There was a drag artist on the stage, telling dirty jokes and making innuendos. It seemed like a fun night, indeed. Ashley was wandering around, talking to the men who were there and laughing with them. He really was the consummate host.

Although there were men at the bar talking business, they were still in the room enjoying the music and the atmosphere. Tony took Jake by the elbow and steered him towards the bar. He could already see the puzzled looks on the members’ faces. They were obviously wondering why Tony was there; they hadn’t expected him to be. Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to change, and they were on their guard. Now it was Tony’s turn to put them at their ease.

Tony and Jake picked up their drinks, and Tony smiled at the men there. He shook some hands, and laughed at the drag artist’s jokes. It was corny but it was funny, even he had to admit that.

‘Are you having a good evening?’ Tony said to some of the members, who seemed to be making all kinds of excuses about being in the room. They’d just popped in to see what was going on. They didn’t know it was a male night. Every excuse under the sun was used. Some even put down their drinks, and said they were going home. It was time for Tony to think fast; maybe this had been a mistake. None of these men wanted him there; they all felt threatened by his presence.

‘Come on, guys, have another drink. The drag artist isn’t that bad, and the real entertainment will start soon.’ Tony was smiling and laughing and even brought over Ashley to help him out.

‘Come on, boys, Mr Tony is here for some fun entertainment, aren’t you, love?’ Ashley looked at Tony. He hoped he wasn’t going too far, but he had to save the day.

Jake stood rooted to the spot. It was blatantly obvious what these guys were thinking. That Tony was of the same ilk, or at least bisexual.

Tony started laughing and talking in Italian for them, becoming the joking gentleman. He breathed a sigh of relief when they decided to stay, and then the first male stripper was introduced.

Tony stood, watched and applauded. Some of the men were cheering and shouting. Tony nudged Jake in the ribs with his elbow. Jake started clapping and getting into the swing of things – in for a penny, eh?

The relaxed atmosphere seemed to return, and the male strippers were now walking around the crowd pouring oil on themselves and rubbing it in, and coaxing some of the members to rub it into their chests for them. Tony nearly choked when one walked up to where he was standing with Jake. Now was the biggest test of all. Fortunately for him the stripper picked Jake and danced around him provocatively. After breathing a sigh of relief to himself, Tony had to stifle a laugh at the stunned look on Jake’s face.