Something Better

Stronger than the Story

In Scotland Martha had worked as a costume designer and tailor for the Scottish Ballet. It was a good job and Martha had toured around the country and parts of the world. She had worked with a close knit team of people who where like a family to her and it had been difficult to leave. She was thinking of them as she was getting ready for her first day at her new job. She was working with New York  Ballet Co, making costumes for their new Spring production of Romeo and Juliet. It wasn't the same as her old job, but she knew if she worked hard she could move up through the ranks.

Martha had taken two weeks to get to know the city before she started her job and she felt a little more comfortable getting around, although sometimes she still felt things were not quite right. She had spoken to Lauren and her mum everyday so far, but she knew she couldn't get too dependent on that she would have to start getting on by herself.

Martha was quite a shy person, so hadn't met anyone in the city, but of course that was about to change as she was beginning a new job. She felt nervous and excited as she rode the subway, listening to 'This River is Wild' on her ipod she felt like she was beginning to feel like her old self again.

However her enthusiasm for life was short lived. After stating who she was at reception, she was asked to take a seat, where she was left for almost forty five minutes. She didn't feel brave enough to apporach the receptionist again, so she sat in the pale grey chair and berated herself for being so weak.

Finally a very tall thin woman came gliding towards her.

"Martha, I presume?" she said smiling slightly, holding out her hand.

"Yes, that's me." Martha said shaking the woman's hand gratefully.

They walked through endless corridors, with dancers and people moving through at a busy pace.

"I'm Christina, the head of costume, it seems we were not expecting you until next week, but i've sorted it out now and you can begin working with us today." She said with a glint in her eye. "I've read your resume and I see you held quite the position in Scotland, so hopefully you can show us what you are made of and make a little more of yourself here. This is NYC after all, not Scotland."

"Well I'm not afraid of hard work..." Martha tried to speak, ready to defend Scotland.

"Good, you start off here." interrupted Christina pushing through a rather bashed looking door.

It was obviously a working room, with sewing machines, rolls of fabric, tailor dummies and a cutting table. It was so far removed from Martha's vision of working in New York, she couldn't quite believe it.

"You are on cutting duty today, until we get your position set up a bit formally." She eyed Martha to see her reaction.

"Great, thanks for sorting that out for me." Martha said holding her nerve.

"Good!" She said with a little approval "Charles!" Christina shouted sharply, "Are you in here?"

"Uh, yes." Came a muffled voice from behind a huge roll of tulle.

"Your helper has arrived..." Christina turned and left the room, letting the door swing back behind her.

A friendly face with a mop of wild strawberry blonde hair appeared from behing the roll of material.

"Sorry, she terrifies me. She's like a dementor, sucks all the happiness out of your soul." he said, moving towards her.

"Charles? Charles Morris? It's you!" Martha said bubbling over with excitement.

"Oh my God! Martha! I can't believe it's you! Here? How the fuck did that happen?"

"It's a long story." She said with a smile as she hugged her old friend. She felt a rush of happiness and a sense of relief. The little basement room suddenly felt sunshine filled.