It should go without saying that the story you are about to read is fictional. But just in case it doesn’t, I would like to stress that what you are about to read is purely a figment of my filthy imagination…
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It was an unusually balmy Friday night in London. Even though darkness had fallen over the busy streets, it did nothing to reduce the temperature.
Most people had spilled onto the streets in an attempt to seek solace from the sweaty, overcrowded bars. They stood there and chatted, drinking beer while the streetlights flickered over them, as if they didn’t have a care in the world. The whole of Soho was alive with music and laughter, a sound that announced it was officially summer in London.
And who could blame them? Nights like this were few and far between in England and when they happened, people savoured them as it was going to be the last.
As the black cab wound it’s way down narrow Glasshouse Street and past the sea of happy faces lining the streets, it eventually stopped beside an anonymous alleyway.
“Here we are boys!” Josh announced, jumping out of the cab and handing the driver a twenty-pound note.
“Are you sure this is it?” Dave asked looking confused as he climbed out of the back of the cab, his friend Nick not far behind him.
“It’s just down there.” Josh replied, pointing down the alleyway.
“Yeah, don’t worry Dave. You’re about to discover London’s best kept secret!” Nick enthused, slapping Dave on the back.
He reluctantly followed Josh and Nick down the dimly lit alleyway unsure of where it would lead them, when they came across a huge bouncer, standing in front of a door with ‘The Glasshouse’ over it.
“Evening Gentlemen.” He said gruffly as he opened the door for them.
The friends walked in and were greeted by an attractive blonde in an elegant black dress who told them her name was Katherine. She beckoned for one of the cocktail waitresses to come over and show them to their seats. Dave smiled at her, grateful that no one had recognised him yet.
“Hi I’m Amber. Follow me,” the pretty red head said with a smile as she led them to their table.
They sat down in a semi-circular booth covered in soft black leather opposite a long runway that led to a stage. The table was draped with white linen on top of which was a glass vase holding two pink orchids. Next to the vase was a cream coloured candle that smelt like vanilla.
“Can I get you anything?” Amber asked reaching into the black apron tied round her waist to retrieve a small notepad and pencil.
“Yeah I’ll have a JD, neat. And he’ll have the same.” Josh replied, pointing at Nick.
“Do you have any
Crown Royal
?” Dave asked politely.
“We sure do,” she replied, scribbling down their order. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“Nice!” Josh said with a cheeky grin as he studied her firm ass as she sauntered off towards the bar.
“Down boy!” Nick remarked with a wink.
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for a red head.” Josh sighed dramatically, running his hand through his own red mane.
“
This
is a strip club?” Dave asked incredulously as he looked around the room. “I’ve been to London like a bazillion times and I’ve never even heard of this place.”
It was certainly like no other strip club Dave had been to before! The room was small and intimate with well-dressed businessmen sat at the tables surrounding the stage.
Large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and everywhere you looked there were huge vases of white flowers that filled the room with the gentle scent of lilies and roses.
There were candles dotted around the room, which made the gold-leaf walls shimmer and the place, definitely had an air of sophistication not normally associated with strip clubs.
“It’s a
gentleman’s
club” Josh replied lighting a huge cigar. “This place is like nowhere you have ever been before Dave, known only to a select few.
“Tommy Lee brought me here a couple of years ago and I stop by every time I’m in London. It’s very expensive so only attracts a certain type of customer and it’s very discrete. Tommy told me that they pay the paparazzi to keep away because they get a lot of celebs here, which is great for us.”
Dave watched the cigar waive around as Josh spoke, the smoke dancing up and down as the distinctive smell soon filled the room.
“So where are the strippers?” Dave joked, pointing at the empty stage. A remark which was met by a loud laugh from Nick and Josh.
“Here we go.” The red head said with a smile as she returned with their drinks, placing them carefully on the table.
“Thanks Amber.” Josh flirted, his eyes following her as she walked past the stage towards the red velvet curtain at the back of the room. The lights went down and a spotlight illuminated the silver pole that was mounted on the centre of the stage as the MC announced the next act.
Satisfied that she was out of sight, Amber ran through the curtain and headed towards the dressing rooms as Kylie Minogue’s ‘
Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
’ drowned the narrow corridor.
“OH MY GOD!” she cried as she burst through the dressing room door.
“What? What’s wrong?” Polly asked startled.
“Come with me!” Amber replied excitedly, grabbing her friend by the arm and leading her back down the corridor.
When they arrived at the velvet curtain, Amber opened it slightly to give Polly a view of the stage. “What am I meant to be looking at?” Polly asked confused as she peered through.
“Look!” Amber replied, pointing at the table at the end of the runway.
