2 Questions Every Girl is Asking Herself

Chapter 81

Still, I need to find a job, and I'm getting worried that it's not happening. I don't understand why it's not happening but it absolutely needs to happen. After paying rent, I was alarmed to find my UK bank balance will soon plummet down to three digits. A truly embarrassing record.

I recall now something Matt had said at our last dinner in Greece, "If you can make it in London on your own, that would be something." He didn't understand why I couldn't just travel Europe and go back to Vancouver. Why torture myself with the risky task of job-hunting in a foreign country and an expensive city, when I could just, well, be home? To him, if I succeed in landing a job that covered my expenses, that "would really be something." I cringe now to think that I rolled my eyes at his comment as "totally missing the point." Because now it seems the height of arrogance to write off basic survival as a total non-issue four months ago – especially when looking at my dismal bank account on the screen.

This is no time to be picky. I need a job. So I widened the search. I applied to temporary jobs that have nothing to do with writing: promo gigs, movie extras, Christmas help. Anything to tide me over for a little while. They won't mind that my visa is expiring, nor that I don't have writing experience.

Henry introduced me to a guy looking for a management consultant, I dusted off my old resume and applied. A job in advertising came up, I applied to that also. My flatmate hooked me up with his supervisor at the hotel who's looking for a telephone switchboard operator. I went.

When the hotel supervisor asked me about my visa, I told her I had four months left. She quickly wrapped up our conversation without asking any more questions. Feeling bummed after the interview, I hopped on the double-decker bus back to Marylebone, and climbed into the front seat on the second floor. The open road stretched out in front of me, showing off London in all its splendor. I simultaneously marveled at the view, and resisted the fear that I won't get to ride a bus like this for much longer.

With a heavy sigh, I switched my cell phone out of silent mode. A new voicemail blinked hopefully on the screen. It was from Browns, the fashion boutique in Mayfair, inviting me in for an interview. A few days ago, among the countless applications I had spewed off into the universe, was the Web Dispatch Assistant role at Browns. I'd lost track of what jobs I had applied to. But if I want a job before my visa expires, I need to get to the interview stage as soon as possible. And Browns was the only one that called back.

I met the HR manager at Browns the very next day. She's a beautiful blonde in her twenties, with watery blue eyes and golden hair that gently curls at the shoulders. The interview felt more like a friendly conversation rather than a probing interrogation where I'm pressed to prove my worth. She explained that the Web Dispatcher role entails packaging Browns' online orders. As they approach the Christmas season, it will get especially busy. Which is why they are seeking extra, temporary help right now. Seeing that I was there on the Working Holiday visa, she asked out of curiosity, "Where have you traveled to in England?"

"Umm, actually I haven't been to a lot of places here."

It is late October. By this, my fourth month in London, I still haven't visited many major landmarks like the Tower Bridge or the London Eye, nor have I wanted to. I didn't even want to look at that much art. I am a bit ashamed to admit this, but I omitted a lot of important sights, (including the Harry Potter museum, which is a crime against normality) during my entire four months in London. I found that all I really wanted to do was to meet interesting writers and get paid to write.

But how can I explain this to her, when I'm applying to pack boxes in their store.

"Bath is really nice," She offered kindly, "With this job, you can make a bit of money while holidaying in London. Browns has big employee discounts, so at the end of your stay, perhaps you can get yourself something nice to take back to Canada."