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The New Apartment
Winning the `Lottery' had changed my life in a big way. I had moved around quite a lot during my life but now I had bought a new apartment in the city where I was born.
My new home was everything that I could wish for, an excellent lounge-diner, three bedrooms, two of them en-suite, a kitchen to die for, and most important a fantastic view of the harbour.
The agent who handled things for me had been rather keen on another place in the same block, but on the other side of the building. "No good to me" I said, "with the view from there I might as well be in the middle of the city, the view is the most important thing in me deciding where to live"
I have now been living here for just over a month and I love it, from my armchair I can admire the view and almost be part of everything that was going on down below. I was on the top floor of a five storey building, and there was one other apartment on the same floor so I wasn't overlooked in any way, just as well really as I often walked to the kitchen in the buff to get a coffee.
I'm no slouch when it comes to housework but I decided that I would like some help, after all I could afford it.
One thing was certain, I didn't want a female around the place so that I needed to cover up all the time. I gave it a lot of thought and decided that a male Uni student who would give a little help as part of his rent would be ideal.
I contacted the university housing office and they were pleased with my offer, I didn't say anything about housework, I thought it best to put that straight to the student.
Later that same day I had a return call, they had a young guy in the office and could he come and visit, seven o'clock that evening was agreed.
Ben, the student, arrived exactly on time and I buzzed the door to let him in, then met him as he got out of the lift. First appearances were good, he wasn't overdressed but wasn't scruffy. I invited him to take a seat as I put the kettle on but he didn't sit, he spent the time at the full length windows admiring the view.
Once the tea was made I suggested we look at the room, which very nearly floored him. "I don't believe this" he said, "It is nothing like any other student digs I have seen, it has it's own bathroom, TV, built in storage and even a phone, there is no way I can afford this"
"Let's sit down and talk and see if we can work something out" I said as we moved back into the lounge.
I was getting a good feeling about Ben, let me describe him. He was about two inches taller than me, about 5'8 or 9. He wasn't skinny but didn't carry any fat, his hair wasn't blonde but I guess you would call it mousey. His skin was as smooth as a babies bottom even though he must have been nineteen, I couldn't help wondering what he would look like naked. Sorry, I forgot to mention that I'm gay but haven't touched another guy for quite a long time.
"Tell me about yourself" I said, "What are you studying, where do you come from?"
I guessed he must be a trifle shy or just didn't like talking about himself, "I'm studying maths and electrical engineering and I come from Cromer in Norfolk" was his answer.
"Did you choose those subjects just to get into Uni or do you really enjoy them" I asked.
"Oh no, I really enjoy them, I loved arithmetic in primary then of course moved onto maths, followed by engineering" Ben replied.
"How many A levels did you get?" I asked. Ben coloured up a little as he said, "Three A's and two A*".
"Wow that is damn good" I said, "Do you read the papers and how good is your general knowledge"
"When I have time I go to the library to read the papers, they are bit expensive on my money, and I think my general knowledge is fairly good" Ben told me.
"I think you and I will get along OK," I said, "When do you want to move in?"
"You haven't told me what the rent is" he said. "I thought £75 per week" I said.
Ben thought for a moment then said, "I'm sorry I can't afford that, I wouldn't have enough money to feed myself"
"You haven't asked what is included in the rent" I said, "You will have a hot meal every night, and breakfast every morning, and I don't mean a slice of toast, you have TV, and the telephone is free, plus use of the washing machine"
As I spoke Bens' eyes were getting larger. At last he spoke and said, "You would give me all that for £75?"
"Certainly, I like you and it is possible the rent could be reduced" "Reduced!" said Ben.
"Yes, are you any good at housework?" I asked him. "Pretty good" he answered quietly, "When Mum was in hospital I did all the housework and cooking"
"How would you feel about helping to change the beds, a bit of hoovering, filling the washing machine, and helping with the weekly shop? If you are agreeable I would lower the rent to £40"
"£40" exclaimed Ben. "Is that too much?" I asked him.
"No of course not, I can't believe I can live here for that money, I would still have to do shopping and washing etc if I lived in a shared house, this is unbelievable" Ben replied.
"Right consider yourself my new lodger; that is if you want it" "Of course I want it, I just can't believe it" he said.
"I think a drink is called for to celebrate, do you drink?" I said. "Not very much, have you got a beer or a lager"
"Which do you prefer?" I asked him. "Lager" so I had the same.
We clinked glasses and he said "My Mum and Dad won't believe this as they don't have money to spare. Oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that"
"Oh don't let that worry you, what does your Dad do?" "He works on a farm, driving tractors, milking cows etc."
"I guess they have given up a lot to get you to university" I said. "Yes, they have, they haven't had a holiday in years" he answered.
"Would you like to phone your folks?" I asked. "Help yourself"
Ben picked up the phone and then sat beside me on the couch. I could here the phone ringing, then it was picked up.
"Hi Mum, I just wanted to let you know that I have found some new digs" of course I could only hear Ben's side of the conversation.
"I am four, no five floors up and I'm looking out of French windows onto the harbour"
"I have my own bedroom with TV, and telephone and access to the kitchen"
Ben turned to me and said, "I will log my calls and pay you" I shook my head.
"The rent is £40 per week" "No wait" he said, "It was going to be £75 but there is no way we can afford that, but then... I'm sorry I don't even know your name" he said to me"
"Dick" I replied "Mason" "Mr Mason offered to reduce the rent if I gave some help, also I get my evening meal and breakfast
He said nothing for several minutes as clearly his mother was talking.
I couldn't help wondering if she was warning him about old men taking advantage of young guys.
Eventually he said, "Well, having my own room I can study quietly and I certainly wouldn't get that in a shared house, and I can't imagine Dick, that's Mr Mason, making a lot of noise"
"Oh, by the way, I have my own bathroom and all linen is already here"
OK bye Mum, love you" Ben replaced the phone and turning to me said, "Mum thinks you are mad but she and Dad told me to thank you"
"Right then when do you want to move in?" I asked. "This is probably cheeky but could I move tomorrow?" he asked.
"Of course, that's OK with me, I guess it will be the evening after your tuition is finished, I will have a meal ready at seven, is that OK?"
"That's more than OK, am I glad I went to the office when I did, I'm sure I'm going to be happy here" Ben replied.
I gave him a key and he left.
I went to bed that evening feeling good. I just had that feeling that things would work out pretty well with my new lodger, and if it worked out better than pretty well, that would be a bonus.