A plan was made to meet up in the early evening after he finished work, taking in a drink and a meal. Having only been together a short while I cunningly took the afternoon off to get ready for the evening. My outfit was carefully put together for a spring evening in London. The dress was a little over the top, so in the end it was a T-shirt and knee length skirt teamed with a jacket. Footwear was a dilemma with all the walking I had done heels would be a killer, but flat shoes would look wrong with the outfit. In the end it was problem solved as I spied an old pair of Navy blue court shoes with an inch of heel.

After a pampering soak in the bath and waxing my legs it was time to get ready and go. As a final touch I decided to change bags for a small black shoulder bag as opposed to my normal huge home from home. Rushing to the station I grabbed the ticket and train with seconds to spare Settling into the short ride to London I thought I should check the meeting venue and time which I had hastily transferred to a scrap of paper along with directions and landmarks thrown in to help find my way.

Negotiating the tube (subway) I emerged at Covent Garden station exit and panic set in

Where was the meeting place?

He said at the front, Charing Cross side. Figuring that the building on my right down a little street filled with street entertainers and an audience of tourists and bystanders would need to be negotiated. Running the gauntlet of the masses I reached the building I thought was on the Charing Cross side. As I stood waiting for my date outside a gift shop turned to see a largish man observing me with a peculiar interest. It was as though his eyes were undressing me right down to my underwear. He smiled and stood staring so I glanced away. He looked as though he might come across so I quickly moved on and turning at a corner of an arcade could see the man talking to a friend and pointing me out. What did he want, was he planning to try and pick me up or had he ‘read me’ and was intrigued or worse.

The centre of Covent Garden has a Mall of boutiques and bars in the old market building. I worked out that with Four Corners one must be near Charing Cross station. Turning the corner I came face to face with the ‘Admirer’ whose friend continued walking by with a large grin.

"Hello Love", he uttered, you look lost "

Before I could utter a response he added my name is John, me and me mate is here for a beer why not join us, oh you have lovely hair I love red hair.

My mind raced, have on a date and being picked up, help!

"That’s Kind I replied, actually I’m waiting for my boyfriend and yes I’m lost "I did my best sad look and added "do you know the Charing cross side?"

"Cute accent" John replied you have a sexy husky voice this is the Charing Cross side.

Look here’s my number so if your man can’t show you a good time I can as he passed a business card with a number on it.

Thank you I stammered Oh here’s my Boyfriend, nice to meet you and fled towards a suited man carrying a rose.

Hi he said you look nice, this is for you and gave me a kiss and the rose. Who are your friends he asked suspiciously?

I explained the situation and we both laughed before heading of to enjoy dinner together at a wonderful Indian restaurant in Piccadilly.