id have to agree with prudie. if you had any chance theyd have seen you and given you the job.
the fact that you were already doing the job, yet they still didnt see fit to make it a permanent position, implies that they dont feel you are the right person for the job.
presumably if what you say is true, a time came and wrent that was supposed to be your slot - but nobody told you?
could they be fobbing you off? basically they didnt want to give you the job, but didnt want to hurt your feelings?