Summary: Patsy and Delia's relationship is tested.
Disclaimer: Call The Midwife belongs to the BBC and others - I am simply borrowing their beautiful characters.
Author's note: Thank you once again for the lovely reviews - every one is appreciated.
Trixie was in their room when Patsy got upstairs and immediately sensed that something was amiss. She didn't push though and allowed Patsy to get changed and get into bed with nothing more than banal chitchat.
Patsy was incredibly grateful that her friend, despite not knowing all her secrets, somehow knew when to leave her alone. Oh, how she wished she could confide in the blonde nurse. One of the biggest drawbacks of having a secret relationship was that she had no one to speak to if things went wrong.
Once she was settled in her bed, and had a cigarette on the go, Trixie asked how her evening with Dr Parker had gone. Patsy provided mostly the same story she had given Delia, including the rather hair-raising drive home.
"Was it the drive that's put you in such a tizz?" Trixie couldn't help but ask.
The red-haired nurse looked at her room mate. "Not really." She rather hoped that would be enough, but when Trixie cocked her head to one side and took another drag from her Sobranie, Patsy sighed. She pulled in a lungful of her own cigarette before continuing. "I had a bit of a disagreement with Delia," she admitted finally.
Trixie stopped herself from rolling her eyes. She should have realised. "What about?"
Patsy hedged. There was no way she could talk about this without giving too much away. She decided to keep it as vague as possible. "I'm not too sure really. I get the feeling she's not all that keen on Dr Parker."
Trixie did roll her eyes this time. That much was patently obvious. It would be so much easier if she could just ask Patsy outright so that they could at least trust each other, but it was safer for all of them if she didn't ask and wasn't told. Legally, Patsy and Delia may not be doing anything wrong, but Trixie knew that their employers would take a very dim view. Individually, the nuns might turn a blind eye, particularly as Delia had clearly had a very positive effect on Patsy, but collectively, the church would also disapprove. They were both in danger of losing their jobs and their home. If it came to light that Trixie knew about the relationship, it might result in her losing her position too. She took a moment to phrase her response. "Perhaps she's just feeling a bit insecure. You two are usually like Siamese twins. It might be a bit unnerving to see you out and about with other people."
"She's never had a problem with you and I spending time together," Patsy retorted.
Trixie decided that stating that they hadn't actually gone out without Delia since her return from Wales probably wouldn't help. She pursued a different tack. "Did she say why she didn't like her?"
Patsy shrugged. "She said she didn't trust her."
Trixie inhaled more of her cigarette. She wasn't surprised, particularly given what Barbara had said the other night. She mulled it over for a few moments. "Has she got reason not to trust her?"
Patsy was instantly defensive. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Trixie cursed herself for the clumsy phrasing. "Sorry. What I mean is that you've known Delia for a long time. Have you had reason to doubt her judgement before?"
"Never. She's usually a very good judge of character."
"So why is she so wrong this time?"
Patsy opened her mouth to respond and then stopped. She could hardly tell Trixie it was Delia being irrational because she was jealous, particularly when there was no reason to be jealous. She stubbed out her cigarette forcefully, signalling that the conversation was about to end. "Perhaps she is just a bit put out. I'll talk to her in the morning." She shuffled down into her bed and turned away. "Goodnight," she managed, realising that she had cut off Trixie rather abruptly.
Trixie stared at the red-haired woman for a few moments as she finished her own cigarette. She had half expected Patsy to go to Delia's room and sort it out now, but she did have a stubborn streak. She decided that she needed to observe Dr Parker with a slightly different mindset and see what had set Delia so much on edge.
Patsy allowed the hubbub of breakfast to roll over her as she sat and chewed her toast, mulling over the events of last night.
The red-haired nurse was surprised that she managed to fall asleep. Perhaps it was because Trixie was there so she knew Delia wouldn't come in, or it may have been down to the wine she had consumed, but despite a whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind, Patsy had found slumber quickly, waking just before the shrill bell of the alarm clock.
"Are you alright, Patsy?" Trixie whispered. Patsy had barely said two words since their conversation last night and she looked drawn.
Patsy nodded. "I'm fine," she assured her. "Just trying to order my thoughts."
Trixie smiled softly. "I'm here if you need me," she offered quietly.
Patsy felt an unexpected prick of tears in her eyes. She realised how lucky she was to have a staunch friend in Trixie. "Thank you."
Both midwives looked up as they heard the steps of someone else approaching. Delia walked in and sat at her usual place, next to Patsy. "Morning," she managed as a general greeting to the rest of the table.
"Nurse Busby, are you well? You look very pale." Sister Julienne was never one to avoid an issue, but was tactful in her observation. Delia looked terrible. Although she was dressed and neatly presented as always, she was ashen, with dark shadows under eyes that lacked their usual sparkle.
"I didn't sleep very well last night, sister. I think I might be trying to come down with something," Delia replied politely, offering a bland excuse for her appearance. The truth was that she hadn't slept at all, blaming herself for the current predicament with Patsy and had spent part of the night pacing her room, and the rest at the kitchen table holding but failing to drink a cup of Horlicks. She felt dreadful but did not want to stay in her bedroom until after Patsy had left for her duties. She didn't want the other woman to think that she was hiding from her, which would probably exacerbate the situation.
"Are you well enough for work?" Sister Julienne was clearly concerned.
Delia shrugged slightly before avoiding answering the question. "I'm on a mid-shift today. I'll be home this evening so should be able to get an early night." She poured herself a cup of tea and took some toast, but she made no effort to do anything with it.
Sister Julienne seemed to accept the explanation, but continued to monitor the young woman discretely.
"Are you sure you're okay, Deels?" Patsy whispered.
Delia managed a small nod. "I will be." She swallowed. "I am sorry, Patsy." Her voice was heavy with contrition.
Patsy's heart contracted. She hated that their last interaction had affected Delia so badly and was annoyed with herself for walking away from it last night without resolution. She had done it with the best of intentions, though. She knew she had a short fuse and often lashed out when she was angry. She had distanced herself from the situation because she didn't want to say anything to unintentionally hurt Delia. It seemed like she had managed to hurt the younger girl anyway.
"Nurse Crane is currently asleep having spent most of last night helping Mrs Grover with her delivery so I will be allocating roles today. Perhaps you can all join me in the prep room?" Sister Julienne announced.
Patsy looked at Sister Julienne, and then back at Delia. "I have to go. I promise you we'll talk about this tonight, okay?"
Delia nodded and gave a small smile as Patsy rose from the table and patted her hand as she cleared her stuff away.
Having no knowledge of what was causing the tension between Patsy and Delia, sister Julienne blithely posted Patsy to the clinic for the day. There was no reason to object to the assignment so Patsy duly gathered her kit and left with Trixie, casting a quick look at the kitchen before she left to note that Delia was still sat there with her breakfast untouched.
Once at the clinic, Patsy fully expected Dr Parker to request her assistance, but was surprised to see Trixie volunteer to assist the doctor instead, stating in typical Trixie fashion that Patsy had already monopolised far too much of the new doctor's time. Once again the Titian-haired nurse was grateful to her friend. She really needed to find a way to thank her.
Patsy couldn't help but notice the concerned stare Dr Parker gave her as she started her duties however. Her ability to put up facades seemed to be diminishing rapidly.
Around mid-morning, Joanna managed to catch Patsy in one of the back rooms, out of earshot from everyone else. "What's wrong? You seem completely out of sorts today." The doctor was genuinely concerned.
"I'm fine." Patsy brushed away the enquiry.
"Please don't tell me that my driving upset you that much last night." The brunette tried to make a joke out of it but realised she was onto something when she saw Patsy stiffen slightly. "Oh no. It did upset you. I'm so, so sorry Patsy, I didn't mean to."
Patsy was quick to reassure the doctor. "No, it's got nothing to do with your driving, although it can be a little exhilarating, shall we say?" She paused for a moment. "It's nothing you've done, honestly."
"That's a relief. I was frightened I'd scared you off for a moment." Dr Parker sighed. "So what has upset you? Can I help at all?"
Patsy looked at the woman, taking note of what she had just said. "Scared me off?" She raised her eyebrows at the brunette. "Scared me off of what?"
Joanna looked slightly uncomfortable. "It's nothing really. I just have a bit of a habit of coming on too strong when I find someone I can relate to. It tends to put people off."
Patsy frowned. "You haven't been like that at all. You're very good company," she assured the doctor.
Dr Parker smiled gratefully. "So what's with you then? Is there anything I can do?"
Patsy shook her head. "No. It's just a misunderstanding I need to sort out." She looked at the tray of supplies she had originally come for. "I need to get back out."
Dr Parker nodded sympathetically, and laid an arm on the taller woman's elbow as she turned to leave. "Come and talk to me later if you need to," she offered kindly.
Patsy nodded and returned to the main clinic area, analysing their latest interaction. For the life of her, she couldn't understand what sinister intent Delia saw as Joanna had been nothing but kind and attentive with her.
Dr Parker watched Patsy leave and took a moment to appreciate her figure and the sway of her hips as she returned to the main clinic area. Her mind raced over possible scenarios concerning what Patsy had said. She was just speculating but she couldn't help but wonder if the 'misunderstanding' was between Patsy and Delia. Joanna had been around long enough to know that misunderstandings in relationships often had to do with the interactions of others. Could it be that Delia was jealous of Patsy spending time with her? She would have to dig a bit further to see if that was the case, and then have to tread very carefully, but it could be just the weakness she needed to exploit. Patsy could do so much better than that Welsh country girl. She needed someone with sophistication and an appreciation of the higher things in life. Joanna was just the woman to give that to her.
To be continued...