Disadvantageous

Chapter 29

"How long have you been employed here?" Lydia asked Ife as she helped her chop the vegetables for lunch.

"Irene took me in five months ago, it's been the best five months of my life. The freedom is exhilarating," Ife replied with a large smile. "My parents were livid when I came out to them, I never thought living this openly would ever be this easy. But Irene's made a home where we can experience both belonging and pleasure."

"You've all been very welcoming so far, it's a wonderful change of pace compared to the city," Lydia agreed, keeping her eyes trained on the carrot on the cutting board to avoid chopping off a finger.

"And your family, do they know where you've ended up?"

Lydia paused for a moment, wondering how much of the truth to tell Ife. But she knew that she should try to be as truthful as she could in order to gain her trust. She certainly didn't want Ife or any of the others to suspect that all she was telling were lies.

"My family and I- well, it's complicated. They haven't much been in the picture since I was a child. My father passed when I was young and my mother abandoned me long before I began realising that I was attracted to women as well as men. We've reconnected a bit since then, but with my preference for men, I've never felt I've had to share that with her. Probably wouldn't be thrilled to know where I am now, though."

"It's not like we need biological family anyway, not when we've got each other. You'll understand quickly how close we all are - and I don't just mean the sex. We don't have much need for close family ties outside of this house."

Lydia frowned, "but Irene mentioned that the last girl who worked here was killed. Surely that would have been by someone else here?"

"Lia, be careful, you don't want her to realise you are investigating," Sherlock spoke through Lydia's ear piece, but she ignored his words as she gauged Ife's reaction.

The woman did seem quite uncomfortable, but Lydia did not think it was caused by guilt. "Yes, it is likely that it was someone working here, unless one of our guests planned it a long time in advance. Still can't believe it happened, I thought for sure it must have been an accident."

"Irene seems convinced it wasn't."

"She had a medical examiner check out the body. Kept it all hush hush for her. The last thing Irene needs is the police running around here."

"She has amazing connections," Lydia marvelled, truly impressed by Irene's ability to keep her existence hidden from Mycroft for so long.

Ife nodded, "she knows many people, or at least she knows what they like."

"Lena?" Irene herself interrupted, easing the tension. "When you've finished with the vegetables in here, could you join Sevda and I in the parlor? We're cleaning it up a bit for our guests."

"Guests?" Lydia questioned, glancing between Ife and Irene, hoping for an explanation.

Ife beamed at her, "oh, you are going to have a brilliant first night."

With a sultry wink, Irene left the kitchen and Lydia turned her attention back to the vegetables. "Everyone here seems to fit in so well, it's a bit intimidating to be the newbie, I'll admit."

"It always is, but you'll adjust soon enough. I remember when I first arrived, I was so shy and in awe of the other women, it took me a week to just touch one of them. But there are no insecurities that you have to hide here, it's like a little paradise we've all escaped too and Irene has been behind it all."

"I look forward to experiencing it all for myself. It was wonderful chatting with you though, you've only made me more excited to be here. But I suppose duty calls me to the parlor."