My first Holby City fic - please be gentle!
Disclaimer: Dear BBC, I am only borrowing these characters and fully intend to return them unscathed.
Hanssen checked his watch as he dashed from the elevator towards the boardroom. Three minutes to spare. He gave a short huff of annoyance. It was always his preference to arrive at least five to ten minutes early for meetings. It gave him a chance to settle himself and also to observe everyone else as they arrived. But, he supposed, given the way his morning had started he should probably be relieved he wasn't ridiculously late.
"Mr Hanssen," Serena Campbell greeted him brightly as she stood outside the door to the boardroom.
"Ms Campbell." he replied with a small nod, he slowed to a halt and took a breath, straightening his shoulders and hoping he didn't come across as harried as he felt. However, he noticed Serena giving him a strange look and supposed he probably looked at least a little flustered.
'Rough morning?" Serena inquired with a small smirk.
He shrugged nonchalantly, there was no way he was going to admit to Serena Campbell that he had overslept. "Are we quorate?"
"Still waiting for a few stragglers." Serena's smirk became more pronounced and Hanssen felt himself bristle.
Today's meeting was to discuss a possible donation from a wealthy businesswoman, Andrea Dixon. Ms Dixon's company had recently had some bad press regarding tax evasion and Hanssen knew the cunning Ms Dixon was hoping the positive PR from making a large donation to a good cause would overshadow the company's previous problems. However, she hadn't decided yet who was to benefit from this donation and had been very open about the fact that it was between Holby City and St James's. Hanssen suspected Ms Dixon rather enjoyed having people compete for her attention and he knew the management at St James's had gone to great lengths to impress at their meeting with her the day before. Ms Dixon had been treated to a grand tour of St James's, starting with their most innovative and technologically advanced departments and of course, typically, ending with a sympathy inducing tour of the paediatrics ward. Hanssen wouldn't be surprised to hear they had thrown in a few puppies and kittens just to really pull at the heart strings! He almost rolled his eyes now just thinking about it.
This was therefore not a good day for him to be off his game. Ms Dixon had been given all the cliches yesterday. He suspected snazzy bits of equipment and sick children wouldn't have the same effect two days running, if that is they had any effect to begin with. Ms Dixon seemed a little more hard-nosed and Hanssen knew he needed to make a very good argument on Holby City hospital's behalf and be clear on why it would benefit Ms Dixon more to donate here rather that to St James's.
He took a deep breath and turned to make his way to the boardroom door but felt Serena place a a hand on his arm and hold him back. He glanced down at her hand and then up at her face with a look of surprise.
"You've got a little…" she gestured with her hand towards his face.
"What?"
"Shaving cream." she explained. "You've got some…" again she gestured with her hand.
In embarrassment Hanssen swiftly rubbed at his face. He had been in such a rush he hadn't given himself a proper once over in the mirror before leaving the house. Serena shook her head as he missed where she was pointing to.
"Come here," she said, tugging him towards her and reaching up to gently rub the shaving cream from his jawline with her thumb. "There." she used her hand on his chin to turn his head and ensure there were no other spots he had missed. "All good." she smiled.
Serena's hands then moved to adjust his tie, straightening the knot and then flattening it down against his chest. Hanssen felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach. Probably because you skipped breakfast, he told himself.
"Oh ah…" Elliot Hope appeared looking out of breath and slightly awkward at the scene he had just walked into. "Sorry I…" he gestured aimlessly with this hands. "I was afraid I was running late."
"You are." Hanssen replied, stepping away from Serena and fixing Elliot with a stern look, not because he felt Elliot deserved to be admonished but because he suddenly felt like he needed to reassert some sense of formality.
Stepping into the boardroom Hanssen immediately greeted the tall, sharp suited blonde woman who approached him.
"Ms Dixon, lovely to see you again." Hanssen fixed her with his best professional smile.
"Oh I do hope you mean that Henrik!" she replied, giving his hand a firm squeeze.
"Of course." he said, "You remember Ms Campbell, my deputy?"
After the introductions as they took a seat at the table, he felt Serena lean towards him. "I think you've got a fan there!" she whispered.
"Pardon?"
Serena nodded discreetly towards Andrea Dixon. "Dixon. She's taken a shine to you!"
Hanssen threw her a look that said 'don't be ridiculous' but Serena smirked.
"She was looking at you the way Elliot eyes up a pastry! "Oh I do hope you mean that Henrik", Serena mimicked and held back a laugh.
Hanssen quietly shushed her but Serena was undeterred. "Hey, if it helps us get the money…" she winked.
"Shush!"
