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Michael and Malick both did a double when Jonny told them of his and Jac's discovery the night before. The three men were waiting for the fifth floor lift to go down to breakfast.
'Serena and… Hanssen?' Michael asked in disbelief.
'Yes.' Jonny nodded vehemently.
'Are you sure?' Malick asked sceptically.
'She kissed him and they went into her room. It was fairly self-explanatory.' Jonny said. 'Plus, the gynie from our table last night seemed to know all about it.'
'Serena and Hanssen.' Michael repeated, as the lift door opened and they entered.
'Yes!' Jonny said in exasperation.
'Huh.' Michael laughed a little. 'Well, just pray they don't find out you've been spying and spreading rumours. 'cause one or both of them will eviscerate you and suspend your carcass above the gates of Holby as warning to other potential gossip mongers.' He warned Jonny.
'He's not wrong.' Malick agreed.
Jonny gulped. Maybe he shouldn't have told anyone.
'Who'd have thought,' Michael said in amusement, half to himself, 'The Giant Swede and the Iron Lady'.
'Maggie Thatcher?' Jonny asked in confusion.
'The Iron Lady of Holby.' Michael rolled his eyes. Then he grinned. 'Bagsies I get to tell Ric!'
'Why should Ric care?' Malick asked.
'Oh you still have much to learn young Obi Wan.' Michael sighed and patted Malick's shoulder.
The lift stopped on the fourth floor and the The Giant Swede entered the lift.
'Gentlemen.' Hanssen greeted them with a nod.
'Mr Hanssen.' Michael greeted him brightly. Michael looked past Hanssen into the hallway. Hanssen gave him a curious look. 'Oh,' Michael pretended to be surprised though he had intended Hanssen to notice. 'Is Serena on the fourth floor or the third?' he asked, knowing full well.
'I believe Ms Campbell's room is on the third floor.' Hanssen replied neutrally.
'How is she today?' Michael asked, 'Have you seen her?'
Jonny could feel his pulse rate speeding up. Michael was going to drop him in it.
'Where would I have seen her?' Hanssen asked disinterestedly and looking straight ahead at the closed lift door.
Michael smirked and didn't reply. His smirk turned into a broad grin when the lift stopped again on the third floor and Serena appeared.
'Serena!' he greeted her cheerfully.
'Michael.' Serena said warily. She nodded to the others as she entered.
Michael looked her up and down slowly. 'Have a good night?' he asked.
Serena simply raised an eyebrow and gave him a look that said she knew he was up to something and didn't want to play.
'I only ask because you look especially… radiant this morning. There's a certain… glow about you.' Michael continued. 'You look… satisfied.' He smiled innocently, or as innocently as Michael Spence was capable of doing.
Jonny could feel his palms beginning to perspire. Malick, standing at the back observed them all with a grin.
'Really?' Serena asked, looking flattered. 'Actually…' she averted her eyes almost bashfully for a second and whispered. 'I have a confession….'
Michael leaned in eagerly, was she going to blab the whole story? Hanssen seemed not to be paying attention but had either of them been observing him closely they would have noticed his eyes widen slightly and him glance swiftly at Serena.
'I've been using a ridiculously expensive night cream.' Serena whispered. She smiled smugly at the deflated look on Michael's face.
The lift reached the lobby and everyone exited. Hanssen and Serena made their way to the breakfast room but Hanssen appeared to be checking his phone as he walked and Serena saw someone she recognised and began to walk along with her.
'They are certainly cool customers.' Michael said as he, Malick and Jonny hung back and watched.
'You are definitely sure?' Malick asked Jonny again.
'How many times?' Jonny asked. 'Look, ask Jac if you think I'm making it up!'
'It's not that…' Malick told him, 'it's just… I can't picture it.'
'I don't want to picture it. Hanssen doing the nasty?' Michael made a face.
Hanssen glanced back slyly to where Michael, Malick and Nurse Maconie were still standing outside the lift and talking. They suspected something. Somehow, rumours had spread. Probably at dinner last night, he had noticed Pilkington talking to Maconie. This would have to be dealt with. The last thing he needed was rumours circulating about him and Serena being in a relationship. Especially when nothing untoward had even happened. This thought occurred, to his surprise, with some disappointment.