This is something a little different to what I usually write. I'm not sure about it, but hopefully it won't be too bad.x
'If cunning alone were needed to excel, women would be the best chess players' - Adolf Albin
Serena Campbell smiled to the cashier as she paid for her coffee, turning and heading through the canteen. She was contemplating how she was going to inform one of her patients that they were months away from dying as she made her way towards the lift, pausing and waiting for a short man with a small suitcase on wheels to pass her. "You're welcome," she called after him as he walked passed without thanking her. She huffed slightly, wondering when exactly she had become transparent to the male population as she slammed her fist against the call button for the lift. She tried to ignore the niggling feeling of disappointment that she was no longer as striking as she was when she was in her twenties, when she felt a presence beside her; Henrik Hanssen.
"Ms Campbell," he glanced down at her. "How is your cancer patient?"
"I'm on my way to see her now," Serena answered, noticing the way his tie was pulling unusually to the left. "Oncology have informed me that she may only have two to three months left to live."
"Unfortunately certain types of lung cancer are untreatable. The best we can do is to keep them as comfortable as possible."
Serena nodded in agreement, stepping into the open lift. "It never makes informing them any easier."
"No, regrettably not," he followed her in, breathing in her perfume as he did so. He had become accustomed to her scent over the last few months. The decision to promote her had not been an easy one, but he had always known that it was wise to keep one's friends close and one's enemies closer. She had proven to be a very competent adversary and he found her strategies interesting. Working with her was like playing a good game of chess - strategy, defence and the anticipation of one's opponent's moves were vital.
"Are you assisting on Keller today?" Serena changed the subject.
"If Mr Spence requires my assistance," he answered, moving towards the back of the lift in order to let more people on. "Then possibly, yes."
Serena pressed up against the back of the lift, watching curiously as one of the youngest F1s positioned herself in front of Hanssen, ensuring that she was close enough to him to brush against his chest. She flicked her hair back, licking her lips anxiously. Serena smiled to herself as she glanced at Hanssen who seemed oblivious to the girl's antics. They stopped at the next floor and waited for some staff members and patients to get off. The F1 in question turned to greet Hanssen as she got out of the lift, giving him a bright smile.
Hanssen nodded a greeting and averted his gaze to the floor.
"Nice to know you have fans," Serena whispered into his ear. Hanssen's gaze shifted to her and he gave her a curious look.
Serena ignored him and continued to watch as the next group of F1s climbed into the lift, glancing back at both Serena and Hanssen, trying to make a good impression. She watched as one of the more attractive youngsters turned to her and smiled .
"Ms Campbell?" He reached out his hand. "I'm Harry Tressler, one of your new F1s. Pleased to meet you."
Serena gave him a warm smile as she shook his hand. "Mr Tressler, welcome to Holby. I'm sure you'll make us all proud."
"I'm sure I can make you proud and more," he gave her a cheeky smile, glancing nervously at Hanssen who was keenly observing their exchange. He had noticed how Serena's face had suddenly lit up.
"Mr Hanssen," Serena turned to the tall man beside her. "Meet Harry Tressler - our new F1 all the way from Kings College London."
"Ah," Hanssen nodded, shaking the young man's hand. "I hope you enjoy your residency here. If there are any problems, do come and find Ms Campbell or myself."
"I will, thank you."
"Mr Tressler," Serena motioned towards the lift doors. "I believe this is your stop."
"Ah, yes, thank you," he smiled, giving her a little wave as he stepped off.
"I assume Mr . . . Tressler will be working alongside you on AAU?" Hanssen asked curiously.
"Well, for the most part, he'll be working alongside Mr Griffin and myself - that is when I'm on the ward."
"Perhaps he would benefit more on Keller."
"And why's that?" Serena turned to look at him.
"Mr Tressler might profit from the supervision and skills of Mr Malik."
"You don't think I'm capable of supervising a little posh boy?" Serena asked with a hint of amusement.
"On the contrary, I think the two of you would get on like a house on fire. What I'm saying is that perhaps he requires someone a little . . . different to what he's used to."
Serena gave him a suspicious look. "You're trying to be diplomatic. I'm not buying it. If you have concerns, then you should just come out and say it."
"And what kind of concerns would I have?"
"I don't know," she answered, disinterested with the remainder of the conversation. "I hear you had a little run in with the lovely Dr Wilde the other day," Serena said in a hushed tone to avoid the prying ears of the few members of staff in the lift with them.
"Oh?" This time it was Hanssen's turn to face her.
"Something about an infatuated young man and her history as a . . ." Serena narrowed her eyes. "Oh, how to put it?"
Hanssen watched her closely, observing the wicked glint in her eye as she pretended to find the correct words.
"Adolescent boy's agony aunt," she finally settled on, nodding proudly at her term of phrase.
"Relationship advisor," Hanssen answered, glancing around the lift as the rest of the staff stepped off, leaving them both unaccompanied in the lift.
"Right," Serena smiled. "I did catch a glimpse of some of her . . . promotional photos," she paused before watching Hanssen for a reaction. "They were very professionally done. Great lighting."
"I assume most of the hospital is now aware of her previous career?"
"Well, if Michael Spence is aware of it, then yes, the whole hospital is aware of it."
"As her superiors, it is our job to ensure that she feels welcome and respected amongst her peers - not under scrutiny from them."
"Did you see the pictures?" Serena smiled to herself when Hanssen averted his gaze to the floor.
"Yes, I did."
"And?" Serena pressed him for an answer. She seemed to take pleasure in his discomfort.
"And they were very . . . professionally done."
Serena's eyes sparkled as she took a small step towards him. "Which one was the best, in your professional opinion?"
Hanssen looked up at her and opened his mouth to speak when the lift doors opened and Gemma Wilde cheerfully stepped in.
"Morning," she smiled nervously.
Serena turned away from Hanssen, trying to suppress a smile. "How are you, Dr Wilde?"
"Very well, thank you, Ms Campbell. And yourself?"
"Never been better," Serena answered politely. "Are you getting on alright with the staff on AAU?" She noticed the sharp look Hanssen gave her and chose to ignore it.
"It's going really well. I'm learning a lot. Thank you for asking."
Serena nodded. They all stood in silence as the lift moved to the fifth floor. As the doors opened, Gemma got off first. Hanssen took a step in front of Serena, preventing her from leaving without walking straight into him. She was close enough to breathe in his aftershave.
"Something you wanted to discuss, Mr Hanssen?" She asked innocently, staring at his tie.
Hanssen looked down at her. He could tell she was not intimidated in the slightest by him and the thought seemed to annoy him. He was used to people being wary of him, scared even. He would clearly not get the satisfaction of riling the imperturbable Serena Campbell. "It goes without saying that what we discuss with the staff in confidence, remains in confidence."
"I couldn't agree more," Serena replied as she reached up to straighten his tie. "What happens in your office, stays in your office," she purred as she smoothed his black tie against his chest, giving him a mischievous smile before brushing passed him and stepping onto Darwin where a group of male F1s swarmed around her, begging for her attention. She took a clip board from one of them, glancing in Hanssen's direction as the lift closed.
Hanssen stood back, taking in a deep breath. The chess game had just become more interesting. Two could play at Ms Campbell's game, he thought.
'Chess is a matter of delicate judgement, knowing when to punch and how to duck' - Bobby Fischer