

Settling the bill..

I am a firm believer in paying my way, only letting him pay if it felt genuine and that it wasn't in exchange for any sexual favours. Runner-boy however had already explicitly opened up about him 'not being stingy' but always wanting the girl to pay her way. As a modern day woman with occasional feminist views, this was fine. However, I did not expect to to be so damn awkward when the barman came with the bill. The question 'how would you like to split it?' was posed, and I saw him fidget and squirm. The barman politely reminded me that I in fact had consumed mocktails, obviously incurring a marginal price difference, and would I like to pay my own way, or split it down the middle. I didn't want to argue, or come across as stingy as I didn't drink non-alcoholic options for the price difference, so agreed to split it down the middle, offering to tap my card first. Runner-boy fidgeted and eventually tapped his card.

We said our farewells and he had hinted to seeing me again. I sort of avoided the question, knowing that I wouldn't see him again, but also knowing that I am useless at rejecting people. He went in for an awkward hug, didn't bother offering to walk me to my car (fully aware that I am more than capable to walk myself to my car,  but the offer is always nice). 

As I drove home, cupcakes baked, pjs on I reflected upon what a waste of a Friday night I had had...