Sister Bernadette and Doctor Turner: Madness at Christmas.
I have played around with an imagined scene to continue the one between Sister Bernadette and Doctor Turner from the Christmas Special...I know, I know, it's too soppy – but it's just a bit of nonsense!
He sagged against the wall, clearly exhausted and lit a cigarette. It was more than tiredness: he looked utterly deflated and unbearably sad.
Lately Sister Bernadette found that she had to remind herself not to stare whenever he was present. She had never been remotely tempted to stare at any other human being. But lately it seemed as if even her bones had been rearranged wrongly.
"Perhaps I need a holiday," she thought.
"Right, thanks for the instruments Sister – and for the advice about Timothy. I'd better go and see how he is."
"Yes alright Doctor, and I'll let you know when your parcel arrives."
......
Sister Bernadette was feeling unwell that evening. Despite a sore throat and headache, she was just going to have to keep going until Sister Julienne returned from her meeting. This December had seen a record number of births in Poplar and, except for Trixie and herself, all the nurses and midwives were currently out on call. "Oh Lord, please grant us a peaceful night," the sister prayed wearily.
She had written up her notes and was starting to file them, when she heard the most alarming clatter coming from the annex. She rushed towards the sterilizer which had clearly developed a life of its own or was about to explode. Fortunately it did neither of these things, but it did spout out a quantity of boiling water on to the floor and also on to Sister Bernadette who had leaped determinedly across the room to unplug it.
Fred arrived moments after to see her clutching the back of her head and moaning slightly.
"Help, I think I've burned myself. Only a very little bit, but ...oh God it hurts..."
Luckily Trixie flew in to take matters in hand. Fred was dispatched to get a message to Sister Evangelina.
Having gently removed the veil and cap from a trembling Sister Bernadette, Trixie saw a small burn just inside the hair-line by the nape of her neck. It didn't look too bad – and she'd had some training on burns only recently.
It was some time before the patient was lying on the examining bed in the infirmary feeling rather more comfortable. She attempted to smile, but closed her eyes instead. The room was spinning rather a lot.
"You'll be alright now Sister," said Trixie confidently, "Sister Evangelina will be back soon to check you over. Do you mind if I just dry your hair a little? We can't cover it up yet I'm afraid."
Trixie tucked a warm blanket around the nun and gently removed her glasses. Luckily, Sister did not hear the soft wolf whistle or she would have reprimanded her.
Trixie was just turning the light out, when the telephone rang.
"Fred! ..." called Trixie running to the boiler room, "Fred come quickly, I have to go and deliver Mrs Beattie's baby right now, and there's no one to sit with Sister Bernadette. Go and ask Sister Monica Joan to come will you? Oh where is Sister Evangelina when you need her? I've left her some detailed notes."
She looked in on her patient before leaving. Sister Bernadette attempted to sit up, but seemed to lack the strength.
"I can't let you go alone Trixie," she said weakly.
"Of course you can," replied Trixie, "and anyway it's Mrs Beattie's fifth, I'll be almost unnecessary."
By the time Trixie was skipping down the steps of Nonnatus House, Sister Bernadette was sleeping deeply.
......
Doctor Turner and Timmy were eating fish and chips in the car outside the Parish Hall. Suddenly they saw Chummy hurtling towards them on her bicycle in alarming haste. The Doctor wound down the window,
"What's the matter Chummy?" he asked,
"I'm afraid I might have to cancel the Scout meeting tonight Doctor. I've just had a message that I'm needed at Nonnatus House. Someone has had a minor injury apparently and Sister Evangelina is still busy delivering a baby in Pound Street".
"Don't worry, I'll pop over and have a look while Timmy's with you at Scouts."
"Oh spiffing, thanks Doctor," she said beaming. "Bring the chips in with you Timothy and I'll grant you the first viewing of the Nativity outfits."
......
Fred was pacing up and down between the front door and the infirmary when the Doctor arrived. He hadn't been able to find Sister Monica Joan anywhere, and he wasn't sure if he should leave the sleeping patient alone for too long.
"Oh thank goodness you're here doc" said Fred, "she seems to be asleep at the moment and Trixie has left some notes."
"Ok Fred, I'll take it from here. I could murder a cup of tea though," admitted Doctor Turner, forgetting to ask who she was.
"Right you are, unless you want anything a bit stronger?"
"Maybe later," he said walking into the darkened infirmary.
He refrained from turning on the main light, better to let the patient sleep while he read her notes. He turned on the small desk lamp - Trixie had forgotten to record the patient's name. He rubbed his tired eyes.
"Superficial burns," he muttered looking over at the slumbering woman. Strange that he couldn't immediately identify her. Perhaps she was a new nurse, he thought absent-mindedly.
Nonnatus House was almost completely silent. It was rather peaceful after such a busy day.
He leant over to feel her forehead. A fever. He took her pulse.
"Wow!" he mouthed. Even in this half-light he could see she was a beauty. She was waking up now, so he gently guided her to a sitting position and examined her injuries. She leaned on him a little, not fully awake. After a minute or so, he helped her to lie down again.
"You'll live, but I'm afraid you've gone down with a touch of flu young lady. But don't worry, Sister Bernadette is a very kind nurse."
The lovely patient's eyes flew open at this. She looked up intently at him.
"Is she?" she asked weakly. Nothing seemed to be in its proper place. The ceiling was liquid, and something else was irregular, but she was too tired to work out what it was.
Doctor Turner was also beginning to feel uneasy. Surely not, it couldn't be, it just couldn't.....
The light snapped on,
And with it came revelation.
"Doctor Turner!" growled Sister Evangelina, "What is the matter with Sister Bernadette?"
......
Back at home, Doctor Turner was making himself the cup of tea he'd never drunk at Nonnatus House. The nun's clearly didn't blame him for his mistake about Sister Bernadette, but they seemed quite upset about it. They had strict rules, and the rules were there to protect them. He didn't fully understand, but he did respect and admire them. Their vows were sacred to them, a treasure.
He'd worked with Sister Bernadette closely for years. He was full of admiration for her already, but now he was amazed at her lack of vanity. He'd never met a woman like her.
He hoped she was alright. He stirred his tea, remembering...and smiled to himself.