I met with Claire a couple of weeks ago, trying to do the friends thing.  Was still awkward though. 

I do want to stay friends, cos Claire is great, so will try again some time in the future I guess.

At one point in the conversation I mentioned that I was going out later that week to the Ritz nightclub in Manchester, which is where I went with Claire on her 21st.  The subsequent conversation showed a bit of a difference into how we each remembered the event!