Shelagh never remembered getting so easily breathless from cycling but she found herself stopping and leaning against a wall, Barbara almost didn't notice until she went to call out a direction and saw Shelagh taking a heavy breath.
"Are you alright?" She asked, sliding off her bike and putting a hand on Shelagh's shoulder.
"Nothing to worry about, I just need a minute..." Shelagh replied through shaky breaths. Barbara's concern was obvious as she watched her friend struggle.
"Shelagh do you think it's back...?" She asked quietly, Shelagh shook her head and got back onto her bike trying not to think about what Barbara had said.
When Shelagh got to Nonnatus with Barbara she collapsed onto the sofa in exhaustion, telling the others she needed a moment to herself.
"I'm fine sister, really. I just need a moment to think" She told Sister Julienne who hovered nervously in the door way for a moment before deciding to leave her alone. Shelagh inhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a second, trying to concentrate on breathing and keeping calm, the cold air had spread across her lungs, contracting them tighter so breathing was a task harder than it should have been. Another deep, struggling breath, this time Shelagh felt something, crackling in her lungs. She thought about what Barbara had said, fear took over and breathing became practically impossible, the idea of being back in the sanatorium was looming over Shelagh as she struggled. Finally she managed a breath, and lifted herself off the sofa slowly. She took a few steps and her vision became blurry and her head fuzzy. She managed a small yelp as the floor hurtled towards her. She heard the clatter of feet quickly coming closer.
''Shelagh-!'' someone gasped, It sounded like Sister Julienne's voice but sound was distorted and all vision was clouded so it could well have been anyone... Shelagh felt something close to her face, possibly a mirror checking if she was breathing. Sister Julienne and Sister Winifred knelt next to Shelagh, Sister Winifred put her hand to Shelagh's forehead gently to check her temperature,
''Cold... She's breathing but raggedly.'' Sister sighed. Sister Julienne looked up at the group of midwives and nuns who stood in the doorway.
''Call for Doctor Turner!'' She called to them, Barbara gulped heavily and nodded, quickly turning around, picking up the telephone and dialing the number for the Doctor.
Patrick received the call and left for Nonnatus as quickly as possible, leaving Beatrix and Angela with Mrs B. He ignored the doorbell and ran straight in, Shelagh lay on the floor in the sitting room, still out cold.
''Shelagh...'' He gasped, sprinting to her and kneeling beside.
''What happened?'' He asked, Sister Julienne shook her head.
''We don't know. She seemed out of breath when she got back and when I came to check on her she was like this...'' She said, her hand clutching Shelagh's hand desperately.
''Is she breathing?'' Patrick asked quietly, Sister Winifred nodded and Patrick sighed in relief. He took out his stethoscope and pressed it against his wife's chest over her heart, although it was steady he heard faint crackles, he moved the scope down over Shelagh's lung, they became louder and more distinct.
''I can't believe I didn't notice...'' Patrick muttered
YOU ARE READING
Suddenly x-Turnadette-x
RomanceA few things to note; I started writing this during Shelagh's pregnancy in the real show, it was originally a one shot but I made it into a longer story. The baby is the wrong gender but aside from that basically everything is the same. Mae is just...
