Jennifer and Kim shared a fairly large house in Shoreditch with their gay friends Jack and Adam. They seemed to have a nice little gay commune thing going on but then Adam had to relocate to Geneva for work and they had a room to spare. That’s where I came in. Kim was Theresa’s assistant Mia’s cousin and they had met at Mia’s birthday party. Theresa always got very involved in her assistant’s life, even her ex-assistants could count on her for any meddling on their behalf. That’s how I found myself actually interviewing for a room one day. Shoreditch was already a very up-and-coming area by then and a low-rent room was very coveted. I brought the lesbians some beer but I was still pretty skeptical about rooming with a couple, until I met Jack. Theresa hadn’t told me about him so meeting him was a fabulous surprise. We just hit it off. I am very well versed in gay culture and I can run through Ab Fab dialogue with the best of them. And in the end that’s what gave me the edge and got me in. Life can be funny that way. And Patsy Stone has been my life-long idol.

I had enough money to spare to cover four weeks rent and several nights of alcohol abuse with my new friend Jack. Securing a job was next on my agenda. In between moving house and getting to know my colourful new housemates − as I was now living in an actual house − I went on several fruitless job interviews, which is the most frustrating and nerve-shattering business ever. Then I got a call with an indecent proposal. It was Marie, the prettiest half of my lady benefactors from Paris. Unbeknownst to me she had followed me to London, where she and Christine also owned a house. I had always known she was kind of smitten with me but I thought I would have been long forgotten by then. I wasn’t. And she made me an offer I found very difficult to refuse.

“Bonjour Lee, C’est Marie a l’appareil.”
“What a surprise! How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m in London for a couple of weeks so I thought I’d call you. Maybe we can have dinner some time?”
“Yes, sure. Is there any particular reason why you ladies are in London?”
“Oh it’s just me. Christine is in Switzerland. I guess we both needed a change of scenery.”
“You’re not traveling together? Is everything alright?”
“It will be. You don’t live with someone for twenty years without giving each other some space from time to time, Lee. Don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine.”
“OK. Well, it’s great to hear from you. When are you free for dinner?”
“How about tonight? Or do you have a hot date?”
“God no, I’m focusing on getting my life back on track right now. Women are the last thing on my mind. I haven’t found a job yet.”
“Maybe I can help with that.”
“How do you mean?”
“I know a lot of people, Lee. A lot of influential people who have interesting jobs to offer. Basically, I can introduce you to whoever you want. Do you remember you told me many times of how you dreamed of working for Alt City Magazine? I can arrange a meeting with the editor-in-chief if you like.”
“Wow, really? That’s very nice of you, Marie.”
“Can I ask for something in return?”
“Of course.”
“Will you stay the night? I’ll make sure you get your dream job if you do.”

To be continued…