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Could you, please, help me to understand, what can be meant by "runner job"?

According to Google and dictionaries, there can be many different "runners"; context does not help at all. Is it some kind of temporary job? Action goes in UK, London.

“So? Ibiza, then? Ian will give me the time off, and I’ve got a month until my next runner job. Whoop, whoop! Ibiza, here we come.” The bed squeaks in protest as Daisy bounces up and down.

She’s got Ian, her boss, wrapped around her little finger. He lets her work in The King’s Arms whenever she’s in between runner jobs, so he won’t bat an eyelid if she suddenly announces she’s off on holiday for three weeks.

C.L. Taylor "The Lie"

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  • OP says "context does not help at all" but the context can tell you what Daisy's main job is.
    – Weather Vane
    Jan 8, 2021 at 9:35
  • There is no information about Daisy's main job. She "works in The King’s Arms whenever she’s in between runner jobs," Thats all I know.
    – Kristina Lukosevice
    Jan 8, 2021 at 9:41
  • If you read the book, I expect there is. I've just been reading a synopsis and perhaps "runner" means "drug runner" although that hasn't been specifically mentioned.
    – Weather Vane
    Jan 8, 2021 at 9:42
  • I finished the book.
    – Kristina Lukosevice
    Jan 8, 2021 at 9:43
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    I'd have thought the most common place for a runner was at a TV or radio station — you might be contracted to work on one programme (rather than having a full time job there), when it finishes, you have to look for a new job. Runners take messages, collect people from dressing rooms, go and get lunch for people who can't leave etc nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/… (I never thought of drug runner as being an option!)
    – BeginTheBeguine
    Jan 8, 2021 at 12:55

1 Answer 1

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From Cambridge Dictionary:

Runner
a person who works for someone by taking messages, collecting money, etc.

The job title 'runner' is used in offices and also on film sets for general assistants who go and get coffees, food etc for VIPs. The work tends to be of a casual nature which fits with the description in your book that they are 'between' such jobs.

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    Suppose, film set assistant fits here perfectly!
    – Kristina Lukosevice
    Jan 9, 2021 at 4:40
  • @KristinaLukosevice That's the context where I've heard it the most. Music venues also have runners to go and get things that performers ask for, coffee, drinks etc. Certain celebrities often make last-minute demands and runners are there to keep them happy.
    – Astralbee
    Jan 9, 2021 at 12:11

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