John Thornberry’s Reviews > The Line of Beauty > Status Update

Nick gets dressed formally and meets Paul Tomkins who he new from Oxford and is Gay also and rather fat. However he has had more conquests than Nick. They discuss targets and he is surprised that Paul sees Gerald as a possibility.

Lord Kessler, Rachel's brother, shows Nick around the house and treats it like an interview but for a non-existant job. He shows him albums of when the famous stayed at the house including his hero the novelist Henry James.

The family and Nick leave Notting Hill, Leo and the carnival for Rachels brothers stately mansion Hawkeswood. The house is full of many beautiful things including a Cezanne above the fireplace.

Nick and Leo meet at the hetro pub and get on well. They can't go to each other house so end up in the public garden behind the Fedden where they have sex for the first time. Leo has some more to try out before Nick is taken on full time.

Gerald and Rachel finally return from their holiday baring gifts. Nick feels a little on the outside. Nick has never dated a man only in his fantasies but low goes to meet his black man Leo at the local pub.

The piece is about to be broken as Gerald and Rachel are to return to Notting Hill from their holidays. Nick takes away the implements of Catherines self harm and puts off meeting Leo.

It's 1983. Oxford educated Nick lodges in Notting Hill with new mp Gerald Fedden, his wife Rachel and their too children former self harmer Catherine and former Oxford friend Toby. Nick has a blind date with a Leo coming up which Catherine is taking a keen interest in.