Chapter Two.

Thank you for the kind reviews. Don't know where this is going.

Bernadette was fortunately well for Christmas. She and her sisters found it a deeply spiritual time. She had always felt at peace with her choice to be a nun, living in community and serving their neighbours. But now she was troubled.

She was cycling the short distance to the parish hall, to prepare everything for ante-natal clinic. The same questions had been crowding her thoughts for days now. Why did she feel drawn to Doctor Turner? Was it just that he reminded her of her father twenty years ago, newly widowed like he was? Why did she want to help him – so very, very much?

Her novice mistress had always taught her to "tell herself another story", if unholy thoughts should come into her mind. But Bernadette had never really needed to do this. She had been lucky in some respects, until now.

"Perhaps I'm being tested in some way," she thought, "I must just keep putting him out of my mind, and then all will be well." But she did not feel well. She felt utterly alone and wretched. She wanted things...that she couldn't have.

She was the first to arrive in the hall, and started to unpack some of the equipment in the kitchen. As she did so, she remembered her recent meeting in the office with Sister Julienne and Evangelina. They were worried because she and Doctor Turner had been left alone together that night in the infirmary.

"But I can't even remember anything about it," Sister Bernadette had assured them, trying not to sound exasperated, "and anyway, you know you can trust Doctor Turner, he's a true professional.

And for that matter, I'm hardly going to be any kind of a temptation to a man am I?" she had added.

The two older sisters had exchanged looks at this.

"Well, actually Sister Bernadette," said Sister Evangelina curtly, "that is irrelevant. Nun's don't show their hair and that's that! A woman's hair is her crowning glory, and we have chosen to give all that up. Everything we are is for God and only Him."

"I know that Sister, but it was all an accident, and it won't happen again."

"Yes, well, it had better not. And for the record, you are not unattractive Sister. I have often thought that your eyes are just a little too...doll-like for your own good!" And with that she had bustled out of the room.

"I'm sorry if we have upset you Sister," said Sister Julienne, "you have done absolutely nothing wrong, but do take care won't you?" The Sister-in-charge looked kindly at her. Bernadette had felt rather uncomfortable under that all-knowing gaze of hers.

Now, she was wondering where the other midwives were. It was nearly time to open the clinic. The sound of footsteps assured her they had arrived at last and she continued with her work. Absorbed in what she was doing, she did not notice Doctor Turner standing by the door watching her.

She looked up,

"Greetings Doctor" she said trying not to look startled.

"Hello Sister Bernadette," he said kindly. "I'm very glad to see you are well now."

"I'm very well now thank you."

"Burns all healed up?"

"Yes indeed they are."

"I hope there wasn't any...trouble... over the lack of chaperone the other evening? I explained to Sister Julienne that I just didn't recognise you at first."

She found herself wondering again what he had thought of her without her veil. Perhaps he had thought nothing at all. Or maybe she had looked a sight.

"I shouldn't be thinking like this. I shouldn't mind," she thought.

"Well...perhaps just a little trouble, but all is fine now," she said softly, unable to resist looking his way.

"Good. By the way, you'll be pleased to hear that the Department are sending round another sterlizer tomorrow."

He seemed reluctant to move and stood very still, smoking his cigarette. She didn't want him to leave. But after a few minutes, work beckoned.

......

Trixie was not happy with Mrs Jones' blood pressure, so she called over to Doctor Turner from behind the screens. He checked the young lady's blood pressure too, and they agreed that it needed keeping a close eye on.

After the young pregnant woman had left, Trixie couldn't resist saying,

"I must say, she was very pretty. Reminded me a bit of Deborah Kerr."

"Oh, was she? Can't say I noticed," said Doctor Turner who was filling in the patient's notes.

"Mind you, there's someone here who's much more beautiful than Mrs Jones. Only that's a secret!" she said naughtily, looking over at Sister Bernadette who was at that moment weighing a baby on the other side of the hall. He followed her eyes and realised what she meant.

"Nurse, I'll thank you to speak more respectfully of Sister Bernadette! Nuns don't need that kind of beauty. They have something much more important. 'Beauty is as beauty does,' isn't that how the saying goes?" he sounded rather annoyed.

"Well, I was only chatting, no need for a sermon on the subject!" countered Trixie. She flounced off to call the next patient.

Doctor Turner surreptitiously watched the young nun pick up the delighted baby and cradle him in her arms. Now that really was a beautiful sight he thought.

"What a natural!" he murmured.