Mail Call

The task: to write a scene with a shift in status based upon my own life. I was asked to read mine out in class by Helen Mosby my tutor. Her only comment has been incorporated in the story below.

‘A letter for you.’

She looked at the crisp envelope: Jamie Barton, Delivery Administration, Holbrook House. Outside it was full on early December; the office lights ensured only the occasional train could be seen through the windows.

‘It won’t open itself.’

Slowly, the flap was unpeeled, the single sheet of paper pulled out, the black type written words read:

Dear Jamie,

I would like to welcome you to my team where you will hold the post of Admin Manager. You will start on the 17^th of February 1992. You are invited to a Christmas Thank You on the 15^th of December where you will have an opportunity to meet me and your new colleagues.

Please call me to arrange the details.

Regards

Les Brooks

This was the hard evidence which said she had done it. The shaky request to be allowed to apply to the assessment centre; the acceptance; the day of answering written questions in silence; the interview: last week the call to the office where Vernon told her she had passed every stage, the only non substantive applicant to be offered a job. When he had explained that it would be working with project engineers on an exciting project with a five year life; that had worried her; only five years, yet Vernon had worked his magic and convinced her it was a good thing.

‘What does it say?’ Alan, her boss was persistent.

‘I start on the 17^th of February and I need to call Les Brooks.’

‘Call him then.’

Choked fear allowed the phone call; every second frozen until it was time to leave, while words ran silent at brake neck speed: I’ve got it. I’ve got to do it.

Half way to the car, walking between the old Portland stone constructed railway buildings, no-one else around, it hit her: Disbelief and Self Doubt dropped into the gutter: I’ve got it. I can do it. I’ve got it! She stopped, then ran, her fist clenched, her legs bent and pushed into the air as her arm swung into the sky punctuating; ‘Yesssss’.