When I answered the ad for the rental flat, I was very impressed by the place. The available unit was part of a duplex located behind the landlady's main house, in a nice older neighborhood not far from the city center, where my new job was based. Each unit was a spacious and nicely appointed one bedroom. Both units faced onto the pool and patio area, and had parking access from the alley in back. Nice gardens separated the pool from the main house, and all was bordered by hedgerows of tall shrubs giving seclusion from the neighboring homes. Only one window of a garage apartment next door could overlook a portion of the pool. Everything was well-kept and the rent was fair.
The landlady was Mrs. Gallagher, about fifty-ish and of medium height and build, a slightly graying brunette. She was businesslike but pleasant as she showed me around.
"Yes, you may take the unit as of Tuesday," she was saying, "it is ready except some minor painting to be finished on Monday. You may use the pool, of course, but please observe the rules and keep it tidy. My daughter lives in the main house with me, and her friend, Annie, rents the other flat. They use the pool a lot, so please be respectful and don't leave a mess. Oh, you'll meet the young man who lives there (she pointed to the window next door). He maintains the pool for me, in exchange for using it. He has a gate key and comes in as he likes."
Tuesday was a busy day, moving in and getting sorted out. Wednesday was hectic with work and I got in very late, soon ready for bed. Tiredness helped me sleep well in my new surroundings, but I awoke early. Maybe an early swim before work would be nice, I thought, and slipped into my trunks.
Stepping out onto the patio I was startled to find the aforementioned guy from next door (the window above the hedges), in the midst of cleaning the pool - stark naked!
"Morning, dude! Mrs. G told me someone had moved into that flat. My name's Matt, and I live up there." He jerked a thumb towards the garage apartment window.
"And do you usually service the pool naked?" I asked, a little astonished. "There are women on the property, you know!"
"Oh, that!" he said, as though just now aware of his bare state, "Do it all the time. I never wear any trunks over here. No need to - its not allowed."
"Huh? What do you mean, not allowed? The girl in the other flat was having a swim when I was moving in, and..."
"Yup. The girls wear swimsuits. But no guy ever wears a suit out here. Its a rule. Didn't you see the pool rules sign?" (I actually hadn't bothered, figuring it was the usual stuff) "Mrs G. is pretty strict with all the house rules, you'll find. Kind of 'old school' from the days when men swam nude at the Y and boys' swim classes prohibited suits to protect the filters. The pool is ready now. You can join me for a swim, but ya gotta ditch the trunks."
I glanced around, realizing how secluded the pool was. Only Matt's window above, and Annie's and my kitchens had a view of the pool. And I really did want that swim.
So, I quickly shed the trunks and slipped into the water. Matt swam a lap, splashing noisily. "Hey, can we keep it quiet? Annie may be awake by now," I said, glancing nervously at her window.
"Don't sweat it, man! Annie sees me naked out here all the time. So does Renee, and even Mrs. G herself," Matt responded with a shrug.