A Beginning - a Patsy/Delia Call The Midwife fanfic

Chapter 6

An exhausted Patsy and her fellow nurses waited outside the charge nurse’s office for the daily announcements and duty assignments. She had lain awake most of the night reliving the evening before; she was afraid she had ruined any chance she may have had with Delia. It had been so overwhelming and she had run from it.

The moment the large black hand on the noisy hallway clock clunked to seven o’clock the door swung open, jarring Patsy back to the hospital hallway. The stern, older woman marched out of her small, but tidy, office; steel grey hair pulled back into a tight bun. 

Never one for pleasantries, Nurse Watson started directly into announcements. “Alright ladies,” she began, peering at her clipboard through glasses perched on the end of her nose. “Prepare yourselves for a challenging day.”

Brows furrowed and silent words were mouthed as Patsy and the others glanced anxiously at each other.

“The first-year students will be here shortly to shadow you on your rounds.”

Patsy’s heart jumped as Nurse Watson handed a small sheaf of papers to the young woman nearest to her. “They have been divided into groups. It doesn’t matter which group you get, so please just take one and pass the rest on.”

Trying to stifle the giddy, nervous laughter threatening to bubble up, Patsy watched the shrinking stack of papers make its way around to her. 

“Now, a few items. Remember that these are first years. Do not let them touch anything. That will come later in the year for them.” She glanced around. “Simply discuss the patients and their symptoms, diagnoses and treatments. And demonstrate your regular duties and responsibilities.”

Patsy barely heard a word as she finally received her group and anxiously scanned the names. 

Disappointment washed over her. 

Of course. The odds had definitely not been in her favor. 

Not-so-subtly craning her neck, she attempted to read the names on the lists of the women around her.

“Also, keep a tight rein on any giggling and shenanigans that may take place among the girls. This is a male ward, and they need to learn professionalism. No matter what. Finally…” she paused. The uncomfortable silence grew until Patsy finally took notice and glanced up to find herself pinned by Nurse Watson’s icy gaze. 

“Finally,” Nurse Watson continued, “do not let this interfere with your duties, nor the quality of your care. I understand that you will most likely fall behind in your schedule. While it will not be held against you, you still will be expected to complete your rounds.”

A quiet tension met her final remark, and Patsy knew the dismayed grumbling would begin the moment Nurse Watson had left.

“Are there any questions?” The austere woman waited only a moment before returning to her office and shutting the door. At the click of the latch, clusters promptly formed and quiet voices bemoaned frustrations.

“Can you believe this?”

“I’m supposed to see Charles tonight!”

“Why didn’t she warn us?”

“Today is going to be a drag.”

While the others mourned the cancellation of plans, Patsy moved amongst them searching each list until she found the right one. Her excitement quickly fizzled when she realized exactly who held the paper. Elspeth Dawson.

Elspeth was simply awful; she was the surliest, most cantankerous gossipmonger of Patsy’s classmates. And now Patsy needed to convince her to switch groups without appearing too eager. She needed to avoid any undue Elspeth-interest.