June 1963

"Come on Linda, just one more push and then baby's here! You can do it! That's a girl!"

The young woman's screams echoed throughout the small 1940s terrace, fully audible for everyone around to hear. This was a common sound around Poplar - the midwives were always on call to one household or another. Sister Monica Joan often said that thewomen
ofPoplar "breed like rabbits".

Today, Trixie Franklin and Patsy Mount were at the Green's house, helping Linda deliver her first born. She was a young woman, in her mid twenties, who lived with her husband. However, he was fighting in the Borneo confrontation, and wouldn'tbe
back forsome time. While he was gone, Linda's brother, James Woodford, was staying with her to make sure she was alright, and help with the baby when it came.

After three hours of pushing, Linda eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

"Congratulations darling! Here's your little one."

Nurse Mount handed the baby over to Linda, while Trixie went into the kitchen to give James the good news.

When she got there, he was leaning against the kitchen counter reading a letter.

"It's a boy James!"

He looked up when he heard her voice.

"That's good. Healthy?"

"Perfectly. What are you reading?"

She made her way over to him so she could read over his shoulder.

"It's a conscription letter. I'm being sent to Borneo to fight."

"Oh no!" She glanced at the piece of paper.

"When are you leaving?"

"In just over a month."

A silence descended on the room, and both hearts sank a little.

"Well, on the bright side, we still have this weekend!"

James' face lit up at the thought. It was Trixie's weekend off, and he was taking her to his farm on the outskirts of London for a bit of 'fun'.

"You're still able to come?"

"Of course I am, silly. Do you really think I'd miss this?"

She winked at him, and he blushed, his face turning a rosy shade of pink.

"Right then Trixie, mother is - oh. Am I interrupting something here?"

The couple looked up to see Patsy standing in the doorway of the kitchen. James blushed again, and Trixie gave him an affectionate kiss, before saying goodbye, and following Patsy out of the house.

"You really like him, don't you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Trixie, you positively glow when you're around him!"

"Well, wouldn't you?"

"I don't know - he's not really my type."

Trixie's face fell, and Patsy immediately regretted what she'd said.

"However, he seems absolutely lovely, and you seem much happier with him than with that blasted curate."

Trixie giggled. "Yes, you're right. He's so perfect! He's kind and sweet and funny, and not too lacking in the looks department."

Both girls burst out laughing, genuine happiness shining out of their faces.

A few days later, Trixie was in her room packing for her weekend away with James. Patsy and Barbara were sitting on the bed opposite her, giving opinions on everything from perfume to pantyhose.

"Right then girls. I've got everything packed except my outfit for the journey. I've got two options here."

The first option was a pair of high-waisted denim shorts, with a red and white striped halter neck, and red patent kitten heels. The other option was a short white and blue dress, with white plimsoles.

"The shorts."

"Definitely the shorts."

Trixie folded the dress up and packed it in her suitcase, then went into the en suite to change.

"Ta da!"

She came out of the bathroom looking as stunning as ever, and Patsy and Barbara applauded as she walked over to them.

"Good choice ladies. I think James will love this."

She giggled and winked at her friends, then sat down on the bed between them.

"I'll miss you two, you know."

"Oh Trixie. It's only for the weekend. And think of it this way - two days of fun, and then you go back to delivering babies. It's not for long, so make the most of it."

Trixie smiled, and hugged each girl in turn, then picked up her bags, and carried them downstairs, to the hall of Nonnatus House.

Downstairs, she was greeted by Sister Monica Joan, bearing gifts of cakes.

"Take these for your journey. You'll be needing a lot of energy at the farm."

The Sister winked at her, and Trixie gasped, feigning innocence.

"Thank you Sister - I shall make good use of these."

Just as she placed the cake tin down next to her bag, the main door opened, and James walked sheepishly inside.

"Hello darling."

"James!" She ran over to him, and wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Of course. Let me just say goodbye."

She ran off into the depths of Nonnatus House to say goodbye to everyone, and left James awkwardly standing at the door.

A few seconds later, Patsy came down the stairs, and made her way towards him.

"Hi James. I was wondering if we could have a talk?"

He looked at her nervously, wondering if there was anything wrong with his nephew that he needed to know about.

"Uh, sure thing Nurse."

"I just wanted to let you know that although Trixie acts strong, she's still not fully over what happened with Mr Hereward, and she's only just stopped going to her AA meetings. If you do anything tohurt her, you'll be sorry."

Behind them, Trixie's heels could be heard clicking on the wooden floor, getting nearer and nearer.

"So anyway James, I hope you two have fun together! And watch out forthose squirrels. They may seem cute, but they will savage you at the first opportunity they get."

"What are you two talking about?"

"Ah Trixie. I was just telling James about the time I got attacked by squirrels in the New Forest. You remember that story don't you?"

"Oh yes - is that the one where when they were done they ran off with your food?"

"That would be the one."

"Yes, I shall be wary. Anyway James, shallwe go?"

He made eye contact with her and smiled, although Patsy's words were still echoing in his head.

"Of course, darling."

She linked her arm through his, and waved goodbye to Patsy, who followed them outside.

She stood on the steps of Nonnatus House waving them off, then when she could no longer see the car, she went back inside and shut the door behind her.