Apologies for the delay in updating this. I been sick with Norovirus and then this story started to take a differnt turn. I debated whether to include the new developments in this story or save them for a different fic but i have decided to include them (unless I change my mind again!) It will be another two chapters before you see what I mean :) Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews.
No one could have been more surprised than Serena at the unexpected turn the night had taken or how comfortable she would feel in his presence. From the lustful encounter that never was, to Hanssen's version of an apology, the conversation had taken a personal tone she never would have anticipated. After receiving a cheeky goodnight text from Eleanor, Serena had laughed out loud and had to explain her amusement to Hanssen.
'Hope you're behaving yourself Mum. Night xx.' Serena read the text.
Hanssen smiled. 'She sounds like a chip off the old block.'
'That's what I'm afraid of.' Serena replied dryly.
'Bit of a handful were you?'
'Still am!' Serena quipped.
'Touché.' Hanssen acknowledged with a smile.
They had talked about Eleanor some more. Her new obsession with dying her hair different colours and how her recent decision to become a vegetarian had lasted only two days. From there, somehow, they reached the topic of her ex-husband.
'At Christmas or birthdays she's his little princess and he gives her a small fortune to spend as she pleases. But the rest of the time, when she's sobbing about some boy or stressing about exams – she's all mine." Serena said bitterly. 'It's so easy for men. It doesn't matter what it is, you always have the option to bugger off if you decide you don't like it anymore.'
Henrik couldn't help but wince slightly at her words. He was glad she had turned her gaze towards the floor and didn't appear to have noticed him.
'I wouldn't mind, but it was all his idea to try for a child. Said our marriage wouldn't be complete otherwise.' She continued.
'You didn't want children?' he asked, slightly surprised.
'Even now I wouldn't describe myself as maternal.' Serena confessed. 'Having children was never part of my long-term plans.' She sighed. 'But… to keep him happy…' she shrugged, 'Thing is, it turned out that having a child didn't make our marriage complete. Although I often wonder if Eleanor had been a boy…' her voice trailed off.
'Surely not.' Hanssen said with raised eyebrows.
'After Eleanor, he wanted to try again. I refused.' She looked sad.
'Children cannot mend broken marriages.' Hanssen said, then realised how that sounded. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to presume…'
'No, you're right. It was broken.' Serena smiled considerately. 'Why are men always so concerned with their legacy? Why do you all want a little mirror image of yourselves to carry on the family name?' she asked.
'Not all of us do.' Hanssen answered stiffly.
'Hmm.' Serena stretched back against the headboard and swung her legs onto the bed, making herself more comfortable. She decided to change the subject. 'Ok, now it's your turn!' she said brightly.
'My turn?' Hanssen asked.
'I've spilled my guts. Now it's your turn to reveal a deep dark secret.' She caught the momentary look of panic on his face. 'Or a jolly old anecdote.' She added.
Hanssen avoided her gaze and looked uncomfortable. Serena watched him for a moment deciding whether or not to say anything.
'Are you ever going to explain what all that business with Biotek was?' she asked gently.
He looked up sharply. She could tell he was wondering how much she already knew, debating whether or not to fob her off with a brusque 'none of your business'.
'Do you really think I was happy to just go along with Ms Naylor's suggestion to "trust Hanssen's judgement"' Serena said mimicking Jac, 'and not question it?'
He should have known. The woman had hacked his emails, she wouldn't simply accept Jac Naylor's word to leave things be. He wondered how deeply she had dug.
'Anders Lovborg." Serena said. 'The Biotek chairperson. I read that he died.' Serena continued to watch Hanssen carefully. 'You were still in Stockholm at the time.'
'Yes.' Hanssen concentrated on maintaining an even and composed façade.
Serena held his gaze for a moment longer before smiling enigmatically. 'It's late.' She said softly.
Hanssen checked his watch and nodded, then made a move to get up just as Serena swung her legs off the bed and stood.
'Can we treat tomorrow as a kind of… new dawn in our relationship then?' she asked, eyebrows raised and tilting her head slightly.
'You wouldn't rather pretend tonight's events hadn't happened?' he asked.
'Tonight's would-be events didn't happen.' She replied grinning for a moment. 'No, I'd rather not go back to the way things were Henrik.' She added more seriously. 'You can trust me.'
For the first time Hanssen felt that maybe he could.