Ask, I know we are in different countries but here if you have worked for X number of years and paid full National Insurance and tax during that time your marital status doesn't come it to it. Give it a try, they can only say no, then you can sue them blind for discrimination against you because you are married.%)

And you are not rubbish my girl, it's the idiots at the employment agency that are. You are intelligent, friendly and good at your job what ever it might be. With that list of qualifications a publishing company would grab you with screams of joy. Are there any Publishers in your area and have you tried sending your CV to them?