I watched Season 1 of Call the Midwife recently and watching the scenes again with Peter and Chummy, I thought it would be nice to expand on those scenes, from Peter's point of view and thoughts and add some additional scenes too.
I hope you enjoy.
Peter Noakes stands next the police car outside Nonnatus House, waiting for his sergeant. Over the last four months he had come to Nonnatus House regularly to take Camilla Browne out to the pictures or dinner. Or he came into the building after a working shift and Camilla would give him a cup of Nescafe, whilst she would have Horlicks. They would talk quietly but Peter knew that Trixie Franklin would be hiding behind a wall, trying to overhear what they were saying.
Now, Peter was torn to be standing there, waiting. He missed seeing Camilla... but what could he say to her. She packed him in after all. Finally, the sergeant came out of House, with a box of the jewellery which Sister Monica Joan stole ("How could one of the Sisters be a shop lifter," thought Peter). Peter opened the car door for him, then got into the driver's seat. He was getting the car engine to warm up when he heard a bike ring. He looked in the car mirror and there was Camilla. He then watched her as she rode past him and watched her as she parked the bike in the shed and then rushed into the building.
"Oh, Camilla. If only you would have me back and I would put a smile back on your face again," Peter thought.
He would hug her, give her a long peck on the cheek ("A kiss on the lips when no one is watching, I wouldn't want her to make her feel uncomfortable," he thought), and say a few comforting words. Then that smile of hers would surely return back.
Peter knew he loved Camilla. So much. Moving on from her impossible. He had been packed in by other girls before and he brushed it off a few days later. Camilla on the other hand, he couldn't.
That night he reflected back before he met Camilla and the last four months – the happiest he had ever felt.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When a child is asked, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" Peter said, "I want to be a policeman."
His father was a policeman, eventually a superintendent. So Peter finished school, applied and got a job as a police constable.
He was content to being a constable. He didn't earn as much as the dock workers, but the job working hours were consistent and Peter was serious about the law and keeping Poplar safe. He wasn't always successful. A fight between two women and a flock on onlookers couldn't be stopped, no matter how much Peter blew his whistle or yelled to them to stop. It was only when Sister Evangelina came to the scene and bellowed who was her patient, that the fighting and screaming stopped.
The Sisters and the Nurses at Nonnatus House Peter respected them . Everyone did. They delivered babies around the area, often in unhygienic places and nursed the injured and elderly around all Poplar. Peter also had sympathy for the elderly and people injured from burglaries, women being beaten by their partner. He also, keeping it to himself at the time, loved children. He was one of the few policeman that children were comfortable to give evidence to.
Peter got the job he wanted. He also long to have a wife and be a father.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The word on the grapevine in the police station was the children around Poplar were calling names and laughing at the one of the new nurses at Nonnatus House.
"Why would the children do such a thing?" Peter popped into the conversation.
"She's learning to ride a bike and apparently it's funny to watch. Even some of the adults can't help chuckling," a constable replied.
Peter was disappointed what he heard. Children should respect adults, especially when they are doing something they had learnt at some time. The adults behaviour sounded immature. But he respected this nurse. She could have easily left Nonnatus House once she discovered cycling was involved. But she didn't.
Peter looked forward seeing this new nurse. They were all pleasant girls and pleasing on the eye.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter's alarm clock went off at 4am. He was on morning work shift. He slowly got out of bed, feeling stiff and sore around his arms and chest. Usually he would feel that way after taking down a with a dock man, who was threatening someone else with a knife. In this case, it was being hit by the new nurse from Nonnatus House a few days ago. He found out her name, Nurse Browne, when later in the day she went to the police station to give a Peter a bottle of whiskey as an apology. There was no need to of course, though the whiskey was terrific after the end of the day. He would never press charges to the nurses and Nurse Browne apologised again and again for what she did.
The morning walk was uneventful. By 6am, the sun was coming up. As Peter walked to Leyland Street, pass Nonnatus House, he thought about Nurse Browne. She was certainly different from Nurses Franklin, Miller and Lee. When he saw her stand up, he was surprised that she was taller than him. Let alone her accent and her way of speaking stood out from the others. Some people, he mused, would laugh at her, for being so different to them. He, on the other hand, was charmed.
Peter mused some more. He hadn't been to the pictures for a while with a girl. Why not ask her.
"Am I mad?" Peter thought, "She's refined, a lady, not to mention she taller than me. She would turn me down in an instant."
Peter shook his head to get rid of any ideas and kept on walking towards the docklands.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter walked into Nonnatus House unannounced to warn Fred about the safety inspectors going to check out his toffee apples and quail slaughtering ("will Fred ever stop pursuing these money schemes"). Now he alone with Nurse Browne, Trixie, Cynthia and Sister Evangelina. He found out Nurse Browne's full name was Camilla Fortescue-Cholmondeley-Browne, and the Nurses call her nickname, "Chummy". Peter, on the other hand, couldn't call a lady by her nickname, and decided to stick with her first name.
Peter was stuck again. After getting the polite conversation out of the way, he couldn't ask her to the pictures. The thought of hearing the word "no", was too much.
Sister Evangelina broke the uncomfortable silence. "Enough," she said. "I can't take any more."
Peter felt Sister Evangelina putting him on the spot. He couldn't, couldn't ask her to pictures. Eventually, he took the risk. "Here comes the refusal," Peter thought.
Sister Evangelina asked Camilla if she wanted to go.
Peter held his breath.
"I'd loved too," Camilla said in her refined accent.
Peter heard Sister Evangelina's relief that it was over and she could eat her cake without this awkward tension. Peter couldn't say anything else at that moment. He couldn't believe his luck. This lady would love to go to the pictures with him.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter enjoyed the evening out with Camilla, and he was sure she did too.
Camilla was sweet and she had sense of humour. She mentioned about her childhood in India.
"There are insects in people's home here but there were larger ones in India."
She said she was happy here but... she knew she stuck out. She told Peter how she had to earn Sister Evangelina respect. Peter reassured Camilla that everyone, apart from the mothers, needed to earn Sister Evangelina respect. Camilla smiled of one with relief.
Two days later, Peter was on the morning shift again. As approached up to Leyland Street he saw Camilla riding back to Nonnatus House. She looked in all. Dead beat. Peter watched her intently. He had courted other girls before but this time he knew it was different. Peter had fallen for her. He walked away, ensuring he didn't distract her, but it was difficult to do so.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next day, Peter went to Nonnatus House, looked around to make sure no one was around, then quickly walked inside to see the rota. Quickly scanning the board, he saw Nurse Browne was roster to the Battening buildings.
Peter walked over there and saw her bike.
"Let her attend to the mother's. Wait til she comes out," Peter thought.
The last thing Peter wanted to do was interrupt Camilla's job. After half an hour, she eventually came out. Peter looked at her for a while, lost for words again. Eventually Camilla broke it and was genuinely surprised to see him again.
"I was thinking what a nice time we had at the pictures and how it seems daft not to do it again. Well, sooner rather than later. So, um. What do you say?" Peter added. He wasn't aware how pleading he sounded or his eyes were looking doubtful.
"It seems worst than daft. It seems positively idiotic," Camilla replied back.
Peter chuckled, adoring Camilla's turn of phase. "Well, there we go, then."
He quickly lifted the clothes line so Camilla could cycle off without hitting it. He knew she could do it herself. He was falling in love with her and he wasn't aware how long he stayed still, watching her cycling away.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The second date – fish and chips then movie "High Society", was great. Peter didn't have to try to be a gentleman. Underneath his policeman's demeanour, Peter was an old fashioned, gentlemanly man.
He asked her if she would come to the dance next week. He couldn't dance but he enjoyed doing it none the less. Importantly, he thought Camilla would love to go, expecting all women like to dance.
Peter could read Camilla's face and although she said she'd love to go, she had a horrified, nervous face. "Oh, what have I done," Peter thought.
There was no decline coming up to the dance, so Peter was confident Camilla wanted to go. And indeed, she opened up the door with a smile... then Trixie poked her head around and giggled, then.
"Ladies," Peter said politely as Jenny and Cynthia also came out as well.
Peter initially expected it would be just him and her, but by hearing Camilla's nervous tone that she suggested they'd all go together, he quickly accepted it. He wanted her to feel comfortable. Jenny's chap also came up the steps to take Jenny's arm, and Peter was happy to go with the flow. "Aren't we the lucky fellows," as he took Camilla's arm too. Camilla's smile warmed him greatly inside.
Dancing with Camilla wasn't the smoothest dance he'd had with a girl. But he was having fun and he saw Camilla was having fun too.
Once the dance was over, they were all ready to leave to rest. All of them had a good time, except Peter noticed Cynthia was sad. She walked the quickest back to Nonnatus House, with Trixie, Jenny and Jimmy, following behind. Peter and Camilla were taking their time, happy to be in their company. Eventually they got back to Nonnatus House.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Peter held Camilla's hand gently and moved his face to her cheeky slowly. He then gave a kiss on Camilla's cheek, move his face back and let go of her hand. Camilla smiled and then walked up stairs normally to begin with, then quickly rushed the last few. Peter gathered Camilla was going to tell the others. Which he didn't mind one bit.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter was finishing writing up his report on Shirley Redmond's baby being stolen. It was a huge relief that the baby was returned back to the parents but it was still a tough case. He had to follow through all enquiries, including that Mrs Redmond was unwell mentally and she might harm her baby. He knew his questioning at Nonnatus House had got Sister Evangelina and Jenny angry... but it was his job. To find out that the baby was stolen and he had caused unnecessary distress to Mrs Redmond...
Peter put his pen down.
He picked up the phone and called Nonnatus House. A chat with Camilla might him to get through this guilt.
"Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking." It was Camilla.
"Camilla. It's me."
"Oh, hello Peter. How are you?"
"I could be better. How about you?"
"Well, I'm okay. But we are consoling Cynthia at the moment. She had a toxaemia patient who passed away today."
("Well, that puts things into perspective," Peter thought.)
"I'm finishing writing the report on Shirley Redmond's baby. I went down the wrong enquiries. The baby was stolen, not harmed by Mrs Redmond herself."
"Peter," Camilla said sympathetic. "You were doing your job. You've got nothing to feel guilty about."
Peter smiled a bit, weakly.
"Do you feel any better?"
"Yes, a bit."
"Chat later, then?"
"Yes. Good night Camilla."
"Good night Peter."
Peter put the phone down and finished writing his report. Camilla said to him what he already knew, but he felt better hearing it from her.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When Peter wasn't seeing Camilla on the day or evening, he would be over to see his parents to tell them how wonderful she was. Even before they had a proper kiss.
He did start telling his work colleagues, who were also his friends, that he was courting someone again.
"What's her name?" Constable Frank Williams asked
"It's Nurse Browne. From Nonnatus House."
"Her?" Frank said, bewildered. "Peter, she will eventually pack you in. Enjoy courting her while it lasts."
Peter took offence but Frank made a point. A doctor, a barrister, could take Camilla's eye and she'd be drawn to their higher occupation. Peter started to look into getting a promotion to be a sergeant. He didn't mention Camilla to his work colleagues again.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter's working shift had finished, and on a painful note. After chasing a man who had run away with a handbag, they both collapsed on the gravel. Peter cuffed the man, gingerly got up and took him to the police station. He signed himself off and finally then noticed the grazes he had on palms and arms. Peter did try to be a 'tough man', but inside, he struggled with sores, even grazes. His work colleagues didn't give him a great deal of sympathy, or helped to clean the sores. So, Peter went to Nonnatus House to chat with Camilla, as he usually did, with some little grazes this time.
Camilla opened the door.
"Come in, Peter. What happened to you? Come, come! Come into the kitchen and let me clean and wrap up those grazes." Camilla was concerned. Probably perhaps a bit too concerned, Peter thought. He was definitely getting more sympathy than from his work colleagues.
"Camilla, do calm down. Yes, could you please clean these grazes. But I'll survive."
"Sorry, sorry. I just haven't seen you hurt before and I got a shock. Sit down."
Peter sat down and Camilla got some warm water, cotton wool, tweezers and bandages, and placed them on the table. Then sat down and started intently working on getting the the gravel out of the grazes, cleaning them and bandaging them up.
After Camilla cleaned up and wrapped one of Peter's hand, he lifted it and placed it on Camilla's cheek and held it there. Camilla didn't flinch and looked up at Peter.
"I shouldn't be doing this inside the convent," Peter was yelling inside his head.
With that thought out his head, Peter kissed Camilla on the lips. She responded back. Peter kissed her longer than he had intended and finally braked it off. He kept his hand still on her cheek. He wasn't sure how Camilla was going to react. She smiled radiantly at him. Peter smiled back but in his head, he was relieved Camilla wasn't taken aback.
Peter then placed his hand back on the table and Camilla went back to cleaning the grazes. In the background, they could hear Trixie's distinctive voice in the distance, "Peter and Chummy have kissed! And in the convent too!"
Peter and Camilla chuckled quietly.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"Peter, please! Invite Camilla over for tea," Peter's mother Mary said. "If she says yes, I'll decide on a date and then we stick on it."
Peter honestly wasn't aware that he was talking more and more about Camilla. So his mother's request came as a surprise for him.
Peter had been starting to think about proposing to Camilla. He knew they'd been courting for only three months, so he considered that he shouldn't ask Camilla at least now. He didn't want to scare her off! He hadn't even told her he loved her yet!
"One thing at a time," Peter thought. "I'll need to help Camilla get through meeting my parents!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter let himself inside Nonnatus House, searching for Camilla. He knew she wouldn't forget the date that she would see his parents. When she came from the yard, he couldn't believe his luck.
"Oh, my God. She's soo beautiful," Peter thought, looking at her dress. He already thought she was beautiful before.
Peter didn't have a chance to speak as Camilla quickly walked pass him to the kitchen. Peter quickly kept up with her as she explained that she wanted to go with him but Fred's pig, which was in labour, was her priority.
This was all unexpected news to Peter but after telling her that she looked beautiful, he decided to go with the flow.
"Now, tell me what you want from me?"
Peter thought Camilla would give him a task.
"Just you," Camilla said, happily.
"This is not going to be a time to propose to her," Peter thought. "But at least tell her 'I love you'." He couldn't say it. Such words are tough to say out loud. Especially when this would be the first time he would tell say it to a girl. On this occasion, a lady.
Finally, Fred's pig had delivered all her piglets. There was an exhaustion around the convent.
Camilla was most surprised when Peter asked her if she had another dress she could wear tonight.
"My mother is insisting on seeing the woman I can't stop talking about," Peter smiled and held Camilla's hand in a tender way.
Peter saw Camilla's face looking surprised at such a compliment. Peter knew his parents would adore her as much as he did.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That night, Peter was holding Camilla's hand again. But this time for reassurance and comfort.
Camilla quickly rushed out of his parents' living room after accidentally stepping on their dog's paw. Charlie gave a yelp and ran into the Mary's and Edward's Noakes bedroom.
"Oh, I'm so, so sorry," Camilla blurted out.
"It's okay, dear," Mary said. "He'll be fine. He won't go near you again," she added with a chuckle.
Peter had a little chuckle too and looked over at Camilla, but was alarmed by her state.
Camilla had a little sniff, then quickly said, "I need to leave for a moment." She rushed out of the living room.
Peter quickly addressed his parents, shocked by Camilla's upset state, "Just give us a moment."
Peter left the living room and saw Camilla at the door, shaking a bit.
He immediately went up to her and held her hand. Camilla gratefully grasp it.
"Don't make me go back in there. Not for now," Camilla sniffed.
"I won't. But my mother wants to get to know you. Preferably tonight."
"Even after stepping on the dog's paw?"
"Of course."
Peter turned around at the living door at still saw it was closed.
He then released Camilla's hand, which was difficult as she had a firm grip on it and put his arms around her and Camilla grateful hugged him back and rested her head on his shoulder. After a minute or so, Peter felt Camilla's body was not shaking and her sniffing had stopped. They released each other at the same time. Peter looked at Camilla's face and saw her brave expression.
"Okay?"
"All tickey boo."
Peter opened the living room door and he and Camilla walked in. He immediately picked up his parent's, surprised faces. "They will quickly discover what a special person she is," Peter thought confidently.
Peter knew his mother had tried to prepare the best dinner she could, with the tin salmon and whatever fresh vegetables were at the grocers. She almost looked surprised that Camilla had ate it without hesitation.
"Poplar must seem very different from where you originally come from," Mary said to Camilla. "What made you come here?"
Camilla didn't answer straight away. Peter looked over to her. He had never thought of asking her such a question.
"Well, I initially came over here to get district nursing experience, so I would be accepted to work as a missionary in Africa," Camilla finally replied.
"Oh, I see," said Mary, if a little disappointed.
Peter didn't talk as much as he usually does for the rest of the dinner and desert.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter walked with Camilla back to Nonnatus House.
"Do you have enough district nursing experience now?" Peter asked, quietly.
"Don't sound too vulnerable," Peter thought.
"Well, I'm more confident now with delivering babies," Camilla smiled.
"So..." Peter tried to keep his composure. "When he leaving then?"
Camilla stopped walking and looked directly at Peter.
"Ah. You still think I'm still planning to go to Africa?"
Peter looked down, disappointed.
"Peter. I promise you... I've decided to not to go to Africa. It was something that I thought God had wanted me to do."
Peter looked up at Camilla again.
"But now I've discovered that God wants to work here. And, I'm walking out with you. And I couldn't be happier."
Peter smiled and breathed deeply.
"I couldn't be happier, too."
They kissed, joyfully. Then kept walking to Nonnatus House.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Two days later, Peter went to see his parents.
"You see why I keep on talking about Camilla then?" Peter asked his mother.
"Camilla is a very nice lady. Definitely a lady... I like her a lot," Mary summed it up.
Mary paused some more and spoke again, "I'm very sure you'll both be very happy. It's just... it might not last."
Peter looked very surprised but then understanding, knowing what her mother was preparing him for.
"That's why I didn't ask her to the pictures first off. I know we're from different classes –"
"That's an understatement," Edward interrupted.
"- But this isn't just a fling. Camilla wouldn't pack me in because I'm a police constable and living in Poplar. Besides, I'm going to be studying to be a Sergeant next year."
Edward and Mary were doubtful but hoping they were wrong in their assumption.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Camilla's mother (or Mater as Camilla called her) was coming over to Nonnatus House in a week's time.
Peter couldn't be more delighted to see one of Camilla's parents.
They had their afternoon break roster and went to the whelk stand, to purchase their usuals. The people standing behind them, were whispered a few words to each other. Peter knew he and Camilla were one of the gossip topics, especially when they were both in uniform. A nurse and a policeman – how amusing.
They sat at their usual seating bench, the green canal river there view.
Peter got the courage to tell Camilla that he loved her, but couldn't propose after that. "I'll ask her eventually," Peter thought.
Camilla's reaction was one of surprise but full of happiness. Peter dared to kiss her when they were both in uniform. Whilst she felt uncomfortable about it at first, after taking the whelk out of her hands, he kissed her again and she responded.
They finished the rest of their meals, Camilla still not interested in trying out the Peter's jellied eels. Then they went back to doing their jobs with a smile on their faces.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter woke up from his alarm clock. He dreamt of the months he had been courting Camilla. Now, that's over.