Gaynor

Gaynor is initially skeptical about the date

Gaynor is an important character in the short story “The Arcade” by Alan Gillespie. She is an elderly woman described as having “a thick, silver fringe and big brown eyes. Short eyelashes and warm-looking cheeks” (l. 5). Bill notices she looks “older but better” (ll. 5-6) than the photographs he has seen on a dating website before meeting her. 

She was married for five years, but she and her partner ultimately split up because they were incompatible (ll. 142-147).

At first, Gaynor seems a little taken aback and reluctant to take part in Bill’s playful plan of fooling the sales assistants on their first date. She even seems to consider leaving: 

What are you doing, she whispered. No, no.

Trust me.

She looked back towards the security guard and the drizzle of Buchanan Street beyond the Arcade’s exit. (ll. 37-39)

Her ...