That was a lovely, heartwarming story and I'm so glad things worked out for you in the end. You reminded me a bit of my first job when I left school, there was a girl who was maybe my age, maybe about a year older, and she was quite bossy tho not as nasty or bitchy as your colleague sounded. I was so quiet and shy back then that I used to just let her tell me what needed doing!!! :roll:
Good luck with your further education. You write extremely well and you're obviously very intelligent so I'm sure you'll do well. Plus people seem to like you.
As for your ex-colleague I wonder if she was jealous? Five years time, betcha you'll be in great job while she's still in low-paid work, bossing around some newbie, trying desperately to look important... :wink: