Past Tense

– He said: I’m looking for someone to dance around the kitchen with, to Stevie or James Brown.

– He said: I’m into self-improvement, running, meditation, yoga.

– He said: I’ll know her when I see her.

– He said: you don’t mind waiting a few minutes, do you?

– He said: are you a night owl? Are you up to much? I’m on the river – we’re drinking shots. It’s hectic.

– He said: can you send a full body photo?

– He said: what’s the catch? There has to be a catch.

– He said: can I ask when your last relationship ended, and why?

– He said: where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

– He said: I have to finish tidying my desk. I’ll be there ASAP.

– He said: the sky’s extraordinary tonight. Fifteen, sixteen shades of pink.

– He said: so what happened? Did he get what he wanted and then do the dirty on you?

– He said nothing. Checked his phone, apologised, checked his phone, apologised.

– He said: what are you reading?

– He said: I don’t like doing the legwork. I let the ladies come to me.

– He said: I am reading Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving.

– He said: can I meet you a little bit later? Later than that? No, later.

– He said: let’s play it by ear.

– He said: what are you wearing?

– He said: I’m travelling for work, but I can meet you at the station.

– He said: I’ve been held up. I’ll be there in 20.

– He said nothing. You looked at your ice cubes and rattled the glass.

– He said: my friends say I’m a really great catch.

– He said: do you feel anything at all?