Summary: Nurse Training School - The London Hospital

Disclaimer: Call The Midwife belongs to the BBC and others - I am simply borrowing their wonderful characters.

Author's note: Thank you so much as always for your lovely reviews - it's good to know that people are still reading this! As always, Sittingonthis has worked her magic - thank you so much. Thanks also to JLynnsca for her editing skills. Any remaining mistakes are very definitely my own.

Patsy breathed a sigh of relief as the train began to pull out from the station. She and Delia had managed to secure a compartment to themselves but Patsy had been holding her breath and hoping that no one would join them. Now that they were on the move, they would be guaranteed privacy at least until the next stop.

The tall nurse jumped slightly when she felt Delia take her hand but forced herself not to instinctively pull away. She looked toward the brunette and gave her a lop-sided smile. "Are you sure you don't mind me dragging you to the seaside today?"

"Fish and chips, sticks of rock and bingo? What girl could refuse?" Delia replied impishly, her dimples on full display as she grinned.

Patsy returned the smile, absorbing Delia's infectious enthusiasm. "I'm surprised you didn't mention a kiss me quick hat," she teased.

Delia's face fell comically. "Oh, I was saving that as a surprise."

Patsy shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Fool."

Delia's smile returned immediately. "I love the seaside, Pats. That smell of ozone. The cries of seagulls."

"There are plenty of gulls on the Thames," Patsy interrupted.

"Yes, but they don't swoop down and nick your chips."

"Well in that case, I can't wait."

"I might even go for a paddle," Delia continued, unperturbed by the injects.

"You'll be on your own," Patsy demurred instantly.

"Oh, come on. Why not?"

Patsy looked at Delia primly. "Where do you think all those sea creatures go to the lavatory?"

Delia laughed outright. "I'm not sure there are that many live creatures in the sea around Clacton."

"All the more reason not to subject oneself to it then," Patsy rejoined.

"Don't worry, I won't make you come in with me." The Welsh woman paused just a beat. "I'll make you hold my stockings though."

Patsy grinned again and squeezed Delia's hand. "Maybe," she conceded.

Delia relaxed back into the bench seat. "So are you going to tell me what you did to keep Dr. Taylor so quiet?"

Patsy sat back and looked out of the window, her eyes rapidly tracking the scenery speeding by. "It was remarkably simple actually. It was just a question of using the right leverage."

Delia frowned, not following the blonde nurse. "I think I need a bit more than that Pats."

Patsy smiled. "After I left you, I set my alarm clock for an early start..."

...Patsy tapped on the door lightly and stepped back slightly, checking to make sure her clothes were hanging immaculately. She had got up in plenty of time to coif her hair and apply her make up. It might be only 0530 but the statuesque nurse was looking at her imposing best. There was a sound of shuffling and the door finally opened. Millicent James squinted into the light, blinking. "What on earth do you want at this time of the morning?" She asked, her voice croaky from lack of use.

"Good morning, Millicent." Patsy smiled insincerely but she kept her voice at a whisper. "I've got a bit of a task for you I'm afraid."

"Can't this wait? You know I've been on lates." Millicent was also whispering but her irritation was clear.

Patsy cocked her head to one side and widened her smile. "One has to make the most of one's opportunities, don't you think?"

"What on earth do you mean?"

Patsy took a slight step forward and used her foot to lever the door open. She glanced over Millicent's shoulder. "Good morning Robert," she whispered breezily.

Millicent grabbed the door to prevent it opening any further but any colour she had in her face drained away. A distinctly male voice grumbled from the general direction of her bed.

"How did you know?" The short nurse hissed.

"You haven't exactly been discreet, Millicent. Given that, I suspected that you would risk an overnight tryst. I do hope you have at least been sensible and used prophylactics." Patsy's delivery was unemotional, but she could not help but roll her eyes when she saw the embarrassed expression on Millicent's face. "Good lord, please tell me you have more sense than that?"

"We were careful," Millicent insisted.

Patsy shook her head and glanced at her watch. "Speaking of being careful, the night Matron is due on her final round." A predatory smile returned. "Gosh, wouldn't it be appalling if Dr. King was found inside the Nurses Home?" She used a pause to good effect. "For both of you."

"What do you want Patsy?" Millicent ground out, somehow still managing to keep her voice down.

Patsy could hear the rapid rustling of clothes and knew that Dr. King was hurriedly trying to dress. "Just a small favour actually. And the reality is, it's nothing you shouldn't already be doing."

Millicent frowned. "What?"

"As you know, Dr. Taylor took Delia out on a date last night. Let's just say he was not on his best behaviour and Delia let him know that."

Millicent looked down the corridor. Time was ticking. "What has this got to do with me?"

"Connections, Millicent. Connections. We both know how our class system works." Patsy smiled tightly. "You and Dr. King are connected. He is good friends with Dr. Taylor. Through you, I'm asking Dr. King to tell Dr. Taylor to ensure that he behaves in a gentlemanly way. It would be rather dishonourable to spread unfounded gossip, don't you think?"

"Ask him yourself," Millicent spat back.

"One has to capitalise on any advantage in order to improve one's chances of success. What I'm witnessing right now does give me a considerable advantage. I suspect that because you are aware of what I know, you will ensure that Dr. Taylor listens to you." She shrugged nonchalantly. "It would be a terrible shame if someone were to find out about your arrangement with Robert. Of course, no one will hear a thing as long as I hear nothing bad about Nurse Busby."

Millicent sighed and looked back anxiously at Robert, who was hopping as he tried to get his shoes on. He nodded at her rapidly. "We'll try," she offered.

"You'll make sure it happens," Patsy corrected firmly. "I have no objection with Dr. Taylor stating that they had nothing in common. That much is blatantly obvious anyway. However, if there is a single slur or suggestion that Delia took part in anything other than going for a drink with Dr. Taylor, I will assume that it came from you. If that happens, I will ensure that the Training School are fully aware of what you have been up to. And with whom." Patsy's delivery was icily clinical.

Dr. King barged past Millicent and stepped into the corridor. "We'll do it," he confirmed grimly. "To be honest, his behaviour has been atrocious. I'll speak to him." He twisted round and kissed Millicent tenderly on the lips. "Love you," he whispered softly. "Satisfied?" He asked Patsy as he turned back.

Up until this point, Patsy had been feeling perfectly justified in dictating terms with Millicent. The woman was a shrew who took delight in the misery of others. However it was clear that Dr. King was completely smitten by her. He was also honourable enough to recognise his friend's poor behaviour. Millicent must have hidden talents, she decided. "Yes," she confirmed.

The tall nurse nodded her head down the corridor, indicating that he should leave and stood with Nurse James as he hurried away.

"Why?" Millicent asked suddenly.

Patsy shrugged. "You have done nothing but make up gossip about Delia. You have also taken great delight in spreading other people's gossip too. She is actually a decent, hard-working nurse. For some unfathomable reason, you have never given her a chance. Further slurs on her character through unfounded gossip isn't fair and it needs to stop. It's bullying. I will not stand for it." She paused, knowing that Millicent would be trying to deflect the criticism away from herself. "Look at how Robert reacted. He's an honourable man. Aren't there similar principles here?"

Millicent looked mutinous for a moment but suddenly nodded. "That was your only favour," she warned.

Patsy smiled coldly. "Oh, I think we both know that's not true. But we might just be doing favours for each other because we want to do them next time." Her expression softened, and she canted her head slightly, silently suggesting a truce.

Millicent nodded hesitantly. The sound of footsteps at the end of the corridor caught both their attention. She glanced at Patsy before stepping back inside her room and closing the door silently. She had obviously had a lot of practice at that.

Patsy sighed grimly. There was more to Millicent than she had realised. She really ought to try and get to know the other student nurses better. But hopefully there would be no gossip and Delia would be left in peace...

"You never said a word at breakfast," Delia commented when Patsy finished relating the episode.

Patsy wrinkled her nose. "There wasn't much to say really. Besides, although I hoped it had worked, I didn't know. But I haven't heard a single whisper about you and Dr Taylor." The blonde nurse's expression darkened slightly. Fortunately, she hadn't seen the man since Delia's disastrous night out with him. She had no idea how she was going to behave around him.

"Well, whatever they said seems to have done the trick. He's completely left me alone," Delia confirmed. "Although it has only been a few days," she added gloomily.

"Given that he was pestering you every day, I think you should be okay," Patsy comforted, giving Delia's clasped hand a squeeze. She smiled reflexively when she felt it reciprocated. "So I know how organised you are Miss Busby. What have you planned for us?"

Patsy sat back and listened to Delia enthusiastically relate her agenda for the day. A wry smile graced her lips. The most important thing was to spend time with Delia. Whatever they did during that time was purely icing on the cake. Her attention returned fully to Delia when she heard the woman state quite clearly that the whole point of a day away from the London was for them to talk properly.

"You do know that I'm going to find that excruciatingly difficult, don't you?"

Delia nodded cheerfully. "You have told me once or twice," she rejoined indulgently. "But I'm going to find aspects of this incredibly hard too. One thing I have learned in life is that things are made easier by talking." She smirked as she saw Patsy roll her eyes. "Don't worry, Pats. I think we can both admit that I can talk enough for the pair of us."

Patsy grinned. Somehow, Delia had managed to reassure her and address some of her doubts without even trying. She wasn't sure how she had ever managed to function without her. She returned her attention to the scenery outside. "Do you mind if we save the big conversation for later? I'm feeling rather elated right now."

Delia smiled. "Of course. Do you want complete silence, or did you want me to fill the vacuum with my usual raconteur stuff?"

"Delia, I could listen to your voice all day," Patsy declared earnestly. "Feel free to fill the silence."

Delia's heart pounded when Patsy afforded her a full-blown smile. It was glorious to be looked at like that. Taking a steadying breath, she started recounting a tale of mischief from her childhood.

The two women spent most of the morning exploring the pier and enjoying the amusements. Delia was surprised to see Patsy become fixated with the ha'penny waterfalls, determined to see a cascade of coins tumble over the edge. The Welsh woman took great delight in teasing her when she came away empty handed. At lunchtime, they found a fish and chip shop, and decided to sit on the beach to eat. It was relatively empty so the women felt safe to talk unguardedly.

"Come on then, Deels. Did you want to start?" Patsy offered as she speared a chip with her wooden fork and chewed pensively.

Delia raised her eyebrows. "You don't need to look like you're facing the firing squad, you know."

Patsy sighed. "Sorry. I did warn you that this was going to be difficult for me."

Delia broke off a piece of cod. "I know. Shall we start with the easy stuff and see what happens?" She suggested.

"The easy stuff?" Patsy wasn't sure that any of this was going to be easy.

Delia nodded. "The very first question. Do you want this to go further than just friends?"

Patsy looked closely at Delia and smiled softly before nodding. "Yes. Yes, I do."

Delia beamed. "Oh that's a relief. My heart was pounding just then," she admitted.

"Mine still is," Patsy replied, her smile widening as she looked at the younger woman.

"So, what are our restrictions?" Delia prompted.

"Um, everything?" The blonde nurse suggested.

Delia shook her head in mild exasperation. "How about we break it all down into simple segments. 'Everything' is a bit too vague for me." She stiffened slightly, preparing herself for the next question. "Let's start with the big one. If we're caught, we could lose our jobs. Originally, you weren't prepared to risk that. What's changed?"

"I don't know." Patsy was typically defensive.

"No. I told you that if we were going to do this, we would really need to talk. I'm not accepting evasive answers from you." Delia was all business.

Patsy grimaced. She then looked at Delia sheepishly. "I realised that you were more important," she whispered.

Delia was speechless and stared at the taller woman, open-mouthed. She had certainly not expected that level of honesty so soon. She quickly recovered and grinned broadly. "Well, don't you know how to make a girl feel good?"

Patsy blushed furiously. "Deels!"

The Welsh woman relented quickly. To get Patsy talking at all was a win. It would be foolish to make her feel uncomfortable and make her retreat back into herself. "Well it's lovely to hear. But we need to be clear. Are we prepared to risk our careers?" She paused and looked at Patsy steadily. "I am," she declared firmly.

Patsy nodded. "Me too." She smiled a half-smile and Delia thought her heart would burst.

"Well then. We're making progress. What's next?" Delia was conscious that she had been leading the conversation so far, and she needed Patsy to be completely involved with it.

"We need to set the 'rules of engagement' as it were."

Delia resisted the urge to tease the blonde and instead simply built on the premise. "Go on."

"Obviously one must keep it secret. That means no public displays of affection, no terms of endearment..."

"Then Pats and Deels will have to do," Delia interrupted, grinning again.

Patsy smiled affectionately at the brunette. "I quite like the thought that Deels will forever more mean darling," she declared.

Delia laughed. "Thank you. I will not be telling you what Pats stands for though. I think you need to have an air of mystery to your pet name."

Patsy narrowed her eyes. "So you're saying that it will be a name for all things?"

"You'll have to wait and see," Delia teased lightly.

Patsy's look turned slightly more serious. "Nothing we do or say can give us away in public. Are you going to be able to do that?"

Delia shrugged. "To be honest, I don't know." She looked down at her forgotten lunch. "Patsy, I've not done this before," she hedged. "I haven't even had a boyfriend. To have all the secrecy on top of it." She pulled a face. "I really like the feelings I have when I'm around you. I don't know if I'm going to be able to hide that," she said candidly.

Patsy nodded. "They do say that nothing worth having is ever easy. We will both have to find a way through this. I'm not a complete novice, and I am familiar with putting up defences." She sighed. "We have to be patient with each other, and acknowledge how difficult it will be, especially when we are out with others."

The brunette narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, you're not a complete novice?" She asked, her lips twitching into a smirk when she saw Patsy blush furiously.

"Er," the older woman faltered immediately before wincing. "I was at boarding school," she pointed out.

"Are you telling me boarding school isn't like Malory Towers?" Delia couldn't resist the teasing.

Patsy narrowed her eyes, deciding that she needed to take the upper hand. "Do you really want to know?"

Delia's grin fell away instantly and she cocked her head slightly as she thought about the question. "No, I don't think I do," she decided.

Patsy smiled kindly. "Deels, we'll work our way through things together. But we have to be smart and plan. It's not just a case of being distant in public. There was already gossip about how much time we were spending together."

"I've been doing a bit of research into that and may have come up with at least one thing that will help with that," Delia replied enigmatically.

"Please tell me you're not going out with any more men," Patsy begged seriously.

Delia shuddered. "I don't think I could, Pats." She pulled a face as she thought about her disastrous evening. "Could you go out with a man?" She asked curiously.

"It would have to be for a very good reason," Patsy hedged. Delia sensed there might be more to that particular topic but now was not the time to investigate. "Talking of dates. Are we going to be able to do something like that?"

"Are you asking me out Miss Busby?"

"I thought we had already fully established that."

Patsy grinned. "A conventional date is out of the question but I'm sure we can fashion our own sort of arrangement, don't you?"

Delia returned the smile and nodded. "Yes, I think we can." She glanced towards the sea, and sighed. "I'm a bit talked out now," she declared. "Do you mind if we take a break?"

Patsy laughed. "Absolutely not."

"Good. It's time for a paddle. Are you coming?"

"Definitely not. I will be quite happy sitting here, enjoying a cigarette, thank you very much."

"You don't know what you're missing," Delia told her as she reached up under her dress to release her stockings. She grinned impishly when she heard Patsy's breath catch. "Something on your mind?"

"You are a terrible flirt, Delia."

"I know. And I'm making the most of it right now before I have to return to being polite and formal in your presence."

Patsy shook her head in amusement. "I am not complaining," she teased back, enjoying the freedom they had. She was delighted that she managed to get Delia to blush in return.

When Delia returned from the water's edge, the two women went to the pier for bingo and tea. Patsy could not understand why Delia was so insistent on playing, and after her losses in the arcade, had no expectations. It was a welcome surprise when she won on more than one occasion.

Eventually, as the evening drew in and the light failed, the two women headed back to the train station in order to return back to the Nurses Home.

There was an odd awkwardness as the two women ended up in Patsy's room. After the freedom to openly discuss starting something together, the familiar surroundings pulled them rudely back into reality. Patsy felt strangely paralysed again, and it was frustrating given how much they had talked. "Night cap?" She offered.

"No," Delia replied softly.

Patsy looked at the shorter woman questioningly. She was certain that Delia would want to extend the day for as long as possible. "No?"

Delia shook her head as she closed the distance between them and reached up to caress the blonde woman's cheek. "It's not a night cap I need right now," she whispered. She leaned up and kissed Patsy's lips softly.

To be continued...