Mark on Abby What were you hoping for? To nick some Guardian stationery when I came into the office for my photo shoot. A fruitless pursuit, sadly. First impressions? Intelligent and less lawyery than anticipated – not even a briefcase. What did you talk about? How she does iron man competitions and her interest in carp noodling. Most awkward moment? There was a couple opposite us making out, properly going for it. Good table manners? We both did that stupid thing of leaving a tiny piece of each dish on the plate out of politeness. Best thing about Abby? She smelled like really nice cucumbers. Would you introduce Abby to your friends? I’m not sure she’d want me to, and fear what they’d say about me. But I’ve requested to be let into her girls’ WhatsApp group (membership pending). Describe Abby in three words Fit, intelligent, juxtaposing. What do you think Abby made of you? I reckon she mostly enjoyed my company, but would’ve swiped left on me on a dating app. I don’t think I’m her usual type. Did you go on somewhere? I’m in my 30s now, things ache and I get tired, so no. And … did you kiss? We didn’t. Imagine getting rejected and it being printed in the paper. The boys would kill me. If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? An earlier start, to fit in more old fashioneds on Guardian expenses. Marks out of 10? A solid 8 (points deducted due to her abysmal effort to kill a troublesome fly and for not being impressed enough by my really long banister slide – it was probably my PB). Would you meet again? I’m not averse to it: conversation was easy enough. Abby on Mark What were you hoping for? To feature in a future Guardian article about Blind Daters who went on to get married. First impressions? Very impressive tattoos but if my long-term plan (see above) works out, my mum is not going to like them. What did you talk about? Waitrose v Aldi. The (terrible) questions his friends had sent him as conversation starters. Most awkward moment? When Mark threatened to go and have a word with the couple snogging at a table nearby. Good table manners? No better or worse than mine. We had sharer plates and Mark was excellent at making sure we had fair portions. Best thing about Mark? It was pretty flattering when he guessed my age as 28. On a more serious note, he is a great conversationalist. Would you introduce Mark to your friends? Yes, I think he’d slot in quite well to my wider circle. Describe Mark in three words. Mischievous. Witty. Genuine. What do you think Mark made of you? Not as bland as he expected for a lawyer. Did you go on somewhere? No, Mark had a train to catch. And … did you kiss? Nope. If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? I would have been able to finish the incredible celeriac carbonara. Marks out of 10? 7.5. Would you meet again? Yes, as friends. (Just kidding, I know it winds Mark up when he sees the “as friends” responses.) Sadly, it’s a no from me from a dating perspective.