The only one I have had began with four years of friendship and no plan

The only dynamic I have ever been in started with four years of friendship and no intention on either side, and it has more or less ruined me for the normal route. We both turned up to the same slow Sunday running group for four years, and none of this came up until the third of them, over a completely ordinary lunch.

It ran two years after that and ended when she moved north for work. What I took from it is that by the time she asked me the question she already knew what I was like tired, what I was like wrong, and what I did when somebody let me down. There was no audition, because there had been four years of evidence.

Thirty five, south of the river, I survey buildings for a living, which means I am out in the weather and home early. Divorced a long time ago, no children, a dog with opinions.

So I am posting here without much faith in posting. What I would honestly like is to know some people. If a woman who leads wants a friend who is useful, reliable and funny about ninety percent of the time, and if in a year or two that becomes something else, that is the way round I have actually seen work.

Not looking for something that starts at full pressure in week one. Not looking to be interviewed. And not looking for anyone who thinks friendship first is a tactic, because as a tactic it does not work and I would be the one to know.