“I’m sorry about this, folks,” the bus driver announced. “The engine has conked out. I’m going to call for another bus.”
Forty- something Gemma silently panicked. She was going to be late for her job interview!
She was about to inform the company (201 Design) that she’d be late, but then she noticed a small group had gathered. After a speedy chat, a male office worker approached her.
“We’re getting a taxi into town,” he said. “Care to join us?”
She smiled. “Oh, that’d be great!”
A taxi was easily found and four bus passengers all piled in. Then, a mile on, the cab suddenly stopped in a traffic jam.
“Blasted roadworks!” the taxi driver groaned.
Gemma decided to walk. Before she left, she handed a ten-pound note to the guy she’d been chatting to. He wasn’t bad looking, actually… but this was neither the time or the place to be thinking about dating!
“Here’s my share of the fare. I’ve got to go. I’m late for an appointment!” she explained.
To make matters worse, she’d snagged her perfectly smooth tights. There wasn’t time to buy another pair! Gemma thought, as she raced on. When she arrived at the sleek office block, Anna the receptionist explained that because she was late, Gemma was now the final candidate. She peeled off her ragged tights in the loos and threw them in the bin. Yet when Gemma was called in the interview room and discovered the identity of her interviewer, her spirit sank. It was Kelly Firth. She and Kelly had worked together a long time ago. But they hadn’t been best buddies… far from it.
“Hello Gemma. It’s good to see you again,” Kelly began.
Was it? she thought darkly.
“Please take a seat,” Kelly indicated the chair, and she shot a disapproving glance at her nude legs.
“Look Kelly, I didn’t realise it was you worked here,” Gemma gabbled. “The email said I was seeing a Ms K Robinson -”
“I married five years ago and changed my surname. Now, we have your CV, but have you brought copies of your qualifications?” Kelly asked.
“Of course.”
But when Gemma opened her bag, the copies weren’t there.
She gulped. “I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten them. I was rushing around this morning and -”
“You arrived late too, I gather.” Kelly didn’t sound very impressed.
“Yes. I’m sorry but the bus broke down and…” she tried to follow her thread of memory.
Had she rung 201, to update them? With all that panicking, maybe I hadn’t, she thought glumly.
“I can scan my qualifications and email them over later today,” Gemma put in.
“No problem. Tell me about your last job.”
This was time for Gemma to shine. Luckily, she’d memorised her notes from her application.
If I do well here, she thought, perhaps Kelly could overlook their time together at work?
Later that day, Gemma was back home when her phone had rung.
“Good afternoon. It’s Anna from 201 design. Am I speaking to Gemma Pearson?”
“Yes. This is Gemma Pearson.”
Gemma nerves were on edge. Had she, despite the morning from hell, managed to scoop her dream job?
“I’m sorry to tell you that on this occasion, your interview was not successful.”
Gemma sighed. “Right. Thanks for letting me know.”
She couldn’t really expect Kelly to forgive her. Her mind flew back…
Aged twenty, Gemma was the office top dog and Kelly had been on the unfortunate receiving end of her arrogant attitude. Gemma was supposed to be providing ‘on the job training’ for Kelly but she’d simply asked Kelly to make endless cups of coffee, plus she’d gone out and fetched Gemma’s lunch every weekday. Kelly also carried out stacks of photocopying and posted company letters. She’d often stayed late to type up Gemma’s reports, too…
Gemma felt appalled, knowing how she’d behaved as an ambitious go- getter. On impulse, she decided to ring 201 Design back. “It’s Gemma Pearson. Could I speak to Ms Robinson, please?”
“She has made her decision -”
“This is a personal matter.”
“Hold the line, please.”
Gemma waited until Kelly’s cool voice cut in.
“Hello again, Gemma.”
She launched straight in. “I’m so sorry, Kelly. I was unkind and inconsiderate towards you when we were young. I regret my behaviour now. I’m deeply sorry.”
“Thank you.” A whisper – then the line went dead.
When her mobile rang again, ‘unknown number’ flashed up.
“Is that Gemma Pearson?” A strange male voice enquired.
“Speaking.” She frowned. She’d heard that voice somewhere before.
“I’m Chris, the guy from the bus this morning,” he explained.
“Oh, I see! How did you get my number?”
“When you handed me that tenner for your taxi fare, I found your business card attached to it.”
She chuckled. “I must have grabbed it from my purse without realising.”
“I’m ringing because your skills might interest my sister. She’s launching a jewellery business, trading online, and she’s looking for a web designer.”
“Oh!” Gemma beamed.
“It’s not a nine to five position. It’d be freelance work, but you never know where it could lead,” he went on.
“I’m still job-hunting Chris, but I’d be happy to consider it,” she said.
“Great! Could us three meet later to discuss the project?”
They arranged a cafe date for the weekend.
“And – er, maybe dinner with just me, later?” he hedged.
Her heart warmed. “That sounds good.”
Gemma reflected. Had this turn of events happened because she’d apologised to Kelly?
Was it karma that had conjured up work and a romantic date for her so soon after failure?
Maybe. Maybe not. Yet whatever lay behind it, there was no harm in sending up a silent prayer of thanks!
