I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared as I was when I walked into that room. I guess I knew that everything was resting on my interview. I had to make a good impression. I was desperate to join The Order, and for months and months I’d thought about nothing else. I knew it would be a life-changing experience. It’s why apprenticeships are like gold dust—beautiful, rare, and easy to miss. They told me not to try to second-guess the types of questions I’d be asked. I bought a new suit, a crisp white shirt and about five ties because I couldn’t work out which one was the smartest. I opted for a blue striped tie—not too fat, not too skinny, blue to match my eyes—and then spent hours in front of a mirror trying to perfect the knot. I kept catching my reflection in the windows as I walked towards the interview room. I almost didn’t recognize myself. I looked so grown up and handsome! No one could tell me I wasn’t looking the part. The interview room was dazzling white. White furniture and carpet with white drapes lining the walls. It smelt expensive in a kind of masculine way, like the scent that often wafts over you when a wealthy-looking older man passes you in the street. And I think I found that man. He was sitting on one of the chairs. I was staggered by how handsome he looked in his white suit. With his shaved head and neatly-cropped beard, I remembered that I’ve been questioning my sexuality a bit of late. A year ago I would have considered myself to be entirely straight, but sometimes I look at a guy—like him—and find myself wondering what it might feel like to play with them...