It is 5.45 on a Tuesday night and I’m pacing the floorboards of my apartment, watching the clock.

I’m wondering if I’ve forgotten something crucial during my frantic tidy-up. Dishes washed? Check. Mood lighting? Check. Condoms in my dresser drawer? Check. This is not a case of typical pre-date anxiety, because this date is not a typical encounter. Tonight, I’m expecting a visit from a male escort.

Male sex workers for female clients are becoming more common Credit:Stocksy

You may be surprised that a younger woman would seek out the company of a paid sex professional. But recent studies have revealed an emerging trend: increasingly, Australian women are choosing to spend time with male escorts.

I’m about to find out why.