With one last straighten to his deep blue tie, Patrick stepped out the car and slowly walked up the stone path lined with delicate flowers either side, toward the boarding house. His heart raced like a horse on the final sprint of the Grand National. His palms secreting sweat at a rate which felt they could fill an entire swimming pool. One deep breathe in. And out. And he reached up and knocked firmly on the dark coloured wooden door. The sun just setting over the buildings shaded the doorway slightly, allowing a gentle breeze to cool him down.
On more than one occasion he had tried to take Shelagh on a date when they began their courtship, but the needs of Poplar had to be met first and foremost, leaving their evenings cut short or his dinner going cold on the side. Now they were engaged, as of 27 hours and 33 minutes ago, he looked at his watch and smiled, he decided it was time that he took Shelagh out with no interruptions. So cover of an on-call doctor was arranged, and a note left with a grinning Sister Julienne to say that he would prefer this evening off and uninterrupted.
The door slowly opened to an aging woman; tall, slim and greying hair with hints of it's former red colouring. On her face, a beauty spot just the the top right of her lip seemed to move as she sucked her teeth, creating a high pitched popping sound. On her long thin nose stood a pair of spectacles, through which a pair of beady eyes looked at him in expectation.
"Ermm... Miss Wight. Good evening, how are you tonight?" He didn't realise just how nervous he was about this evening until he heard his voice shake.
"No need for pleasantries Doctor Turner, I know you're eager to take your Shelagh out" Behind the mask of the ex-headmistress' face, Miss Wight had a heart which was once capable of loving but had never learnt to. A sad fact she had faced up to many years ago, but for now she wanted to ensure this new pair could experience the joy that love brings.
The smile from Miss Wight calmed Patrick somewhat, her hard exterior was clearly softened by the warmth inside her heart. He offered a smile back and nodded in acknowledgment.
Miss Wight widened the door, just enough for the small, Scottish lodger to leave, but not enough for Patrick to freely enter. However much she liked the couple, men were still not allowed to enter the premises without lawful reason to. Her mind just couldn't allow herself to bend the rules for one, and not the other suitors for the other women.
From the top of the stairs, Shelagh could feel the slight chill from the open door. She knew the doorbell had rang, and exactly who it would be, but Miss Wight was insistent that the only person to answer the door would be herself. At the moment, Shelagh was thankful for the extra few moments she had to conduct herself in a steady manner. She could only eat the bare minimum at lunch, and only half a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon. The butterflies in her stomach seemed to not want to settle. She thought that perhaps a lie down would help to calm her, and after a restless night the night before, she could do with a few minutes of sleep. However, she underestimated how much her body had craved the rest and had overslept. Only half an hour ago did she wake and rush to get ready. With no time to carefully pin up her hair, she left it down in it's natural loosely curls and gently teased her fingers through it. Now, as she stood just outside her door, she took a few deep breathes and closed her eyes. She wanted so much to have a good night with Patrick, but this was her first ever date.
Finally, she rounded the corner and padded slowly in her bare feet down the stairs cloaked in a dark emerald green dress. On her fingers she dangled a pair of black court shoes, with enough of a heel to allow herself to be almost eye-to-eye with her fiancée.
"Shelagh," Still marveling at sound her given name made on his lips "Do you want to take a coat with you? It's starting to cool down, and I thought I could walk you back if the weather held up?" He looked at Miss White expectantly, he knew the boarding house closed to all visitors at 8pm, and all residents had to be back by 10:30pm. Yet he also knew that Miss White was careful of her residents needs, Shelagh's in particular, and always ensured the older woman that he would drive back Shelagh and keep her warm. Somehow he wanted tonight to be different, and not for the first time, want to keep Shelagh with him forever. Especially after nearly losing her before she had even shed the Habit.
Miss White smiled gently at Patrick's rueful expression, he really did love this young woman with all his heart. "That's fine Doctor Turner. Just you make sure you're back by 10:30", Shelagh's eyes sparkled slightly in the failing light.
"Here" He took the offered coat from Miss White and held it out to Shelagh by holding the two shoulders and allowed her to put each arm through the corresponding sleeve. As she turned to face him, he began to button it up. She smiled at his thoughtfulness. How had she found this wonderful, dear man who she loved so much it hurt?
As she stepped out onto the path, Patrick held his arm in such a way so she could hook her arm underneath his. A smile graces both their lips once more, was there every going to be a time when they would be exchanging angry, hurtful looks? Of course there was, the rational part of her mind thought, but for now she was more than happy with the loving and tender moments.