Summer 1961
Thursday evening came and she realized that she hadn't heard from Patrick or Timothy yet. It was too late to call the flat. They received enough late night calls and did not need her disturbing them.
That did not stop Granny from worrying. Typically there was a reason why she did not hear from them and it wasn't usually a good reason. Last year there was the time that Tim described as exhaustion. The idea of Patrick taking to his bed concerned her very much.
He had always responded to difficulty by working harder. This was the first time, she ever knew him to stop working. Even after Marianne's death, he coped by immersing himself in his work. Luckily whatever the cause, he had Shelagh and he seemed to have recovered.
The year before was the mood just before Angela adoption. Again Shelagh and perhaps some sharp words from her managed to set things right. Like she had then she decided she would call the surgery in the morning so she could be sure to reach Patrick directly.
When he did not answer the telephone, she asked to speak to him.
"Dr. Turner is not available may I help you?" the rather efficient sounding voice said.
"May I speak with Sh...Mrs. Turner please?"
"Mrs. Turner is not available either. I am sure that we can help you. What seems to be the problem, Misses?
"Mrs. Parker. I am not a patient. I am trying to reach Doctor or Mrs. Turner."
"I am sorry, but the Turner's are away."
"Away? What about the children?"
"The children are away with them. Now can I leave a message that you called?"
"Yes, thank you," she said quite perplexed.
Away...she thought, in all the time she had known Patrick he never took time off. Marianne would beg for sometime by the sea and he would always say next year. The best he could ever give her were a few occasional outings, but never for more than one day.
Later at Nonnatus House
Nurse Crane mentioned to Sister Julienne that she received a strange call for Dr. Turner.
"Oh really?"
"The caller was trying to reach him, but said she was not a patient. She said her name was Mrs. Parker," Nurse Crane explained.
"Oh dear, their holiday was so impromptu Doctor must have forgotten to let Mrs. Parker know they were going away."
"Excuse me Sister Julienne, but who is Mrs. Parker?"
"She is Timothy's grandmother. Timothy visits with her quite regularly so she would be certainly concerned when she could not reach them."
Nurse Crane had never given much thought to the details of the Turner family. She seemed to have been the last one to learn that Mrs. Turner was a midwife.
Granny
She had hoped to see Timothy, but instead she decided to pay her sister, Betty, a visit.
"No Timothy today," Betty commented
"No, it seems they are on holiday."
"Holiday, really. I thought he never had time to take a holiday."
"He hadn't, but perhaps that has changed. I know that Shelagh works hard right alongside of him," Granny explained.
"Who cares for Timothy while she is working? "
"Timothy is in school, besides at fourteen he is fine on his own. There is also a woman who comes in and watches Angela," Granny explained.
"Who is Angela?" Betty asked.
Granny suddenly remembered that she had neglected to mention Angela to Betty. Casually she said, "Angela is Timothy's baby sister."
Baby was probably not the best way to describe Angela, but she did not want to have to explain more than necessary.
"A baby well that is a surprise. Isn't he too old for babies?"
"Apparently not and she is precious."
"Don't tell me you are going to get attached to her."
"Oh it is too late for that!" Granny smiled.
"Humph."
Granny received a call from Patrick. He was full of apologies. He explained how Timothy and Shelagh had made all the arrangements and surprised him.
"She really gets things done doesn't she," Granny said, "Did you have fun?"
"Fun may not be the best word for camping in the rain."
"Camping! Who's idea was that?"
"You should ask Timothy all about it. When would you like him?"
"Any day you can send him. I'll take Angela too if you need a rest from camping," she laughed.
"I could speak to Shelagh, but I am sure she is not willing to let her go. Although I would venture that you would be the first one she would let her go to," Patrick assured her.
"I understand. Perhaps she can visit when you come back for Timothy ."
"I will try. I remember when I was welcomed at your door now it is only my daughter," Patrick complained.
"You poor thing." They both laughed.
Timothy arrived full of stories. He told Granny how he had noticed that Dad was tired and very much needed a holiday. He was even the one who suggested camping.
"If I had known about the rain, I may have had a different idea. We had trouble with the tent for me and Angela. It fell down on us when we were sleeping. We ended up all sleeping together. It was quite a tight fit."
"Oh my," Granny laughed.
"Then there were the squirrels."
"Squirrels?"
"Angela is terribly afraid of them."
"Oh!" Granny laughed more.
Timothy continued telling her about the rain and the bullet holes and finally the late night move to the hotel. By the time he was finished Granny had tears from laughing so hard.
"And to think I was worried when I did not receive my weekly telephone call. You were having a grand time being wet and cold," She laughed more.
"I doubt we'll ever go camping again," Tim admitted
"Here I thought it sounded like the best holiday ever."
And the laughing continued.