I just had to write Patrick's reaction to seeing Shelagh in her new uniform for the first time. Shelagh changes between Rhoda arriving at the maternity home and Rhoda giving birth so it was all hunky dory then. Could be seen as slightly OOC but given as how Shelagh has become (thank god) in the last series or two, and how Partick s with her in private, I believe this is a realistically feasible scenario.
In hindsight they should have timed it better. Both knew what the inevitable reaction was and yet it didn't occur to them to take a private moment.
Both Turners had gone around to Nonnatus House to collect Shelaghs new uniform and the nurses had quickly scurried her up into the bedrooms so they could appraise how it suited her.
The squeals floating down the stairs had been the first clue, the excited fall of footsteps the second. Before any of the nuns or her had a chance to comprehend the meaning of the signs, Trixie had flounced into the room with a delighted scowl on her face.
'It's not fair it really isn't. I spend hours every week getting myself in shape and Shelagh goes and has the perfect figure without even trying.' She gestured to the doorway where the cursed nurse stood smiling softly. Patrick's jaw dropped to the floor. Perfect was too small a word for how his wife looked in her new uniform. Whilst the old one had accentuated her small waist, the new one only enhanced her curves and it's neckline was daring for her-only a few of her dresses showed as much and they were often paired with a coat or a scarf, never at work had she allowed such skin. He would have been thrilled had she chosen a uniform more alike Nurse Crane's but to see her dressed like the other young nurses was wonderful. The new belt, different to Trixie's or Nurse Crane's was just the right width for her small frame. She looked, if he was being frank, bloody angelic.
'Wow.'
'You like it then? You don't think the neckline is a bit deep?'
'Wow.'
'What your husband is attempting to say ,my dear Shelagh, is that you look quite lovely.' Sister Julienne smiled, trying not to look at Sister Evangelina who she was sure would have a rather visceral reaction to the former sisters husband's reaction. He remained staring at her shocked.
'Patrick?' Shelagh bit back a grin of pride as she walked over and touched his shoulder, jolting him from his trance. In the blink of an eye he had jumped up and pressed his mouth firmly to hers. His hands curved around her waist and trailed up her back to tangle in her hair as her deepened the kiss. Forgetting, or simply ignoring, their audience she responded just as eagerly, smiling against his mouth as he began peppering her lips with butterfly kisses. They were interrupted by a surprisingly amiable looking Sister Evangelina clearing her throat. Shelagh pulled back but stayed in her husbands embrace. 'Sorry Sister.'
'Yes, sorry Sister. I'm afraid I have to take my wife home. Now.' He took her hand and rushed out of the building as Shelagh laughed and waved at her family.
'I think he approves Trixie.' She called over her shoulder as the left the front door.
'So,' Phyllis turned to the group who were wearing a mix of joy, happiness, awe, and shock across their faces, 'she really used to be a nun?'
