It is now the beginning of December and I've been in Australia with the guys for almost 3 months, getting to know each of them so much better.
I've had numerous conversations with each of them, nothing too in depth and probing yet, just background information, family history, education, favourite things etc... all the 'fluff' of the piece. The serious stuff has yet to be asked and I'm really looking forward to it.
My first brave candidate for in-depth interrogation is Jimmie. He didn't volunteer, I begged him to be my first interviewee as he is the easiest to talk to and I feel comfortable with him.
I have my list of questions prepared to take with me on our day trip. We have a delicious picnic lunch packed into a very cute retro wicker basket courtesy of Muriel, and the two of us are off to the houses private beach for a few hours.
Once we are settled under a large umbrella and Jimmie has poured us both a glass of Champagne we begin chatting about the other guys. I'm getting on really well with all of them now, especially Yanni, although I am still a little wary of Noah since his weird comment at the pool a few weeks ago. Jimmie and I have been out together a couple more times since our first night out, but there's been no more kissing or intimacy, and I'm pleased about that as I am finding myself strongly drawn toward Yanni.
He has been a different man in the last few weeks, maybe because Eloise is away visiting her family in Canberra? I have found myself wanting to spend more of my time with him, he fascinates me. I find his passion for what he does intoxicating. He really does pour his entire being into all he does, and observing his all consuming need to create, to inspire, inform and comfort has helped me myself find a renewed desire to create something lasting that I can be proud of too. This book will be proof-read by as many people as possible, including all the guys, anyone mentioned actually, and obviously their lawyer Ferdi, before it's published. That thought comforts me, to know that my words about them have been approved by the guys themselves is re-assuring.
"Thanks for being my first Jimmie" I say, biting into a plump and very ripe strawberry, juice dripping down onto my chest.
He laughs lightly and hands me a wet wipe as I put the half eaten strawberry down, holding my chin to avoid any more juice drips. I take the wipe with a grateful smile and begin to clean my chin and hands, before reaching down into my cleavage to clean up the sticky trickle making it's way down the middle of my body. That is one juicy strawberry!!
"Your first?" he asks
"Of course not! I've had a strawberry before, they're just not .... why are you laughing?" I ask with confusion, spreading my hands and shaking my head.
Continuing to giggle he continues, "You..... oh wow..... you really thought I was asking you if you'd ever eaten a strawberry before? Come on! I know you're from England and that the food does have a notoriously bad name internationally, but I'm confident you have strawberries there."
Flicking my forehead he continues, "I meant.... you idiot, why are you thanking me for being your first? Your first one what?"
"Oh!!! Right! Hahaha, yep that makes sense. I'm really not as stupid as I seem you know, honestly! What I meant to say was Thankyou for being my first in depth conversation... erm.... victim? No, no... that sounds scary..... volunteer? That better?"
"Yeah, better, but still not entirely accurate. I do recall being bullied into it by a rather persistent, pleading young blonde, pretty hot too as I recall, reminded me a bit of you ..." he jests whilst rubbing his chin until I slap his knee in mock horror at his implication I bullied him, which I did, and partly due to his comment about me being 'pretty hot' too.
"I prefer the words cajoled, or encouraged, or even downright begged!" I reply with a grimace. "You will have my undying love and devotion for all eternity as reward for your brave and chivalrous assistance!" I giggle, my hands clasped over my heart, eyes closed, my tone as breathy and dramatic as that of any female lead in a 1950's romance film.
"Ok, now that's settled, where do we start?" he asks picking up his glass of Champagne, his anxious tone not lost on me. I study his features while he takes a very large mouthful of the bubbling fizz, then after studying the glass briefly, tips the remaining alcohol down his throat in one quick motion before lifting the bottle and refilling his glass.
I don't want him to get drunk because that will immediately invalidate anything he tells me, so I distract him from drinking by offering him a strawberry. I place it at his lips as he looks into my eyes, then he takes a bite. Good. Operation distract was a success, now begins Operation extract!
"So, let's start small shall we? Can I record this conversation, it helps me when I'm writing to re-listen to your words, but also to hear the clues to your emotional state in your voice, in its tones, it's pitch and volume. Is that ok? Some people like to have a record of the conversation as proof of their actual words. I am pretty concerned with telling the truth in all that I do in my professional life, and providing interviewees with a record of all that was discussed for security purposes is one of the reasons I have managed to interview many high profile celebrities. I think that helps them to trust me, but can make them a little guarded in what they say, so it's a double edged sword for me really, balancing the subjects privacy against what could be a very dull interview. Questions will be probing, and if I find a particular topic worthy of more detail I would like to ask further questions, however I will totally understand if there is anything you prefer to leave unanswered. You are paying me to write this for you, and although I will not compromise myself by telling lies, I will respect you to tell me only as much as you are comfortable with. Ok?"
"Sure. Yes, all ok. LETS DO THIS!" he states loudly, pumping his right fist in the air.
"Great! Ok, question one" I say, setting my phone to record.
"You've told me quite a lot before today about your family and pre fame home life, but not much else, no real details. Tell me about yourself, your school years, funny stories, girlfriends. I'd also love to hear about your time at The Australian Academy of Arts as I couldn't find record of your attendance when I checked..... maybe I spelled your name wrong or perhaps I gave the incorrect years you attended?
Please start wherever you want, wherever feels right. What would you like your fans to know about you, but remember, your life is your own, so you can keep anything you don't want to share to yourself. Just tell me you're not comfortable and I'll move on. I'll start by asking some questions. What's your full name? Where were you born, and when? Nice and simple" I reassure him with a smile and a squeeze of his small clammy hand.
Nodding his head, but refusing to look up or let go of my hand he begins to answer.
"My full name is Jimmie Kelly Smith. Yes....I know, original name, Smith, but it really is mine. It is the most common name in Australia, we're all probably related somewhere along the line. I was born in St Stevens hospital in Brisbane on 01/02/1994, but my life really began in 2012" he mutters quietly under his breath, slowly looking up into my eyes, surely noticing the intrigue on my face.
"Let me explain" he whispers with a watery smile, placing my hand back in my own lap and wringing his own hands together.
"So you were 18 then, just finished at the Australian Academy of Arts, off to make a name for yourself in the world of dance. It's sweet that you think of that as being the start of your life." I smile encouragingly at him and pick up my drink, taking a large mouthful.
"Mmmm... but that's not why. You said you had trouble finding record of me at Triple A. It probably was because of my name. There were a few Smiths in my year group, as I said, common name, but there were no Jimmies right?"
"Right! Four Smiths enrolled, 3 girls and one guy, but his name was Stuart" I reply thoughtfully, looking back over my notes.
"You need the records for Jessica Smith."
I frown and tilt my head to one side, perplexed by his words. What is he telling me? It sounds as if he is telling me that he is....
"I am Transgender Sydney. That's why I feel that my life... Jimmies life..... began in 2012. The year of my surgery" he whispers, tears in his eyes as he searches my face for signs of reaction.
HOLY SHIT!
This is a revelation I did not see coming.... or expect!