A/N: No, this isn't strictly the Turners, but I have a lot of head canon about these two, so I wrote up a little drabble that has nowhere else to go :)
Sister Bernadette stood quietly, her mind quickly processing the information that had just come spilling out of her colleague - Chummy was finally fulfilling her dream of becoming a missionary to Africa. It was not that she was surprised by the news, after all, Chummy had mentioned her dreams of mission work many times since she arrived at Nonnatus House, much to Sister Evangelina's chagrin. No, the news itself was not surprising, but the timing did seem rather sudden. As Nurses Lee and Franklin and Sister Evangelina made their feelings known on the revelation, Sister Bernadette remained attentive, but silent, mind whirling quickly. First and foremost, she needed to reassign all of Nurse Noakes' patients among the rest of them, it would be difficult to squeeze them into already full rota, but they would manage as they had always done.
But she was also acutely aware of how much she would miss Chummy. While friendly with all the nursing staff, Sister Bernadette certainly felt closest to Nurse Noakes - though vastly different in stature, they were remarkably similar in so many ways, and had enjoyed conversations about God and His callings in life while waiting for the phone to ring in an evening. Hours of extra study had drawn the pair together, Sister Bernadette was delighted with how well Nurse Noakes had excelled in her midwifery as she became more comfortable on her own, and though not strictly proper for a nun, felt a sense of pride in her pupil.
And underneath it all was that small, almost nagging voice yet again. Chummy had said something - this was the hardest decision she'd made in her life but God wanted her there. And the voice crept up in her mind again, questioning, wondering, where was it that God really wanted her? Where is Sister Bernadette's place? Is it really here, in the religious order as Sister Bernadette, or was there more out there for her? She had a glimpse of friendship outside of the order with Chummy, was witnessing another way to serve God. She pushed the voice aside again - she would deal with that later in prayer. There was too much to focus on now. She awkwardly realised she had been silent through the entire conversation, Sister Evangelina already having left in a huff, and now the others were giving tearful hugs and promises before they left on their rounds.
Soon, she was alone in the room with her friend, but still quite unsure of what to say. "Nurse Lee is right, you know, Sister Evangelina only behaves that way because she cares so deeply." Chummy sent her a doubtful look and Sister Bernadette was afraid the strange silence would last forever.
"Are you - are you frightfully disappointed in me then?" Chummy's voice sounded almost small, if that were possible.
Sister Bernadette was taken aback, she certainly did not want to give that impression - far from it! "Nothing could be further from the truth! I'm sorry, it is all just so very sudden, as you said." Stepping around the table that stood between them, she pulled her friend into a warm embrace. "You are doing God's work and that could never be disappointing. You'll see, it will all be tickety boo."
Both Chummy and Sister Bernadette couldn't suppress a giggle at how strange the phrase sounded coming out of the Scottish woman's lips. "Thank you for everything, Sister-" the ringing of the phone cut off any further conversation, they each had much to do.
That night, Sister Bernadette spent her time in prayer for Chummy and her mission - her own questions could wait for another day.
