Single in Sydney: Sarah drags herself out of her sick bed to go on a date with a bald American

WHEN too much time to think about ending up alone with her cat after an interminable cold, Sarah did what any determined single would do ... she dragged herself out of bed for a date.

• A case of man flu gets Sarah back into Tinder
• 11 things I learned from the ex pick-up artist-turned dating guru
• First Dates dishes up a cold serve of reality
• Now I know why I’m single

JOURNALIST Sarah Swain has been single (but dating) for longer than she cares to remember. That’s because it’s tough out there, as any single will tell you, so to bring hope to others across the city, she’s sharing her no-holds-barred adventures on the Sydney single scene every week

Sickness in Sydney

THERE were flashing lights, my heart skipped a beat and I had to grab onto the pole on the train to steady myself.

Sadly, this wasn’t my reaction on seeing my latest date.

You see, while The Cold From Hell is lasting longer than the election campaign, I was also struck by an aura migraine last week that I haven’t seen the like of for two years.

Basically, my vision is suddenly clouded by lights, a bit like when you’ve had a camera flash go off three feet away from your face. It spreads across both eyes, indicating I’ve got about an hour before a hammering headache hits.

Being sick in bed with an interminable cold gave Sarah plenty of time to think.

I have to feel my way into a darkened room for at least 24 hours to recover.

Thankfully, it wasn’t as embarrassing as my last one in public though.

I was about to board a flight to Brisbane for work, alone, when it struck.

I had to garble at a random bloke to dial the number of my boss (my speech sometimes reverts to that of a toddler) while then making an attempt to alert a Qantas lady to my condition.

She stuck me in a room for ‘unaccompanied children’ before bundling me in a taxi.

Sarah was struck down by an aura migraine as she was about to board a Qantas flight to Brisbane.

Luckily, this time, I managed to get myself home to bed on my own (I actually hugged a lamppost as I waited for the green man to flash on the pedestrian crossing looking more like I’d been on the vino, so hampered was my vision) before the head-hammering began.

Added onto my Cold From Hell, it’s fair to say I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself.

And, being under the duvet has given me a lot of time to think,

Because, while I’m still bearing in mind all the things the Love Guru, Sarah Davis told me, like being grateful, cultivating love for myself, being present in the moment and meeting people ‘with no agenda’ — plus working on the online course the former Pick Up Artist told me, I sometimes just can’t help panicking.

Relationship coach, love guru, Sarah Davis.

I worry that Prince Harry and I will be on our own, forever.

So, I dragged myself out for a date the other night, with one of the guys I told you about lining up from my sick bed.

I slapped on the contents of Mecca Maxima (another side effect of being sick is internet shopping), downed a bottle of Benadryl and headed out to Circular Quay.

Being under the duvet with only Prince Harry for company while she was sick got Sarah thinking.

And I looked bloody good, actually.

The guy was bald, American and had a cat.

And, I actually quite liked him.

Despite the fact his mobile also joined us.

Though it was handy when we inquired where each other hailed from and he was able to show me the exact house on Google Maps.

We even wandered along by the Opera House with a cone of gelato each after a couple of wines.

Sarah and her date wandered along the by the Opera House enjoying a gelato.

And he kissed me goodbye on the train too.

All in all, it made me think he was keen.

I didn’t allow myself to get too excited, of course, because we singles can never do that, but I admit I did feel a glimmer of hope walking home.

But it has now been six days and his messages have been as abundant as the hairs on his head.

And now I have a headache, a Cold From Hell and an overwhelming dose of disappointment.