Chapter 1 – Introductioins

Monday 10th August 2015

Edinburgh

Scotland 

I arrived at the address I’d been given by a friend. Like many of the old tenements in the city, the stonework looked dark and dirty but I’d been assured that the inside of the building was modernised and totally at odds with the external appearance. Being a four-storey tenement it was appropriately in the Old Town district to the south of the famous city.

The dark blue wooden door to the block looked solid. It inspired confidence that the landlord cared about security when I noted that near the door frame was a pad with eight buttons which corresponded to the individual flats. There were no names because each flat was sub-divided into rooms which were normally rented out to two or three students.

I pressed the bell push for Flat 5.

“Hello,” a cheerful woman’s voice said.

“Hi, it’s Eddie Wilson.”

“Push the door when the buzzer sounds and come on up, Eddie … the third floor.”

A low buzz came from the grille on the panel and I pushed the blue door, which I discovered was good quality and heavy. I went inside and watched the door close slowly until the lock clicked. The entrance corridor still had the decorative tiles which dated back many years but it was bright so the lighting had been updated and the interior decor had been renovated.

Being a tenement, there was no lift so a couple of minutes after ascending several flights of broad stone stairs I arrived on the third floor.

“Hello, I’m Stella.” The woman was at least in her late-thirties and attractive, with long chestnut brown hair. Her blouse and skirt highlighted a curvaceous figure and a shapely pair of legs. She held out her right hand and I noted the sexy red nails.

“Hello, Stella, my friend Keith referred me to you.” When we shook hands, her fingers were soft, but her grip was firm.

“Keith lives in this apartment, doesn’t he, a lad about your height and build with brown hair?”

“That’s him. He told me not to worry about the outside appearance of the block because your accommodation was excellent.”

“Come on in.” She smiled, stepped back and ushered me inside. “As Keith no doubt told you, we have three rooms in each apartment. The shared facilities are a living room with TV and video, a well-equipped kitchen, a bathroom with bath, shower and toilet, and a separate toilet.” Stella opened the door of each room as she explained.

“You’re probably aware, your friend, Keith is in Room Three and a young man called Dennis is in Room One, so this would be yours if you like it … Room Two.” She pushed the door open.

I wasn’t expecting much because it was student accommodation after all. The room was a long oblong shape and opposite the door at the other end was a large window. Under the window ledge was a dresser with a mirror and a padded stool. Against the left wall was a small desk complete with swivel chair, and on the right side, a single bed and a wardrobe with a full-length mirror.

I said, “It certainly looks like it’s got everything I need.” I walked across the room to the window. “I like that there is plenty of natural light, probably because it’s on the third floor.”

“Yes, it gets a lot of light, and you shouldn’t have any problems with privacy. As you can see, the block across the road is the same as this one.”

“Does that block have rooms rented out to students too?”

“No, and I know that because I rent the eight flats over there. Where the flats in this block are split into three rental rooms each, the flats over there are individual apartments.”

“It must keep you busy with so many places.” I turned to find Stella standing a few paces behind me. Before looking at her lovely face I glanced at her impressive cleavage. She caught me too.

Had she opened another button on her blouse?

The mature beauty grinned. “Do you like what you see, Eddie?”

“Yes, I do … you have … I mean, I’d like to take the room, please.”

“If you’d like to sit in the living room I’ll organise a cup of tea before we do the paperwork.”

“I’d love a black tea, with one sugar, please.”

Stella called through from the kitchen. “Keith left a note for me to say he’d be happy for me to make a pot of tea or coffee. I was impressed to see the note because a lot of students are very precious about their food and drink stocks.” She laughed.

When she brought out the two cups she bent forward to place mine on the low coffee table and I stared straight at her cleavage. Exactly as I’d done in the room, when I realised, I looked up to see that she was smiling; again. My landlady wasn’t pretty—she was stunning.

Stella lifted a sheet of paper from the table. “This will be our agreement if you’re happy with it.” She grinned at me as I took the rental agreement and I knew my face had gone bright red. Being caught once looking at her chest was bad enough, but twice—she’d think I was a young perv.

I read the terms and glanced over at Stella who was sitting in an armchair drinking her tea. Her shapely legs were crossed and once again I was mesmerised by the woman. I sighed and looked back to the sheet of paper. I lifted the pen, filled in my bank details and signed the declaration.

I sat up and looked across at Stella. “All signed.”

For a change, she was gazing at me. “Thank you, Eddie.” She studied me for a moment. “Where is your hometown?”

“Dumfries, but I don’t think I’ll get homesick because Edinburgh looks like a great city.”

“Keith told me that you were at school together so it seems a bit strange that you’ve only just come to start university now.”

“I did a year-long foundation course which takes a year off my uni course, but I had a few issues to deal with at home so it prevented me coming here last term.”

“Is everything resolved now?”

“Yes, I’m ready to tackle life head-on now.”

“Have you left a broken-hearted girl back home?”

“No, I … haven’t had a girlfriend for a while.” I paused. “Stella, I’m sorry for staring earlier.”

“It’s okay, honey, I take it as a compliment. I feel I’ve still got it when a nice young man checks me out.”

“You’ve still got it alright—I’m sorry—”

She laughed. “It’s okay and stop apologising.” Stella lifted a set of keys from the table. “Right, I’d better give you these and leave you to it, eh?” She stood and held the keyring out to me.

“Thank you. I’ll fetch my things and get settled in.”

Stella lifted the agreement, tore off the back copy and handed it to me. “My number is on there so if you ever have a problem, just give me a call.” She set off for the front door.

“Thank you … do you ever … no, it’s nothing.”

She stopped and looked back, slightly incline her lovely head and arching a shapely eyebrow. “Do I ever what, Eddie?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

Stella walked back and stood so close to me I could taste her sweet breath. She waited until our gaze met. “I hate unanswered questions, Eddie. Now, what did you want to know, honey?”

“I … I,” I murmured and looked from her beautiful green eyes to her glossy red lips and back again. The long dark lashes enhanced her beautiful eyes. I swallowed. “I just wondered if you ever came by … you know, maybe to check on the apartment … the rooms and things.”

“I do, Eddie, a quick check that there is no damage or repairs needed. I usually drop a note in the letterbox downstairs, or I text to let one of the tenants know the day and time.” She gazed into my eyes. “Can you imagine what I might find if I just turned up?”

“Maybe you should just turn up sometime.” I laughed.

“I might, now that you’ve suggested it.” Stella was laughing as she left the flat.

I stared at those legs of hers from behind and as I recalled what she looked like from the front, I hoped I’d be in the flat when she came to check the place whether she warned us or not.

*

I didn’t have much luggage but I caught a taxi from Waverley Station where I’d left my bags in a locker earlier in the morning. I unpacked and arranged my belongings into the dresser and wardrobe before sliding my bags under the bed and then I made a cup of tea.

While I was alone I had a look through the contents of the kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer. The food and drink situation seemed to be under control and I didn’t find lots of tins of beans, pasta or packs of ready meals—all the things that students are reputed to live on. I noticed a selection of fresh vegetables and a bowl of fruit so somebody must take charge of the food shopping.

I heard the main door open and I got up from the sofa to see who it might be. A guy about my age came in and when he turned to close the door behind him I saw that he had long wavy light brown hair pulled into a ponytail. He was slightly shorter than me, so about five-eight, and he looked a bit chubby but that probably stood out because I’d always had an athletic build. A large portfolio case hung over his left shoulder and he carried a laptop case.

“Hi, there,” I said and walked forward with my right hand outstretched. “I’m Eddie.”

“Hi,” he said cheerfully, “I’m Dennis.” He shook my hand. “Are you Keith’s friend?”

“I am, so he obviously told you about me.”

“Well, he said you were his height and build, but with long blond hair. He forgot to add that you were also good-looking so maybe he’s a bit jealous.”

“Thank you, Dennis, that’s very kind of you.” I couldn’t remember a guy ever telling me that I was good-looking.

“Paying a compliment if it’s due is simple honesty.”

“Would you like a cup of tea or something or do you have things to get onto?”

“I’d love a cup of tea if you don’t mind. No sugar and just a dash of milk, please.” He held up his portfolio case and laptop bag. “I’ll just go and get rid of these.”

I organised a cup of tea for my new acquaintance and returned to the sofa.

Dennis came in, lifted his tea and sat in an armchair. “Thank you, Eddie. I needed this.”

“Has it been a rough day then?”

“In some ways it has but I’ve been told I take things too seriously so maybe it’s just me.”

“Aren’t you on the same course as Keith—Fashion Design?”

“Yes, but this week we’re on different schedules because the sixteen people in the class have been split into four syndicates for a project. We all see each other around, but we’re not in the same room or studio every day.”

“Are you enjoying the course?”

“Yes, it’s what I wanted to do and according to a lot of people, this is the place to do it.”

“Are you enjoying the social life?”

Dennis smiled but it was brief and didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not really a … social type. I tend to keep to myself.”

“I know a lot of people think that the social aspect of uni life is an important part of the whole experience.” I recalled that in a phone call, Keith told me that his flatmate was friendly, but an introvert. “I suppose the reason for being here is to gain a degree, not gather friends.”

“Some people find it easy to do both, and others find it easier to do one or the other.” He gave a weak smile.

I changed tack. “I get the impression that someone is in control of the food and drink supplies in here and I can’t imagine it being Keith. As I recall, he would live on snack food and soft drinks if he had to fend for himself.”

Dennis laughed aloud. “We have a grocery and essentials tin, so we both put a certain amount in every week and I have a small book to account for everything I buy.”

“Are you saying that you do all the shopping as well as controlling the money?”

“I don’t mind, really. I maintain our funds, do the shopping and most of the catering.”

“I don’t know about Keith but I’ll be pulling my weight in whichever ways I can.”

“That’s nice to hear. To be honest, since Mary left a few weeks ago, Keith plays his part and cleans the shared areas.”

“Did Mary do much while she lived here?”

“Yes, we shared the shopping and catering. It really is better not to trust Keith with either of those duties but at least he’s willing to do domestic chores.”

I laughed. “Well, as I said, I’ll chip in however I can, whether it’s shopping or learning to cook a few meals or cleaning.” I pulled out my wallet. “While I’ve got some cash I’d like to pay my way so please take this and add it to the kitty.” I handed over a couple of notes.

“Thank you, Eddie, I’ll make sure I record it so that you’re not paying more than us. Have you got a part-time job lined up yet?”

“No, but I’ll have to get one because apart from my student loan which will be allocated to the educational side of things I’ll need to pay my rent. Any social life will depend on me getting a job.”

“I’m sure you’ll get something and you’ll settle in quickly. There are lots of opportunities for students to earn extra cash.”

“I’m sure Keith told me that you had a part-time job, but he didn’t say what you did.”

“I work for a private photographer who has a small studio on Rose Street—the pedestrianised zone that runs parallel to Princes Street.”

“Have you worked there long?”

“Yes, I actually got the job within a few weeks of arriving in Edinburgh. It’s one of my few successes in life.”

“Don’t put yourself down, Dennis. You’re on a degree course in one of the best universities in the country, you’ve got accommodation and a part-time job so that’s not bad.”

“Thank you, Eddie but you don’t have to try to make me feel good about myself.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound patronising. I just see a nice guy of my age who’s doing pretty well.”

“Keith was right.” He smiled briefly. “He said you were a genuine guy and I’d like you.”

“When will we be seeing him?”

“The people in his syndicate are all okay but just like Keith, they enjoy a few drinks when they get the chance. He’ll probably get here in time for dinner at about six.”

“I know you’ll want to have a shower and change and stuff, so is there anything I could do to help with the meal, like peeling potatoes or something like that?”

“Wow, that would be kind of you, but you don’t have to, you’ve just got here.”

“If you can make the effort to shop and cook, I can do some preparation to help.”

“That would be great, Eddie, and thanks again.” Dennis stood. “I’ll go and get freshened up.”

I went to the kitchen and selected a few potatoes but my mind was still focused on Dennis’s state of mind. Okay, he was a bit overweight, but he wasn’t a bad looking guy and he had a nice personality. I wondered how deep his self-loathing went because it came across clearly.

“Whether you like it or not, Dennis,” I murmured, “you will soon be introduced to the idea of a social life, my new friend.” I didn’t know what it was about the guy, but I liked him already and I’d only known him a short while.

***