Heather on Sam What were you hoping for? A good conversation with someone engaging. First impressions? Sam was great about my lateness (transport woes). I felt comfortable immediately and conversation was easy. What did you talk about? Sam’s work as an artist. His time in Brazil. My profession and travel experiences. Books. Music. Film. Dating etiquette in different countries. Most awkward moment? Me being late. Good table manners? Excellent. And I wasn’t overly mocked for struggling to pick up rice with chopsticks either. Best thing about Sam? I’d say Sam’s passion for creativity and open-mindedness. Would you introduce Sam to your friends? I’m sure he’d get on with them and there would be plenty to talk about. Lots of shared music interests too, and travel tales. Describe Sam in three words. Warm, considerate and interesting. What do you think Sam made of you? He mentioned he liked my boots. Also, apparently I reminded him of a specific film character, so I’ll have to check that one out. Did you go on somewhere? We went for a beer after, which took away some of the formality of the restaurant. And ... did you kiss? There was almost a brief kiss goodnight. If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? I’d have been on time or early. Marks out of 10? 8. Would you meet again? We did exchange numbers, so let’s see. Sam on Heather What were you hoping for? I had a dream Mark Kermode was reviewing a date I went on. I took that as an omen that I should sign up for this. First impressions? Late. But so flustered and charmingly contrite she turned it into a positive. What did you talk about? Saint Etienne (the place). EM Forster. Wandering spiders. Saint Etienne (the band). Thomas Hardy. Samba. Most awkward moment? My chopsticks went flying at one point, and I nearly knocked heads with the waiter as we went to retrieve them. Good table manners? Impeccable. I focused on keeping pan-Asian titbits out of my beard. Best thing about Heather? Prim, proper, with a subtle smattering of unpredictability that began to make itself known once we’d settled. Would you introduce Heather to your friends? I don’t really have any friends. Describe Heather in three words. Smiley. Friendly. (Sublime) boots. What do you think Heather made of you? Greedy. I drank all the tap water. Did you go on somewhere? A beer at a nice place in the vicinity. And … did you kiss? A civilised peck somewhere between lip and cheek. If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be? The food was so delicious I overate. So I’d change that. Marks out of 10? 8. Would you meet again? Sure, as friends.