I worked as an escort & Valentine’s Day was one of my busiest days of the year – why husbands queued at my door

IT IS known as the most romantic day of the year but for thousands of others, Valentine’s Day can be one of the loneliest.

And with plenty of lonely hearts looking for a leg over, V Day can be a goldmine for sex workers.

3

Having spent two decades as an escort I know that those who followed in my footsteps can expect hoards of lonely men knocking on their doors come February 14th.

I’m a person who doesn’t shock easily however, every now and then a client would come along with the element of surprise and Valentine’s Day seemed to bring out even more surprises.

Stepping out of my bathroom, was a client dressed head to toe in a frilly, red lace, full lingerie set: stockings, suspenders, G-string and fitted corset. 

Even more surprising was the fact that this person was a man of the church. Naughty vicar! 

However, he wasn’t a rarity.

I came across a lot of straight men who enjoyed dressing up in women’s lingerie, being bossed around, told how useless they were and surprisingly one of their most popular requests was having their balls slapped.

Not something that I was a natural at to begin with but certainly warmed to as the years progressed. I still find it fascinating that so many men get off on degradation. 

Of course, just because blokes were paying for my services, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t deserve a little chivalry.

Most men were really tender and would shower me with chocolates, fine wines and affection. 

On one occasion a client bought me a heart shaped diamond necklace.

He was a diamond dealer and so had a good eye for elegance and the finer things. I’ve also been gifted a Chanel Cartier watch worth £5000, from a property tycoon who was infatuated with me.

However, not everyone was such a gentleman. 

One or two would go full on rampant, requesting all out party bookings that would go on for hours drinking, doing drugs, dancing and romping in every position imaginable. 

It’s no surprise that my tolerance for party bookings began to wear a little thin over the years and was the catalyst for getting myself sober and prioritising my health.

And you would be a fool for thinking it was only single lads who were taking their time to see me, some clients were even married. 

Each of them would tell a different story about their situation, ‘my wife lost interest in sex since going through the menopause’ was one. 

Another client blatantly told me that his wife told him to book an escort and specifically picked me out. While others were in an open marriage. 

I was never one to judge, relationships take all forms. However, a phrase I grew tired of hearing was, ‘I’m a man, I have needs.’ I’d politely remind them, ‘women have needs too.’

Valentine’s Day brings up all sorts of challenges for sex workers. 

3

Clients generally are more needy and sensitive around this time, especially those who are single and seeking companionship. 

Some clients sought their affections through cuddles and conversation, while others would practically cry their way into the bedroom. 

I’d help them to wipe away their tears and be at my most present and attentive with them. 

Some clients would fantasise about being in a relationship with me while clearly escaping their unhappy lives. 

In one extreme case, one client had just gone through a terrible break up and was not handling it well, he admitted to me that he was on the verge of suicide. 

On Valentine’s Day, he showered me with gifts including a necklace from Tiffany’s and lingerie from Agent Provocateur

Elizabeth G

Coming to see me was his way of finding some form of love and reassurance even if just for an hour or so. 

While I was more than happy to help the lonely hearts on Valentine’s Day, occasionally I fell into the rookie error of catching feelings for clients.

The benefit of dating a client took away all the anxieties that came along with going on a date with someone who did not know about my job as a sex worker. 

In many ways it felt like a natural progression and took away the risk of being at the receiving end of shaming and abuse that I had experienced in the past. 

The last client that I dated was incredibly persistent and very charming which made him hard to resist. 

When I eventually caved, he would bombard me with over-the-top displays of love and affection and took me to some of London’s most exclusive restaurants.

We were smitten with each other after only a few weeks of dating. He was a very sensual lover and the connection we had when making love felt extremely powerful. 

On Valentine’s Day, he showered me with gifts including a necklace from Tiffany’s and lingerie from Agent Provocateur. We dined in a Michelin starred restaurant while drinking fine wines. No expense was spared. 

He’d whisper sweet nothings into my ear and truly made me feel like his Queen.

You never know who is calling their friendly neighborhood escort

Elizabeth G

However, what goes up must come down and that ‘relationship’ came crashing down with an almighty bang!

Turns out, he was married and had been lying to me the whole time we were together. Lesson learnt.

Having spent two decades in the sex industry, it is clear to me that sex workers serve a very clear purpose for those who are lonely and seeking companionship, especially around Valentine’s Day. 

If a cure for loneliness was sold in a bottle, it would fly of the shelves.

It is after all, a bigger health risk than high blood pressure, poor diet and obesity. 

But for now, sex workers serve that purpose, and they serve it well. 

And if they are happy to do so and it helps people in many positive ways, then it is something that should be celebrated.

After all, you never know who is calling their friendly neighborhood escort, they could be right under your nose.

Elizabeth is campaigning to amend the Equality Act 2010 to include professions, such as those in the sex industry, in protected characteristics. You can sign her petition here.

3