I'll get the Bill

Bill was my partner at my Year 12 Dance. He was a lovely guy and I was happy when he said yes. He was a friend of my first boyfriend who’d recently dumped me, after a gold ring and 2 years of passionate love. That kind of love where you think you can’t live without the person. You know how intense 16-year-old girls in relationships can be.

I digress. Let’s get back to Bill! He was handsome, kind and very well kept. I always thought he was cool too. Bill was into art, alternative music and fashion. And he was also quite shy, compared to my vivaciousness. A quality in men I still find appealing.

On the night of the dance Bill stood out amongst the other guys, all of whom wore black or grey suits and had on bow ties. Instead Bill wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and a two-tone tie. His sandy coloured hair was longish and nicely styled as opposed to many of the guys short back and sides. 

Bill was the perfect date. And quite simply, we had a great time.

At the After Party, held at a schoolmate’s house, we enjoyed a few alcoholic bevies and the hours slipped away while we enjoyed loud music and much laughter. 

It was late in the night when Bill leaned in to kiss me. I was startled. It hadn’t occurred to me that this would happen and I stopped him. I’d never really thought of him in that way, aside from the fact that the ex-boyfriend saga was still much too raw.

He was great about it because there was nothing but goodness in Bill’s being. He offered all the things a girl would want in a boyfriend. He showed loyalty and consideration. He was stylish and well spoken. He had more balance than my seemingly one-sided ‘crazy’ and he’d make any girl’s parents proud too. I look back now with regret. But only at not letting things unfold. What was the worst that could have happened? He’d also be a really good kisser?!

Bill is Bill Granger. Owner of Bill’s restaurants in Darlinghurst and Surrey Hills in Sydney Australia, along with four Bill’s restaurants in Japan and one in the United Kingdom. He is the writer of eleven cookbooks. Bill’s five TV Series are viewed internationally as well as in Australia. He has appeared as a Guest Chef on Masterchef Australia and is winner of several prestigious industry awards. He is an entrepreneur, is as stylish and creative as he ever was and is happily married with children. He’s just a really great guy!

Is there anyone is your past that you would have liked to have a ‘do over’ with?

p.s. Yes, that is 1980's hair. And it is a perm!