The Studio Flat (Closed to tulipsonanorgan)

[CFMB_fan]

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Tagline: A student’s dream accommodation is not quite all what it seems


Name: Adrian Ham
Age 48
Height: 6 ft
Eyes: Piercing Blue
Hair, Black, with grey highlights and slightly balding, so cropped short
Build: Tal, broad like a rugby player but also carries some middle age spread
Profession: Accountant

It was early September, and time for Adrian to advertise the top floor ‘studio flat’ which Adrian had done since his wife passed away. The space was wasted, and he at times liked some company in the place. and so had decided to offer his top floor area to mostly Post-grad students attending the local prestigious University. He was situated close to the Priestgate campus, once a Church of England college.

Adrian read the advert for the last time before reaching to click on Send. By mid Monday morning, the advert will be on the University’s accommodation website.

Room available for Rent.

A room is available in an Edwardian town house close to the town centre and the university. The room is situated on the top floor and includes an en-suite shower/WC and a kitchenette. Access to the ground floor full kitchen is available with notification. There is also access to a bath on another level if required. The Location of the house is on Priestgate's way if you want to view the location on Google Maps.

I am an officially recognised service provider to the University, and have relevant references from the Accommodation Office.

House is fully modernised internally whilst keeping its Edwardian period charm and character. Mod-cons includes both a wireless and cable network accessing Virgin Media's 150 GB service. The room also has a TV access point for cable TV (Tivo) as well as ‘standard’ TV. There is storage space for a push bike if required.

Rent for the flat for a young professional would be in the region of £800. However I have chosen to rent to a student, preferably one studying a postgraduate qualification but not limited to. To that end, with a suitable character reference and an official letter stating that you are indeed a bona file student, rent will be in the region of £550 (negotiable in part) I would prefer the quieter study-conscious character rather than a party animal.

Please call me on 07123 567890

Having pressed sent, he opened up Lightroom on his desktop, his photo cataloguing and basic editing suite; and spend the next hour or so on the Sunday afternoon editing some photos he had recently taken, before feeling his eyes starting to feel slightly screen fatigued.

He put the desktop to sleep, and looked up at some of his portraits he had taken, before leaving the office, turning the light of as he did so, and headed downstairs, and poured himself a bottle of ale from the beer fridge, as he settled himself into the sweet spot, and reached for his tablet. Moments later, he was immersed in Pink Floyd, enjoying the sound, as he thought of the weekend, What else is better than enjoying a Sunday afternoon, music and a good ale. He looked at the wall, and saw the portrait of his wife, taken before she was diagnosed with what turned out to be a fatal case of cancer. He quickly shook away those thoughts. He needed to relax.

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

Name: Anna Marcos
Age 22
Height: 5'0"
Eyes: green
Hair, silky black
Build: curvy
Profession: student

It was all happening so fast. It seemed like yesterday that she had decided to apply to the graduate program in the UK. The truth was, it had been months. Bad months, to be sure. When she found out about Jason's other girlfriends, she had been destroyed. She had barely left the house in the months since, but she had managed to graduate summa cum laude and apply to graduate school. And she had been accepted to Priestgate College There was light at the end of the tunnel at last.

The acceptance letter had come some days earlier, and she'd only just opened it. She'd called, and found they had kept her spot, and she had emailed the required papers, but she only had a week to get there. The plane tickets cost an arm and a leg, and she had declined the campus housing. The last thing she wanted was to spend another year in a dormitory with a bunch of rowdy girls.

She'd thought it would save money, but a search online had shown her that housing was far from cheap near Priestgate College. The lowest price she's found for anything that wasn't a complete shithole was a studio flat, which she had discovered meant a semi-private room in someone else's house. It wasn't like having her own place, but it was something she could afford on her stipend from the University. It looked cute, and the ad had specified that they were looking for Not a Party Animal.

Anna wasn't stuck up, she liked to have fun, or she had before the thing with Jason. She just liked to leave the house to do it. She liked her home to be peaceful, quiet, an escape from the madness of living. In other words, she was happy to be the study-conscious character the ad described.

She dialed the number and waited as the phone rang. She looked at herself in the mirror while she waited. She was small, but curvy, with silky black hair and an olive complexion, even after months of living like a vampire. She had blue eyes, and soft, pouting lips.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian was working in the office on the Monday when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and saw the number - possibly an International number...

"Hello Adrian Ham speaking"

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

His accent was strange. Neither the posh, Downton Abbey accent or the rough, cockney that she heard on television.

"Hi," she said, uncertain of herself all of a sudden. "Um ... My name's Amy, and I was calling about the apartment? The flat, I mean. Sorry, um. The thing is, I'm in the US, and I'm coming over in a week, so I sort of need to figure out where I'm staying as soon as possible. I can email references and so on if you'd like. I'll be pursuing my Master's at Priestgate, so I'll be too busy studying to make any noise...."

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian smiled as he listened tot eh American accent, American but to too twangy from the Southern states.

He smiled as he listened, before discussing the room, the details and the location, she explained she had looked at the area on Googlemaps...

He gave her his email address for the reference, though he really just wanted proof that she was at the university and not some professional trying to get cheap rent.

They chatted for a good five minutes before she asked the inevitable...

"Your advert says, and I quote ' rent will be in the region of £550 (negotiable in part)'. What do you mean by that?"

"Well, it is a large 4 floor Edwardian Town house, your floor is on the top floor, but it takes a while for me to clean. If you are prepared to spend around 3 hours a week cleaning - noting heavy duty, I will reduce the rent to £400..... - would you be interested in that?"

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

Three hours a week, she thought, for 150 off the rent. Somewhere in the process of converting pounds to dollars she realized it was a good plan. After all, she could always renegotiate if she found a job that payed better.

"That sounds great," she said. They talked a bit more about various details, and the best way to get from the airport to the flat. She'd pack light enough that she could take public transport, and she would figure out everything else later.

It seemed like fate was on her side with this, because in a few minutes, they had a verbal agreement and they reached a lull in the conversation. She had checked him out online while they spoke, and found out he was who he claimed, an accountant, a widower. A sad case, if she thought about it, but he seemed to have that British stiff upper lip thing going, so it was hard to know. Then, it wasn't the sort of thing you spilled on the phone with a stranger.

"Well," she said. "I suppose that's that. Assuming everything checks out, I'll see you in a week."

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"See you next week, and let me know when your flight lands, and I will ensure that I am able to colelct you from the train station... "

"Have a safe trip, byeeeee"

Adrian called the Accommodation office, and 20 minutes later he had the confirmation that he needed in case she didn't send the official status...

She sounded pleasant, and genuine. Most Master students were more conscientious than their undergrad rivals, and more cash starved.

And so, he prepared the room over the weekend, buying two sets of bed linen, one in use, one in the wash - most UK students would bring their own, but difficult for Amy to do. He left them in the wrapping so she knew they were new...

Finally it was time to drive to the station and to collect her. He reached for a clipboard and wrote Adrian Hales and headed to the station.

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

Everything had been going so well, until she got to England. She got off the plane and went to the baggage pick up, only to discover, an hour later, that her bags had been lost. They assured her that they would track down the lost bags and deliver them to her new address immediately, free of charge, but she had little faith. All that she had was what was in her carry-on, which was mostly what she thought she'd need to stay comfortable on the plane.

Then she got stopped at customs for a random search that left her flustered and annoyed. When they let her go, she had already missed her train, so she called Adrian and left a message explaining what had happened.

"I'm so sorry," she said. "I'll be on the train that gets in at quarter to twelve. Midnight. I completely understand if you can't meet me at the station. I'll take a cab and ... well, can you call to let me know if you'll be up, or if not, where you'll leave the key?"

At least the time change was on her side, she thought, a few hours later as she rode on the train to Priestgate. Eleven forty five was five forty five according to her body, so she wasn't nearly as tired as she should be. The train finally stopped, and she got out, wearing the comfortable yoga pants and tank top she'd worn for the flight, with a light, long sweater to cover up a bit. Fortunately it wasn't so hot, she thought, as she headed down the platform.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian was on the platform, waiting. He had his clipboard which simply had his name on; as soon as he heard the announcements in the car, he had got out and walked across. It was a train he used to London often, and so had intiamte knowledge of the layout.

He wore a pair of men's running tights, and a comfortable fleece. It was technically Autumn in the UK at least as the meteorologists were concerned. They were having a bit of an 'Indian Summer' so hot during the day but quite chilly, but cool or even occasionally cold at night.

Finally he saw a lone female, looking dejected and alone, with just a shoulder bag. He smiled as she approached..

"Amy?"

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

She was surprised to see him, but there he was. He was tall, with dark hair that was going grey. In good shape, too. She smiled at him, and immediately reminded herself this was her landlord, and of the fact that he was actually a year older than her dad. Still, she thought, he was attractive.

"Adrian?" she said, and then giggled. "Of course you are. Good to meet you. Sorry it's so late, I can't believe they lost both my suitcases." She shook her head in dismay, but she couldn't stop smiling. Partly just because it was awkward. Here it was, almost midnight, and she was about to go home with this complete stranger. Of course, it wasn't that way, but some little part of her kept thinking, well, it could be that way.

She followed him down from the platform.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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He offered her his hand as she asked 'Adrian'

He was intending to offer to carry her bags, but there were none.

He lead her down to the car park, and made small talk, asking her how the flight was up to the news of her luggage.


Soon they were driving along the deserted streets of the small market town, before arrivign on the road, 'Bishopes Gate. So called as it lead to the gate of the old college, and now also a public park as well as part of the university campus.

He led her up the 4 or 5 steps to the front door and down into the hallway to the kitchen.

"Would you like a drink, tea, coffee or maybe something a tad stronger?"

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

She watched the town going by, thinking how different it all seemed from the US. Older. Quieter. She smiled and looked at Adrian. He was older and quieter too, she thought. Then she looked back out the window. They reached his house and went in. The place would have been on some historic registry back home, but here, it was just another old house, well kept, but full of character.

"A drink?" she echoed, thinking. She could use something with a kick to it, but she didn't want him to think she was a heavy drinker right away. "Tea," she said, and then changed her mind. "Or, liquor? I don't usually, but it's been a day, you know?"

She blushed a little when she looked up at him.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian opened the door to the wine fridge and took out a bottle of a white Rioja and poured two glasses,and handed one to Amy.

"Why don't we go to the living room and relax there? Or would you prefer to see your room now? I took the opportunity to make you bed for you." He met her eyes and saw the slight blush of her cheeks.

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

She took the glass and sipped.

"That's wonderful," she whispered, smiling at him. She was suddenly shy about going up to the room, thinking of him up there making the bed. But it would just be worse after a glass of wine, she knew. "I'd like to see it, if that's alright," she said. "But, um, first...."

She shook her head, and closed her eyes. Then she took another sip of wine. She'd had time to get a few things at the drug store while she was waiting for the train, tooth brush, toothpaste, etc., but all her clothes were in the lost luggage.

"... Do you have something I could borrow to sleep in?" she asked. "I'm wearing all the clothes I have at the moment, and I thought I could wash them in the sink and hang them to dry, but I just need something to sleep in. Just a t shirt or something?" She blushed bright red.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"... Do you have something I could borrow to sleep in?" she asked. "I'm wearing all the clothes I have at the moment, and I thought I could wash them in the sink and hang them to dry, but I just need something to sleep in. Just a t shirt or something?" Amy asked.

Adrian smiled as he sipped his own wine.

I"I hope I wasnt to presumtious, but I have taken the liberty when I heard about your luggage to placd a couple of old shirts and tshits on your bed, together with some old shorts...."


He watchec her eyes, a mixture of relief and uncertanty on her face.

" And you are more than welcome to use the washing machine on the fastc20 minute cycle."

"Come."

He lead her up to the first floor, mentioning that this was his floor, and then the second floir which was a spare floor and pointed out the bathroom wigh a bath. Her floor was the top floor, in the attic, with slopping roofs in the cornerscand sides.

"This is your room, with a shower, a 3/4 bed with clearly new bed linen, and the small selection of clothes.

"I'll go and prime the washing machine."

He left her, alone in her new home.

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

Amy followed him upstairs, looking around her curiously. The house was old and things that she never would have thought about in a modern house fascinated her. The bannister, the moulding, the ancient plaster on the walls.

The loft was surprisingly cozy. Small, yes, but it felt like a home. She smiled. The bed was narrow for a double, but she didn't expect to be sharing it. It was plenty wide enough for her to spread out, and there was a small desk and a tiny kitchenette, and a surprisingly nice bathroom with tile floors and fixtures that all would have qualified as antiques back home.

"It's wonderful," she said, a little stunned, and then she noticed the clothes laid out on the bed. She smiled. "Thank you."

When he had gone, she took a quick shower and dried off and dressed. She had to roll the shorts waist over three times for them to fit her hips, and then of course they sat rather low. They still hung to her knees, though. She put on a buttondown that fell past her hips, and rolled the sleeves up. His clothes fit her like a sack, but she'd pick up some things tomorrow and make do until her luggage arrived.

She brought her clothes down and put them in the wash, the quick cycle as he'd said, and then she went back to the living room.

"Just wanted to say thank you again," she said. "You've really gone out of your way to make me feel welcome, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it."

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"Just wanted to say thank you again," she said. "You've really gone out of your way to make me feel welcome, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it."

Adrian smiled. "after your luggage issues, it is all I can do.... Why don't you enjoy your wine and relax a bit before you go to bed, your washing will be ready to hang in 20 minutes or so."

He sipped his wine... "And I've cancelled my meeting tomorrow morning so I can take you to the shops and get some essentials for the next few days...."

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

She smiled again, sipping her wine and settling down on the sofa in the living room. He was really going above and beyond the call of duty, and the place was much nicer than she'd expected. She hadn't felt taken care of this way since she was a child, and it gave her a warm feeling.

"I can't thank you enough," she said. "I'll call the airline first thing and see if they've located my luggage, and take it from there. I don't want to impose unless it's absolutely necessary."

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian smiled, "You are not imposing. It is the least I can do to welcome you to this country. You will need to get some clothes for a couple of days - even if your cases arrive Wednesday or Thursday, you will need something to cover you till then...."

Adrian sipped his wine as he changed the topic, asking her about her course; before long, her washing was completed.

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

They made small talk and sipped wine, and before she knew it, the washer buzzed. It seemed natural to keep talking as she went to gather her clothes, and hung them on a folding drying rack. She hesitated about leaving her bra and thong in a public area of the house, but it was the laundry room. And after all, Adrian was an adult, not some horny college boy who would get all worked up over a pair of panties.

She cam back out into the living room and gave him a smile.

"Well, I suppose I should try to get some sleep while I can," she said. "Thank you again for all your help. It really means a lot."

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"Well, I suppose I should try to get some sleep while I can," she said. "Thank you again for all your help. It really means a lot."

"My pleasure" he replied....

"and I will be about tomorrow morning to help with any shopping and the like..... Good night."

He watched Amy leave the room as he finished his wine and turned the lights off as he went to bed.....

It was around six when Adrian woke up naturally, and headed down stairs. He made a pot of tea, the water having been pre-boiled by being on a timer.

He saw the laundry and felt it, it was dry.

He folded it up and took it up stairs to outside her room and placed it on the small table outside the door, and headed back down stairs, and started his own morning chores.

 

[tulipsonanorgan]

Amy had a hard time getting to sleep, owing to jetlag and anxiety. She woke after only a few hours when she heard footsteps outside her door, and she pulled the blankets up to her chin. She had never felt so vulnerable in her life, laying in bed wearing a strange man's shirt. But the steps passed, and he went back down the stairs. it was a little after six, and she had only been asleep for three or four hours, but she was wide awake now. She knew it would be better to try to adjust to the new time zone, so instead of trying to get back to sleep, she got out of bed.

She pulled on the shorts he had loaned her and opened the door, only to discover he had brought her laundry up, folded neatly. She blushed, thinking of him handling her silky, skimpy underwear, but she could hardly complain. She went back into her room, washed up, and then dressed in the same yoga pants and tank top she had worn for the flight. She left off the sweater, as it was plenty warm, and went down to see Adrian sipping tea and going about his business.

"'Morning," she said, and gave a shy smile. "I'm not sure when the shops open, or when you wanted to go out, but ... um ... I do have a meeting with my academic advisor this afternoon. If we could go before then, that would be a big help."

 

[CFMB_fan]

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He was washing up some bowls when he heard her soft American twang behind him, and turned around.

"Good morning Amy, I hope you managed some sleep.... and err I hope you didn't mind me bringing up your washed clothes, but I thought they would be more useful to you upstairs..."

He glanced at her briefly not in a leacherous stance but just looking her over. Cute he thought to himself as he returned to his washing.

"Can I pour you a cup of tea? or make you a coffee?"

"Oh and the clothes shops open at ten for the most part..... "

He dried his hands and reached for a cup awaiting her request.

He himself was wearing a pair of Ron Hill Mens Running tights and a 1/4 zipped fleece top, the sort of attire he always wore when home and relaxed.


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[tulipsonanorgan]

"Coffee, if it's no trouble," she said. A moment later, she added "Thank you."

She went with him to the kitchen to see how it was set up. Once she'd had the chance to go to the grocery store, she'd make her own coffee in her kitchenette, but in the meantime, it was good to know where things were.

"Ten oclock," she repeated, thinking about the shops. it would be enough time to pick up a few things, and hopefully she could mix and match through until her luggage arrived, without wearing the same outfit every day. The meeting with her advisor was on her mind, and she couldnn't help feeling like the universe had played a cruel joke on her.

She used her phone to check on the status of her luggage. A generic message recognized that two pieces of luggage had been lost and informed her that we're doing everything we can to locate your missing item(s)!

"So, is there anywhere in particular I should avoid when I'm out and about on my own?" she asked, figuring she might as well take the opportunity to get her landlords perspective on the town.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian Turned the Espresso machine on, though he also had a standard filter coffee maker as well; but first thing in the morning he was a Tea man.

He ground some fresh coffee beans, filling the room with the smell of fresh coffee, and soon, the milk was being steamed, before the clank clank of the metal jug on the worktop to remove the air bubbles.

Soon her coffee was ready as he offered it to her on a saucer complete with a cardboard box filled with sugar cubes.

As they sat at the breakfast bar, Amy asked about the neighbourhood.

"The only real bad part of town is the Braunstone estate, filled with social housing, a bit like the bronx I guess.. But other than that it is relatively safe, though Priest's Gate Park late at night can be unsettling especially in the winter; though there are actually very few reported crimes..... "