Page 11 of Hired Help

“For the home. Does your landlord have it and is the company willing to transfer the coverage to a new owner?”

“I’m sure he does but I can easily check if you need to know.” I frown, shifting in my seat, worried this meeting is heading in the wrong direction.

The house is important to me. I like the idea of investing money in my own mortgage rather than my landlord’s, but it’s not just that. It’s the stability. I want to put down roots. I want to become a permanent part of my community.

Home and family were the core values my dad instilled in me. I let my family slip through my fingers. I don’t want to lose this.

Perhaps sensing he’s dragged down the tone of my day, Roger shifts in his seat, draining his coffee. “Your finances look solid, but your saved deposit is on the small side.”

I lean forward, about to object, but he holds up a hand to forestall me.

“It might work, I can’t tell until I approach the banks to sound out your offer, but there’s also… just a sec.” He scrolls through his phone, searching my application. “Alright. So, most banks have a moral clause, and your line of work might cause a few issues.”

I’m not even escorting right now. The stripping is enough to meet my bills. I swallow the first half dozen responses and go with, “My occupation is perfectly legal.”

“They turned down an applicant of mine a few weeks back because she ran a brothel. Not even worked in it, just ran it.” He catches my eye and inclines his head. “This isn’tmyjudgement; I’m just warning you. Reputational risk is one of the aspects they’ll consider.”

I don’t like it but he’s right. If I’m going to argue the point with somebody, he’s not the one.

“Okay, point taken. Aside from that, you think I have a shot?”

“A small one. What would really help is if you can shore up your saved deposit. They’re far less likely to turn you down if you’re in the eighty percent margin rather than ninety. At this level, they’re going to comb through every detail.”

A pit of aggravation dimples my stomach. Or perhaps that’s me growing an ulcer to add to my troubles.

“By the time I raise more, the house will be sold.”

He concedes the point with a shrug. “You might get lucky there. It’s not the most desirable neighbourhood.” He brings up a new app on his phone and spends a minute typing. “This says the last time it was available, it took seven months to sell, and that was in a buyer’s market. With it on the turn…” he trails into another shrug.

“So double my deposit and then wait for the banks to tell me I’m too immoral for a loan.” The frustration more than seeps into my voice, it drowns every word. “Is that about right?”

“If you can save enough, I’ll find a bank that fits you.” Roger gives me a broad wink, unfazed by my plummeting mood. “Perhaps not this house or this month, but we’ll get you on that ladder.”

It’s his job to be optimistic but some of my tension unwinds after he leaves. At least I have an actionable step I can take.

The best way to earn money fast is the same as always. I dig out my phone, flip to my account, and start the process of reactivating my old listing. After a moment of intense calculation, I also increase my prices.

If I’m going to get back into it and weather the emotional brunt of that toll, better make it worth my while.

My phone vibrates to let me know the listing has gone live while I’m striding back to my car.

Six months, I decide. Six months back on the game to see how much I can fatten that deposit so I can move on to the next hurdle.

CHAPTERFOUR

BROOKE

I’m not lookingat Harrison.

Not looking at Harrison is my number one occupation. I have not looked at Harrison fordaysnow and I’m close to becoming an expert.

Just today, I didn’t look at him in class, when we passed by in the corridor, and I for-sure was not looking at his sculpted arse while he stood a metre ahead in the tuck shop line.

“Hey,” Floss says, taking the seat next to me. “Are you eating your feelings or what?”

“Definitely,” I mumble before shoving a fistful of hot chips into my mouth. “How many days until graduation? I can’t wait to get out of here.”

She gives me a one-armed hug and I rest my head against her shoulder for a few seconds. At least Floss still loves me.

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