A long few days.

My feet are throbbing, the unfortunate consequence of spending all day stood up. Its been a long few days, yesterday I had the blessing of a 5am wake up call from the children, then a whole day of games trying to keep them entertained before handing them over to Peter in order to start a night shift. Now, as the sun rises on a new day, I look towards the clock, an hour until I can pack up and return home, hopefully grabbing a few moments with the three of them before wandering off to bed. For the remainder of my shift I have the pleasure of rearranging all of the cupboards. Patsy's presence within Nonnatus has been welcomed warmly by Sister Evangelina, mainly because of her cleaning habits, all tasks are completed even before the Sister has opened her mouth. Unfortunately it means that any of us could be lumbered with random jobs, such as the one I find before me, at a minutes notice. I had been minding my own business whilst tidying away my kit and in stropped the Sister.

She ran her finger across the counter and inspected it rather closely; 'Spotless'

She almost looked disappointed at the fact.

She huffed and puffed as she paced the room. I continued to mind my own, I tried not to make eye contact, I didn't want to enrage her further. When I had finished packing everything away I tried to exit but Sister Evangelina shouted;

'Nurse Noakes, these cupboards are a shambles. Please reorganise them to a satisfactory state before leaving.' then she exited the room herself, leaving me to my newfound task.

I perched on a stool about to tackle the low cupboards, when footsteps began to radiate through the hallway, most probably Sister Evangelina returning to add jobs to my list. The footsteps grew closer, then suddenly burnt orange curls bounced around the door frame.

'What'ho Chum?' Beamed Patsy as she bounded into the room. 'What are you doing?'

'Sister Evangelina has given me the wonderful task of reorganising the cupboards. My final hour is now going to drag its feet.' I replied, head still in the cupboard.

'But I did them earlier! If you look, they're all arranged in alphabetical order.' She said sternly.

I pulled my head from the cupboard and smiled at her. 'Bally botherations.' I winked.

'Anyway, now for the reason I came to find you, Sister Julienne sent me, Peter's rang, seems the little one is presenting signs of the flu! Sister insists that you return home straightaway.'

I collected my coat and started to run home, the need to hold Freddie grew with every step. My poor boy. After what seemed an age I finally made it home, I fiddled for my keys but Peter shouted; 'It's on the latch!'

I barged through, tossing my coat to the side before running upstairs, Peter's voice again echoed through the house, 'In the kitchen Dear!'

I turned and made my way to the kitchen. I was met by Peter sat at the table, Freddie clinging to him. The young boy looked up towards me, his face was very pale, his eyes were dull and watery. He threw up his arms towards me, tears began to roll down his cheeks. Peter stood and passed him to me, he was like fire to touch, yet his whole body was shaking and his hands all clammy. His pyjamas were drenched in sweat. I held him close, gently rocking him. He placed a thumb into his mouth as a comforter but shortly pulled it out to release an almighty cough. His tongue was white, it had no colour to it, other than the taste buds, they were a blood red and inflamed.

'Patrick said he will pop round later!' Peter said as he finished off his cup of tea.

'I'm going to take him up to bed with me, its the best place for him! Please would you bring me up a cuppa?' I asked as I exited the kitchen.

I laid Freddie under the quilt and started to change from my uniform. Peter entered with the requested cup of tea, after placing it on the bedside table he walked over to me and helped me undo my uniform, I had got myself all in a tizz.

'Where's Edie?' I asked looking over my shoulder.

'Still asleep! She stirred for a while but full snoring has resumed!' He chuckled.

Once changed, I clambered into bed, pulling Freddie close, Peter followed. One of us, either side of him. I gently rocked him to sleep, Peter softly stroked his forehead. He began to doze back into a deep sleep.

'Do you have work today dear?' I whispered, I'm sure we'd already had this discussion but the answer evaded me.

'No, not today, last minute preparations for the dreaded exams, they're getting closer. Not doubt all this effort will be for nothing, I'm sure to mess it up some way.' He laughed nervously.

Modesty is one of Peter's many traits, he has nothing to worry about, he is going to ace them, I could ace them, after all the revision I have helped him with.

Peter had now placed his hand under my head, my eyes became heavy, the days were catching up with me. 'Close your eyes darling. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere.' Peter said softly as he leaned over to kiss me.

My eyes closed but I could feel Freddie struggling to breathe.

'He's gone limp, Camilla, he's gone limp.' Shouted Peter as he shook me violently. 'He's burning up!'

I placed my hand on his forehead, he was even hotter, his breathing becoming weaker with every breathe. I stripped him from his pyjamas. His body was covered in a red blistery rash.

'Did he have these earlier?' I asked Peter.

'No, not that I know of.' Came his reply.

'Ring for an ambulance!' I shouted as I checked all over his body. 'Tell them to come quick.'

Peter raced to the telephone box, and dialled for an ambulance. On his return he bumped, quite literally, into Sister Evangelina. Who before knowing the reasons of his haste started to shout. Peter explained the situation and after apologising repeatedly she followed him to the house.

'He has a rash all over, its extremely bad behind the ears, he's running a temperature and his breathing is very shallow!'

The sister looked to Peter and ordered him to retrieve wet flannels and a jug of luke warm water.

'If it's any colder it will send his body into shock!' She said as Peter left. She looked to me, I had been strong so far, but could feel myself about to break, she took my hand. 'He'll be okay!'

Peter returned with the items, but they were no longer needed as the sound of sirens bellowed from outside. Peter lifted him from the bed and took him out to the Ambulance. Freddie was handed over and placed on a waiting stretcher, then bundled into the back of the ambulance. With me by his side, holding his hand praying that we had caught the illness in time.