Tim would have preferred to be with Julie, but instead he stayed in Oxford. He didn't think it was wise to turn down an invitation by his mentor. Dr. Jeffers was a superior teacher and Tim felt lucky to be working with him.
Jules needed him. Her visit home was a disaster. She was upset about losing her flatmate and now her sister and brother were scheming to run away to Australia. She reluctantly admitted to him that he was right about her mother's health. Now she was concerned for her as she refused to see her doctor. He couldn't solve her concerns, but he could hold her.
Trained by his mum on proper etiquette, Tim arrived at the Jeffers' residence with flowers for Dr. Jeffers' wife and a bottle of Glenfiddich for the doctor. Greeted by his wife, he entered to find five other future GPs including Arthur and his friend, Bernie.
"Tim, how beautiful! Thank you. Watch you don't make Dr. Jeffers jealous," she teased.
Tim felt his neck heating up, but replied, "It's tempting, but I've got the best girl in London waiting for me."
"I've heard. She's a lucky girl."
He felt the red rising into his cheeks as he turned to be greeted by a chorus, "Turner!"
Dr. Jeffers asked, "Would you fancy a drink?"
Tim looked around and saw most of his friends with short glasses.
Dr. Jeffers offered, "I've got Bass."
Tim accepted and joined the others. The talk centered around various interesting medical cases. Tim joined the conversation by mentioning two articles on hypertension in a recent Lancet. Several mates snickered, he'd been nicknamed Lancet, but it didn't bother him. He had nicknames for all them as well.
Dr. Jeffers said, "I found those quite interesting. Boys, you'll spend your career battling hypertension. Turner, I've heard rumors that you've been reading The Lancet since age ten."
"Perhaps twelve, sir," Tim said. He felt the heat climb his neck again.
Thankfully the conversation moved on and eventually involved Arthur and his pending nuptials. There was a good amount of ribbing about his antenatal experience.
Dr. Jeffers said, "Speaking as one who knows, it is far different when you're living it."
Tim was aware that the Jeffers were also expecting a baby in another month or so. He was happy for the couple. They had met at the hospital as she was the ward sister on paediatrics.
Later when a buffet was laid out, Tim found himself talking to the sister again.
"You must be excited for the baby," he said in an attempt to make conversation.
"Oh yes, truthfully I had to convince him he wasn't too old."
There was an age difference between husband and wife. He laughed and said, "My dad was in his fifties when my brother was born. In fact, you remind me a bit of my mum and dad. They're doctor and midwife. Although their age difference is seventeen years."
"Oh my. Is she still a midwife?" she asked.
"Oh yes, she was not typical for her time. Do you plan to leave the hospital when your baby is born?" Tim asked.
"Only a few months. We've discussed a nanny. Dr. Jeffers isn't certain about having someone living with us."
Tim suddenly felt as though his horse won. Carefully he said, "I might have the perfect girl for you."
"Does she have experience?" Mrs. Jeffers asked.
"She's the oldest of six. She is nurturing and smart. She's…"
"Is this your girl, the one all the girls on the ward loved?"
"Yes, she's losing her flatmate and truthfully she adores children," Tim said realizing that he would never run out of good things to say about Julie.
"We really won't need help until December."
"She could stay on until I finish. Then we'll be married."
If this worked out, it would be wonderful. Jules would be in Oxford with him. He felt rather excited.
"I'll have to meet this girl…"
"Julie Miller."
"I think I'd quite like to meet your mum someday."
"You and Dr. Jeffers should come to Poplar… "
"What's this?" Dr. Jeffers approached.
"Darling, Tim thinks his girl might like to be our nanny," she said quite excitedly.
"Oh…"
"...And sir, Mrs. Jeffers expressed interest in meeting my stepmother, but you may find my father interesting. He's been a GP in the East End since before the NHS started. He has stories to tell…"
"Turner, I certainly would. We are due for a trip to London. Let's arrange something."
Julie ran into Tim's arms when he stepped off the train. She clung to him and didn't want to let go.
Finding his lips, she was intent on letting him know how much she missed him.
"Jules, I love you too. Let's get off the platform."
The platform was bustling with people coming and going.
"How was your do last night? I missed talking to you."
"I'm sorry I couldn't ring you, but I've got a bit of news."
Julie had seen Tim excited before, but rarely like this. She asked, "What news?"
She saw his face turn serious, as he said, "Jules, I've an idea, but I understand if you aren't keen. It will mean leaving your job…"
"Tim?" Her stomach turn sour. She'd had too much bad news of late. Still she disliked her job.
"Dr. Jeffers and his wife are expecting a baby. I might have told them that you could be their live-in nanny."
His words came out so fast she had to catch up to them. She rolled them around in her head as she weighed their meaning.
"Say something. You love children. We could see each other. You could practice being a mum for when…"
"Tim, why would they want me? I'm not a trained nanny."
"They'd need to meet you, but they know me. Do you hate the idea?"
"No, actually I don't hate it at all. I would be able to see Kate."
She imagined them pushing prams together. She'd be pretending, but it would be like a dream.
"Yes, there is that, but I thought you'd be more excited about me," Tim teased.
"Oh silly of course I am. I think it is a wonderful solution. I don't want to get my hopes up, since I've had too much disappointment lately."
"There is a down side. They won't need you until December. I think we need to ask Mum if you can stay awhile."
"In Teddy's room?"
"No!"