It is about half seven, Saturday evening, and I am lying on my blue sofa idly watching television when the buzzer for the outside door sounds jolting me out of my lethargy.
It'll be Claire, I think and instantly a tingle of excitement passes through me.
I get up and press the door release outside my kitchen. Through the intercom I hear her enter the hallway two storeys down. I then click up the latch on my front door and wait for her to ascend the two long flights of stairs.
I swing open the door as she reaches the landing and she is a treat, a real treat: knee length felt black bootees, black tights, short black skirt and a black lace Basque with pink embroidery that barely covers her sexy midriff. She reminds me of a call girl -- great!
"Hi Matt," she greets me in her lyrical Liverpudlian accent.
"Hi Claire, you look fantastic, hope you aren't too cold?"
"Na, the car is only just outside."
We embrace briefly and start to head for my flat when I stop -- I have an idea.
"Stay there for just one minute."
I rush into my lounge fetch my camera and then quickly return.
"You look so good I just want to get some pictures of you."
"Okay, where do you want me to stand?"
She's a vain woman -- blonde shoulder length hair, blue eyed and looks quite a bit like Gaby Roslin or maybe even Jodie Foster - and laps up the attention.
I have her pose in front of the wide landing window which during the day affords a beautiful panoramic view of the pier and channel beyond.
I take two shots of her: one of her with me in a standing position directly opposite her and the other taken from me kneeling looking up at her. I also hope I am close enough to capture one of the beguiling little moles on her tummy provocatively exposed by the brevity of her Basque.
The 'photo-shoot' done, I beckon her into my modest abode, place the camera on my table and then click the electric kettle on out of habit.