Stressed beyond belief!!! I got up early and was ready an hr before I was due the leave which allowed for too much time to think and my anxiety to rise. I received an email to say that my return train was cancelled which boosted it further so have had to work out an alternative.

The route to walk according to Apple Maps was 1.3 miles and would take 21 mins. Well that was a load of rubbish. It was actually just 1/2 a mile from the station and the app was sending me well out of my way. I stopped to eat and have a drink but I was still way too early. We were told to be there for 12.30 (interview at 1pm) and were sat watching Commonwealth Games ads for 35 mins until being called up and then it was only to walk through an exhibition about the games. Eventually we were seated in an area where they played another short video and then we had our “interviews”, which was basically 6 preset questions with some dude writing down your answers and hitting send on the web page.

Next was uniform fitting. Despite putting my sizes down on the application I still had to be measured up. Good job really because they ignored what I put down anyway. Oh and I even got measured for a baseball cap!? The photos that were sent as part of the application were retaken due to new “security protocol”. Basically they completely redid our online applications but unfortunately the WiFi was sketchy and what should’ve been a 45 min process turned into 2 hrs 15 mins.

Navigating my way through Birmingham New Street station (which has as many exits as it has platforms and signage and access to the toilets is shocking) was not my idea of fun but I’m on my way home now thankfully as I have had enough for one day.