Chapter 70
“Hope Harbour, Gallagher speaking,” Tilly finally answered the phone. I’d been trying to get a hold of her for a while to ask about potential jobs, but we’d somehow kept missing each other. I really hoped she’d have something for me—I was starting to get anxious.
“Hi, Tilly. It’s Kate.”
“Oh, hi, Kate. How lovely to hear from you. Is everything OK?” Tilly asked, her voice filled with concern. “I saw the interview and wanted to call to ask how you’re doing, but I didn’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t have been intruding,” I assured her, pacing around Grace’s room restlessly. “I’m OK. What about you?”
“I’m good. Just a bit stressed about the Pearl Gala next week. I still don’t have a dress. It’s hard to find something that looks elegant but doesn’t break the bank. Do you know what you’re going to wear yet?”
I shook my head before remembering Tilly couldn’t see me. “I’m not going.”
There was a brief silence.
“What? Why not?”
“Henry and I broke up.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s OK,” I said dismissively. It wasn’t OK. I wasn’t OK. But I hadn’t called Tilly to talk about my messy love life. “There’s actually another reason I’m calling. Maybe it’s a little presumptuous, but I thought I’d give it a shot.”
“Shoot,” Tilly encouraged.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding, even though I knew nothing bad could happen. “I’m looking for a new job. I don’t want to work at The Darlington anymore . . .”
“Understandable.”
“Hope Harbour came to mind. I’ve never worked for a charity organisation before, but I do have experience with homelessness and poverty. I know what homeless people need and how to help them, and I hoped that with the funds from the Pearl Gala, you might soon have the budget to offer me a job.”
The words came spilling out of my mouth. I was desperate to say my piece before Tilly could interrupt with a rejection. There was a silence on the line after I finished, and I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.
“That’s an interesting idea,” Tilly said at last. She didn’t sound opposed, but there was hesitation in her voice.
“But I can’t make that decision alone. I’m the head of the Hope Harbour foundation in London, but personnel decisions have to be approved by the main office in Glasgow.
I’ll happily ask, but I’m afraid I can’t make any promises. ”
“No problem,” I said, doing my best not to sound disappointed. “Will you let me know as soon as you hear something? I can send you my CV and cover letter, if that helps. But if I’m being honest, they’re not exactly impressive.”
“That’s not necessary. I know you’re qualified to do the job, and the rest you can learn. Before Hope Harbour, I had no idea how charities worked either. And if the head office needs your documents, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Tilly.”
“No need to thank me yet,” she said, a smile audible in her voice. “I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back.”
We said goodbye, and I wished Tilly luck in finding the perfect dress for the Pearl Gala.
Excitement fluttered in my chest as I set my phone aside. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but a job working for Hope Harbour would be perfect. Not only would it solve my problems, but I would also be able to contribute something valuable to solving those of others.