Hi Everyone! This is my first attempts at a Fan Fiction or writing in general. This may be a slow and painful relationship but I think the best ones are. I hope you enjoy it!
Sorry if their was any confusion to previous readers of this chapter! There was meant to be a row of 'XXXX' between some paragraphs to indicate scene change but it did not get publish that way. Here is an edited version of this chapter. Sorry for the confusion.
"How did she get out dressed like that?" questioned Doctor Turner, a touch of annoyance stood out in his usually kind voice while he strolled down the corridor.
Sister Bernadette walking beside him sighed and said sweetly in her Scottish accent, "We love Sister Monica Joan, Doctor, and we do the best we can for her…"
Sighing again she looked into the Doctors eyes, her voice full of concern, "…but it wouldn't be right to lock her in her room."
Nearing the front door of Nonnatus House they stop walking and turned to face one another. Sister Bernadette spoke again and confessed "Besides the truth is, we don't know whether she has dementia or whether she is just wilfully eccentric?"
"I understand, there are more medical treaties as written about senile decay than you can shake a stick at." Stated Doctor Turner, his deep voice now returned to its usual kindness.
"But I keep to one invariable diagnostic rule, if their brought back by a police man in their nightie then they've got it." He said, his voice joking yet completely serious, "For now the pneumonia is the real concern…"
"The old people's friend" She said quietly cutting him off, both her voice and face full of worry.
"If they are ready to go it takes them gently," Said Doctor Turner "We could try penicillin but if she has any family I think they should be sent for."
"She has been estranged from her family since she took her vows" explained Sister Bernadette "The head of our order, Mother Jesu Emanuel, is really her next of kin."
"I'll go call her at once." She said.
Doctor Turner nodded and gave the woman a small smile before he turned and walked out the doors. She watched him for a few moments before dashing off to call the mother house.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sister Bernadette closed the door behind her thinking how good it was to be finally out of the cold and into the warmth of Nonnatus House. She had just arrived back from a successful delivery of a rather large baby girl and was glowing with the happiness she felt after each delivery. But what was not to be happy about? So many good events had happened in the last two months everyone at Nonnatus couldn't keep a smile of their face.
After Sister Monica Joan's little escapade to the dock she made a full recovery from pneumonia, with a little help from penicillin and bed rest. If the Nun's and midwifes of the house thought that she may exercise a little more caution after her ordeal they were to be proven wrong. About a week after her recovery she did not seem to remember a thing and was back to her… eccentric self again.
Chummy is now known as 'Nurse Noakes' after marrying one of the local policemen. It was such a wonderful occasion seeing the nurses in all their pretty frocks and smile upon their faces. Seeing the girls growing up and getting married fills Sister Bernadette with joy, to see their hearts overflowing with love. When it came to the throwing of the bouquet, all the girls were desperately jumping around trying to catch the flowers. It came as a surprise when it landed in the arms of Sister Bernadette, who didn't even register the meaning at first. But Trixie, one of the nurses, has the reputation of a sharp tongue and a quick mind.
"Oh you naughty Nun! Who've you got your eye on?" She shouted out teasingly, winking her eye.
Suddenly it clicked to Sister Bernadette and she found herself blushing furiously and dropping the bouquet.
"I-It's just an old wife's-tale..." She muttered quietly while looking at the ground.
Everyone in the church hall was left giggling, even the older nuns, whom all knew Sister Bernadette was a dedicated Nun and her one love was god. Soon she brushed it off and was laughing with the rest. It really was a magnificent day.
Sister Bernadette was lost in the memories of the past months while sterilising the equipment, it took her a moment to register she was not alone in the room. As she turned her head she saw Doctor Turner leaning against the door frame.
Turning back to her equipment she said "Greetings Doctor."
"I just called in to collect those instruments" He said, while taking a drag on his cigarette.
"Course, nearly done" Said Sister Bernadette, smiling.
"No sign of that new autoclave?" She asked, desperately trying to keep the conversation flowing as for some reason the silence between them unnerved her.
"The department said it would come this week but there has been no joy so far." He replied. They both heard the clacking of heals as Trixie walked into the room.
"You staying for tea, Doctor Turner?" She said, her accent quite proper, "Mrs B's made an absolute Pièce de résistance of yule log."
He chuckled and said politely "Thanks, but I've got Timothy outside in the car."
"Oh dear, housekeepers day off?" Trixie joked cheekily, "Well I'm sure we can pop you something into a paper bag."
The sound of the phone ringing made Trixie rush of to answer the call.
"How is Timothy getting on?" Inquired Sister Bernadette carefully.
"It's been almost a year…" He replied with a touch of sadness in his deep voice, "He's doing well enough. But it will be his first Christmas since his mother died. And I'm worried it might… undo things."
Doctor Turner looked up into the concerned yet kind face of Sister Bernadette.
"I lost my mother when I was very young" She confided, "Children are more resilient than you think."
"Oh… He's made his opinion of my cooking rather clear" He said jokingly, "Fish and chips for us tonight I reckon."
Trixie quickly walked back in and said, "Sorry Doctor, there has been a message from the surgery, an urgent home visit has been requested."
"A lady called Mrs Jenkins." She said before walking back out.
Doctor Turner walked over to Sister Bernadette to collect the equipment she had been cleaning. They both gave each other small smile before he walked off. Her eyes didn't leave his back until he was out of sight. A small part of her wanted to comfort him and Timothy because she understood what they were going through. Especially for the poor boy as it was leading up to Christmas.
XXXXXXXXXX
Christmas had come and gone. Practically the whole town had turned up to see the Scouts perform a nativity seen in the Church hall. Timothy was playing the violin for the scene and Sister Bernadette had seen his eyes light up as his father ran into the hall. Timothy was always complaining that his father was running late. Sister thought it must be hard for him, so young, to understand the importance of his father's job and that lives depend on him. It must also be hard for Doctor Turner to do his work on top of all the motherly duties that were once taken care of, she thought.
They were coming to the end of another Antenatal Clinic and Sister Bernadette was cleaning equipment with Sister Evangelina. Sister Evangelina was having a rant about providing women pain relief in the form of gas.
"It's downright cruel, showing a women pain relief when you can't give it to her!" Argued Sister Evangelina, in her well known gruff manner.
"You can give it to them," Said Sister Bernadette, matter-of-factly "in the maternity home."
"Pfft… maternity home!" Scorned Sister Evangelina.
In barely more than a whisper Sister Evangelina said "Since Doctor Turner lost his wife he's been nothing but grand schemes. We'll have half the east end trying to book in there instead of gritting their teeth and getting on with it!"
The usually calm and kind Sister Bernadette felt a flicker of rage inside her. How could Sister Evangelina be so disrespectful of Doctor Turner? She didn't think they were grand schemes but actually good ideas… How was trying to better the lives of their patients a crime?
"They shouldn't have to grit their teeth and get on with it," Said Sister Bernadette, trying to keep her voice calmer than she felt "all of the younger midwives have been trained in analgesia. I've been trained myself."
Sister Evangelina caught Sister Bernadette trying to clean her glasses yet again.
"When are you going to get yourself to an optician?" Asked Sister Evangelina sounding annoyed, "Your work and your patients will suffer if you can't see what you're doing!"
She gave a small nod of her head, not trusting herself to open her mouth. The rage she felt was still there. Why was she so angry? It was very unlike her. It had been a long day but that was normal for the midwifes. In the end she put it down to a lack of sleep and food… although deep down she knew there must be a different answer.