An: thanks for reading, reviews loved whilst next chapter is in progress

XxX

Abigail said she wanted to speak to Sister Julienne alone so Patrick and Shelagh went to go and find Tim who sat in the sitting room with Angela and Trixie.

"Whatever happened?" Trixie questioned concerned as both of them looked exhausted.

"There was a house fire, a man and his daughter were inside. The man died but his daughter who little over 13 is alive but I believe is in shock. She is here speaking with Sister Julienne." Patrick explained.

"Are you okay, Shelagh?"

Shelagh nodded. "I knew the girl's father..."

"I'm sorry..."

"She doesn't have any other family that I know of. Andrew had a brother I think but died in 1944..." She sighed. "The only people she has now is the household staff, poor girl."

Patrick noticed his wife's Scottish accent becoming stronger, the way it always did when she was worried. He gently took her hand. "Apparently Andrew came to Poplar because he wanted to tell Shelagh something..."

They were interrupted then as Sister Julienne walked into the room.

"Abigail is to stay here at Nonnatus until further notice..." She explained. "She thanks you both for being kind and would tell you herself but is a bit upset right now. If you wouldn't mind taking her to a spare room Nurse Franklin she's just outside."

Trixie nodded before leaving the room.

"Abigail says she hopes to speak to you when she feels better in herself." She carried on. "She says she does not wish you to see her whilst she's upset."

"Thank you for taking care of her sister..."

"She's a child and she doesn't have any family...I think right now she needs to know that there are people who care about her." She gave Shelagh a reassuring smile. "Maybe you should all go home and get some rest."

"I agree." Patrick stood. "It's been quite a day."

XxX

"If you need anything at all don't be afraid to ask me, you can call me Trixie. The other nurses are Barbara Gilbert and Patsy Mount. They're both very nice too." Trixie held a door open for Abigail. "The others nuns are Sister Evangelina, careful of her she's a bit of grumpy so and so but lovely really. Sister Winifred, a quiet one. Then there's is Sister Monica Joan now she is a little eccentric but a sweetheart if you know her well enough."

Abigail said nothing she simply walked over to the bed slowly before the tears she was holding back started falling uncontrollably. Trixie rushed over to comfort her putting her arms around the young girl.

"I'm sorry." Abigail apologised. "I'm sorry, what must you think..."

Trixie put her hand to her face. "I think you are a very brave young girl, do not think you need to be brave all the time. If you need to cry you cry okay?"

"I want my Dad..."

"I know you do sweetie. I know you do."

"I don't know what to do now..."

"It's still early Abigail. Give it time."

Abigail managed a small, weak smile. "You can call me Abi, my dad did..."

XxX

Shelagh couldn't sleep, even when she had nodded off her slumber had been far from peaceful. That's why she found herself sat in her living room at four o'clock in the morning replaying the first 16 years of her life in her head. Skipping over any bits she did not wish to remember.

"Shelagh?" Her husband's voice brought her back to reality. "What are you doing?"

"I couldn't sleep." She admitted. "What are you doing here? I didn't wake you did I?"

"No..." He shook his head. "I was just worried to wake and find you gone."

He took a seat beside her and moved his arm for her to snuggle into his side which she did without saying a word.

"You're worried about Abigail." He broke the silence.

Shelagh knew she'd put it off long enough and began explaining the whole story to him. How Andrew and his wife had helped her when her father had passed away. How they'd lost touch but she still thought of him, and Abigail as family deep down.

"I feel like I should protect her, Patrick." She admitted. "We are very similar I guess, even though I hardly know her I can tell. We both try and hide our feelings to protect others...and when I looked at her, when I looked in her eyes I saw someone who was more of 25 than 13...that's what her father said to me when I was younger I can see it in her."

He kissed the top of his wife's head not wanting to upset with further questions. "The sister's will look after her. The post strike has delayed deliveries so Andrew's letter is still yet to arrive."

"I can't think what he would've wanted."

"A question that keeps coming to me is how the fire itself started."

Shelagh suddenly realised she hadn't thought about that. "I don't know..."

"I'm sure we'll find out in the morning..."

"It is the morning."

He gave a small smile. "Oh yes you're right. I'm not used to being up so early."