Daniel walked into the studio and made a beeline for the booth to set up, glancing at the clock as he did.
*
"Hello Daddy," Lucy teased
*
Daniel closed his eyes briefly. "Morning, Lucy," he said without looking up, busying himself setting up.
*
"Morning! Show to do!"
*
"Yes. I know. That's why I'm in here." Daniel pointed to the technical control and boards in front of him. "You need to do a mic check."
*
"Then do it."
*
Daniel refrained from rolling his eyes. He flicked her microphone on. "Say something into it," he said as he settled his headphones on.
*
"Not our demographic."
*
"What?"
*
"The sound check."
*
"You're the one that's going to be talking into the mic," Daniel pointed out, shifted his headphones so only one ear was covered.
*
"And is it working?"
*
Daniel held up a finger and made some adjustments on the board. "Almost. Say something else." He glanced at the clock.
*
"Daddy dearest and reception pleb,"
*
Daniel blinked. "What?"
*
"Easy rider."
*
Daniel frowned and flicked another switch. "You're mic's fine. On air in ten minutes."
*
"Cool, is the coffee order in?"
*
"I wouldn't know. I got my own, this morning," Daniel said, holding up his cup before taking a sip.
*
"Then fetch her to get my coffee."
*
"Can't you just get it yourself?" He checked the other settings on the boards and logged into the second system, keying up the Lucy's songlist and schedule.
*
"I'm on in a minute."
*
Daniel just stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "She usually brings it," he said.
*
"Well, she better!
*
Daniel did roll his eyes this time. "On in ten," he said, putting his headphones on and holding up a hand to count her in on five.
*
Lucy rolled back and launched into the show, bitterness replaced with honey.
*
Daniel was just glad from the respite, channeling calls through and making sure everything ran smoothly. He did send a text to Angel to warn her of Lucy's mood, not wanting her to cop the other woman's anger.
*
Text back
Thanks x Cookie?
*
I'm OK, thanks.
Daniel made an adjustment on the boards before finishing his coffee.
*
Angel appeared a short while later with Lucy's coffee, dropping it in when a song was on.
*
Daniel glanced up and smiled at her. Even though it was still morning, he already felt worn out.
*
She returned his smile and rolled her eyes at Lucy before she left
*
Daniel returned his attention to the boards, checking the levels and getting ready to filter calls through at the appropriate time.
*
Lucy worked, shiny and false as an acrylic nail, until the end if the show
*
Daniel waited for Lucy to close before he cut the mics. "And we're off." He removed his headphones and began to shut the system down ready for the next show's set up.
*
"Then I'll see you in two days. I think I might get the desk bitch fired," Lucy drawled
*
"What?" He glanced up at her, brow furrowed. "You mean Angel, what the bloody hell for?"
*
"She's a mess, she forgot my coffee, barely awake."
*
"She didn't forget. She brought it during the show, like usual," Daniel pointed out, nodding towards the cup as he stepped out of the booth. "And she's hardly the only one who's tired at this time in the morning."
*
"Mmm, but I know I don't sound it, which is the point, to be looked at is the point of her," Lucy replied
*
Daniel opened his mouth to say something but his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to look at her, unable to suppress a groan at the name that flashed up.
*
"Problem?"
*
"It's nothing. I need to take this," he muttered and moved away to answer the phone.