Sister Mia left the Turner's house hurriedly and without saying goodbye to Tim. She cycled back to Nonnatus and rushed to her mother's cell. She didn't knock or wait to be asked in. She stormed in. Sister Julienne looked started and came around the other side of the bed quick enough to envelop her daughter in a hug just as she began crying.
"My dear, what's happened?" Sister Julienne asked sitting Mia down on a chair beside her.
"It's Shelagh, they think she's going to spontaneously miscarriage!" Mia cried upset. She didn't mention the kiss to her mother. She would be in disgrace if she did. "Tonight we must pray for her, the bay and the rest of the family!"
"I don't draw up the prayer list Mia that role falls on Sister Ursula but I can ask," Sister Julienne suggested. Mia scowled as the name of the new superior was mentioned. "Go prepare for compline, my dear."
"Yes, mother!" Mia muttered and walked back to her room to convalesce.
The next morning Mia made her way to the hospital after breakfast. It was Mia's one morning off. Her only morning off. She decided to see Shelagh. After a minor argument with the ward Sister- Sister Douglas, Mia was permitted to see Shelagh.
"Good morning Mrs Turner I'm just going to ease you into this chair, so we can tidy up for Mr Kenley's rounds!" Sister Douglas explained. Mia smiled and offered to help get Shelagh up off the bed.
Slowly the ward Sister and Mia helped Shelagh stand. It was sister Douglas who noticed the blood first. When Sister Douglas didn't speak both Shelagh and Mia looked at the blood on the sheets.
"No, No!" Shelagh cried in obvious distress.
"Oh,
Shelagh. It's alright come on sit down I'll get you some clean night clothes. I brought you some clean stuff in my bag. Sister Douglas will sort the sheets!"
Mia stayed until after Mr Kenley and his student doctors had gone.
"It will get better Shelagh, and I'm here if you need me!" Mia told her as she held her hands.
Mia returned the Turners that evening much to her disappointment. It was at her mother's request. So that's why Mia ended up sitting at their dining room table covered in paint as she taught Angela how to paint properly. However halfway through they had digressed and Angela tried her hand at painting the Sister's face.
"I've just found a blackcurrant jelly and a tin of evap on the step!" Patrick said looking over the teens for answers.
"Another kindly patient must have put them thereafter Miss Penny left. She said she's coming back for Angela's bedtime since Mia can't stay!" Timothy replied sarcastically. "Mia's made hotpot with the leftovers in the fridge!"
"I'll bring some more food over from Nonnatus tomorrow, my mum is thrilled to be able to help!" Mia said before returning to painting a smiley face on Angela's page.
"No guesses what's for pudding then!" Patrick laughed. Mia smiled and Tim but was surprised at what Tim said next.
"DAD! You don't have to pretend to be jolly all the time1 You don't have to pretend that nothing is happening!" Tim snapped.
Mia stood by the sink and took the plates from Timothy after they were handed to her. Timothy shut the kitchen door. Mia didn't stop the job that she was doing but began to listen to the conversation that should have been communicated a long time ago she assumed.
"Dad I know it makes sense to shield Angela, but it doesn't make sense to shield me," Timothy told his dad obviously annoyed at the situation and the little information he had received from his father. "I've received more information about mum from sister Mia than I have you!"
"I'm sorry Tim," Patrick apologised sincerely. "But we're just marking time and waiting. For all we know, there might not be anything to shield you from!"
Tim nodded. Mia put a hand on his back and he smiled kindly at her. The reassurance in her eyes warmed his soul.
"Have you done your homework?" Patrick asked.
"I do it every night with Mia when you are at the hospital," Tim told his father. "Maybe when I'm 18 we can go to the pub and have a proper conversation!"
Mia let out a hearty laugh knowing what was going to come next.
"The pub?"
"That's where men go to talk isn't it?" Tim asked with a grin on his face. "Only 3 more years to wait!"
Unfortunately, Patrick was called out leaving his son and Sister Mia to clean up the remnants of dinner.
It became a habit that Mia would eat her tea at Nonnatus. She looked at Timothy who looked visibly irritated by his father's absence.
"Let's go to the hospital and see your mum!" Mia said reaching for her coat off the sofa. "It's my day off today, and if I'm late back I'll tell my mum I was at the hospital with your mum and she won't be bothered!"
"Will we be allowed?" Tim asked.
"You forget I'm a Sister and have a lot of authority because I'm a Sister, Come on!" Mia took his hand and led him out the door. They walked hand in hand to the hospital, not a word spoken between them. Tim seemed reluctant when they reached the outside of the ward. Nurse Busby came into the corridor.
"Good evening Master Turner, Sister Mia, what are you doing here?" Delia asked.
"Mum won't have any visitors if I don't go in but no now under 16's allowed!" Timothy told her.
"Well, no one's been asked to show their birth certificate whilst I've been here!" Delia told him.
Timothy smiled. And Mia mouthed a word of thanks to Delia before they were led onto the ward.
"He's a man he doesn't find it very easy to communicate his feelings!" Shelagh reasoned with her son.
"That sounds much like someone I know!" Mia grinned at Timothy.
"He's a doctor, you'd think he'd find this easier to talk about this than most men!" Timothy replied.
"Timothy does it not occur to you that that's why he can't discuss things? He knows what can happen and so do I," Shelagh explained, she looked at Mia for help.
"Tim, I only tell you some things, I don't want to worry you, I'm honest with you but sometime you don't need to be told everything. That is your father's way of showing he cares," Mia added looking at Tim with sincerity in her eyes. "I need to go now Shelagh, your in capable hands. I need to get back to Nonnatus!"
"You'll come back soon Mia?" Shelagh asked. Mia nodded as she left the ward.
"Mother where are we going?" Mia asked as they tracked down the cobbled street.
"The Black Sail," Sister Julienne replied simply.
"The pub!" Mia exclaimed but continued to follow her mum. Into the pub they went. Valerie spotted Mia.
"Sister Mia!" Valerie exclaimed hugging Mia. Mia kissed the young nurse and the cheek and they took a seat in a booth. "Can I get you both a drink?"
"Water for me,"Sister Julienne replied.
"Lemonade please!" Mia asked. They were both bought there drinks.
"Is this what they call a ladies glass?" Sister Julienne curiously. Mia wondered how her mum knew that.
"Yes it is! They practically had cobwebs on it. I did dust them!" Valerie reassured them.
"You strike me as a young woman of high standards," Sister Julienne insisted. Mia pulled a face at her mothers inquiry then everything made sense.
Sister Julienne was trying to recruit Valerie as a new midwife. Even with Nurse Standeven the work still wasn't even. Nurse Standeven couldn't been trusted to work on her own due to her inexperience so always had to be accompanied by one of the senior nurses or sisters.
"That's what the arm does to you and nursing," Valerie replied.
"Why did you stop nursing?" Mia asked swishing her lemonade around its glass.
"Plenty of curing but not quite enough caring. On the day of the explosion I didn't want to be anywhere else!" Valerie told the sisters.
"It was the way that you cared that caught my eyes. On the day of that explosion there was a pregnant midwife Shelagh and of course my daughter who had taken on district nursing responsibilities the day before!" And why we thought you might be interested in our offer. Miss Dyer all you have to do is write and formally apply. I appreciate I have rather but you on the spot by all means take some time to think about it!" Sister Julienne apologised.
"Oh I don't need any time to think about it Sister. I'll be applying today!"
Mia returned to the hospital soon after the interview with Miss Dyer was completed eager to tell Shelagh about the prospective off having a new nurse to ease the burden.
Gloria was packing her case just as Mia sat on a chair beside Shelagh.
"I'm so sorry Gloria," Shelagh apologised.
"I've got this idea in my head, that next year or the year after,it'll be a lovely sunny day and I'll be down Chrisp Street Market pushing a pram. And somewhere near the flower stall I'll look up and see you and this young lass, pushing a pram, and we'll smile and pass the time of day!" Gloria explained to both women.
"Gloria I pray for you and hope god gives you his speed. You have laboured enough now and you have his blessing!" Mia said smiling at Gloria.
Slightly later Sister Douglas came down to speak with Shelagh.
"We're going to listen for babies heart beat now Mrs Turner!" Sister Douglas explained pulling the curtain on.
"Now?" Shelagh asked surprised.
"I wanted a particular doctor, and he has a very busy schedule!" Sister Douglas told Shelagh with a smile.
Mi grinned knowing she had her pet in the surprise thy she knew would make Shelagh happy.
Looking towards the door Dr Turner walked in. As the last curtain was pulled around Dr Turner placed the ear pieces in his stethoscope in his ears and placed the cold head on Shelagh's stomach. She reached for Mia's hand. Mia held her hand and leant her chin to rest her chin on Shelagh's hand. Mia mouthed a silent prayer as Patrick listened. His face dropped but he moved the stethoscope slight hoping for a better result.
The looked of recognition on his face as he heard the loud thumping sound reassured Mi that her prayers have been answered. He gave the stethoscope to his wife who listened intently. She broke into a happy smile as Patrick took her spare hand and kissed her knuckles softly.
Shelagh offered the stethoscope to Mia who took in and placed the earpieces in her ears. The thumping sound made her tear up. She placed the stethoscope on the bed and hugged Shelagh gently.
"That sound is beautiful!" Mia said.
"You've heard it before it's not different," Shelagh replied in confusion.
"It is very different because I know how desperately you wanted to hear that. It is more special!" Mia replied. "I have no doubt this baby is going to be very loved.