ALICE, 29

Single, no children. 

Dating Past

I had a three-year relationship from the age of 18, then a nine-month one at 27, and a short relationship last year. I was born with spina bifida (a condition that affects the spine) and, at 23, I woke up paralysed from my lower spine downwards — I’m still learning how to walk again.

Today, I use a walking stick and have no feeling in my right leg. In my experience, people see a stick and make assumptions about you.

It’s massively impacted my romantic life and knocked my confidence, but the men I’ve dated have been considerate. I wouldn’t tolerate anything less.

Alice, 26, is looking to meet a man who is non-judgmental and emotionally mature

Pre-Date Nerves?

Yes, and when I’m nervous, I tend to make bad jokes to break the ice. I hoped I wouldn’t say anything too cringeworthy.

First Impressions?

When the waiter showed Peter to our table, we started chatting and didn’t stop. It was a good match: Peter is great looking with blonde hair and blue eyes. I liked his linen shirt with jeans.

Easy To Talk To?

Peter has a brilliant sense of humour. I was crying with laughter as he described the make-up artist at the photoshoot applying concealer to the tops of his ears.

Peter works with autistic adults with learning disabilities. I have a sister with similar disabilities and we talked about our experiences of people who navigate the world a little differently. I told Peter how I thought my career ended for me when I couldn’t walk. He wasn’t fazed and didn’t ask too much about it, which was perfect.

Embarrassing Moments?

Yes, but luckily Peter didn’t cotton on. There was a napkin on the floor — my walking stick slipped on it and I nearly went over.

Did Sparks Fly?

Yes, Peter is a funny guy and we laughed a lot. However, it’s not one of those love-at-first-sight encounters, more of a slow burn. Still, he held my attention with good eye contact.

Alice found Peter funny and they laughed a lot, even if it wasn’t a love-at-first-sight encounter 

See him again?

Yes. He’s been in touch since.

What do you think he thought of you?

I don’t know! He said I was funny and told me I was ‘wicked’ … which I think is a compliment.

Would your friends and family like him?

That’s an easy yes. I’m close to my family and they’d like Peter because he’s polite and funny. Also, he didn’t look at his phone once except to Google something we were both convinced we were right on (actually, we were both wrong).

PETER, 38 

Single, no children.

Dating Past

I’ve had a number of short-term girlfriends. My last relationship was with someone who lived abroad, and though I enjoy travelling, we lasted all of six months — the distance was too much.

Pre-Date Nerves?

Yes, a bit. You don’t know what you are walking into, do you?

Peter, 38, is looking to meet someone fun who he can settle down with

First Impressions?

Alice looked lovely — she’s got blonde hair, a big smile and was wearing a pretty dress. Feeling immediately friendly, we went in for a big hug and we got chatting straight away.

Easy To Talk To?

Yes, since we’ve both got a bit of wanderlust. Alice wants to spend time living in Australia and I want to join a friend with a boat and sail from Tahiti towards Asia.

Alice explained how her career was cut short when she had to undergo the surgeries on her spine. It wasn’t something she wanted to dwell on and we already had other stuff to talk about. She is a brave woman (or foolhardy depending on your outlook) and loves desert trekking, mountain hiking and cold-water swimming.

Embarrassing Moments?

I made the mistake of wearing jeans on the hottest day of the year. Alice ribbed me about them. In fairness, I’d asked a platonic girlfriend if it was OK to wear shorts on a first date and was told an emphatic no.

Did Sparks Fly?

Yes, I thought so. There was a bit of flirting and some eye contact going on. Alice isn’t just nice-looking, she is funny, too. I didn’t notice she used a walking stick until we left the restaurant and I accompanied her to her car, but it didn’t bother me.

See her again?

I’d like to. We spent six hours at the restaurant together. Turns out we can both talk a lot.

We swapped numbers at the end of the date and have been in touch since.

Peter found Alice funny and physically attractive with her blonde hair and pretty dress

What do you think she thought of you?

I hope she thought I was all right. We both laughed at similar things, which is a plus. I told her the first thing I was going to do after she left was nip into a local hotel and change into my shorts.

Would your family like her?

Yes, they are similar in lots of ways. Take a recent holiday to Wales: all of my family (except for me) are the types who adore getting up for 7am sea swims. Alice loves that sort of thing too. They’re all mad — it’s my worst nightmare.

ALICE’S VERDICT: 8/10

LIKED? It was easy with Peter.

REGRETS? No, none.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

PETER’S VERDICT: 10/10

LIKED? I felt at ease.

REGRETS? Not wearing shorts.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.