They had been at work for about three hours. As far as the staff on AAU were concerned Bernie had a 24 hour bug yesterday and Serena had gone to check on her mid shift as Bernie had not answered her phone due to being so ill. Only Hanssen knew the truth and even then it was not a full disclosure.
Serena knew that Hanssen was due in any time and would be wanting to see Bernie. He had not scheduled in a meeting, it was more his style to call during a gap in his schedule or to appear on the ward; that man really could give Bernie a run for her money on the sneaking about stakes, he was ninja level.
Bernie entered the office after a complicated surgery, she sat in her chair and stretched out. She closed her eyes for a minute.
Serena braved it, "Bern, you know Henrik will want to speak to you at some point today."
"Mmmmm." Came the reply.
"It might be good if you call his secretary to express your need to speak to him, showing that you…."
"Proactive, yes." She nodded eyes still closed.
"Are you OK Bernie?"
"Mmmm yes, bit of a mussy head. I'm going to get some air and then I will seek out our fearless leader for a chat."
With that she stood and pulled her hoodie from the chair zipping it up. "Promise."
Before Serena could argue Bernie left as Morven appeared, "Ms Campbell, can you take a look at the gent in bay 4; I need a second opinion."
"Of course, lead on Dr Digby."
Bernie walked out into the freedom of the roof. She settled in her usual spot and closed her eyes; rubbing her temples. She had felt the emotions of the last couple of day were finally catching up with her. The counselling, the being MIA from work, the visit from Serena, Robbie bloody showing up and the intimacy and truth between Serena and her. It was a lot to take on.
She exhaled a large breath as she felt normality restoring and knew she would need to change out of her scrubs and face the music with Hanssen. From what Serena had told her of yesterday, and her knowledge of Hanssen in general; he had been good about the whole thing, he was a good man. Serena considered him a friend and confidant, so in her book he must be pretty decent.
Her thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat, she opened her eyes, "Ah Ms Wolfe would you mind if I joined you." Hanssen asked very politely, not motioning to sit until she confirmed that it was OK.
She looked up, from this angle he was taller than he usually seemed, "Um, please do, of course."
"Forgive me for the intrusion Ms Wolfe, I sought to find you on AAU but Serena told me you would be here."
Bernie looked at him directly as if to indicate that the intrusion was accepted, she did not mind.
Hanssen offered Bernie one of two takeaway cups he was holding, "I thought you may appreciate a cup of tea; I know it is an awfully British tradition but I feel there is some weight behind this particular myth."
Bernie accepted the cup graciously, "Thank you."
They exchanged thin smiles.
"So, Ms Wolfe, I apologise for cutting to the chase but I need to discuss yesterday. Serena was very concerned regarding your welfare and the fact that you did not show up for work. I am glad that she felt able to approach me regarding this as I will always offer support to those who ask for it." He decided not to look directly at Ms Wolfe, unlike Serena; who very much wore her heart on her sleeve; Ms Wolfe was a little emotionally reserved and would probably appreciate a conversation devoid of eye contact. On this matter he felt that he and Ms Wolfe would be on the same page. His next words were selected carefully and spoken with a degree of measure. "Do you recall out last meeting?"
"I do, yes." Bernie confirmed, not sure where Hanssen was going with this.
"I asked you if your current…. Situation… affected your work. Your answer was no." He paused and cast a fleeting glance to Bernie to see if she could register where the conversation was going.
"Yesterday it did, in fact, affect your work; but also Serena's." He paused. "I am not an unreasonable person Ms Wolfe; the opposite I would like to think; but I cannot afford to have two of my best frontline consultants out of action unexpectedly. Do you understand?" His words were soft and showed genuine concern, but at the end of the day he had a hospital to run.
"Understood Mr Hanssen. I can assure you that it will not happen again. Serena; Ms Campbell; has put measures in place to assist me. I have recently learned it is OK to accept help from those who care." Her head was dipped as she spoke.
"Indeed. Yes often the first step is accepting the help, don't you think?"
Bernie turned to look at Hanssen and smiled.
"You will also recall during our last conversation that I am aware you have leave to take and it may be prudent to take some time off when you need time to process."
"Thank you Mr Hanssen I will bear that in mind."
"Yesterday should go down as an unauthorised absence, as you well know, but please leave it with me. I will speak to Human resources and see if we cannot record this as a compassionate leave day." He paused, "But I would ask only one thing of you."
Bernie nodded, thinking that Hanssen would say something along the lines of 'Don't let it happen again'.
"I would ask that you consider Serena's feelings during your… journey. I have known Serena long enough now, and she is a very emotional person; as I am sure you know." He paused to turn to Bernie. Bernie was aware that he was not finished, in fact, she had a feeling his next words were going to be quite important. "I have seen the full spectrum of her emotions, but never had I seen what I saw yesterday. Even when it comes to young Mr Haynes. I know that Serena felt a little obligation towards Jason; however when it comes to you she is not at all obliged, her concern and actions all come from a place of love. Please remember that."
"I will. I don't know what I would do without her. I need to appreciate her more."
They both nodded and finished their drinks in silence, not an issue to either of them as they were both of the mind not to speak unless there was something worth saying.
Hanssen took a sip of his tea and wore a pensive expression, "Before I leave you Ms Wolfe, may I ask something?"
"Of Course."
"Have you heard of the expression 'mindfulness', has this been mentioned to you recently." He was obviously referring to her counselling but did not want to say it directly.
"Yes, I did wonder if it was a load of old boll… mumbo jumbo." Bernie remembered to measure her response to the CEO.
"Well on the face of it, it would come across as 'mumbo jumbo', especially when it is endorsed by people like the Kardashians.'"
Bernie was surprised that he knew of the Kardashian's, she did because of the garbage that Charlotte watched on TV in the brief spell of domestic bliss. How Hanssen was aware of them she did not know.
"I can actually confirm that mindfulness is a useful tool to have in one's arsenal. I hear that you like to run Ms Wolfe."
Bernie shot a look thinking that he was referring to her running to Kiev. Cheek of the man, he was the one who gave her the option in the first place.
Henrik could see Bernie had misunderstood his words and elaborated, "By that I mean you like to take a run to exercise."
"Yes."
"When you run, what do you do whilst you run?"
Bernie shrugged and shook her head, pulling a face, "I don't know, I suppose I run to clear my head."
"And you feel better afterwards?"
"Generally, yes."
"Mindfulness, Ms Wolfe, mindfulness."
"Not mumbo jumbo then?"
"No, certainly not. Mr Griffin embraces his inner Cassius Clay." He pushes his glasses up his nose recalling the punch he received from Rik that day, "Mr Levy seems intent on dragging Doctor Copeland on jogs around hospital grounds." He rolled his eyes, "and I like to play unusual musical instruments. Have you heard of the theremin?"
Bernie laughed and tipped her head, "No."
"It is my current project. You must come to see it once I have mastered the art of being a thereminist."
"I'll hold you to that Mr Hanssen."
As he stood gracefully, "On that note," He paused and smiled at his own pun, "I shall take my leave. I imagine that you will need to be heading back too."
"Ah yes, reality beckons."
She stood and waited until Hanssen had left before heading to the stairs.