Thanks to all for all the info!
Taking everything into consideration I think I will stick with 14a on the outbound as it is a day flight and will muster up the courage and do the return on the UD in 64k! Will report back when I return!

But while we are on the topic of seating I have a further two questions which I hope you will kindly be able to help me with! (mods plz feel free to add to title I cant seem to change)

1. Divider up or down?! I was told by Cabin Crew on many occasions that the only time the divider needs to be down is for the safety demo. So at all other times (including takeoff and landing) it could be up. So if I (window seat) want the divider up and the other passenger on the isle wants it down how is this settled??? I know this seems like a funny question but on a recent trip about an hour before landing Mister isle decided he wants the divider down The one thing I absolutely hate on CW is having to sit face to face with a stranger! Never the less I didn’t put the divider back up as it didn’t feel quite right or maybe I just didn’t have the guts. I am just wondering if any of you have had this issue and how you dealt with it. I realise that mister isle wanted to look out the window and I didn’t have the heart to close the shutters which I guess could be one way of dealing with it. Any insights or experiences you have had with this?

2. Is it possible to purchase an empty seat on BA? ie, pay for 8 and use only 7 with one spare? or pay for both isle and window and sit in window with no one occupying the isle and therefore divider can stay up or even better down with no "stranger" looking me in the eyes???

Thanks again

WT