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: So I usually post an update once the next part is done, but I am still playing around with that bit. I am hoping that by posting this bit it will give me a bit of focus to get it done (as we are now drawing to the close of this epic tale). This is a slightly lengthier update than usual. My thanks as always to my trusty proof-reader Jlynnsca for her assistance.
Patsy sighed wearily as she closed the door to Nonnatus House behind her. The building was dimly lit and quiet given the late hour. The red-haired woman was still too fired up to go straight to her room however. As she shuffled through to the kitchen, her mind buzzed; the 'date' had certainly taken its toll on her. After drawing a very clear line in the sand with Dr. Parker, the rest of the meal had been strained to say the least. At first, Dr. Parker had sat in stony silence, prodding at her food and looking at Patsy with a mixture of hurt and venom in her eyes.
Patsy, feeling somewhat liberated by her speech, knew that she had set the tone and terms of engagement for the evening. She couldn't help but prod at the doctor just a bit more and enjoyed a large part of the rest of the evening asking detailed questions on home hygiene and public health research, forcing the doctor to engage, even though it was not about topics she wanted to discuss with the midwife. As they drove home, Patsy made sure to ask Dr. Parker about dropping her complaint and got her assurance that she would keep her word and take action in the morning.
Patsy grinned as she said an overly cheery goodbye to the woman and received a scowl in return.
As she entered the kitchen, Patsy's tired grin transformed into a full on smile. Delia was standing at the cooker, pouring milk into a pan. The sleeves and legs of the pyjamas she was wearing had been rolled up neatly. "I'm never getting my pyjamas back, am I?"
The brunette woman looked up and returned a soft smile. "It's not as if you haven't got plenty of other pairs," she pointed out.
Patsy sauntered over to the shorter woman. "You didn't need to wait up," she said, the look on her face clearly belying the sentiment.
Delia's grin widened. "Are you telling me you wouldn't have done the same thing?" She asked.
Patsy shook her head as she halted right in front of Delia. "Of course I would." She glanced round before raising an eyebrow at the brunette. "Are we alone?" She asked softly.
Delia shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I was up anyway making some Bournvita, and Trixie is in the clinical room just sorting out a bag. She looked exhausted so I offered to make her a milky coffee to help get her through the night."
Although disappointed that she couldn't hug or kiss Delia, Patsy was immensely relieved that the younger woman had waited up for her. "Do you think you can stretch to a mug of Bournvita for me? Then I'll tell you all about it, if you're interested."
"Of course I'm interested. I've been thinking about nothing else. And yes. There's plenty to go round. Did you want a tot of something in it?"
"I've had enough alcohol for one evening," Patsy demurred.
"You don't sound sloshed." Trixie's bright voice announced her presence as she bustled into the room.
"I'm not. I just treated myself to the most expensive glass of wine on the menu," Patsy admitted, earning a snigger of laughter from Delia.
"Where did you go?" Trixie asked as she sat down at the table. She smiled her thanks at Delia as she was handed a mug of coffee.
"The Dorchester. Her treat."
Delia shook her head as she sat down opposite the blonde midwife. "She really doesn't know you at all, does she?" She mused.
Trixie looked confused. "I would have thought you'd love the Dorchester."
Patsy shook her head as she took a sip of her beverage. "I hate establishments like that. Full of superficial socialites who have no idea about real life."
Trixie pulled a face. "That's a bit of a sweeping statement," she pointed out reasonably.
Patsy nodded. "Probably," she admitted. "But I can't help how I feel."
"Well do tell us more. What did you eat?" Trixie sat forward eagerly before frowning slightly. "And why did you end up there? It seems a long way and awfully extravagant just to go out."
Patsy saw Delia's hands tighten round her mug and her jaw clench slightly. "I think Dr Parker knows someone there," she responded lightly. The tall woman was about to say more when the phone interrupted them.
"Damn." Trixie stood up and hurriedly drained her mug. "I want all the details about this once we can catch up," she warned Patsy as she rushed from the room.
Patsy paused for a few seconds before looking at Delia. "Do you want all the details?" She asked cautiously.
Delia looked back steadily before laying her hand over Patsy's. "I take it you're allowed to tell me now?" She asked.
Patsy sighed with relief. "Yes. And I'm so sorry about that. I found out that Dr. Parker was behind the complaint against you. She told me she'd drop it if I went out for dinner with her."
Delia's face darkened visibly. "Just dinner?" She probed, her voice a whisper.
"Yes," Patsy confirmed strongly. "She said that I couldn't tell you why we were going out. I didn't want to give her any excuse to renege on her offer..."
"Renege on her offer? Patsy, are you mad? She was trying to blackmail you."
Patsy turned her hand round and squeezed Delia's softly. "Deels, this was not something that could be easily refuted. And let's face it, we aren't really in a position to flat out deny anything, are we?"
Delia shook her head. "Sorry," she replied meekly.
"I know it was a risk. It could easily have blown up in my face, but I was also desperate to help you in any way I could." She sighed loudly. "I don't think she was out to blackmail me for money anyway," she mused, instantly regretting the comment as she noted Delia bristle instantly.
"Really? What was it that she did want then?" The Welsh woman's voice was preternaturally calm but Patsy knew she was irate; her accent was the most pronounced she had ever heard.
Having already spoken thoughtlessly, Patsy decided that honesty was the best policy. "I think she believed she could offer me a way back into the high society life and thought I ought to be pampered."
Delia scowled. She knew implicitly that Patsy had no interest in that sort of lifestyle, but she was self-conscious enough to know that it was something she would never be able to even try and offer her.
Patsy could read her train of thought and squeezed Delia's hand again. "I have everything I want and everything I need with you," she declared softly.
Delia wrinkled her nose. "But..."
Patsy put a finger over the younger woman's lips. "Really."
Delia nodded and smiled wanly. "Okay."
Patsy rubbed circles in Delia's hand with a thumb. "I still want to get away once this is all done. It probably won't be for a while now. I've had to swap around a few on call nights. But I need to just spend some quality, uninterrupted time with you." Patsy looked up shyly and gave a lop-sided smile.
Delia nodded her agreement. "We need to wait and see what happens with me first. Hopefully, it'll all get dropped tomorrow morning and I'll be reinstated. Once I get my off-duty, we'll make some plans. She's definitely withdrawing her allegation in the morning?"
"That's what she told me," Patsy confirmed. She shot a look towards the door nervously before looking back at Delia and raising their clasped hands. She kissed Delia's knuckles softly. "I love you," she whispered simply.
Delia's smile broadened and she leaned across to plant a brief kiss on the midwife's lips. "I love you too," she replied. "Now. Tell me everything."
"Dr. Turner, you wished to see me?" Dr. Parker looked round the door before she entered Dr. Turner's surgery.
"Yes, do come in," the craggy-faced Doctor invited, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk.
Dr. Parker frowned in surprise as she sat down. She had received a note from Dr. Turner but had not expected to see Sister Julienne sat in the office, too. "Is there something wrong?" She queried mildly.
Dr. Turner grimaced as he sat back down. "I've just had a brief regarding a complaint you made against a member of staff of The London hospital."
Joanna frowned. "I withdrew that first thing this morning. I made a mistake in identification," she replied, trying to brush the incident aside.
"Unfortunately, your retraction came after the investigation was completed and recommendations made," Dr. Turner told her.
"Surely that doesn't matter if I've withdrawn the complaint." Dr. Parker caught the terminology Dr. Turner used but was determined to use her own.
Sister Julienne sat up slightly and smiled blandly. "Dr. Parker, Matron Lightly conducted a thorough investigation."
"And? Do you need me to apologise for a case of mistaken identity?" Dr. Parker sighed dramatically. "I suppose I could do that. It must have been hellish for that nurse to go through."
Sister Julienne's smile tightened almost imperceptibly and she took a moment to ensure her voice was measured and did not reflect the sudden flare of irritation she had with the young woman. "Matron Lightly is renowned for her investigative skills. She processes everything." The senior sister picked up a piece of paper in front of her, and glanced over it quickly. "In your complaint, you clearly named the nurse, and specified that you had heard her Welsh accent." She looked up, her bright blue eyes piercing the doctor with a steady stare. "In order to ensure that the nurse in question couldn't use a case of mistaken identity as an excuse, Matron Lightly looked at the staff records for The London, and then proceeded to interview every Welsh nurse that is employed by the hospital. She even went as far as to interview those that didn't remotely match your physical description of her."
"How very comprehensive of her," the brunette woman lauded, barely able to conceal a hint of sarcasm.
"I would expect nothing less, given the nature of the complaint," Dr. Turner interjected.
Sister Julienne glanced at him in surprise. His normally affable tone was completely absent. She schooled her features before continuing, glancing at the page in front of her again. "Of the twelve Welsh nurses at The London, only four could possibly have been where you said the incident happened. One of them is 5' 10" and could never be described as 'short' and the remaining three all have corroborated accounts of being elsewhere."
Joanna reached into her handbag and located her cigarettes. She offered one to Dr. Turner who refused, somewhat surprisingly; she had never come into his office without noticing a lit cigarette in the ashtray. She took a deep drag. "Forgive me, Sister, we're all very busy people. Why are you giving me all this detail?" The doctor resisted the urge to blow smoke at Sister Julienne, it would be too provocative an act.
"You're quite right. We are all busy people. Far too busy to have staff needlessly suspended from duty and a multitude of other staff be interviewed."
"Needlessly?" Dr. Parker raised an eyebrow. "Surely every complaint ought to be taken seriously."
"Every legitimate complaint should be," Dr. Turner agreed.
"What do you mean by that?" Dr. Parker asked defensively.
"What I mean, Dr. Parker, is that Matron Lightly believes that the complaint never had any basis in substance."
"Are you accusing me of lying?" Joanna shot back.
Dr Turner shook his head. "Right now, I'm not doing anything. I may have to change my mind depending on what actions you take next." He stared intently at her and allowed the silence to draw on.
Once it became obvious what course of action Dr Turner wanted her to do, Dr Parker became incredulous. "You want me to resign? That seems incredibly harsh for a case of mistaken identity."
Sister Julienne couldn't stop an irritated sigh escaping. "Dr. Parker, we are a family at Nonnatus House. We treat each other with respect and we challenge poor behaviour. Most importantly, we build a level of trust amongst ourselves that is clear to see for all the patients we treat in the East End. Our community knows that they can come to us for any matter and they will be treated with care and compassion. They feel safe with us. Any slur on our reputation puts that trust in jeopardy."
"Nurse Busby doesn't even work for you," Dr. Parker pointed out. "She is simply a lodger."
"She is just as much part of our family as any of the midwives. And although she may simply be a lodger at Nonnatus, the local community see her coming and going and associate her with our establishment."
Dr. Parker took another drag of her cigarette. She wasn't quite ready to give up without a fight. "Okay, I'll apologise to nurse Busby and I'm sure we can all move on." She shrugged, as if it was of no real interest to her.
Dr Turner shook his head. "I'm sorry, Dr. Parker. If you're not prepared to look for employment elsewhere, I will be making a recommendation that you are removed while an investigation into your behaviour is undertaken. The staff at Nonnatus work tirelessly alongside my surgery. Everyone is incredibly dedicated and all put in far more than their fair share of responsibility and work. The only way they all manage that is through trust, professionalism and dedication. Your continued presence on the team, in light of what has happened, would put too much pressure on the relationships."
"Now, just wait a minute." Dr. Parker sat up. Enough was enough. "That investigation should have been confidential. I haven't spoken to anyone else about it. I'm sorry but I can't help it if others want to speculate on the cause of nurse Busby's absence from the hospital. But perhaps that ought to give you a clue that things might not be as clear cut as the pair of you seem to think."
Dr. Turner clenched his jaw so hard, a bulge of muscle could be seen near the hinge. He allowed himself a few seconds to compose himself. "You have spoken to someone else about it. And I believe that you knew it was a deliberate attempt to smear the reputation of that nurse."
Dr. Parker's eyes widened. She didn't think Patsy would have told anyone about her arrangement, let alone Dr. Turner. The woman had taken more risks than she thought she would. "Who have I spoken to about this?" She asked, trying to bluff her way out of the situation.
"Dr. Parker," Sister Julienne interjected, wanting to regain some control on the conversation. "Perhaps you should consider your position from another angle," she suggested carefully. "As Dr Turner has indicated, Matron Lightly has recommended that her investigation be considered by the Medical Council. She believes there is a case of potential abuse of position and power that should be reviewed. If they get involved, there is no telling what impact that might have on your professional reputation. Perhaps it might be easier for you to look for work now, rather than risk that."
The brunette doctor stared malevolently at the nun. "You'd really ruin my reputation over a simple mistake?"
Sister Julienne canted her head slightly. "I find that infinitely more tolerable than a nurse having her reputation ruined by a falsehood."
Dr. Parker leaned forward and stubbed her cigarette out viciously. "Well, I think it's time I did a stint in a maternity hospital. The statistics suggest more and more women are using them anyway. I hear Masons' Hill in Bromley needs more doctors."
"I think that's very wise," Dr. Turner agreed steadily.
"When do you want me to leave?"
"As soon as practicable. Today preferably." Sister Julienne's response was icily clinical.
Dr. Parker sighed. "Okay. You have my details. You can forward any salary owed to my address." With that, the woman rose and left, sparing neither Sister Julienne nor Dr. Turner a second glance.
As she stepped outside and looked to where her car was parked, Dr Parker's eyes narrowed. With one hip perched on the wing of her vehicle, Delia Busby waited with arms folded across her chest. "Hello Dr. Parker."
To be continued...