Matthew Phillips was 26 and it was about time he knew a little about computers. Everyone was talking about e-mails, the World Wide Web and the Internet, windows, spreadsheets and the like. He worked as a warehouse manager in the day so decided to enroll in a 'computer for beginners' evening class.

He went along every Tuesday night @ 8pm and to start with was bewildered by technology but gradually began to enjoy and understand the lessons.

After 3 months he was taught how to utilise the Internet. He found it fascinating, especially when he learnt by accident how to get into chatrooms and speak to other net users. He soon realised 2 hours every week was not enough so went to his local library to use the Internet facilities. He typed in he was interested in the Beatles and found himself on a website devoted to the Liverpudlian popstars.

He immediately entered into a chatroom and ‘spoke’ to 30 other people who all shared his passion for the Beatles.

He keyed in ‘My name is Matthew Phillips, I work in a warehouse and spend most of my freetime listening to the Fab Four. MY favourite track is ‘In my life’ and my favorite member is George Harrison’. A woman responded by telling him her name was Teresa, she was an administrator and she loved Paul McCartney.

Matthew stayed on-line with Teresa for an hour, talking about music then moving onto personal matters. They exchanged e-mail addresses @ the end of their chat.

The next day Matthew sent Teresa an e-mail telling her more about himself, that he was single, and worried he would never find the right woman. Although he was only 26, he sometimes felt old; and felt time slipping through his fingers. Most of his friends were settled down with children .

Matthew e-mailed Teresa everyday for 3 months. One day she asked if they could meet. He had developed feelings for her, and felt he could not wait any longer to meet her in the flesh.

Every morning he woke up he though of her. Every time he listened to ‘In my Life’ he thought of her, when he was a film he wondered if she would enjoy it, it was becoming difficult to concentrate on anything else.

Matthew and Teresa lived 300 miles from eachother – he in London and she in Edinburgh. They decided to meet eachother on his home turf first. He was to pick her up from the station @ 2pm June 3^rd, he could barely function until this date.

When the day arrived, he put on his best clothes, new aftershave and waited for her @ Kings Cross station. When he got to the station he checked to see what platform her train was going to come in on.

He waited for 10 minutes outside the gates of platform 4, then eventually the train arrived from Edinburgh.

His palms were sweaty, his breathing laboured. He was so nervous he thought he would pass out on the spot.

They had not sent photos but had described themselves to eachother. She was dark haired and was going to wear a red shirt, black trousers and a black jacket.

He could see someone who fitted this description come towards him.

‘Teresa…it’s Matthew’ He hugged her then he held her away from him to see her, she was beautiful,Mediteranean looks and a slim figure.

Just how would she ever be interested in him; an obese 24 stone man?

Wendy 2000