Harry's Blog

I'm nervous. Those of you who know me rather well know that I'm usually rather confident about meeting new people. But I have to admit that there's definitely a sense of trepidation bubbling under the surface in me today.

Why?

Well on Friday I'll be meeting RJ's brother, the first member of her family I'd have met. Obviously I want to make a good impression, not for the sake of my own big head, but because I want RJ's family to be happy for her.

The last week has seen us go a bit more public. RJ and I have been seen several times in Shenfield enjoying a coffee together and watching the world go by – she even bumped into someone who knew me the other day while taking the twins for a walk.

But we've not actually met up with any friends yet. I doubt three Essex paramedics count (but that's another story entirely). However RJ did get to meet my sister and brother in law on Saturday via a webcam chat we had via Xbox Live.

My sister later said lots of lovely things about RJ which will no doubt be also passed around my family in Manchester. So RJ now has no reason to be nervous at all – despite not having met my best mate yet. My sister thinks she's lovely, and being a very good judge of such things, my family will be all smiles.

So it's my turn now. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. It's quite thrilling really when you think about it and the nerves add to the edge. So while I have said I'm nervous I'm far from unhappy.

Of course I full expect the "hurt my sister and I'll break your legs" speech from Brother A on Friday, but that's par for the course. I just have to convince him that there's no reason to worry and that I have the very best of intentions.

Anyway we'd probably actually accelerate this process of meeting friends and colleagues if I wasn't so stuck in Essex at the moment, still awaiting the arrival of my car from Dad.

The fact is this place isn't really my home so there are few friends and no family within easy distance, which means there are few people for RJ to meet. And because of the car issue I've not been able to spend any time in her neck of the woods yet, even though it's not very far away.

Hurry up dad – I've got a love life you're holding up here!!!