Timothy After the Wedding

Based upon Call The Midwife, developed by Heidi Thomas

Part 1 of 3

- - Poplar, Early Spring 1959 - -

Timothy and his friends from Cubs had built a tent out of blankets on the living room floor of Aaron's house. Aaron's parents had offered to let Timothy stay at their house during Mum and Dad's holiday. James and Dick had been invited for the first night, the night of the wedding day.

They had been loud and rowdy for a few hours after supper, but started to quiet down after Aaron's Dad raised his voice. Aaron's Mum had played the "Good Cop" and made them all some hot chocolate after they had settled.

Tim was lying on his back, wedged next to the sofa under an old quilt, thinking about the wedding and the following reception.

Tim had sat at the table with the nuns for the meal, but was now sitting by the record player, changing records. There were several boxes of records, all belonging to different people, and he had to make sure the records went back into the boxes they came from, and everyone got their own records back.

Nurse Franklin helped him, especially by picking out songs. She knew which songs were good to dance to.

He enjoyed watching everyone dance. Of course, Mum and Dad danced together. Mr. Jesmond was dancing mostly with Nurse Lee, but danced with the other nurses as well. Constable and Mrs. Noakes danced, which was an odd sight. Nurse Miller had danced with Baby Freddie a few times, which consisted of her moving around and him giggling. What surprised him most was that the nuns danced as well. All the men, including Dad, took turns spinning them around, even though they didn't dance too much. It turned out Mr. Buckle was a very good dancer.

Tim had always liked dancing. Mummy would dance with him often. He had memories of her holding him on her hip, and spinning around the living room. He had memories of his arms wrapped around her hips, cheek resting against her stomach, swaying in the kitchen.

Mummy and Dad had danced often. And when they did, they would dance for what seemed like hours. They always looked happy when they were dancing, even if Dad came home late and tired.

But then Mummy got sick, and they danced less and less. One day the dancing stopped, and house got quieter. Mummy died not long after that, having wasted away.

Timothy smiled as he watched Mum and Dad dance. He looked down at his legs, hopefully she would want to dance with him once his legs were better.

Nurse Franklin came over and started search through the record boxes. She seemed to find the one she wanted, and then winked at him. She changed the record once the song was over and it was a slow song. Tim looked back to the dance floor and saw Mum and Dad walking towards him, hand in hand.

Mum smiled. She looked so pretty in that big white dress. She released Dad's hand and reached out to him. "Will you dance with me, Timothy?"

They had only danced for one song, and it wasn't much of a dance - he thought. But Mum seemed to enjoy it, and he certainly enjoyed it. He couldn't wait for Mum and Dad to come back from their holiday. They were going to Brighton for three days. Why someone would want to go to the seaside in the middle of winter was beyond him. Mum told him she wasn't terribly fond of swimming in the ocean to begin with, they were simply going to Brighton because it was a nice place and equipped for tourists on holiday.

He was so excited for them to all live in one house together, for her to be there every day when he got home, for her cooking, and for her not to have to leave in the evenings and for her to be there when he woke up in the morning.

Before Christmas, when she stayed on the sofa at Christmas time, he had gone down stairs in the early morning for a glass of water. At the bottom of the stairs, he had heard something. Humming. She was humming.

He peeked his head around the corner to see her sitting by the window, Dad's ancient bible in her lap, humming softly. Tim didn't think he had made any noise, but she stopped humming and turned her head towards him. "Timothy, what are you doing up at this hour?"

He went to her. "I was thirsty."

She stood and they went to the kitchen. "What are you doing?" he asked as she reached a glass and filled it with water from the tap.

"I was praying," she said simply.

"Why were you humming?"

She frowned briefly. "I used to sing psalms with the other nuns." A shy grin graced her face. "Singing by myself seems silly, but I miss the music. So, I just hum to myself."

She seemed a little sad. "I can pray with you, if you want," he offered.

She smiled and gently squeezed his shoulder. "Thank you, Dear, but it's early, you should be in bed."

He nodded, put his glass away and headed back to his bed.

Timothy was excited to wake every morning and find her in the house, just like a real family.

He was getting sleepy, so he said his nighttime prayers. He had gotten out of the habit after Mummy had died, but Mum always made them pray before meals, so he got back in the habit.

"Dear God," he prayed silently to himself. "I pray for Mummy in heaven. Please tell her I love her. Thank you for sending me and Dad Mum. I pray that they have a nice holiday. I pray that my legs get stronger so I can dance with Mum. Amen."

Timothy smiled, thinking back on the wedding and the reception. He fell asleep with a smile on his face, and dreamt of dancing.

- - END Part One - -