Wednesday, June 12th 2024 in 2024

The insistent chimes of my 5:45 am alarm are starting to feel like a personal attack. But conquering the gym first means conquering the day later, right? Throwing on workout clothes and a quick braid, I dashed out the door.
The treadmill was my nemesis today. Legs like lead, maintaining a decent pace felt like an uphill battle. But I persevered, determined to earn that post-workout endorphin rush. Weights, however, were a different story. Here, I found my rhythm, relishing the controlled burn and targeted strengthening; after an hour, I was ready to tackle the day.
(The Feel Uplifted mineral shower gel from Boots was a revelation. The scent was invigorating, the lather rinsed clean, leaving my skin refreshed and smelling great.)
Revitalised, I grabbed a quick breakfast at the gym and headed into the office.
Settling at my desk, I booted up my laptop, catching up on emails before the day’s chaos began. A notification popped up on Teams - a meeting request from Mr. Harding, our Head of Client Services. My stomach did a nervous flip-flop. Meetings with Mr. Harding weren’t routine.
An hour later, Mr. Harding’s assistant buzzed me in. His office is a study in efficiency, dominated by a large mahogany desk. He gestured to a chair across from him.
“Anna, have a seat. We have an exciting opportunity. We’ve just landed a potential new client – a prestigious tech startup developing a revolutionary new investment platform. They’re looking for a financial partner with a strong track record, and I think we fit the bill perfectly.”
“That’s fantastic, Mr. Harding,” I said. “What kind of role would I be playing in this?”
“We’d like you to shadow our senior partner, Miss Davies, on the initial meetings. You’ll learn the ropes, see how we approach this kind of high-profile client. Consider it an investment in your future.” He leaned back in his chair. The shock must have flashed across my face. “This is a chance to shine, Anna. Show us what you’re capable of.”
Shadowing a seasoned partner on a high-stakes pitch was a daunting prospect, but the potential learning experience was undeniable. “Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Harding,” I said, trying to sound confident. “I’m eager to learn from Miss Davies.”
He nodded. “Good. Davies is swamped, so you won’t be meeting with her and the client until tomorrow. In the meantime, get yourself prepped.”
The afternoon flew by in a whirlwind of work as I devoured everything I could find about the company. This is my chance to step outside my comfort zone and prove myself. I’m nervous, but I feel ready to face this new challenge.