Thanks to screen caps from .com, I have hd pictures of series 2 of Call the Midwife. I was fully prepared to go to bed… when a thought for how to begin part three struck me… so I went to find the "featured image"…. and what do you know, Patrick is wearing the same tie in all three scenes….
Once Shelagh had married Patrick, one of the first things she had set upon doing was cleaning out his wardrobe. It was a fairly easy task to do…most of his jumpers and shirts had shown the wear of him refusing to buy new clothes. But she held onto three specific pieces…. and one was a hideous red and brown striped tie. Her fingers now caressed it as her mind flashed back to the first time she really remembered seeing him wear it.
After the kiss on the hand, it had seemed to Sister Bernadette that Doctor Turner and her rarely crossed paths. It would seem impossible, but it was true. It didn't matter to her, he still filled her thoughts… and each time she touched the scar her mind would flash back to his gentle kiss. It wasn't until Sister Julienne had been called out that they would be called into action together.
When Sister Julienne mentioned that she would be called out, Sister Bernadette really didn't mind. She had found that she could handle the other nuns and midwives… but what she had minded was being told she would have to go with Doctor Turner to County Hall that the panic had set in.. could she do it? Could she work side by side with him and not reveal her true emotions?
By the time she had walked down the stairs, Sister Bernadette had built up a steel resolve. She knew this was a time for them to get the help that Poplar needed, and she was the one going. It was best- for her and him- to keep the conversation brief and to the point… and it was… until it had turned to his attire of the day.
Doctor Turner: Sister Bernadette. Sister Bernadette: Doctor Turner. Doctor Turner: I I was expecting Sister Julienne. Sister Bernadette: Sister Julienne has been called out. I am covering for her. Doctor Turner:I see. I'm sorry I'm a little late. I couldn't find a decent tie. Sister Bernadette couldn't help but be thankful that he had chosen that exact moment to open the door- she needed the chance to study something else before she chose to answer: That tie seems perfectly appropriate. If the door hadn't been opened just then, Sister Bernadette wasn't sure how she would have responded to the rest of what he had to say. Doctor Turner: Thank you. I do appreciate your support today. "Practical answers… he's not expecting anything more from you…"I am here as a favour to Sister Julienne. That is all." and he replied, "Of course," before they began the long quiet drive to County Hall…little did she know at the time, he would be wearing the same tie again and she would be riding in this car again very soon…
Shelagh's hands felt something smooth and flat as she reached into the closet to place her shoes. She reached up and grabbed it and saw that it was her x-ray card. It had somehow been returned to her, and she had kept it… for the memories surrounding the card were so important to the journey that she had been on as Sister Bernadette.
As the two of them had marched into the County Hall, Sister Bernadette had the strangest feeling that the two of them could have been holding hands- if she wasn't a nun. It was becoming her standard train of thought…. if only she wasn't a nun. They had bolstered each other through the meeting- each building off the other person's story- almost as if it had been rehearsed- but it hadn't… they were just that in sync with one another. It was toughest when they left the meeting- the joy was evident on both their faces and the flirting had been going both ways. If she had stayed any longer, she would have surely reached up and kissed him… and she couldn't.
Once Doctor Turner had interrupted their dinner and announced the van would be arriving in Poplar, Sister Bernadette could feel his gaze on her. It slightly unnerved her, but thankfully Sister Evangelina and Sister Monica Joan's batting back and forth helped keep the distraction down. She immediately volunteered to help with the van- using the excuse that she had helped bring it to Poplar.
Tuesday morning had never felt so long… after everything that was a duty had been accomplished, Sister Bernadette set about getting the boxes ready. She rather liked this feeling of keeping everything organized- everything in its spot. After the conversation with Sister Julienne, she stepped out into the day and was amazed at the crowd near the van. "Please let someone's life be saved today" was her quick prayer before she walked up to greet him with a smile on her face, "Good morning Doctor…" and his response of "Sister Bernadette" made her heart swell. She found herself paying more attention to what he was wearing- a green sweater vest and chocolate brown tie- than what he was saying until he introduced her to Doctor McGinnis.
Once she knew her job, she settled into it. There was little fuss about it until the small girl had arrived. Her name now escaped Sister Bernadette, but she made a pact with the wee one and got herself tested. It was only after the girl had gone that Doctor Turner had said the line, "Your a natural.." which, if hadn't been for her job, would have sent her imagination flying to a day when she would give birth to a child fathered by him.
Patrick smiled at his wife. Shelagh was sitting on the bed fingering a few small items which he recognized- a tie and an x-ray card.
"I remember the day I had to tell you that you were sick… it was almost as if my heart would break… here I was- wishing you were mine- and I had to tell you that you were sick… even the examination about killed me. I had to put my feelings aside and turn into the professional that I claimed to be… when all I wanted to do was take you in my arms and assure you you were mine…" Patrick said as he tenderly grasped her left hand in his.
"It was so surreal… I thought at the time my greatest challenge would be telling Sister Julienne that I was unsure of my place in the convent…. but, instead I was given the diagnosis that changed my life… and it changed it for the better…" Shelagh whispered, taking his face in her hands and tenderly kissing him. "I can remember telling you that you had been more than kind, but wishing and wanting to tell you that you had stolen my heart..and I never wanted you to give it back to me," Shelagh said softly before her husband's lips claimed hers in a kiss- a kiss that not even Sister Bernadette could have dreamed about…. and the tie and card fell to the floor- unneeded for new memories were now being made.