Week Nine

My job searches had now become half hearted for two reasons; Firstly, not getting a reply from The Royal Mail, Virgin and the Casting Agency had knocked my motivation somewhat [I think putting my managerial experience in the applications might have scared them off - or at least that is what I would like to think happened]. Secondly, I knew that I’d be getting some work from the Education Agency. It was just a matter of getting my CRB check back and my references checked out to make sure I was telling the truth.

I received my CRB through the post on the Tuesday morning so I was now just waiting for the phone to ring with some work. It didn’t ring Wednesday or Thursday so I went to see Frank to sign on. I had another dilemma. I was off on a European tour and the first date would fall on my next signing on date. I told Frank that I was going to be visiting my Nan as it was her birthday, and she knew that I was unemployed and wouldn’t take no for an answer. It wasn’t a very good lie, but Frank bought it. I don’t enjoy telling lies at the best of times, and telling lies to Frank felt horrible. Though, I doubt he’d take it personally. I only had one week left of my Jobseekers holiday entitlement so Frank told me to visit him the following Thursday instead. The problem was that I’d still be on tour! Unless I got some work quick, I’d have to phone Frank from France to pretend that I was too ill to attend. We shook hands and I said goodbye and headed out of the jobcentre feeling stressed, and this time, praying that I’d never return.

I did some frantic job searching on Thursday evening and Friday morning. The more I looked, the more stressed I got. I found a Manny [bloke nanny] vacancy on Gumtree for three days a week, four hours a day. They wanted someone to start ASAP so if I got it I’d be in employment by the Monday! It wasn’t ideal, but fuck it, I’d run out of options. Hopefully they wouldn’t mind me working two weeks then fucking off for a week. I wouldn’t know unless I tried. I started writing an email and just as I was describing how wonderful I am, my phone rang. It was the Education Agency.
“We need someone to work one-to-one with a year one pupil that has emotional and behavioural difficulties at Grange Hill Primary School. Would this be of interest to you?”
“Yes, when does it start?”
“Monday”
I was delighted. The stress of telling fibs to Frank had gone as I wouldn’t have to phone him from France. The contract was only for a week and it was enough money to get me through tour.

Everything was going to be fine.