Sat at the end of my bed, holding both envelopes in my hands, I shook my head and permitted myself a lengthy sigh of relief. This may not have been the easiest way out of my rut but I could think of none more effective.
I discarded the letter I had sent to the alleged Professor. I was, after all, fully aware of its contents: a blank sheet of paper. Its purpose had been served when I saw the postman slipping it through the letterbox a few weeks ago; thereby confirming that mail sent to that house would not be redirected elsewhere. A number of other addresses had, somewhat tiresomely, failed that simple test.
Opening the envelope adorned with the insignia, I carefully unfolded its contents on the bed. This particular enquiry would hold the key to my future, one way or another:
Professor Arthur Hailsham
The English Faculty
University of Wales, Cardiff
18 Ship Lane
Butetown
Cardiff
CF10 5AW
22 November 2001
Dear Sir,
Re: Benjamin Lagman
You have been nominated by the above applicant, whom we are considering as a prospective employee, to be a referee on his behalf. We should therefore be most grateful if you could provide us with a brief reference, noting the following information:
– How long you have known the applicant
– The nature of your relationship with the applicant
– Whether you consider the applicant to be of good character, reliable, trustworthy and punctual
– Any other relevant information
We thank you for your assistance, and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours faithfully,
Tracey Rice
Recruitment Manager
‘Well, Professor,’ I said out loud as a gleeful smile spread across my usually sullen face, ‘just what do you think of Benjamin Lagman?’
YOU ARE READING
The Ascendant
AdventureHow one man schemed his way through corporate culture of the '00s. It's not what you know, it's what they think you know ...
