This was asking too much; Jake couldn’t do it. He really did not want to rub oil into this young man’s chest. The accountant had seen them and, like a gift from God, he walked swiftly over to them and took the lead. He rubbed his hand across the man’s chest and then put a twenty-pound note into the thong he was wearing.

Jake had paled; thank God the accountant had come to save the day. Would Tony have done it? Or would he have dined out on it for the rest of their lives, telling Sharon all about how Jake had been frozen to the spot?

The members started to mingle and take their seats at the tables. They were throwing money on to the stage, and letting the strippers sit on their knees. It was surreal, although Tony and Jake had seen a version of this scene many times.

At the nightclub, scantily-clad women sat on the punters’ knees hoping to get a decent tip. This was exactly the same, except it was scantily-clad men. Eventually, after making the acquaintance of some of the people that had once snubbed him, Tony decided it was time to leave them to it.

‘Don’t you ever put me in that fucking position again, do you hear me?’ Jake shouted at him as they got into the car. ‘I can’t believe you were going to let that guy grope me in front of all of those people.’ Jake was blowing off steam, and it was his chance to rant and rave, for once.

Tony laughed. ‘I thought you were enjoying yourself, Jake.’ He was teasing him. Poor Jake, he had nearly fainted.

‘No, I bloody well wasn’t, and what about you? That old bald-headed guy said you were quite pretty and had lovely blonde hair. He wants you to stamp his card, mate. They all think you’re that way inclined, now, you know that, don’t you? You, and possibly me?’ Jake was horrified.

‘Who the hell cares what they think? I don’t, that’s for sure. Besides, I am quite pretty.’ Tony slapped Jake’s arm and burst out laughing. It had been a real eye-opener and once Jake had got over the shocking experience he started to laugh too.

‘I feel really inadequate now, though, after seeing that guy who came on with the python around his neck. My God, Tony, his dick nearly hung around his knees. How am I supposed to compare with that?’

‘It’s not about the size, Jake, but then again, I wouldn’t know. I didn’t feel inadequate; I’ve got testimonials from a lot of women who come back for more.’

Laughter filled the back of the car as Tony told John, his driver, about the evening’s events and Jake’s most embarrassing moment. Even John burst out laughing, while trying to keep his eye on the road.

‘Don’t you breathe a bloody word of this, do you hear me?’ Jake threatened, only half-jokingly.

No sooner had they got to the club, where Sharon was, than Tony told the tale again – he couldn’t help himself. ‘Jake pulled, Sharon, he’s got a new friend.’ Tony was still laughing at Jake’s expense, but it was all in good fun.