Free Shameless Exposure by Robert Fanshaw

Row instead of Old Brompton Road and something very strange happened. I looked it up afterwards on the Internet. It was a place called Gladstone’s, a Victorian themed bordello. Officially it’s just actresses acting the part in big pants and costume jewellery but the men are paying the girls to act out their sordid fantasies. The maid didn’t speak much English and I had a misunderstanding with a Chinese man.” Xena was amused by her story and said she loved being taken by surprise.
    Half an hour and two more top-ups of hot water later, Xena gestured for towels. She allowed herself to be carefully dried by a helpful young man, and Caroline did the same, for the helpful man had a helpful friend. She held her arms high so he could dry under her arms. They dressed and by the time they were back downstairs bowls of lamb tagine were being ladled out by the tallest of the African women to a queue of hungry party people. Xena and Caroline took their bowls into the front room and sat on the floor to eat the delicious thick stew.
    A young man with neat black hair sat down beside her and ate his stew with a serious concentration. She recognised him as one of the young men who had been helpful with the towels. When he had finished his bowl, he turned to Caroline.
    “Wow, that lamb was tender. And the chickpeas melted in my mouth. And I love coriander. Shall I see if there’s more?”
    “Perhaps just half a bowl, if everyone’s had some,” said Caroline. “And could you see if there’s any Chablis left? There might be a cold one in the fridge.” He took her bowl, happy to be of service, and returned with fresh supplies of food and drink.
    “I’m Merlin.” He offered his hand.
    “The wizard?”
    “Yes. My parents were hippies. I was conceived at Glastonbury. I’ve got used to it, but it’s always a talking point when I go for job interviews.” There was a pause in their conversation while a joint was smoked in a communal ceremony of post prandial contentment.
    “Are you still looking for a job?”
    “Sort of. I’ve got one selling classifieds but you don’t need two degrees to do that. I overheard someone in the kitchen saying you’re in medical instruments.”
    “I am, Monsaint. Have you heard of us?”
    “No.”
    “My god, an honest person,” she laughed. “You’re meant to pretend you know all about us and have had a lifelong fascination with medical technology. What are your degrees in?”
    “Chemistry and Engineering. I’ve been trying for R & D jobs but everyone’s cutting back.”
    “We’re not. Send me your CV and I’ll pass it on to our head of research. We could do with a wizard. I’ll get you a card, Merlin.” She stood up and her head swam. Seeing her sway, he leapt up and caught her in his arms, holding her longer and tighter than was strictly necessary.
    “Thanks,” she said, stabilised. “I’m not used to smoking anything. It’s not the done thing in the healthcare business.” She released herself from Merlin’s embrace and set off up the stairs in a second attempt to find her coat. She decided to start with the attic bedrooms at the top of the house and work down.
    The first room she tried was full of guitar cases and amplifiers. The second was full of bodies, or so it seemed at first sight in the dim flickering light of an art-house pornography film. Taking a step into the room allowed closer examination. There were no coats, just three piles of clothes on one futon, and three bodies on the other.
    “You came, darling,” said Xena. “We were waiting for you.”
    “Well quite clearly you weren’t,” said Caroline, huffily. She was aghast to see Erik lovingly stroking Xena’s breast while Craig was massaging her toes but watching the film. She knew it was none of her business but it pained her to see Erik’s devotion to Xena. He really should be devoted to Caroline.
    “I’m looking for my business card – I want to give it to somebody.” The words sounded lame and