Break

by nowseehere

Patience Mount is the senior nurse at the Nonnatus Clinic. She's also the stressed out, grouchy, bitch of the office with unhealthy coping mechanisms that everyone knows to stay the hell away from at all times. Fresh out of nursing school, Delia Busby is thrown into this mess of a woman's life, and is instantly resented. Who is this sniveling kid with her sloppy uniform and cheery

10. Chapter 10

It was Saturday night.

Patsy lay on her lounge floor alone, with the exception of George, of course, slowly smoking a cigarette as she listened to her new record, staring at the blank white ceiling and recalling the events of the last few days.

Patsy placed the cigarette in her mouth and pulled in the hot smoke, releasing it in a fine white line that swirled above her head. She watched as the smoke vanished and narrowed her eyes, feeling annoyed. Angry. Frustrated. With herself mostly, of course. It was her own poor behavior that had gotten her here.

She and Delia had had a fight the night before.

Patsy knew it was all her fault too. She was dragging her feet and being stubborn and she completely deserved this punishment.

Ignored. That's what it was. She was being ignored. No talking, no seeing one another, no texting. Not until she came to her senses, as Delia put it.

Well, Patsy had been alone for so much of her life that she could handle a few days away without talking to anyone. She had George and her music to keep her company anyway.

She didn't need anyone, she reasoned to herself as she took another long drag of her cigarette. She liked the quiet. She liked not having to answer to anyone, to not be bothered to talk about things she didn't really want to talk about. Delia had been getting on her nerves anyway, always asking the same questions every day.

When will you call? When are you going to do it? When are you going to take care of this?

Patsy exhaled her smoke in a long thin line that disappeared above her head again, making a dissatisfied grunt.

She was used to being alone.

She was not used to being in a relationship, if that's what this was. She wasn't used to having to consider someone else's feelings. She wasn't used to having someone care enough about her to want her to fulfilll the promises she had made to herself. To hold her accountable when it came to matters about her personal life. Her well being.

Patsy grumbled, her consternation growing, an unsettling feeling weighing heavy in her chest as she thought over their spat the night before. There was really only one way to fix this and she really didn't want to do it. She was being foolish, and she knew it.

This all started the day after they had returned from Scotland, a little over a week ago now, and continued on each day thereafter, Delia always asking if she had done any research, reached out to anyone, made any appointments.

Of course Patsy hadn't. She didn't want to. She wanted to get back to work and take baby steps to make those changes that she needed to make. Which she had.

The evening they returned, Patsy had dropped Delia off at her flat, both of them making a rule not to talk or text that evening, recognizing that time apart was important. It was tough, of course, as Patsy had grown to quite like falling asleep and waking up with Delia next to her, but deep down she knew they both needed to take care of some things. Delia wanted to catch up with her friends and flatmates and Patsy had some things to take care of on her own, which she started as soon as she returned the car back to the clinic.

She hadn't intended to speak with Phyllis that night, but it was all too opportune when she happened to catch the woman as she was leaving the office for the evening. Patsy walked in only to return the keys, but they found themselves the only two in the office as Phyllis was making her rounds, locking up and making sure everything was set for the next day.

'I know it's been a long day for you,' Patsy started, 'we can certainly wait until tomorrow?'

'Nonsense,' Phyllis replied, 'everyone is gone for the day anyway. What better time to talk than now, hmm? No interruptions.'

So the two settled into Phyllis' office and Patsy paced the room, one hand on her hip as the other found its way to her mouth and she chewed on a cuticle. She had all day in the car to think about what she wanted to say and now that the moment was upon her she had no idea how to start.

'Patsy.'

Patsy turned her head towards Phyllis as she was caught off guard by the pleading tone in the woman's' voice with a gaze to match.

'What is it, kid?'

Patsy swallowed a lump in her throat and stopped her pacing, Phyllis' caring gaze having her feeling completely disarmed. She felt she could be really honest with the woman, so Patsy took a deep breath and did just that.

'Phyllis, I'm stressed out,' Patsy paused for a moment to consider her words, 'This, um… this impromptu trip has kind of made me realize that I need to take better care of myself, and I just…,' she trailed off and shrugged shyly, 'I was wondering if we could sit down soon and go over my schedule, maybe make it so I have a few days off every month to just decompress and, I don't know, recharge my batteries,' she said scratching her head, 'I feel like a lot of the time I'm running on fumes, and while I think I'm able to hold everything together professionally, it's devastated my personal life and I just need to start taking time for myself to find that balance again…' Patsy trailed off, looking to Phyllis nervously as she gauged her reaction.

Phyllis took an audible sigh of relief and Patsy watched curiously as the senior nurse physically relaxed where she sat.

'Oh, is that all?' She asked, 'I was afraid you were going to quit.'

Patsy shook her head with a smirk, 'Phyllis, I love this job. I assure you I'm not quitting and have never thought to do so, it's just…' Patsy shrugged, 'I just need more time for myself. I need more breaks.'

Phyllis nodded, smiling slightly as she sat back in her chair.

'Breaks, hmm? So what kind of schedule change were you thinking?'

Patsy shrugged, 'I haven't taken a vacation in almost two years. I think I have enough leave saved up to take off every other Friday.'

'So that's what you want? A three day weekend every other week?'

'If it's doable, yes. If you don't think the clinic would suffer in my absence every other week.'

Phyllis nodded and leaned against her desk, resting on her elbows as she interlocked her fingers, 'Patsy, I'm more than happy to accommodate you, it's just,' she looked up in thought, 'I'm just concerned with who is going to cover for you when you do take these days off?'

'I thought you might bring that up,' Patsy said as she began her pacing again, though this time she was all business as she spoke, 'so with your approval I was thinking I could take on one of the other nurses.'

'Hallelujah,' Phyllis griped as she sat back in her chair.

Patsy playfully rolled her eyes as Phyllis' reaction, 'Trixie seems to be stretched a bit thin mentoring the other three. Looking after them and getting on with her own work seems to be affecting her performance.'

'So I've noticed,' Phyllis added with a nod.

'Not that she's neglecting her patients, mind, but she could spare some attention to her administrative duties. And I don't like how laxidasical she's been with her training, though that's partially my fault for not taking it on myself,' Patsy gave a resounding sigh with her hands on her hips, 'In any case, if I'm to take any time off I want her to be the one to take over for me when I'm out. Faults aside she's an outstanding nurse and midwife. Better than me, I reckon.'

'You both have your strengths,' Phyllis interjected, but Patsy waved her off.

'So if I'm to lighten Trixies load a little, who do you think I should take on?' Patsy asked.

Phyllis shrugged, 'I suppose that depends on who you think needs the most help.'

Patsy nodded, a little unwilling to admit that she had no interest before in paying attention to the other nurses individual performance, though she wasn't completely blind.

'I feel like both Val and Lucille are strong nurses in their own right. I want to keep them together as a team because from what I observed they play off each other well.'

'I agree,' Phyllis nodded.

'So that really leaves Barbara, who honestly is a good nurse and very much liked by the patients…' Patsy trailed off, recalling the last time she had an interaction about Barbara it was over the woman's shoddy skills when it came to cleaning the instruments properly, and cleaning things properly was a strength Patsy flourished in.

'I think Barbara would do well to be under your charge, Patsy,' Phyllis said, 'I agree with you she is a very good midwife and is well respected and liked by the patients…' she trailed off, her hand rubbing her chin as she searched for the words, 'it's just that I think some of her skills could use a little tweaking.'

'My thoughts exactly,' Patsy nodded.

'Trixie won't be happy,' Phyllis warned.

Patsy shrugged, 'I'll talk to her. Besides, it's because they're so chummy with one another that that's the reason why Trixie lets Barbara slide with a lot of her responsibilities. It'll be best for both of them in the end, I think.'

Phyllis sighed, 'I suppose you're right.'

The clock on the wall chimed, alerting the two in the room that it was 8pm.

'I've kept you long enough, Phyllis,' Patsy said, 'this was all I really wanted to discuss for now anyway.'

Phyllis nodded, 'I'm glad you did. I'll have Barbara and Trixie in here first thing to go over what we discussed, and then you and I can go more in depth into your schedule change.'

Patsy smiled, 'Thanks Phyllis. I appreciate that.'

'You go on ahead,' Phyllis said, waiving Patsy off, 'I have one or two things left to tidy up and I'll be out for the night.'

Patsy gave a resounding nod and reached for the door. Before she could head out, Phyllis called back to her.

'How is Delia, by the way?' Phyllis asked, and Patsy felt her heart jump in her throat at the mention of the smaller woman's name, 'Are you sure she isn't too thrown off by this whole endeavor from working here? I'd hate to think she thinks any of this is normal.'

'She's fine,' Patsy said quickly, 'I saw her home and she's happy to be back,' she continued with as little emotion as possible, not wanting to give anything away, 'says she's looking forward to getting back to work and back to the regular schedule, much like myself.'

'Well that's good to hear, and… Patsy,' Phyllis said, giving her a once over yet again, 'you do look good, you know,' she said, observing the redhead as she stood in the doorway, 'you've got some color in your cheeks and you look well rested.'

Patsy half smiled, feeling a little shy all of a sudden, 'Oh, um, thanks. Suppose I got more sleep than I'm used to while we were stuck up there.'

'I'm glad,' Phyllis smiled warmly at Patsy, and with that the two bid each other a good night.

hr

The next morning, Patsy found herself in Phyllis office after a rather challenging nights sleep without Delia there, and George almost insufferably at her side the entire night as she slept, but she had honestly missed her little man and allowed for him to be as cuddly as he wanted.

Back in freshly pressed scrubs with her hair professionally pinned back, Patsy was joined that morning by Tixie and Barbara, the blonde standing on the opposite side of the room, glaring angrily at Patsy with her arms crossed, while Barbara sat between them nearly in tears.

'I just don't understand what I've done wrong,' Barbara said as she nervously fussed with her hands in her lap.

'Barbara, for the last time this isn't a punishment,' Phyllis sighed, almost exasperated, as it still wasn't clicking with the junior nurse that this was merely a change in management for her.

'Don't worry sweetie, we'll still be working together,' Trixie cooed, sitting in the chair next to Barbara and placing a comforting hand over hers, 'you'll just report to Patsy from now on. She'll be the one giving you your reviews and training.'

'But she's so mean,' Barbara leaned over and whispered just loud enough for Patsy to hear.

The redhead closed her eyes so no one could see her roll them to the back of her head. She was beginning to feel as if she were in a custody battle instead of a staff meeting.

'Barbara,' Patsy started softly, placing her hands in her hips as she looked at the two women sitting across from Phyllis, 'Trixie has enough on her plate training the three of you along with her other duties. This is to help her more than it is a reflection on your work, though Phyllis and I believe you could stand some refresher training sessions alongside Delia a few times a week.'

Patsy looked to Phyllis for confirmation and the senior nurse nodded in agreement.

'In any case, Trixie is right, almost nothing is going to change.'

Barbara gave a defeated sigh, 'Well, I suppose it'll be alright if Delia is there too…'

Patsy raised an eyebrow. Had Delia and Barbara already become friends in the short time Delia had been working there? She briefly wondered if she was friends with everyone else, and wondered about anything else she had missed out on when she wasn't blatantly ignoring or caring about anyone else's feelings.

'Go have your tea and start your rounds, kid,' Phyllis said, 'I need to talk to these two alone.'

Barbara nodded, and with a rather sad shuffle, made her way out of the office and closed the door behind her.

Trixie crossed her arms where she sat as seethed at Patsy, 'Still don't see why you couldn't have taken one of the others,' she spat.

Patsy shrugged, 'What difference does it make to you? You said so yourself you're still going to be working alongside one another.'

'But I like Barbara! I like being her supervisor,' Trixie whined.

'Oh so you don't like Valerie and Lucille?' Patsy challenged smartly with a smirk.

'I didn't say that!' Trixie huffed, 'Barbara is just my favorite,' she mumbled, looking away and shrugging slightly, 'what's with this sudden change anyway? I thought you didn't want to train or work with anyone ever?'

Patsy stuck her hands in her pockets and shrugged, 'Had a change of heart.'

Trixie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

'Besides, you know Barbara has the potential to become a great nurse and midwife. She just needs a little extra care with her training is all, and I know your workload is too much at the moment to see her reach that potential.'

'I just don't know why you're so invested, honestly. You never cared before,' Trixie said, still eyeing Patsy.

Patsy faltered, not quite sure what to say, but thankfully Phyllis spoke up, taking her usual power stance behind her desk of elbows on table with her hands clasped together.

'Nurse Mounts absence these last few days has been a real eye opener here for us at the clinic, wouldn't you say?' Phyllis asked hypothetically, eyeing Trixie.

Trixie blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she uncrossed her arms.

'Now, this isn't to say we wouldn't have been able to eventually carry on without her and Nurse Busby,' Phyllis continued, 'but it was very challenging for our team to get on without the two of them, and they were only gone four work days!'

Patsy watched as Trixie bashfully nodded, and Patsy raised a curious eyebrow, wondering just what kind of chaos happened here while she and Delia were away.

'We need to be able to operate around here more smoothly, like clockwork, without the presence of Nurse Mount or Nurse Busby, or anyone else for that matter who suddenly needs to take off for whatever reason.'

The two women watched as Phyllis sat back in her chair with its signature squeak.

'Trixie, you and Nurse Mount are the best nurses I have here. Best nurses I've ever worked with, I daresay. Valerie and Lucille are coming up well right behind you, both strong nurses in their own right. I feel leaving them in your charge won't be as difficult knowing that they will need little oversight so you can focus on your duties.'

'So what, are you saying I'm rubbish at training? Is that what this is all about?' Trixie pouted.

'No, she's not saying that and for the record, I was the one who suggested it,' Patsy interjected, 'besides, we all know Barbara could use a bit more attention when it comes to developing her professional skills and Phyllis has been begging me to take on more training responsibilities for months now,' Patsy shrugged, 'I feel like this isn't only more fair to you, but it'll take the load off everyone all around once she and Delia are up to speed and can work on their own.'

Trixie still didn't look pleased, but pursed her lips as nodded.

'In any event,' Phyllis continued, 'we could all stand to be better professionally, one way or another,' she said, eyeing Patsy before she turned her attention back to Trixie, 'and we will not always be able to rely on Nurse Mounts presence here, because we should anticipate her taking time off every now and again in the foreseeable future, Trixie. Time off that she has earned and deserves.'

Trixie raised an eyebrow, looking as if she didn't quite understand but chose not to question it.

The phone on Phyllis' desk rang noisily, interrupting the quiet atmosphere in the room.

'I think we're all done here for now,' Phyllis said as she let the phone ring, 'you two get on with your rounds.'

Trixie and Patsy nodded and headed for the door, Phyllis finally picking up the phone, ceasing the annoying ring

'Oh, Patsy,'

Patsy turned to look back at Phyllis.

'It really is good to have you back, kid,' Phyllis finished as she brought the phone to her ear and carried on her conversation.

Patsy couldn't help but smile as she left the office and closed the door behind her. She paused as she found Trixie standing beside her, looking right at her.

'I'm still not happy about this,' Trixie moped, 'I mean, I'm coming around to the idea, but I'm still not happy about it.'

'Trix, really, what do you think is going to happen?'

'Just don't blow up at my precious angel, OK?' Trixie asked, 'she's clumsy. I don't think she could take being hollered at without breaking down crying.

'Patience is literally my name,' Patsy said with a cheeky smile.

'Oh, like you ever live up to it. You blow at the drop of a hat… or of tea spilling in your office, if I remember clearly from the last time the whole staff heard you laying into poor Delia.'

Patsy sighed, her heart sinking with regret at the memory.

'In any case, just be good to my Barbara. She's an innocent.'

'iYour/i Barbara?' Patsy repeated incredulously with a raised eyebrow.

'No seriously,' Trixie continued, 'she's pure as the driven snow.'

Patsy sighed thinking she could do without the imagery of snow after looking at so much of it over the last few days.

'Val once asked her what the dirtiest thing she's ever done with a man was, and she said gardening.'

Patsy stifled a laugh, 'Oh my.'

'I know! And when Val clarified and asked what was the dirtiest thing she had done in bed, she said eat an entire bag of Doritos with her friends at a slumber party once.'

Patsy sighed, 'Trix, first of all, do you really think I'm the type of person to tell crude jokes to a coworker in a professional environment?'

Trixie rocked her head back and forth, considering Patsys words.

'And even if I did, it seems like it would all go over her head anyway.'

'Yes, I know but her innocent little ears can only handle so much swearing before she starts crying.'

Patsy brought a hand to her face and sighed, 'Trixie, listen, I'll be on my best behavior, alright?'

'You will?' Trixie

'Yes,' Patsy sighed, hoping she could live up to this promise, 'no yelling or swearing… unless I have a really good reason, but then if Barbara is as sweet and innocent as you say she is I don't think any of it will be directed at her.'

Patsys attention was suddenly pulled from Trixie as a familiar looking brunette walked by the two of them, cheerily whistling as she carried with her two steaming cups of tea. Patsys heart skipped a beat seeing the woman she had spent such a passionate weekend with walk by, her hair swaying back and forth in its neat ponytail. Her scrubs were baggy as ever and Patsy was annoyed that the ill fitting clothing did nothing to deter her attraction from the smaller woman now that she knew what kind of body she had under all those clothes.

'Morning Nurse Franklin!' Delia said as she walked by, not bothering to stop or address Patsy in the slightest, which didn't bother the redhead at all. In fact, she needed to try very hard to hide her smile.

'Morning, Delia,' Trixie replied after her cheerily before returning her gaze to Patsy, 'phew, you must have buggered up with her big time for her to walk by without even so much as a good morning to you.'

Patsy merely shrugged, 'Hey, I'd get sick of me too if I was stuck in a cabin with just myself for five days.'

Trixie smirked as the two of them looked at Delia's retreating form. She headed into Patsy's office and closed the door behind her.

'I suppose it can't be all bad if she's made you a cuppa.'

'Don't be fooled, she's probably made both of them for herself,' Patsy said with a smile and had Trixie eyeing her with her own growing smile.

The blonde woman sighed, 'You know, Pats, maybe you being away wasn't such a bad thing after all,' she gave Patsy a once over, 'whatever it is you're doing to keep you telling jokes and being all positive at work here, you just keep on doing it, alright?'

Patsy blushed and cleared her throat.

'Right, well, I best be on to see what Delia needs…' she trailed off as she turned and headed to her office, leaving Trixie to walk in the opposite direction toward the break room, mumbling about how much she needed her own cuppa right about now.

As Patsy reached the door to her office, she gave a quick look around to make sure no one was nearby before she opened the door. She found Delia sitting in the chair next to her desk, her back to Patsy.

Patsy closed the door behind her and made her way to stand in front of Delia, leaning against the wall as her hands found their way back in her pockets.

Delia said nothing. She simply sipped her tea and took her time looking at Patsy, a slight smile on her features.

The last instructions Patsy had heard from Delia when they parted the night before were no contact. No texting. No talking. Also no touching, though that didn't have to be said while they were here at work, so Patsy kept her distance and kept still with her back against the wall. Merely being in one another's presence, however, wasn't discussed, and Delia was the one to come into her office and sit down after all. Patsy could only presume that she was allowed to at least be near her and look at her.

'Hi,' Delia finally mouthed.

Patsy grinned, feeling butterflies fluttering frantically in her chest as she silently mouthed back 'Hi.'

Delia smiled back and took a moment to sip her tea. Patsy didn't care how long she took, she was happy to just lay eyes on the woman again, to be in the same room.

'You did a good job following all my rules, cariad,' Delia said in a quiet whisper.

'It was very challenging, I assure you,' Patsy replied in the same quiet tone, thinking back to how she tossed and turned the night before so desperately wanting to do something as simple as text Delia a good night message, let alone hear her voice or beg her to come over and hold her until she slept. She ended up leaving her phone in the kitchen so she wouldn't be tempted to look at it in the middle of the night.

Delia nodded in understanding as she placed her tea back down on the desk. Patsys heartbeat quickened in anticipation as she watched Delia reach into her pocket and pull out something she was hiding in her closed fist. With her other hand, Delia hooked her finger, beckoning Patsy to come forward.

'Good girls get special treats for following the rules,' Delia whispered, barely audible.

Patsy smiled and took the step needed to be closer to Delia, the brunette taking Patsy's hand in hers and placing the special item in her hand.

Patsy opened her hand to reveal one small, blue sock.

A slow smile spread across Patsy's face as she looked down at the sock in her hand. She looked back at Delia who was now looking away, merely sipping her tea but there was an unmistakable blush feathered across her cheeks as she tried to hide her own happy smile.

Patsy looked back down at the sock in her hand. She tried not to smile as she bit her lip and tenderly stroked her thumb against the soft fabric. She handled it with care, as if it was something to be treasured. Slowly, she brought the sock to her face, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The gentle scent of Delia's skin and sweat emanated from the soft blue fabric and it triggered several pleasant memories from their time together and a wave of desire rocked her body, so much that she needed to take a step back and lean herself against the wall again to remain upright.

'That's yours to hold onto for today,' Delia said as she rose from her seat.

'It would be my pleasure, darling,' Patsy whispered as she pocketed the sock.

She so desperately wanted to grab Delia and kiss her, it was almost overwhelming how badly she needed to touch the woman in front of her and it looked as if Delia was feeling the same way, judging by the hungry look she was giving Patsy in that moment.

Neither dared reach out to one another, and with a shaky breath, Delia was the first to move, turning and walking to the front of Patsy's desk.

'So,' she said in her normal voice, her eyes scanning the contents of Patsy's desk, which was uncharacteristically littered with files, 'where do we start?'

Patsy sighed, blinking away her arousal as she willed herself to come back down to earth and be professional once more.

She pulled out her chair, the wheels squeaking noisily against the floor.

'How do you feel about visiting the patients on your own this morning?' she asked as she sat down and moved to boot up her computer.

'Really?' Delia stood up straight, looking a little surprised, 'you want me to do it all by myself?'

'You can do it,' Patsy smiled, 'besides, we'll get through all this faster if we split up. I know Trixie is out there too if you really need some help, but otherwise just come and get me if you need a hand.'

Delia waited as Patsy rose from her seat and walked to her files, flipping through them before retrieving the right one.

'Diana Marshall should be first on your list,' Patsy said, handing Delia the file, 'I think she's due for a few immunizations, so just be sure to read over what she needs closely.'

Delia took the file with a bit of trepidation, and Patsy could sense her hesitancy.

'Deels,' Patsy smiled reassuringly, 'you've got this.'

Delia nodded and took a look at the file, 'Oh dear, 2 years old,' she commented as she shut the file.

'What's wrong with that?' Patsy asked curiously.

'Oh, nothing, I just hate making babies cry, which I know will happen if she's due for an immunization,' Delia sighed sadly as she made her way out of the office.

'Barbara knows where the lollies are,' Patsy suggested helpfully.

'Ooh, thanks, I'm going to need a treat after this one,' she winked as she shut the door behind her.

Patsy merely chuckled and shook her head at Delia's silly comment, feeling a little relieved, honestly, that they were able to carry on as normal after everything that had transpired between them over the last few days.

With her computer still humming to life, Patsy sat down and turned her office chair around to face the wall as she pulled out Delia's sock once more. She brought the soft fabric to her nose again, taking in one long breath of air, her mouth immediately watering at the thought of those perfect little toes in her mouth. She didn't know when she and Delia would be alone together again, but it was enough knowing that she was close to her again, that she could go and look at her with her own eyes when she wanted while she was here.

Soon, Patsy pocketed the sock and turned back around to face the mountain of files on her desk, and got to work.

hr

The rest of the day carried on without much incident, as did the following two.

Delia had found out about training with Barbara and was very pleased that Patsy was stepping up her role as mentor, and knowing this made Patsy all the more determined to train the both of them well and keep her patience as she was instructing them, holding her tongue when Delia didn't get something just quite right after the third time or when Barbara displayed her characteristic clumsiness that Trixie had warned her about. Patsy was also subtle thankful that Barbara was there to train with Delia to keep the two of the from getting too distracted.

Patsy also made an effort to slow down and write in print legibly so the others could read her writing. Before she wouldn't had bothered, but she was noticing that slowing down and making these subtle changes was helping the office run more smooth and actually saving time for her and the others in the end.

By early the following week, Patsy was starting to notice that she and the others were consistently getting out of the clinic on time, which made everyone happier.

With her efforts to push training and to just generally have a better attitude at work, Patsy noticed that the entire environment seemed lighter. Less toxic. More fun. She and Phyllis had not fallen into their old habits of quarreling or shouting at one of the poor nurses like they had done in the past, and as a result, Patsy was hearing a lot more chatting and laughter.

Patsy had a sneaking suspicion that Delia had been doing little things to keep her anxiety and temper from flaring. Along with Delia sweetly bringing her a cup of tea every morning, she had also prepared their lunches as she had promised, which they spent their Sunday making together in Patsy's flat, or rather, Delia prepared while Patsy drank wine alongside her and tried not to be caught eating all the cheese. So while thinking about what she was going to eat for lunch was one less thing she needed to worry about now, she also noticed that the break room was always meticulously clean whenever she walked in, which she appreciated and kept her from growing annoyed with the others, who would usually leave it in such a state that would bother Patsy enough for her to drop what she had been doing and clean up after them.

Patsy thought that Delia may have either been cleaning the room herself or had had a sweet chat with the others to start picking up after themselves more. Either way, it did not go unnoticed by Patsy, and she was grateful for it.

As the days carried on, Patsy knew there were still some things she needed to tick off her personal self improvement list, and Delia was around each and every day to remind her of what she had yet to accomplish. Namely exercising every day and reaching out to see a therapist. While she wouldn't harp on Patsy about it, it still drove Patsy crazy, especially since these were the two things on her list that she least wanted to do.

She was able to catch a break one afternoon, feeling rather grumpy as she narrowly avoided being asked yet again by Delia if she had called to see a therapist. She had been pushing it off, because quite frankly old habits were hard to break. Talk to someone about her feelings? Didn't sound like a great way to spend an hour with a stranger, she reckoned. She knew these thoughts were wrong and she knew she would do it eventually, albeit begrudgingly, but she just wasn't ready to take that step. Not yet.

Patsy made some excuse again to Delia about researching someone during lunch before she snuck outside for a cigarette, finding a bundled up Valerie and Trixie also in the alley, chatting with one another as they smoked their own cigarettes.

''lo Patsy,' Valerie called happily, 'Alright?'

Patsy nodded as she walked over to join them, pulling her pack out of her pocket.

'Oh, you dropped something there Pats,' Trixie said.

Patsy looked down to see a familiar looking blue sock on the ground. Much to Patsy's delight, Delia had taken up running every morning before work and had treated her to holding her freshly used sock for the remainder of the day, to which Patsy would hide in her office and smell Delia's scent or tuck her hand in her pocket to feel with her fingers to calm herself if she was feeling stressed.

But in this moment, she was feeling more terrified than delighted as she quickly snatched up the sock from the ground.

'What is that, a sock?' Valerie asked with a teasing smile, 'Is Patsy a free elf?'

'Ah, yeah,' Patsy said with a tense laugh as she shoved it back in her pocket quickly, 'someone left it in an exam room. Must have forgotten to put it in the lost and found. You got a light?' she said, changing the subject.

Trixie flicked her lighter to life and held it out to Patsy, who sucked on her cigarette until it caught.

'Cheers,' she mumbled as she smoked, hoping the sock was forgotten.

'Val here was just telling me that she's taking dancing lessons,' Trixie said.

'Oi,' Valerie quipped, 'I'm not itaking/i them, I'm just covering for my aunt for a few nights. She teaches ballet, so more than likely I'll be overseeing a bunch of four year olds in leotards running around in circles for an hour.'

'Well that still sounds like it could be fun,' Patsy commented encouragingly.

'You want to come and join me?' Valerie asked hopefully, 'would be much more tolerable with another adult to help.'

'Right like I don't get my fill of screaming children here at my actual job,' Patsy quipped, and Valerie sighed dejectedly.

'Sounds a lot more exciting than the aerobics class I teach,' Trixie chimed in.

'You teach aerobics class?' Patsy asked, wide eyed.

'Why the tone of surprise?' Trixie remarked, her hand on her hip.

'No reason, just didn't take you for the type to be, um,' she faltered slightly as Trixie blew out a thick line of cigarette smoke, 'particularly into physical fitness.'

'Well unlike Valerie I actually like a decent excuse to wear a leotard,' she remarked blithely.

Valerie rolled her eyes and took a drag of her own cigarette.

'Besides, the class is so early in the day that it's mostly older folks who sign up for it. I hardly break a sweat most days, which is perfectly fine for me.'

'Ah,' Patsy said in understanding.

'You should come and join me!' Trixie said excitedly with a wide smile, 'I've already got Barbara on board attending the classes. Says it helps her improve her coordination.'

Patsy looked at Trixie incredulously as she sucked on her cigarette.

'Oh don't give me that look. At least I'm doing something that gets me moving.'

'Suppose that's true,' Patsy mumbled.

'Do you work out Patsy?' Valerie asked.

'Um, I'm actually trying to get into the habit, yeah.'

'Oh?' Trixie said, suddenly interested, 'what have you been doing?'

'Oh, this and that,' Patsy looked up in thought, subtly fingering the sock in her pocket and willing herself not to mention the copious amounts of sex she had been having on a near daily basis since the two of them had gotten back to London.

'I suppose it kind of just started when Delia and I were stuck in that cabin. Had to carry her when she sprained her ankle and then I spent a few days cleaning the place from top to bottom and shoveling a ton of snow,' she took a drag of her cigarette before continuing, 'I don't know, I kind of like how naturally the exercise happened and want to keep the trend going. I'd like to do something similar but I don't think a structured class is right for me.'

'Maybe you can try hiking or kayaking?' Trixie offered.

Patsy shrugged, 'I suppose, but I'm looking for something I can do on a daily basis, or near daily anyway.'

'Patsy, I'm going to break a rule here by talking about what I do personally,' Valerie started.

Patsy narrowed her eyes and glared at Valerie suspiciously , 'That can only be one of two things.'

'It's not a fight club,' Valerie said.

Patsy pursed her lips, 'It's CrossFit, isn't it?'

'Hear me out,' Valerie said, pausing only to open her mouth wide to start pontificating, but Patsy cut her off.

'Val, no,' Patsy remarked warningly.

'Patsy seriously!' Valerie interjected, silencing the redhead, 'The army sucked all the fun out of working out for me. I grew to hate running… and like you I didn't like organized classes. Workout videos also grew old fast and bored me to death, but I knew I needed to do something because I was drinking too much and growing pudgy,' Valerie finished as she patted her belly for emphasis, 'so I signed up for a class and genuinely enjoyed it. Every single class is different so there's no routine and you're never bored, and everyone is really supportive and cheers everyone on. Been goin' three days a week since the holidays and now look,' she opened up her coat and lifted her shirt, showing off a rather defined tummy, 'no more pudge!'

Both Trixie and Patsy blinked, sucking down the last of their cigarettes as they hummed in appreciation at the sight.

'Well, now I know why Lucille was so eager to sign up for that charity beauty pageant,' Trixie quipped as she threw her cigarette butt in the receptacle.

'I'm working to keep this baby in shape for the swimsuit competition,' she said as she patted her belly before zipping up her coat once more.

Patsy threw her cigarette butt in the receptacle before scratching her head, wondering if Valerie had a point. Maybe it would be worth a try if she could come out of it at the end of the day with results like that. She had issues with her body. She still had no mirrors in her flat because she didn't want to look at her body. She didn't want to look at her scars or remember where they came from. Her time with Delia had made her feel a bit more confident about undressing and being naked in front of another person. Patsy wondered for a moment if building up her strength would be another way she could feel better about her body. Feel better about being in a state of undress with someone she cared for and trusted. Feel more like herself.

'Um, Val,' Patsy started, and Valerie looked up, 'you know… I think I just might take you up on that.'

'Yeah?' Valerie beamed, 'you'll give it a try?'

Patsy shrugged, 'Yeah, why not? No harm in giving it a shot.'

'Oh, mate that's fantastic,' Valerie gave Patsy an enthusiastic pat on the back, 'It'll be loads of fun, I promise you!'

'Patsy no, it's a cult!' Trixie teased, and Valerie shushed her.

'Don't listen to her,' she glared at Trixie before turning her attention back to Patsy, 'why don't you join me tomorrow morning? I'll bring you in as a guest and then you can decide afterwards if you want to take on classes for yourself. I get there for the 5 AM class-'

'5 AM?!' Patsy exclaimed.

'Of course!' Valerie nodded, 'Army life trained you to get your workouts out of the way first thing since you don't know if your cantankerous supervisor will keep you on after hours and whatever else life will throw at you that could muck up your workout schedule.'

Patsy sighed drearily.

'Besides, I find it wakes me up a lot better than all the tea and coffee I could ever drink. Here,' she said digging through her pocket, 'give me your number and I'll text you where to meet.'

Valerie pulled out her phone and Patsy hesitated before finally giving the woman her mobile number, hoping she didn't regret this.

'Oh, there you lot are,' came a voice, and Patsy, Valerie, and Trixie looked over to see Lucille poking her head out the door to the clinic.

Lucille tisked and shook her head.

'A waiting room full of patients and the two senior nurses are dawdling out here smoking, but if I'm caught in the hall having a pleasant chat with Delia I get a stern talking to from Phyllis.'

'Yeah,' Valerie chimed in as she headed toward the doorway, 'way to set an example for us junior nurses you two!'

'Oh, do shut up, Val.' Trixie rolled her eyes as she made her way back inside.

'And you,' Lucille said as she addressed Valerie, 'what are you doing smoking? You know it gives you wrinkles and you need to stay pretty for the pageant.'

'Ah, cancer is alright, but wrinkles are bad. Got it.'

'You could just quit altogether,' Lucille rolled her eyes as Valerie walked past her.

'Hey, if I can't eat carbs or drink beer, I'm smoking, alright. I need one or the other.'

Patsy followed suit and listened with a smile as the two carried on with their bickering like an old married couple.

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The next morning, Patsy and Valerie met as planned, and Valerie was excited to share her workout experience with Patsy. The redhead had showed up in a long sleeved top and shorts with trainers, and she was thankful that Valerie, wearing a vest and shorts with her trainers, didn't comment on her sleeves.

With a nervous excitement, Patsy joined Valerie with the rest of the group that showed up for the early morning class and braced herself for a thorough workout. She honestly felt like she wouldn't be able to go on after the intense warm up, but with Valerie there next to her, working out alongside her and being supportive, keeping her moving, it made the workout all the more fun and not as bad as Patsy thought it was going to be.

The instructors certainly kept it interesting as kept them moving. They had the group running around with medicine balls, jumping rope, push ups, sit ups, climbing ropes and doing more squats than Patsy could count.

At the end of the hour, she felt dead on the floor, her arms and legs had become noodles sprawled out around her on the mat. All the muscles in her body were throbbing and she felt exhausted, knowing she was sweating through her top but she didn't care as she lay on the floor catching her breath.

'That's the best feeling, isn't it?'

Patsy opened her eyes to see Valerie standing over her with her hands on her hips, her vest soaked with sweat as she caught her breath.

'Uh, yeah, sure.'

Valerie merely laughed and held out her hand, which Patsy grabbed, and allowed for Valerie to help her stand.

'Hey, look at that, you made it,' Valerie said proudly, giving Patsy a pat on the shoulder, 'so what did you think? Amazing what you can accomplish before 6am, eh?'

Patsy merely nodded, 'Can I get back to you when I can feel my arms and legs again?'

'No worries,' Valerie continued on as they headed for the showers, giving Patsy tips on proper recovery shakes and protein filled snacks and meals she could incorporate into her daily life.

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Later that morning, Patsy sat in her office reviewing files, her body still pleasantly humming as her muscles rested from such an intense workout. Immediately after the workout, she never thought she would ever want to do it again, but now that her body was starting to return to normal, she did notice she felt better. She did feel more awake and like she had accomplished something.

A knock on the doorframe made her look up, and she was pleased to see Delia standing there with a cup of tea.

'Morning,' Patsy smiled, sitting up in her chair.

'Morning Nurse Mount,' Delia said as she entered the office, leaving the door open, a clear signal to Patsy that they were to keep their conversation strictly professional.

Patsy watched as Delia sat in the chair next to her desk and blew on the tea in her hand. She noted with a heavy heart that, for the first time since they had returned a week and a half ago, Delia did not bring her a cup of tea. Patsy observed Delia's features closely, and the brunette looked back at Patsy rather expectantly.

'What's up?' she asked, growing rather nervous.

'You tell me,' Delia said as crossed her legs, settling in.

Patsy raised an eyebrow, thoroughly confused and not quite sure what she may have done to possible upset Delia.

'Have you taken care of the thing I've been asking you to take care of every day this week?' she asked softly.

Patsy slumped in her chair, her brows furrowing.

Oh, she thought to herself, ithat/i.

'I haven't had a chance to look into it yet.'

'Really? In all this time since we've been back you couldn't spare 10 minutes-,'

'I'll make some calls around lunchtime, alright?' Patsy said in a hushed whisper, sitting back up on her chair and fussing with the files on her desk in an attempt to look busy to anyone who may have been walking by.

'I've heard that one before…'

'Well I mean it,' Patsy snapped in a hushed whisper, 'I'll get it done, just please stop pushing me,' Patsy finished terse, feeling her anxiety rise under Delia's intense stare.

Patsy looked at Delia pleadingly and she could see Delia's features soften slightly.

'Really, I promise,' she said, and was thankful when Delia finally sighed and looked away towards the neat stack of files on the desk.

Patsy watched as she rose from her seat and rounded to the front of the desk, plucking a file from her top of the pile and tucking it under her arm.

'I assume this patient is up first,' Delia asked.

Patsy merely nodded and watched as Delia turned to leave.

'I went to the gym today,' she blurted out, and Delia halted where she stood, turning around slightly to look back at Patsy.

'You did?'

Patsy bit her lip and nodded, leaning on her elbows propped on her desk, 'Um, yeah. I went with Valerie, actually. She took me to one of her CrossFit classes to try it out.'

Delia turned around fully now, facing Patsy with a happy smile, 'Yeah? Did you like it? Do you think you're going to go back?'

Patsy nodded shyly, 'Yeah, I think I might. It was really tough but I had a lot of fun. It was actually really nice to do it with someone I knew. Valerie being there was what motivated me to keep going till the end.'

'Yeah, Val is definitely super easy to get along with,' Delia said as she looked over her shoulder.

Patsy followed her gaze to find Trixie and Lucille standing with Valerie as Valerie talked, having the other two tittering over something silly.

'I mean,' Patsy heard Valerie say, 'Lou, your brother is crazy. How is he going to get a pitbull and inot/i name it 'Mr. Worldwide'? He's missed a golden opportunity there,' she said over their laughter.

Delia turned back around, 'She's got a special charm with the ladies, thats for sure.'

Patsy raised an eyebrow, her voice coming out in a whisper, 'You think she's…?'

'Oh, totally,' Delia said, practically rolling her eyes, 'but she's absolutely in the closet. I've tried getting something out of her but she's completely zippy when it comes to her personal life.'

Patsy shrugged, 'So am I.'

Delia returned the shrug, 'No wonder you two get along so well!'

Patsy smiled, feeling a bit more relaxed as Delia looked at her affectionately. It looked as if she was internally debating something for a moment before she reached over had placed her cup of tea on the desk close to Patsy.

'I'm proud of you for going to the gym today,' she said quietly.

'That's one more thing ticked off the list, wouldn't you say?' Patsy said with a hopeful smile.

'Yeah,' Delia said as he reached for the doorknob, 'now let's see if you can tick off that last thing, hmm?' she mused as she shut the door behind her, leaving Patsy all alone in her office.

Patsy blinked, and slouched in her chair slightly.

No sock today.

Patsy harrumphed, a little annoyed as she thought she had earned her sock today, finally going to the gym and all. She narrowed her eyes spitefully at the tea left on her desk, thinking she would take Delia's sock over a cup of tea any day.

Then again it was just a sock. A piece of cloth. Nothing special about a measly little bit of fabric, hmm?

Unknowingly, Patsy fidgeted, taking a pencil from her cup and tapping it against her desk. There was suddenly an unsettling feeling weighing heavy in her stomach. She just felt… off. She felt uncomfortable, her anxiety nagging at her ever so slightly.

Alright, so the sock was special, she admitted to herself. It was something small that Delia used to show her affection towards Patsy because she couldn't do it any other way while they were at work. And the smaller woman knew Patsy loved her feet. She loved everything about them and she knew it drove her crazy to just have something, have some trinket that smelled like her feet, that reminded Patsy of the feel and shape of them and how they tasted. She knew it turned Patsy on, and Patsy knew Delia loved teasing her with this delicious torture, giving her something subtle she could hold all day that kept her thinking of Delia, and Patsy had honestly grew to love it. She looked forward to holding her sock every day.

Patsy looked at the tea sitting on her desk. A small, albeit not quite the token of affection that Patsy had craved.

Delia was upset with her, understandably. Patsy said she would do something and she hadn't done it yet. Fine, but this was something she needed to do on her own time. When she felt she was ready.

Was Delia going to withhold her socks until she made an appointment with a therapist? That was very likely.

Patsy broke her pencil in two.

She was angry. How dare Delia do this to her. This was just… outrageous! On her own, Patsy had made several changes and she knew she deserved that sock! She had been good, hadn't she? She was doing well! She wanted her treat! She wanted her sock!

Patsy shook her head just then, placing the pencil down and pushing herself away from her desk with a deep breath of air. . She was being ridiculous. It's just a sock. It's just a sock. A used sock for that matter. Normally such a thing would disgust her, carrying around a used sock. She could live without carrying around some old sweaty smelly sock around in her pocket.

With another deep breath, not quite feeling relieved, but well enough that she convinced herself she could carry on as normal, Patsy stood and collected a few files from her desk, prepared to move on with her day. As she exited her office, she unconsciously stuck her hand in her pocket, and an overwhelming feeling of sadness washed over her when she felt nothing there.

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Predictably, the lunch hour came and went that Friday afternoon, and all the nurses in the building were so busy that hardly anyone had ten minutes to themselves to scarf down their lunch or quickly grab something from the cafeteria. The women in the clinic had by then fallen into a steady rhythm, so by the time the last patient was out the door that evening, everyone fell into their after work duties with such ease that they were all happily headed out the door on time that evening.

Patsy was in her office putting away one last thing or another when there as a knock on the door frame. She turned to see Trixie and Barbara standing there with their coats on, already changed out of their scrubs and into regular tops and trousers.

'Delia has asked for us to come and fetch you,' Trixie said.

Patsy closed the drawer on her filing cabinet and it noisily slammed shut with a clang.

'Um, why?' she asked, trying to sound disinterested as her heart began to beat frantically in her chest.

'Well,' Barbara started nervously, Patsy noted a little annoyed as the woman still seemed uncomfortable around her, 'she suggested we all go out to a happy hour as, you know, kind of a way to hang out and have some fun?'

'Have some fun, eh?' Patsy repeated as she moved to shut down her computer, 'doesn't she know I hate fun?'

'She said you would say that,' Trixie quipped with a smile, 'and she said,' Trixie crossed her arms and did her best Welsh accent, 'tell her it is within her best interest to join us this evening.'

iIn her best interest/i, Patsy thought sarcastically. She sighed thinking that was code for she better come along or she'll be in deeper than she already is with the brunette.

Patsy gave a defeated sigh, not liking the idea of being obligated to spend even more time with people she already saw for up to ten hours a day, but it seemed she didn't have a choice.

'Where?' she asked tiredly.

Trixie nodded her head in the direction of the back door, 'Just over at the black sail. The others have already headed over there to grab a table.'

'Even Phyllis and Julienne?'

'Nah, it's just us youngins,' Barbara responded, 'So you'll come?'

Patsy gave a smirk and shrugged, 'I suppose if it's in my best interest…'

'Splendid!' Trixie smiled.

Patsy looked down at her scrubs, 'Erm, can you give me a moment to change? I think I have some jeans in my bag.'

'Ah, of course,' Trixie moved to shut her office door, 'We'll wait in the break room so we can walk over together.'

The door clicked shut before Patsy could respond, honestly finding it rather touching that she and Barbara thought enough of her to wait for her to get ready. She didn't know why, but the small gesture meant a lot to her.

Quickly, she changed it if her scrubs and into a jumper and jeans that she had in her gym bag, and walked out of the clinic with the two women, locking up behind her.

She walked behind Barbara and Trixie as the two carried on with one another, walking the short distance to the pub with their arms linked, and Patsy felt a twinge of jealousy at the two for just a moment at the sight. She knew they were friends. She knew they weren't romantic with one another in any sense, but it still irked her that she wasn't allowed to show that kind of affection towards Delia lest someone suspect something. She wished she could walk the streets with Delia with their friends and do something as simple as hold her hand, but she couldn't. She knew this was how it had to be between them. She was Delia's boss and it was a huge risk for them to even be in the kind of relationship they were in, but she was still allowed to let it hurt when she thought of all the things she couldn't do with Delia. Not yet anyway.

When they entered the pub and Patsy laid eyes on Delia smiling and laughing, carrying on as Valerie said something funny, she couldn't help but feel sad. The sight should have made her happy. Ecstatic, even, but it didn't. She wanted Delia all to herself. She wanted to hold her and kiss her and be sweet with her, but she had to push down those feelings for now.

It didn't help matters when Delia spotted her, and her smile seemed to grow, showing off those dimples that had Patsy swooning.

Patsy, overthinking every one of her moves, waited until the other two women took a seat at the table before she sat down, a little relieved that the remaining chair was next to Delia so no one would suspect anything. She felt a little more relaxed as the others carried on noisily, but Delia didn't seem to notice anyone but Patsy on that moment and she looked at the redhead tenderly as she settled into her seat. Patsy felt herself relax a little just by being close to her.

'Got you a pint,' Delia said, nodding to the dark ale directly in front of Patsy.

It was Patsy's natural reaction to say something along the lines of 'You shouldn't have,' but she had been scolded enough by the brunette to just let her do things and thank her.

'Thanks,' she said softly, 'I'll get the next round.'

Delia smiled and turned her attention back to the others as she sipped her own beer.

Patsy did the same and noticed that Valerie seemed to be jovial and in her element, making the others laugh with her stories and obnoxious jokes. She wondered if the woman wouldn't rather have a career in comedy rather than midwifery. The girls went around the table sharing jokes, Barbara's getting the most laughter because her joke about penguins getting to the zoo fell flat because it was so awful.

'Oi, Pats,' Valerie tipped her glass of whiskey towards the redhead, 'how about you then? What's your favorite joke?'

Patsy shook her head, 'Don't have one,' she lied, 'I'm terrible at jokes.'

'Nah, come on now, everyone has a favorite.'

'What's yours then?' Patsy asked, leaning back on her chair and crossing her arms.

'Alright, Patsy, just for you,' Valerie said, sitting up a little bit more in her seat, 'Ready? Goes like this,' Valerie noisily cleared her throat before continuing.

'Knock knock,' Valerie directed to Patsy.

'Come in,' Patsy replied, completely deadpan.

Valerie opened her mouth as if she were going to continue her joke, but stopped herself, her eyes growing wide as she furrowed her eyebrows.

Trixie, Barbara, Lucille and Valerie all looked at Patsy like she had three heads.

'Knock knock icome in/i?!' Valerie repeated incredulously.

'What, is that not how that goes?' Patsy said with a shrug.

Delia slapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

Valerie spent the next several minutes ranting and raving at how absurd it was that her knock knock joke was shut down so abruptly. Patsy merely sipped her drink and tried not to crack a smile as Valerie's reaction had the rest of the girls laughing.

'You did that on purpose,' Delia leaned over and whispered to Patsy with a dimple inducing grin.

'I told her I wasn't any good at jokes, I don't know what she's getting so worked up about,' Patsy said innocently from behind her pint.

'Hey,' Delia said, and Patsy looked over at her as she sensed her tone had changed, 'You alright? You seemed a little sad when you walked in.'

Patsy blushed, faltering slightly and shaking her head, 'I'm alright, really,' he said, though continued on when Delia didn't look at all convinced, 'we can talk about it later.'

Delia seemed placated with that response and settled back in her chair before the others noticed anything.

'Val how come you're drinking whiskey?' Trixie asked, 'would of figured you to be a lager girl.'

Valerie leaned back in her chair, sighing dramatically, 'Oh, Trix, believe me I would love a fucking beer but with Lou around I can't have any carbohydrates until this bloody pageant.'

'It's for a good cause!' Lucille interjected, her eyes growing wide, 'Besides, only two more weeks until the show and then I'm making you all the waffles and chocolate chip pancakes and mimosas you want.'

'It'll be the most epic cheat day,' Valerie said dreamily as she closed her eyes.

'How on earth did Lucille convince you to do this in the first place? Seems like a lot of work…' Delia asked.

'Do you have any idea how charming Lou can be when she wants something?' Valerie said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, 'I mean, here,' she said as she wrapped her arm around Lucille's shoulder.

'Ah! What chu doing?' Lucille slurred with a grin, almost knocking over her vodka tonic as she leaned into Valerie.

'Go on Lou, show 'em that smile,' Valerie grinned as Lucille giggled and blushed, 'show 'em those pearly whites that turns heads because they're so pretty!'

'Val!' Lucille happily shouted.

'Ah, see, there it is, that's the one that got me to say yes to this silly show.'

'Oh, hush, you were excited to do it,' Lucille said as she didn't try very hard to pull away.

'Yeah after you batted those pretty eyelashes a little,' Valerie grinned, pulling the woman even closer as she giggled.

'Oh my god,' Patsy mumbled as she slouched slightly in her seat, 'Val is such a flirt,' she whispered to Delia.

Delia closed her eyes and nodded, humming in agreement, 'She's all bark and no bite though.'

'How do you mean?' Patsy asked curiously as she sipped her beer.

'She's a total flirt but she wouldn't know her head from her ass if someone actually reciprocated, you know?'

'Really?'

'Yeah,' Delia smirked, shaking her head disapprovingly, 'a completely useless lesbian,' she finished as she took a swig of her beer.

Patsy chanced a look back at the group and saw Valerie had moved on to taking the fancy little umbrellas from Trixie and Barbara's drinks and assorting them in Lucille's hair while the other three carried on a conversation as if none of this was happening.

Patsy looked back to Delia, smirking slightly, 'Has she made any moves on you?'

Delia returned Patsy's smirk, 'No,' she simply said as she took another sip of her drink, 'but if she did I would shut down that shit right quick.'

'Why, she not your type?' Patsy teased.

'Oh, she's totally my type,' Delia replied quietly, giggling slightly as the color in Patsy's face drained ever so slightly, 'I just have a very strict rule about dating coworkers,' she finished as she coyly sipped her drink.

Patsy had to look away, feeling her ears turn red, 'Can't be that strict then,' she mumbled and she could hear Delia laugh next to her at her reaction.

When Patsy looked back to the group she noticed Trixie looking st the two of them with an inquiring eyebrow raised, the other three women wrapped up in their own conversation. Her gaze made Patsy's heart leap in her throat and she rose from her chair suddenly.

'Um,' Patsy stuttered as all eyes turned to her, 'I'm just going to grab the next round… um, same thing for everyone, yeah?'

There was a chorus of Yes Please! and Thank You! as Patsy rushed off to the bar, not trusting herself to be close to Delia as the beer she drank buzzed pleasantly in her system. She was starting that familiar pull towards the smaller woman again. She wanted to just lean over and kiss her and hold her and she didn't want to risk doing any of that in front of everyone.

When she got to the bar, she ordered herself a water and bought drinks for everyone else.

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Later in the evening, the group broke off into pairs, Trixie and Barbara walking towards the underground station while Valerie and Lucille walked home in another direction. Patsy knew she and Delia would need to take the tube home as well, but they hung back and Patsy followed Delia as they walked in another direction to some undisclosed location that Delia would not reveal to Patsy.

The sun had already set on that chilly March evening, and both Patsy and Delia were bundled up with their coats zipped all the way up, hands in pockets as they trotted along the pavement. Little flurries of snow whipped about their heads and Patsy couldn't help but feel a shiver go down her spine.

'Hey,' she heard Delia say softly, and Patsy looked over to see the smaller woman extending a gloved hand to her.

Patsy hesitated.

'It's alright, the coast is clear,' Delia said with a reassuring smile that Patsy could only half see over her scarf.

Patsy slowly reached out and clasped her hand, and when Delia turned to keep walking, Patsy didn't budge. Delia looked back at her, concerned.

'What is it?'

Patsy merely shook her head, grasping tighter on Delia's hand as she pulled the smaller woman toward her. In an instant, Patsy had Delia wrapped up in her arms and they were kissing. Delia pulled away slightly, blinking, looking a little caught off guard that had Patsy's panicking only for a moment before she felt Delia fall into her, press her body against hers as she wrapped her arms tight around Patsy and kissed her again. Patsy closed her eyes and opened her mouth, deepening the kiss, filling their little pocket of the world with with heavy breaths and sighs and neither of them seemed to care they were on the middle of the sidewalk on a busy London street as they kissed one another.

Patsy moved to placing sweet kisses along Delia's cheek and ear, the smaller woman tilting her head back so Patsy could have better access. She sighed at Delia's little breaths in her ear.

'I didn't know how badly I needed that until you grabbed me,' Delia breathed as she nuzzled her cold nose against Patsy's warm cheek.

'I've been wanting to do that all day,' Patsy sighed as she pulled away. She still felt a little sad, and Delia must have sensed how she felt because Patsy could see concern in her features as she stared at her.

'What's the matter cariad?' Delia asked as she tenderly brushed the fringe out of Patsy's eyes.

'Nothing,' Patsy shook her head, 'I think I just…. sometimes it's just challenging not being able to touch you when we're out with everyone, and…,' Patsy looked down sadly, 'I don't know, Barbara and Trixie can hold hands down the street and Valerie and Lucille are all over each other and I feel like I can't so much as be within five feet of you without someone getting suspicious.'

Delia nodded in understanding before she tucked her head in the crook of Patsy's shoulder and hugged her tight, 'I certainly know the feeling.'

Patsy held her tight and took in the feeling of holding her close, how she felt in her arms the way her hair smelled. It was all so wonderful and she felt so thankful that she had Delia in her life.

'It's just how it has to be,' Delia continued, her voice soft and soothing, 'I don't want to be sent away and I don't want you to get in trouble at work either. I'll be so sad if I can't see you every day.

Patsy felt her heart melt a little at her words, 'Me too,' she said.

Delia gave a reassuring smile, 'It's not forever, cariad. It's just for now, and I can keep going if you can.'

Patsy silently nodded, and the two pulled away after Delia gave Patsy one last sweet peck on the lips, grasping her hand again as they continued on their walk.

Patsy let out a sigh, feeling a little better, a little relieved, but there was still something nagging at her. Something that was making her feel anxious and it didn't click with her until she shoved her hand in her pocket and was disappointed that it was empty.

Oh.

'This is going to sound really weird,' Patsy said with a shy smirk, 'but I think I felt a little off all day because I wasn't carrying around your sock.'

Delia laughed and squeezed her hand, 'You've grown quite attached to it then, hmm?' she asked with a dimple inducing smile.

'It's become something I look forward to every day, yeah,' Patsy replied with a blush.

'Well you know why you didn't get your sock today, Pats?'

Patsys heart sank in her chest.

Oh, shit.

'Did you call today?'

Oh shit shit shit fuck bugger shit…

'Pats?'

Delia let go of Patsy's hand and stopped walking. She turned on her heel to stand directly in front of Patsy.

'Patsy,' Delia said, her mouth a firm line across her face, 'you didn't call anyone to make an appointment, did you?'

Patsys eyes darted back and forth and she felt herself break out into a cold sweat as she racked her brain for something, anything. Some kind of excuse that would placate Delia, something she would find acceptable.

'I just… I never got a break today,' she said feebly, inwardly cringing, wanting to kick herself as that was the best she could come up with and even she knew it was a shit excuse. Leave it to her to bugger up such a lovely evening at the drop of a hat.

'Damn it Patsy,' Delia looked away, taking a step back as she brought her forefinger and thumb to the bride of her nose.

Patsy suddenly felt defensive, 'Well what do you expect me to do, Deels? We were so busy all day I barely had a chance to use the toilet let alone take the time to research someone and call to make an appointment!'

'I expect you to keep your promises, that's what!'

Patsy put her hands on her hips and looked away, her temper flaring, but she would be damned if she rose her voice to Delia.

'Pats, I know your dedicated to your patients, but your health is just as important too.'

'This can wait,' Patsy said through grit teeth.

'Can it?!' Delia exclaimed, 'Patsy, this is important!'

'Oh, Delia, really,' Patsy chastised, 'I said I'll do it and I will. This isn't something I can do on your schedule though. I can't. I have to be ready to do something like this, alright? I get to decide when I go!' Patsy exclaimed, pointing her thumb into her chest.

'That is complete bullshit.' Delia seethed.

'How?!'

'Because this is your ilife/i, Patsy!' Delia shouted, taking a step back and extending her arms, 'Something like this can't wait! God knows you've put it off long enough. I'm sick of you saying you're going to take care of this and then doing nothing. How am I supposed to trust you when you can't swallow your pride and do something as simple as this. You're an adult for Christ's sake, pull your fucking socks up and make an appointment!'

Patsy wanted to spit, but settled for matching Delia's death glare, greatly resenting being chastised like this from someone who was so much younger than herself. Besides, she thought, if this was so simple she would have taken care of it by now. She held her tongue and watched as Delia took a step back and held out her hands, her palms towards the ground, attempting to calm herself.

'You know what, ifine/i. If you want to drag your feet on this, that's on you, but I'm done with you until you get this taken care of.'

All the muscles in Patsy's face went slack, her eyes growing wide as the color slowly drained from her face. Her heart felt as if it shattered into several pieces.

'What?' she said, barely above a whisper.

'I'm drawing the line here Pats,' Delia said, her voice calm but her gaze intense, and Paty could see her eyes fill with tears, 'we both know you need to go to therapy, alright? You going to therapy is the price of admission you need to pay if you want to be in a relationship with me.'

'I'm… I… you can't…' Patsy stuttered, feeling an intense mixture of heartbreak and rage, 'Delia you can't hold something like this over my head! I won't let you manipulate me into doing something I'm not ready to just to be with you!'

'This is not manipulation!' Delia replied, her eyes wide, 'You said you would do it! You said as soon as we got back you would look into it and call and make an appointment to talk to someone and have you? No! Day after day goes by and you've done inothing/i, Pats! And I've had enough of it! I can't take any more excuses from you!'

The two shared a tense stare for a few moments, Patsy too afraid to speak or look away. She wanted to make things right with Delia immediately but she just wasn't ready. They were in the middle of the street. She couldn't very well just drop everything and call someone, and she sure as hell wasn't going to give Delia one more empty promise. She wouldn't believe her anyway. So she remained silent, her hands clasped into fists at her sides as she tried not to let the tears well up and crest over her eyes.

Delia took a deep breath and looked away, hands on her hips.

'This is where I wanted to bring you, by the way,' she said nodding to the building Patsy was standing directly in front of.

Patsy whipped herself around to see her reflection in the window of a brightly lit record shop. She could see inside the floor to ceiling shelves of records, a myriad of people up and down the aisles, flipping through all sorts of records, listening to music, chatting amongst themselves.

'I know it's hard for you to be out with others,' Patsy heard Delia say, 'to be social… and I know you came out with us this evening for me, because you knew it would make me happy… and so… as a way to thank you I wanted to take you to do something I thought you would like.'

Patsy turned back around to face Delia, who looked overwhelmingly sad.

'But I just… I'm really disappointed in you, Patsy,' she said softly.

Patsy finally felt as if she were going to cry.

'I just can't… I'm too angry with you right now. I'm too upset to be with you and… I don't know. I just want you to go inside and buy a record and,' Delia threw her hands up and began walking backwards, 'and I don't want to see you until you've taken care of this.

'Deels,' Patsy pleaded, taking a step towards her but not quite sure what to say.

'This is more important than being with me, and you know it,' Delia said, finally turning and walking away, leaving Patsy standing there, unable to move at all, unable to even breathe as she watched her retreating form grow small and disappear around the corner.

hr

24 hours later, Patsy found herself that Saturday night in a bit of a conundrum.

She sucked down the last of her cigarettes as she lay on the floor, her mind recalling the incident for what seemed like the millionth time that day. Over and over again the memory of Delia walking away from her played out in her mind, each time hurt just a little bit more.

She warned Delia of this, didn't she? She said she was fucked up. Said over and over again she shouldn't be with her. To go out and date people her age. To find someone easier.

Patsy left her cigarette in her mouth and puffed as she crossed her arms, her brows furrowing as she gazed at the ceiling.

The price she had to pay to be in a relationship with her, hmm?

Was it fair? Was it a fair price?

She just wants you to take better care of yourself and to keep your promises.

Patsy groaned, opening the side of her mouth and releasing a long line of white smoke as her record player hissed and popped and began to play the next song.

Her new record was the one she had bought in the shop immediately after their fight. Delia had said she wanted her to buy a record, so even though all Patsy wanted to do was kick over a few dozen rubbish bins in the alley to let off some steam in that moment, she rushed into the shop and bought the record that was on display by the cashier. She didn't know the band and she didn't care. She wanted to at least fulfill Delia's wish that she buy a record, so she did, and now she was listening to it.

Or trying to, anyway. She was feeling too many emotions to give it the attention she usually gave her music, but the song that came on next grabbed her attention.

It sounded like something she could go to the pub and belt out after getting pissed.

iI want to love somebody but I don't know how/i
iI been so long lonely that it's getting me down/i
iI want to throw my body in the river and drown/i
iI want to love somebody but I don't know how/i

iI want to love somebody but I don't know how-. /i

The song ended abruptly and Patsy rolled over to move the needle and play the song again. She listened to it the whole way through and then played it again.

Patsy played the song several more times until she learned every lyric and was singing along, beating her fists against the floor in time with the beat.

The lyric replayed over and over again in Patsy's brain.

iI want to love somebody but I don't know how./i

She didn't think she had heard a lyric that spoke to her more about her life in that moment than that one.

Patsy lay on the floor and watched as the smoke from her cigarette curled and floated upwards towards the ceiling, watching it disappear.

Did she want to love someone? Certainly she could bring herself to love Delia. She thought so anyway. Putting others before yourself. Taking care of them when they're sick or hurt. Those were things someone did for a person they loved, and Patsy had proved she could do that for Delia. She would do it again in a heartbeat.

But maybe Delia knew that. Maybe she knew that Patsy would drop everything and help her if she really needed it.

Would Delia do the same for Patsy though?

Patsy's brain racked itself for information. It was Delia who had pushed for this. It was her who wanted them to be together after Patsy had tried to tell her. Tried to warn her that she would be difficult.

And last night she had just… up and left.

Was this Delia's way of dropping everything for the well being of Patsy? Because she wanted to show her she loved her? Delia pushed so hard to be with Patsy. It must have been really hard for her to just walk away like she did last night after she apparently planned to spend the evening together with her.

Patsy blinked a few times and plucked the cigarette from between her lips, stubbing it out in an ashtray.

i'Therapy is the price of admission you have to pay to be with me.'/i

Patsy huffed. Of all her problems why did she have to draw the line there?

She grit her teeth, the thought of sitting in some room sharing her life story with a stranger really grated on her nerves. Besides, she hated herself too much to really give therapy the benefit of the doubt.

Patsy blinked.

She hated herself.

The lyric played over in her mind again.

i'I want to love somebody but I don't know how.'/i

Patsy sat in silence for several moments until something finally clicked in that brain of hers.

'God damn it,' Patsy whined, 'Patsy you stupid bitch.'

She sat up and raked her fingers through her hair, groaning miserably.

'She wants me to love myself,' Patsy mumbled into her hands.

With a resounding sigh, Patsy picked up her phone and paid the price of admission.

She spent the next half an hour or so looking through several websites after having searched for therapists in Poplar London. She was absolutely not interested in seeing someone who was heterosexual. Or a man for that matter; her own personal preference because if she was going to pour her heart out to someone, she wanted to be able to relate to them on as many levels as , one site that kept coming up over and over again was for a certain Tony Amos. Patsy perused his profile and saw that he specialized in helping other men and women who were forced into conversion classes or suffered trauma as a result of their shitty upbringing. So that checked off a few boxes right there for Patsy. She also saw that he as gay too. It certainly helped that he had many great reviews from other anonymous persons posting about him on a separate website. It was all the more convenient that Patsy was able to schedule an appointment with him online.

She knew after what she and Phyllis had discussed, her first Friday off would be the following Friday. Tony had an opening that day, so Patsy typed in her information and booked the slot, setting it all up on her calendar.

There. She did it.

Her heart thumped in her chest. All she wanted now was to see Delia. But would Delia want to see her?

She had been obedient and hadn't said a word to Delia since their fight the night before. Patsy wondered if Delia was still upset. She didn't want to call her in case she was out with someone, the thought piercing Patsy's chest in an unpleasant way that she couldn't quite explain.

She thought it safe to just send her a text. Just one word.

'Red.'

Patsy raked her fingers through her hair, and nearly jumped when her phone chimed.

'Yes?' was the one word reply, and Patsy could almost see Delia looking at her expectantly.

Patsy sighed and snapped a screenshot of her appointment receipt. She texted the photo to Delia and nothing else.

Patsy chewed on her bottom lip, her heart pounding in her chest and she nearly jumped again when her phone started ringing. Delia was calling.

She picked up the phone and brought it to her ear, too nervous to even give a measly salutation.

'Thank you cariad,' Delia said, and Patsy found herself letting out a sigh of relief, feeling so happy all of a sudden to hear her voice, to have her talking to her again.

'I've been a complete ass,' Patsy said, feeling her body relax as she found herself laying back down on the floor.

Patsy could hear Delia giggle on the other end, 'It's alright, Patsy. I'm glad you've finally made an appointment,' she said softly, and Patsy could hear her sigh, 'I'm sorry I lost my temper. I don't like that I yell when I'm angry.'

'No, you can yell at me Deels. God knows I need to be yelled at sometimes,' she smiled slightly as she heard Delia giggle, 'and you were right though. I said I would take better care of myself and I've already been putting everything off for far too long. You were right to say what you said. You were right to walk away.'

'It was hard for me to do…,' Delia said softly.

'I know. It was hard for me to watch. I need that tough love sometimes, and…,' Patsy trailed off with a sigh. Her eyes squeezed shut tight a she suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion.

'What is it, sweetie?' she could hear Delia softly ask.

Patsy sighed, afraid to say what she wanted to say next, thinking she was being ridiculous and clingy and she was scared that Delia would think it was too much, but she took a deep breath and decided to take that chance.

'Delia, I just really miss you,' she breathed, willing her heart to stop thumping as hard as it was, 'and it's not that I can't be alone, it's just, I'm starting to feel… I feel like…' Patsy trailed off struggling to find the words.

'Your whole day is knocked off balance when we don't see or talk to one another for an entire day?' Delia finished for her, and Patsy let out a sigh of relief.

'Yeah…' Patsy closed her eyes and tried to calm the butterflies in her chest, 'I don't know Delia, I was mad last night and… I'm going to try to be better. I don't want to upset you so much that you feel you need to cut me off again because… well because all last night I was scared not knowing whether or not you made it home safe, and I just… you're right. I just feel like it throws my whole day off if I don't see you or hear from you, and…' Patsy sighed, 'and I'm really nervous telling you all this because I don't want you to think I can't… that I want… you know, I'm just worried you might think I want too much too soon…'

'Pats,' Delia cut in and Patsy halted her blathering, 'you're so sweet, you know that?'

Patsy felt her ears turn red as her heart fluttered in her chest. She was glad Delia wasn't there to see the good smirk she was sure she had on her face.

'I know exactly how you feel because I feel the same,' Delia said softly.

Patsy heard a noise that sounded like Delia ungracefully laying down on a fluffy duvet.

'I missed you too, you silly girl,' Delia said and Patsy couldn't help but let out a little laugh, 'I've been worried all day about you too, you know. I was afraid you wouldn't do it. I was really afraid I pushed you too hard on this and didn't know if I would ever hear from you again.'

'Deels, I know I'm stubborn but I tend to come around after I've had a good think.'

'I know, I just wish they didn't take all day.'

The two shared a shy laugh and there was a comfortable silence between the two of them before Patsy spoke up once more.

'Would you…' Patsy trailed off again, still feeling shy about telling Delia what she really wanted, 'I know it's late but, um…'

'You want to come over?' Delia asked.

Patsy bolted upright, startling George, 'I would absolutely love to come over.'

hr

The week before, it had been Delia to come and visit Patsy's flat as she lived alone and had a barely used kitchen stocked with freshly purchased food Delia could explore in. The brunette came over nearly day thereafter so the two could spend time together to do as they pleased.

This evening was the first time Patsy had visited Delia's flat, and while it was a modest complex on the outside, Patsy barely paid attention to any if it as she was solely focused on seeing Delia. She was more than happy to find the door flying open when she barely knocked. Delia appeared in front of her wearing a comfortable looking jumper and jeans, her hair down around her shoulders. The smaller woman wrapped her arms around Patsy and kissed her, walking backwards as Patsy held on tight, not wanting her to fall. They kissed and giggled and Patsy was only knocked out of her euphoric daze when she heard the door slam behind them.

Patsy pulled away slightly to catch her breath, and something caught her eye. She looked over Delia's shoulder and saw four curious pairs of eyes peering over the sofas and table tops from the lounge and it took everything in Patsy not to drop the woman in her arms to the floor.

'Um Deels,' Patsy said, desperately trying to peel Delia away from her but the woman had an iron grip around her neck, 'Deels,' Patsy said a bit more urgently.

Delia finally blinked and let go, turning around and following Patsy gaze.

'Oh, sorry,' Delia blushed as she disentangled herself and turned around, dragging Patsy by the arm into the lounge.

Patsy's eyes adjusted to the low lighting in the room. She saw three other women and one man sitting at a table looking as if they were in the midst of an elaborate board game.

'Patsy,' Delia started, pointing to everyone in the room as she called them off, 'this is my flatmate Cynthia, and my nursing school friends Jenny and Chummy, and Chummy's boyfriend Peter.'

'Hello,' Peter waved politely from the other side if the room.

'Oh, hello,' Patsy said, feeling rather shy all of a sudden, 'um, are you all nurses like Delia?' Patsy asked the room.

'Peter's a Constable!' the rather large woman known as Chummy said proudly as she reached over to grasp his arm. The gesture had Peter smiling shyly and blushing.

'So you're Patsy, hmm?' the woman introduced as Jenny said.

'I suppose I am,' Patsy said, arching a curious eyebrow to Delia, wondering just what the brunette had mentioned about her to her friends. Delia merely grinned back up at her bashfully.

'She said you saved her life,' Cynthia, the mousy one piped up.

'Well I wouldn't go so far as to say that…,' Patsy blushed.

Chummy gasped, 'Is that why you're dating now? Oh, that's so romantic!' she gushed before turning to Peter, 'Peter here saved my life, that's how we met! Terrible thing really, I was on my way home from visiting Mater and popped in the shop to get some cash and wouldn't you know it someone came in there and pointed a knife at me!'

Patsy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Not about someone attempting to stab her, but Patsy could hardly imagine anyone daring to attack a woman Chummy's size. The woman was built like a tank in her own right and Patsy couldn't fathom a knife of any sort piercing her.

'My life flashed before my eyes!' Chummy continued, and Patsy couldn't help but notice a subtle eye roll from Jenny who seemed like she had heard this story a million times.

'Thankfully in at that very moment my Peter showed up in uniform and just merely the sight of him had that good for nothing scurrying off back into the alleys. Such a shame the tosser got away, but if it weren't for him I would have never met my Peter,' Chummy finished with an excited giggle as she affectionately squeezed Peters arm.

Patsy bit her lip to contain a smile. She had never come across someone as terribly awkward yet endearing as Chummy. She seemed like an absolute sweetheart, and though it looked as if anyone would be overwhelmed with the affection she was showing, Peter seemed over the moon in love and didn't mind her hanging onto him one bit.

'Will you be joining us, Patsy?' Cynthia asked hopefully, reaching for some papers, 'We can make you a character right quick and play you in!'

'Um…' Patsy looked down at the board skeptically. It looked like a graph chart with a myriad of hand painted plastic characters and colorful multi sided dice scattered about. She had no idea what they were playing but the enormous rule book laid out in front of Cynthia suggested that this was not something she could just hop right on in and join without a bit of instruction.

'Another time, Cynthia,' Delia said to her flatmate, 'Patsy and I had a long day and are going to hang out in my room for a bit and chat.'

'Oh is that what you're calling it these days?' Jenny quipped teasingly and Delia walked over to where she sat on the side and affectionately pinched her cheek while the others giggled.

Cynthia still seemed a little miffed, 'But what about the game?' she said.

Delia rolled her eyes and sauntered over to the board game. She picked up a plastic dice with more sides than Patsy could count and seemed to purposefully make it land on a certain number.

'Oh no! Rolled a one. Guess the troll ate my character alive. I'm out.'

Cynthia huffed, crossing her arms rather annoyed as Delia skipped back over to Patsy, grabbing her by the arm once again and dragging her off somewhere.

'Nice to meet you all!' Patsy called out as she was taken down a dark hallway and into a room she could only presume was Delia's.

Once again, Patsy needed to take a moment for her eyes to adjust to the low lighting. The room was modestly decorated with a matching ikea bed and a chest of drawers against one side, the walls lit with twinkling fairy lights and littered with pictures from home of her friends and family, the Welsh flag tacked up proudly above her bed.

Patsy smiled as she felt Delia hug her from behind.

'So what would you like to do tonight, hmm?'

'You're letting me choose?'

Delia gave Patsy a tight squeezed before she released the redhead and took a seat on her bed.

'Of course, cariad, I think you've earned the chosen activity for the evening,' she said, her voice laden with a suggestive tone.

Patsy licked her lips, wanting nothing more to join Delia on the bed and hug and kiss her all night long, but there was something, just one thing that had been bugging at her since early Friday morning and she needed to take care if it or else nothing they did would feel right to her.

'I just need to do one thing, Darling,' Patsy said as she eyed the chest of drawers.

Delia tilted her head and raised an eyebrow curiously, 'What's that?'

Wordlessly, Patsy strode over to the chest of drawers and opened the top drawer. In one swift motion, she scooped up all of Delia's socks and tossed them in the air, holding her arms out and letting them fall all around her.

Patsy listened as Delia broke out into a happy laughter at her antics and Patsy began laughing herself as she felt Delia approach her, wrap her arms around her and guide the two of them to the floor where they lay on top of every sock Delia owned, intertwined their legs and kissed and giggled.

Patsy wrapped her arms around Delia, holding her tight as they kissed and for the first time that weekend, surrounded by Delia's socks with the smaller woman wrapped up in her arms, all finally felt right with her in the world.