The New, Responsible Job

Dearest Mum,

Dad said on the phone that you were worrying too much…as if that’s anything new. I’m only here for a year, seriously you need to relax. Anyway, thought I’d let you know how everything is going.

Melbourne isn’t as different to Bristol as you’d think at first, but I’ve started to notice how the people and culture here is different. Everyone wants to hear me say words, as if they’ve never had a pom here before. I think it’s all just light banter. Oh, and I got a job…with my landlord! I mentioned as I moved in that I did secretarial work, and he said he was looking for someone. He’d seen my application so he pretty much knew all about me, so…win! Now I work in his office, taking calls from other residents. At least I know who to call if a branch comes through my window or something. No, Mum, that’s not actually going to happen.

I had my very first call yesterday, they were looking for someone to do drain cleaning around Melbourne. They needed a plumber to come and fix some leakage under her kitchen sink. Sounds really glamorous, right? But actually, it was a really nice call. The lady asked me where I was from, I put on my best phone voice just like you taught me and she sounded so relieved that someone so efficient was on the case. That’s right…the efficient person would be me. I assume the plumbers made it and did the job, because I never got any call back from her. Tick that one off. Had lots of other calls that day, of course, and they weren’t all quite so nice…nothing really terrible though. One guy wanted the landlord to replace his curtains since the cat clawed them up. Checked his case record, and he’s definitely not allowed pets. Handed that one to management…

So that’s the job. Calling up those fine Melbourne blocked drain people, drinking those amazing Melbourne coffees, living the Melbourne life. Stop stressing, Mum, seriously.