A Beginning - a Patsy/Delia Call The Midwife fanfic

Chaper 1

The London park bustled as nursing students and off-duty hospital staff enjoyed the rare clear day, Patsy Mount amongst them. Her disinterested blue eyes briefly lighting on passersby. As a soft breeze caressed her pale skin, she couldn't resist lifting her serene face to the warmth of the sun. Her blonde hair shone bright as she took a long pull off a cigarette, exhaling slowly toward the sky.

It was incredibly peaceful there on her bench. She found so much of the city filled with a constant racket and stink that breathing the air filled with green grass and blossoming flowers in the quiet of the park was refreshing.

People came and went without attracting any specific notice until the disembodied laugh and a lilting Welsh accent tickled the edges of Patsy’s awareness, causing her to glance around. A group of young women strolled along the gravel path toward her bench, chatting and gesticulating excitedly. One woman in particular drew Patsy's attention, with hair the color of rich, dark chocolate pulled up in the respectable nursing bun, adorable fringe falling over her forehead.

Just as the group crossed in front of her, the woman’s brilliant blue eyes glanced over and Patsy was entranced. Worrying her lower lip, Patsy endured the attention with a combination of anxiety and curiosity as the brunette’s pace slowed to a stop.

A member of the group called back to the woman watching Patsy intently. "Delia, are you coming?"

Without breaking eye contact with Patsy, the intriguing woman only turned her head slightly toward her friends. "No, I don’t think so. I'll catch you up later." She stood there as if assessing Patsy, her eyes sharp and arms crossed in contemplation. 

Uncomfortable with so much unwavering attention, Patsy squirmed, mindlessly picking at the skin around a thumbnail. 

Briefly glancing at the retreating group, Patsy’s questioning eyes were pulled back to the intriguing stranger still examining her. Her mouth had gone dry and her belly fairly took flight with a thousand tiny butterflies.

A voice of fear deep inside Patsy warned, Walk away! Now! Run!

A decision had apparently been reached as the young woman strode toward her. Apprehension peaking and heart hammering, Patsy dropped and crushed the forgotten cigarette beneath the toe of her shoe before clasping her hands tightly in her lap.

Coming to stand in front of her, Delia extended a properly manicured hand. "Delia Busby. First year nursing student."

Prying her own hands apart, Patsy was unsettled to feel how clammy her palms had become. Taking a moment, she surreptitiously dried her palms by smoothing out the skirt of her nursing uniform. She hoped she looked far more relaxed than she felt. Her anxiety jumped another level when she clasped Delia’s hand; it was both strong and soft, and altogether...trouble.

Clearing her throat, Patsy worked to keep her nervous voice steady. "Patience Mount. But please, call me Patsy." Releasing Delia's hand, Patsy leaned back, attempting her own appraisal of this incredibly...friendly...woman. 

That voice scoffed inside her, and Patsy momentarily acknowledged it. Alright, yes! She’s enchanting and undeniably beautiful. Now shush!

With a raised eyebrow and twitch of her chin toward the empty seat on the bench beside Patsy, Delia asked to sit.

A lump formed in Patsy’s throat, interfering with her ability to speak. Instead she waved toward the vacant space in a manner she intended to appear carefree; when in truth her ears were fevered and her foot jiggled uncontrollably. She watched in fascination as Delia settled with a sigh of contentment, her face tipping up to the warmth of the sun.