Chapter 3:
A week had passed, and communication between Patsy and Delia was picking up. They'd exchanged more messages, however hadn't arranged to meet, as Delia was working shifts at the hospital all week.
It was a Friday day time, with 1 hour left of Delia's last shift of the week. She was tired, but she loved her job and that kept her going.
Delia had been rushed off her feet all day, and was glad to see a new patient being wheeled onto the ward, a frail lady who needed attending to.
Delia knew she didn't have long left of her shift, but that didn't matter to her. She took up nursing, with the attention to offer the best care for all of her patients possible. Regardless of how long Delia had been working, a new patient, was a whole new individual with different needs.
Delia helped the old lady onto bed, and assisted her with changing, appreciating that she needed her own privacy, where she needed help the most.
Once the lady was dressed, Delia helped her into the bed, pulling the bed sheets up, Delia stood back, and admired the little lady smiling up at her.
"Thank you nurse," she said beaming with a smile.
"No problem Mrs Jones, if you need anything, please ring the buzzer," Delia said with a smile.
And with that Delia closed the side door behind her and made her way to the nurses station.
"You're free to go now Nurse Busby," the other nurse said while standing at the station.
"Oh, and tell that red head of yours you're on your way, she's been waiting at reception for you." The nurse called out again.
Delia narrowed her eyes and looked confused.
Redhead?
Patsy?
Delia made her way to the locker room quickly and rummaged through her bag with anticipation, hoping she'd heard from Patsy.
Delia pulled out her phone, and frowned.
Nothing.
Nothing from Patsy.
Her heart sunk in her chest, and she could feel tears prickling in the back of her eyes. Why would the Nurse Brown make a comment like that?
Delia stood up straight and bashed the thought away, Patsy wouldn't know where she worked, they'd only been speaking a few weeks.
She zipped up her coat and made her way out of the hospital ward, followed by the long corridors leading to the front of the hospital.
Once at the reception, Delia looked around and scammed the room with her eyes, her heart sinking again with no sign of Patsy.
Instead Delia inhaled a deep breath, and carried on walking towards the main door. She felt disheartened. Why did she think that it was true? Nurse Brown was renown for making jokes, and picking on Delia, especially with her being the new nurse with a Welsh tongue.
She pushed on the main door, and stepped outside in the fresh air. She could do with a walk she thought to herself, a clear her head would do her the world of good.
"Deels!" a voice shouted behind her.
"Delia!" the voice exclaimed again.
She turned around immediately, and saw a tall red headed figure standing there, flapping her hand, whilst the other brought a cigarette to her mouth.
"Patsy?" She questioned with a rather confusing look, "You're here?"
"Yes, I thought I'd surprise you on your last shift, I phoned up to try and find you?" Patsy said walking up to Delia, whilst disgarding her cigarette
Delia laughed and a smiled took over her face. She owned Nurse Brown an apology after all.
"Ah yes, well it's a lovely welcomed surprise, thank you." Delia's said, and awkwardly put her hands on her pockets.
"So, where's next?" Patsy said looking down at Delia, "After all that hard work, can I take you out?"
Delia felt touched, she'd never had anyone do this, or surprise her before.
"I would like that, thank you." Delia smiled, "But I could do with the fresh air, so how about we go for a walk?"
Patsy nodded, and stood back to allow Delia to lead the way.
Delia stepped forward, and gestured with her hands the direction to walk in, "I'll take you the scenic route I think."
The pair walked for about 10 minutes, just having a general catchup with what happened during the week, and how Delia was finding work.
Delia remained walking with her hands in her pockets, the air was fresh, but not too cold. She didn't know how to hold herself or walk, so kept her hands in her pockets for safety.
Patsy was wearing gloves as she was cold, and a scarf and hat to match. Delia thought to herself how adorable Patsy looked, but didn't have the words to say it.
There were small pauses and moments where both parties were happy and content, but didn't want to say too much, to scare the other one off.
As Delia carried on walking, she became carried away looking at her own feet, that she was unaware of what she was going to walk into.
"Delia watch it!" Patsy exclaimed.
With a sudden movement Patsy grabbed Delia's arm to prevent her from walking into the lamp post, as she could see it happening.
Delia at first was shocked, but thankful Patsy had saved her from the trip to A&E. They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Thanks for that Pats," Delia said still laughing.
"No problem, I didn't want to go to the hospital twice in one day," Patsy responded with a smirk.
By this point Delia had straightened herself up, and shoved her hands back in her pockets for comfort. She wanted to take Patsy's hand within her own, but remained still as the pair were yet to talk about what was happening between them.
It was like an ongoing battle within her own head. Delia could see Patsy's hand occasionally bumping into her side, but didn't want to just assume and then have to deal with the awkward consequences of having to explain herself.
No she thought.
Surely if Patsy wanted to hold her hand, she would have done so by now? Delia thought to herself. Patsy had just saved Delia from the lamp post situation, so if she wanted her hand she wouldn't have let go when saving her.
Delia gave up. With her hands in her pockets nothing could go wrong.
Soon after Patsy started a conversation, and Delia forgot how she was feeling. Delia kept cracking jokes, and they both appreciated each other's sarcasm.
"Where on earth are you taking me?" Delia interrupted, confused by the surroundings of where Patsy had lead her.
"All will be revealed." Patsy said with a playful tone.
Thanks for reading, all mistakes are my own! Comments and suggestions are welcome!
The next chapter explores where Patsy has taken Delia, is the surprise worth waiting for?