CHAPTER FOURTEEN - A VISIT TO QUEENS

  "Sure, thank you," Nia replied, carefully making her way to a worn armchair. She gently moved a small transistor radio from the seat to a nearby table already crowded with similar models. Barnaby returned with two chipped mugs, handing one to Nia. "It's chamomile. Good for relaxing. You look like you could use it after this week." Nia took a sip, the warm liquid soothing her tired body. "You're not wrong. That competition was intense." "Bah," Barnaby waved his hand dismissively. "Harlow and his schemes. Been pulling stunts like that for years." "Have you worked at Colossius long?" Nia asked, curious. Barnaby settled into another chair, his tea balanced precariously on a stack of radio manuals. "Longer than you've been alive, I'd wager. But that's not my real passion." He gestured around the room. "This is. Been collecting and repairing radios for over 50 years now." "How did you get started?" Nia asked, genuinely intrigued. Barnaby's eyes lit up. "Now that's a story. It was