For everyone who has reviewed this so far

'Patrick! How lovely to see you! Come on in.' Emily Baker swung open her from door to see her dear friend standing before her, a smile wider than she had seen in many years across his face.

'Actually Em I'm not alone today.' He helped out a hand and pulled Shelagh to him into Emily's line of sight. She gaped gazing between Patrick and the blonde woman she was so sure was Sister Bernadette. A smile spread across her face.
'Well... I think you'd both better come in then. I'm Emily Baker.' She extended a hand to the blonde.
'Shelagh Mannion. Thank you.' They walked in, Patrick helped Shelagh off with her coat before striding through to the living room as if it were second nature. Briefly Shelagh wondered quite how much time the man she loved had spent with this widow he was apparently such good friends with. The not long gone flicker of jealousy appeared once more in her belly but she dismissed it. Patrick loved her. He'd explained how he had no interest in the beautiful woman beside her.
'Sit down sit down. Would you like a cup of tea Miss Mannion?'
'Yes please. And please... call me Shelagh.'
'Then you must call me Emily. I'll just be a moment.' Emily walked out.
'She seems nice.'
'She is. But you have nothing to worry about-yes I saw that moment of jealousy.' He chuckled.
'Sorry. I do trust you. But she's very beautiful.'
'Not as beautiful as you my love.' He raised her hand to kiss her knuckles. She smiled.
'Thank you. You seem very familiar to here.' She said bringing their hands down between them.
'As I said she and Marie were best friends. I spent many hours with Tim in here trying to amuse ourselves as the women cackled away.'
'Ah.' Emily walked back in with a tray of drinks and smiled at the pair sat so close together, hands entwined.
'Looks like you two have a rather interesting story to tell. You finally got your girl Patrick. Congratulations.'
'Thank you.'
'So. Tell me everything.' She grinned

Many minutes later the pair finished up their tale beaming at each other.
'I am so sorry Shelagh.' Emily frowned. 'I never wanted to get in between the two of you. I can't imagine how horrible that mixture have been for you.'
'Thank you. It wasn't pleasant I'll admit but I know neither of you intended for the gossip. If anything I should be grateful to you for looking after Patrick and helping him these past few months. And thank you for being so understanding. Not everyone would be so open to their late best friends widower dating again.'
'I miss Marie every day but she wanted her boys to be be happy. She wanted Timothy to have a mother. You make them happy. Timothy adores you already. I truly couldn't be happier for the pair of you.' Emily leant and took her new friends hand in her own, squeezing it reassuringly
'Thank you. We're rather happy aren't we my love.' Patrick beamed raising her other hand to his lips again.
'Very happy indeed. Never happier.'
'If you will permit me to say…you're exceptionally beautiful Shelagh. That habit did nothing for you. Trust Patrick to find a hidden beauty.'
'Thank you.' Shelagh blushed. The clock chimed. She looked up and gasped. 'Oh dear, I promised Sister Julienne I wouldn't stay out for more than three hours. I've been gone four already. They'll be back from the hospital soon.'
'We'd better get you home then. Thanks for the tea Emily.' Patrick stood, pulling his love up with him.
'Yes thank you. It was lovely to meet you.'
'The honour was mine Shelagh.' Emily smiled as she too stood and took Shelagh into her arms. 'I hope we can spend more time together, I'd like for us to be friends.'
'I'd like that.'

They raced through the streets of Poplar, pulling up outside Nonnatus House with a sigh as they realised they had beaten the nuns.
'Quick let's get you curled up on the sofa with a cup of Horlicks and no one need know I kept you out too long.'
'Patrick I am an adult and they are not my parents. If I come home late they aren't going to ground me. They just want me to be safe. They trust me, and you. If I stay out an hour longer than intended it'll be okay.'
'Nevertheless I don't want to risk being on the receiving end of Sister Evangelina's wrath so move it.'
'Yes Doctor.'

'There. Nice and comfy?'

'I am sure there was no need to tuck me into the settee with blankets.' Shelagh play scowled at him. He grinned at her from his crouched position in front of her
'You can never be too careful my love. We've got to get you fighting fit asap. We need our Nurse Mannion. Poplar has suffered without you.'
'I've missed it too.'
'Shelagh.. I'm so glad you're well again. I was so scared.'
'I know you were darling. But I'm cured now. I'm getting better.'

'I just love you so much Shelagh. I couldnt bear losing you.'

'I love you too my beautiful man.' She leaned forward and curled her arms around his neck. 'You're never going to lose me.' She smiled before pressing her lips to his in a slow kiss. The next couple of minutes passed similarly, the pair only parting so Patrick so move up onto the settee next to her. So wrapped up in each other they were that neither noticed the growing noise of several excitable nurses and happy nuns walking up the steps outside and entering the room.

'Ahem!' Sister Evangelina cleared her throat noisily. The pair flew apart blushing. They had gotten rather more invested in the embrace than originally intended and their behaviour wasn't quite correct, or gentlemanly on his part.

'I know not why you colour so. Love is beautiful and should not be shielded.' Sister Monica Joan said as she settled on a nearby seat, instantly losing herself in her discarded knitting.

'How is Chummy?' Shelagh asked ignoring the nun.

'Recovering. Ecstatic. In love with her son.' Trixie beamed.

'Oh I am glad.'

'That is a relief for sure. Sisters might I have a word with you in private?' Patrick turned to Sisters Julienne and Evangelina smiling.'

'Of course. Just the two of us?'

'Yes.'

'Okay. Come on through.'

Important stuff will happen in that office. Just a heads up.

Reviews appreciated xxx