Running a hairbrush through my locks, I took a deep breath.
Why am I so nervous? I thought. It’s only a date. But I liked Matthew already.
After matching with him on Plenty of Fish in November 2011, he’d sent me a message and we’d been talking for the last four months over Facebook Messenger.
Although shy and a little nervous over text, Matthew, then 39, was funny and kind.
Signing up for the dating site, I knew I wanted a partner.
A single mum to my daughter, Tina, 11, I didn’t often get time to myself, but with her being a little older, it felt like the right time.
Looking for the usual tall, dark and handsome, Matthew fitted the bill – apart from his ginger hair!
Not my usual type, but the more we chatted, his orange tresses became more appealing.
He was older than me, but I loved talking to him.
So, when he asked me out on 8 March 2012, how could I say no?
Would he be my dream man?
Matthew suggested we meet at The Pretty Pigs pub in Tamworth for a few pints and a carvery meal.
As I headed through the door, a wave of anxiety washed over me.
