A short, sturdy girl came in for an appointmentshe needed a job, urgently. I opened her work bookletcleaner, cleaner thats all shed ever done. She was at least ten years younger than me. Well-groomed, neat clothes, a tidy haircut, her eyes outlined just so. She behaved perfectly normallyshe sat and waited to be spoken to, with neither demands nor indifference, no sorrow or cheek. Just an ordinary sort of girl.
So why have you always worked as a cleaner? I asked.
I did feel for her. Another year or two and that would be thatshed never escape the mop. Not that theres shame in cleaning, not at all. But cleaning jobs dont come up often here. That very morning, the HR department from a national supermarket chain had rung, practically begging me to help fill three shop assistant vacancies.
Anyone, pleaseyoungish, under fifty if possible you understand, the ladies on tills are a bit older, but we need someone to stock shelves too. We can train them! If theyre willing to work, thats enoughno experience or qualifications necessary. Please, help usnew branches are opening, we must get staff ready! the HR rep pleaded.
What else could I do? I dont have any qualificationsjust school, the girl replied, a little surprised, as if there couldnt be another option.
Well, we have a shop assistant role right now. Would you be interested? I watched her closely. I always dohow a person reacts to news tells me more than their words ever could.
When someone tells me, I need work desperately! I give them the detailsgo quickly! If they dawdle, fidget, ask for something more, I know theyre not really looking and wont go anywhere. I dont stop the conversationI keep workingbut something inside me shifts. I stop worrying about them.
Because such people come to tick a boxBeen to the job centre! Well done! Now they can tell their wife, or more often their mum, that theyve got a few leads. And by the time they actually get around to goingif they ever dothe job will almost certainly be gone.
A vacancy is a delicate thing, friends. Almost like the Eastone must pursue it wholeheartedly and run for it, fast, with no hesitation, or itll vanish. It doesnt just go to the sly or slick, but to those who take it seriously. A vacancy is a lady! She must be wooed, hurried toshe wont wait! Suitors are everywhere.
This girls reaction was just rightlogical for someone whos never dreamed of leaving the mop behind.
But a shop assistantdont you need to know how to handle money? Ive never learned
No need to count money at the start. You’ll begin with stocking shelves. Then, once youve found your bearings And hardly anyone counts now anywaymost customers pay by card What is there to count? Swipe and give the receipt. No need even to work out the change. Youll pick it up. Im not persuading you. Its your lifeyoure free to shape it how you wish. But the mop will always be there for you. Youre still young; why not try something more interesting? What do you think?
Oh If theyll take me, then yes, maybe I shouldn’t be a cleaner forever she said thoughtfully, her fair hair catching the light. But how will I get there? I live out in the suburbs Ive run right out of money Im a new arrival, you see.
While she spoke, I decided to double-check the roleswould they take someone like Emily, as my visitor was called?
Hello again, Mary! Ive a girl hereshes only ever worked as a cleaner, but shes nothing like your average cleaner. She lives in Wokingshes worried about the commute I explained over the phone.
If she wants to work, well help however we can! Whole shifts of our staff come from Woking. They ride the train. Its a seven-minute walk from the station to the shopyou know that yourself. Well show her the way, explain everything, introduce her to everyone. Shell be on that shift. Tell her to come! Were crying out for staff!
Well, Emily? Will you go? Ive sorted it already. Take the bus if you can
No, no! It costs £2. Id rather walk, she said, already gathering her things.
Suddenly, a mad idea popped into my head.
No, dear, you’ll take the bus. Ill give you a bit of money
When should I pay it back? she asked, worried.
No need to repay, I said, handing her a notenot a huge amount, but plenty for more than one ride.
Suddenly, I saw her cheeks flush deep crimson. She wasnt used to this. Not used to receiving. She hadnt expected it. And her reaction told me everything about her.
I felt true respect for this humble cleaner. She didnt wriggle out of it, flatter, or gushshe was simply frozen, overwhelmed. Id knocked her out of any safe boundary shed imagined for herself walking through my door. She was flustered. Too much so. I couldnt let her leave like thatwith guilt and gratitude eating at her.
But, as is so often the case, life is cleverer than any of us. I just told her the truth:
Dont be embarrassed. Im helping you, not without a reason. Others help me, and so I help you.
How can I repay you? she asked.
Feed a stray dog. Or give shelter to a cat. Or buy something for an old man I dont know. However you likejust dont repay me. Pass it along.
She left my office, stood in the hallway struggling with her coat zip. I heard her murmur, Good Lord imagine bless that woman, please, God, bless her
Listening, I wanted nothing more than to send those words out into the worldto those people who help me.
May all be well with you. Well get through this, here, somehow.
