The 18th Floor

Chapter One

The one thing scholars at university won't tell you is how hard it is to actually secure a job after leaving education. I've written essays with more ease in comparison to how I've performed in interviews. Given that I reach said interview stage. Hundreds. Hundreds of job applications have been sent and all I have received in response is the same generic email of "on this occasion, you have not been successful', or, "on this occasion we have gone with someone who is more suitable for the role". At a certain point, I stopped checking my email. I figured if they really want me, they would call.

And they have.

Of course, who is to say for certain if they want me? However, this is the second interview and they want to meet in person after a chat over the phone. Three months of job searching and this is the first time I've been called in. Despite it being what I wanted; I can't deny the nerves. My hands are shaking, quite embarrassingly so. It's just an interview, and like my dad said this morning, not the end of the world if I don't get the job.

I do my best to not cling onto the small slither of hope. It's all a learning experience, if I don't do well this time, I'll do better next time. Which will probably be in 3 months if this is the rate of the industry.

Although taking the tube at 9am into Liverpool Street isn't my idea of fun, it will have to become my idea of fun if I get this job. Big if.

Junior Marketing Assistant. Not exactly the role I dreamed of after 3 years of studying the field, but I have to start somewhere. I even bought a new pair of smart trousers and a blazer for today, not that I need any more clothes. I can't say I've taken the tags off however. Unfortunately, I'm still spending the last instalments of my student loan and despite the fact that I still live at home, I don't want to spend any more of dad's money. He's already given too much.

I comb my hand over my hair again making sure it stays in place in the low, slicked back bun. I will not be taking any chances with London's unpredictable weather. Despite everything I take pride in my appearance, I don't want to be caught lacking. There's something calming about having a routine of hair and makeup every morning that I can't put into words. A ritual to start the day.

Finally, off the condensed train, my maps are telling me the office is only 10 minutes away. I check the time and I see I still have 30 minutes before more interview slot. I had factored in a lot more traffic for rush hour but I'd rather be early than late, first impressions and all.

I slowly start to make my way, avoiding the large morning rush of crowds and admiring the skyscrapers down Liverpool Street. Everyone has their head down, probably already answering emails before they've even stepped foot in the office. I suddenly panic at the thought of if that is the life I want for myself?

London has always felt as shades of blue and grey to me, but entering the City with top firms around me right now, I've never experienced a London with such a lack of colour. The abundance of black suits makes the grey ones look colourful. I doubt my choice of cream coloured trousers. But cream is safe, I reassure myself thinking back to this morning where I had my olive green pair in my hand. That would have felt like a giant neon sign in this crowd.

It takes me 20 minutes to reach the office, finding it difficult to navigate myself through the large herds of commuters. I pass the automatic doors of the building and suddenly the noise significantly lowers and I notice how loud my heart has started beating.

Large foyers, high ceilings and an over the top chandelier - your typical London, skyscraper law firm. I make my way to reception. The girl at the desk can't be much older than me I realise as I tell her I'm here to see Lucien at 10am.

I had my initial phone call with a woman called Sarah, she was middle-aged and really sweet but clearly wasn't the one I would be reporting to when she told me she was just the recruiter at the end of our call. She told me she was doing the initial screenings for the Marketing Director and that I would meet him later. Lucien Othonos.

Madeline, lets me know that Lucien's PA will be down to collect me and I can wait by the sofas. PA? Is the team that big? My stomach starts to fill with more butterflies at the thought of the amount people I would have to work with. The amount of people I will have to introduce myself to, make small talk with every day. I'm not here to make friends. I need to get my foot in the door. Start working and applying my knowledge before moving on to something bigger.