Daniel locked his car and checked his phone, again. Nothing. Everything must be OK then. He tucked the device back in his jacket pocket and glanced up at the building. LimeFM stood out bold on the front, a flash new logo for a promising fledgling company.
His right hand shook and he clenched it into a tight fist at his side. He needed this interview to go well. He couldn't afford to screw it up. With another glance at his phone, followed by a deep breath, Daniel pushed the door open and entered.
*
"Good Morning, you're through to Lime, Angel speaking...No sir we do not do interviews about doomsday prepping, try NPR." The pretty blonde hung up and swore softly in Russian, before turning to the new arrival.
"Good Morning, welcome to Lime, how can I help?"
*
Daniel was resisting the urge to check his phone again when the blonde woman spoke. "Erm, morning. I'm here for the producer interview?"
*
"Ah, no problem, I'll call through, take a seat."
*
"Thanks." He turned to do so. "Oh, I'm Daniel, Daniel Carlisle, if they need a name," he added before moving over to the seats.
*
"There's only three on today, first one's been in, third one's a woman, so I could make a good guess." The receptionist's smile lit up her face.
*
"Ah. Yes. Never mind then," he said with a faint smile in return. He sank down into one of the chairs, wringing his hands together. After a moment, he pulled his phone back out and looked at it. Still nothing. Bloody idiot, stop worrying. Everything's fine. It's fine.
*
"What's wrong?"
*
"Huh?" Daniel raised his head, not sure she meant him at first but considering there was no one else in sight. "Oh. Nothing. Just worrying, that's all."
*
"Not nothing then is it?" Angel replied.
*
Daniel scrubbed a hand across his face. "I just..." He shook his head. "Sorry, you don't need to be listening to me. You're busy."
*
"I've got a book under the desk I'm not that busy."
*
"Still. I'm sure I'm not the first nervous interviewee you've seen this week."
*
"They normally stare forward and fidget," Angel replied
*
"Is that not what I'm doing then?" He clenched and unclenched the fingers of his right hand again, trying to ignore the silent phone that was back in his pocket.
*
"Not even a bit," Angel replied, her painted nails dancing over the keyboard as she spoke.
*
Daniel glanced over at her and then lowered his gaze back to his hands. "I just... I really need this job."
*
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Angel smiled
*
"Thanks, er... Sorry, what's your name?"
*
"I'm Angel," she smiled again. "No need to remember I'm just reception."
*
"Thanks, Angel." He ran a hand through his hair and shifted in the chair, going through timings in his head.
*
There was a buzz. 'In ya go, good luck.'
*
"Thank you." Daniel managed a tight smile and headed through.
*
Angel returned his smile and sighed as the doors closed behind him. She hoped he was more confident in his actual interview.