Chapter 4

"Yes, Almond sponge is great, but I think anything with fruit in it is even better", Dr. Turner heard his son's voice coming from the kitchen of Nonnatus House. He followed the voice and saw his son standing next to the housekeeper Mrs. B. who was stirring a pot on the oven and apparently discussing cakes with Timothy.

"Now young man, I see you have made yourself familiar with the facilities over here?" he said teasingly and added: "I hope you did behave yourself."

"Dad, look, Mrs. B. is showing me how to make a stew. And she asked me about my favourite cakes so she can bake them." Mrs. B. laughed and turned, facing Dr. Turner: "You have a very talented son, doctor. He tells me that you are not too fond of the kitchen but I believe, we could train your son to do all that", she chuckled.

"Is that so?" Dr. Turner asked, only half-mockingly. "Now Tim, get your things so we can go home. I am done for today, and not on call for the night."

"Dad, can we stay for dinner please?" Timothy asked.

"Tim, I don't think so. You have stretched the Sisters' hospitality quite enough for today, I think", his father said.

Sister Bernadette, who had heard Dr. Turner's voice while setting the dining table, entered the kitchen. "Actually, I invited Timothy to stay for dinner", she said. "I hope you forgive me. I was not sure when you would return and of course you, too, are very welcome to join us." She shyly asked: "That is, if you do not have any other plans?"

"Well, umm, no, but we do not want to intrude…" his voice broke off. "Oh, please, you two are almost family", Sister Bernadette said. "Well then, thank you very much", Dr. Turner replied.

He took off his coat and went outside to hang it on the coat rack. Sister Bernadette followed him, breathing in as if she wanted to say something but she did not. Dr. Turner looked at her with a questioning look. Suddenly both found themselves opposite each other in the hallway, looking into each other's eyes, neither able to break the gaze.

Dr. Turner slowly opened his mouth, but found he was unable to utter any word that might make sense. He felt the urge of reaching out to the small woman right in front of him, but an inner voice stopped him, reminding him that she was a nun. He desperately tried to think of anything else to do but felt paralyzed. So did Sister Bernadette who did not even know why she had been following him in the first place.

"Dr. Turner, are you joining us for dinner?" a bright voice ended this moment of awkwardness, and both Sister Bernadette and Dr. Turner looked into the smiling face of Sister Julienne, approaching them from the direction of her office. Both hoped she would not notice the look of embarrassment each of them displayed. "Yes, I am. We both are, Tim and I. Sister Bernadette kindly invited us."

Sister Julienne ushered him into the dining room where Mrs. B., assisted by Timothy, had begun to place the dishes containing her delicious food. "It was delightful to have Timothy with us this afternoon, doctor", Sister Julienne said. "I must say, you have a very bright boy." "Well, thank you. Too bright and cheeky sometimes, I shall add" Dr. Turner grinned and ruffled his son's hair, after said son had placed a plate with bread on the table.

Father and son enjoyed the meal. Even though their housekeeper was an excellent cook, Mrs. B. was yet playing in another league. And even more than the food, they enjoyed the large dinner table and the cheerful company of the Sisters and the young nurses. After all, it was rather silent at their house most evenings.

Dr. Turner noticed that Sister Bernadette hardly touched her meal. He wondered whether she was feeling unwell. She was by far the quietest person of them all, even the usually shy Jane would share an occasional joke with Timothy or comment on something one of the nurses said. He sometimes felt Sister Bernadette's gaze lingering on him, but each time he glanced back at her, she would quickly turn away.

Perhaps not used to entertaining a lively boy like Timothy, she was tired from answering all his questions, he thought. Or was it something else, he wondered. Perhaps she had noticed that he kept watching her whenever they were in the same room together and felt embarrassed by his behaviour. Earlier, at the coat rack, he must have embarrassed her with his stare, he assumed. He would not be able to ask her, he thought. But he needed to get himself under control again.

After dinner, the nurses cleared the table while the Sisters were heading towards the chapel. After expressing his gratitude over the dinner invitation, Dr. Turner said "Tim, get your things, we should go now."

He went to get his coat and noticed that Sister Bernadette had stayed behind the other Sisters. "Thank you again, Sister, for helping Timothy with his homework. He told me you did a wonderful job."

"Oh this was nothing really. I am glad I could help. He can come over any time, it is such a pleasure having him", she smiled at him. Again, he felt the urge of drawing her into his arms and even though he did not move, she stepped back as if she had been able to read his thoughts.

"If you'll excuse me", she said quickly, turning around and following her Sisters into the chapel.