Dream Date

Oh god, I've got twenty minutes to get ready. What am I going to wear? It's cold out, so it'll have to be my black skinnies with my Oasis top and black sequin bolero. Yes! But what shoes? I've got to walk to the station and the train is getting in in thirty minutes. Shit! Chelsea boots it is, I can run in them if I'm late. Hair straightened earlier, base make-up on, maybe another layer of foundation. It is definitely a double make-up day! A bit of cheek contouring, then I'm ready to go.

I actually don't feel like going out tonight. I met tonight's date at the local theatre and although he's nice enough, I don't think there is any chemistry between us. If nothing else I get a night out in Manchester, in my favourite part of town, the northern quarter.

I get to the station and there's no queue. Great, but I can't sneak on the train because the ticket police are at the door. Oh well, I'll get a cheap return. I'm a few minutes early, so I decide to sit on the platform bench to do some people watching. Who is that guy? He hasn't taken his eyes off me. He's a bit of alright, very tall, smart casual clothes...and he's smiling at me. I feel a huge smile spread across my face. I guess that could have been a passing glance. Or maybe not, he's walking past me again and there's the smile. Nice brown eyes. Mmm.

Ah, the trains here. I choose where to get on and the tall stranger is getting on behind me. This is exciting. I spot two seats and take my seat. The stranger leans in, as I sit down, and says 'I'm not going to sit with you'. I laugh and say 'Okay.' Although I think that might not have been such a bad idea. Once the train starts to move, I take a sneaky peek to see where he sits; he's only a few rows down. Interesting. I'll have a quick glass of merlot to get me in the mood for my night out. This might be a good night after all. I wonder if I'll get the chance to speak to him again. I've got a mix of excitement and nerves just thinking about it. Oh, here he comes, Mr Smiley Face. All eyes on me, but I like it. He's got up early to go to the door , the train isn't anywhere near the station yet. I guess, this is my cue.

As I approach, he beams another smile at me. 'Hello' I venture 'Going anywhere nice?' 'Hello. Yes, actually, a friend of mine is having a party at Malmaison and I'm DJing tonight.' 'Oh, cool. Excellent. I'm really into my music. What are you going to play?' 'I've got some mixes, but I'm going to let Charlie choose, it's his birthday after all. What about you?' 'I'm just meeting a friend' I lie. 'This is like the film Strangers on a train. Have you seen it?' 'It's a Hitchcock movie, yes, I love Hitchcock. He was such a great film maker.' 'You know your movies too then?' 'Yes, I love old movies.' The train pulls into the station and the tall stranger gestures for me to get off first. A gentleman too! We get rushed along in the bustle on the platform, but still walk alongside each other. 'I'm Edie, by the way.' 'I'm Jim' he holds out his hand 'nice to meet you.' We talk all the way into the station, until he stops dead in his tracks and looks at me. 'Can I get your number?' 'Yes, of course' no need to give HIM a fake number.

We walk out of Piccadilly into the Manchester drizzle. I put my umbrella up to protect my hair from the rain. We walk and talk all the way to Malmaison where our paths diverge. 'I hope you have a good night' I offer. 'You too. I'll see you soon!' I'm grinning ear to ear as I head off on my date.

I make it to the Castle Hotel on Oldham street and it's rammed. Luckily my date is already at the bar. He shouts over to ask me what I want to drink: 'A large glass of merlot please!' We find a quiet spot upstairs to sit and chat. Andy looks like a rabbit caught in headlights, so I make idle chat about something random. A few drinks in and we've touched on the theatre, art and books and Andy is starting to enjoy himself. I feel better too. I don't feel an attraction to him, not like I felt for the stranger on a train, but he's really good company. It feels like I'm catching up with an old friend. We pop into a few more pubs and the conversation just flows, we have a lot in common. It turns out he's a Cambridge graduate and works as a freelance copywriter, writing and directing plays in his spare time. Writing is his passion and I'm studying for an MA in English Literature, so we have lots to talk about. Finally, we head to the Whiskey Jar. It's a dark subterranean drinking hole where there's always decent live music and a fine array of whiskeys. This pleases Andy because he's of Scottish origin. Happy days!

Andy asks: 'What's your favourite movie?' 'The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, I just love it!' Andy seems pleasantly surprised and tells me that he remembers it. Andy later names his theatre blog after this movie, which becomes very successful in the Manchester scene. Time check. Shit! I'm going to have to run to catch the train. We hug and thank each other for a great night.

At home, Jim messages me to check if I got home alright in the snow. Tucked up in bed I feel excited!

What a night! And to think I didn't feel like going out. In one night I met my new best friend and future boyfriend. Although the relationship with the stranger on the train didn't have a happy ending, it certainly had an unforgettable beginning and I made a long lasting friendship. Andy turned out to be my dream date.