'What do you mean?' asked a peevish looking Jac.
'I mean what I just said.' Mo replied. 'We're carpooling. The powers that be say there's no cash to splash on travel expenses for everyone making their own way. Aaand some other guff about being environmentally…'
'Well they can forget that. I'd pay any amount in petrol costs not to be stuck in a car with you lot for 4 hours. I'm taking my bike.' Jac cut her off.
'Charming.' Malick rolled his eyes.
'I'm only passing on the message.' Mo said before grumbling under her breath, 'We'd gladly pay for you to travel alone too!'
'So whose car are we taking?' Michael asked lazily. 'We won't all fit in mine.'
'I don't mind driving.' Malick volunteered.
'I don't mind if you do either!' Mo grinned.
'Sorted then.' Said Malick.
As they began their way towards the carpark they heard a Scottish voice calling 'Wait for meeee!' and Jonny came running around the corner with a duffle bag on his shoulder.
'Where are you going?' Jac snapped.
'The conference.' Jonny said with as much indignation as he could muster whilst so out of breath. 'Thanks for making sure you were all going to wait for me by the way.' He added to Mo.
'I wouldn't have let them leave the carpark.' She said.
'Why are you going to the conference?' Jac asked as if it was the most absurd thing she had ever heard.
'Jonny and I are a team.' Mo told her.
Jac rolled her eyes. 'They don't have money for a few quids petrol costs but they have money to waste on sending a nurse to a major medical conference.' She sighed. 'This is what's wrong with this country.' She turned on her heel and headed towards her bike.
Mo scrunched her face and was about to call Jac but Jonny put his hand on her arm. 'Leave it.'
They had just reached Malick's car when Michael came to an unimpressed halt.
'This is your car?' he asked.
'Yea.' Malick replied.
Michael crinkled his nose.
'What's wrong with it?' Malick asked defensively.
'What's righ…' Michael caught the look on Malick's face and didn't finish his sentence. He looked towards the other end of the carpark where he saw Henrik Hanssen and Serena Campbell arriving at Hanssen's car. 'Uh you know, it'll be cramped with all of us in there…'
'No it won't.' Jonny said looking confused.
'It's fine. I'll catch a ride with the others.' Michael picked up his bag and jogged towards Hanssen and Serena.
'Ouch!' said Jonny. 'We've been dumped for a fancier motor.'
'And fancier people.' Mo added.
Malick just made a face and shook his head.
Hanssen and Serena had already sat into the car when Michael got there and he simply jumped into the backseat.
'Hey guys!' he said cheerfully.
Serena twirled around in her seat startled whilst Hanssen simply eyed Michael beadily through the rearview mirror.
'Michael!'
'Mr Spence.'
'The other car is full.' Michael said by way of explanation. 'Besides, it'll be more fun with the three of us. Right Serena?' he grinned.
'Will it?' Serena asked through gritted teeth.
'Unless of course,' Michael smirked at her, 'I'm intruding on any… private time… you two wanted to have?'
'Don't be ridiculous.' Serena snapped.
'You are perfectly welcome.' Hanssen added glibly. Truth be told, Henrik thought to himself, he was relieved to have a third person sharing the journey with them. To say he had been dreading this trip alone with Ms Campbell would be an overstatement but he had some reservations. Not just because he still found himself unsure of Ms Campbell, but because he always dreaded time spent alone with anyone. He was not a natural conversationalist and he had predicted they would run out of work related talk at about the halfway mark. At least now with Mr Spence in the car the burden of conversation would be eased a little.
Serena was loathe to admit it, even to herself, but she was glad Michael Spence would be accompanying them on the journey. Making conversation with Henrik Hanssen was like Nurse Lane doing mental arithmetic. It happened dreadfully slowly, was uncomfortable to watch and you had to resist the urge to say 'it's alright, don't bother'.
Malick pulled out of his parking space and turned towards the entrance whilst Mo began fiddling with the radio immediately. Jonny sat in the back with a travel pillow around his neck. They didn't get far when they noticed Jac staring furiously at her bike. Malick pulled over and rolled down his window when it became apparent that Jac had a flat tire.
'Well, well Ms Naylor.' He said.
Jonny hurriedly rolled down his window too and stuck his head out eagerly. 'In a spot of bother?' he asked with a smirk.
'I'll catch up.' Jac said dismissively.
'No you won't. Get in.' Malick said. 'Hanssen's already left and the traffic is choc-a- block.'
Jac stared at him stubbornly.
'Get in.' Malick repeated. She sighed and did as she was told, throwing her bag into the boot of the car before hopping in next to Jonny.
'This is going to be so much fun!' Jonny grinned.
Jac gave him a sour look. 'What the hell is that?' she asked referring to the red travel pillow still around his neck.
'I like to be comfy, it helps me sleep on long journeys.' He said.
'Grandad.' Jac mumbled under her breath.
'Yea well you won't be so cool when we get to the conference and you have a crick in your neck 'cause you dosed off on the way!' Jonny said defensively.
Jac rolled her eyes and turned her back to him to look out the window.
Some time later Henrik was revising his opinion on it being a good thing Michael Spence was making the journey with them. Almost every topic of conversation so far had resulted in a disagreement between Mr Spence and Ms Campbell. They were now all three sitting in tense silence and had been for the last ten miles or so. The silence was broken when Michael's phone started to ring. Henrik glanced in the rear view mirror and noticed a satisfied smirk on Michael's face as he noted who the call was from.
'Tracey, honey!' Michael drawled.
Serena rolled her eyes at the tone of Michael's voice. He really did consider himself to be such a smooth operator.
'I know honey,' Michael continued, 'But it couldn't be helped. That's the life of a doctor.' He sighed melodramatically. 'When it's life or death you gotta go, no matter how much you wanna stay. And believe me, honey… I wanted to stay. Don't think I'd forgotten about what you promised to do to me in the morning…' he laughed huskily.
'Oh lord!' Serena said with disgust under her breath.
Henrik glanced briefly at her and then back at Michael in the rear view mirror. Michael was smugly watching Serena's reaction.
'I can't honey, I'm away for a few days. A work conference. But as soon as I get back….' he made low half moan, half growling sound.
Serena made a face.
'Ok honey. Yes, I will be straight around to yours as soon as I get back.' Michael paused, still watching Serena. 'I'll bring the champagne, all you need is yourself. And maybe that cute little negligée, the one with the red trim…'
Henrik really wished Michael would hang up.
'Hey, now you're thinking, that edible body paint could go down pretty well. I mean, I'll be hungry after travelling. It'd be good to have something to… snack on.'
'Oh for the love of god!' Serena finally snapped.
'Excuse me a second Tracey honey.' Michael said. 'Serena are you alright?' he asked with faux concern.
'I'd be better if I didn't have to listen to the details of your sex life.' She responded.
'Oh I haven't gone into the detail. There's a lot more detail.' Michael smirked.
'Then please spare us.' Serena told him.
'Ok.' Michael nodded. 'I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable. I should have thought.' Michael went back to talking on his phone. 'Tracey, baby, I have to go. I'll call you this evening and we can talk properly and come up with a plan for that body paint…' he laughed huskily again. 'We'll need to make sure we get into all the little curves and…'
Suddenly a familiar ringtone began again. Michael's face froze.
'Your phone is ringing.' Serena said turning around to look at him. Michael began to laugh.
'You weren't talking to anybody.' Serena realised.
'I was at first!' Michael admitted. 'Hello Jac!' he answered the new call.
Serena turned to Henrik with a look of disbelief. 'That man!' she said, shaking her head.
Henrik gave no reaction but for a look of amusement in his eyes.
Henrik and Serena stretched their legs as they waited in the car park of the filling station they had pulled into. Jac had called to say their car was taking a toilet break and the next filling station, so they had all decided to stop and stretch their legs.
'He really is infuriating.' Serena grumbled as she saw Michael exiting the filling station. Henrik made no response. Jac was pacing impatiently nearby, waiting for the others to hurry up so they could get moving again.
'Now,' Michael arrived with a tray of three coffees, 'Don't say I'm not considerate of my fellow travellers.' He handed Serena and Henrik one each.
'Thank you Mr Spence.' Henrik said. Serena also grudgingly thanked him. Michael smiled cheerfully. He knew he had been getting on Serena's nerves and he was loving it. He was so glad he hadn't gone in the other car.
Henrik watched as Jonny approached Jac with a coffee and what looked like some kind of pastry. Jac cocked her nose at both, gave a gruff 'no thanks' and went to sit in the car. Jonny sighed and followed her. Why was human interaction so fraught with difficulty, Henrik wondered. He turned around and noticed Serena stretching to root around in the boot of the car whilst Michael stood behind her, calmly looking her up and down. Michael caught Henrik's look of disapproval, shrugged lightly and said 'human nature' he patted Henrik on the arm as he walked 'can't blame a guy for looking'. Michael got in the car and Henrik returned his attention to Serena, still searching for something in her bag in the boot. As he approached her he couldn't help but find his eyes wandering to see what Michael had been so intently observing. Distracted, he didn't notice her turning or how close he was to her, so that she ended up almost slamming against him.
'Oh!' Serena yelped slightly. 'Henrik. I didn't realise you were…so…close.' She glanced down at the tiny space between them and stepped back so that her legs were pressed against the car. I hope that doesn't leave a mark on my trousers she thought.
'My apologies.' Henrik almost stammered. 'I… were you looking for something?' he asked.
'Just making sure I packed my phone charger.' She said. He had hopped back to leave a greater distance between them but he seemed uneasy. She gave him a smile and returned to the passenger seat.
'Well that looked almost cosy.' Michael said as soon as she sat in.
Serena sighed. 'Is there any possibility you might travel in the other car for the rest of the trip?' she asked.
'Nope.' Michael grinned. At that moment Henrik sat back in. 'Admit it Serena, you'd miss me if I wasn't here.'
Serena rolled her eyes and Michael sat back with a smug smile. Henrik wondered what it must be like to have Mr Spence's self-assurance. He also wondered briefly how long it would be before he and Ms Campbell succumbed to the sexual tension between them and whether or not that would have adverse effects on the running of his hospital. It wasn't often that Henrik Hanssen gave much thought to the personal relationships of those around him or indeed picked up on the subtleties of flirtation but if it was likely to disturb the professionalism of his hospital he felt he needed to keep an eye on the situation. He glanced sideways at Ms Campbell. He really could not imagine her and Mr Spence being suitably matched but when had that ever stopped people from jumping into pointless relationships.
They all finally reached their destination and stood in the lobby of the hotel the conference was being held in. Jac, Jonny, Mo and Malick seemed to be in heated debate about who was going to get to check in first. Each of them, for various reasons in a hurry to get to their room.
Michael, Serena and Henrik stood and observed them quietly.
'They're like children.' Serena said, voicing Henrik's thoughts exactly.
'Well, then, as Mom and Dad of this raggle taggle bunch shouldn't you two sort them out?' Michael looked from Serena to Henrik, who in return both looked at him with raised eyebrows.
'What does that make you then?' Serena asked.
'The cool uncle.' Michael replied smoothly, removing his sunglasses from his head and hanging them from his shirt. 'The one who gives them money to go buy sweets and stays home to help mommy relax.' He winked.
Serena crinkled her nose in distaste but there was a hint of amusement there too. The man was incorrigible.
'What does daddy do in these circumstances?' Henrik suddenly heard himself asking.
Michael gave him a look of surprise, not expecting the serious Swede to join in such a conversation.
'He sticks very close to mummy to keep the sleazy uncle at bay.' Serena replied smiling, taking Henrik by the arm and leading him towards the reception desk.
Henrik tried not to balk visibly at Serena holding onto his arm. Apart from handshakes it had been quite some time since he had any deliberate physical contact with anyone. He tried not to dwell on exactly how long. He glanced back at Michael who was watching with amusement as Serena lead him by the arm.
'Ms Campbell, if Mr Spence's continued innuendo is troubling to you I can have a word.' He said suddenly.
Serena looked at him with an expression he could not read. 'Oh I can handle him.' She said dismissively.
Henrik waited patiently for Serena to finish checking in before he took his turn. All the others had finally gone to their rooms. Michael predictably had taken ages as he had flirted with the young woman at the desk. Henrik sighed and turned to look around the lobby again. Suddenly he caught sight of an old familiar face and then a second. He groaned inwardly and the usually calm Swede fought a sudden desire to try and hide.
As Serena signed the check-in form two men walked past her and she heard one exclaim quietly to the other 'Good grief it's Swedish Henry!'.
'My lord,' the second man said, 'Haven't seen him for years. Still looks as dour as ever.'
'Still on his own!' the other added.
'Naturally.' Replied the second and they both laughed.
'Henrik Hanssen!' they shouted. 'Hello old man. Haven't seen you for years. How are you?'
Serena felt her jaw clench and watched to see Henrik's reaction to these two men. As usual Henrik's reaction was difficult to read but she noticed his eyes darting around rapidly. He was flustered. Or as close to flustered as Henrik Hanssen ever got.
Henrik politely and flatly replied to the false enquiries as to his wellbeing from Jeffrey Hawthorne and Hugh Pilkington. They had attended boarding school together and for many years had been the bane of Henrik's life.
'So, Henry, you're at Holby?' Jeffrey asked.
'Yes.' Henrik replied.
'Married? Kids?' Hugh asked.
'No.' Henrik replied.
'Henrik darling, I've checked us in. shall we go up?' Serena arrived and took his arm again. She smiled sweetly at the two men who gazed at her in surprise. In fact so surprised were they that they did not notice Henrik's shock at her use of the word 'darling'.
'Henrik, you must introduce us.' They said.
'Uh this is Ms Campbell. She is a consultant at Holby.' Henrik extricated his arm from her grip.
'Serena.' Serena said as she shook hands with the men and they introduced themselves as it was apparent Henrik was not going to.
Henrik was trying to get a grip on the situation. What in earth had made Serena call him darling and then grab on to him like that? What was she thinking?
'How long have you two been together?' Jeffrey asked.
'Oh not long.' Serena smiled. 'I don't wish to be rude but we have had quite a long car trip and…'
'Oh no, carry on.' Hugh said. ' We might see you around again.'
'Hmm.' Serena smiled.
Henrik managed to hold his tongue until the lift doors closed.
'Can you please explain to me Ms Campbell what on earth you think you are playing at?' he demanded.
'Getting you out of a sticky situation.' She replied coolly as she pressed the lift button. 'I heard them talking about you. Obviously old acquaintances and not very pleasant ones. It's times like that it's best to appear with a gorgeous and affectionate partner in tow and to waffle on about how fabulous your job is. The job you already had sorted and I provided the rest!' she said haughtily.
'I don't like to play games Ms Campbell.' Henrik said grimly.
'Oh what's the harm?' Serena sighed. 'It was better than standing there like a bunny rabbit caught in headlights as you were doing.'
Henrik squared his shoulders. 'And how are we supposed to keep up this charade of being in a relationship?'
'What are the odds of seeing them again?' Serena asked getting bored of this now. The lift arrived at her floor.
'They are here attending the conference.' Henrik said through gritted teeth.
'Oops.' Serena said, trying to hold back a laugh. The doors opened and they both stepped out.
'Oops indeed.' Said Henrik.
'Hopefully they won't see you when you go back down to check-in.'
'What?' Henrik asked.
'You still have to check-in.' Serena said. Taking in the look of confusion on his face she explained. 'Well obviously I didn't really check you in… that was just for show.' She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly. 'Unless you think we need to start sharing a room now… to keep up the pretense?' she asked softly, enjoying the pink flush that came to his cheeks. Goodness, she thought, I've just made the great Henrik Hanssen blush!
