"Nurse Mannion would you mind fetching me the patient files for discharge" Doctor Turner asked as he leant against the nurses station.
"Of course" Shelagh replied turning on her heel and began to unlock and open the filing cabinet. Her fingers flicked through the folders before pulling out the necessary documents. Shelagh turned to face Doctor Turner,
"Is Mrs Locksmith being discharged today, just that her notes aren't here?"
"I'd like her to be discharged today if possible, with Christmas being round the corner we'll need the extra beds" Doctor Turner said rather dully, the ward never seemed to be prepared for the Christmas rush. He ran his hand down his tired face as Shelagh locked the cabinet and turned to face him.
"Here take these files, they are all complete and ready for discharge. You in the mean time can take your long overdue break whilst I look for Mrs Locksmith's notes. I can them read through them and then leave them at your desk" Shelagh insited as she handed over the files, he gave her a thankful smile and gave a small nodd.
"Thank you Nurse Mannion, I don't know what I'd do without you" Doctor Turner joked as he tucked the files under his arms and walked towards his office.
"No, neither do I" Shelagh muttered under her breath. Maybe Trixie was right, maybe she could ask Doctor Turner to accompany her to Aberdeen.
After all Patrick and her had been close friends throughout her time at the hospital and they had often met up outside of work for drinks or to take Timothy to the cinema.
That would never work Shelagh thought to herself as she remembered Timothy. Why on earth would he spend his holiday away from his son? It's not that Timothy couldn't join them, she knew that they would all enjoy the time together but it would make the situation a whole lot harder and more confusing.
So it couldn't possibly work. She would just have to cancel and spend Christmas alone in her flat or go to Aberdeen alone and face the countless questions from her family.
Shaking her head of thoughts she decided to carry on with her work. Looking through the schedule she noticed that Chummy was last to check on Mrs Locksmith.
Sitting up she saw Jenny walking towards the station.
"Nurse Lee!" Shelagh called, gesturing her to come talk.
"Sorry Nurse Mannion I can't stop for long I'm meant to be helping Sister Evangelina with a delivery" Jenny sighed as she reached over the desk for a file.
"I won't keep you long, I just wondered if you knew where Nurse Noakes is?" Shelagh asked as her eyes scanned the ward, still unable to spot, or hear her - which was rather rare as she was always heard talking or sharing a laugh with the patients.
"Last I saw her she was heading to the staff room, now wish me luck" Jenny smiled as she rushed off to the delivery rooms.
Shelagh neatened up her uniform and walked towards the staff room, as she opened the door she saw Chummy on the phone so she knocked on the door alerting her of her presence.
"Oh hang on a second Peter" Chummy chimed, she was always in a good mood no matter how the day was going.
"Sorry Chummy, I just wondered if you had Mrs Locksmiths notes?" Shelagh asked as she stepped into the staff room.
"Oh goodness I left them in the clip board on her bed, I am so sorry!"
"No worries, I just need to pass them to Doctor Turner so we can get her discharged." Shelagh smiled and left the staff room once more only to pump into Trixie.
"Oh Shelagh! Just who I'm looking for. You're due a break soon aren't you?" Trixie pried.
"Yes I am, why's that?" Shelagh replied.
"Well I'm going on mine now in the staff room, I thought we could talk about your situation-" Trixie teased but Shelagh pulled her close.
"Trixie don't say it like that, people will start to speculate" Shelagh hushed. She looked to see if any patients or staff were listening.
"Oh hush it you, no one's listening. Just meet me in the staff room in 10 minutes okay?" Trixie insisted, Shelagh nodded her head and watched as she sashayed away.
"Good you're here, I've made you tea" Trixie chimed as Shelagh entered the staff room.
"Thank you Trix" Shelagh smiled as she sat down opposite her friend, glad to finally have a chance to rest.
"Now about Christmas, I think we've been rather blind about the answer" Trixie began,
"How so?" Shelagh inquired as she thought threw the possibilities.
"You can ask Doctor Turner. Think about it you two are inseparable, at work and out" Trixie elaborated and gave a cheeky smile.
"Trixie you know that would never work" Shelagh responded with a sigh.
"Why won't it?" Trixie questioned, resting her head on her hand and looking quizzically at her friend.
"Because of Timothy, it wouldn't be fair on him. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin our friendship if it went wrong, which it definitely would!" Shelagh huffed in defeat.
"You know as much as I do that Timothy would love it. And I don't see it ruining your friendship, if anything it'll deepen it" Trixie shrugged.
Shelagh was about to reply when the staff door opened. They both turned to see Doctor Turner.
"Sorry nurses, I'll come back in a moment" He began but was cut off.
"Nonsense Doctor Turner, my tea break is over now anyway" Trixie chimed before turning to Shelagh.
"Think about what I said okay?" Trixie said in a hush voice.
As Trixie left the room Patrick picked up his coffee and sat down with Shelagh, they sat in silent for a few moments until Patrick piped up.
"Spill it" He commanded.
"Spill what?" Shelagh asked, she looked up to see his concerned face.
"Something is bothering you and whatever it is it's eating away at you, so tell me what it is?" He pleaded gently.
"Oh it's nothing just family business, trying to figure out Christmas. What are you and Timothy up to this Christmas?" Shelagh smiled happy that she had steered the conversation.
"Well Nanny Parker has my sister in law's family over this Christmas and we don't really get along so Tim and I will be spending Christmas alone this year" Patrick sighed, which pulled at Shelagh's heart strings.
"Patrick, can I ask you something?" Shelagh gulped and clinged onto her mug.
"Of course"
"I need a favour, a pretty big one"