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Dating Diary

February 29, 2008: a flying visit from the legal eagle

Linda Franklin

This week Linda Franklin has a date with the dashing legal-aid solicitor

'Alan, the Legal Aid solicitor Julie and I picked up in that bar, is coming down this afternoon,' I said to gay-mate Ewan on the phone. Since he moved to London a few months ago it's all phone and email now between us.

'Oh yes - to continue your "conversation",' he said. 'What else are you going to do with him?'

'Nothing like that,' I said primly. 'Just a stroll along the prom and a look round The Lanes and a coffee or tea or something: the usual tourist stuff Brighton has to offer. If he's a really good boy I'll take him round the Pavilion or the Pier - but he's got to be back in London by early evening so wants to miss the rush hour.'

'Well, have a nice time being Miss Tour Guide but - changing the subject - has Bill the Hunk's ex-girlfriend had her ex-boyfriend's baby yet? I seem to remember it was due around now...'

'Oh yes I think it was, now you mention it, but I haven't heard anything. I'm seeing him either next week or the one after, so I'll ask then how they got on.'

Alan was every bit as handsome as I'd recalled: longish dark curly hair greying at the temples, very tall and fit and muscular, strong nose, green eyes and lovely deep voice. He entertained me with tales about his clients in East London who needed his services at all hours to get them out of trouble or who found themselves deep in it.

I myself was horrified and haunted by these stories - and glad to have left the East End for the safer streets of Brighton and Hove with my own two boys before they could get involved in that kind of mean street life.

'Do you like your job?' I asked. 'Doesn't it depress you - seeing the desperate and seamy side of life all the time? And having to get out of bed in the middle of the night to go to a police station?'

'That doesn't bother me at all - I find it exciting, actually, because I never know what's going to turn up,' he said. 'But it's not well paid.' I've always said the best bit about dating is being given a licence to get to know about other people's lives.

We were walking along the promenade in Brighton eating ice creams and suddenly a bike coming towards us braked to a screeching halt and a woman with a mass of blond hair shouted in a loud and upper class voice: 'Linda!!!' It was a long time and somewhat eccentric friend. 'Good Lord!' She said - taking off her sunglasses to more efficiently stare at Alan - 'Who's this you've bagged then? So bloody gorgeous to behold I nearly fell off my bike in shock!'

I introduced them and Alan - full marks to him - was quite unfazed. Well, he obviously was used to dealing with all sorts.

'Well done, girl,' she said appraisingly, as she prepared to ride off again, 'Easy on the eye and nice to boot - I've never managed to find one of those. My friend does in fact have a weakness for scoundrels who mostly seem to be after her trust funds. Money isn't always the bonus you think it might be.

As Alan prepared to get into his car he said: 'I've really enjoyed this. Shall we do something again sometime??'

And he kissed me. Very nicely.

'Yeah, sounds good,' I said. Very cool. 'I'm quite busy in the near term, but things get freer later - why don't you keep in touch?'

I got on the phone to Ewan the minute I got in the door: 'He's FAB!' I said. 'Great company, lovely looking, fantastic snogger!'

'Good for you, girl,' maybe I should get back on the scene. 'Domestic bliss with Jack hasn't turned out to be quite so blissful after all...'

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