“I’m sorry, we filled that vacancy yesterday.â€

“I see. Thank you anyway.â€ Akiko sighed and hung up, crossing another job off the list. She put her phone down for a moment, looking around the cafe, looking to see if there were any creatures watching her.

Just people, and the only ones watching her were a couple of men, who were trying not to be too obvious about it. Perfectly normal, then.

She took a sip of coffee, and sighed again, looking at the job adverts once more. She’d called six places already, and all of them had said no, for various reasons. She was very tempted to give up, especially as she was becoming convinced that Tamao was working to stop her becoming employed.

<em>Which is all very well,</em> she thought, <em>but what does he want me to do instead? </em>She had no answer for her own question, and picked up her phone to call the next company. Basic office work, short term; probably covering maternity leave, she decided. Still, 1200 yen was a decent hourly rate, and it would buy time to find something more permanent. Akiko smiled wryly. Worrying about whether she should take the job was a bit premature, she reflected.

Her call was answered.

“Good morning, I’m calling about the office assistant position you advertised in the jobs paper.â€ <em>This is where they tell me there’s no job any more.</em>

“Oh yes, thank you. Do you have experience of office work?â€

“I…â€ For a moment, Akiko forgot what to say. “Yes, I do. I worked in an office for three years.â€

“Are you familiar with the standard software?â€

“I suppose so; Office, right?â€

“Yes, of course.â€

“Yes, I am. We used it every day.â€

“And you’re fine with the hours and the term of the job?â€

Akiko quickly checked the paper; was there something strange about them? Oh, the office opened at seven am, and closed before four. An early start, then.

“The hours are no problem, and I understand that the job is short-term.â€

“Yes, three months. There is very little chance of it being extended. Is that OK?â€ This was sounding very promising.

“That’s absolutely fine.â€

“That’s a relief. I’m sorry, we’ve had a few calls from people who don’t seem to have read the advert. Anyway, could you come for an interview this afternoon? Bring your CV.â€

“I’m sorry?â€ Akiko couldn’t quite believe her ears.

“Can you come for an interview this afternoon? From three thirty.â€

“Yes, certainly.â€ An interview! Akiko had to remind herself that it wasn’t a job offer, not yet, but it was so much further than she’d got with any of the others.

“We look forward to seeing you. The address is in the advert; just ask at reception.â€ Akiko checked the advert; not too far, just a short bus ride. She could even walk it if need be.

“Thank you. I’ll be there before half past three.â€

“Thank you.â€

The man hung up, and Akiko sat there holding her phone, grinning foolishly. She looked at the clock; still early. There was time to go and talk to Shiraishi before she went to the interview.

She had an interview!