Samuel opened a large cardboard box and placed the contents on the table in four equal piles. "Did Patsy and Delia joins you for breakfast?"
Liz looked up from the morning paper and surveyed the vast number of papers now covering the dining table. "No, but I stepped out early to visit with Vicar Rose and his wife in order to discuss the final details of the Christmas fair. Have you not seen them this morning?"
"I must've missed them also" Samuel said as he opened his briefcase at the head of the table and pulled out an executive pad and fine fountain pen. Before any more could be said the sound of Patsy and Delia giggling merrily drifted through the hall. "Morning girls" Liz said drawing them to peer their heads around the dining room door. Morning greetings were exchanged and Patsy's heart sank a little at the sight of the large table scattered with written pleas. Reality was seeping back through Patsy's ecstasy but the feeling of Delia by her side reinforced her resistance. Patsy excused them, explaining their urgent need for coffee but promised they would re-join them in the dining room with a pot for all.
Several minutes later Delia appeared in the dining room carrying a tray with a pot of coffee, a small jug of milk and 4 cups and saucers. She placed the tray on the table and took the seat in which she had previously sat for breakfast. Patsy meandered behind nibbling on a biscuit and taking the chair next to Delia. Both women unconsciously moved their chairs closer together as Delia poured the steaming coffee. Liz happily accepted a cup from Delia and took a sip. "I decided with the weather been so utterly dire we should use the afternoon to make a start on the review."
Patsy quietly nibbled on a biscuit but with a sigh pulled the first pile of papers towards herself. Delia looked at Patsy questioningly "review?"
Samuel looked up from the paper on which he was writing. "Patsy has made you part of the review of the applications for funding from the foundation. We distribute money to causes in England Wales and Southeast Asia for the betterment of the health and lives of women and children. There are some more guidelines in the foundation scope but all these applications here meet the required criteria. It's our job this afternoon to decide for which projects we want to provide funds."
Delia nodded as she looked over the piles of paper. She had no idea how to even estimate how many applications were lying before them. Patsy placed a hand on Delia's knee, her thumb stroking soft patterns. "We found if we each take a pile and read through the applications it is most efficient. If you read an application you think we should potentially fund you read out the details, we discuss it is a group and make a decision." Patsy slid the pile of papers that had previously sat in front of her over to Delia and retrieved a second pile for herself. Liz and Samuel also retrieved a pile each and started to look through the information, accounts and requests each document contained. Liz read an application as an example for Delia and explained why in this case she didn't believe funding new sports equipment for the grammar school in question was an appropriate use of resources. Delia embraced the process and found it remarkably easy to give her opinion on the cases put forwards. She recognised that this was obviously not a process that Patsy enjoyed, but rather approached with the same efficient candour that she implemented when nursing. Delia wondered if there was any way she could help the other woman feel more comfortable with this task, but for now she would settle for a show of enthused solidarity.
"I may have an application of interest" Liz said as she looked up from the paper she was reading. "It's from a Sister Julienne, Sister-in-charge of Nonnatus house, Poplar?"
Patsy immediately looked at her aunt "Sister Julienne?" Patsy turned her gaze to Delia before returning it to Liz. "What is the application for?"
"Sister Julienne puts forward the case for funding over the next three years to allow the employment of two medical orderlies and one lab technician. The sister states provision of the staff would ease the workload of the nursing sisters and the NHS midwives. She goes on to reference a paper written on shorter working hours and patient safety. Sister Julienne has requested £14,000 annually for three years."
Delia looked at Patsy "you won't find me arguing if it means you get more time off Cariad, it feels as though I hardly see you some weeks? But that is an awful lot of money. Would there be enough money in the foundation for such a large request?" With the last question she looked Samuel.
Samuel smiled warmly. "The foundation is still investing some of its resources to ensure a long-term and diverse income stream, however this year we have £126,500 available to offer in funding."
Delia's eyes grew large as she looked at Patsy. "Patsy?" The redheaded woman cleared her throat and refused to meet the gaze of her love. "Your thoughts Samuel?"
"I agree with Delia. As your cousin I wholeheartedly back any program that reduces your workload and allows you more time with Delia and to visit with me. As a trustee I believe that regardless of your connection with Nonnatus house this money could improve the care and health education offered to women and children in one of the most deprived areas in our country. I vote Aye."
"Aye" came the response from Liz, echoed by Delia. Patsy looked uneasy. "The intention of this foundation was never for me or anybody else in this family to profit, be it is financially or otherwise."
"But Patsy, think of the good it can do, and think of Trixie and Barbara and nurse Crane. Even Sister Evangeline would benefit in a small reduction in her workload."
Patsy looked longingly at Delia, her focus shifting the with depth of her beautiful eyes "Aye."
The process moved on with applications been discussed and disregarded well into the afternoon. Around 3 o'clock Patsy noticed Delia had been uncharacteristically quiet for several minutes. She looked over at the small woman as she watched her read and re-read an application over and over. "What is it Deels?"
With shaking hands Delia looked up from the submission. "This may not fit the foundation's objectives" Delia said quietly. Patsy looking concerned and enquired as to what the application was for while she moved a stray strand of hair away from Delia's face. "It's from University College London. They are requesting funding for the Acute Stroke and Brain Injury Unit to research retrograde amnesia as a result of acute brain injury." Patsy gently reached for the paper and ran her eye over the information while her hand gripped Delia's atop the table. She read the key points to Samuel and Liz who could both see how emotive the subject was to both women. They had spoken to Patsy at length after Delia's accident and they knew the impact that had had. They had all been exceptionally worried about how Patsy was coping knowing that she couldn't be open with her grief. When Patsy had mentioned on the telephone that Delia's memory was recovered and she was moving back to London they were relieved and elated that Patsy would find part of her happiness again. The unanimous verdict was that this was the most worthwhile cause and Samuel calculated a generous settlement. Patsy did not release Delia's hand to the rest of the review.
After all the applications had been sorted Samuel refilled the cardboard box and finalised his notes. Patsy and Delia excused themselves and retreated back to their room. It been an emotional and exhausting afternoon following an intense and passionate morning. Patsy held Delia as they drifted off to sleep, safe in each other's arms and dreaming of their earlier exploits. Three hours later Patsy woke feeling absolutely famished. She untangled herself from Delia and walked to retrieve supper for them both. Tonight she would be more than content with Delia's company and hopefully a replay of their morning activities.
The morning light shone through the windows as the pale blue sky stretched clear into the distance. Patsy and Delia had woken and dressed determined not to be conspicuously absent from another breakfast. When they reached the dining room Liz, Charles and Samuel were already sipping on their morning tea and chatting. The two women greeted the family and took what now appeared to be 'their places' at the table. They both unconsciously moved their chairs closer together just as Mr Morris appeared carrying a large silver tray. Placing it on the buffet he brought two plates of Kedgeree to the table and placed it in front of Liz and Samuel. He then retrieved a cooked breakfast of bacon, sausage and eggs for Charles. Patsy almost jumped with excitement at the sight of the rice dish making Delia chuckle at her child like expression. Mr Morris asked the late comers what they would like for their breakfast and Patsy requested the Kedgeree. "I think I would like to try that too please" Delia said "I've not had that before." While Mrs Downes, the family cook readied the meals Mr Morris returned with a steaming pot of coffee for Patsy and a glass of milk for Delia. He already knew Patsy's tastes and quickly learnt of Delia's affinity for milk and milky brews. They ate their breakfast filled with laughter and easy conversation. Delia tasted the curried rice, smoked haddock and egg dish and with wide eyes reached for her milk, never more grateful for her choice of morning beverage. Patsy watched Delia with amusement while Liz checked the young Welsh woman was "quite well?" Delia laughed at herself and said she had never tasted anything like it but that was in fact delicious. To illustrate her point she took another fork full but again had to reach straight for her milk. Patsy knew the breakfast was not too spicy but she also recognised Delia had not had opportunity to experience exotic cooking, not matter how subtle the heat.
"Well that has a kick to it!" Delia said as Patsy watched proudly on. "I've not had anything like that before. Neither the nurses home or my ma's cooking are very glamorous."
"Oh Patsy, you must take Delia out more. I'm told there are some wonderful Indian and Chinese restaurants in the Westend."
"I'm quite happy with fish and chips as a treat. Eating in the Westend is a bit pricy." Delia blushed when she realised what she had said and Patsy looked at her with sorrow. She could provide Delia with so many fabulous experiences she knows Delia would love and embrace, but regardless of the financial situation she was concerned she would feel conspicuous. She knew other girls dined together frequently and nobody would think anything of it but she was paranoid. But that look. The excitement at trying something new and the resolution that there were things in life she wouldn't get to try because of their limited earnings broke Patsy. "I will take you out for an Indian meal and a Chinese meal when we get back to London Deels. I promise."
"You must hold her to that Delia, I made Charles take me out to all the best places when we were courting and first married. We'd dine, he'd buy me a 'gin and it' and dance… of course Charles has two left feet"
"I'll give you two left feet my dear, I can still cut a rug" Charles stood and kissed Liz's cheek. "Rum pum pum da dee dee dar…" he sang as he danced out of the room in a somewhat unbalanced fashion. Patsy held Delia's hand as she watched the mutual love and respect displayed by the older couple.
The morning passed quickly and Delia found herself feeling increasingly at home in the big house. It was the Orangery were the pair had decided to spend some time writing letter's. Delia wrote to her parents while Patsy completed some less personal correspondence that Samuel required her to write. "This is a beautiful room" Delia said as she looked around the tropical plants, flag stone floor and Lloyd loom furnishings "I feel like we could be in Italy like La Dolce Vita with Anita Ekberg." As the pair mused as to the peaceful atmosphere a shrill humming of an aeroplane engine floated from the distance.
"That sound will always remind me of the war no matter how much I hear it" Patsy said as she looked out of the expanse of windows. Shaking the memories of war from her mind she settled her thoughts back to Delia and watched the concentration of her beautiful face as she wrote.
"Stop staring Pats" Delia said as she remained focused on her letter.
"I'm not staring"
"Fibber! Are you finished with your letters?"
"Nearly." Patsy reread her last letter and happy with the contents folded the fine paper and placed it in an envelope.
"Patsy? Delia?" Liz shouted as she ran excitedly through the house. "Samuel thinks the aeroplane is Bertie's. Mr Morris has taken the car to the Aerodrome to meet him! Oh, I must find Charles." Liz disappeared as quickly as she arrived and Patsy smiled as she watched her aunt rush away.
"Bertie hasn't been back in England for over two years. He works for the business in Singapore. Will we go and meet him?" Delia nodded more relaxed at the thought of meeting another member of the family.
Delia and Patsy stood in the drawing room window and watched for Bertie approaching. Liz walked over to join them still brimming with anticipation. "I hope he's been eating well, I do worry he's always been such a quiet boy. Maybe I should send him to London with you Patsy. See if you can find him a beautiful girl like Delia to look after him too?" The statement caused a deep blush from the Welsh woman. Patsy beamed proudly and squeezed Delia hand.
"God lord that motorcar is travelling at a rate of knots" Delia observed through the window as the red motorcar in question advanced down the long drive, gathering momentum. Panic flooded the three ladies and they quickly made their way out of the house.
The burgundy Mark II Jaguar skidded to a halt on the loose chippings in front of the house. A tall strawberry blonde man in khaki trousers, white shirt, brown leather bomber jacket and utility boots hurriedly exited the rear door and pulled from the seat a small limp women. He lifted her into his arms as her head tucked into his shoulder, long black hair disguising her face. "Bertie?" Liz questioned as she ran towards her son and the small women wrapped in his arms. Liz looked at the girl and her beautiful Malaysian complexion. She wore a brightly coloured dress flapping in the cold breeze yet beads of perspiration ran down her forehead.
Bertie looked at his mother and cousin. "Ma-mar, Pats? Help?" All three women ran to help the anguished man. Bertie looked at his cousin with tear filled eyes. "Patsy she's pregnant."
