The next few days pass by in a blur of deliveries and Christmas concert preparation, both of which seem insignificant when Sister Monica Joan is still missing and I'm waiting for news from Delia. I try to take my own advice and whistle a happy tune but sometimes that just isn't possible. My mind wanders more often than is really acceptable but I manage to continue my work, without too much of a disruption. I'm in a constant cycle of hoping and praying the Sister Monica Joan is safe and hoping and praying that Delia will ring with good news and not bad. All mixed with slight excitement that comes at Christmastime whatever age you are.
I dash up from the table as the phone rings. Fred has delivered Sister Monica Joan safely back at Nonnatus, how she made it all the way to Berkshire unharmed we may never know. Nurse Crane and Sister Evangelina are both sitting with her, Evangelina refusing to leave despite her journey to Berkshire and back this afternoon. Trixie is upstairs enjoying a quiet night after a busy day. Everyone else is out, either on house calls or preparing for the Christmas concert. Which leaves me to answer the phone.
"Nonnatus house, midwife speaking" saying that still given me a little boost of excitement, even after all this time, I am a midwife.
"I'm calling from a box on the corner of Whittle Street" my heart skips a beat as those soft Welsh tones float through the receiver. I cannot suppress the huge grin that forms.
"There's someone there in need of attention" goodness I love this woman, seven words to make me melt.
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Is all I manage to say, my brain refusing to process anything else.
Delia lets out a soft chuckle before hanging up the phone. Leaving me standing like a adorned school girl. I quickly put the receiver down and slip up the stairs as if I'm floating. Fortunately Trixie is still awake when I get to our room.
"Can you cover for me, I need to go out" I'm talking far quicker than I normally do as I reach into the wardrobe for my coat.
"Urm.. Okay...?" The confusion on Trixie's face suggests I'm going to need to tell her more. "Is everything alright?"
I take a pause and a deep breath before I reply.
"Delia..." Her name comes out far quieter and squeakier than I had intended.
A smile curls at the edge of Trixie's lips and without another word just a nod of her head tells me my answer.
"Thank you so much, I owe you" I touch my hand on her shoulder as I race back out of the room and down the stairs.
The walk to Whittle Street feels both the longest and shortest it's ever felt. It's starting to snow which is making the pavement rather slippy in my work shoes, I walk as fast as I can without running and without falling over. However it becomes a jog as the sign for Whittle Street becoming clearer. As I make it round the corner I see the telephone box, Delia stood inside keeping warm. Her face lights up as she sees me, under the glow of the light inside the box her features are beautifully highlighted. She steps out onto the street as I pause for a second to take her in.
We run toward each other embracing like we're the only people on earth. I don't care and I have a feeling neither does Delia. We stay like this for a minute or two before deciding to retreat into the phone box out of the snow.
I don't think we've ever been this close in public. I can feel the heat from her body close to mine, I reach out and stroke her cheek with my thumb, she turns into my palm and plants a soft kiss onto the pad of my thumb. My breath hitches as I remind myself where we are, before placing my hand on the window behind her head.
"They say the headaches will fade away. I just need to rest for a little longer." She pauses and begins to look around outside. "Not that my mother will let me do much else" my stomach knots as the mention of Mrs Busby.
"Will she let you come back to work?" She jolly well better had, a thought I keep to myself.
"I have to come back to work. Back to London. This is where my life is. Where you are!" Her eyes pierce mine reaching deep into my soul.
"Deils, I'm not going anywhere. You can't come back if they don't give you a clean bill of health."
"They will. I'll make them." The words curl on her accent making them sound slick and passionate.
I glance down at her lips, as she looks at mine, before leaning in, not caring where we are just knowing this is what I want, what I need. I almost reach her lips when there's a knock at the window. We both jump back, my heart is in my throat as the rude gentleman speaks.
"People out here are waiting"
Delia looks down before looking at me, her sky blue eyes full of disappointment and lust.
"People in here are waiting." We smile at each other before heading back out into the cold.
"Sorry." I offer to the man outside, not because I mean it, rather it seems the right thing to do. He huffs as he enters the box but I don't care.
Delia and I walk arm in arm back to her bus stop, no speaking. No words are needed which is good as I haven't a clue what I would or should say. We reach the stop and I pull her toward me, taking a slow breath in, trying to stop the tears falling from my full eyes.
"Darling Pats" her words make me fail and a tear rolls down my cheek. She reaches up to wipe it away with her gloved thumb. "Don't cry sweetheart, I'll be back soon, for good. I promise."
"But, what about..." my words choke unable to finish my question.
"Don't you worry about my mother. I'm a big girl and I can do what I want and she can't stop me." She smiles; she always has a way of making light of a situation. "I'll write to you every day and I'll get to the phone box in the village to telephone when I can."
Her hands find mine as her bus pulls alongside the stop. She squeezes my fingers tightly before pulling me into an embrace.
"I love you Pats, I'll see you very soon." She whispers into my neck her breath burning my cold skin.
"I love you too Deils, more that you will ever know." With one last tight squeeze she pulls herself away our fingers the last part to break. She hops onto the bus as it drives off offering a blown kiss as she's goes into the darkness.
People here are definitely waiting, and have been for long enough now.
A/N thanks for all the views, reviews and follows. Only 9 more days to wait for more Call the Midwife. This fic will continue then!
