Welcome ladies, gentlemen and others – to THE FINAL CHAPTER!
I did have a cunning plan to publish this part exactly a year after the first chapter – but I decided that it would be cruel to make you wait another week!
This has been a fantastic fic to write, partly because CTM is such a fantastic program with brilliant characters for me to play with, but mostly because of you guys. You've given me fantastic feedback and I've learnt loads from you all – like finding out that I have problems keeping track of my characters ages (oops) and what a weevil actually is!
Thank you for all your fabulous reviews, and if you've never reviewed – thanks for reading all the same. To those of you who've been here since the beginning (a year ago!) and to those of you I have collected along the way – you'll be pleased to hear that a couple of one-shots are in the pipeline and will be published under the title "Looking Forward" so keep an eye out!
Oh – and thank you to those of you who I saw recommended my fic on Tumblr … I'm not on Tumblr but I do have the occasional lurk when I've got a spare few minuites, and I was very flattered!
ANYWAY - time for me to shut up and ON WITH THE SHOW!
Enjoy x
This chapter's songs are:
I wont give up - Jason Mraz
Wake me up before you go go - Wham
When I look into your eyes it's like watching the night sky. Or a beautiful sunrise, well, there's so much they hold. And just like them old stars I see that you've come so far to be right where you are. How old is your soul? Well, I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough, I'm giving you all my love. I'm still looking up.
Shelagh stood in her bra and knickers looking critically at the contents of her wardrobe, Nina was lying on a blanket on the floor kicking her legs and gurgling to herself as the cool late spring breeze slipped in through the open window.
"What about this top?" She asked her daughter, unhooking a turquoise blouse from the rail and presenting it to the infant,
"No? That not doing it for you … what about this one?" she continued, throwing the blouse down and pulling a light purple thin jumper out and holding it against her torso she turned to look at herself in the full length mirror behind the wardrobe door.
"What do you think Nina? I quite like it … you're right, this one. Now … skirt or trousers?" She asked, hanging the jumper over the wardrobe door and running her hand over the options, "Skirt or trousers … skirt or trousers … skirt … or … trousers?"
"Skirt, definitely skirt." came a voice from the doorway. Turning around with a smile Shealgh faced her husband, who had crept up the stairs and had been lurking in the doorway watching the two women in his life have an, albeit one sided, conversation over clothes.
"You think a skirt do you?" She replied playfully, stepping over the pile of shoes on the floor that separated her and the doorway and she leant up for a kiss,
"Defiantly skirt, what about that grey one?"
"Grey? Which grey one?" she asked, turning back puzzled to look at the wardrobe.
"You know, that grey one … it's knee length."
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about Patrick, I do not own a knee length grey skirt."
"You do!" He protested, "I've seen you wear it … you wore it to Tim's parent's evening!" he cried triumphantly,
"OH! You mean the charcoal blue pencil skirt?"
" Do I?"
"You do, and I know exactly why you like that skirt." she replied with a half-smile at her husband, as she fished the skirt out of the wardrobe and lay it against her hips as she checked her reflection.
"I don't pretend to be subtle."
"You certainly don't … but despite that, I think you might be right about that skirt."
"I'm a sartorial genius, who knew!"
"No Patrick, you really are not a sartorial genius. But you do know what makes my arse look good."
"Extensive research. How are you feeling about tomorrow love?" He asked, crossing the shoe mountain to pick up Nina who was fascinated by the reflecting glitter of a pair of stilettos that sat near her mother's feet. Having picked up Nina, he sat down on the edge of the bed and reclined back against the pillows,
"Ach … Ok I suppose, it's a bit daunting – knowing our fate is sealed. That what I've done has either lost or saved our jobs."
"Shelagh love … sorry if I've been a bit of a grumpy sod recently. I'm just worried, I mean what if it doesn't work … I've spent my whole life working to keep a roof over my families head and what if I can't do that any-more?" Shealgh sighed and took a step towards him, holding out a hand to him she took his and twisted her fingers through his,
"Patrick, there are two of us in this relationship, it's not 1958 – we're both working to keep food on the table and a roof over the children's heads. The future's never certain or set in stone, but we've done everything we can … and if it hasn't worked, we can carry on – it isn't end of the world. And you'll still have me."
"I've always still got you, my silver lining."
"Ok Patrick, I'm off."
"You smell alright to me."
"Ha bloody ha. Listen, the chocolate and slivovitz cake is in the fridge, the non-alcoholic version is on the side, covered with a plate to stop Bernadette getting at it. Don't forget, Nina's due for her immunisations at one and Tim's going off to see his girl after school."
"Right love; cake fridge, cake side, Nina imms, Tim snogging in the park, got it! … Good luck, not that you'll need it obviously. And let me know the minute you're out."
"I'll do my best, I don't know how long this'll take, so don't spend all day lurking next to your phone."
"Right. Well … have fun. And I love you."
"I love you too, be good now!"
"You too – no flirting with Jan Jensen."
"But he's irresistible, you know how much I love fat, sweaty, balding men!"
*Any news on the appeal? Me and Miroslav are heading over in about an hour. C*
*No news from Shelagh, her phone's switched off. I think Jenny and Phil are coming over about then too. P*
*I think they're bringing Trixie and John too. Let me know if you hear any news. C*
*Will do P*
*Shelagh's phone's still off, any news at your end? Julie x*
*No, sorry – I havn't been able to make contact either Px*
*Damn! I'll come over with Stephen at about 9 ok? Julie x*
*That's fine, the girls are coming at about 7 I think Px*
*Me and Marcus will be heading over to yours for the party at about 10 if that's alright? Jon*
*That's fine thanks Jon, don't suppose you've heard anything about the appeal – Shelagh's phone's switched off. Patrick*
*I know they started late, I had a meeting there myself and we over ran. Jon*
*Right thanks Jon, see you two later. Patrick*
The traffic crawled through East London, as Shelagh tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, the meeting had taken almost four hours. She had been expecting to be sat down and firmly told the decision of the ELC and NHS England, but instead it was a long winded affair that dragged on and between Mr Jensen and Kay Oss's constant decisions and non-decisions she was exhausted. Although she had to admit that she was pleased she had spent so long on the portfolio, the amount of time Mr Jensen and Kay Oss had spent pouring over it – and she thanked God that Patrick had filed it all for her, although on reflection quite why she had given that job to Patrick she was un-sure. A man who couldn't manage to put the tea-spoons back in the right draw probably shouldn't be given the job of filing important portfolios.
Turning left onto the street she could see the living room light on and Tim looking through the slats in the blinds out at the street, still in his school uniform with his hair raked through he looked oddly like his father in the back lit gloom. Parking in tightly behind the neighbours car, Shelagh picked up her hand bag and walked towards the house, before she had even hit the front wall Patrick had swung open the front and door and jogged down the two steps to meet her,
"Where have you been? Everyone's been trying to call you!"
"What? Oh – shit! Sorry, I forgot to switch my phone back on, It took hours and we started late – sorry Patrick." she said softly, closing her eyes and reaching out she slipped her hands around his waist and pulled herself towards him, burying her head in his chest for a moment.
"Love? What's happened? Oh Christ … is it over?"
"Well it's … it's happened."
"What has?"
"Can I have a massive glass of wine please?"
"Uh … yeah, of course. Shelagh – what did they say?"
"Wine, please."
"Ok Ok … come in Love."
You put the boom-boom into my heart, you send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts. Jitterbug into my brain, goes a bang-bang-bang 'til my feet do the same, but something's bugging you. Something ain't right, my best friend told me what you did last night: left me sleepin' in my bed. I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead.
"Everyone … Everyone – hi … uh, I just wanted to get a quick word in before my wife takes over. I know you're all eager to know about the appeal so I promise I won't take long -"
"Get on with it!"
"Uh … thank you Marcus. This party is to celebrate our anniversary, I realise that a one year anniversary isn't that big but for us it's massive. When I first met Shelagh I didn't even dare to imagine that one day I'd be married to her, with two beautiful children, Shelagh is a fantastic midwife, a wonderful woman who is far braver and more courageous than me. And every brave thing I've done has only been possible because of her, and because I know that if I didn't jump – she'd push me! She's a brilliant mother to our beautiful daughter Nina and my fantastic son Tim, and … I'd also like to say thank you to all of you. Uh, I know that one or two people have laughed at us, no – don't deny it, it's true! But at the end of it all – you've all supported us along the way and – uh, we're both very grateful and are very touched that you wanted to spend tonight with us, celebrating getting through the past year! Uh – right … now before I start crying and you all fall asleep, Shelagh with the appeal results."
"Right. Hello – I know you all want to know how we did, but I wanted to let you all know together, because this does affect all of you. The appeal has been a … success, the hospital PICU department is being kept, along with the maternity department and the Royston clinic … however, I'm sorry to say that since they were saving the department they imposed another condition. Staffing must be halved in all three departments; you will get to choose between either taking redundancy or taking relocation to other maternity services in other hospitals. I am so so sorry that I couldn't do more for you all. I really did try but … I did my best. I'm sorry. But uh – in light of that information, I suggest we all get absolutely hammered tonight and worry about it all in the morning over our hangovers!" She finished and looked around the room, there was a half a second of silence before a loud cheer erupted that made her laugh as she was engulfed in a sea of hugs and back slaps and kisses. The music was turned up by someone she couldn't see and everyone swam around the house, full of joy and relief as Shelagh crept into the kitchen following Julie.
"Well, I did my best."
"Oh Shelagh … you made me jump! No my dear, you did brilliantly, no one out there cares that they might now lose their job, they care that you might have saved them their jobs."
"I know … but –" She dropped her voice to a whisper and stepped away from the doorway, "Julie I lied a bit. I mean … they do want us to halve our staffing numbers, but … some of us are safe."
"What do you mean?"
"They said that all senior staff will be kept on as a matter of course, I'm safe, so is Patrick, you and Sister Evangalina. All staff who've worked there for less than 5 years must be considered for the re-structuring, pick them off until you've cut your staff by half."
"Jesus Shelagh, why didn't you say that before."
"I wanted to give them hope, and I didn't want it to look like me and Patrick had somehow swung it so that we were safe."
"Right … no of course. So I've got 7 midwives -"
"No 6, because officially I'm the head midwife at the Royston, I'm still one of your midwives, but like you and Sister Evangalina – I'm exempt."
"I see so I need to get rid of three? … Well Wynn and Camilla are new, who else has been here for less than five years?"
"I'm not sure … Trixie's been here since I arrived." replied Shelagh, taking a sip of her wine slowly and trying not to feel too guilty.
"Yes, and Cynthia's been here for at least 6 years I'm sure – she came when she was newly qualified."
"John … ? John just had a 5 year reunion with his university."
"Oh bollocks, and he was working in Brighton for a few years until he came here. Oh Lord this is awful, is there anyone else?"
"Jenny."
"Jenny, how long had Jenny been working with us?"
"Four years, three maybe? She was a newly qualified too wasn't she?"
"Yes … and I think you're right. Oh Goodness me, Monday is going to be a very trying day."
Shelagh picked her way across the kitchen, she felt like death but if she could just make a cup of coffee she might be able to survive feeding Nina in a while, feeling like her head was about to explode through the pressure of her brain inside her skull she clicked on the kettle and moved to the sink for a glass of water, she hadn't felt this bad since she was at university and she used to mix vodka and cider together.
With her glass of water pressed against her temple Shelagh stumbled into the living room, Bernadette sat indignantly on the arm of the chair, flicking her tail against an empty wine bottle that nestled in the corner of the armchair. Everyone had clearly taken her advice to get hammered to heart and the results were clear, although she was vaguely relived to see, nothing seemed to be beyond the repair of a hoover and some spray cleaner. Taking a swig of her water that felt like heaven against the parched sandpaper of her tongue, Shelagh walked back upstairs, pausing half way up as her head span with each ascending step. She made her way to the landing, the door up to Tim's attic bedroom was still tightly closed and as she peered around the door of Nina's room the snuffling sound of sleep was all she could hear, relieved that she wouldn't have to be a mother for a few more minutes just yet, she carried on back to her bedroom.
Patrick was splayed out, his head buried into the pillow as he tried to avoid the first rays of sunlight slipping in through a chink in the curtains, making a quiet moaning sound as the bed moved slightly under Shelagh's weight.
"Morning." She said softly, taking a sip of her coffee and leaning back slowly onto the pillows,
"I feel … like there's a pneumatic drill lodged behind my eyes. I havn't felt like this since my 18th birthday when I swore I'd never drink rum again."
"I think … we might … have drunk a bit too much."
"Stupid question love."
"Mmm?"
"Was there a stripped here last night?"
"That was Trixie."
"Ahh … right. Good."
Welcome to the Maternity Unit
Staff
Doctors:
Dr Turner (Registrar)
Dr Morecombe (SHO)
Midwives:
S/R Julie Raymond
S/R Evangalina
M/W Shelagh Turner
M/W Cynthia Miller
M/W Beatrix Franklin
M/W Camilla Browne
Shelagh stepped out of the locker room pulling down her scrubs top over her vest,
"Morning Julie, I have to say, it's nice not to be in maternity scrubs anymore!" she said with a smile catching sight of Julie blu-tacking up the new staff list to the notice board beside the patient entrance. "Oh – is that the new staff list?"
"Yes, our first shift with you back, and our first shift without the girls."
"I know it's hard, but you had to – you had no choice! I mean Jenny wanted to leave."
"Mmm – following her Phil up to Newcastle, no – I don't feel guilty about that. But John and Wynn!"
"I spoke to John the other night, he's been taken on by the Hackney community midwives – and he's loving life."
"And Wynn?"
"Well yes, admittedly Wynn hates you and if you're found dead in your bed we won't have to look very far for the murderer, but she was crap … she destroyed my filing at the Royston!"
"You're right – she had it coming. Now, go on – get your husband and come in for handover. Another day, another shift and a some new lives to bring into the world."
Taking a deep breath, Julie strode off purposefully down the corridor, a stack of files tucked under her arm, to the staff room. Patrick stepped out of the changing room beside his wife, clipping his ID badge onto his trouser pocket and adjusting his tie,
"Was that Julie?"
"She's just stuck up the new staff list."
"Ahh, so she has … looks a little bare doesn't it."
"Just a little, we'll manage though – we always do. Shall we go on up for handover?"
"Lets … oh, and Shelagh -" he said catching hold of her hand and pulling her back slightly. "Welcome back love."