How Does Your Garden Grow? by Lyn Jolley

Author:Lyn Jolley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AudioGO
Published: 2004-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As work progressed on the swimming pool, Caroline watched more with contempt than interest or enthusiasm.

Each day, she took her typewriter down from the loft and spent an hour improving her speed. Although she had been discouraged by her first interview, after a few days and the initial trauma of the experience had passed, Caroline decided that it would be cowardly of her to declare that she would never try again. This submissive attitude was largely what she was attempting to rid herself of, so she must summon her courage and give herself a better chance of success next time.

It was two weeks after her first interview that her second appointment arrived through the post.

This time she was more eager to get the job. The advertisement had said that an old, established firm of solicitors required a competent short-hand typist, and Caroline felt that she would be more suited to this kind of work than that offered by larger concerns, such as Grainger’s Electronics.

On the day of the interview, Caroline made herself look as business-like and professional as possible. She felt more confident than before and some measure of determination could be detected in her manner as she went about her preparations.

It was Clive she had to thank for this added drive. He had not only neglected to ask about the outcome of her first interview, but had also failed to mention her quest for employment in any way. It was obvious that he had set little store in her ability to join, or sustain a place in, the working world and, because of his attitude, Caroline had resolved to prove him wrong. Clive’s silence had presented her with a far stronger challenge than any arguments against her working could have done.

Robertson & Allsworth’s office was situated near the centre of town. The smell of old papers produced a mustiness that could not be overlooked as one entered the hall of the Victorian house.

Caroline was interviewed by two elderly gentlemen, each with grey hair and a moustache. They looked like brothers but one was Mr. Robertson and the other Mr. Allsworth. They were very courteous, and Caroline was enchanted, both by their extreme politeness and the general atmosphere of the house, which she felt must be reminiscent of the early nineteen hundreds. Indeed, the two old gentlemen would not have been out of place in a Dickens’ novel.

She was not asked to type a sample letter. She was not even asked what her speed was and, though they did wish to see her references, when she explained that she had none because she had not worked for many years, they were quite happy to offer Caroline employment.

Mr. Allsworth explained that they wanted a more mature lady, as they had found some younger ladies to be rather unreliable; at which point Mr. Robertson emphasized that they did not wish to offend by implying that she was not young. Caroline assured them that she understood perfectly and she left the office

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