The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

and I’ve only just managed to
get it up and running again now.  All in all, today could have been better.’
    Gill felt guilty, but didn’t quite know how to respond to
make things better.  Perhaps in hiring this new recruitment consultant,
Janice’s workload would automatically reduce.  She already did so much more
than a receptionist and was an essential cog in the business.  That’s why Gill
paid her more than the going rate for a receptionist role, to ensure she didn’t
think of leaving.
    ‘Do you have the CVs from the walk-ins?’ Gill asked.
    ‘Sure.  Here,’ Janice handed them to her.
    ‘Thanks.  I need half an hour without interruptions, unless
it’s life or death, OK?’
    ‘No problem.  You can count on me to hold them off,’ she
winked at Gill.
    Laughing, Gill retreated into her office, where she booted
up her computer and started working her way through the CVs Janice had handed
her.  She then made a start on the remaining mountain she still needed to
address.
    Apart from an e-mail sent by Debbie into her work account,
saying in the subject simply, ‘ All is cool.  Spoke to Gerry.  Meet me in
Drummonds Kelvingrove at 7 ,’ Gill barely glanced up all afternoon.
    She was vaguely aware of Janice shouting goodnight just
after five, and next time she glanced at her watch it was quarter past six. 
Hurriedly, she logged into her e-mail and brought up the profiles.
    Number One – yes, he looked even better on the big screen. 
Charlie Prentice.  Broad shoulders always did it for her.  Maybe he was a
mechanic or a shipbuilder, something manual labour related.  On second
thoughts, she doubted that, or he wouldn’t be on a Professional Persons dating
site.  More like Blue Collar Workers Are Us.  There was nothing wrong with
blue collar workers of course , she thought.  On the contrary …  Gill
thought back many years, to Paul, a production worker at the local factory
which made ball bearings and other parts for the automotive industry.  The sex
had been fantastic.  Gill hastily pulled herself back to the present, feeling a
touch aroused at her reminiscing.
     
    Candidate Profile
    Name:  Charlie Prentice
    Age:  44
    Lives:  South side Glasgow
    Occupation:  Surveyor
    Qualifications:  BSc Hons Environmental Management and
Planning
    Height:  6’ 1”
    Marital status:  Divorced
    Children:  One daughter, aged twelve
    Smoker:  No
    Interests:  Playing and watching rugby, swimming,
socialising with friends, mountain climbing, dining out, cooking, travelling
    Further information:  Originally from Barra, I moved to
Glasgow when I started university and ended up staying here.
    Looking to meet:  A woman who likes socialising and who
is open to romance.  She should be independent but enjoy being part of a
couple.
    Divorced?  With a daughter.  So he had some baggage, but
didn’t they all? Gill thought.  It was a plus that he didn’t smoke.  No
wonder he had that build, if he played rugby, and the swimming would account
for those gorgeous shoulders.  Blond, shortish hair, blue eyes.  Yes, there was
a real possibility she’d feel some sort of spark, she thought, if she could
meet him in the flesh.  And he shared some of the same interests as her,
travelling, dining out and he could cook!  That had to be a bonus.  Just as
long as he didn’t expect her to cook for him, or any friendship would be over
before it began.  Domestic goddess she wasn’t.  And ‘open to romance,’ should
that be interpreted, as ‘wants sex’?  It was hard to know.  You’d really have
to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.  She quite liked the Western Isles
lilt, too.  Charlie sounded promising.
     
    Candidate Profile
    Name:  Ronald Fotheringham
    Age:  49
    Lives:  Loch Lomondside
    Occupation:  Antiques dealer
    Qualifications:  MA Art History, FDA Furniture
Restoration, PhD Fine Art & Design
    Height:  5’ 9”
    Marital status:  Widower
    Children:  Three of adult age
    Smoker: