Table for Two | ‘We soon outed ourselves as gay Tories – I should’ve proposed right there’

Graham (left) 
Age: 29
Occupation: Strategy associate in financial services

Richard (right)
Age: 26
Occupation: Journalist

What were you hoping to get out of the date?

Graham: I was in a long-term relationship until May and this seemed an interesting way to get back into dating.

Richard: I wasn’t looking for the Heathcliff to my Cathy, but I fancied doing something I’d never tried before.

What were your first impressions?

G: Richard had a really cute smile, was bubbly and friendly. Plus, I really wanted to steal his denim jacket.

R: He had his own teeth and a full head of hair – an excellent start.

How different was he to your usual type?

G: I don’t have a usual type so I was happy to get to know Richard and take it from there.

R: I have a thing for tall guys with blond hair, although I’ve mostly dated average height guys with dark hair. He wasn’t too far off the mark from some of my previous dates.

Would you have swiped left or right?

G: Definitely right.

R: At first glance, left, but as the evening went on, right.

What did you talk about?

G: We covered everything from siblings and careers to travelling and exes.

R: We soon outed ourselves as gay Tories. As there are only about four of us, I should’ve proposed right there!

Photography: Markus Bidaux

What was the most interesting thing about him?

G: He’s a reporter. It was interesting to understand how he learns of stories and incidents, his interactions with the police at crime scenes and his court reporting.

R: He had a quiet confidence. He’s obviously very successful in his field but humble too. That and the fact that he started out doing law, realised it wasn’t for him and changed career paths, which is what happened to me.

What was his best quality?

G: His passion. Regardless of what we were talking about.

R: His well-groomed beard, which blended perfectly into his hairline. When I complimented him on it, he admitted he’d had a trim before the date which I thought was sweet.

What did you make of his dress sense?

G: I really liked his outfit. Simple with a slight edge.

R: Classic chic.

Were there any deal-breakers?

G: He left the table to go for a cigarette. I’m not a fan of smoking.

R: He explained that although he’d had a very amicable break-up, it was only about four months ago. I’ve dated guys who aren’t that long out of relationships and it’s never ended well.

What do you think he thought of you?

G: I have no idea. I’m not very good at reading other people, but maybe that I talk too much when I’m nervous.

R: Probably that I’m quite confident and very loud with big hair which doesn’t move due to the sheer volume of hairspray I use.

How was the food?

G: Epic. Stop reading this and book now.

R: Divine. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted such melt-in-the-mouth steak – and I’ve had a lot of meat!

 

Graham and Richard dined at M Restaurant, Victoria Street, London

Any awkward moments?

G: Being congratulated by my Uber driver for getting a goodnight kiss.

R: After the waitress took our dessert orders I made my apologies and popped out for a fag.

How did the night end?

G: We went for another drink.

R: We swapped numbers and there was a little snog, which his driver got a good view of!

What would you have changed about the night?

G: Nothing. Great company, delicious food and outstanding wine.

R: The last large glass of red in the bar. I had to down it because they were closing. I didn’t feel well the next day.

Snog, marry, avoid?

G: Snog – it was very good.

R: It was a decent kiss so, yeah, snog.

Will you meet again?

G: We’ve exchanged WhatsApp messages, but he’s not the man for me.

R: Although it’s always burned me, I like to date someone who’s a bit more of a bastard.

RATE THE DATE!

Graham: 7/10

Richard: 7/10

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