Secret Diary of a Call Girl (OV)

After mistaking an attractive man at a hotel bar for her client, Belle is followed by a journalist to the room of the 'actual' client - a much-less-attractive, high-profile politician. The journalist tries to blackmail Belle for a scoop. Belle refuses. At the christening of her nephew, Belle imagines their possible reactions to an expose and struggles with the dilemma of a 'kiss-and-tell'. As Belle takes her vows as godmother, she renounces the devil well aware of the irony of her situation. Back in London, new girl on the block, Bambi, asks Belle for advice. Belle tries to put Bambi off, but unbeknownst to Belle, Bambi steals one of Belle's clients. Belle waits for the morning papers with bated breath. Belle breathes a huge sigh of relief when the politician story does not appear and decides to take a risk of another kind - she accepts a call from the attractive man at the bar, Alex.

Belle is considering getting a boob job for professional development. She visits a client who also happens to be a plastic surgeon, and in front of his nurse he recommends she has the surgery. But in private during a session with Belle, he tells her not to. Her breasts are normal and lovely just as they are. Belle's not so sure. Belle encounters Bambi again who is planning to enter the world of prostitution via a very dodgy route. Back at Belle's flat, Bambi points out that the work has taken over Belle's life. Rising to the challenge, Belle accepts a date with a persistent Alex. Despite a few embarrassing moments the date is fantastic - until Belle receives a distressed phone call from Bambi, who has found herself in a dangerous situation. Belle rescues Bambi and tells her that she needs to be strong and retain a vital sense of self for this job. Belle decides not to get the boob job.

Belle goes on a date to the cinema with Alex, as a 'real' girlfriend. She then sees Matt, a regular client who wants the professional 'girlfriend experience.' She finds this much easier - the rules are so much clearer! When Matt leaves there is a buzz at the door - Belle is confronted by his angry wife. Matt's wife makes Belle reassess how clear the boundaries really are in her work. Feeling bruised by her experience with 'the wife' Belle goes to Ben but he has plans with Vanessa and leaves Belle in the lurch. When Matt returns having been rejected by his wife and looking for comfort, Belle does the job, but can't stop thinking about his wife. Belle realises that she just can't do relationships. She goes to break up with Alex. But he talks her round, and she throws caution to the wind and allows herself to sleep with him.

Belle is now in a fully fledged relationship with Alex and hasn't had a booking in over a week. Needing work, Belle accepts Bambi's offer of a threesome with a flashy nightclub owner. Bambi, who is gaining confidence as a prostitute, throws herself into it and is porn-tastic. But when it comes to the nitty gritty, Belle can't do the job, she keeps picturing Alex. Belle has a crisis chat with Ben who tells her that she is clearly in love. Ben is gutted. So is Belle! This can't be happening to her. Belle invites Ben along to lunch with her and Alex. The lunch is very tense and there are misunderstandings all round. Ben leaves in a huff. Terrified of being rumbled about her double-life, Belle is forced to admit to Alex that the reason she is behaving strangely is because she's in love with him.

Today is the day that Belle will come clean and tell Alex what she does for a living. She just can't take lying to the man she loves any longer. But first she has an appointment with Blake, a young disabled man. Belle is nervous but the appointment soon begins to go really well. Then Alex walks in to find Belle caught in the act with Blake. Blake ends up spelling it out to Alex - she's a prostitute. Alex reacts horribly, and then charges round to confront Ben - did he know? Belle goes to talk to Ben, but sees him bonding with Alex. That night Alex returns Belle's things, the relationship is over.

Since the break up with Alex, Belle is working night and day. Belle tells us that she's fine about the whole Alex thing; she's defiant and determined to concentrate on work. Belle agrees to go to a sex party at a big country estate with Bambi. The party is strange, everyone wears fairytale costumes, and the aim is to find your fairytale partner, or partners. For once Belle lets her hair down and breaks her rules, she drinks on the job and loses control. Things become darker when Belle's client turns on her. Belle and Bambi escape, and have to find their way through the surrounding countryside to somewhere that has phone reception. Ben drives miles to pick them up. Feeling lost and vulnerable, Belle sleeps with Ben. The next morning she instantly realises it was a mistake.

After the mess of sleeping with Ben, Belle decides to go straight and persuades Alex to give it another go. She throws out her call girl paraphernalia and gets a temp job. Belle is bored by her job and clashes with her pedantic line manager. Belle quits, but not before taking revenge on her boss. She can't tell Alex that normal life isn't for her and so keeps up the pretence to him. In bed together, Alex begins to feel like an amateur at sex, where Belle is a professional. Meanwhile Ben has left Vanessa; he can't be with her whilst having feelings for Belle. When Ben discovers that Belle and Alex are back together he goes off the rails. Ben confronts Belle, albeit drunkenly and inarticulately, why is she never there for him? Belle takes Ben home and comforts him, whilst Alex stews with jealousy in the bedroom.

Alex and Belle are trying to make their relationship work. Belle's resolve is tested when Stephanie turns up offering Belle one last job - an appointment with a mystery client who has asked specifically for her. Belle is tempted but refuses, she's going straight. However, Belle still can't adjust to normal life and when Ben suggests she tries writing about her experience she scoffs. Ben drags her to meet a publisher and Belle freaks out, she won't be judged by society like this. Belle deeply misses the job, and ultimately she cannot help but give in to Stephanie to get her fix. Bambi, a romantic at heart, tries to dissuade Belle from going through with it. But Belle can't say no, and we see her enjoying the preparation for the client. This is what she missed - the buzz, the mystery, the rush. Belle walks into the hotel room and her mystery client turns around - it's Alex.