Blind Date Ends With Hug, Plans for Second Meeting

Joe and Jade's blind date, arranged by The Guardian, resulted in high marks and plans for a second meeting. The pair connected over shared interests and friendly debate during their dinner at the Bull & Last in London.

First Impressions and Conversation

Joe found Jade friendly, noting the conversation flowed easily from the start. Jade thought Joe was cute and well dressed. Their discussion ranged from lighthearted topics to more serious ones. They talked about favourite Doctor Who episodes, with both agreeing on The Girl in the Fireplace. London's summer joys, gig venues, and a shared wish for the return of the transatlantic accent were also covered.

The conversation deepened into books, family pets, and favourite London parks. They discussed the housing crisis and the constant yearning for the sea felt by those who grew up on the coast. A debate emerged on whether it's better to be a reality TV villain or be erased from the final edit for being too boring.

Awkward Moments and Manners

The most awkward moment came when they were caught unprepared by the server asking for their order. Jade had to request extra time. Table manners were noted positively by both. Joe kept Jade's water glass full and humoured her plan to say cheers with every new drink. Jade described Joe's manners as impeccable.

A slight disagreement arose over whether the BT Tower is evil, with Joe stating he "begged to differ." This minor debate did not derail the evening.

Mutual Assessments and Scores

Each participant described the other in three words and speculated on what their date thought of them. Joe described Jade as open, enthusiastic, and fun. He believed she thought he gesticulated too much but was otherwise normal. Jade described Joe as intelligent, thoughtful, and affable. She suspected he probably thinks she is very talkative and "hold[s] a lot of strong opinions on frivolous matters."

They rated the date highly. Joe gave it an 8 out of 10, while Jade awarded a 9. Both expressed a desire to meet again, confirming they have exchanged numbers and are in touch about planning a next outing.

The End of the Evening

The date did not extend beyond the restaurant due to Jade's early morning flight. They did not go on somewhere else. They parted ways on the Overground, specifically the Mildmay line. When asked if they kissed, both reported, "No, merely a hug." Joe had no complaints about the evening. Jade's only wished-for change was having stayed out a bit later, doubting it would have made her 5 a.m. Start much harder.

The pair made a significant dent in The Guardian's tab at the restaurant. Their story, as Jade initially hoped, provided a good tale for future pets.