Yvonne.com

Yvonne.com

By John Riddle

The seeds of my relationship with Yvonne.com have the unlikely roots of
a retirement social.
I had gone along to the function must against my better judgement to
say farewell to a colleague about to retire, Gordon English.
Gordon had been with the firm for 30 years and pressure was applied
from above, the management for me to attend.
I had retired, early I might add, four years previously and they who
must be obeyed thought it would be appropriate to have a few of
Gordon's retired colleagues at the farewell.
Another ex employee who I was a close friend of Gordon's, Harry Mason,
greeted me like a long lost brother. Harry and I had worked together
for a few years at the Durham City branch and reminisced about our
walks around the river at lunchtime to get away from the office
politics.
We caught up on old times and Harry revealed that he, like myself, was
now divorced.
I had long since abandoned the state of marriage but Harry had only
parted from his wife three years previously.
The conversation inevitably got around to "Had I found anybody else",
and then on to Harry's efforts to find a partner.
"It's not easy is it at our age" commented Harry and then went on to
tell me about a web site he had found called Autumn Encounters.
The company had in their wisdom trained both of us in the use of
computers and unbeknown to each we had gone on to purchase home
pc's.
Harry was much more knowledgeable than I, oh and before I go any
further forgive me, my name is Robin Johnson. Robbo to my mates.
Anyway back to Autumn Encounters.
Harry told me he had registered and had several emails from ladies of a
similar age who were looking for a partner.
"You should try it Robbo" suggested Harry.
"Oh I don't know about that" I replied not wishing to admit that I had
already registered with several sites, without success. But I didn't
want anyone to know.
He said he would give me the address and we exchanged cards and then
moved off the subject and rejoined the main group. I never thought
anymore about Harry's suggestion and the evening concluded and we all
drifted away into the night.
When I arrived home I checked my email as I do before going to bed and
sure enough there was Harry's message with the website address for
Autumn Encounters. I was too tired to look at the site that night and
sent a simple reply to Harry, "thanks mate".
The next morning I once again checked my mail.
Nothing new so I clipped onto Harry's email and accessed Autumn
Encounters.
The site was simple to use and I soon had a profile up and running
complete with photograph. I chose a one than did not highlight my
advancing years and laughed to myself seeing the picture of me in a
bacardi straw hat soaking up the sun in the Canary Islands.
I had worked in the Canary Islands, Tenerife to be precise and this was
one of many pictures I had of my time in the sun.
I hoped that some attractive lady would also find it humorous and
attractive.
As I said previous I had advertised on such sites before but without
success and I had no reason to think that this time would be any
different.
A few days went by and to be honest I forgot all about the site, as I
was busy writing articles for several newspapers I now contribute to on
a regular basis.
My hobby was writing before I retired and now I have all the time in
the world to write to my hearts content. To be honest I have all the
time in the world to do anything and like Harry I do miss the company
of a lady.
The animated butler, Albert I call him, walked onto the screen and
announced "You have mail, sir".
I went to my inbox and there was a letter from someone I did not
know.
A message from Yvonne.com@wildblood.co.uk.
I paused. This was a response from Autumn Encounters.
I opened the mail with excitement and apprehension.
Hi Robin!
You sound nice and look nice! Shame about the hat!!
Yes I am very cheeky and have a wicked sense of humour! Could you make
me laugh again?
I live in Sunderland, live with my 18 year old daughter, have my own
flat, car and work full-time for a legal firm as an Administrator. I
have been separated, amicably, from my old husband for just over two
years. I don't enjoy being on my own and miss going out and doing
things with a friend or partner. I enjoy the countryside, walking, and
seaside. Love nothing better than dressing up for my man and going out
for a lovely meal. Enjoy travelling, and have been "away" more in the
last year than in the last ten with my husband. It all got very boring,
but that's another story. As you say travelling on ones own is no fun.
Harder for a woman too I feel.
Tell me a bit more about yourself?
Yvonne
Wow! A reply. Now what?
I had never had a reply to any of the other adverts or if I had it was
some crank or other.
What should I do? Do I reply?
I decided I should because this lady had taken the chance in writing
and it would be unkind not to respond.
I had several attempts to write a reply, re writing it time and time
again before I decided to send this message and send it I did.
"Wow where do I start. I would love to make you laugh again! I worked
for Sunderland for a while. I don't enjoy being alone either and I miss
the simple things in life. Walking by the seaside, I live five minutes
from the sea but have not walked along the shore for some time. Just in
from Joe Rigatoni the Italian but alas not with a lady, business. If
you want to know more email me on my private email on
robbojonno@yahoo.co.uk
it's quicker than this service.
I know Sunderland quite well.
Look forward to hearing from you
please excuse the smeling mistooks
Robbo
ps my friends call me Robbo
xx

As I pressed "send" and the message disappeared from the screen but
little did I know that this was the start of a new adventure.
Yvonne and I exchanged several emails over the next few weeks. We
chatted about our hobbies, travels abroad and a whole variety of
subjects.
She told me about her work and I told her of my newspaper work and
travels abroad. We both seemed to like the same things, fine food, a
nice bottle of wine, travel and the cinema.
I laugh now at my advert.
One older gentleman, impeccable manners, intelligent and charmingI
enjoy some of the finer points of life, tonight an Italian Friday and
Old English pub in the North Yorks National Park. Alas both business
dinners.
Sense of humour...and more. I travel abroad several times a year in
connection with my work but hate travelling alone.
Live not so far away on Teesside
On one occasion Yvonne sent me her works telephone number with a
taunt, she has a wicked sense of humour, "ring if you dare". I pondered
a while and then did ring.
That telephone call kick started our email relationship into something
else.
Later that day received another email from Yvonne suggesting we had
dinner.
Yes! I exclaimed.
I had so much wanted to meet Yvonne.
She made me laugh and we seemed to have so much in common.
We agreed in an exchange of several emails that we would meet on
neutral ground at a small Italian restaurant we both knew in Durham
City.
I had walked passed it many times on my trips around Durham with Harry
so it seemed an appropriate place to meet.
That was on 19th October and as I stood on the dimly lit bridge that
supports the Italian and the Swan and Cygnets pub many thoughts flashed
through my mind.
Would she see me and do an about turn?
Would I "bottle it" also and do a runner?
Would we like each other?
My thoughts were interrupted when a soft voice said, "Robbo".
I turned and there was Yvonne.
I recognised here immediately as she had sent me her picture.
We shook hands.
We went into the restaurant and we were taken to our pre booked table.
It was very crowded and I assume we both looked nervous, or at least
that's how I felt!
Yvonne ordered a bottle of Chardonnay which is her favourite white and
proceeded to mull over the extensive menu.
We eventually decided on cannelloni and pasta carbonara but the choice
was really immaterial, as tonight I hoped was to be the first day of
the rest of our lives.
We chatted incessantly throughout the meal, declined a dessert paid the
bill, Yvonne insisted on going Dutch, and slipped away into the
night.
The city was crowded. It was a Friday night.
We walked through the city, along its cobbled streets into the shadow
of the Cathedral, before all too soon we had to part.
A simple peck on the cheek concluded our evening and Yvonne said as she
drifted away "I will ring you tomorrow".
"No ring me tonight so I know you have arrived home safely" I
retorted
"Ok" she shouted and in a moment she was gone.
I went back to where I had parked the car and returned home with a warm
glow that the cynics could attribute to the splendid Italian food, but
what I like to think was love at first sight.
Yvonne did ring me when she arrived home and thanked me for a great
time.
"Oh it is me that has to thank you Yvonne," I replied, "it is such a
long time since I have enjoyed myself so much."
We did arrange to meet on the Saturday but that turned out to be the
euphoria of the moment and Yvonne had to do those domestic chores that
keep a household going including of course the weekly food shop.
I so desperately wanted to see her again but erred on the side of
caution and agreed we would meet on the Sunday as was our original
plans.
It was a long, long Saturday.
We did talk on the phone and I did send Yvonne an email card.
On Sunday morning I was up at the crack of dawn. We had agreed we would
go to the North Yorkshire Moors as both of us enjoyed the great
outdoors and walking. It was pouring with rain and apparently had been
all night. The sky was grey and I did wonder whether this would deter
Yvonne.
She was due to arrive at 10 am or so but at 9.50 am the telephone
rang.
"Hello Robbo" a voice said as I answered the phone.
It was Yvonne.
She wasn't coming.
She had cold feet.
Negative thoughts flooded my head.
"I am running a little behind time, I have just come out of the shower,
and should be with you by a little before 11" Yvonne explained.
"That's ok love", I stuttered only all too relieved that she was coming
at all.
"See you in a while then" I concluded the call.
You can only appreciate the apprehension of starting dating again and
the roller coaster ride of emotions if you have actually experienced
it. Remember of course that my courting days were over 20 odd years ago
and now in my early fifties it's all a very different ball game.
Well they do say there is nothing like an old fool and maybe there is
some element of that in our behaviour as we get older and not
necessarily wiser.
Yvonne arrived and she parked her car. We would use mine for the trip
to the Moors.
I pecked her cheek as she arrived and that felt comfortable.
We had a quick coffee before we embarked on our short day trip and as
the day progressed the air of comfortability embraced us.
I did at one point comment that I felt as I had known Yvonne for many
years and she simply replied, "ditto".
We arrived at the Carpenters Arms where we had lunch. This was the
first Sunday lunch I had devoured for some time and in a word it was
splendid.
We both had commented on how we would like to lose those few extra
pounds, or in my case a few, few extra pounds but Yvonne paved the way
for us to experience bramble and apple crumble.
It was orgasmic.
Listen when you have to watch everything you eat as I do, a seductive
sweet with lashing of hot custard, is indeed luxury.
"I am as full as a butcher's dog" I retorted as we paid the bill, again
50/50 which was what Yvonne insisted upon.
The mist by this time was swirling around the moor and we decided that
we would go to Helmsley on of the villages frequented by visitors to
the Moors.
We walked through the narrow streets, passed the antique shops, the
souvenir shops through the walled garden before arriving back at the
point we had parked the car. Occasionally our hands would touch.
"Would you like a tea of coffee Robbo," asked Yvonne pointing to one of
the olde English teashops that litter the market square.
"That would be nice" I said and smiled.
We had declined coffee with our lunch but now after the walk in the
damp air I think we both needed a pick me up.
After coffee we browsed in the shop above the coffee shop which was
full to the brim with Christmas and Halloween nic nacs.
"I think I will buy these for Amy," informed Yvonne explaining that her
daughter although 18 still liked a stocking at Christmas.
The mist by this time was rolling in off the moors and we made our way
back to Teeside fog lights blazing back and front.
Our journey took longer but I don't think either of us noticed.
"What shall we do now?" I asked hoping the day would never end.
"Well let's get back to your place and then we will decide" replied
Yvonne.
A few coffees later, some soft music, and we decided we would go to the
cinema. That was Yvonne choice and the film we saw is of total
insignificance to the story, the most important thing was we were still
enjoying each other's company.
After the epic at Warner Brothers we called in for a nightcap at
Chicago Rock, a local wine bar/nightclub. There were few people there
and we just enjoyed the luxury again of each others company.
We arrived home and I just wanted to hold her.
I think I must have blurted that out as very soon we both just hugged
each other.
"That feel's good," she whispered, "it's been so long since I was held
by anyone".
"ditto" I echoed.
But the evening did have to come to an end and all too soon.
"What about tomorrow," I asked
"You want to see me tomorrow," laughed Yvonne.
"Very much so" I replied.
"I will ring you when I get home" she offered
"Right, that's ok" I conceded leaving the door wide open for her to
escape from any future commitment.
A final hug and another peck and she was gone.
I pottered around waiting for her call which eventually did come.
"I have told Amy all about you and she is dying to meet you" explained
Yvonne.
"Why don't you come here tomorrow night" invited Yvonne.
"I would like that, I would like that very much," I replied.
"Ok, I will give you the address and directions," offered Yvonne.
Pen in hand I took down the details.
"See you tomorrow at eight then Robbo and thank you for a wonderful
day, " whispered Yvonne.
"Oh no thank you" I replied
"I had a simply wonderful time," I concluded.
We said our protracted goodbyes and the line went dead.
Tomorrow at eight I thought.
Could this be it?
Was this to be the next day in an adventure that would last
forever?
NO!
I pulled myself up short.
Take each day as it comes.
Go with the flow.
Make no assumptions but enjoy it whilst it lasts.
She was attractive, humorous, and intelligent and we enjoyed many
similar things.
I did hope this was to be the first day of the rest of our lives but
who knows.
All I can say with any certainty is that for the moment my life was
entwined with the lady who I affectionately call "Yvonne.com".

THE END
(or is this just the beginning)
watch this space