New House, New Town, Same Life
Disclaimer: I do not own Call the Midwife or any of the characters that go along with it.
"Hello, I'm Shelagh Briggs. This is Nonnatus house, right?" Shelagh shifted nervously in front of a perky blonde in the doorway of what she assumed was her place of employment.
"You must be our newest addition! We have been in need of you! The women of Poplar need you as well," she smiled. "I'm Trixie. Follow me and I'll introduce you to the rest!"
They made their way through a large corridor and into a cozy sitting room. Seated round the room were three other nurses and four nuns working on different handicrafts. Trixie began the introductions starting with the Sister-in-charge.
"This is Sister Julienne, our lady in charge," she said gesturing to a kind-looking nun who stood to shake Shelagh's hand.
"It's a pleasure to have you with us Nurse Briggs, we welcome you with open arms! These are my Sisters in service as well in prayer: Sisters Evangelina, Winifred, and our special charge, Sister Monica Joan." She had gestured to a rather plump nun, a young one, and then a much older one.
"I have heard of you," Shelagh said as she shook Sister Monica Joan's hand. "One of the first Midwifes in London, right?"
"How you do please me with your sweet Scottish lilt. You are most kind." She smiled as she continued to knit a little pink doll.
The others smiled at the quirky old Sister and moved on to the rest of the introductions. The other nurses stood and introduced themselves one by one.
"I'm Jenny Lee," said the beautiful brunette. She reminded Shelagh of a cute little mouse.
A quite tall be-spectacled brunette came next, "I'm Chummy. It's bally good to meet you." Shelagh could already tell she would love the funny nun.
"And that just leaves me," came from a sweet looking smallish nurse. "I'm Cynthia."
"I'm Shelagh Briggs. It's nice to meet all of you. I can't wait to work with you all." she smiled.
"Same from us. I hope you keep your cheery attitude after your first day on the streets of Poplar." Sister Evangelina smiled knowingly.
"When do I start work?" Shelagh asked Sister Julienne.
"Tomorrow morning starting at 8 you will be on rounds with Nurse Franklin," she gestured to Trixie, "And after lunch from 2 to 5 we will be at the ante-natal clinic that we hold every week."
"I shall be here at 7:30 then." Shelagh smiled.
"I appreciate your promptness. You should take a page out of her book, Nurse Franklin." Sister Evangelina said, laughing at the pout forming on Trixie's face. Shelagh suppressed a giggle as best she could.
"We are just about to take tea, would you like to join us?" asked Sister Winifred.
"That would be nice." Shelagh was already coming to love her fellow midwives.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
After getting to know everyone better over tea and the most delicious almond sponge Shelagh made her way home. The unpacking had been finished yesterday and the thought of settling down with no worries of cleaning or straightening already made her relax. Walking through the front door she was assaulted by the smell of alcohol. 'He couldn't abstain any longer.' she thought.
"Richard? I'm home!" She called setting down her purse, hanging her coat, and removing her shoes to leave by the door. She began the search through the flat for him and found him passed out across their bed, a bottle of scotch already half empty set on the beside table. "Well then." She said and began the process of removing his shoes and getting him into bed properly. Shelagh then took the bottle and put it in the cabinet. Irritated, she donned her shoes and coat once more and walked out of the flat. She no longer felt relaxed and decided a nice walk through the neighborhood would do her more good than sitting in the flat brooding.
Shelagh walked around her block, then the next, and then next. She wanted to understand Richard's reason for drinking to the point of unconsciousness. She tried to comfort him, tried to get him to talk to her. But it never worked. Here lately he was becoming more closed off to her. He spent more time out with the lads from work than he did with her. She had hoped the move would help it, that maybe without the men to go drinking with he would cleave to her. But no. He chose to drink himself into a stupor all on his own.
Shelagh had other worries as well. When they married a little over two years ago, Richard had been a passionate lover. He had always tended to her needs and she had gladly gave herself over to his. But in the last year he had begun to care about what she wanted less and take what he wanted, when he wanted, regardless of her willingness to comply. And then even that started to diminish. He wouldn't ask or demand from her very often, and he would deny her on the few times she wanted to try. More than anything Shelagh wanted a baby, but seeing as she had doubts of her husband's faithfulness she couldn't bear to bring a baby into uncertainty. She prayed daily that she wouldn't end up pregnant. She suffered in silence and hoped her husband would come around one day.
Not paying attention to where she was going, completely lost in thought, Shelagh ran into something solid. She began to fall backwards and had no way of catching herself. A hand reached out and took her wrist and pulled her back. She landed with a slight thud into what seemed familiar as the solid mass from just before. Said mass now had its arms wrapped around her waist so as to steady her. When she looked up she was met with kind eyes and a friendly smile.
"Are you alright?" the man asked. He seemed unwilling to let her go until he knew she could stand on her own.
Shelagh smiled and nodded her head. "I'm fine, thank you. Just a wee bit embarrassed by my lack of attention. I'd like to say it was clumsiness but I'm afraid that doesn't apply to me." the man released her to stand on her own. She straightened her coat and offered her hand. "I'm Shelagh Briggs. I'm new to poplar."
The man shook her hand "Patrick Turner. Nice to meet you. So what has your attention so wrapped up, if you don't mind me asking?"
"New house, new town, same life." she said with a sigh
"Is that bad?"
"It is when I want a change and my husband doesn't. I'm sorry for complaining, its very rude." Shelagh pinched the bridge of her nose under her glasses.
"I shouldn't have pressed you, my apologies. Were you hoping a walk would be relaxing?" Patrick asked.
She sighed "Well I thought it would and I wanted to learn my way around, but it only made me think more. And when I think… I realize nothing is how I wanted it to be." she shook her head and smiled. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you don't want to hear all of this."
Patrick smiled back at the petite lady in front of him. "it's alright. You obviously needed to let it out." At that time the door not far from them opened and a young boy stepped out.
"Dad? The tea is ready. And I managed to find a biscuit tin with a few left in it. Oh hello." he said finally noticing Shelagh.
"Hello."
"Timothy this is Mrs. Shelagh Briggs. She's new to poplar." Shelagh shook Timothy's hand. "Mrs. Briggs, this is my son, Timothy."
"Just Shelagh, please. I don't feel old enough to be called Mrs. Briggs." she smiled at him.
"Shelagh it is then," he smiled back. They held each other's gaze for a moment until Timothy broke the silence.
'"Since you are new, would you like to join us for tea? I know its rather late but we have plenty to share."
"Oh I couldn't impose."
"You wouldn't be. We would love to have you." Patrick said. For some reason he wanted to get to know this woman better.
"If you are sure."
"Absolutely! We could be your first friends in poplar!" Timothy said excitedly grabbing Shelagh's hand and pulling her into their flat.
Shelagh was sat down at the Turner's table being served tea and biscuits. "So Timothy, how old are you?"
"I'm ten," he said pouring his dad a cup, "but people tend to think I'm eight. And I don't like being thought of younger than I am."
"I thought you were ten. You seem mature yet still young." she smiled and sipped her tea.
Timothy beamed at the compliment.
"I told him one day he will love to be thought of as younger than he really is." Patrick chuckled.
Shelagh giggled at the comment. "That is true. And then the time will come when people will think you are older than you are. That's when it really hurts."
"Surely that has never happened to you." Patrick refilled her tea.
"Oh a few times, but from young teenage girls. They think everyone over twenty is old." She giggled again as she passed the biscuit tin to timothy.
Timothy in turn became curious. "How old are you anyway?"
"Tim!"
"It's alright, really." she smiled "I'm thirty-two."
"Really? You don't seem it. I guess that's because you're so pretty and nice." Timothy seemed to be a very honest lad.
Shelagh blushed slightly. "Thank you, Timothy. That is very sweet of you."
"Dad is 47 but I think he looks much older." Patrick choked on his tea and Shelagh burst into laughter.
"Are you alright?" she asked, trying to control her laughter. "I'm sorry, I promise I'm not laughing at you."
Patrick's coughing eased up, "Sure you are." he coughed and she laughed. "I'm alright, no harm done."
"So are you married?" Timothy continued with the blunt questions.
Patrick let out and exasperated sigh while Shelagh smiled and answered his question. "I am. His name is Richard."
"Do you have children?"
Her smile faltered slightly. She recovered quickly, though Patrick still noticed. "No, not as of yet."
Patrick changed the subject to something a little less invasive. "So where are you from?"
"Aberdeen, Scotland."
"Is that why you talk the way you do?" Timothy asked.
"it is."
" I like it! Its different than what we usually hear around here."
"That is very true. It's a breath of fresh air compared to the harsh cockney heard from the East Ender's." said Patrick. "More tea?"
"Just one more." Shelagh said politely. "Now my turn. Are you married?"
Both the Turner's grew quiet and looked to one another. Patrick answered. "I was. Marie died over two years ago." he looked to his son. "But we've done pretty well on our own. Though it took a little while to work out a system."
"Oh, did it! Dad is rubbish in the kitchen."
"Come now, that's not entirely true." Patrick had put on a mock defensive.
"Dad, boiling water for tea does not count." he turned his attention to Shelagh. "We eat a ton of fish and chips. It's a good thing we have Mrs. Smart. Otherwise I'd never have a real meal and a clean shirt."
Shelagh giggled, "Oh it can't be that bad."
"He's not entirely exaggerating. But he does need to go get ready for bed."
After a groan of complaint Timothy got up to leave. "Goodnight Mrs. Shelagh. I hope you come to like it here in Poplar."
"Goodnight Timothy." The boy walked out of the kitchen. "He's a very sweet boy."
"He is an outspoken handful. But I do love him. I'm glad I still have him."
"I didn't mean to but in to such a touchy subject. If I had known…" Shelagh trailed off.
Patrick smiled kindly at her. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have known. I miss her but I know she's better off."
She smiled back at him. He was so kind to her even though they just met. He was obviously a very caring, loving, and compassionate person. She was glad to have met him. She looked at the clock and realized the time. "Oh! I must get home, I didn't mean to be out this late. Though I'm not complaining at all, you two are lovely company."
Patrick chuckled as they rose from the table and headed through the sitting room towards the door. "You are too nice, we are nothing special. Do you need me to walk or drive you home? Poplar can be a little scary if you don't know your way around, especially at night."
"Oh no, thank you. I am only a block away so I can manage. Thank you though, its very kind." They two had made it to the door and stood awkwardly, neither sure of what to do, their inner feelings confused. "Well I should be off." she reached for the handle at the same moment as Patrick and brushed his hand. She blushed and pulled away as he held his breath and pulled the door open for her. She walked through and turned back to him. "Thank you so much for your kindness. Its nice to have friends in a new place."
He leaned in the doorway and smiled at the tiny lady. "If you should need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. Assistance will be given gladly."
Shelagh found she couldn't stop smiling at him, confused about the feelings bubbling inside, but kind of glad to have them. "I will surely call on you within the next week. I must repay you for such a lovely tea time. It may be a few days until I get settled enough but just know the invitation is coming" She waved and headed off towards the flat.
Patrick watched her leave until she turned the corner. He shook his head as he smiled and re-entered his flat. He was met by Timothy dressed in pajamas with an inquisitive look on his face. "What are you smiling about?" he asked his dad.
"Nothing son, time for bed."
"You like her, admit it. She's very nice, much kinder than the rude women that live around here. I think she fancies you."
"Timothy, she can't fancy me, she's married."
The boy laughed at his dad's remark. "What if she's not happy with him? From what I've learned living around here being married doesn't stop you from fancying people."
Patrick was a little exasperated with his son. Timothy was much too learned for his age. And too bold. "Tim, bed, now." Timothy rolled his eyes and walked to his room. Patrick went to bed but didn't get to sleep for a while. He stayed up replaying the time since he met the little Scottish siren. He went to sleep thinking of coppery blonde curls and bright cerulean eyes.
Meanwhile, Shelagh had made it back to her flat. She removed her coat and shoes and made her way to the bedroom. Richard was still asleep where she had left them. She changed into her nightdress and climbed into bed, careful not to wake her husband. She thought of the wonderful time she had with her newest friends. They were a peculiar pair, Patrick and Timothy. Timothy was a dear boy and she enjoyed his hilarious honesty. And Patrick was so very kindhearted and gentle, not like the man lying next to her. Shelagh contemplated her life and current issues for a while before she gave up. She drifted off to sleep, kind eyes and a gentle smile being her last thought.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. I plan to write more, chapter 2 is already underway. I already have an idea for where the story is going to go, I just gotta get it down and out of my head! Please let me know what you think!