Week forty-two

This week I found myself on Mile End Road, in a world of contradictions. One minute I was in the heart of the East End, the thick cold air filled with noise and disordered regularity.  The next, I was being greeted by the antithesis:  an outrageous dandy in warm and unconventional quiet.  Let me explain.

The 40 Winks hotel is a beautiful 4-storey Queen Anne Townhouse that is the home of David Carter, a flamboyant interior designer who has created an unusual space that is bold, glamorous and poetic. Once a month David turns his opulent boudoir into a whimsical and mysterious story-telling den for "Bedtime Stories": a chance to hear acclaimed story-tellers in an old world setting, filled with romance and decadence but also, to embrace a bit of inner-child.   The dress code is strictly pyjamas, nighties and anything "wonderfully inappropriate".  

This month's theme was stories to make you scream and I was quite excited at the prospect of lots of  strangers all cosying up together on cushions to hear scary ghost tales.  As well as the literary entertainment there was also going to be prizes on offer for the sexiest nightgown and daintiest toes.  There was no way I was I was going to win the former in my big man's shirt but I was vying for the toe prize, so I made sure my legs were smooth and moisturised, toes scrubbed and painted and was ready for some foot flirting.

But before getting comfortable we were shown the stunning house and offered nibbles and delectable gin and elderflower cocktails in fine china teacups.  It was quite odd being in a stranger's kitchen, drinking grown up drinks and everyone shuffling around in their most private and delicate night attire.  It was rather disarming.  Clearly I commented my thoughts to a fair few people and even told one girl I thought she had great boobs.  

The wonderfully dry and very flirtatious Mr Carter soon came to tell us our fate - whether we were the lucky "grateful dead" or just plain "dead" for the beginning of the evening.  My friend Pia and I began in the group of lucky ones and were sent upstairs to the Music Room to meet with Xanthe Gresham, a renowned performance story-teller.  Her darkened silhouette sat perched in the corner of the room while she softly played an accordion.  

When we all got comfortable she regaled us with the tale of Professor Ashby and his maid Mrs Bunch.  I have to admit that as the story went on I kept half looking at the door behind her expecting someone to suddenly jump out and scare us all half to death, but it never happened. I was a little disappointed but it wasn't that type of story - it was one that was chilling and eerie and Xanthe told it in a way that was very befitting of the mood. I could have very easily switched off, but she was captivating.

After a well needed stretch and some more delicious alcoholic infusions our group were unfortunately relegated to being "dead" and were sent to the opium den where we were met with the haunting singing of Cat Weatherill, another storyteller extrordinaire who specialises in telling ghost stories.  This part of the evening was definitely more what I had in mind with her occasional sudden yelps and outbursts, making everyone jump.  She told a selection of spooky tales, some were a little more disturbing than others.  Her rendition of "Bloody Mary" started innocently enough but then ended with complete unease - I guess the perfect outcome.

Finally, we were treated to some lovely folky tunes from Christina Coronel and David gave out all the prizes. I did not win the toe prize, which incidentally was a brand new LK Bennet bag - gutted.  But I still had a brilliant evening - the host, David Carter is simply wonderful and makes every single person there feel most welcome.  Bedtime Stories is still a little bit of a secret as its not advertised on the 40 Winks website but you can sign up via facebook here.

This week I'm venturing to The Experimental Food Society.  It all sounds a little weird to me.