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Lifestyle ARTICLES

Double Life

29th August 2008

Annabel is a very close friend of mine and has been leading a double life for over 10 years now. By day her world consists of computers, calculations and the clients of a large firm of accountants, but when night falls, she has to deal with clients of a completely different nature. Clients who are far more interested in stockings and suspenders than they are in tax returns and trading.

During this time she's managed to keep her night-time escapades a closely guarded secret. I am the only person who knows that she's worked as an escort for most of her adult life. It long since became a matter of survival for her to cover her tracks and she's learnt to do this well. Although this has helped her to avoid detection, I think the main reason she's got away with it for so long is that she simply doesn't look like the type of woman who would work as a callgirl.

Unlike the stereotypes we see on telly every day, you wouldn't catch Annabel tottering around in shiny stilettos, wearing a mini skirt, fishnet stockings and plastic earrings. She tends to go for the more classic look and is particularly fond of tailored suits, evening gowns and expensive coats. Her make-up is always subtle and natural and if she does decide to wear jewellery, she always chooses something that is simple but stylish. In short, she is somebody's sister, the girl next door or the person sitting next to you at the cinema. Why should she look any different to other women anyway? Simply because she accepts cash for something that other women give away freely in exchange for flowers or a box of chocolates, a romantic dinner or a few drinks?

Just how freely they give it away is the main topic of conversation in my firm's tea room every day. I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I hear the young girls giggling about who or what they picked up the night before and where or how many times they did it. Not a week goes by without at least one of them getting into a flap because they're convinced they've got a dose of something or other from their latest conquest or panicking because they think some guy who pushed them up against a parking lot wall the month before has got them pregnant. Alcohol no doubt plays a big role in their alarming lack of caution and feelings of immortality, but that's no excuse for their behaviour.

These girls all come from good homes and are supposedly well-educated, decent young trainees or professionals, but true to their age, think they already know everything there is to know about life. Perhaps I should suggest that they start charging for their services? Maybe Annabel could teach them a thing or two about the importance of safe sex.