Ah yes, this was the way to live! She felt so safe here, safe from gossip, safe from harm, safe from that male dominated world out there. Here in her penthouse apartment only the most sympathetic and understanding guests were allowed; no one else would ever see the true extent, of this relationship between mistress and maid. Lesbian mistress, lesbian maid. Even the simple pedicure chore took on a kind of sexual significance – and wasn't it nice to be able to live like this without fear? Margalo blessed the day she had decided to buy the building. More than just the penthouse, this whole luxurious high-rise was hers, all hers, and she loved the way it was shaping up. Best damn investment she had ever made!

Admittedly, it wasn't perfect yet. There were still too many tenants left from the old regime. But she could afford to be choosy about filling vacancies now that the entire place belonged to her. Oh, it was fun to take a plushy apartment house and fill it full of interesting people. Her kind of people. Certainly it helped stave off boredom.

Boredom. Ugh. She didn't want to think about that. When a woman neared the age of forty, boredom could become all too prevalent. Too much money, too many past love affairs, too few novelties left to whet the jaded appetite. So the idea of a gay apartment house – Sappho Manor, the girls called it – was an inspiration, practically. Running the place gave her a new lease on life, something to look forward to from day to day.

"There now…"

"All done, Kate?"

"All done. And a good job too, even if I have to say so myself. Your feet look beautiful."

"Do they? I'm glad. You do take good care of them."

"It's a pleasure, ma'am, a real pleasure. Would you like to get up and dress now? If company is coming…"

"No need. It's only Inez Bellamy. I'll be entertaining her right here in the bedroom."