I am trying to keep updating as regularly as possible, but this does mean that I am having to break the story down into smaller pieces than I normally would. I'm afraid that this also means that there may be a fair few more cliff-hangers to come, but what's life without whimsy? Again, thank you very much for reading and reviewing, I appreciate it greatly.
It rang three times before anybody even moved. Somehow, in the midst of the storm, it sounded far more sinister and haunting than it ever had done, and all three nurses froze, as if terrified to answer it and face what was at the other end of the line.
On the third ring, Patsy went to pick it up. It was crackly; clearly the storm had caused some damage to the telephone lines, but a voice, full of panic and urgency could be heard amongst the background noise.
"Nonnatus House, midwife speaking,"
"It's Mr Gates," shouted the man, "It's my wife. Her waters have broken, and she's screamin' in pain. Please! Please come now!"
Patsy jotted down his address from the contact book lying open beside the telephone.
"I know it's difficult, Mr Gates, but would you be able to tell me roughly how far apart her contractions are?"
"I don't know, nurse. She's screamin' all the time and I can't calm her down,"
There was a twist of anxiety in Patsy's stomach, but she ensured that no trace of this entered her voice.
"Go to her, Mr Gates and run some hot water and get clean towels. I…"
The line was dead.
She dropped the phone down onto the table, and turned to see Delia and Trixie stood in the doorway, waiting nervously for her report.
"I think the storm has cut off our telephone," Patsy began, "But as far as I could make out, Mrs Gates has gone into labour, and is very distressed and in a huge amount of pain,"
There was a deafening crash of thunder overhead, and the lights flickered momentarily.
"You can't go out in this alone, Patsy," Trixie said hoarsely, stepping towards her, "It's getting worse by the minute,"
"Well, what do you want me to do?" Patsy snapped, "In case you hadn't noticed, Nurse Franklin, there's only two qualified midwives here, and so only one of us can leave. We've got no telephone and an emergency situation on our hands. I don't have a choice in the matter, so I'm going alone,"
"No you're not,"
Trixie and Patsy stared up to see Delia looking at them defiantly, arms crossed across her chest.
"What?"
"I'll go with you,"
"You must be joking,"
"Actually, I'm not," she retorted, "I am a nurse and I have studied obstetrics, you know. I'll be better help to you than having nobody else at all, and Trixie is right. You mustn't go alone,"
Patsy shook her head, and wiped the back of her hand along her upper lip.
"You misunderstand me. I wasn't questioning your abilities as a nurse, Delia, I would never do that. I just don't want to drag you out into the night in these conditions. You've been working all day and this is the last thing that you need,"
Delia moved ever closer, narrowing the space between her and Patsy.
"I couldn't give less of a damn about what I need, Patience Mount. What I want is to go with you and make sure that you're alright. Is that too much to ask?"
There was another roll of thunder up above, but this time, Patsy did not even flinch. She was unable to look away from Delia, whose face was so staunch and resolute. Her beautiful, brave Delia.
"Your call, Nurse Mount," came Trixie's voice.
"Fine," Patsy conceded, "Fine. We'd better get going,"
They packed the instruments quickly, and threw on as many extra layers as they could beneath their uniforms. Fastening her cloak and setting off for the door, Patsy grasped the handle of the leather medical bag and swung it off the bench. Delia grabbed another bag, full of additional supplies, and followed after her. Trixie had not been wrong when she had noted how the intensity of the storm was increasing. Dark patches were growing on the walls and ceilings where the old roof could no longer withstand the full force of the elements, and it gave the impression that the weather was, bit by bit, invading the warmth of Nonnatus House.
"Just be careful!" Trixie instructed them, "Stay on the main roads and watch out for debris in the air or on the ground and…"
"We've got it covered, Trix, don't worry about us,"
The blonde nurse nodded, chewing anxiously on her thumbnail. The two other women reached for the main front door, and yanked it open. A bitingly cold wind streamed in through the doorway, and into the entrance hall, tugging viciously at their hair and clothes as it did. Taking one final look inside, Patsy disappeared into the night and Delia went after her, slamming the door shut as she did, leaving Trixie stood alone and shivering.