Hazel knew her mother would work it out eventually. That she wasn't really getting paid for the occasional articles she posted across for her mother to show off. But, still, she wiggled the magazine clipping in to the envelope and sent it off anyway, to try and hold up some sort of dignity. To try and keep up the fantasy that tens of thousands of pounds of student loans were worth it, at least. It didn't seem to work, but it kept her mother happy, at least.
So the clipping was pushed in to the little window, paid for it, and then she turned to leave. But there was no real reason to stick around here, apart from her own stubborn pride. She didn't know where she was, not really. Yes, central London, but what she was doing was just like dying. She'd wanted an adventurous life, not to organise everything for someone else. Still, she wouldn't just give in. And she'd find someone for that work dinner, she hoped.
The phone rang in her back pocket. Her mother, probably, but she ignored it as she headed back to the door to leave, pausing to look at the phone when it started ringing again. Unknown number, odd. Still, it didn't really matter, did it?