Page 4 of One Month's Notice

Nat blinked, her gaze shifting from where she had watched Joe and Emily disappear out of sight. She turned to Lexi, offering an uncertain smile.

“Yes, I… I just didn’t expect to see Joe here tonight.” Although it felt like the universe was conspiring against her, Nat knew this was just pure bad luck and coincidence. Lexi had introduced Nat and Joe to this bar a few months ago, well before the break-up. It was just typical of Joe to forget the reason he knew the place even existed. If he had remembered, Nat would like to think he would have kept away out of respect for her. Especially when it came to parading around his new girlfriend.

“Eurgh, what’s that idiot doing here?” She glared towards where Nat had been looking. “I know it’s been tough.” Lexi’s tone softened. “But remember, you’re stronger than you think. And tonight, we’re here to relax and have fun.”

Nat swallowed, her eyes searching Lexi’s for a moment. Their student days seemed like a distant memory, back when they were eager to make their mark on the world. Nat had left home with a newfound sense of independence and resilience, determined not to need anyone’s help or approval to succeed. How had that slipped away from her so quickly?

She had lost her way, swept up by the daily trappings of adult life. The late-night talks with Joe seeking reassurance about her designs, the need for approval from her mother that never came. Her constant desire for acceptance and validation had turned into an unhealthy crutch that was hurting more than helping. It was time to stop relying on others and start depending on herself.

“You’re right.” She flashed a small but genuine smile. “I am here to have fun.”

They lifted freshly filled shot glasses and clinked them together. Lexi’s unwavering support was just enough to boost Nat’s new determination, shifting it to less shaky ground. She downed her shot. It was time to take back control. Life was going to be on her terms from now on.

Chapter three

Tuesday 12th April

“So, Natalie. Tell us about your most recent design experience.” Harriet, the interviewer from Summit Financials, looked up from a notepad and peered over the top of her glasses. Nat almost shivered from the coolness of her stare. Harriet was wearing a well-tailored dark suit that complemented the air of superiority she carried with her. The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the room as Nat twisted a silver ring on her little finger to steady her nerves—a thoughtful gift from Lexi to wish her luck and give her something to focus on if she needed it. And she definitely needed it today. Since the incident with Joe last week, she had focused all her attention on getting her life back on track. The interview offer had come quickly following the application she sent only a few days ago, so she took that as an encouraging sign.

“Erm. So, I finished university seven years ago and since then I have been building my interior design business. I have been working with a range of small companies with a focus on creating a fresh, welcoming look for their clients and staff.”

Nat pulled out a large black folder from her bag. She had spent countless hours perfecting her portfolio, selecting the projects that showcased her skills in the best light. Several pieces of paper and fabric scattered across the floor as she opened the cover.

“Oh gosh, sorry.” Nat stood up, rushing to gather the escaped contents. Her face flushed as she sat back down, noticing a smirk on the face of the other interviewer, Josh. He was younger than Harriet, and emanated a confidence that Nat wished she had right now.

“Here are some photographs from a client I worked with earlier this year to restyle their bakery.” Nat passed a handful of photographs across the table. Harriet and Josh glanced at them, remaining deliberately silent and keeping their expressions neutral.

“And here are the designs for a new Turkish restaurant that launched last month.” Nat opened out a large piece of paper and laid some fabric on top. “I imported these fabrics directly from the hometown of the owners of the restaurant, as they were keen to have an authentic experience for their diners.” Her words flowed with passion as she detailed the challenge she had undertaken. Nat watched Harriet as she scanned over the designs, wrinkling her nose before making some brief notes on her pad.

“These are very, er, pleasant. I can see you have had plenty of experience dabbling in design and playing with shops.” She tapped her pen on the edge of the table. “But do you have anything a bit more corporate? Something that might be more suited to an accountancy firm?”

Nat began flicking through her folder, her heart racing as she rushed to find a particular project that might impress.

“I think I have just the thing.” She turned a double spread out towards them, letting out a quick sigh of relief. “Here we go. This is an estate agency I did a re-branding for last year. The son had recently taken over the company, and he wanted to update the imagery and interior so that it had a modern, professional feel.” Her eyes shifted between Harriet and Josh, trying to establish a connection beyond the professional façade. The pair took a little longer to look over the images than Nat’s other work, so she talked them through the stages of the project with a little boost of confidence.

“I used my knowledge of psychology to build a sense of trust and reliability for my client’s brand. I developed a colour palate using blues, focusing on the lighter end of the palate to create space and openness. There’s a lot more to interior design than most people think!” A genuine laugh escaped Nat’s lips as she attempted to inject a touch of warmth into the atmosphere. However, their response was more stoic than she had anticipated and the chill remained. She hoped her enthusiasm might elicit a shared chuckle, but their expressions remained serious.

“What would your initial thoughts be on designs for this company, Natalie?” Josh’s voice cut through the air as he folded his arms. She met his gaze squarely, her eyes conveying determination.

“The first stage of any design process is to get to know the client before making recommendations. From the brief you provided, I can see you want a professional feel for your staff and customers. I would like to spend some time in your offices getting an understanding of what it’s like to work here and what the current experience is for your customers. Then I can make some suggestions for how we can create memorable designs that will make a lasting impression.”

Natalie paused, relieved that she had delivered the introduction to her pitch without stammering. She waited for further questions. They never came.

“Well, thank you for sharing your work with us.” Harriet stood up, signalling the interview had concluded.

“I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to be interviewed.” Nat reached out and shook their hands in turn. She maintained a firm grip to show her professionalism, even as a flicker of vulnerability danced across her face.

“We have a few more people to see, so we will let you know our decision as soon as we can.”

Harriet ushered Nat towards the door and out into the foyer before she could ask any further questions. As she was left alone, the vast office space loomed around her and the weight of the moment began to sink in. A mixture of hope, uncertainty, and a dash of pride swirled within Nat as she made her way outside. Spotting a nearby cafe, its inviting aroma beckoning to her, she couldn’t resist the pull.

The warm hum of conversation and the gentle hiss of the espresso machine filled the air as she approached the counter. After ordering her cappuccino, she leaned against the counter, grateful for a moment of respite after the tension of the interview. With a deep breath, she found Lexi’s name in her phone and pressed the call button. It rang twice before Lexi’s voice chirped through the line.

“Hey! How’d it go?”

Nat chuckled softly. Lexi’s voice always lifted her spirits. “I think I did alright. I mean, I had their attention, and they seemed interested in the project I presented.” Her fingers toyed with a sugar sachet. “But there’s this professional poker face thing they’ve got going on. It’s hard to gauge their real thoughts.”

“Oh, come on. You know those corporate types.” Lexi’s laughter bubbled through the phone. “They’re all about being stoney-faced and mysterious. But seriously, I’m sure you aced it.”

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