Comfort you all night

Pasty had to get out the room. She'd had such a rubbish day and just needed time to herself. She excused herself from the dinner table at Nonnatus House and trudged up the stairs. Unknown to her, Delia's eyes, full of worry, watched her go. Delia wanted to go after her, but Trixie was eyeing her suspiciously. So she had no choice but to sit back and pretend she was listening to the current conversation, even if her thoughts were elsewhere. 

After another hour of pretending she was interested and eating cake and other sweet delights, Sister Julienne finally let them all retreat to bed. Delia almost sprinted up the stairs, desperate to see if Patsy was alright. Walking down the corridor with great urgency, she paused when she heard a loud whimper. She heard it again, louder this time. Then a word, just a single word, that almost broke her heart. "Mum"

Delia ran down the corridor now that she knew Patsy was having another one of her dreadful nightmares. When she opened the door, the sight before her brought tears of sadness to her eyes. Patsy was lying on her bed, arms thrashing around as she shouted. "Mum, don't leave me. Mum, you can't leave, don't leave me, don't leave me." Delia was by her side in an instant, stroking her hair and whispering words of comfort. Patsy's forehead, Delia noticed, was covered in sweat.   "Patsy, it's alright, it's Delia. You're having a nightmare but you're safe. I've got you, nothings going to happen to you. Come on, wake up." When Patsy opened her eyes, she threw herself straight into Delia's arms. She buried her head in her shoulder as sobs wracked her body. Delia just sat, telling Patsy how much she loved her and assuring her that she would be ok. 

After a while, Patsy calmed down but was still shaking slightly out of pure fear. She looked at Delia, worry in her eyes. "Please don't leave me," she choked out. "I'm going nowhere," promised Delia and wrapped her arms around Patsy as they lay down. "Your safe with me, I'll stay with you tonight. Nothing is going to happen."

2 years later and Pasty is still having nightmares about the camp she was forced to go to. But Delia would always be with her when she was suffering, and she knew that as long as Delia was there, nothing could hurt her.