It was the last ante natal clinic before Christmas and Patsy busied herself setting out the chairs, screens and equipment needed to check the mothers and babies were the best possible form before the festivities started. Christmas allowed the men two or three days' rest from their rigorous jobs in the factories and at the docks. But for the women of Poplar the daily routine would be little altered by the festival. The additional demands on the household budget, family visitors, and having their husband's home would cause some stress and anguish.

Patsy completed the familiar routine of setting up while lost in thought. She and Delia had been back at Nonnatus House the nearly two weeks. On three occasions they found themselves huddled into the phone box on Whittle Street keeping Liz informed of their shifts and plans for Christmas. Delia's work pattern was lighter than Patsy's. The elective surgical ward on which she worked had few patients over Christmas and as such she had a surprising number of days off. Patsy would work more but had three days off approaching. Over Christmas the Sisters were generally very good and would cover the nurses shifts whenever they could, allowing the ladies to have the evenings off. "I'll pop the kettle on for a cup of tea before the foray begins" Patsy said cheerfully.

Delia had worked a night shift, the last of three, and arrived home to Nonnatus House later than usual, exhausted and looking forward to a long soak in the tub. She had taken her new library book into the bath and got lost in the pages until the water cooled and she reluctantly got out to dry herself. She padded back to her bedroom and looked at the small travel clock on her bedside table. Ten o'clock. She pulled the curtains together in a futile attempt to block the strong winter sun from streaming in before she curled up in her small bed. She pulled the second pillow she kept tucked under her bed and hugged it. Patsy knew Delia swapped this spare pillow with the one off her own bed every few days and would often leave a short note tucked inside. The pillow smelt of Patsy and the comforting aroma engulfed her as she drifted off to sleep.

When Delia awoke it was three o'clock. She dressed and wandered down to the Kitchen. Sister Monica Joan was sat close to the television set watching a Weston, the knitting on her lap abandoned to the more enlightening amusement. Delia pulled an apron over her head and tied the tapes tightly around her waist. Placing the oven to preheat she found a heavy ceramic mixing bowl and placed it on the kitchen table. She weighed some flour and tipped it into the bowl. Just as she was to search Mrs B's cupboards for some sugar a loud knock could be heard coming from the front door. Sister Monica Joan didn't look away from the grainy moving picture as she incoherently quoted "The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it."

Delia wiped the flour from her hands and went to answer the door.

The large oak door swung open and Delia beamed at the sight of Samuel, Bertie and Mai standing on the steps. "Well this is a lovely surprise." Delia opened the door fully. "Come on in"

Samuel stepped in first kissing Delia's cheek as he passed. "Hello Delia. You're looking very lovely."

"Samuel" Delia smiled "Hello Bertie, Mai. I hope your well?" Delia closed the door behind the visitors as they stood in the hallway. "Pats is at the ante natal clinic."

Samuel placed his hands into the deep pockets of his overcoat and pulled the thick fabric around himself. "That's part of our motive for visiting. Mai hasn't had a very good experience at the West London with some rather narrow-minded midwives."

Bertie placed a protective arm around Mai's shoulders. "I was hoping Patsy would check everything is alright. Mai's not been herself."

Delia looked sympathetically at Mai and then broke out into a wide smile. "Well keep your coats on. I'll take you down to the ante natal clinic now. It's a drop-in clinic and the doctor will be there too." Delia disappeared briefly to remove her apron, turn off the oven and retrieve her coat.

They walked over the cobble Poplar streets, Delia arm in arm with Samuel as she led the way and Bertie protectively helping Mai over the icy path behind.

As the four walked into the Hall all eyes turned to them. Barbara stood checking some urine samples with Trixie. "You don't see gentlemen like that in Poplar often. They are awfully handsome. Is that Delia with the tall one?"

Trixie was puzzled. "It is. I thought he was perhaps Patsy's chap but maybe she just knows him through Delia?" Before they could make any more assumptions Patsy emerged from behind one of the screens and said goodbye to her heavily pregnant patient.

Patsy spotted the four visitors as soon as she stepped out of the cubicle. She approached them as swiftly as was appropriate returning her patient notes on route. "Well this is a rather nice surprise" she said as she kissed her cousins and Mai before holding Delia's hand briefly. Delia explained the situation and Patsy, the consummate professional, led Mai for an examination. She got the small women on a bed and excused herself to get another midwife, reassuring Mai that she would be well looked after.

Nurse Phyllis Crane had joined Trixie and Barbara to update her rolodex. Patsy smiled at Delia who was sat chatting with Samuel and Bertie like they were friends going back years. She walked over to enlist Nurse Cranes help. With a deep breath she joined her colleagues. "I wandered if I could ask for your help. Mai is seven and a half months pregnant and has been given a less than satisfactory examination at the West London."

"Oh" Trixie said cutting in and looking over her shoulder at Delia and the two men talking. "And you know Mai?"

"Just. I met her when Delia and I had our few days away. She is my cousin's wife. She has only been in England three weeks and doesn't speak the language." Patsy wasn't sure why she lied about Bertie and Mai already being married but she hoped to reduce as many questions as possible.

Nurse Crane adjusted her glasses. "Well lead the way Nurse Mount. Let's show that poor young woman what Midwives should be like and put her mind at rest shall we."

Patsy introduced Nurse Crane to Mai quietly. "Mai, this is Nurse Crane. Ini adalah Jururawat Crane. Wanita ini akan menjaga anda . dan saya akan kekal bersama anda sepanjang masa." The older nurse showed no surprise as Patsy talked gracefully to the obviously scared girl. "Nurse Crane may I introduce Mai Whitaker."

When a full examination had been completed Phyllis said she would like the doctor to look at Mai. She was concerned that her blood pressure was a little on the high side. Phyllis slipped out to retrieve Doctor Turner leaving Patsy talking to Mai.

Trixie and Barbara had been watching the events unfold closely. Delia was obviously very comfortable with the men. Trixie had theorised as to the dynamic leaving Barbara feeling flabbergasted by the possibilities Trixie had concocted. Sister Julienne walked past the two distracted nurses. "Is something keeping you from your work Nurse Franklin?"

"Sorry Sister, I was just concerned. Delia has brought Patsy's cousin and his wife in. Nurse Crane has just asked Doctor Turner to examine her."

Sister Julienne nodded and walked towards the group, placing her inventory on the desk as she passed. Her warm smile greeted the group. "Good afternoon Nurse Busby, Gentlemen."

"Good afternoon Sister Julienne. Allow me to introduce Patsy's cousins Samuel and Bertie Whitaker." Samuel and Bertie tipped their heads. "Sister Julienne is the sister-in-charge at Nonnatus House."

"This is a very efficient clinic you run Sister Julienne. And your nurses appear most diligent." Samuel spoke with a gentle cheek as he motioned to Trixie who looked back at her task when she realised she had become centre of attention.

Sister Julienne enjoyed the playful manner of Patsy's cousin and gave an amused smirk. "You gentlemen have caused quite a stir with the nurses and expectant mothers alike. Now which of you is the father to be?"

"I am Sister" Bertie said as he nervously glanced at the cubical that accommodated Mai.

"Doctor Turner is examining your wife now. I would like to invite you to join us for dinner if you don't have plans. I'm sure Nurse Mount would like to see you all."

Sister Julienne didn't miss the look Samuel gave Delia, or the affirmative nod he received in return. "We would be delighted Sister. That is most kind of you."

"Well we have some wonderful news and a celebration is always best shared."

Patsy pulled the screen back and walked Mai out. Bertie sprung to greet the pair, his eyes questioning.

"All ship shape and Bristol fashion. Mai's blood pressure is a little on the high side but Doctor Turner has prescribed an anti-hypertensive drug. Baby has a strong heart beat and is growing well."

Bertie hugged Mai whispering in her ear "Kekasihku". Patsy felt a wave of emotion as she turned to catch Delia's eye. Delia informed Patsy of Sister Juliennes invitation. Leaving Patsy to her work and escorting the Whitakers to the Silver Buckle Coffee Bar for drinks. Arm in arm Delia walked once again with Samuel as she tossed a wink at Patsy over her shoulder.

Trixie appeared next to Patsy with her hands on her hips. "It's one thing to know you obviously prefer Delia's company to mine but it's quite another for you to set her up with your friend. You know I adore tall dark and handsome. Delia always says she doesn't want a boyfriend and that chap is undeniably gorgeous."

Patsy laughed at her friends pouting face. "I don't set anyone up, it's a sure way for one to loose friends. Now this little lot isn't going to clear itself up and let's get to it shall we?"

Patsy was relieved to wash and change out of her uniform when she returned to Nonnatus. There was no sign of Delia or her cousins so she presumed they had gone for a drink before they attended dinner at the convents table. As she walked down the stair the front door opened releasing a blast of cold air into the hallway.

"Well that was rather good timing, I was worried Delia had led you astray"

"Sadly not" Samuel replied as he kissed his cousins cheek. "I think she saves that for you" he whispered teasing his cousin and making her blush. Patsy looked panicked at Samuels's playful mood. "Don't worry squirt. I will behave impeccably. And anyway Delia is family, I won't risk her any more than I would you."

Trixie's timing was flawless as she walked past and questioned "Delia is family? Well that was a quick courtship." She swayed her hips as she walked away to join the sisters and Barbara in the siting room.

Samuel looked puzzled as Patsy shook her head. The penny dropped and he looked mortified. I'm so sorry Patsy if my behaviour has been in any way inappropriate. I just didn't think. Delia is family. You've talked of her for so long, and she mean so much to me because she means so much to you."

Delia giggled "your mother would have loved that, and for the record I feel exactly the same."

Sister Julienne called everyone to dinner shortly after Patsy and Delia had introduced Samuel, Bertie and Mai. The residents of Nonnatus were gracious in their welcome and even Sister Evangelina chatted happily with Bertie. As they took their seats Sister Julienne announced that she had some splendid news. "I've received news that Nonnatus House is to be the recipient of a rather generous gift of funds from the Mrs Hester and Miss Antonia Mount Foundation"

Patsy felt ice cold, hairs on her neck and arms standing to attention as her breath felt trapped within, building, suffocating. Delia immediately grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed. Samuel also noticed his cousin's reactions and felt a strong pang of guilt that he had not anticipated the foundation name being made public at Nonnatus House. He recovered rapidly "Well that is absolutely fabulous news. Can I ask what the funds will be used for? The clinic appeared very well equipped." Trixie and Barbara looked from Samuel back to Sister Julienne oblivious and eager for the news. Nurse Crane however had observed not only Patsy's reactions but also Delia's response. She took a sip of her drink before giving Patsy an understanding and empathetic look.

"I wrote to a number of foundation several months ago with an ambitious request for funding. I asked for funding over the next three years to permit the employment of two medical orderlies and one lab technician. I believe the workload of the nursing sisters and the midwives is overextended and I hoped that the employment of support staff would prevent long working hours and improve patient safety. To my delight the trust has agreed."

The good news was met with cheers and excitement. Samuel and Delia put in performances worthy of an academy award. The evening continued in a pleasant manner although Patsy remained quiet throughout. The sisters and nuns were all interested in Bertie's adventures in South East Asia and enquired enthusiastically about Mai's home island of Langkawi. Nurse Crane remained quiet regarding Patsy's linguistic skill in speaking Malay. She knew that Patsy's history in the East was traumatic.

As the nurses announced time for compline Bertie thanked the nuns for their hospitality and said that he too would like to get Mai home following such a long day. Samuel, the more charismatic, thanked the ladies for such charming company. "If you don't already have plans on Saturday evening I would like you to join us for a small Christmas cocktail party. I'm sure Patsy and Delia would be pleased to have you break the tedium of the usual gang." Delia blushed at the casual inclusion of her name with Patsy's.

Patsy felt a little unsettled by the invitation but smiled. "Of course. It would be lovely if you could join us. Delia and I are going to help my Aunt prepare tomorrow and we will stay overnight as we both have the next three days off. However we would like it very much if you will join us?"

Sister Julienne smiled at the excitement a party invitation could stir. "Thank you for the invitation. It would not be appropriate for the sisters to attend however I'm sure we will happily cover Nurse Gilbert and Nurse Franklins shifts"

Barbara and Trixie were giddy with the news and Phyllis laughed. "I think that is a yes! I will drive us in my motorcar if you can provide me with the address."

The Whitakers left bidding fair well until Saturday. Bedtime drink in hand the nurses moved to the sitting room and their excitement for the party grew. Patsy pulled her feet under herself innocently positioning her body softly to rest against Delia. She enjoyed watching her friends so excited and in a way it superseded the trepidation she felt towards the unfortunate invitation. They talked of what they should wear, and tried to question Patsy as to what to expect. She deflected the questions as best she could.

Patsy would introduce Delia to the family townhouse tomorrow and she was already looking forward to being out of Poplar and behind the doors of privacy. Her need to have Delia in her arms had become torturous.