I did enjoy writing this chapter, and so I very much hope that you enjoy reading it as much. Once again, I cannot thank you enough for the reviews, and I am very open to any suggestions that you may have.
It took less than five minutes for somebody to raise the issue of the deceased man at the dinner table. Patsy was not concentrating enough to identify who it was in particular, but Trixie's barely concealed groan was a reminder to her to stay on her best behaviour and keep her head down.
Initially, the views given at the table were ones of sympathy, with the nurses nodding in polite agreement to one another about what a tragedy it was. Patsy felt a wash of relief; perhaps this would not be so difficult after all.
"And so young as well," Sister Mary Cynthia said sadly, "His poor family,"
Alarm bells began to ring in Patsy's head, however, when Sister Winifred started cleared her throat to speak. The nun was renowned for having very strong opinions on certain matters. Delia's knuckles turned white as she clenched her cutlery tightly in her fist, desperately trying to prepare herself for what was coming.
"Indeed," the nun nodded, "His poor family being disgraced by his disgusting sodomy. It really is terrible,"
The blow seemed worse than Patsy had imagined that it would be. She knew that the topic of family would be particularly sensitive for Delia, and her fears were confirmed when she saw that the Welsh nurse looked green and almost ready to be sick.
"At least the response of the police was good and efficient," she continued, oblivious to the uncomfortable silence that had fallen, "They can try to preserve the dignity of his wife, at least, by dealing with the other man as quickly as possible. She is the real victim here,"
"Oh, quite,"
Patsy was shocked when Delia spoke. Her tone was utterly scathing and the sarcasm palpable.
"It's obvious, really, isn't it? I mean, yes, both men have probably spent their whole lives living in fear, and have almost certainly been plagued with worry and anxiety for their every waking minute about who and what they are, and the man in a cell at the moment is likely to be grieving the loss of his lover too now, as well as facing a jail sentence, or some horrific medical 'cure'… but no, I agree with you, Sister. That poor wife,"
She shook her head in pretend disbelief, as if the idea that anybody could believe that somebody other than the wife could be the person really suffering. Patsy stared at her, completely dumbfounded.
It was only Sister Winifred who seem unperturbed.
"I hasten to point out that the men who you race to defend, Nurse Busby, are also guilty of the crime of adultery,"
"That indeed is an act of wrongdoing, and not one that I will attempt to justify,"
"It seems incredible to me that you can try to justify any of it at all,"
Delia gave her a witheringly derisive smile.
"I am not trying to justify it, Sister. I am merely trying to help those with pitifully closed minds to see the bigger picture,"
She then lowered her voice to a stage whisper, as if she was sharing a secret with the now incensed nun.
"There are some people here, Sister Winifred, who are incapable of…"
"That's enough, Nurse Busby,"
Sister Julienne cut her off quickly, and Sister Winifred visibly relaxed a little when the Welsh nurse gave an obedient nod and stood up.
"Forgive me, I think that I shall retire to my room,"
"That may be for the best," Sister Julienne said, standing also.
Delia left the room and the Sister-in-Charge looked around at the table.
"I want no more said on this matter, is that understood? It is a private family affair and one that I am not permitting any further discussion on,"
"Here, here," Sister Winifred piped up, trying to ingratiate herself with Sister Julienne once more.
Patsy shot her a contemptuous glare.
"Oh, do shut up,"
"Yes," Trixie added, "Please do,"
Both nurses stood, their chairs making a horrific grinding noise on the floor. Trixie followed Delia's lead, and disappeared into the corridor, with Patsy close behind her. The door swung shut behind them with a bang. Sister Winifred blinked stupidly.
"Well! What was that all about? Such appalling conduct cannot be tolerated at the dinner table, surely!"
"I am sorry, Sister Winifred," Nurse Crane said apologetically, "But I'm afraid that you're going to have to endure yet another piece of appalling conduct from yet another one of your colleagues,"
Saying no more, she too left her seat and walked from the room.
Barbara bit back a smile, and down at her plate. This was the most eventful supper that Nonnatus House had experienced in quite a while.
"And again!" Sister Winifred cried, "Their behaviour is abominable,"
Sister Monica Joan, who had been suspiciously quiet throughout the entire dispute, looked across at Sister Winifred, her old eyes sparkling with amusement.
"When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser," she beamed, "I advise that you take heed of the words of Socrates, my dear, or else you may find that you make a fool of yourself at this table again,"
This time, Barbara failed to control her laughter and snorted loudly into her lap. Sister Julienne even allowed herself a wry smile.
"I'm going to call this dinner to an end," she announced, "I feel that this has gone on long enough. Sister Mary Cynthia, if you would be so kind as to clear the table, and Nurse Gilbert, when you next see Nurses Franklin, Mount and Busby, please inform them that I wish to see them in my office later this evening,"
The grin was wiped from Barbara's face. Although she did not know about what was really going on with the other nurses, the idea that her friends could be in some sort of difficulty made her uneasy.
"Are they in trouble, Sister?"
"No, Nurse Gilbert," she assured her kindly, "But I do wish to discuss the issue of dinnertime etiquette with them,"
"Of course. I'll tell them right away,"