Series 1, Ep. 7 - Can I Tell You A Secret?

After I split up with Dan, who I’d spent the whole of my twenties with, I was faced with a situation where many of my friends were now married, had started a family and were moving out of London to buy a home. I realised that over the last 11 years I’d not made an effort to expand my friendship circle other than the friends I’d naturally made at university & at work. And despite feeling lonely at points, I was still excited about single life, I saw it as an opportunity. I always knew London was one of the most exciting places to live, I was in awe of the lives others lived and I knew I was just skimming the service, I wanted to meet new people, stay out all night, go on dates & try new things.

This week's reading is taken from April - Aug 2013 and they are predominantly about one amazing man, and now a friend, he was the first guy I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship, and they touch on my first steps into dating and ALL the confusion that comes with it.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Dan - My ex boyfriend who I spent 11 years with from 2001 - 2012

Beth - My best mate

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship

Ollie, Atlas, Heather, Caroline, Holly - London Friends

Lily, Alf, Susie, Ellie - Some of my oldest friends

Jared - A one night stand

Locations:

Shoreditch House
https://www.shoreditchhouse.com/

Columbia Road
http://www.columbiaroad.info/

The Fox
Pub on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

Scolt Head
https://www.thescolthead.co.uk/

Duke of Wellington
https://www.frontierpubs.co.uk/your-local/duke-of-wellington-dalston-pub/

The Hunter S
http://www.thehunter-s-pub.co.uk/

Kempton Antiques Market
https://www.sunburyantiques.com/kempton/

A Little Bit Of What You Fancy
Restaurant on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

The Dead Dolls Club
Bar on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

John Lewis
https://www.johnlewis.com/

Old Blue Last
https://www.theoldbluelast.com/

Looking Glass Cocktail Club
http://www.lookingglasslondon.co.uk/

Broadway Market
https://broadwaymarket.co.uk/

Off Broadway
https://www.offbroadway.org.uk/

Entertainment References:

David Beckham retires from professional football:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-beckham-retires-the-time-is-right-to-retire-from-football-8619336.html

Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/tennis/23220414

Miley Cyrus and Robin Thick MTV VMA’s 2013
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twerk-it-out-miley-and-robins-vma-performance-one-year-later-65286/

Land of Kings
https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2013/04/09/dalston-prepares-land-of-kings-festival/

Grazia Magazine
https://graziadaily.co.uk/

Mud
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_(2012_film)

Burning Man
https://burningman.org/

New Girl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Girl

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell, and edited and engineered by Ethan Illingworth