Valerie Missed Her Job Interview to Save an Elderly Man Collapsing on a Busy Street in London! But When She Stepped Inside the Office, She Almost Fainted from What She Saw…

Valerie missed her job interview to save an elderly man who collapsed on a busy London street! But when she finally walked into the office, she nearly fainted at what she saw

Valerie opened her purse, counted the few crumpled banknotes inside, and let out a deep sigh. Money was running dangerously low, and finding a decent job in London was proving harder than shed ever imagined. She mentally tallied her list of essentials, trying to steady her racing heart. The freezer held a packet of chicken thighs and some frozen burgers. The cupboard had rice, pasta, and a box of tea bags. For now, she could manage with just a pint of milk and a loaf of bread from the corner shop.

Mum, where are you going? Little Emily dashed out of her room, her big brown eyes searching Valeries face with worry.

Dont fret, love, said Valerie, forcing a smile to hide her nerves. Mums just off to a job interview. But guess what? Auntie Sophie and her boy Oliver are popping round to keep you company.

Olivers coming? Emilys face lit up, her hands clapping in excitement. Will they bring Biscuit?

Biscuit was Sophies tabby cata fluffy ball of affection that Emily adored. Sophie, their neighbour, had offered to look after Emily while Valerie went for the interview at a food distribution company in the city centre. Getting there meant a long slogmore time on buses and trains than the interview would actually last.

It had been over two months since Valerie and Emily had moved to the capital. Valerie kicked herself for that impulsive decision: uprooting their lives, burning through most of her savings on rent and groceries, all on a gamble that shed find work quickly. But Londons job market was brutal. Despite her two degrees and sheer determination, landing a steady role felt like chasing a mirage. Back in her hometown of Bristol, her mum, Margaret, and younger sister, Lucy, relied on her as the family rock. They werent exactly brilliant at managing without her.

Biscuits staying home, love, Valerie said gently. Hes not keen on car rides. But well visit Auntie Sophies soon, and you can cuddle him all you like.

I want a cat too! Emily pouted, crossing her arms.

Valerie shook her head with a soft laugh. Emily always got like this when pets were mentioned. Back in Bristol, at Grandma Margarets, theyd left behind Smudge, their sleek black cat, and a yappy little terrier named Buster. Emily played with them every visit, and now she missed them terribly.

Love, were renting this flat, Valerie explained. The landlord doesnt allow pets.

Not even a goldfish? Emily asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief.

Not even a goldfish.

Right now, pets were the least of Valeries worries. Her mind was entirely fixed on one thing: getting a job. The last of her savings was dwindling, and each day brought a fresh wave of anxiety. At least shed paid six months rent upfrontbut that had nearly cleaned her out.

The doorbell rang, snapping Valerie out of her thoughts. Sophie and her five-year-old, Oliver, stood at the door. Sophie, as usual, carried a Tupperware of homemade chocolate chip cookies and a slice of her mums famous lemon drizzle cake. Like Valerie, Sophie was a single mumbut she lived with her parents in a cramped flat nearby. Saving up for her own place in London felt like trying to win the lottery.