Blind date: ‘Bizarrely, she suddenly realised she knew my daughter’

Don on ClaireWhat were you hoping for?To meet someone interesting. To be part of a cultural phenomenon called the Guardian Blind date. To have a pleasant lunch.First impressions?

Relaxed and friendly.What did you talk about?

Family. Work. Alcohol. Catholicism. Buddhism … and other light topics!Most awkward moment?

I didn’t feel any. Bizarrely though, Claire suddenly realised she knew one of my daughters, and her sister was a good friend of my mother a long time ago. Scotland is a small but beautiful nation.Good table manners?

I have the worst table manners north of the border, so I couldn’t comment.Best thing about Claire?