Darren, who I knew a tiny bit from the pub, was always neat, wearing crisp white shirts, tucked into creaseless jeans, hair short back and sides. One day, while saying goodbye, he casually asked if I fancied going out with him. I must have screwed my face up, as he quickly added: “Please, I really really fancy you and I’d really like to get know you better.” Really? My god! So, of course, I agreed, feeling ashamed of my reflexive aloofness.