"Shelagh, I believe that might be Timothy ringing. Would you like to come to the telephone and speak to him and maybe Angela?"
"Okay," Shelagh replied.
As they entered the hall, Shelagh appeared to tense, as if she was nervous. Patrick gently took her hand as he answered the telephone.
" Hello, Turner's residence."
" Dad. Is that you?" Timothy responded.
" Yes, son, how are you and Angela?"
" Angela is napping, and Granny Parker made me phone you as soon as I arrived home from school this afternoon."
" Would you like to speak to your mum, Tim?"
" Yes, that would be splendid." and then he whispered," you owe me an explanation later."
" Aright," Partick told Timothy before handing the phone to Shelagh and continuing to hold her hand while she spoke to her son, and later Angela.
" Patrick, Timothy wants to speak to you."
" Alright, How about I settle you on the settee. You seem a bit tired."
" Okay."
" Tim, I'm just going to settle mum on the settee."
" Okay, Dad."
It didn't take Patrick long to get Shelagh comfortable on the settee; she was tired, and her eyelids eventually lost the fight. Gently, Patrick kissed Shelagh's forehead before tucking a blanket tightly around her and returning to the hall.
" Dad, why was Granny insisting that I call the moment I came home?"
" I'm sorry, Tim, I phoned last night after you had gone to bed. Your mum hasn't been doing too well with everything. Tim, you might want to sit down for what I'm about to tell you."
" Dad, what is it? Out with it, dad."
" Tonight, I'm going to give your first dose of her prescription. Tim, the chemist, told me that it could make your mum worse."
" Dad, you're a GP. Keep your GP's eye on her. I can't lose another mum." Timothy pled.
" I will, Tim; I can't precisely share these worries with your mum."
"But Dad, why can't you share them with Sister Julienne?"
"I suppose you're right. How has your sister been?"
"Angela doesn't understand Dad. She constantly asks me when you and mum are coming to get us, and clings to me until she falls asleep at night. I don't know how many times I've come home from school, and she's run to me crying."
"I'm sorry, so sorry, Timothy." Patrick choked out after a moment.
"It's okay, Dad. I took a photo of you and mum from the mantle before I left. It seems to help, and I let her fall asleep with it, and right before I go to sleep, I take it from her and put it on my nightstand."
"Tim, I don't know what I did to deserve you for my son, but I should let you get to your studies."
"Please, Dad, will you phone again in a few days? Maybe talk to Angela when you do?"
"I can, Tim. Goodbye, son."
"Goodbye, dad."
As Patrick hung up the phone, he could hear Shelagh becoming increasingly restless.
" Shh, it's alright. I'm here; I promise you're safe."
" I am?"
" Yes, dear, I promise that I won't let your thoughts hurt you. How about a nice cup of tea?"
" Okay, will you sit with me? Please?"
"Yes, of course, I will. I wouldn't dream of not being with you right now?"
"I love you, Patrick." The look in Shelagh's eyes as she professed her love to him was a refreshing change.
They enjoyed a bit of quiet time and the company that they were to each other. Most of the afternoon was spent in this peaceful, reflective state that only was broken by the clock striking six o'clock.
"Shelagh, are you up to going out for Dinner? It doesn't have to be fancy?"
"Okay, I suppose."
"How about that little cafe down the road?"
"Okay."
Dinner, for the first time in days, if not weeks, was a success for Shelagh. It was the first time that she ate more than a few bites of a meal. She managed to eat her entire sandwich and most of her chips.
When they returned to the flat, it was evident that Shelagh had worn herself with the outing, but it was progress in the right direction.
" Shelagh, I am so proud of you for doing so well tonight." Patrick gently praised as he knelt in front of the settee that he had guided her to.
"Y-you are?"
" Yes, it's a small step towards getting better. Shelagh? In a few minutes, I'm going to give you the first dose of your mediation. I promise that you have my full support regardless if this medication works or not. Are you ready?"
"Y-yes."
"I'm just going to pop into the kitchen and get the medication and some tea for you. Alright?"
" Okay."
A few minutes later, Patrick returned to his place next to Shelagh on the settee, medication, and tea in hand.
" Here you are, have some tea first, and then take this tablet." he coaxed," that's it, now chase it with some more tea."
" No more, Partick, please."
" It's alright if you're finished I'll take your tea through to the kitchen."
" Okay."
I'll just be a moment." Patrick was true to his word and had Shelagh's medicine put back into its cupboard and the teacup set into the sink in just a few moments, before rejoining Shelagh.
"Patrick, will you hold me? Please? I'm scared."
"Yes, of course, Shelagh. How about we get into our pajamas, and then I'll hold you as long as you need."
" Okay."
"I'll be back in a moment with your nightdress, and then I'll pop into the lav and get changed."
Okay.