3.10 Skills review: Reading

Home sharing
Is living with a flatmate only for university students and young people? In these expensive times, more and more people are seeking alternative ways to live. Two readers share their views on an innovative new way of cutting costs and living life to the fullest.
Daphne
There's no denying it, I've somehow become an old lady, but I'm not one to sit around complaining. I have a wonderful life and adore being independent, nonetheless I have to admit I'm getting a bit old to live alone. My house is my sanctuary and I have no intention of moving out, so I'm extremely happy to have found the perfect solution. I first came across homesharing when I read an article
in an online newspaper about the high cost of renting in London. A reader had commented about homesharing being a cheaper alternative and I was intrigued. How it works is, anyone with a spare room can advertise it at an affordable price on a special website. People can apply to move in, but have to offer something in return for the cheap rent. They can do housework, cooking, shopping or simply spend time with the homeowner. It's really easy to organise, as there are a number of online
platforms that match you to a suitable housemate, almost like online dating! Anyway, I decided it was a great option for me, and within a few months Beatrice was here. Bea is a nineteen-year-old student studying fashion and she's fabulous. Although there are almost seventy years between us, we have a very similar sense of style and she even borrows my hats and handbags for her shows. She's definitely a free spirit and we often find ourselves roaring with laughter. She is always willing to help me, but understands she also has to respect my opinions, despite my age. I'm very strong-willed and I don't want Bea to do everything for me. We do our shopping online, but I do all the cooking. Bea tends to do most of the cleaning, though to be honest, we don't make that much mess.
Beatrice
Daphne is larger than life! I hope I'm as kind-hearted and witty as she is when I'm older. As soon as I met her, she made me feel completely at ease, and I knew I'd made the right decision. Previously I was living in a tiny, self-contained flat, but it was so far away from my university my daily commute was almost two hours long. I think I would have been lonely living alone, except I was never there. I was either studying or on the train. I do enjoy my own company, but I like being around other people
too. Daphne lives in a beautiful townhouse on a quaint backstreet, quite unusual in central London. It has roses in the garden and ivy growing all over the walls. It's quite big and I was sure it would be draughty, but inside it's so cosy and unique. It's full of interesting mementos and artefacts from Daphne's life. Photographs of her family, maps of the countries she's visited, paintings that she has created. Everywhere you look there is something that tells a part of her story. Homesharing has really changed my life. I've learnt to slow down and enjoy living in the moment with Daphne. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it's the perfect solution to being alone in a big city without much money. My life is so much richer now.
1 How did Daphne feel about her living situation before she met Beatrice?

2 Why does Daphne compare homesharing to online dating?

3 What is the arrangement between Daphne and Beatrice?