I'VE SPENT £100K ON DATING

Suzan Mutesi, 38, has splashed out a small fortune searching for her 'Mr Right'

- FRANCES LEATE

Looking over at my handsome date as he scanned our dinner bill, I watched his face crumple in shock, and then his eyes glazed over in a way I'd come to recognise over the years.

I stifled a sigh of disappointment as, sure enough, he patted his jacket pocket like he'd lost something, and then his jeans, and a familiar, uncomfortable silence followed. 'I must have left my wallet at home,' he coughed.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my phone and tapped it on the card reader. 'No problem,' I said, forcing a smile and getting up to leave.

We said our goodbyes with an awkward hug. Before my taxi had even arrived, I'd pinged him the email I reserved for my rejected dates. 'Thank you, but it didn’t work out.' Polite, but clear - I wouldn’t be seeing him again.

It was summer 2024, and as soon as I arrived home, I kicked off my high heels, took off my make-up and cosied up on the sofa of my one-bedroom apartment in my pyjamas, then called my friend Ken, then 33, to deliver the lowdown.

'It's such a shame, he seemed so perfect,' I complained, describing his great dress sense, and the fact he was tall, dark and handsome. But shirking a dinner bill was a definite red flag for me.

'Maybe your standards are too high,' Ken suggested.

TRYING HARD

The truth was, Ken was right. At my age, I knew exactly what I did, and didn't, want. I expected the best, but I gave my best too - I just needed someone to meet me halfway, with the same enthusiasm and effort.