Decided to have a go at writing a fic... first time so be gentle. Any feedback greatly received.
Chapter 1
"OK, settle down, settle down."
The low pitched mumbles continued for a further moment, while everyone found their seat, said their good mornings and grabbed a very necessary early morning coffee. As the room reached an acceptable hum, Mrs Julienne started the Monday morning staff meeting at St Nonnatus Comprehensive School.
Trixie shuffled in her seat as she tucked her red pencil skirt neatly beneath her.
"Oh do stop fidgeting Trixie," Patsy sighed as she watched the blonde adjust her neck scarf for the third time in two minutes.
"I can't help it, we don't usually have a whole staff meeting and Tom is sitting right over there. I must look ghastly!"
Patsy rolled her eyes, smiled wryly and turned to focus on the Headmistress. If there was one thing her stylish friend wasn't, it was ghastly.
As the Head opened her mouth to speak, there was a clatter at the door. The person behind it obviously had their hands full and was unable to operate the handle with any success. Mrs Julienne signalled for her Deputy, Miss Crane to assist the person who was struggling to enter the room and carried on.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you all back from the Christmas holidays. I hope you're all well rested and ready to take on any challenges the Spring Term may present."
Everyone's attention was soon averted from the mild mannered Head however, as Miss Crane swiftly opened the door to reveal the person making the commotion outside. With a bag in one hand, ID card and travel coffee mug in the other and keys in her mouth, a brunette stood frozen, with 70 pairs of eyes all looking in her direction.
"Come on in kid, find a seat."
This warm command was enough to remind Delia that she needed to remove herself from the doorway and preferably crawl in to a hole and die of embarrassment somewhere... But failing that, find a place to put her things down and let her cheeks turn back to their normal colour. Why was she always late?!
"Who's that?" Patsy whispered, turning to her friend.
"I'm not sure." Trixie replied, "Must be a new member of staff"
Patsy looked again at the dark haired woman. Her vision was obscured by the tens of people between them, but she could see a St Nonnatus lanyard now around her neck. Looking up, she also noticed that she must have made a funny comment to Cynthia from the math's department as they were both smirking, revealing the cutest smile Patsy had seen in a long time.
Patsy wasn't sure how long she'd been lost in her thoughts, but she was brought back to reality by the sound of Mrs Julienne's voice.
"And finally, as you are now probably all aware, Mr Turner, Head of PE was taken ill over the holidays. I hope you will all make his replacement, Miss Delia Busby, feel at home here at St Nonnatus and show her the ropes."
Mrs Julienne gestured to where Delia was sitting and once again, the whole room turned to look at her. As her colour rose, she gave a little wave to no one in particular and sat as far down in her seat as she could possibly manage.
Patsy took another opportunity to look more closely at Delia. Her brown hair was up and her thick fringe stopped just above a pair of beautiful blue eyes. She smiled kindly to the people around her who were getting up to introduce themselves as the meeting ended, exposing a dimple on her right cheek that the red head was yet to notice.
"Patsy! Quick! He's coming over!" Patsy's gaze was disturbed once again by the whispering shouts of Trixie as Tom Herewood approached them from the other side of the room.
"Good morning ladies, how were your Christmases?" Tom smiled and rocked back and forth with both hands in his pockets, clearly feeling out of his depth. Trixie's eyes lit up as she dived in to telling Tom about an incident Patsy had had with the turkey, a bowl of punch and a cracker!
Sensing she was no longer needed and seeing Trixie happily conversing with the handsome RE teacher, Patsy picked up her bag, edged herself away and sought out the brunette in order to introduce herself.
Many of the teachers in the room had started to leave; ready to start the new term and deal with those 'challenges' Mrs Julienne had referred to. As Patsy waded through the sea of chairs, she saw Delia ahead looking through her bag, giving casual 'good mornings' to those who went past. With an eye still on her, Patsy didn't see the chair sticking out at an angle in front of her. As Delia glanced around, she saw a red headed woman fall gracelessly to her knees, taking the chair with her.
Delia couldn't help but laugh, a risk, considering she'd never met this woman before, but unavoidable.
Patsy got up as quickly as she could, patting her skirt down and replacing one of her heels. "Gosh, what an entrance!" she breathed, as much to herself as to anyone around her.
"Almost as good as mine" Delia smirked as she folded her arms in front of her, "But I get more points for timing and viewing figures."
"Excuse me!" Patsy retorted in mock outrage pointing to the chair that still lay over turned on the floor. "That dismount was flawless!"
Both women laughed and Patsy could visibly see the relief in Delia's face, this was after all the first day in her new job and making friends in a comprehensive school could be difficult.
"I'm Patience Mount, but everyone calls me Patsy. Head of English."
"Hello Miss Mount, I'm Delia Busby. Head of PE… As of today."
"Is that Welsh accent I detect Miss Busby?" Patsy asked, lifting her left eyebrow inquisitively.
"Da iawn! Well spotted! I decided last summer that it was time to leave my position in Pembrokeshire and come to London to see what challenges it had for me. I was close to giving up and going back home to be honest, but this position came available over the holidays and I jumped at it! Have you worked here long?"
"For the last six years, Trixie and I got jobs here straight after our PGCE's, she teaches French." Patsy turned her body and pointed at the perfectly presented blonde to show Delia who she was. At that moment, Trixie laughed a little too earnestly at one of Tom's 'jokes' and took the opportunity to touch his arm. Patsy glanced back to Delia, "We're actually roommates as well, she's a lovely girl, I'd introduce you, but she looks busy." Patsy winced subconsciously showing what she really thought of Tom, but Delia didn't make a comment.
Delia cast an eye to her watch, "Shoot, is that the time? I'd better go and get set up for first lesson."
"Yes of course." Patsy smiled as Delia turned to walk away, but she couldn't help but feel a little tug of disappointment in her chest that the brunette was leaving.
As Delia reached the door Patsy shouted, "Um, if you need anything, my office is at the end of the English corridor… oh and the English corridor is in the Poplar Building." Patsy smiled weakly, realising that her outburst may not have come across as casual as she had intended, but she was met by the thankful smile of the brunette that once again revealed a dimple on her right cheek that Patsy couldn't take her eyes off.
"Thank you Patsy."
And she was gone. Patsy felt momentarily bereft. What was it about this relative stranger that made her feel so comfortable in her company?
"So?" Patsy turned with a start, as Trixie came quickly behind her. "What is she like?" Enquired the blonde as she checked over her nails. "You can't really get the measure of someone while they are wearing a tracksuit and trainers."
"She seems OK," Patsy sighed, shrugging her shoulder and tilting her head to the side trying to look as nonchalant as possible.
Trixie continued towards the door, "We'll have to ask her around for drinks, and get the scoop on our new Miss Sporty."
Patsy followed behind Trixie, a large smile appearing on her face at the thought of getting better acquainted with Delia, that was unseen by the blonde.
"If you think so," she exhaled, still feigning indifference.
The dreary, cold, first day back to work that Patsy had been dreading had suddenly been replaced with the prospect of getting to know a beautiful Welsh girl, and for that, she couldn't be happier.