The three days between that eventful evening and that of the turnip parade went quickly, with patsy barely able to catch a breath between patients and falling into bed late at night often falling straight to sleep – with only brief awakenings when the telephone rang. During that time, she had heard no word from Delia; and she could only hope that those days had been as busy for her as for herself, therefore leaving the brunet with no time to call or write. Although this only made patience worry, for what if the brunet did not come to the parade. Or decided that she really could not cope.
But that evening all of Patsy's worries were put aside, when the nurse arrived in her fetching St. Johns uniform, with a smile for all the cubs and guides that were to participate that evening. Then she turned to patsy with those eyes that made her feel like a school girl all over again. The look that was sent between them signalled to patsy that she was still loved.
She was about to say something when a number of concerned parents decided that they all needed to address the issue of lit candles at the same time. As she had explained to sister Winifred just days earlier – it was what made the turnips shine, and not only herself and nurse busby were on hand should there be any accidents – but nearly the entirety of the Nonnatus team. This seemed to quell the parents but, when she turned to talk to Delia, she found her to be in the middle of handing out the candles. It seemed that their talk would have to wait until after the parade.
Seeing Delia with the children, smiling and laughing made patsy realise that she loved her more than any words could express, and that she was doing the right thing. Even if there was no possible way to follow up on it yet; but she hoped one day there would.
The parade lasted far longer than patsy had originally anticipated, with one of the cubs tripping over and several others causing small amounts of havoc with their practical jokes. But once it had finished and all the children were dismissed, Patsy pulled Delia aside, leading them to the bike shed – just slightly out of view from any prying eyes.
"were not dead, and we won't live as we were. We will find a way to be together I promise you" at which point Delia took her hands, clasping them tight. At this patsy released one of her fists in order to both connect further to the welsh nurse but at the same time to pass the chain, secretly to her lover.
Delia felt Patsy's hand moving, and something come into contact with her hand. Patsy smiled at her, with gentle and caring eyes, urging her to open her palm. There lay the chain with the ring attached to the end.
As Delia realised what it was, all she could say was "pats". It was said in a whispered voice, one filled with surprise and wonderment.
"Delia, I know we can't get married, but one day maybe. But for now, will you take this and be mine"
Delia's eyes filled with tears, she recognised the ring. After that evening not, many days before – she had gone to the nunnery in hopes of assuring her lover that it was okay, that she was tired and upset but she loved her, even if they couldn't show it. But when she arrived, she found patsy; fast asleep – still in the clothes from earlier, clutching that very same ring with the old shoe box on the bed. She immediately knew that it must have been Patsy's mothers, if had come from the box. Immediately she felt, responsible. That she had left patsy, alone in an alley – causing her to seek comfort from one of the very last links to her mother.
Now as she stood, in that bike shed, with only the light from the school playground illuminating her and patsy – she felt a feeling of love that could not be described for the woman in front of her.
Patsy was still standing in front of her, looking at her. At which point she realised that patsy was waiting for an answer. As she unclasped the chain, she whispered tenderly
"will you help me put it on" at which point she turned away from her
At which the red heads eyes started to fill up with water, whilst she nodded furiously. Taking the clasp with shaky hands, she brought it up to Delia's neck and brushed away the tangles of hair that had fallen out of her bun.
"There" she said, as her voice broke. And as Delia turned around she noticed the tears that had formed in her lover's eyes. She brought a hand up and wiped away those that had escaped, from Patsy's face, with a soft and gentle hand.
"I wish I could kiss you" Delia sighed, at which patsy smiled. She took a brief look around before bending down and kissing her partner. Gently and soft and out of prying eyes.