Façades

Chapter Three

Authors note: a few people have asked me to upload another chapter so here it is.

I want to apologise for the abominable spelling, grammar and structure mistakes in the last chapter. I am so bad at proof reading, but I am thankfully getting better as I'm halfway through my first year at uni studying creative writing. I will try better this time.

Any mistakes are my own…I do not own Call the Midwife, the BBC does ect

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Someone was shaking her.

Trixie sat bolt upright, her back and neck protesting at the sudden movement. Her heart was hammering against her chest, partly from being jerked awake and partly due to the dream she had. About Patsy….laying for hours outside in the pouring rain….no one had found her…she died with no one around her, cold and alone….

"Trixie, are you awake?"

Pressing her knuckles to her eyes, Trixie rubbed the sleep from them and tried her best to slow her erratic breathing and heartrate. She blinked, at last focusing on her human alarm clock. Sister Mary Cynthia was crouched down, her face creased with concern and worry.

"Patsy?..." Trixie trailed off, she could see a bare sofa where the redhead was unconscious just minute's ago-wait. How long had she been asleep for? She glanced over at the clock on the mantleplace. She had been asleep for nearly three hours. "Sister, where is Patsy?" she couldn't stop the panic, the anger, the anxiety from her voice. Her fingers gripped the blanket that was draped around her.

Sister Mary Cynthia flinched as if she had been struck. Trixie instantly felt bad, she smiled softly and tried to ease her expression.

"Patsy has been taken to the London, we were worried about the swelling on her head when the cut is. Her breathing was becoming laboured, Doctor Turner thinks she has contracted pneumonia. Her skin was becoming pale and she was sweating even though she was cold to the touch. She hadn't woken up, we couldn't rouse her." The young nun informed her.

Adrenaline and anger shot through her veins. She sprang to her feet and paced the room, digging her nails into her hips to try and calm herself down. "Why was I not told? Why didn't you wake me, you said you would if she got worse! Why didn't someone wake me up?!"" she stopped, her eyes clouding over with tears. She was aching after being curled up on the sofa for a long period of time. But she couldn't sit down, she wouldn't be able to move. It felt as if the whole world was crashing around her. Everything was crumbling and she didn't know what to do.

Sister Mary Cynthia rushed over to her and enveloped her in a hug. Trixie allowed herself to crumble and let the sobs take over. She thought for a brief moment that her knees were going to give way, but Sister Mary Cynthia kept her upright. It was comforting, having someone to hold her. She never normally let her defence down, never let anyone see her fall apart. But it was different with Cynthia. They had been through so much together. It was Cynthia who welcomes her into Nonnatus House. They had become instant friends. Trixie was worried their friendship would cease to exist when Cynthia entered into the religious life, but she was proved wrong. They still were friends. They still pulled each other through. They were there if one of them ever needed a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold.

Finally, she pulled herself together. Trixie wiped her tears away and smiled apologetically at her friend. Cynthia took her hands and squeezed them gently.

"Trixie, Patsy went downhill very quickly. A decision had to be made and we all thought it was best for her to go to hospital. Patsy might had quite a serious head injury, she had concussion. She will be well looked after at the London, you know she will." Sister Mary Cynthia said gently, rubbing circles on the back of her hands.

Trixie nodded, feeling all the anger seep out of her. She knew first hand at how situations can change in the blink of an eye. And Patsy was most important. Now her life was at risk.

"I want to see her."

Sister Mary Cynthia squeezed her hands again. "Trixie, it's getting late, I'm not sure the hospital staff will let you in. we still need to locate Patsy's family to let them know what has happened. Sister Julienne said-"

Trixie yanked her hands away. "I don't care what Sister Julienne said! I don't care if the hospital staff won't let me in! I need to see her Cynthia, you don't understand!" she stepped away and closed her eyes to stop any more tears from falling.

"I do understand Trixie."

Guilt flooded though her. She always pushed everyone away when she most needed them. She always got angry when she wasn't in control. She couldn't afford to lose her friends at Nonnatus, she didn't know what she would do without them.

A hand was laid on her arm. "I'll come to the London with you." Sister Mary Cynthia spoke so softly, as if she was a child and was easily spooked.

At that moment in time, she did feel like a child. She needed help. She needed to be strong for Patsy.

Trixie turned on her heel, wiped any remaining tears away and smiled. "Now?" she whispered.

Sister Mary Cynthia was smiling gently. "Yes Trixie. But we need to let Sister Julienne know where we are going."

Trixie frowned, panic rising up. "Who's with Patsy?" her voice broke slightly but she held her resolve. She wouldn't allow herself to keep bursting into tears.

"Doctor Turner went with her. She's in safe hands."

Trixie breathed out in relief. At least Patsy wouldn't be alone if she woke up.

"How about you go and get cleaned up. And I'll go and inform Sister Julienne where we're going." Sister Mary Cynthia said. Trixie smiled and made to leave the room. "Oh Trixie. Can you pack up some of Patsy's belongings? We can take them with us."

Trixie nodded and scurried from the room and up the stairs. She quickly sorted herself out and packed Patsy a small case containing her clothes and various other items. Deciding to keep her uniform on as it might help her get into the hospital and see Patsy. She could always rely on her uniform to protect her and demand she gets what she wanted. It had an air of authority and determination, which is what she needed.

She paused, glancing around the room she shared with the redhead. Memories came flooding back…when Barbara first came to Nonnatus and they danced together…all their chats…when Trixie cried herself to sleep and Patsy held her until sleep took her…when Patsy had one of their nightmares and she comforted her friend…when Patsy told her about the imprisonment camp in Singapore and she told Patsy about her childhood and her father…when Patsy first moved into Nonnatus...

Shaking her head, she walked firmly out of the room, deciding to leave the bedside lamps on. She knew she would put off going to bed for as long as she can until her body demands she get some sleep.

Flying down the stairs, she met both Cynthia and Sister Julienne.

"Nurse Franklin, Sister Mary Cynthia had told me that you want to go to the London-"

Trixie cut in. "Sister, I know its late and everything. But I just need to see her. I need to make sure she is alright for my own peace of mind. If I simply ring, they won't give me any information because we aren't her blood relation." She was almost surprised at her tone of voice, it was so steady, so calm.

Sister Julienne took her hands and held them tightly. "I understand Nurse Franklin. If you need to see Patsy then that's what you'll do. We are her family. But you must let us know her condition as soon as possible. There has been no word from Doctor Turner as of yet."

Trixie nodded and opened her mouth to say thank you, when there was a knock at the door. Sister Mary Cynthia said she would answer it and tiptoed away. Trixie followed the young nun to collect her things, whilst saying thank you to Sister Julienne.

"Have you seen Patsy? Is she home?" the welsh voice carried down the hallway and Trixie recognised it immediately. She ran over to the door and looked the woman up and down.

"Delia! What are you doing here?"

"I haven't heard from Patsy. We had an argument earlier on and I want to make sure she's alright. Is she home?" Delia looked behind them, as if to conjure the redhead nurse out of nowhere.

"Delia…" Trixie stepped forward and ushered the younger woman into the hallway. She could hear the rain cut off as Cynthia closed the door. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."

The colour drained from Delia's face. "What-what's happened to her? Is she alright? Is she here?" there was a tremor in her voice, unshed tears began to fill her eyes.

Trixie's heart broke as she reached out and took Delia's' shaking hands. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked the Welshwoman dead in the eye.

"Patsy is in hospital."

A/N argh I can't believe I did this to our Patsy and Delia! Let me know what you think. PLEASE don't hate me, I will make sure everything works out for the best….or will I? *evil laugh, rubs hands together*

Thank you for reading. Please review.