Amelia was undecided about the interview.  This was her third attempt to land her dream job as a beautician on a cruise ship.  The first time round, she’d been too nervous and not the slightest bit prepared.  When she went along for a second try, her fake tan was overdone and heaps of make up covered her naturally pretty face.  Needless to say, she missed the boat that time as well.  

As the train pulled into Manchester station, she knew this was the final time she would go through the gruelling questions, tireless treatments and personal interrogation that was ‘Seaways recruitment.’  Between interviews two and three, Amelia had thrown all her creative energy into her work.  From being a junior beautician at Heath Hall Spa in rural mid-Wales, she had progressed steadily, learning the tricks of the trade from the older ladies.   Always up for a challenge, she didn’t hesitate when Ricky Palfreyman offered her the Spa Manager Job.  It became harder to stay interested when Ricky wanted Amelia’s opinion on Christmas ideas.  She knew she might not be there if her interview went well, but she couldn’t tell him just in-case it didn’t.  

It was with an air of self-confidence that Amelia approached her day.  Minimal make-up, and quiet confidence won the recruiters’ over.  Three weeks later the letter arrived.  Slowly opening the envelope, she read the words.

‘We are pleased to offer you a place at our training school in London.’  Amelia’s Cruise ship adventure had begun.

When she arrived at the school, she hadn’t envisaged such a dump.  She immediately sent multi-texts to everyone in her phone-book to tell them she was certain the bed had ’nits,’ the food made her constipated and the teachers’ were tyrants.  Her Mum was quite worried when she emailed her news.

“Mum, I have to stand up and do a lecture tomorrow.  I just can’t do it!”

“Just be yourself; they’ll love you just as much as I do.”  Her Mum cheerily replied.  Next day, Amelia cried on the phone to her Mum again.

“It was awful Mum.  I was speaking so loud I was almost shouting.  I said to them,’ Let me ask you a question.’ then I went completely blank.  I forgot what I was going to say, so I shouted even louder.  No! You ask yourselves a question.’  They laughed and laughed really loud.  Everyone told me I should be on the stage.  I was total rubbish Mum.”