Page 8 of The Match Faker

‘But it’s true! Remember when I asked you to set up my mate Helen? She’d been single for years. Then that customer came in the bank one day and you just knew he’d be perfect for her. How, I have no idea, but they’re still together five years later because of you! So like I said: legend.’

‘Thanks. But unfortunately, being a legend doesn’t pay the bills.’ If I didn’t get some more paying clients soon, the choice would be taken out of my hands.

When I’d first started the company almost two years ago, I’d known I needed to build a pool of clients, so I hadn’t charged for joining. And I’d budgeted for that. After all, I couldn’t match people if I didn’t have anyone to match them with.

I’d had savings and the money my grandma had left me when she passed. I’d calculated everything carefully, and I would’ve been fine. But then my ex screwed me over. And now not only did I have nothing left, I couldn’t even get a loan. I was in danger of losing everything. Including my business.

‘Something will come up soon.’

‘I hope so.’ I opened the red envelope that was next on the pile. At least this looked like junk mail rather than a bill.

When I saw what it was, my eyes bulged.

‘What’s up?’ Trudy asked.

‘This can’t be right?’ My brows knitted together as I scanned the text. ‘It’s a letter confirming they’ve received my entry for the Matchmaker of the Year category for the Happily Ever After Awards and are putting me through to the first round of interviews. But I didn’t enter.’

‘That’s great! They obviously heard how brilliant you are!’

‘Trudy?’ My eyes narrowed. ‘Did you enter me for this?’

‘Wh-why’d you say that?’ she stuttered, typing frantically.

‘I can see the reflection of your screen in the window. You haven’t even turned your computer on, so stop pretending to type!’

‘Okay!’ She threw her hands in the air. ‘It was me! I kept asking you to enter, the deadline was looming and I didn’t want you to miss out.’

Trudy’s heart was in a good place but… shit. Every part of my business would be under the spotlight. Including my matchmaking methods.

Naturally all clients completed an extensive questionnaire, asking what they wanted in an ideal partner, their hobbies, relationship goals, etc.—all the standard stuff. And I always interviewed them face to face.

But whilst some of my peers used fancy algorithms or the latest technology to determine the perfect match, I used my gut. When I met someone, I just knew. I got a feel for the kind of person they’d be right for. My granny was the same and said it was a gift I got from her. It wasn’t scientific, but it worked.

Like Trudy said, my track record was good. I’d matched ten couples in my friendship group, and last year three couples I’d paired after starting the agency got married. Shame I didn’t have the same success for myself.

‘What’s the problem? The prize is worth over fifty grand! When you win, your money worries will be over.’

That was true. The winners got a cash prize plus a double-page spread in Happily Ever After—one of the most influential women’s magazines in the UK. A feature in there was guaranteed to lead to success.

After last year’s article had come out, the winner’s business had exploded. Now she had a team of matchmakers and a shiny new office and was even featured as an expert on breakfast TV.

‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’ve got more chance of finding a unicorn in my back garden.’

‘But you don’t have a garden?’

‘Exactly! I’ll have to withdraw my application.’

‘Why?’

‘You didn’t read the entry form.’ I’d studied it meticulously several times. I’d been tempted to enter, then realised I couldn’t. ‘They study your match rate and ask for client case studies. That part’s fine. But they like to know personal stuff too.’

‘And?’

‘Personal stuff like my own love life. I’ve been single for well over a year and my only long-term relationship ended in disaster. How can I put myself forward for the Matchmaker of the Year award when I can’t even find my own Mr Right?’

Some clients even told me they preferred to work with a matchmaker who was in a relationship. Knowing I’d found my own perfect partner was proof that I had the skills to help them find theirs.

Thankfully others were open-minded and realised that my marital status or relationship history didn’t impact my ability to do my job for others, but in my line of work, it was a hindrance rather than a help.

---