Vicky sat alone in the wood panelled interview room, waiting anxiously as the hopeless application was processed next door. She placed her handbag on the table, scanning the various pictures dotted around the room of happy couples smiling, holding their Easy Loan cheques, with holidays, new kitchens and flash cars all depicted in thought bubbles. The advertising spiel made it look all so easy. The goose bumps on her skin told a different story.
Vicky knew the answer in advance of Matt's disclosure, yet there was something even more humiliating about being given the news face-to-face as opposed to behind the safety barrier of the telephone. Matt was very professional about it, explaining the company's policies and how she really needed to make the back payments first, but no amount of compassionate words could prevent a few rogue tears straying from her doe eyes, causing the eyeliner to run. "Is there nothing you can do for me?" she appealed, pouting through the veil of tears.
Matt concealed a smirk. "Not really," he replied. "But, tell you what, my manager is still in the office somewhere..."
Vicky forced a smile, shifting uncomfortably in the chair.