After my brother died, after we learned he was gone, dead and cremated already, just gone… and Pret being Pret, going to town trying to get rid of inconvenient, bereaved, traumatized employees…. I was holding on to Pret, to friends, to anything in sheer shock to make sense.

I lost my faith, I lost every purpose, I lost friends of course, I lost meaning, I lost my mind.

When people die a lot of things come to mind that you never thought of before. I never realized that my brother was always gone. I must have assumed because he’s my big brother with special allowances, he could stay out longer, got more pocket money, got away with bad grades etc.

After I learned he was gone for good now, I was always out, looking for him, walking and working and fighting and defending my mere existence in a company that got away with two customer deaths, staff suicides I seek investigation, having survived… No, don’t minimize me to “just” a bereaved person. Pret A Manger staff have died by suicide. And I will keep asking for independent investigation into these deaths.

I held on to a company, and to people I thought were friends.

And an old song popped up once in a while that has nothing to do with my life, but a person beyond the masses. I held on to the song as well… And I hold on to justice. And despite the song, I need to hold on.

There is a place for me
Far far away
On a distant moon
Or on a silver screen
With the perfect life
Where you’ll never die
You just pass me by

There is a place for me
Far far away
On a distant screen
Or on a silver moon
Stolen late one night
With arms held high
Screaming take me away

I could watch you 1000 timeS
Row B Seat 13
Half a ticket
In the silver light
An entire universe between

There is a place for me
Far far away
Someone else’s dream
Or in a magazine
Postered over your bed
Put your hands to your head
Screaming take me away

I could watch you 1000 times
Row B Seat 13
Half a ticket in the silver light
An entire universe between

I’m the only one around
Not a sound
Just a breath of the settling
In the flickering light.

There is a place for me
Far far away
On a distant moon
Or on a silver screen
In the perfect life
Where you’ll never die
In the perfect life
Where you’ll never die
In the perfect life
Where you’ll never die
You just pass me by

—  “B-13” Jump, Little Children

Orchestra Version:

 

 

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I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather starve and speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review: 1. “Late Night Girl’s” Story with Pret and 2. Pushing Back Against Pret.
Thank you for reading/listening.

Interview:

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