Julie was changing out of the skirt and blouse she wore to work. She was only in her bra and pants when the door burst open.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot to knock."
"It's alright Angela. Just shut the door in case someone is in the hall," Julie said.
"I came to tell you that Anita said that her brother Sam was asking about me. He's in fifth year and plays football. He's really fab!"
"What was he asking?" Julie asked. Angela's excitement was contagious.
"If my father was the one who gave them their jabs…"
"That doesn't sound very romantic," Julie warned.
"Oh you know about romance. I've seen you and Tim snogging. I'd like to kiss a boy like that."
"I'm not certain your mum and dad would like that. You're only fifteen."
"I'm almost sixteen. Do you know my mother was sixteen when I was born?"
"That's reason enough for your mum and dad to want you to watch out for boys. They aren't all nice. I should know I have four brothers."
"Your brother Charles was very dishy."
"He's too old for you. Do I need to worry about you?"
"Of course not. I would never…"
Julie wondered if she was ever that boy crazy. For Paul she was, but that didn't count. Carole managed to catch a boy much older than her, she wouldn't want Angela to do the same.
"Let's go help your mum in the kitchen."
It took some time for Julie to adjust to living at the Turner's. She wasn't a guest, but she didn't feel like family. When Tim came home, she became a guest again who couldn't be alone with the eldest son.
Angela treated her like an older sister, but there was always a sense of awe. Julie wasn't certain if it was because she was so much older or because she was going with Tim. Either way she felt uncomfortable on the pedestal that Angela had put her on.
Teddy had grown out of thinking she was his special friend. She was closer to him than her own brothers, even Albert and Charles who she loved.
One day in early November, she dragged herself home from work. At dinner, she pushed her food around and Mrs. Turner asked if she was alright.
"I'm fine," she lied.
When she was helping with the washing up, her arm ached when she was wiping down the work top. In fact, her whole body ached.
"Sit down," Shelagh ordered as she swiftly placed the back of her hand on Julie's forehead. "Off to bed. You have a fever."
"But Tim's going to call soon."
"No, buts. Tim will understand. I'll be up soon to take your temperature."
Julie did as she was told, because bed was suddenly the place she wanted to be. She clung to her blanket as chills consumed her body. When the thermometer was put in her mouth she obediently put it under her tongue. She must have fallen asleep because she didn't remember it being taken out. She remembered swallowing pills. When she woke, Dr. Turner was over her with his hand on her forehead. She felt cold and her bed clothes were damp.
When she tried to lift her head it was heavy. Her head hurt, her nose was stuffed up and she felt bloody miserable. She continued to feel this way and only got up for the loo and to change when her pyjamas were damp.
She remembered snippets of being forced to drink, take Paracetamol. She didn't do anything else, but sleep, blow her nose, cough and hold the glass thermometer under her tongue.
One morning Mrs. Turner appeared with tea and dry toast.
"Try to eat a little. You need to fight this flu."
"Did my mum come?" Julie asked.
"No darling, you've been calling me mum. I know you didn't mean to, but I quite like it."
Suddenly as if remembering she asked, "Tim?"
"He's been calling twice a day. He'll be home tonight."
"Tonight?" The last day she remembered was Tuesday.
"You've had a fever for three days. It has all but disappeared overnight. Do you remember waking up damp?"
She looked and saw her pyjamas on the floor. How could she remember so little?
Suddenly she remembered her job and asked about it.
"We took care of everything. It's a good thing you were with us and not living alone. Dr. Turner has been monitoring your lungs for signs of pneumonia, but we needed to let the virus run its course."
Again the realization hit her and she asked, "You had to work?"
"I took time off. I was needed at home. I wouldn't leave any of the other three if they were sick. Why would I leave you?"
Julie felt tears. She included me in her children. Julie liked that she had called her Mum. She was suddenly awake enough to think of Tim. He must have been worried.
Dr. Turner poked his head in and smiled, "I'm glad you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Better, I suppose. Did I really miss two days?"
"You did, but because you're young and healthy there was nothing to worry about. Tim knows all that, but he seemed to have forgotten. I had to reassure him more than once."
"Thank you," she said.
He smiled much like Tim and said, "Of course, you're family."
By the time Tim came home Julie was sitting up and eating some scrambled eggs because she was told she needed protein. He kissed her forehead and she suspected he was checking her temperature. She didn't have an appetite, but was following nurses orders. Apparently doctors orders too, because after greeting her, he insisted she eat.
"Do I need to feed you?" he asked.
"No, I can manage."
She was glad that Mum insisted she bathed that morning before leaving for work. She was checked on at noon by Dr. Turner.
He said, "She wanted to ask Sister Winifred to stop in, but I assured her I would."
He served her tea and toast. Later Tim said, "You're lucky about all he can do is toast and fry bread."
Tim looked tired and she feared it was from worrying about her. She loved him for it.
"I missed you. We've never gone so long without talking," he admitted.
She reach her hand out to his and squeezed. After her bout with the flu, she felt at home and truly part of the family.