1973.
"Where are we staying mummy?" she asked for the millionth time.
"Sweetie, I've told you" Trixie ruffled the head of the young girl sitting beside her on the train. "Aunt Patsy's, who I used to be nurses with...now sit still and read your magazine" she grinned.
As her daughter settled back into her seat, Trixie pulled a Sobrani out of her bag. Exhaling a stream of smoke, she realized that for the first time in awhile she felt exhilarated. Don't misunderstand-being married and living in Yorkshire was nice. The countryside had a soothing effect on her. Her beloved husband Eugene was a kind man as well. However his absences had become more and more frequent. She had begun craving London again.
So when a letter arrived from Patsy inviting her to visit-well she instantly went to purchase the train ticket. And Ellie looked like her face would split having never been outside of their home county. It was the most exciting thing to happen in her daughter's life since Elvis broadcasted live from Hawaii. She'd heard nothing else from the girl from morning to night until the time to leave came around.
Trixie was simply pleased to see her old nursing compatriot. She had kept up with the ginger nurse since leaving the service to marry. Eugene had wanted a family right away and Trixie had tired of the profession. Her experience in South Africa had changed her and she found it hard to settle back into the routine upon returning.
Patsy had stayed, albeit in a growing limited capacity as the birth rate slowed. Still her senior experience proved useful to the health needs of Poplar, so she went where she was most needed. It also helped that her companion was in the same profession, although Delia was now promoted to matron. But then again Delia had always been more ambitious and well-liked. Over the years the nurse's relationship with each other became less of an issue, and more just an understood fact. It was just overlooked as personal business which never affected either woman's stellar work. Trixie didn't see it as relevant at all. Patsy had a stoic professionalism about her that was rarely broken. For 14 years the redhead had served the East End and they overlooked her different life choices. Plenty of women shared flats together after all.
Still Trixie had yet to break Patsy's famous wall of reserve regarding her personal life. While she respected her friend's reluctance-it also left her overwhelmingly curious.
"Mummy, is this the station?" her daughter asked loudly pointing out the window.
"Oh yes sweetie, let's get everything together now" she said with an excitement that matched her little girl.
Of course, Patsy sighed, even after four hours of train travel Trixie Franklin would still look flawless. Her old friend emerged from the train with a toe-headed mini-version of herself. Both looked fresh as a daisy with impeccable grace. Patsy waved across the platform at Kings Cross in her light green suit. Still taller than the average she stood out enough in the busy crowd.
The two nurses reunited and instantly sparked together like they hadn't been apart. The bubble of shared experience instantly constructed itself around them as they headed off the platform. Ellie trailed behind holding firmly onto her mother's hand. Her mouth held open in agog at all around her. Eventually her mother turned around and urged her to be quicker.
"So where's your other half this weekend?" Trixie asked.
"She's at a conference" she explained with a slight edge.
"And you couldn't go with her?' Trixie asked surprised.
"No" she said quickly. "Your chariot awaits" Patsy pointed to her convertible up ahead. At the sight of the convertible, Ellie audibly squealed.
"Mummy are we going to ride in that?!" she exclaimed.
Patsy laughed at the young girl's exuberance as Trixie nodded towards her daughter.
"I thought we'd dare the top down today Ellie. What do you say?" she asked the fresh face girl.
She answered with a high pitch squeal as she climbed into the back seat. Once their luggage was loaded and Ellie secured, they set off with a tire squeal.
"Really Patsy" Trixie gave her a concerned eye-roll.
"Trix, I've got complete control of this motor vehicle" she assured her with a laugh as they turned into the East End.
As Trixie looked around she saw that not much had changed in the East End. There were still an odd mix of rebuilt and older architecture. However, she could see the new emerging London peaking through. More concrete and plaster, less wood & cobble. Patsy and Delia had purchased a townhouse last year with Delia's inheritance from the death of her father. It was a nice brownstone which the two women had made look smart.
While they climbed up the stairs, she noticed the remarkable cleanliness. Trixie had forgotten how hygienic the world of nurses could be since she had retired. The intermixing of bleach and cigarette smoke reminded her of their shared room at Nonnatus. Patsy Mount may have changed her hair but she had not changed her love of cigarettes and extreme hygiene.
"The guest room is through here" Patsy pointed down the hall.
Ellie looked at her mum uneasily as she carried her small suitcase.
"Go on" Patsy urged the young girl as Trixie nodded. "I think you'll find something for you on the bed in there" Patsy added with a smile.
"Patsy" she sighed as she heard her daughter's squeals from the guest room.
"What?!" The redhead squeezed her shoulder as they headed toward the source of such excitement.
"You'll spoil my daughter to the point where she won't want to leave" Trixie smirked.
"Well, we only spoil children in this house and besides it will occupy her so we can talk" she replied.
"Good luck with that sweetie" the blonde smirked.
It turned out the journey had tired the poor girl out. Trixie laid her down for a nap while Patsy set out tea. It was a simple affair of sandwiches and Earl Grey but Trixie was no judge. They sat down opposite each other.
"So where is Delia anyway?" Trixie leaned in excited for gossip.
"Liverpool. Matron's conference" Patsy took a dismissive sip from her teacup.
"And you weren't invited? Is that it?" the blonde smirked.
The woman opposite her took a long pause looking to the left. Exhaling audibly she brought her gaze back to Trixie. Her lips turned downward.
"She said that she'd just have to do matron-things and that I'd just be bored in the hotel all day" Patsy said sadly. "I think she just wants a break from me" she finished downtrodden.
"What makes you think that dear?" Trixie reached out her hand across the table and squeezed the others hand.
"I don't know. She's been dropping hints that she wants to leave London, maybe go back to the country" the redhead explained in a lowly voice.
"She wants us to get a dog" Patsy said dismissively after a strained silence. "Filthy beasts and who would take care of it?" Patsy continued in a haughty tone.
Trixie chortled as she tried a sandwich from the table. Patsy did not look as amused.
She broke out into louder giggles.
"Well I think my husband is having an affair so I suppose we're both in trouble" she said as tears began to pierce her eyes.
"Oh Trixie" Patsy got up and moved around the table to sit beside her. She placed her arm around her as the blonde leaned into her shoulder for solace.
A/N: Reviews are always welcome. Drop one should you feel any inclination to read further (or whatever reason you need gentle reader, I suppose).