How We Met
In 2008, James's friends took him along to an audition for a show at the Queen's Theatre called Barnum. James smashed the audition and became part of the Lennox Productions cast. The show was in aid of a charity called Lennox Children's Cancer Fund - where Claire worked. The first time they met was at a rehearsal for Barnum, where they barely noticed each other. Very romantic!
A year later, Claire joined the cast for the next show (Annie) and when none of their other friends turned up at a show promotion day in Lakeside, they finally became friends - while sharing some Pez.
A few months later, when James finally noticed what a stunner Claire was, he started flirting... unfortunately, Claire wasn't particularly receptive and almost scared him off with lines like "Is that flirting?" and "If you don't like being short, grow!".
Eventually, Claire agreed to go on a date with James, and they went for a meal and to see a movie (Slumdog Millionaire), at The O2. The movie was rubbish but luckily they discovered a shared love of Harry Potter when the trailer for the new film was shown. The rest is history.
In 2008, James's friends took him along to an audition for a show at the Queen's Theatre called Barnum. James smashed the audition and became part of the Lennox Productions cast. The show was in aid of a charity called Lennox Children's Cancer Fund - where Claire worked. The first time they met was at a rehearsal for Barnum, where they barely noticed each other. Very romantic!
A year later, Claire joined the cast for the next show (Annie) and when none of their other friends turned up at a show promotion day in Lakeside, they finally became friends - while sharing some Pez.
A few months later, when James finally noticed what a stunner Claire was, he started flirting... unfortunately, Claire wasn't particularly receptive and almost scared him off with lines like "Is that flirting?" and "If you don't like being short, grow!".
Eventually, Claire agreed to go on a date with James, and they went for a meal and to see a movie (Slumdog Millionaire), at The O2. The movie was rubbish but luckily they discovered a shared love of Harry Potter when the trailer for the new film was shown. The rest is history.
Meeting The Parents
When Claire met James's parents, in Claire's words:
I was obviously nervous before meeting James's parents, but he reassured me that they were down to earth and 'normal people'. James didn't choose the best day to take me home to meet his parents, it was a little hectic to say the least. They were halfway through decorating the hallway, were hosting a party for friends that evening, and Chris had brought Maria over to meet them for the first time that afternoon too! So when we arrived Alan was frantically cleaning parts of the house that no one would see and Sue was flapping around with drinks and peanut bowls.
As party guests began to arrive, Sue started introducing us to their friends "This is my son James, and this is his... [awkward pause]... lady?". We left shortly after that (right before the shots were lined up). Luckily that didn't put me off.
When James met Claire's parents, in James's words:
I first met Stella, Rachel and Gemma when Claire invited me along to Stella's 50th birthday party. She told me it wasn't a big deal and that I should pop along for a bit. In a desperate effort to impress Claire, I said I'd go. I was unaware that when I arrived, the room would be full with every member of Claire's family. Nothing like being chucked in at the deep end! Embarrassingly Stella saw us kissing outside before I even entered the party and apparently, Rachel's first impression of me was that I might be gay. I cant imagine what made her think that!
I met Terry and Lin several months later, a few weeks after a car crash where I ploughed Claire head first into a bus. Needless to say, Terry's first impression was not good. Seven years on, I've kept Claire alive so I think he might like me now. Probably.
When Claire met James's parents, in Claire's words:
I was obviously nervous before meeting James's parents, but he reassured me that they were down to earth and 'normal people'. James didn't choose the best day to take me home to meet his parents, it was a little hectic to say the least. They were halfway through decorating the hallway, were hosting a party for friends that evening, and Chris had brought Maria over to meet them for the first time that afternoon too! So when we arrived Alan was frantically cleaning parts of the house that no one would see and Sue was flapping around with drinks and peanut bowls.
As party guests began to arrive, Sue started introducing us to their friends "This is my son James, and this is his... [awkward pause]... lady?". We left shortly after that (right before the shots were lined up). Luckily that didn't put me off.
When James met Claire's parents, in James's words:
I first met Stella, Rachel and Gemma when Claire invited me along to Stella's 50th birthday party. She told me it wasn't a big deal and that I should pop along for a bit. In a desperate effort to impress Claire, I said I'd go. I was unaware that when I arrived, the room would be full with every member of Claire's family. Nothing like being chucked in at the deep end! Embarrassingly Stella saw us kissing outside before I even entered the party and apparently, Rachel's first impression of me was that I might be gay. I cant imagine what made her think that!
I met Terry and Lin several months later, a few weeks after a car crash where I ploughed Claire head first into a bus. Needless to say, Terry's first impression was not good. Seven years on, I've kept Claire alive so I think he might like me now. Probably.
The Proposal
James bought a ring one evening while shopping with Feehan in Lakeside and waited three months before finally popping the questions. James has considered many extravagant ways of proposing, but decided that, as Claire doesn't like being the centre of attention, he should do it in their favourite place, their lounge.
On the day he chose to propose, Friday 7th November 2014, he suggested they get dressed up and go for a nice meal in Claire's second favourite place, an Indian restaurant in Upminster. They enjoyed a lovely meal, where Claire pointed out how lovely the nails on her right hand were, and how ugly her left hand was!
After the meal, they went home and despite James's desperate efforts to make it a romantic occasion, he finally proposed to Claire in her pyjamas. They then drank tea from champagne flutes to celebrate.
James bought a ring one evening while shopping with Feehan in Lakeside and waited three months before finally popping the questions. James has considered many extravagant ways of proposing, but decided that, as Claire doesn't like being the centre of attention, he should do it in their favourite place, their lounge.
On the day he chose to propose, Friday 7th November 2014, he suggested they get dressed up and go for a nice meal in Claire's second favourite place, an Indian restaurant in Upminster. They enjoyed a lovely meal, where Claire pointed out how lovely the nails on her right hand were, and how ugly her left hand was!
After the meal, they went home and despite James's desperate efforts to make it a romantic occasion, he finally proposed to Claire in her pyjamas. They then drank tea from champagne flutes to celebrate.