My 45-minute lunch date

Paula Haywood, a human resources manager working in London, describes her experiences of speed dating.

I have been dating in London now for 20 years and sadly have yet to experience a serious long-term relationship.

It’s true to say I haven’t met Mr Right in all this time, but a greater challenge for me is overcoming my genuine fear of relationships.

I’m ashamed to admit that during my twenties, most of the approaches by men were unsuccessful because through fear, I generally gave them the wrong phone number!

I have tried dating in a variety of ways: I’ve placed an ad in Time Out (received 74 replies and met 25 men), internet dating and dating agencies. It was through an ad in a newspaper that I came to try a speed date over lunch a few months ago…

I waited to meet Richard outside M&S in Covent Garden on a Tuesday lunchtime at 12.30pm. I noticed a Robbie Coltrane lookalike in the distance and hoped he wasn’t my date but he was!

We had a speed lunch at Chez Gerard over 45 minutes during which he spoke mostly about himself and his hectic high flying career, clearly wanting to make an impression.

In the remaining time he quizzed me about how good I was with handling money and the “real reason” that I was unattached. After lunch he thanked me for my time, somewhat reluctantly paid the bill, then rushed out of the door to catch a river boat.

As I was leaving the restaurant, I smiled as the waiter collected his briefcase that he had left behind in the fast exit. Later that day, he sent me a text message saying he would like to meet up again. I thanked him but replied politely no - but I will be speed dating again soon because another time it could be Mr Right!