Love Is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann (ebook pc reader .txt) 📗

a road, in a shitty, broken wheelchair to a makeshift hospital that was basically just a room where people were lying on wooden planks.

Why are we doing this to each other?

And then it’s on telly and we casually watch it over dinner.

PS: I think Polly knows Saturday didn’t go well, because this morning she was like: “Do you want to have lunch together?” But I was like: “Sorry, can’t. I have to go to the library.”

I don’t even know why I made that up, and I contemplated changing my mind for a moment, but then I saw her feeding Tristan carrot sticks, and I congratulated myself on my life choices.

Tuesday, January 23 #Rude

I bought individual plastic folders for my CVs.

Kate was like: “A lot has to be said for presentation, Phoebe, well done. Maybe also smile when you talk to people.”

OMG.

Wednesday, January 24 #JobSearchTake1

January must be the worst month of the year to go job hunting.

No one is looking for staff. I went round the entire Bentall Centre after school, and in every single shop they were like: “Sorry, we just had to let all our Christmas temps go, so we’re not recruiting right now.”

Whyyyyy?

Thursday, January 25 #JobSearchTake2

I did the whole CV thing again in Wimbledon today.

At this rate I’m going to need someone to drop dead the moment I’m sliding my CV across the counter.

Another complication is that a lot of people don’t hire anyone under sixteen, which is really unfair, because I’m in the same year at school as all these people who are already allowed to work but don’t want/need to.

On the way home, I walked past the thrift shop, and I looked in the window to see if Kate was there, but she must have been in the back.

Alex was behind the till again, and he was chatting to Emma, who was holding an armful of blouses on hangers.

They caught me peeking in like a crazy stalker person, and Alex waved at me. I waved back, and then Emma gestured for me to come in, but I was like: “Sorry, I have to go.”

Maybe I should have said hello.

Mum messaged saying it’s taking them forever to travel through Turkey. Apparently the weather is really bad and their cars and vans keep getting stuck.

I told her I was looking for a job because the stupid cat got out.

Friday, January 26 #BoxesTicked

I gave my CV to Kate to have a look at, and she was just like: “Yes but no.” Then she sat down with her laptop and told me not to talk to her.

Half an hour later, she emailed me this:

Phoebe Alexandra Davis

3 Rochdale Close, Wimbledon, London SW19 1AL

Phone: 0796 550 0713, Email: phoebead666@gmail.co.uk

Enthusiastic and experienced customer service professional who enjoys being part of a team. Strong work ethic, ambitious, goal oriented, and quick to grasp new concepts and ideas. Able to work well on own initiative and can demonstrate high levels of motivation. Even under significant pressure, possesses ability to perform effectively. Reliable, punctual, exceptional organizational and customer service skills.

Currently looking for part-time employment on weekends.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Kingston Sixth Form

I am in Year 11 and will sit my GCSEs in June. Next year I am looking to go to Sixth Form and start preparing for my A-level exams in mathematics, biology, physics, English literature and language, as well as history and sociology.

Work Experience

Cancer Thrift Shop, Wimbledon

I have been a regular volunteer for many months. My duties include sorting through donation bags, steaming and tagging clothes behind the scenes, as well as customer service on the shop floor. I thoroughly enjoy working with such a diverse clientele and am always looking to build a positive rapport with my customers.

References are available on request.

Me: I thought you’re not supposed to lie on your CV.

Kate: We’re stretching the truth, Phoebe. It’s not the same.

Me: Always looking to build a positive rapport with my customers? I hate people.

Kate: You’re the one who wants to venture out into the corporate world, pet, and let me tell you: There are rules. You need to walk the walk, you need to talk the talk. It may all be a big bucket of bullshit, but the only way to success is by ticking all their boxes.

Me (looking at my CV): This ticks boxes?

Kate (making ticks in the air): Tick, tick, and bloody tick.

PS: I’m not sure I want to tick boxes.

Saturday, January 27 #IncestAlert

I tried to apply for jobs online today, but I ended up accidentally Instagram-stalking Emma. I’ve been thinking about her, but only because I basically don’t get why she’d want to volunteer at that place. First I thought she was doing the Duke of Edinburgh award program, but Kate told me Emma’s been there for months, and I think for the Duke of Edinburgh you only have to be there for a couple of hours.

It took me ages to find her on Instagram.

Annoyingly, her account is private, and all I can see is her picture, which is of her and what must be her boyfriend dressed up as Luke and Leia from Star Wars, which is a bit wrong, because Luke and Leia are actually brother and sister.

I wonder how long they’ve been together.

PS: Emma looks amazing as Princess Leia.

PPS: I wonder who Luke is.

Sunday, January 28 #MyOwnBestFriend

I asked Kate if she thinks it’s okay Mum’s always dumping me at her house, and she was like: “I actually love it when you stay with me, Phoebs, so yes, it’s better than okay.”

Then I asked if she thinks it’s okay that Mum’s currently en route to Syria, of all places, and she said: “Your mum’s my best friend in the whole wide world, and I may not always agree with her, but I’m always on her side. Do you know what I mean?”

I don’t.

And I’m not just saying that to be difficult.

Monday, January 29 #InYourFace

Miriam Patel invited me to Jacob’s party next weekend, and because I was standing with