Page 15 of It's Now or Never

‘Thank you for coming and filling out our application forms. I’ve had a quick scan through your paperwork, there’s just a couple of things I want to go through with you, if that’s okay?’

‘Fine. Fire away.’

‘I see you’ve been working for Browns… the garden centre, for nine years.’ Her little nose crinkled when she mentioned the garden centre as though she wasn’t entirely sure what one was. Or if she might get her perfectly manicured nails dirty merely by association. ‘Can you tell me what sort of things you’ve been doing.’

‘Well, a bit of everything really. I’ve worked on the tills, served in the restaurant, helped out in the nurseries tending to the plants, and worked in the office doing the accounts and admin. My most recent role has been sourcing stock for the gift andhomeware sections. I like to think of myself as a bit of an all-rounder really.’

I’m not one to blow my own trumpet but when I said it like that it made me realise just how wide my range of experience actually was.

‘So have you worked anywhere else then?’

‘No.’

‘I see. Do you have any spreadsheet, database, publishing experience?’

‘Well, um, I like to dabble on the computer. I wouldn’t call myself an expert but I can get by. I’m pretty fast on a keyboard.’

She raised her eyebrows and dug out a piece of paper from the bottom of her pile.

‘The thing is, Jennifer, you didn’t actually do very well in the typing test. I think you managed twenty-two wpm. For us to put you forward for typing or data entry work you would need a speed of at least forty-five wpm with an accuracy of ninety-seven per cent. Your accuracy was somewhat below the level.’

‘Oh well, I only use two fingers to type, but once I get going usually there’s no stopping me. It’s just I’m not used to being tested and I was a bit nervous. I went wrong and then my fingers turned to jelly. Normally I’m much better than that. Should I have another go at the test?’

‘We only allow three attempts and this was your best one.’

‘Oh dear, was it? It was actually only temporary work I was looking for.’

‘Yes, I appreciate that. The thing is, companies nowadays can take their pick of well-qualified applicants. Even for temporary work.’ She looked again at my form. ‘What about your accounts experience. Are you AAT qualified?’

‘Am I AA… what?’

She sighed. I heard her. A small but very definite exasperated sigh escaped her lips.

‘What about your waitressing skills? Silver service?’

I grimaced.

‘I’m not entirely sure what that is, but it doesn’t sound too difficult. Does it mean wearing a uniform and taking it very seriously? Not giggling? Not dropping anything? I’m sure I could pick it up pretty quickly.’

She paused and gave a big but not very convincing smile.

‘Right. Well, I think that’s everything.’

She tapped her papers on the desk again, signifying that this unsatisfactory meeting was coming to an end. The enthusiasm and positivity I’d felt only half an hour earlier when I’d walked into the employment agency had made an early exit without me. I wondered if Polly Powers’ superpowers might be at a particularly low ebb today too.

‘Thanks for coming along, Jennifer. If anything suitable comes along we’ll be in touch.’

8

A memorial service for the late Arthur Cavendish

Headmaster of Hayward Upper School (between 1984 –2014)

will be held in The Priory, Dartington Road, Casterton

on Monday 22ndJuly at 11.00a.m.

All who wish to celebrate his life are welcome to attend.

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