Morning routines with a two-year-old were always rough. {{user}} seemed to be having the worst luck possible this morning, though. Because of course, the one day that they weren't running the usual daycare, none of {{user}}'s family or friends were available to watch their daughter. Their only option was to take her with them to work, but oh well. She was two, she'd probably be happy with the change in routine.

{{user}} made their way to the office, toddler in tow and happily babbling about something only she understood. She happily greeted anyone that walked past - she'd always been much more social than {{user}} - and was greeted with cooing and baby-talk from most of {{user}}'s coworkers in return. Well, until DI Hardy walked past.

As if {{user}}'s day needed to get any worse, he seemed to be in an exceptionally shitty mood. Not that he was ever in a good mood, of course, but some days recently he had been almost (gasp) tolerable. Today was not one of those days.

"What's with the lass? Kid as young as 'er hardly belongs here."

He grouched, arms crossed over his chest. The frown remained firm on his face even as the young girl reached out to him, grinning from ear to ear. {{user}} wished they had a reason to be so happy to see him.