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I’m not sure my family would approve of me sharing with a man. They’re a bit, well, unreconstructed, if that’s the right word. You know, a bit old-fashioned.”
    He smiled at that. “Well, they wouldn’t have any worries about me.” He had a gentle Southern Irish brogue and seemed genuinely concerned about me. “That’s why it’s difficult for me to find anyone to share with. When they meet me, most other men don’t want to, and the ones that do, terrify me.” He shrugged his shoulders. “So…”
    “Oh, I see,” I said, thinking I knew what he was talking about, but not sure what to add to the conversation that would not sound either rude or gauche.
    “I guess that must make things more awkward for you,” I said. “Well, if you could give me a day or two to put it to my mum and dad? It’s going to be difficult even persuading them I need to move at all. The whole ‘man thing’ will make it an even harder sell.”
    My family, I knew, would view a gay man in my life just as bad a housemate as a heterosexual one. I had to think of a way to sugar the pill.
    “Thanks, for that. Trying and all. Sharing with a girl would be brilliant. My name’s Aidan, by the way. I’m from Cork, in Eire.”
    I nodded and smiled.
    “I’m in my third year, studying package design. Say, would you like to see the place? It’s only a short walk from here. I could take you there tonight, after my last lecture, if you like. It’s on the main road in Maida Vale, you know, a continuation of Edgware Road. I’m lucky there, in that I get it really cheap, much cheaper than it’s worth. That’s ’cos I’m a sub-tenant of an old guy, who’s lived there for over forty years. He’s got a protected tenancy.”
    He must have noticed my anxious look for he added, “Don’t worry. He doesn’t live there anymore. He moved in with his daughter in Cricklewood, when it got too much for him to look after. It’s in a beautiful Art Deco building, almost worth being there for the architecture alone. That’s my passion, thirties architecture. That and old films. I’m mad about films made in the thirties and forties. They are the only vices I’ve got. You know, Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, that sort of thing. What about you?”
    “I’m in my first year here studying general art and design, although I want to major in fashion. And I don’t think I have any vices, don’t smoke, er do drink a bit. You’re not teetotal are you?”
    “No,” he said chuckling. “Very definitely not. Oh, I really do hope you like the place; I’m sure we’d get on fine.”
    I grinned at him. I was sure, too.

    And so another minor miracle occurred. I told Mum and Dad that I would be moving into an apartment with a person called Ada and they assumed the rest. Mum was a bit worried about me but pleased that I’d made a new friend. The day Dad moved my things in, Aidan disappeared for several hours and by the time he got home again I was alone, enjoying my new found freedom.
    “What house rules do you have,” I called out, as he came in the door. “Cup of tea?”
    “Wow, thanks. That would be great.”
    A minute later, I carried the mugs through to the main room and found Aidan crawling about on his hands and knees.
    “Sorry,” he said. “I was just setting up the video, getting ready to watch Key Largo . It’s a film, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall. But if you don’t want it on, I can always watch it in my own room. I’ve got a TV set in there. I don’t mind honest.”
    “Don’t worry,” I said. “I can always read if I don’t want to see it.”
    “I had a bit of a clean up because your da was coming round but I’m not really into rosters and suchlike. There are no house rules here at all. I don’t have any overnighters but if you wanted to it’s okay, as long as they don’t take over.”
    I smiled at him but felt suddenly depressed. “I’m not planning on having anyone to stay,” I said.
    We clinked mugs and he said,