Blink(14)
The advert gave a link for applicants to access the job description and person specification online. I pulled my bulky laptop towards me and piggybacked the 4G connection on my phone.
I’d already emailed the telephone and internet provider twice in the past two days, trying to organise a connection earlier than the engineer’s confirmed appointment next month. So far, I’d had no response.
I copied the link into the address bar and the details slowly loaded. The duties of the job were as I’d expected: compiling property details and arranging photographs to be taken; marketing and promoting properties to let; advising clients and helping tenants decide on suitable properties; taking details of any issues that arose with lets that the agency managed on behalf of private landlords.
My heart sank a little, despite my little pep talk about thinking positive. I could do this stuff with my eyes closed.
The spec stated: Previous experience would be preferred but not essential.
I was woefully over-qualified, there was no doubt about that. But hopefully they’d be able to see the benefit in hiring someone with so much experience, even if I wasn’t getting paid at that level.
I saved the online application form to my desktop and made a note of the closing date, which was only three days away. Looked like I’d spotted it just in time.
I felt stirrings of excitement in my stomach. It felt good to get a sense of control again.
For once, it felt like I was actually moving forward, doing something for me and my daughter instead of remaining stagnant and relying on my dead husband’s stolen tablets to function.
12
Three Years Earlier
DIARY ENTRY
25th August
TIMELINE
Arrival at watch point: 7.30 a.m.
* * *
8.21 a.m.Subjects arrive at new property in silver Fiat Punto: CV06 HLY. Semi-detached town house: 22 Muriel Crescent, Bulwell, Nottingham.
* * *
8.46 a.m.Mother drives child to Little Tigers day nursery, Broxtowe Lane, Nottingham. Grandparent remains in property.
* * *
9.02 a.m.Mother returns. No movement.
* * *
11.45 a.m.Mother drives to day nursery to collect child.
* * *
12.01 p.m.Mother and child return to house.
* * *
12.17 p.m.Furniture arrives.
* * *
1.06 p.m.Bouquet delivered.
* * *
1.13 p.m.Desired response elicited.
* * *
Departure from watch point: 1.15 p.m.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Adults seem downcast and cautious of new surroundings. Child is bright and enthusiastic.
Neighbourhood is not close-knit, neighbours pay little attention to what is happening around them. Area is low income/unemployed, property security is poor.
Grandparent lives nearby in Nuthall.
Awaiting further instruction.
13
Three Years Earlier
Toni
Spurred on by the thoughts of making a fresh start, I buckled down for the next couple of days, getting lots of boxes and bags unpacked and managing to get most of the stuff downstairs put away, or at least relocated into the correct rooms.
I opened up the final box in the lounge, breathing a silent thank you that I’d finally reached the last one. I was starting to worry just how long the bottom of my back was going to hold up.
‘Mummy, there’s nowhere in my bedroom to put my soft toys or sort my Lego bricks into colours and shapes.’ Evie stood in the doorway, hands on her hips.
‘I know, sweetie, just put them in neat piles along your wall for now. We’ll be getting some nice new furniture soon.’
Evie huffed her disapproval and bounded back upstairs. Her old room had boasted a full wall of mirrored wardrobes that had held tonnes of stuff.
I started to compile a list of items we desperately needed: two chests of drawers and a wardrobe for Evie’s room. All the bedroom furniture had been built in at our old place. We needed a coffee table and rug for the lounge because I’d foolishly managed to ruin both with hot wax by knocking over a burning candle just before we left. New curtains, blinds for the kitchen . . . depressingly, the list went on and on.
I ended up pushing my pen and paper into the cutlery drawer and trying to forget about how I was ever going afford everything.
If I could get the job at the property agency then what we needed would follow, but if not, then I didn’t really want to think about it.
I chewed my nails, pulled at my hair and drank endless cups of strong coffee. But at least I didn’t go upstairs and reach up to the back of the top shelf of the bathroom cabinet behind the tampons and hair remover.
I was determined to manage without that little brown bottle full of calm, which I knew was a sure-fire road to ruin.
I had to make a stand against popping the pills right now. Otherwise, where would it stop?
My mobile rang. It flashed up with the caller’s name and I thought about ignoring it, but I knew that would only result in a key in the lock within the hour.