"Granny can I go back to Poplar today? I want to stop by the surgery and see my friends," Timothy asked on Saturday morning.
"The surgery? Whatever for?"
"I want to check the post for the new Lancet," Timothy responded.
"The new what?"
"It is a medical publication. It is my favorite thing to read. It makes me feel close to my Dad. He loves it too. He has been gone two weeks and I miss him," Timothy explained.
"I am not certain you should go off alone. I know you go to school by bus, but I am responsible for you."
"I was hoping to see Colin too," Timothy complained.
"Let's call Colin to see what we can work out"
She spoke to Jean Monk and arranged that Colin would come and spend the night with Timothy. The plan included meeting Colin at the surgery so Timothy could retrieve the publication he wanted.
Luckily Angela was content on the bus. Anytime she got restless Timothy would play with her. He had multiple tricks to entertain his little sister. Her grandson was clearly as enthralled with his sister as she was with her big brother.
She never understood Marianne's contentment with only one child. Her friends would boast about their many grandchildren. When she mentioned her one grandson, they were so sorry as if some reason was preventing babies from coming. She knew her daughter mindset was that reason. Even the fact that Patrick worked terribly long hours and Marianne did much of the early parenting alone was no reason. Women all over England did most of the parenting alone, but their husbands were either sitting in a chair looking to be waited on or in a pub all evening.
She herself would have liked more children, but the Lord had other plans for her. An only child can be very lonely. She wished Timothy hadn't had to wait over eleven years for his sister. Regardless of the age difference, they loved each other immensely.
She was not prepared for Angela's reaction as they approached Patrick's surgery. The minute the building was in sight she started calling, "Mumma, mumma…."
"Ang Mum is not here. Remember she went on the airplane," Timothy reminded her.
"Dadda, Dadda…"
"Dad went with Mum on airplane. I know I miss them too, but we are having fun with Granny until they come home."
"Granny. Mumma, Dadda plane?" she asked looking for assurance.
"Yes, lovey."
It broke her heart because she was too little to understand time. This was one of Shelagh's concerns about leaving Angela.
Timothy went into the surgery alone having decided that it would be too hard on Angela. Although the surgery was closed he could access the mail on Mum's desk through the maternity home. Everything looked in order as if Nurse Mount was doing a good job.
He did have a problem on the way out when a nun he did not know stopped him.
"Boy what are you doing here," the nun demanded.
"I came to fetch something from my father's surgery, Sister," He responded calmly.
"Be gone this is no place for a child."
"Then why am I always here washing test tubes, petris, and pipettes…" Timothy said under his breath as he walked away.
"Timothy Turner! What are you mumbling about?"
Timothy looked up and saw Nurse Mount and responded, " There is a sister in there who is not very nice."
Smiling she responded, "You really are a smart boy. Oh your Mum called Nonnatus House, they are all doing well and are busy."
"Mum called why?"
"It seems they met a boy who had polio and couldn't walk. She had us fetch your old calipers and send them to South Africa for him."
Timothy smiled, "That sounds like Mum. Angela is outside with Granny did you see her? "
"I did, but I am afraid my uniform may have upset her."
"Oh! I had better get to her."
When Timothy got outside, Angela was still carrying on about her Mum. He was trying to distract her when the Monks arrived in their car.
Mr. Monk insisted that they drive them all back to avoid the bus trip. She was very grateful for the ride especially given Angela's mood. Perhaps she should have allowed Timothy to go alone.
On the ride she listened to the boys talk. Angela seemed intent on watched the boys which took her mind off missing her parents. She spoke casually to Jean Monk.
"I don't know if Shelagh mentioned to you, but Colin is adopted. She and I spoke about it before they contacted the agency themselves."
"No, she would not have mentioned that. I do know that they are overjoyed with this little one. I was happy to agree to watch my grandson and his sister."
"Your granddaughter," Jean said somewhat sternly.
"No dear, Timothy is my daughter's son. Angela is Shelagh's daughter."
"Oh I am sorry. I thought because she was adopted..."
"Oh no, although I am feeling like her adopted granny now that I have spent so long with her," she said.
When they arrived home the Monk went on their way with a plan to return for Colin the next day. They ate lunch and Angela went for her nap.
The boys were playing and she was surprised when Timothy appeared in the kitchen.
"Did you get what you wanted this morning?" she asked.
"Yes. I am excited to read it. There was a new nun who did not seem very kind."
"You mentioned some of the nun went away as well. She must be filling in."
"Yes only Sister Mary Cynthia and Sister Monica Joan stayed behind. Sister Monica Joan is too old for patients. Sister Mary Cynthia is nice she was one of the nurses who wore the pink dresses in Dad's wedding."
"A nun was a bridesmaid in a dress!"
"Oh no, she became a nun after that," Timothy laughed.
"One nun becoming a wife another nurse becoming a nun. It all sounds crazy."
Timothy laughed, "That's my life….Granny I saw Nurse Mount when I was leaving."
"The redhead...Angela started fussing for her Mum when she saw her uniform."
"Yes. She told me that Mum called. They are all fine. She wanted my calipers sent for a boy who had polio like me. Do you think she will call us?" Tim asked sobberly.
"I don't know love. It may be hard to make calls. I am not sure it will help your sister if she speaks to her."
"No I suppose not. Perhaps we should be careful about using the M and D words around Angela."
"M and D?"
"Mum and Dad. If Mum called I would tell her that she needn't worry that Angela will forget her."
"You are a wise boy, Timothy love," she said as she gave him a squeeze.