"Take my jacket," Patrick said, looking down at the young woman who was shivering profusely. He'd been on a quick walk between patients in order to clear his head and was heading back to his car when he caught sight of a commotion at the water's edge, a burly figure nearly catapulting a much smaller one into the river before taking off down the riverbank. By the time he made it across the road and down onto the bank the smaller figure had pulled herself out of the water, flopping down onto the rocks, coughing profusely as she expelled the fluid from her lungs.
"You'll freeze," she contradicted his offer, teeth chattering, water dripping from her prayer veil and into her face.
"Sister, you've just fallen into the Thames in November, I think you freezing is my bigger concern right now. Come along, I'm a doctor," he insisted, wrapping his coat around her shoulders, gently helping her to her feet. "Are you from Nonnatus?"
"Yes," she replied, practically shaking apart from the cold as he ushered her up the river bank and into his car, turning the engine over and flicking on the heater. He regarded her carefully as he put the car into drive. She was young, of that much he had already been certain, but now that he could see her properly he noticed how her lips were practically blue from the cold. Blindly he reached into the back seat, yanking a blanket into the front and passing it to her, watching how she used chilled fingers to pull it over herself.
"Are you hurt?" Patrick asked, worry clouding his mind. She had seemed all right, aside from the approaching hypothermia if he wasn't careful, but he needed her assurance.
"No," she chattered. "I'm sorry for taking you away from your patients Doctor?"
"Turner," he said. "And I'm sorry Sister, I didn't catch your name? I know almost all the midwives at Nonnatus but I'm guessing you're new to the order?"
"I am," she confirmed, eyes half lidded, struggling to stay awake against the cold. "My name is Sister Bernadette."