‘Ooh, is it about Lou Schiavone and Matthew Dern? I heard they started going out, but he’s only just broken up with Katy.’
‘I didn’t know that. Tell me all about it, but not right now because I need to tell you what happened today.’
She pouts at being distracted from the gossip on our friends, but I give her a fake glare, so she nods at me to carry on.
‘Okay, so this woman from the college came into the salon today, her name was Sally something or other, and—’
‘From the college? Our college?’
I nod. ‘Anyway, she runs the marketing department there and she said she was impressed with the cancer fundraiser I organised.’
‘Cool.’
‘I know, right. And then she said she loved the piece I wrote in the local paper for the salon.’
‘What piece?’
‘Oh, yeah, I wrote something for Jennifer. It was an article to go with an advert for Waves. But that’s not the important thing. The important thing is that she’s asked me to come for an interview for a job!’
‘A job? What, you mean at the college?’
‘Yep. It’s a trainee PR job – that’s public relations.’
‘I know what PR is.’ Cassie rolls her eyes.
‘Oh, okay, sorry. It’s just that I didn’t know what it was at first.’
Cassie laughs and gives my shoulder a light shove. ‘So she asked you to go for an interview for a job and you don’t even know what it means? Honestly, you’re hilarious, Zo. She must’ve thought you were a right muppet.’
‘I did feel a bit dorky, but she was so nice and said she thought I’d be good at it.’
‘Did you tell her you’re planning to work at Waves?’
‘I did. But the job she was talking about seems so amazing. It’s all about creating publicity for the college and building up its profile. It could be a really exciting career.’
‘So does she actually want to give you the job then?’
‘No, I have to go to the interview. But she seems to think I’ve got a really good chance of getting it, what with the success of the charity fundraiser and everything.’
Cassie nods thoughtfully. ‘Yeah, we did make a really good job of that, didn’t we?’
‘So what do you think?’ I really want my friend’s seal of approval. ‘I’m so tempted to go for it. All I have to do is fill in the form she gave me or apply online.’
‘If you think you could cope with it, then I’d say give it a go. I mean, if it doesn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world.’ She frowns. ‘Although… what about Waves? Wouldn’t you be letting them down? Didn’t you already agree to work for them? It might not look very professional to change your mind.’
‘I know.’ I twiddle a strand of hair. ‘Ugh, why are decisions so stressful?’
‘Maybe because it’s not something you’re sure about. I mean, if you were passionate about it, it would be a no-brainer. You’d go for it. Like when Jennifer offered you the position at the salon, you jumped at the chance.’
‘Yes, but that was because there was no alternative. It was pretty much my first and only option.’ I start chewing the strand of hair.
‘True.’ Cassie looks thoughtful. ‘Well I guess it can’t hurt to go for the interview. If they offer you the job and you change your mind, you can always turn it down.’
‘Exactly!’ I feel a sudden relief. ‘I’ll just take it one step at a time.’
‘In fact’ – Cassie gives me a grin – ‘you know what might be fun?’
‘What?’
