Eva Smith Diary Entries Stephanie Ling

Tuesday, September 19th, 1910

I’m exhausted today. It was another hard day at the Works. The weather’s getting worse and the opportunity of a pay rise is the only thing keeping me going at the moment.

However, I’m not that optimistic of achieving it. Birling is an ignorant, stubborn, old fool and is determined on widening the gap between rich and poor.

Tomorrow’s the day he’s going to discuss our offer. It’s a lost cause. I’ve always fought for what I believe in but I know I’m beginning to wonder what the point is. This job is the only thing I’ve got and I can’t afford to lose it.

People nowadays don’t have sympathy toward single girls who are unemployed and have no prospects. Anyway, that’s enough for tonight, I better get to bed.

Wednesday, September 20th, 1910

It turned out that Birling didn’t want to negotiate at all! He sacked me! Just when I thought I was on the verge of a promotion, this happens! He works us like slaves and isn’t even willing to negotiate a compromise. It just isn’t right. The world would be a much better place without scum like Birling.

He gave us a load of old waffle about how he didn’t want to drive labour costs too high and in his words, “regrettably we are going to have to discharge you.” The creepy, good for nothing, weasel, he made it sound as if he had no choice.

Well I suppose there’s no point wallowing in the past, what’s done is done and I’m not going to make things better by being bitter about it. I’ve got to stay positive and look to the future, even though the future is uncertain.

There’s no rewarding system for girls like me, another fault of society. I suppose I’ll just have to make my own way in life, just as always.