Most young people leave home and go to university and make friends for life. Instead, I left home and moved to London to start work. I have so many stories of that time and met many amazing people who are still friends now.  So, to continue the journey of how I became the waxing specialist I am today, we go back to London in the 80s.

Whilst studying as a therapist In London, I had many jobs. One was part -time in an accounts office in Belgravia, working for an amazing man called Paddy Barthrop. He ran a chauffeur company and often hosted many a fun party, inviting lots of the Westend concierges.

These parties not only turned out a great networking event for the chauffeur company but also for me as an up and coming ‘alternative therapist’. And this is how I got to work in some amazing five-star hotels, with some extremely famous clients.

The chauffeurs knew me well and, once qualified and insured, these wonderful people encouraged me to print cards and started recommending my services.

I handed cards out to all and sundry and my pager started to bleep – yes, that makes me sound old – it was before mobile phones!

I also got a few shifts a week in a wonderful health club called St James’s, right next door to Berry Bross if anybody knows that, it’s where my love for good quality champagne comes from… But I digress! I have such wonderful memories, and made some lifelong friends. It was the start of a life journey that has been, to say the least, adventurous and delightful. 

One particular funny and embarrassing story I want to share is almost unbelievable.

One day my pager bleeped. It was one hotel letting me know that there was an American couple wanting a massage.

I arrived at the hotel as I always did, in my ancient Mini, which always made the concierges laugh when parking it for me alongside the Rolls Royces.

I met with my clients and before long I had them feeling relaxed and stress free. They were so happy with my service; they asked me back the next day and then for the rest of the week.

The next thing I knew, they were asking me to join them on a trip to Cannes for the film festival. They were planning to spend two weeks on a yacht in Monte Carlo.

I did not hesitate – this was a glorious adventure and one I would not say no to!

They arranged for me to meet them at the hotel with my massage bed and suitcase, and this is where the embarrassment starts.

Being a young lady with not a lot to my name, I had gone off to a charity shop in Kensington where I purchased a few items of clothing, including some jumpsuits – it was the 80’s!

I arrived feeling bloody gorgeous in a bright orange one…. yes bright orange! My female client took one look at me and nearly fainted. How was I supposed to know that this was what American prisoners wore?

This oversite actually benefited me, as she immediately had a word with her chauffeur, gave him some money and asked him to take me down Bond Street to kit me out appropriately for a two-week trip away in Cannes. I honestly couldn’t believe the generosity of these clients. 

The shopping trip delayed me slightly. My clients had already gone on ahead of me with another chauffeur, so they instructed mine to follow once we were done,

We drove to Elstree Aerodrome, went through customs and drove up to a private plane. At this point, I am not really aware of what’s going on. On arrival at the plane, I picked up my handbag, as did the chauffeur, which turned into a little tug of war between us. I didn’t want my handbag going into the hold. Eventually he reassured me that all my belongings were being taken to my private cabin!!! What!?

OK, I am now realising this would not be your average plane trip! I walked up the steps and into a sitting room and was shown to my cabin, which comprised a small sitting room, a bedroom and a bathroom…. all for me! I was in another world.

My clients were sitting in the main saloon. Mr C was looking at me with delight, as he could see the wonder in my eyes. The hostess then asked me to buckle up for takeoff and offered me a drink. I felt so completely out of my comfort zone. I regressed into childlike mode and said yes please, I would like some milk! The embarrassment!

I knew right then that this was going to be a trip to remember forever.

We flew to Genoa and if you thought this private plane was something special, this was nothing compared to the private super yacht I was about to spend two weeks on.

To be continued…