How horrid... But it is the times we live in. At least I tell myself that, since I want to believe people are mostly situational and could be good under better circumstances.

Uni was okay for her, but it's this pre-reg requirement before she's a full optometrist. Basically you swear fealty to a corporation for two years before you have a license to practise, and until you pass the assessment scheme you're at their mercy. Specsavers basically wrote her off from the start, dumped her just in time to get a tidy break on taxes.

I hope you do find a new income stream soon, though I'm sure you will. With any luck, it'll be nothing Bram Stoker would write home about!