Julie walked quickly with her heels clapping on the pathway. She'd been at work late, but she didn't want to miss Tim's call. Her heart clenched when she thought of him. It had been ten days since they last saw each other.
She felt like weeping just thinking about missing him. She wasn't the only one feeling low. Kate had been extremely irritable. Julie had tried to talk to her, but she had refused her.
Julie assumed that Kate had had a row with Arthur. She felt betrayed that her friend wouldn't confide in her. They were best friends and until recently they shared everything. Julie knew that the girls' relationships had changed things. Kate wasn't privy to all aspects of her relationship with Tim, just as Julie didn't want to know about everything Kate and Arthur were up to.
Julie let out a breath when she found Kate out. She felt helpless to help her friend. Whenever Julie pushed, Kate shut her out more.
Her musing was interrupted by the welcoming shrill of the telephone. Julie was disappointed to hear Arthur's voice on the other end.
"She's not at home. I was hoping you were Tim."
"Please tell her that I need to talk to her," Arthur sounded desperate.
"I don't know what you did, but she's been in a mood. Please apologise so I get my best friend back."
"I'm trying. I'll ring again later."
Julie hung up the phone hoping that Arthur could help her friend. Willing Tim to call, she sat down with a book, hoping to escape her worrying.
She startled when the phone rang next and jumped up to answer.
"Tim." In a tone like finally.
"Jules, I miss you too. I'll see you in a few days, then just two weeks until my summer holiday."
"I know. I really do understand."
"You're a brick."
"Have you seen Arthur, because Kate's been in a mood?"
"He looked tired when I last saw him, but we all are. Do you think they are having a row?"
"I hope not. Talk to me. Tell me a happy story…" Julie pleaded.
"A baby urinated on me today. Is that what you're looking for?"
Julie laughed. It was as if the floodgates opened and she couldn't stop.
Tim joined in and she wiped the tears from her eyes. Finally calming, she said, "Thank you. I needed that. Was it true?"
"No, but a woman in labor got sick on my shoe. Then I helped deliver her strapping boy."
"Why did she need a doctor?"
"The lad had a big head so…"
"Stop! I don't want to know!"
Tim laughed, "Someday you'll know first hand how babies come out and I'll be right there with you."
"In the meanwhile, I'll pretend you don't spend your days looking at ladies'... "
"Jules, it's my job."
"I know. I really do."
"Let's not get sad. I'll be home at the weekend. The following one you'll go see your mum and then a week after I'll be home for my holiday."
"I know. You're right. You're always right."
"I was when I chose you."
After the call ended, Julie sat staring at nothing. She learned to focus on the years ahead. Her mum and dad weren't a great example but they'd been married over twenty-five years. The Turner's sixteenth anniversary was a few months ago. What was now two more years apart was not long compared to the time together they would have.
Her mind replayed her laughing and was reminded of the birth. Julie was acutely aware that Tim had seen woman's most private places, but not hers. After going together for more than two years, Julie found she wanted, no needed to be closer to him. Kissing didn't feel enough, but Tim was proper. She knew she was wrong to want. Just like Tim, she wasn't raised that way.
Arthur had rang twice more before Kate came home. He seemed more impatient with each call. When Kate walked into the flat, she looked ragged.
"Where were you?" Julie asked concerned.
Her eyes were red and her hair was a mess.
"Out. I was just out."
"Kate, Arthur's been calling all night. He really wants to talk to you."
Kate just walked into the loo. Julie was forced to answer the phone and tell Arthur that Kate refused to speak to him.
Julie didn't know what was happening, but knew it wasn't alright.
##
Arthur almost walked right into Tim in the hallway outside of the nursery. Tim was on his way to check on the nine pound baby he delivered the day before. The poor mother would be sore with quite a few sutures.
"Alright there, Arthur."
"Ah Tim, sorry."
"Hey mate, do you need to talk?"
"No, I need to get on to the paediatric ward. See you."
Later that evening, when Tim called Julie, he said, "We need to sort those two out. Arthur is so distracted, he'll be lucky if he doesn't make a mistake."
"She's been jealous of my ring."
"He may feel pressure to propose," Tim wondered out loud. "I'll try to sit down with him. I know you've tried with Kate."
"I'll meet your train."
Tim felt excitement course though him. He had the weekend off and he planned to spend time with Jules.
"We'll see if I have company on the train. If I do it's best we give them time. Perhaps you should come home with me."
"I wish you could stay with me like…"
"Arthur? Jules, you know I can't… My parents."
"I know. Forget I said anything."
Tim wasn't certain exactly what Julie was implying. He longed for more closeness, but he was afraid of losing his head. Another two years suddenly seemed impossible.
He sought out Arthur who looked like he hadn't slept in days. He tried to talk to him, but Arthur wouldn't confide in him.
"It's Kate I need to sort things out with and she's not speaking to me."
"Can't you apologise for whatever she's angry about?"
"It isn't so simple. I'm going to London and I'm not leaving until I talk to her."
"Do you love her?"
"Yes, very much."
"Then tell her that. I need Kate happy so that Julie will be happy."
"You really love her, don't you?"
"Of course." He smiled thinking about it.
"Would you marry her now if you could?"
"Yeah I would. I hate being apart."
"Is this because Jules has a ring and Kate doesn't?"
"No, not really. I guess I'll see you on the train then."
Tim nodded and his friend walked away. He was no closer to understanding the rift between their friends.
Arthur sat beside Tim on route to London, but didn't speak. Every time Tim glanced at his mate, he had his forehead against the glass looking out. Tim who was unusually restless on the train, quietly read past Lancets, which he'd been too busy to keep up with. He resisted the urge to start a conversation with Arthur about the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of Spina Bifida or the use of corticosteroids for hayfever.
He let Arthur disembark first and he walked directly to Julie who was waiting.
"Is she home?" he asked.
"Yes, but she's in her dressing gown. She hasn't been to work in two days."
Tim asked, "Is she sick?"
Julie shook her head and Arthur asked, "Can I have your key in case she won't let me in."
Julie looked to Tim and he nodded. Arthur scurried off leaving Tim and Julie alone. Tim couldn't wait any longer and took her in his arms.
"I missed you," she said.
"I know, but I'm here now."
"I want to stay close in case Kate needs me."
"I know I was thinking much the same thing. Should we get a bite?"
Nodding Julie said, "I'll ring in an hour to see if they sorted themselves out.
##
Julie smiled when Tim took her hand and asked, "Chippy or something else?"
"Chippy is fine, but don't tell Teddy," Julie teased.
"Am I still competing with my brother?"
"No, I'd say you've definitely won me forever."
Julie tried to be good company, but she was worrying about Kate. They ate mostly in silence which was not usual. As soon as they finished eating, he said, "Is it too soon to check on them?"
"I could call her."
"We could stand outside the door to your flat and listening for hollering," Tim suggested.
Although if they made up, they might hear something else. Thinking of her father on Saturday night, she shook her head hoping to dislodge the memory.
"Let's go to the phone box," she said decidedly.
"Can we both fit?" Tim asked without emotion.
Julie started to question him, until she caught on and it made her belly flutter and she smiled.
"Tim, I'm worried for my friend and you're wanting to snog," she scolded playfully.
With an expression that looked much like his brother's when he was naughty, Tim said, "I always want to snog."
"Come on then."