meeting the Essex girl

Before meeting, Daniel prepared clean clothes, deodorant, condoms, crisps, headphones and passport, while worrying about heat, attraction and rejection. They met in London from approximately 1–4 p.m.; she left for work, and crowds limited filming and made Daniel self-conscious. He found her kind, attractive, well-dressed and easy to talk with, but felt no immediate love; both agreed to meet again, perhaps at a museum.

A calm, nonsexual first date contrasts with earlier hotel-first encounters, while Daniel remains uncertain but willing to let feelings develop.