Watch out for red flags, they are everywhere and always listen to your gut.

Daisy started getting messages from a guy up north who had family in the south and said he was often in the area and would love to meet up.

She agreed that they could have a drink somewhere nice, and because it was a summer’s day they both decided on a lakeside spot.

Because 'the traveller’ was coming to her home town she knew exactly the right place, still public enough for safety, but with plenty of privacy.

They agreed on a time and he said he’d be arriving in a red rental car. Note to self when he pulled up. Do rental car companies hire out vehicles that are 15 years old? Perhaps there is a budget chain that did, she was thinking….

They sat and chatted for about two hours until the sun went down and when walking back to their vehicles, he went in for the kiss, but her sunglasses fell off her head and quickly diffused the moment.

They laughed about that later when he returned back to wherever he was staying - details of which were very vague, and he said he’d like to come and meet her again before he flew home.

“Sure thing,” Daisy said, expecting an invite to lunch or dinner somewhere nice. But the traveller suggested coffee somewhere more private, and ever so casually said he could come to her place.

Learning from past experiences she said no. “I still don’t even know your last name, so why would I let a complete stranger into my house?” she said.

And that 15-year-old rental car was still bugging her…. With a bit of prompting he agreed to meet her for lunch halfway between where he was staying and where she lived, on his way back to the airport the next day.  

She went to make a booking and then thought she’d double check if he wanted a table outside, as it was a popular spot, and decided to ring him. No answer. She tried again later that night. No answer.

Conversing with her friends, she told them about the vehicle and the suggestion about coming to her house, and that niggling feeling something wasn’t quite right. 

The next time she heard from the traveller was 12:05pm the next day - they were meant to be meeting at 12:30pm but he never actually confirmed so Daisy had decided not to book the table as she was already having doubts.

He said he’d changed his flight to the next day anyway, and had extra time to come back down and see her that night. “Too late,” she said. “We were meant to be having lunch and now I’m busy until 9pm,” she replied.

The traveller’s tone suddenly changed when he realised she’d taken full control of the situation, and tried to make her feel guilty for his initial efforts, reminding her he’d taken the time to drive all the way down to meet her, and why couldn’t she be more accommodating?

“You missed the lunch date and had your chance,” Daisy said. “I tried ringing you to confirm the booking, but you didn’t pick up your phone. “What is your last name anyway, you still haven’t told me,” she said.

“But I said I could come down tonight,” he said. “What? after 9pm.. that’s a bit late,” she questioned. “Yes, perfect” he said. We can have another kiss…..

Jog on buddy. Another chapter for the Dating Diaries. Daisy reckons that the whole thing was a lie. Maybe he didn’t 

even live up north.  

And that car he was driving? Well, she never worked that one out, but it looked more like something he’d borrowed off a mate. Red flags everywhere. But so easily could be missed.

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