Lied to IO - will this ruin my visa application in 2012?

[SlightlyWorried]

I am a 30 year old South African woman who is getting married to a British man in March of 2012. We met in 2008 (online), became friends and he visited me for the first time in February 2010. Our relationship turned to romance in October 2010 when I visited him. We also became engaged.

I am currently on a visitor's visa until January. When I spoke to the immigration official, she asked me to confirm that we were friends, which I did. Then she asked me if I thought we would become romantically involved at a later date, I lied and said I haven't thought that far ahead. Thinking back on it, I realize I shouldn't have. I guess I was nervous that I would be refused entry or detained. I am only working part-time back home (I earn more than you'd think) and with us being engaged, I was afraid they would think that I simply wouldn't return home.

I have three questions:

1. Are the responses given to immigration officials recorded?

2. If they are, will this prove to be my undoing when I apply for the spouse visa in 2012?

3. How do I proceed from here? And by this I really don't mean "how can I lie to cover up this fib", I just really want advice on how to handle this

[MPH80]

IMHO - you're panicing over nothing.

You told the truth at the time - you hadn't thought that far ahead.

I doubt your response has been recorded. Even if it has - tell the truth if they bring it up "I wasn't expecting it - but we did fall in love on that visit and he proposed".

I wouldn't address it unless they specifically ask.

M.