Life in Poplar is ever changing, from brick and stone dwellings to concrete sky rises. Where once cobble roads lay, now were paved with cement. New roads were forged connecting the old with the new. Yet, the city still remains the same; from the river where the fog would roll, to the sound of the dock workers whistle blow. That would never change, not yet at least.
It was late 1960, fall has set in, and the trees were a hue of oranges, yellows and deep reds. The air was nippy, and if you walked along the shoreline down near the river, you could feel a gentle breeze and the mist would soon be in. The newcomer walks along, marveling over the many lines of linen, pinned up as the wind blows precariously whipping them dry.
The chimneys were smoking, filling the air full of pollution and filth. Soon enough the smog will return as well as the cold wet damp air. Another new face would be among the nurses and Nuns at Nonnatus House. Just in three years they have a high turnover in staff. Yet the faces still remain the same. With Jenny Lee gone and Nurse Miller has returned as Sister Mary Cynthia it really hasn't changed much. Yet, they allow men, the husbands' of the nurses to attend dinner or luncheons as they were part of the ever growing family. They are family. All of them loved one another like sisters or brothers. The three men huddled together conversing about how married life was for them. Mainly, it was Fred, he was so happy again, the boiler worked (at times) and the flue was cleaned out once again, suit be damned.
Although the house was full, there was an emptiness felt among them, with both Nurse Franklin and Nurse Mount away, both for their own health and healing. They agreed during the last staff meeting to hire another nurse until both have returned. And they were all anticipating their new arrival.
It was like she stepped right out of a movie or a page of a fashion magazine; from her tall lean look to her modern pixie cut with jet black hair, and hints of blue and purple hues accenting the bangs. Even right down her attire, she wore broad pinstripe dress that hugged her hips tightly, and knee length. She didn't carry a suitcase, but a rucksack slung over her shoulder full of her things. In her free hand, she carried a guitar. Poplar wasn't known for their musicians or artists. So she seemed rather out of place, which causes eyes to follow her as she heads up the street to Nonnatus House. She arrives, at the doorstep, placing her rucksack and guitar down; she rings the bell anticipating her new beginnings.
It didn't take long for someone to answer the door, Chummy stood there for a few seconds blinking and smiling only to ask "I say, you must be Gwen, welcome to Nonnatus House."
The cleanliness of Nonnatus House was top notch; soon as Gwen enters the building the scent of beeswax, warm baking and clean air fills her nostrils. She felt the warmth of the place as she was led through the house passing along the medical supply room; she could see women dressed not just in their uniforms but in habits as well. They were conversing as they filled their medical bags for the day. Chummy pauses there to introduce Gwen to the group. "Ladies, if you will, this is Gwendolyn, she's our new nurse to join Nonnatus House."
"Just Gwen will do." She slips the rucksack down and it slumps over with a heavy thud.
The women all look up at Chummy then to the newcomer, they stop talking and moving about, only to remain fixated on her for quite some time. They were taken by surprise of her new look, very modern, chic and rather young looking. It was Sister Monica Joan who spoke first her voice was strong as ever and starting talking about the mystic poets or some such, "You're aurora's hues are in good soft moods with strong colours casting a glow of youthfulness surrounding your mind."
"To cast a hue from Orion's nebula, where new life shall grow and mature from the grace of beauty before me." Gwen stood there smiling and felt rather important to the group before her.
Sister Monica Joan eyes widen and she crosses the medical room to take Gwen's hands in hers. The elderly nun's hands were warm and soft to touch. "I say, welcome to our house, the look from your attire you're not a nun."
"Not, even remotely, but I feel the kiss of your gracious words upon me as I am here to help others as you have done yourself. I have of course heard of you, Sister Monica Joan. You delivered my mum and my aunt."
There was buzz all around the medical room as both conversed for what seemed a long while. They were stunned at how they knew one another; they talked like no one else was there, and until Gwen pauses her voice falters as she saw them for the first time. "I say; I am rather sorry, please to meet you all. I am Gwen your new nurse."