When Alison first moved to Dublin she stayed in a hostel for a while. She eventually found herself a job in Swords.  It was a very progressive multinational company where she worked for the Financial Controller.  Sometimes she had to work late, but it was a means to an end.  She felt like she was starting from scratch but she put her skills to good use, and soon felt she was really fitting in.  She moved from a bed-sit to a comfortable flat in Drumcondra.  Money was tight after paying the rent, but she still managed to socialise at weekends with a few of the girls from work.  Two evenings a week she worked as a waitress at a local hotel.  She put on her uniform, a black dress and little white apron tied around her waist. They were mostly corporate functions and dinner dances.  It was hard work but she liked the other women and enjoyed the banter.  The evenings went by quickly.  Although she didn’t finish until just after midnight, it was only a ten minute walk to her flat.  She didn’t tell anyone at her day job what she was doing.  It was no one’s business.  Allison was managing week to week, but she realised the importance of having money put by for a rainy day.

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