They had agreed to meet in a public place. Public, busy and well lit. Sensible for on-line daters. Especially novices, on-line virgins.
He was nervous and had surreptitiously browsed the web for guidelines on how to behave. He knew what he should do and what he shouldn’t do. And he knew to manage his expectations.
She was naturally anxious and spent hours over coffee discussing all the issues with best friends. They all suggested she arrived a little late so she could give him the once over before deciding to join him.
Unfortunately he had received similar advice.
Written in response to Friday Fictioneers 100 word photo challenge.
patrickprinsloo 
That was a charming comedy of errors. Hope they finally met (outside your story)!
Hmmm, I wonder.
Patrick, I hope they finally met. It’s going to be awkward though, at least at first. I hope he has friends. Someone with no friends at all is a bit creepy. Well written. 🙂 — Susan
Hi Suzanne, I’m not sure if he has friends. So, er, … . Thanks for reading.
Dear Patrick, Great story and I bet this has happened many times – one shows up early to spy on the other and the other one is missing in action. Cute story and clever. Nan 🙂
Thanks, Nan.
So will they arrive at exactly the same moment? I’m not keen on the tone of his sticking to the web for guidelines on how to behave – I worry he’s going to be socially inept, if not downright creepy, if they ever do meet.
There is a big difference between him and her – he relies on the internet, she has friends and speaks to them. I think that that’s really the story.
Dear Patrick,
Doesn’t look like they’re off to a good start. I agree with Claire. Usually a hundred words is too short to shift points of view. You managed to pull it off quite nicely.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Why, thank you.
But I never know how to replicate these tricks.
Oh this made me laugh. The games people play!
I bet their friends laughed as well! Have you no pity?
No, not for this. It’s too funny. Funny always trumps pity.
Oh, no! Is their chance lost? Well, it’s not for lack of interest. A lot of careful planning here that screwed everything up! This is a great take, Patrick, and nicely written.
Thanks, Amy. They’ll meet their ideal partners some time, somewhere, some how. Maybe!
So now they both need to go and check out all the possible hiding places nearby until they find each other. There can’t be too many single people hiding in dark corners or behind potted plants. Cute story.
There’s the suspense: will they find each other?
Perfect set up. Great read.
Thanks for that.
Oh dear. I can imagine them both spending the entire evening hiding behind different potted plants surveilling the table 🙂
So much for romance!
I wonder how it went. Did they hook up? I guess the unfortunately suggests maybe not. Too bad.
Lily
Yeah, I think they blew it. Too bad, indeed.
Hah! I like this very much. I also like the way the shift in point of view works in such a short piece – it often doesn’t. Nicely handled.
Claire
Thanks Claire.
Un-perfect timing. Well done, Patrick.
So it is.Thanks for reading.
Ha ha, so did they both turn up at the same time and discover they had such a lot in common – like time-keeping?
They’re probably a good match. Too bad .. .
This really made me smile. 🙂
Good. Meet you in the square.
I like this one….I could see that happening
Pleased you liked it.
Relationships where neither party ever shows up never seem quite to work out somehow
Too true; must be something in the water.