International Service

Kathleen Wilson

Queenspark Books

This century is the Education Age. International Service by Kathleen Wilson is an illuminating insight into life before today's opportunities for study and self-advancement.

Against the background of the second world war, Kathleen's father is determined that his fourteen year old daughter will work to support their family. He chooses a succession of dead-end jobs for Kathleen, takes her to the interviews, speaks for her... then pockets her wages. Unsurprisingly, Kathleen dislikes most of these jobs until she takes a position at a well-run grocer's where she stays for fourteen years. Never has so much joy been tasted behind a provisions counter. Kathleen learns to treasure the autonomy of weighing and packing goods and the responsibility of training apprentices.

'Making decisions for myself gave me a great feeling of authority...it was now up to me to decide how many rashers to lay out...I supervised what stock was needed...and when a cheese was to be skinned'.

In a memorable incident, a bomb shatters the store windows, showering staff and food with glass. Staff help a wounded Canadian soldier who makes a pilgrimage back to the store many years later.

International Service provides a glimpse into the extraordinariness that exists in every life that is outwardly ordinary.