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Reviews are much appreciated so I can tell how this is going xx

'Hello Patrick.' Shelagh smiled as she picked up the phone.

'Hello Shelagh.' She could hear the smile in his voice at the sound of her voice.
'The nurses are almost certainly spying on me right now, just a warning.' Shelagh laughed.
'Oh are they indeed. Nosy beggars.' He chuckled.
'It's all in good fun really. I've been known to be dragged into it in the past on one or two occasions.'
'Shocking behaviour Miss Mannion. I might have to reconsider my decision to court you, I have reputation to uphold. I can't be seen with such a woman.'
'Your loss then.' She giggled.
'I love your laugh.' He admitted. 'I prefer to see it, to see your eyes light up and your nose crinkle in that adorable way it does. Listening is almost as sweet.'
'Patrick you praise me too highly.' She blushed.
'I am positive that is impossible for you are the most beautiful, intelligent, funny, caring, amazing, incredible, wonderful woman I have ever met. And I barely even know you.' He said earnestly as Shelagh blushed deeper.
'Thank you.' There was a comfortable silence as she digested the praise.
'In sorry for leaving you last night and for taking you from Timothy.'
'It's fine Patrick. You were needed. I speak on behalf of everyone here when I thank you for saving Chummy. We will always be grateful to you. Have you seen her yet?'
'Oh I didn't do anything. They only wanted me there in case they needed someone with a detailed set of interactions with Chummy. But yes I've seen her briefly. She said you and the others stopped by. She congratulated me on making you so happy. Thanked me for it actually.'
'Well you do. Ever so much.' She grinned.
'And you I. I cannot wait to spend more time with you. How was the rest of the day? I hope you didn't over exert yourself.'
'I'm perfectly fine Doctor. Though I get the distinct feeling I'm going to be mollycoddled for the next few months.' She rolled her eyes unseen by it's recipient.
'You can bet on it.'
'Yippee. As for what I did, the nurses took me shopping for clothes as I have only what I was in yesterday and would be hopeless on my own. Then we went out for, and I quote, 'posh tea' to celebrate Chummy and I being well.'
'I'm sure you look excellent in them. I cannot wait to see you wearing them. I cannot wait to see you again full stop. They're okay with this all then?'
'Yes. They're happy for us. Happy that I'm healthy and happy. It seemed to come as a shock to them understandably but they seemed to be okay with it. I shouldn't have worried so.'
'I'm glad. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?'
'I don't think so.'
'Let me take you out for dinner. Last night was wonderful but I'd like to have you to myself. Timothy is staying over at Jack's house. I can give you my undivided attention. Just as you deserve.'
'I'd like that. Very much.'
'Do you a preference?'
'I don't exactly have a lot of experience in that area Patrick.' She laughed.
'Of course, sorry. I have just the place in mind. I think you'll like it.'
'I'm sure I will. Where is it?'

'Surprise.'

'Patrick!But how will I know what to wear?'

'Wear something smart looking. It's better than a tea shop but not quite The Ritz. Though you'll be the most beautiful woman there anyway.'
'I-'
'No. I know you're not used to compliments so I'm going to get you used to them as quickly as I can so you can accept how amazing you really are. Oh, Timothy's calling me, I've got to go.'
'Okay. Tell him I say hi.'
'Will do.'
'Patrick'
'Yes?'
'I couldn't be more certain.'
'I am completely certain. I'll phone you with a time tomorrow. I'll leave you to your spies now. Bye.'
'Bye.' Putting down the phone she grinned and lent against the desk, waiting for the inevitable attack from the spies. Although she had only been caught and roped in on one occasion she had witnessed them spying on phone call many times throughout the decade since her postulancy had begun and was familiar with the procedure though not usually from this end of the deal. 'You can come out ,I know you're there ladies.' Sheepishly they came around the corner but it was clear that all of them were thrilled by what they'd heard. 'Don't worry; I'm not angry with you. I expected it to be honest. It's nice in a strange, twisted way. I'm really one of the nurses now.'

'You make us sound like a gang.' Cynthia chuckled.

'No comment.'

'You two are so cute and I haven't even seen you together yet. Well, actually I have, many times. How did we not spot this going on?' Trixie wondered aloud.
'We both fought our feelings, myself very hard and I believe he did too.'
'Then how did you ever realise he loved you?'
'I don't really think this is an appropriate place for such talk.' Shelagh said nervously, unsure of who was listening. As happy as she was to be honest with the nurses and her mother, she was concerned that sister Evangelina was not taking this as well appeared. The nun did not need to overhear the reasons her sister had left.
'Come on then.' Trixie pulled Shelagh away from the desk, up the stairs and into her room with the others fleeing amused. 'Spill.'
'Okay! I'm still on an emotional high so I'll tell you. It was a number of little things at first, an extra kindness, a uncharacteristically kind word or compliment, a shared cigarette.' She said laughing at the memory. 'At first I just thought it was me reading too much into everything, a wishful thinking of sorts, perhaps even just a reaction to me getting kinder. The first time I had a strong suspicion was a few days before the summer fair, we were taking in the kitchen of the parish hall about what could be improved there with the money we expected to raise at the fete. We were discussing spirit lamps when I looked up and he looked up. Try as I might I couldn't take my eyes off of his. After a few seconds Timothy ran in and that was it. Even then I thought he might have been looking off into space or thinking deep. Then came the fair. You remember how Patrick was called away to Mrs Harding and I ran the 3 legged race with Timothy?'
'Yes, you fell over the finishing line and won.'
'Indeed. I cut my hand and so went to wash it after I'd untied Timothy and Patrick had picked up and returned my glasses. Whilst I was washing it Patrick came in and offered to take a look at my hand. I agreed, even though there was no actual medical need, it was only a minor injury. He took my hand and began to look over it and then started to stroke it with his thumb, and then didn't let go. I still don't know if this happened as slowly as it seemed but I definitely had time to see what was going on and remove my hand. He closed his eyes and brought my hand up to his lips and kissed the palm of my hand, kissed the wound. After what seemed like forever but had potentially only been a second I pulled my hand away and turned my back on him explaining that I had to because of the promise I had made to God. He said he understood and walked out. That was when I knew I wasn't alone in my torment. There was definitely something been us. I couldn't ignore it anymore. Then I was diagnosed with TB and we both realised that life was too short not to at least consider it. He wrote to me in the Sanatorium but I didn't read any of the letters. I was still riddled with guilt and confusion but I could now admit to myself that I wanted to be with him, wanted to be a mother to Timothy, wanted a family and that God was giving me a chance. I spoke to Sister Julienne and about a week before I was discharged I read all of his letters in one go. Oh and they were perfect, exactly want I wanted and needed to read. It was then that I read the words I'd been fighting against. He was in love with me and hoped I loved him too. And that is how I came to realise he loved me.'
'Aww. You're a real life love story.'
'You said all of his letters, how many did he write? If that's not too intrusive a question?'
'I've just told you the most secret and intimate events of my recent life. I think that question will be fine. Just don't expect me to always be this open. I'm still riding on excitement and happiness right now.' She reminded them.
'Okay.'
'So? How many letters?' Shelagh smiled and walked over to her bedside cabinet and pulled out a stack of nearly 20 letters and clutched them to her. The nurses jaws dropped.
'Wow. That's...a lot of letters.' Jenny said.
'He must really love you.' Jane smiled.
'He does. And I couldn't be happier.' She flopped back onto Trixie's bed grinning. The others laughed at the uncharacteristically happy former nun who was quite obviously giddy in love.
'I must admit, I never expected to see this.' Cynthia said gesturing to Shelagh who giggled slightly.
'Neither did I.' Shelagh admitted.
'I'm so happy for you.' Trixie said laying next to Shelagh and hugging her. 'You don't know how many times I've wanted to do this.'
'Cuddle with me on your bed?' Shelagh asked, eyebrow cocked in amusement.
'No silly. Hug you.'
'If you wanted to hug me you should have just hugged me. I'd have hugged you back. I'm not that impersonal am I?'
'You were very...proper. The perfect nun who hid behind the rules.'
'Well I did a bang up job of keeping to that.' She giggled
'Dinner!' Sister Evangelina called out.
'Good. I'm ravenous.' Jenny said.
'We had cake not 3 hours ago!' Shelagh exclaimed.
'Jenny's always hungry. We're not just learning about you here. There's a lot you need to learn about us that we keep hidden from the nuns. It'll all come with many late night chats.' Trixie beamed.
'I still have a lot of learning about myself before you can.' Shelagh frowned 'I've been living such a different life for so long I've almost forgotten who Shelagh is. I had to really else Sister Bernadette would have have a much harder time of it.'
'We'll help you remember.' Jane said smiling as they got up and walked down to the dining room.
'Thank you.'