Depreciation

As aformentioned one of the things that hasn't changed over the last year is my state of singledom- something I hadn't really thought of as an issue for me until my new workmate pointed out that there is something amiss with my attitude... to me.

One of the things I neglected to refer to in my previous post was the appearance of a dashing young legal eagle at the party. I've known of Colin Darcy for some time through friends but never really taken note.

However on Saturday it was like seeing him anew. He was cute, funny and an amusing enough dancer to catch my eye.

We chatted and danced and spent the evening having a really good time.

But for some reason l didn't think he'd be interested so I left without a kiss or a number that night.

Richard, my new work colleague - who is also my new partner in crime due to a shared adoration of Blackadder and apple pie - was driving us to work courtesy of our car-sharing deal and setting the world to rights this morning when he remembered to ask about my halloween party experience (the previous morning had been spent discussing the horrific failure of his own relationship).

I explained to him what had happened and he looked at me and laughed.

''Oh Suze, you make me laugh," he said chuckling.

''I'm not being funny but you know you are beautiful right? You're a lovely, brilliant girl - why do you think he wouldn't want you?"

I shrugged and replied: ''Well it's too late now - the party's over. "

"Don't be daft Suze." he said sagely.

''Just call your friends and ask them to pass your number on - it's not rocket science. This guy actually sounds like he's not the usual brickie you seem to go for and l think he's more you. Go on take a punt. You're worth it."

And with those words I realised how over many months of singledom I had managed somehow to depreciate my own value in the dating world.

I'd failed to see it and predictably it took a man to use his blunt talent to point it out.

So I've taken the punt -I'll let you know if I win.

Suze x

Return... One year on

To be in the position of now, looking back over a year is bizarre.

I'm most of the way into a brand new career - probably the wildest career anyone have predicted for me - and have new friends, new distractions and a new attitude to life

I'm still single but not overly concerned - l still get the dates..

Portia remains a confident mum to Bob but has been tarnished by life and has retreated back into her shell and avoids any social life despite my best efforts.

Simon on the other hand has become increasingly social - having split from his girlfriend. But, being Simon, he was not alone for long

When Grace fell into his life, not long after the split, Simon was a mess - more lost than I had ever seen him before. I'd heard he had moved on but I'd started my new job and didn't really know anything about it - until yesterday.

I was at a halloween party with my friend Lou, dressed in an appropriately ghoulish fashion, and he was there with Grace. Both drunk and both drunk on each other. Totally and utterly falling down in love with each other. I spotted it and smiled and wondered if even they knew.

Vampire Simon came over and talked later in the evening.

''That's my girlfriend Grace," he said, slurring ever so slightly

I smiled at him and replied: "She's the one isn't she Simon?"

He smiled back: "I think you might be right Suze"

Then Grace, in the form of a ghostly bride, came over, smiled and kissed Simon - before they both smiled at me and danced off among the ghouls, ghosts and monsters.

Had Simon's split happened a year ago I might have hoped to be in there myself - but it's been a funny old year- and I've learnt a lot. First and foremost I now know - it's not enough to want something - you have to be wanted too.

Suze x