Cold Feet novel Chapter 20

VIOLA

Amber is gone. She left me her uniforms as she promised and refused to take money for them since they were already used. I arrive home feeling disappointed and envious at the same time. I deposit the uniforms on my bed. I’ll have to get dressed in one soon for my first shift.

I’m disappointed that Amber’s gone but it’s selfish of me to wish that she would have stayed. I’m envious because I wish I was headed back to Los Angeles.

If you want to go back you better work for it and start contacting people, I tell myself. I have some friends but most of the work-related acquaintances are from the wedding industry like me. I’m not sure if they’d be interested to help me.

If you don’t try, you’ll never know, I tell myself. You’re right, I answer myself as I get in the shower. I vow to start contacting people tomorrow before my shift.

The evening shift passes quite uneventfully. It’s quiet for a Monday night and there are a few customers that pass through. I talk to a few, asking their names, how often they pass through the truck stop, what they haul in their trucks.

Most open up easily. They’re only too happy to talk about what they do. Maybe they’re just happy to have someone to talk to after driving those long distances with no company. None of them try to hit on me and I try to remember everyone’s names. I’m not sure I’ll remember them next time they come around but I sure won’t forget their faces. I never forget a face.

My approach seems to be a hit with the clients. It seems no-one’s ever shown as much interest in them as I do and I’m glad. When I go home, I’m confident that I’ve won some customers over and that they’ll be back next time they pass this way. I don’t know if I’ll still be here though. But I don’t let my thoughts get ahead of me and take it one day at a time.

The morning passes faster than I expected. I’ve made good progress with my search for work back in Los Angeles. I don’t really know what else I want to do besides being a wedding planner. I know it will be difficult to get back in the game but I’m hopeful anyway.

The friends I contact all say they don’t know of any jobs but will definitely refer me if they hear of anything. I hope for the best but can’t help wondering if my contacts are simply saying they’ll refer me if they hear of anything as a gentle letdown instead of telling me that I must be crazy thinking I can get back into the game.

My old assistant Jessica is glad to hear from me.

“Hey, where are you now?”

“Back in my hometown,” I reply.

“What are you doing there?”

“I had no idea where to go. At least there’s something of a home here.”

“My heavens girl. You’ll dry up and blow away there! You have to find something new back here.”

“I’m trying.”

Jessica pauses. I can tell she is thinking. “What about out of the industry?”

“I don’t know. What could I do? I don’t know if anyone will think I’m suitable for anything or not.”

“I’ll tell you what. Send me your resume. I know a recruitment consultant. He might be able to help. In fact, I’m sure he’ll be able to help.” Jessica says it like she knows something I don’t.

“How well do you know him?” I ask.

“Well enough to know he likes me,” Jessica replies.

“Oh, so you’re going to dangle the carrot over him?”