‘Really?’ Kelly was stunned.
Michael gave her a sly smile and she shifted uncomfortably.
Stephen continued: ‘Brilliant junior doctor studying for her exams, supported by the Society … all for the good of the children in her care. It’s a great profiling piece.’
Kelly looked at Stephen as though he was deranged. ‘Uh, right, well, thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t do that.’
‘Why not?’ Stephen said.
‘I’m too busy studying for the written exam.’
‘I’ll give you some time off for the interviews,’ Michael said.
Kelly looked at Juliana. ‘I’m a private person. I wouldn’t be comfortable talking to a journalist.’
Juliana waved the concern away. ‘Don’t worry about that. It’s strictly about life at the hospital and we’ll get a first look at the story before it runs.’
Kelly couldn’t believe they actually thought this was a good idea or that she would want anything to do with it. ‘Yeah, it’s not going to happen. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.’
Michael stood abruptly. He looked at Juliana and Stephen. ‘Would you mind giving Kelly and me a moment to talk this through?’
The suits left the room. Kelly and Michael remained standing.
‘You will do this interview, Kelly,’ Michael said. His face hardened.
Kelly felt the buzz in her muscles increase. It became more difficult to breathe. ‘Michael, please, I barely have enough capacity for work and study. I can’t do this as well.’
‘Sit down, Kelly.’
She didn’t protest.
‘I know what you’re going through. I sat the exam myself. It may have been a lifetime ago, but I’ll never forget the pressure and the stress. But you’ve got to have perspective, Kelly. Your life has to be about more than just being a doctor or you’ll never cope. The best doctors are the best humans first. And that’s the perspective you’re missing. That being a great doctor is about more than passing an exam.’
Kelly’s jaw tensed. ‘But I can’t be a great doctorunlessI pass the exam. And I don’t just want to pass it. I want to come first in the cohort. I want the gold medal.’
Michael rubbed his chin with his thumb and index finger. Back and forth, back and forth, as though he was trying to sharpen it to a point.
He eventually stopped rubbing and wagged his finger at Kelly. ‘You know, Kelly. This article could do just as much for you as the gold medal.’
Kelly opened her mouth to speak, but Michael raised a hand to stop her. This was becoming their routine. ‘Wait, wait. Hear me out. If you’re portrayed as the professional, empathetic, brilliant doctor that you are, your profile will skyrocket and you’ll have the pick of jobs as an Advanced Trainee.’
Kelly narrowed her eyes. She could see where this was going. ‘Professional, empathetic, brilliant doctor?’
Michael smiled like he knew she was on to him.
‘And the only way that will work is if I’m on my best behaviour, right?’
‘Well, I guess so.’ Michael shrugged as though he hadn’t thought of that. ‘And it also means you’ll have a reputation to uphold.’
‘Ensuring my best behaviour for all eternity.’
‘I like where you’re going with this, Kelly. I think we can both benefit from your proposal.’
Kelly couldn’t help but laugh. Michael played the docile and caring department head well, but he was as shrewd and calculating as any corporate CEO. ‘I’ll get veto on the final story?’
‘Juliana will assure it.’
‘And you’ll give me time off for the interview?’
