"I need a favour, a pretty big one" Shelagh gulped, she couldn't quite believe she was going to ask him.
"What is it?" Patrick replied, a hint of concern present in his voice.
Shelagh threw her head into her hands and took in a deep shaky breath, she was sruggling to find the courage to ask him.
"I uh" She paused and bit her lip, desperately trying to think of a way to word it without sounding crazy.
"My parents think I have a boyfriend and that he will be joining us up in Aberdeen over Christmas. So I was wondering, without trying to sound like a complete fool, if you and Timothy wouldn't mind joining me - I'll pay for everything don't worry i-" Before she could ramble on Patrick butted in.
"Yes"
"Really?" Shelagh breathed and looked at him with a confused expression.
"Of course I'll help you. The way I see it Tim and I could either spend the time alone in our apartment, or spend it with you and explore a new place" Patrick retorted with a smile.
"Plus I would do anything to see your old childhood bedroom" He teased making Shelagh's smile drop, she had completely forgotten about that part.
"I suppose I have no control over that now. How about you and Tim come over for dinner tonight, I could talk it over with you then?" Shelagh asked, Patrick nodded and stood up.
"Your shift finishes at four thirty right?" Patrick questioned, Shelagh simply nodded waiting for him to continue.
"Wait by main reception, I'll give you a lift as I need to pick Tim up from scouts at five" Patrick smiled and made his way to the office leaving a smiling Shelagh behind.
Finishing the last of her tea Shelagh couldn't help but smile as she pictured her Christmas with Patrick and Timothy.
"How did it go with Doctor Turner?" Trixie asked as she shut her locker, a smile plastered on her face - truly glad today's shift was over.
"It went well" Shelagh shrugged and pulled her coat on, the girls left the locker room and made their way through the hospital corridors.
"So you asked a handsome doctor to come away on holiday with you and all you can say to me is 'it went well' Honestly Shelagh I thought I had tought you better than that" Trixie teased, keen to find out the details.
"Okay fine. He agreed to it rather willingly and he's coming back to mine for dinner tonight to talk about it"
Trixie's eyes widened and a cheeky grin soon formed on her face, Shelagh instantly butted in before Trixie had another chance to speak.
"Not like that! Besides Timothy is coming too, we're going to pick him up from scouts." Shelagh explained as they entered the reception corridor. Trixie tapped on Shelagh's shoulder and pointed to Patrick who was waiting near the doors.
"Text me how it goes?" Trixie asked with a cheeky smile.
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow anyway" Shelagh rolled her eyes as Trixie chuckled and pulled her into a quick hug before walking off.
Shelagh walked towards Patrick and smiled awkwardly, knowing that he had been watching them.
"Does Nurse Franklin not want a lift?" He offered.
"Her boyfriend is picking her up" Shelagh explained.
"Ahh. Shall we?" Patrick asked as he gestured towards the exit. The pair walked outside in silence, both tugging their coats on tighter as the crisp cool air hit them.
Shelagh couldn't help but smile to herself as she noticed Patrick's old, yet rather reliable green MG in the staff car park.
"I'm surprised that things still going" Shelagh joked as she gestured towards the car, a small giggle escaping her lips as Patrick looked down at her lookimg half offended.
"Old things are just as good" He winked as they reached the car, he walked round to open the door for her.
"Oh hush you're not old" Shelagh scolded as she smiled a quick thank you and got into the car. Patrick closed the door and walked round to the drivers seat.
"I feel it" Patrick joked as he started the engine up and pulled out the car park.
As they drove the pair sat in silence, Patrick was focused on the road whilst Shelagh was fidgeting with the hem of her uniform.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Shelagh queried, feeling unsure of their Christmas plans.
Patrick took his hand and gently placed it on top of Shelagh's, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"Of course, you have nothing to worry about. We've been friends for years so it will be a breeze, and I'm sure Timothy won't mind" Patrick smiled before pulling up outside the local community center where Timothy was outside waiting with friends.
The young boy said goodbye to his friends and akela before running to the car and slinging himself and his bag in.
"Nurse Mannion" Timothy cheered "What are you doing here?"
"We're going to Shelagh's for dinner Tim, we have something important to talk about" Patrick said, as he looked over at his son and smiled to see him grinning.
"Are we really?" Timothy chimed, as he quickly put his seat belt on.
"If you want too?" Shelagh asked with a small smirk, knowing full well he did.
"Yes please Shelagh! Your dinners are amazing and hopefully dad will learn how to cook like you" Tim grinned cheekily.
"That told you" Shelagh whispered to Patrick with a somewhat smug face.
Patrick simply bit his lip and started up his engine again.
As they crowded into the flat Shelagh took their coats to hang up by the radiator.
"Tim why don't you go watch TV while your father and I make dinner?" Shelagh suggested, Tim simply smiled and ran off leaving Patrick and Shelagh alone in the kitchen.
Shelagh opened up the cupboards and thought to herself for a moment before looking back at Patrick.
"Now would you like Pasta or Jacket potatoes?"
"Pasta please if you don't mind" Patrick began "is there anything you need me to do?" He asked.
"Would you mind getting some drinks ready? I don't mind what we have and I think there's some squash left over in the cupboard under the sink for Tim" Shelagh nodded to the cupboard before picking up her jar of penne pasta and a saucepan.
As Shelagh began to boil the pasta Patrick had set the table and made the drinks, whilst they were waiting the pair sat at the kitchen counter.
"How should we tell Tim?" Shelagh asked worriedly.
"Tell him the truth I suppose, I'm sure he'll understand and go through with it" Patrick shrugged whilst giving her a small smile.
"Tell me what?" Timothy asked inquisitively, both Patrick and Shelagh spun round in shock not knowing he had been listening.
"Umm" Shelagh fumbled.
Patrick gestured for Tim to sit at the empty chair opposite them.
"Well Shelagh's family have invited her and her boyfriend over for Christmas, but Shelagh doesn't have one and instead of showing up alone we're going to go with her". Patrick explained and watched his sons face.
"So you and Shelagh are dating?" Tim questioned.
"We're not actually dating, we're just going to pretend and you will to" Shelagh began "But only if you want to and feel comfortable in doing so".
Timothy sat there for a moment, thinking it all through. He sat up straight and smiled.
"This means we'll go to Aberdeen, right?" Tim started, Patrick nodded.
"Christmas in Aberdeen with you and dad sounds smashing! Besides you two already act like a couple so it won't be hard!" Timothy grinned.