Patsy pulled on the chain by the door ringing the bell, then stepped back to stand should to shoulder with Delia.
The large blue front door opened to reveal an immaculately dressed older gentleman, a perfectly tailored black suit and black long tie. His greyed hair was styled despite balding and his eyes twinkled with joy at seeing the arrivals. "Miss Patience. Allow me to express my deep pleasure at seeing you look so well and happy. And Miss Busby I presume?"
"Hello Mr Morris. It's very good to see you. Delia, this is Mr Morris. Valet to my uncle and family saviour. Mr Morris, my particular friend Miss Delia Busby".
When the pleasantries were compete and Patsy reassured the car and luggage would be taken care of the couple found themselves standing in a large foyer alone. I vast chandelier hung over the sweeping staircase that wrapped around to the first floor. Oil landscape paintings and portraits filled the walls and yet the dramatic tiled floor made the room feel imposing yet elegant. Patsy took Delia's hand. "Shall we find my aunt?" she smiled as a calming relief wrapped around her being back at the only place, with the exception of Nonnatus House, that had felt like home since tragically losing her mother and sister.
"Patience?" Came the questioning voice from above. Delia moved to release Patsy's hand but was given a reassuring squeeze before Patsy released her hand and walked towards the foot of the stairs. As an elegant lady in fitted riding slacks, knee high tan riding boots and a tweed jacket walked down the formal stairs Patsy's face lit up. "Aunt Liz."
Elizabeth Whitaker was the epitome of grace. An intelligent woman in her early 50s who, along with her husband and children, had welcomed Patsy into their home and lives with open arms and open hearts when she returned broken from the internment Camp. Elizabeth, or Liz was Patience Mount's paternal aunt. She had come from the illustrious Mount family of Boreton before marrying a gentleman farmer, Charles, when she was 20. When Patsy's parents had relocated to Singapore her father had left the family estate in the capable hands of his beloved sister and her husband.
"Patience sweetie, look at you. You look simply glowing. I'm so pleased your home". The two women embraced and Delia couldn't help the relief sweep over her that Patsy had even more love in her life than she ever realised. Seeing Patsy's companion standing a few feet behind them looking happy yet nervous Liz pulled reluctantly away from the embrace with her niece and with a smile approached Delia. "Patience are you going to formally introduce me to Miss Busby here or are common civilities so very different in Poplar?"
Patsy laughed "Aunt Liz, allow me the honour of introducing Miss Delia Busby. Deels this is my aunt Mrs Elizabeth Whitaker."
Liz shook Delia's hand before holding the young Welsh girls fingers between her two hands. "I'm so very pleased to finally meet you Delia. From Patience correspondence I feel that I know you already and that we are set to be firm friends".
Delia smiled. "The pleasure is all mine Mrs Whitaker" she said as she looked quizzically at Patsy who until now had always remained quiet on the subject of family.
"Call me Liz. Now, I have arranged for Delia to have the room next to yours and the interconnecting door has been unlocked for your convenience. I have instructed the staff that neither of you will require any attendance, nor that your rooms are not to be entered under any circumstance for the duration of your stay. You can put your nursing skills to good use and make your own bed... we wouldn't want you getting out of practice"
"Thank you" Patsy replied in a small shy voice.
"Patience, your home. I'm so excited to learn all about your life but for now I will let you both settle in from your drive while I run an errand". Liz looked briefly at her wrist watch. "Drinks at seven this evening girls and then a kitchen supper." With a sharp whistle from Liz a black Labrador bounded through the house and followed Liz out through the front door.
As Patsy's aunt disappeared as quickly as she'd arrived Delia turned to look upon Patsy with questioning eyes. Patsy briefly bit her bottom lip before taking Delia by the hand. "Quick guided tour I think then Morris should have had our luggage delivered to our suite. Follow me Nurse Busby, you will not want to get lost."
Patsy led an inquisitive and fascinated Delia around the main rooms of the grand house, regaling her with the long history of their family home and some personal accounts of teenage adventures and shenanigans. The furnishings in every room were opulent yet comfortable and homely, modern conveniences had been added throughout the house leaving a feeling that it was a home full of life.
"And this will be your room for your stay" Patsy opened the door on the second floor, entering a large room with a magnificent looking sleigh bed dominating the space. The furnishings had a strong nod to Asia with silks and patterns tastefully adorning the walls and furniture. Delia's bag had been placed on a small stand. Two large sash windows were a vision of the distant setting sun while the white painted shutters framed the view out over darkening terraces and a twinkling lake. Delia looked about the room, in awe of the colour and textures. The room felt so exotic yet homely in a way Delia couldn't find word for. She would want to write to her own family and tell them of this beautiful place she had the fortune to visit be she was sure she would never have the words to do it justice.
Patsy slipped her hand into Delia's. "I hope you like it" she said and kissed Delia lightly before the shorter woman could reply. "The sitting room has been converted to an en suite with bath and lavatory – just through that door just there. And through here is my room…" Pasty led Delia into the room that was very similarly decorated to the last yet as Delia slowly wandered around she could see small discrete personal touches that were so very Patsy in there element. A selection of medical texts, anthropology editions and regency novels sat neatly in the tall bookcase which had a fencing foil and mask propped against; a record player with a number of LPs in perfect order had its own small table; various framed pictures of school teams and Patsy at graduation where on the wall besides the wardrobe; the most exquisite writing desk with fine pens and expensive looking paper sat under one window with two cameras including a leather cased polaroid next to the writing ink; and finally a picture of Patsy and Delia at a picnic in Hyde park they had attended with several other nursing students when their relationship first bloomed. Delia walked over to the picture that was in a beautifully ornate frame on the fire mantelpiece as she ran her thumb over the polished glass. She hadn't expected any evidence of their life here. She moved on from the picture and continued around the room before returning to Patsy who stood at the foot of her bed.
"I quite like seeing where the younger you resided. It feels like you somehow" came Delia's welsh melody.
"umm" came Patsy's reply as she stood behind Delia wrapping her arms about her small frame. With her chin on Delia's shoulder Patsy closed her eyes softly and inhaled. "My mother decorated these rooms when I was three. She brought me back to England with her when she was too give birth to Antonia. It was a difficult confinement so we returned to England for well over a year. I was nearly five when we returned to father in Singapore. Of course there has been some changes over the year but my aunt and I agreed to maintain what we could of my mother's decor…"
"They are beautiful rooms Pats" Delia said as she turned in Patsy's arms to face her love. She kissed her taller loves lips softly, running her hand and thumb over the pale skin of Patsy's cheek and neck. The two looked at each other, revelling in the safety of each other's arms and the rarity of enjoying this simple act without being vigilant of intruders or spectators. "Will we really not be disturbed Pats?" Delia asked as she glanced at the door over Patsy's shoulder. "I can't say the family understand boundaries because sometimes they are scandalous in their approach to gossip! However, in these rooms we will be left to our own devices!" Patsy's face showed wide eyes as she spoke with a conspiratory smirk which turned into a yawn and an apology.
Delia suggested a nap before dinner, grateful for a chance to gather herself before the intimidating prospect of joining Patsy's family for their evening meal. As Patsy walked to the right side of the bed Delia lowered herself onto the left side. As Delia sank into the plush layers of sheets and luxurious mattress she couldn't help but let out a satisfied groan. "I know" came Patsy's response also revelling in the heavenly comfort. They both quickly slipped into a restful sleep wrapped in each other's arms, a simple blanket pulled up over their clothes as the room glided into full darkness.
