“Mr King,” I said as his warm fingers slid against mine and we quickly shook hands. Yep, tingles galore, but I refused to acknowledge them.

“Alexis,” he replied, eyeing me closely before sitting back down. “Thanks for coming.”

I took a seat in front of the three of them and rested my hands in my lap.

“So, to begin, please tell us a little about yourself,” said Mr James.

Okay, good. They were starting off with the standard stuff. I could do this. Clearing my throat, I began my spiel. I told them about my high A Level results, especially in computing and maths, then moved on to my bartending experience, during which I decided to return to education and get my diploma. I told them my main reason for not going to university straight out of school was due to a lack of funds, and how I was eager to gain experience now that I had my qualification.

“You understand that most entry-level staff here hold university degrees, even in our admin departments,” said Mr James. “What do you think you can bring to the role, given that you haven’t had the same level of education?”

“I think I can bring people skills,” I answered promptly. “Working in a bar might seem like it doesn’t take much, but believe me, you get good experience dealing with all kinds of conflicts. I think that education is important, yeah, but I also feel that I can bring a lot more to the role in comparison to someone who’s coming in with a degree but zero experience.”

“And what if you come up against a problem that requires technical rather than interpersonal skills, something that a university graduate would be better equipped to deal with?” James went on. I glanced quickly at Mr King to find him studying me closely, and all of a sudden felt a little warmer under my dress.

“Then I’ll ask for guidance. If there’s a problem I can’t deal with on my own, I always ask someone to teach me. I’m all about expanding my learning, and I hold the belief we should be continually gaining new skills.”

King leaned forward on the desk to shoot James a grin. It said “I like her,” and I felt a triumphant little rush in my belly. James was far more difficult to read, and Eleanor seemed to only be sitting in on the interview as a silent observer. I imagined she’d be giving her two cents after I left, informing the other two whether or not she thought I was fit to replace her.

“Okay, very good.” said Mr James. “So, why is it that you’d like to work here at Johnson-Pearse?”

Relief flooded me and I was glad he’d asked this question. I’d spent hours researching the bank, so I knew my stuff. By the time I was done regurgitating all the reasons why I thought it was the ideal place for me to work, all three interviewers seemed impressed.

Then Mr King clasped his hands together, finally deciding to speak. “You seem to know a great deal about this bank, Miss Clark, but tell me, if you were to implement one change to improve how we run things, what would it be?”

His question took me by surprise, and I drew a complete and total blank. My mind scurried for an answer, any answer, and before I could take a second to properly think things through, I blurted, “Well, for a start, I’d call the cops on the dealer working the newsstand outside. I’m guessing high employees don’t make for very productive ones.”

James’ eyebrows shot right up into his forehead. Eleanor pursed her lips, appraising me more closely, and King didn’t show any outward signs of a reaction other than the slightest curve to the edge of his lips. He glanced out the window, where there was a direct view of the newsstand, scribbled something down, then shot James a look to continue with the interview. I saw him glancing at me again, differently now, like he was seeing something interesting he hadn’t noticed before. The fact that none of them had commented on my answer made me feel sweaty and embarrassed, and my need to flee the room was palpable. Me and my big dumb mouth.

James threw a few more questions at me, asking how I’d cope with a number of scenarios. Unfortunately, though, after my comment about the dealer, his distaste for me started to shine through, and he quickly wrapped things up.

“Thank you so much, Miss Clark. As I said, these jobs do normally go to university graduates, but well done for coming along. Do you have any questions for us?”

I eyed him, feeling like what he’d said was a little patronising. I’d spent days preparing for this interview, and the fact that he was so quick to write me off got my blood up. This was why, despite having a whole host of questions prepared to ask, I said sharply, “If I’m not the usual candidate, then why did you call me for an interview?”

James’ face flashed in surprise at my question, and I inwardly groaned. Technically though, I’d already screwed things up, so I might as well speak my mind.

He glanced at Oliver King. “Each of us put forward a number of resumes. I believe it was Mr King who thought yours had…potential.”

Eleanor frowned, and King shot him a look that said he was in for it later, before turning to face me. I was under the impression that James was my biggest enemy in this situation, but then King spoke and flipped everything on its ear.

Levelling his eyes on me, he said simply, “You included a picture, Miss Clark, and I liked the look of you.”

I swear, my jaw practically dropped to the floor. I’d sat through many interviews in my time, but this one was by far the strangest. Was he even allowed to say something like that? Since it appeared he was the one who ruled the roost around here, I guessed he was. Bristling, I rose from my seat. I knew I should have waited until I was dismissed, but I was so pissed off that I just had to get out of there. Still, I didn’t let my temper get the better of me. I settled my gaze on his and calmly gave him my best parting line.

“Well, then, Mr King, if I do get chosen for the position, I’ll have to prove to you that my looks pale in comparison to what my brain can achieve.”

King smiled.

I turned and left the office.

The very next day I received a call from Eleanor telling me that I’d gotten the job.

***

Gulping back the last of my coffee, I slipped my headphones over my ears, hit “play” on my favourite M.I.A. album, and set off for the tube. I lived on the tenth floor of a big grey tower block in Bethnal Green with my BFF, Karla. The stairs were a hassle, but I had to admit that hauling my arse up and down them every day did wonders for my glutes. Too bad my penchant for cake undid all the good work.

It was my first day working at Johnson-Pearse Bank. After the bizarre nature of my interview, and the even more bizarre fact that they’d actually chosen me for the role, I was putting my best foot forward. M.I.A.’s tracks always made me feel ready to take on a challenge; it was like my fight music.

I wore my most office-friendly pencil dress under my duffel coat. I also wore gloves and a scarf, which I buried my nose under in order to stave off the chill. It was January in London, which meant it was cold enough to freeze your nipples off.

Once I reached the tube, I savoured the heat of the carriage and head-bobbed my way through the journey, standing because it was rush hour, and I wasn’t going to get a seat to save my life. Finally arriving in Canary Wharf, I made my way out of the gigantic tube station and completed the walk to the glass and steel tower where Johnson-Pearse was located.

This area was referred to as The City, a single square mile that housed the most powerful financial institutions in the U.K. Some of the buildings had funny nicknames. For instance, you had the Gherkin, which I personally thought looked like a giant Fabergé egg.

You could divide the district into three sections. Canary Wharf was modern, towering, soulless, and where you could find the all-powerful investment banks. The Old City was historical, quirky, and mostly home to the insurers and brokers. And lastly, you had the stylish and cosmopolitan Mayfair, where you could find the hedge funds and private equity companies. I’d only become so well-informed about all this since I started my job hunt. Before that it was just another part of London to me. But now that I’d discovered this city within the city, I’d become fascinated. With just one glance, you knew that this was a place where there was only one God, and its name was Money.