#5 Learn How to Ask Someone Out (and How to Dump Them)

It's not a secret that I made the first move towards the husband and me getting together. It happened in a night club in Cardiff. I had just moved there to start my degree at the university and was investigating the local facilities with my friend Jenna (who you've heard me mention before). We were meant to be meeting another friend in a club called Zeus (I know, cheesy or what?) but she didn't turn up so we were left to try and salvage something of the night. A hilarious misunderstanding ensued wherein I thought Jen fancied 'the guy in the blue shirt'. So we shimmied our way over in that general direction so she could dazzle him with her moves. Since she seemed to be taking her time getting around to it I amused myself eyeing up his mate. I remarked to Jen 'that guy with the blonde hair is a bit of alright' which left her very confused since what she apparently said to me was in fact 'what about you and that guy with the blonde hair?' Oh, the topsy turvey world of nightclub miscommunication!

Anyway, I struck up conversation with 'the guy with blonde hair' and, being a forward sort of hussy, extracted his phone number from him. I had a moment or two of dilemma the next day trying to decide whether to call him or not, but, encouraged by my friends (Jen again...) I made the call. From that point on the poor bloke had no chance. A 2nd date was arranged and the rest, as they say, is history - more than 11 years of it in fact.

So, part 1 of this thing accomplished. Since I'm not keen to dump the husband (he's splendid) I'm going to have to drag up truly ancient history and recount a slice of my romantic past. I have only ever had to 'dump' one boyfriend. That doesn't mean I was dumped by the others, it was more like, we parted on mutually agreed terms. I went out with Gareth when I was 17 and he was really very sweet. Unfortunately he lived on the opposite side of the county and we only saw each other at college. Neither of us did anything mean to the other but at some point I decided it wasn't going anywhere (although I'm not sure where a 17yr old ever thinks a relationship is going) so I finished with him. I don't think I was particularly unkind in my breaking up. I did it face to face and we remained friends and if I were to see him now I'm confident we'd be pleased to see each other and have kind words to exchange. And I think that counts as a success as far as 'dumpings' go, don't you? And Gareth, if you're reading this - Hi! Hope you're keeping well! Be nice to see you next time I'm down.