On a windy but sunny day i headed out to look around the University town i had just moved to. The University was located in a fairly large seaside town about a 100 miles away from my parents family home.
This was the first time i had lived away from home and i was getting used to looking after myself, doing the food shopping, as well as other chores. I was living in a large student house which had eight single rooms with their own ensuite facilities, a communal kitchen, lounge, large downstairs bathroom, utility room and dining room.
I was the first to arrive and the house had a creepy feel to it, where i was hyper aware of any noise. I was looking forward to next few days when my other housemates would be moving in, even if i did not get on with them all. My parents family home was very noisy all of the time, with a sister and two brothers below teenage years, as well as two dogs, with people coming and going all of the time. So this student house was going to be very different to what i was used to.
As i was sitting in my room reading a book and eating a bowl of cereals, i heard the door open downstairs with the sound of suitcases being wheeled. I decided to go downstairs to greet them and see if they needed help. On reaching the hallway, i saw a girl about my age struggling with two heavy looking cases.
"Hi, my name is Amy, can i help you?"
"Yes please," she breathlessly grunted, as she let go of the cases.
"Sorry my name in Jo, this is my first time here and i am glad i was not first to arrive."
"Do you want a drink first, before we get your stuff upstairs to your room?" i suggested.
"Yes please, thanks Amy."
"Tea, coffee, coke or something else? " i asked.
"Tea, please." came the response.
"OK, i will put the kettle on."
As we sat down at the small Kitchen table and discussed the house, as well as University, it seemed that both of us were very nervous about being away from home. Jo explained that she was studying English and i told her i would be studying fashion design. We worked out that we would be at opposite ends of the University campus. We were both anxious about the other six new housemates and whether we would all get on alright.
"OK, let us get your cases up to your room," i offered.
"Which room number are you in Jo?" i asked.
"Number 6," said Jo
"I am in number 4 just around the corner," i added.
As the house did not have a lift, it was a case of struggling with luggage up the stairs. We both laughed at the weight of the suitcases, having to pull them up one rung at a time. By the time we got to the upstairs hallway, we were both exhausted. We wheeled the cases to her room and i said that i would leave her alone to rest and unpack.
Over the next few days the other housemates arrived with Jo and I seeming to help them as i did with Jo. Jo and i were becoming a bit of a team, helping the house settle into student life together. While i was in Jo's room one evening talking, we discussed how relieved we were that the other six housemates seemed lovely. It was an all girl house, with everyone about the same age, but studying different subjects and having different personalities. The other girls were called Gemma, Penny. Pritti, Alex, Joy and Alice.
The next day the landlords agent was due to come to the house to meet us all and go through the rules, a copy of which had been provided to everyone in advance. We all sat in the lounge having a look through the rules, so we could discuss them.
Gemma commented on the no house parties after 10pm rule and no more than 20 people in the house including tenants. I explained that a few doors down the road was an elderly care home which might explain the rule.
Alex said she might find the no boys staying in rooms overnight difficult and we all laughed.
Pritti smiled and winked saying she would have to look after herself in the absence of male company in her room.
"Or you might have to become a lesbian!" Jo pointed out grinning widely.
The others looked at Jo, thinking whether she was joking or not, with half hearted laughs.
"Anyone want to check out the nearest Pub?" i interrupted getting bored discussing rules and noticing the slight tension about Jo's comment.
"Good idea!!" everyone seemed to say in unison.
We walked around the corner of the house to a Pub called the 'Jolly Sailor'. It was old fashioned in style with wood floors and lots of sailing related decorations. There were quite a few regulars propping up the bar.
We grabbed a large table in the corner and contributed enough money for a round of drinks. Myself and Jo went to the bar to order the drinks. While we were being served, i noticed two ladies sat down in a corner. As i looked, i locked eyes with one of them. She got up from the table and walked towards me. I felt a slight heart flutter, as i seemed to watch every step she made.
"Hi!" she said, "I have not seen you and your friend here before. My name is Kerry and i work as a Tutor at the University. I am presuming you and your friends have all arrived for the start of the new term?"
"Yes..." i said, "We are all new to the town and University. We are living in a shared house just around the corner."
Kerry went on to explain that as well as being a Tutor, she also took an interest in student welfare and housing. She gave me a leaflet of who to contact if there were any problems and her phone number if there was an emergency. Kerry asked me to share it with my housemates.
"Thanks very much!" i said appreciating her offer.
"No problem," Kerry replied saying she had better finish her drinks and rejoined her friend.
Jo and I carried the drinks over to our table. Back at the table Jo queried whether it seemed strange that the lady had specifically talked to Amy, when there were seven other girls, that might also be interested.
"Perhaps Amy, this Kerry fancied you?" Jo questioned with a smirk.
"Don't be daft, it might just be my friendly innocent looking face..." i retorted.
The other girls laughed "Amy's got an admirer!!" several of them said with broad grins.
As i sat drinking, i looked across at Kerry, who was facing the other way. I could see that she was holding the hand of the friend she was with and it got my mind thinking. I decided not to look anymore or face being caught out. After chatting for an hour about all of the things girls of our age 18/19 years old were interested in, we returned to the house.
While i laid in bed that night, i kept thinking of Kerry. Kerry was a stunning redhead with an amazing figure. The friend she was with was also a redhead, actually very similar looking from a distance. Perhaps it was just two Sisters and my mind was making assumptions about Kerry just because of what was said in the Pub. Anyway. I was not lesbian and not sure i attracted lesbians.
The next day the landlords agent John arrived at the house and we all sat down around the dining table. Before going through all of the rules, John explained there was a problem with some of the rent money and action was needed by some to ensure the accommodation was secure for them. It was unfortunately, Gemma, Jo and myself that had the problem.
The next day the three of us went down to the University to see the housing team. There was a queue of other students and after an hour we managed to get to speak to an advisor. They advised that they would chase it up for us urgently.
A few days later John the landlords agent phoned to chase the rent money. In a panic i remembered the leaflet from Kerry and i decided to call her to see if she could help.
"Hi Kerry, this is Amy from the 'Jolly Sailor', do you remember offering help if we had an urgent problem?"
"Yes sure Amy, what can i help you with? " Kerry enquired.
"I have a problem with housing rent money. The landlords agent is chasing and three of us including myself have the same issue with the University housing office" i explained.
