Working the night shift again tonight, but I don't mind. Matron tells me that she trusts me to get the job done. So least I get some of the afternoon to relax. I was just starting to read my book, when a loud knock came at my bedroom door. I knew it wasn't Patsy's knock, besides she was working today. It was Sophia, who happily came spilling into my room. Honestly, she spoke so fast at first I could hardly understand her. Telling her to take a breath and start again, she did. She informed me that she had done it. She had asked for a transfer to a hospital in Cardiff and that, they had accepted her. Since they were closing down the nurses home, she thought she would follow her dreams and go for it.
Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled for her but rather selfishly I would miss her. She was my closet friend here. Always so kind and caring. She is also a very good nurse. She will be missed upon the ward too. Of course I hugged her and told her how proud of her I was, for taking the bold move to actually try to follow your dreams. She said tomorrow night at the pub, some of the nurses are having a send off for her. I can't believe she'll be moving away so quickly. It has made me think though, about my dreams. My dream of a flat with my Pats. So really it has kind of decided it for me. All I have to do now, is tell Pats.
Sophia has made me promise that we'll always keep in touch. Did she honestly think that I wouldn't write to her? I must admit that the drinks were flowing quite a bit, at the pub. I don't think I've drank so much beer, since leaving Wales myself. Me and the other girls, thought it would be fitting to buy her some Welsh cakes. They went down rather nice, along side the ale. The next day, sober, full of lots of coffee and a couple of aspirins. Me and Sophia were tucking into cheese and pickle sandwiches in the food hall. It was strange really, listening to her excitement for Wales, after it was my dream to leave there. She still has hopes of getting her own farm. Or living near to one, will have to suffice in the mean time. We had to both laugh, when we exchanged presents. Great minds think alike, I tittered as we both plonked down a bottle of Johnny Walker on to the table. Hugging, I was going to miss her company.
By the end of the day, a crowd of us nurses. Stood around as we waved Sophia off. Her father and mother were driving her down there and staying with her for a few nights, to make sure she was settled in. As the car drove off into the distance, the other girls dispersed. Some went to the pub, others had shifts to prepare for. Me, I stood there for a little bit like a sentimental fool. When I heard a sweet loving tone call out.
'Delia?' I turned around to see my Pats, still in her uniform, standing there with a sympathetic smile.
Rushing over to her, we both checked that no one was around before she gave me a quick hug. She smelt like bleach. My smile got wider. I had told her that Sophia was leaving, and she knows me all to well and wanted to check that I was alright. She really is some kind of angel, my Pats.
'I saw her leave, but I held back. I didn't want to be in the way.' She smiled, rubbing my arm softly.
'Why didn't you come over and say hello? Or goodbye.' I corrected, though I knew the reason why. She did not want the attention and more importantly she didn't want to see any of the old crowd. She never did get on with them too well. They use to have a dig at me, saying how could I spend my time with that stuck up Mount! I had given up trying to tell them that she wasn't stuck up in the slightest. That they had her all wrong but they had formed their own opinions and I couldn't change their minds about my sweet Patsy.
'All I care about Deels, is making sure you're okay. I know you and Sophia were close.' She smiled at me with kind eyes.
'I know. Plus you haven't even changed out of your uniform.' I returned the smile. That alone showed me how much she cared. She must of came to see me right from work.
'Yes. I've told sister Julienne that your joining us for dinner.' Patsy smiled, linking my arm as we began to walk.
'I'd like that.' I nodded as she lovingly squeezed my arm.
The dinner was lovely and I insisted that I would do the washing up, while nurse Crane said she would dry as it was her turn that evening for cleaning up. Patsy lingered around the table, trying to look busy, while she was smoking. Pretending that she didn't have her eyes on me. I couldn't help but smile. Though me and nurse Crane did have a long and rather enjoyable conversation. Some of it went over my poor Patsy's head. We were speaking about her motor car, and I told her I had watched my Pa fix many a motor.
After all the tidying was done, we went upstairs to her room, but Trixie joined us too. She made sure all our glasses were full of something alcoholic. I did notice Pats, keep trying to catch my eye, when she thought Trixie wasn't paying attention. I guess tonight I wouldn't be telling her all about the flat, but it can wait. I could tease her a little though and with how much gin Trixie has re-filled my glass with. I would be swaying home tonight. Even Pats had to tell her, 'Steady on old thing, remember we do have to work tomorrow.' But her voice got a little high pitched as without Trix, noticing. I pulled with my fingers, on the back of her waist band on her jeans. Which were new by the way. She can't blame me when she looked that cute. She may very well be the first person in Nonnatus house to ever wear jeans at all.
I almost spluttered out with a fit of giggles at her reaction. Trixie assumed, I was laughing at Patsy's comment, so I went along with that. As Trixie complained about, Patsy becoming a bore! As my girl rolled her eyes, I too joined in, 'Yeah! Pats.' I was soon giggling into a cloud of smoke as both of them lit up cigarettes.
'Well when you two have a headache tomorrow because of too much gin, I shall remind you of this very conversation.' Patsy exhailed her smoke, with a rye smile. Sticking my tongue out, I chuckled, 'Know it all.' Catching the gleam in my eye, Patsy reached forward and grabbed me. (Most likely for the very simple reason of too much gin, or that we were so relaxed in Trixie's company and forgot ourselves). The way she held me, as brief as it was, made us both stop and glance at one another, but I sat back. Very lucky for us, Trixie seemed a million miles away, almost staring at the bottle of gin. She hadn't noticed, thank goodness. Though Patsy took this, to call it a night.
'It's getting late.' She suddenly uttered, stubbing out her cigarette.
'Yes. Better be heading back.' I went to stand up and toppled forward on my feet.
'Goodness. Are you alright?' Trixie grabbed me around my waist to steady me.
'Yes. Must have drank my gin to fast because usually it takes the whole brewery to get me drunk.' I joked as both girls laughed.
'I've seen it first hand.' Patsy jibed, as I couldn't help but laugh too, 'I better walk this one home.' She spoke to Trixie now, like I was suddenly too incoherent to hear.
'I'm not that drunk.' I tutted, going over to the hook on the back of the door, where my coat was. I couldn't help but run my fingers over Patsy's dressing gown that was hanging there too. So you see I couldn't have been that inebriated. Though my Pats was having none of it and wanted to see me back to the nurses home. She is so lovely, my Pats.
On the walk home, I will say that I was swaying quite a bit, until Pats linked my arm with hers. I figured this was the right time to tell her about the flat but she began to talk first.
'I can't believe I grabbed you like that! With Trixie there as well.' She sighed, clearly upset with herself.
'I didn't mind.' I smiled, but she only sighed louder, 'That does not help Deels! What if she were to ask what I was doing?' She shook her head.
'She didn't even notice. Besides you just got caught up in the moment. It happens.' I smiled up at her.
'Well it won't be happening again!' She huffed. That I did not like to hear!
'Fine then!' I broke away from her, as she grabbed my arm again, 'I did not mean it like that Delia. Just not in front of Trixie. Okay?' She finally let herself smile. I don't know why she was being so hard on herself. That may of been the very first time, that she actually let her guard down with me, romantically with someone else there. I kind of liked it. Though I did know she was right, it couldn't happen again.
'Pats? Will you be coming upstairs with me?' I asked, changing the subject.
'Yes. Just to see you to your door.' She nodded.
'You could stay for a bit?' I asked with hope. We did not get much chance to be alone. Not that I minded. Tonight had been fun.
'I... I'm not sure, Deels?' She replied, but she did sound rather tempted.
'Just for a bit, please. Trixie thinks I am drunk, so you can tell her you were being a good friend.' I told her. Tilting her head to the side, with a smile, she nodded, 'Just for a bit then.'
When we reached my room, I wasted no time thanking her for walking me home. I kissed her. She tasted like gin, so I knew I must of too. We could do this sort of thing all the time, if we had a flat together. My mouth could be pressed to hers for hours without having to keep an eye out on the time, or the door. As her hands found my bum, I kissed her more deeply. Staying like this until she broke away the embrace, she pecked my lips softly before stepping back.
'Pats, can we meet tomorrow for coffee, after work?' I asked her wrapping myself around her again.
'Yes. If you'd like.' She smiled down, pecking my lips.
'Good, because there is something I need to say.' This perked her interest and she raised her eye brow, 'Well?' She mused, like I was going to tell her there and then.
'Goodnight Patsy.' I smirked about to leave her arms, when she pulled me back into her.
'You just want to tell me to wear these jeans again on our next date.' She laughed. She was wrong, but hmh that is an idea. Her bum did look rather nice in them. With this it was my turn to squeeze her backside. After all she was always feeling mine.
'Delia.' She blushed, as I squeezed her again, 'That feels rather nice.' She confessed as I blushed now.
'Can't you stay for longer?' I begged but I knew the answer. My bed would only be sleeping me in it tonight.
'Sorry Deels.' She pouted as I had another feel. Kissing me, she held the side of my face and whispered, 'Goodnight darling.'
This time I stood in the doorway of my room and watched her walk away. I suddenly was over come with a feeling, as she turned back to wave at me before disappearing out of sight down the corridor. That just maybe, I would be leaving this place behind and move out once and for all. Closing the door, I looked around for a long moment. A lot of good things had happened within these walls. First giggles with Pats, first kisses and well you can guess the rest. Smiling to myself, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next, with me and my Patsy.
A/N - Thank you again for the reviews. They do make me think about what to write next. Next chapter soon. x