A very BIG thank you goes to Steff, who is the very best Beta reader around. Thank you! - I wasn't going to post this chapter, I originally wrote it because I wanted to write something light-hearted before we get to all of the angst, but I started to second guess myself. Well, after a bit of pondering I have decided to post the fluffy-ness. The next chapter 'does what it says on the tin', Deels finally tells Patsy about the Gateways. Enjoy...


Let's Talk About The Gateways club.

Once the usual morning rush had dissipated, Delia found the rest of her shift to be surprisingly quiet. Even Mr. Farnon in bed two was behaving like the model patient. There was none of his normal smutty humour or constant complaining about the lack of cigarettes. On any other given day, the Welsh beauty would have been rejoicing. Not today. Today, having this spare time on her hands only gave her more opportunity to mull over the possibilities that The Gateways club could offer. And she'd considered every detail, good and bad.

She didn't dare mention the subject again to her friends, as it would only cause suspicion. The only person she wanted to discuss it with was Patsy. Tonight she hoped to find a quiet moment to talk it through. She knew there could be a little resistance to the idea at first, but she hoped that with some gentle persuasion, Patsy would come round to the notion.

Delia was so deep in thought as she slopped the mop back and forth along the floor, that Matron had to inform her that her shift ended ten mintues ago.


Back home at Nonnatus house as the late afternoon turned into early evening. Delia was a little disappointed to learn Patsy was still on call. She decided to retire to her room and wait for her lover's return there. Delia wanted to keep her mind focused on something constructive, and not give in to daydreams of Patsy's arms wrapped tightly around her waist, as they shared a Waltz on an actual dance floor.

As she absently cleaned her record collection, she didn't notice her bedroom door opening, revealing a smartly dressed Patsy.

"Good evening Deels." The bright tone startled her, giving a respite to her favourite Sinatra EP that had been rubbed with the dust cloth so vigorously, that she hoped that there were still grooves left on it the next time she went to played it.

''I didn't hear you come in,'' Delia replied, giving her a quizzical look.

''I wanted to change first because I'm taking you out for a Campari and some pork scratchings,'' Patsy beamed.

It had been quite sometime, since Patsy had taken her beloved out for the night. They had been spending most of what was left of their evenings rather contently spooned together in Delia's room. The striking midwife figured a change of scenery was just what her hard working girlfriend needed. She only wished their outing was more of a lavish affair than just the local pub but she intended to treat her nonetheless.

"When did you decide this?" Delia asked, surprised, hoping Patsy hadn't noticed the uncertainty in her tone.

Delia had been planning to unburden herself of the secret that was the Gateways, but as she looked into Patsy's eager eyes, the brunette couldn't deny that a night at the local did seem like a good idea. Maybe it would give her chance to clear her head.

"Today," Patsy confirmed, reaching for Delia's hand. "You said you wanted us to have a little time to ourselves and I had to agree," she added, placing a tender kiss on the back of Delia's hand.

Delia smiled at the gesture. "An evening out does sound nice."

"Good, because not only that but I intended on paying for every drink that we consume tonight." Patsy smiled, wanting her beauty to enjoy herself for the evening.

''Goodness, you certainly know how to show a girl a good time,'' Delia said playfully, but equally glad of the offer.

''I know,'' Patsy agreed with a wry smile, picking up one of the vinyl records only to place it down again. ''Come along then Deels. Grab your coat,'' she urged egarly.

''Let me just finish up here, sweetheart and I'll be right with you,'' Delia smiled, wiping the duster carefully around another 45.

"Oh do forget about that Deels," Patsy sighed impatiently, as she grabbed the smaller woman's coat from the back of the door.

''What's this? Nurse Mount telling me to stop cleaning.'' Delia laughed, downing tools.

''On this rare occasion, yes,'' Patsy smiled, helping Delia into her coat.

With a faint chuckle, Delia went over to her make-up bag. "Can I at least put on a bit of lipstick first, sweetheart?'' The nurse smiled warmly.

"If you must," Patsy chuckled, and she lingered closely while Delia touched up her make-up. She tapped her watch face playfully while she waited.

They strolled arm-in-arm to the pub. Once there, Delia went to find them a seat in a quiet corner, while Patsy went to order the drinks. She was determined that nothing would spoil their evening together, and that included herself. Patsy was always well aware of how careful she and Delia had to be while in the company of others. Especially while they were so close to home, but just for tonight the midwife would force herself to relax, and not second guess every look she shared with her girl. Delia deserved a night out, and Patsy would give that to her.

Delia had been on her mind all day. She had been distracted to the point where even Nurse Crane gave her an arched eyebrow in way of a warning. Patsy certainly did not want to be on the receiving end of one Nurse Crane's 'pull your socks up lectures'. However she couldn't shake the look that ghosted Delia's eyes last night or now.

"That'll be two shillings and ninepence love," the little white haired bar maid called to her, breaking her from her thoughts as she handed over the money.

"Oh, thank you." Patsy smiled, collecting the drinks trying to ignore the dock worker as he wolf whistled at her, as she made her way over to her seat.

As the evening went on, Patsy realised that she was the one doing most of the talking. Even the second glass of Campari in Delia's hand was rather full and the packet of pork scratchings untouched. Something was amiss and Patsy wanted to find out why.

''Delia is everything alright with work?'' She attempted to keep her tone chipper. She did not want to let on to Delia that she was concerned. The red-head had become even more protective over her since the accident. She knew her lover despised being mollycoddled so she would have to tread carefully.

''Yes. As I told you, it was quiet,' Delia shrugged along with a smile, bringing the glass to her lips for a sip.

''No patients have been overstepping the boundaries?'' Patsy asked, her smile fading all too quickly.

''No.'' Delia shook her head.

''Good,'' Patsy breathed a sigh of relief. ''You're not feeling tired now are you?'' She queried, while reaching into the bag of pork scratchings.

Delia narrowed her eyes. She wasn't fooled for a second by these types of questions from her nurse girfriend. She had heard them before. While she did appreciate her caring, Delia couldn't help but feel a little irritated. ''Pats.'' Her tone spoke of her mild annoyance, while the midwife tried to gain some time by pretending her mouth was full so she simply couldn't answer her.

''Patsy?'' Delia repeated.

''What?'' She mumbled, covering her mouth with her hand.

As Delia looked at her, any fleeting anger all but faded. How could she possibly stay mad when the red-head looked so very adorable, and when she had her best interest at heart? The brunette disliked avoiding what was really on her mind, and always held on to the strong belief that problems needed to be shared, but tonight still did not seem like the right time. Delia could not remember the last time Patsy seemed so relaxed with her in public and didn't want to make her uncomfortable by bringing up the Gateways club.

"I love you," Delia simply whispered instead, hoping she wasn't blushing.

Patsy cast her gaze around the room, before mouthing the same words back to her. With another grin, she added. ''Pork scratching?'' Holding out the packet.


With the evening drawing to a close the two women returned to Nonnatus House. Once upstairs, Patsy lingered in the doorway of Delia's room.

''Thank you for tonight, Pats,'' Delia smiled, taking out her earrings.

''You're quite welcome.'' She nodded, still loitering. The sound of Trixie's voice behind her made her jump.

''I would think poor Delia has had enough of your company for one evening Patsy,'' the blonde chuckled, as Patsy pretended to scowl.

''How was your keep fit class Trixie?'' Delia smiled, removing her beads now.

''Marvelous. Thank you for asking Delia. As I've said you're more than welcome to join.'' Trixie's smile was even wider for her Welsh friend.

''No. I get enough exercise. Thank you very much.'' Delia replied. Patsy blushed at the comment, while Trixie raised her eyebrow to the young nurse. ''Running up and down on the ward, I mean,'' Delia added with an innocent smile, as the blonde nodded.

''Well, come along now Patsy. I want to show you that lovely pink jumper I've had my eye on before we feel the pull of sleep.'' Trixie motioned with her hand for the red-head to move aside. ''Goodnight Delia,'' Trixie added before making her way down the hallway.

''Goodnight Deels,'' Patsy smiled, forcing herself to move her feet.

''Goodnight you two,'' the Welsh nurse smiled before closing her bedroom door.

Patsy looked back over her shoulder at the closed door and sighed. She so wanted to be on the other side of that door with her darling.

After a cigarette or two, and her opinion on the blonde's new potential fashion choices, Patsy finally settled down in her bed. She was already feeling the rather impatient pull to get back into Delia's room. She turned to face the window. The red-head hoped pretending she wanted to sleep would inspire her roommate in the bed next to her to do the same. Upon hearing the pages turn of Trixie's magazine, she rolled her eyes.

Lately, she was finding it more difficult to be apart from her girlfriend. With Delia being only down the hall, she was finding temptation harder to resist, especially with what they had both been through. She wanted any spare moment to be spent with Delia. She loved the company of her friends, but sometimes feigning amusement for yet another board game after dinner proved to be tiresome. Particularly when all she wanted was to let her lips roam.

With a silent sigh, she decided they really needed some uninterrupted time for themselves. She could take Delia on holiday perhaps. Not to the seaside, as they had done previously. A real vacation. For one whole week she could have Delia all to herself. It sounded like absolute bliss. Her smile became wider at the thought, and she chastised herself for not thinking of such an idea sooner.

As she began to let her mind wonder where Deels might like to go, she heard the bedside table lamp finally being switched off, plunging the room into darkness. With a bite of her bottom lip, she now just had to play another waiting game. It was one that she found herself playing almost every night. Patsy considered herself a near expert now at knowing the difference between regular breathing and deep sleep breathing.

After what felt like another hour, the blonde was finally asleep. Creeping from her bed, Patsy made a tip-toed dash for the Welsh nurse's room.

''Delia?'' She whispered, nearing the bed.

She was rather disappointed to find that while waiting for her friend to fall asleep, it appeared Delia had fallen asleep too.

With a gentle sigh, she climbed under the covers and wrapped her arm around the brunette's waist. Pressing a soft kiss to the back of her head, she too would have to settle for sleep tonight.

More soon. x