Page 2 of Pure Recklessness

As I stepped out of the dreary building into the crisp air and took in the sight of the striking London skyline, I sighed. I was going to miss this place.

Yes, it was crowded and busy and so different from where I’d been raised, but I’d always dreamt of making it in the big city.

But now I was learning the hard way that dreams didn’t always come true.

After dodging the crowds of commuters clutching their coffee cups, I got the Tube home then started unpacking my bag.

There was no point keeping the notepad filled with research on the company that just rejected me in there so I took it out and tossed it on the bed, along with the new red lipstick I’d bought which was supposed to make me appear confident in the interview. Shame I’d forgotten to wear it.

Just as I’d finished unbuttoning the brown and orange blouse Mum had lent me for interviews, my phone rang.

‘Hello?’ I stared at the unknown number on the screen.

‘Is that Eleanor?’

‘Yes. Who’s calling?’

‘It’s Judy, from Aitch-Ahh! Recruitment.’

‘Oh! Hi!’ My heart raced with excitement.

‘When you called on Friday, you said you were able to work at short notice. Are you still available?’

‘Yes! Absolutely!’ I pumped my fist in the air triumphantly, then told myself to calm down. I didn’t even know what the job was yet. Then again, it didn’t matter. If some weirdo wanted to pay me to lick toilet seats, I’d do it.

‘Excellent. An amazing opportunity has just come up at Sated International.’

‘Oh, wow!’ I gasped, despite the fact that I had no idea who they were.

‘As I’m sure you’re aware, Sated are a global company worth billions. They have their fingers in lots of pies. Mainly apple pie if you catch my drift.’ A raucous laugh flew from her mouth.

‘So they’re a food company?’ My face crumpled with confusion. I didn’t know what was so funny about making apple pies, but it was important to show how enthusiastic I was. ‘I love apple pie! Well, I’m more of an apple crumble girl, but if it’ll get me a job, I’ll eat as much as apple pie as they need me to!’

‘You’re adorable!’ Judy snorted. ‘Don’t say that in the interview. Then again, it might just land you the job! Actually, forget I said that. It was just a joke, because… never mind. Like I said, Sated International have many different divisions. They sell romance novels through their publishing division and they have the, er, toys division amongst other things.’

‘Sounds amazing!’ I gushed. ‘I love books, especially the classics like Jane Austen, so I’d love the opportunity to write about authors and their novels. I could write articles on toys too. Mum always said I was obsessed with playing with dolls.’

Judy snorted again. I really didn’t understand what was so amusing.

‘You haven’t heard of them have you, sweetie?’ She sniggered.

‘I… I’m sure I have,’ I lied, making a note to Google them as soon as I got off the phone. ‘Don’t they sell dolls?’

‘Oh, they sell dolls, all right… Although I very much doubt you played with any of theirs when you were younger. Well at least I hope not!’ She chuckled. ‘Anyway, I’ll send you the address. The interview is in forty-five minutes with Melissa Keegan, the head of HR.’

‘Forty-five minutes?’ I gasped.

‘Yes. Practically everyone there has been struck down with a virus. They’ve got some new products launching and need content written to promote them ASAP, so the CEO Mr Devlin demanded we send someone immediately and no one dares say no to him. What Mr Devlin wants, he gets.’

‘Where are their offices?’ If I was still in central London, it wouldn’t have been a problem. But I was renting a room in a house share in south London and I wasn’t sure I’d have enough time to get back into the city.

Plus, as Judy had already guessed, I knew nothing about them and I always liked to research a company thoroughly before an interview.

‘London Bridge. Is there a problem?’ Judy huffed. ‘When you called, you were begging for a job. Saying how much you needed the money and would be available anytime. And now I’m giving you the chance to work for a billion-pound global company who’s looking for someone to start immediately and you’re dithering. If you’d rather I call someone else, then I can⁠—’

‘No!’ I jumped in. ‘I was just worried about whether I could get there in time, but I’ll make it happen.’

‘Good. I’ve just texted you the details.’