#anyone remember Turnadette?

[judy--21]

Little question for turnadette fans.

I had a dream last night and all I remember is that Shelagh had learnt to lap dance and was showing her moves to Patrick.

Would anyone be interested in reading that if I wrote a fic about it? Would prob be a short piece for now.

[the-original-rockbird]

Don't get me started! All I ever do here is complain, but I'm having a hard time accepting that the series is not what it was and my expectations are still high. It causes me nothing but misery.

Yesterdays ep was fine, all good. And a wonderful scene with Sr Julienne and Shelagh but it annoyed the crap out of me that we went from Patrick on a stretcher and Shelagh sobbing to him sitting up in bed laughing and looking like Basil Fawlty (thanks whoever pointed that out 🤣). Would it have killed them to write in a tiny scene between that? Laura is absolutely wasted and the family is not allowed to serve the purpose that it once did. I finish 8/9 episodes disappointed. Oh, and FFS let people finish a conversation. The chopping and changing and fractions of scenes is impossible to watch.

Sister Bernadette and Dr T had more touches in one episode then the whole of series 10 and 11

[weshallc]

Al's Two Penneth. Well, it's more like half a crown.

So, it's that time of year again. Thank you to everyone who posted recently. We need to have an open fandom. If I haven't touched on one of your points sorry, it may be something about a character that doesn't bother or interest me, but I may turn up on your post later if I feel inspired.

Series 10 and 11; we have the addition of social distancing to the conversation. So, I will get that out of the way first, nice to have a new topic.

As has already been stated I don’t think we can compare a work environment with babies and new mams, elderly folk and people who may be vulnerable with the main cast photographed together at a social occasion such as a theatre production or awards night. I know this is a contentious issue, but I don’t believe they were at a work event (ahem). What they do in their own time is up to them and the venue’s management. Neal Street will be following strict protocols within the workplace to avoid large fines and to keep its employees safe.

Saying that, I felt the direction could have been better this series. In some places, it's been bloody awful. I guess this is a learning curve for everyone. I had similar thoughts to @earnestlylost prior to Series 10 that the cast would be assigned bubbles and the stories maybe centre around a Nonnatus Bubble, Turner and Maternity Home bubble, a newsagent bubble with the Buckles and Robinsons. I thought there would be fewer guests and just one main story giving time for some cast development.

I haven’t watched any shows with large casts such as soap operas and I’d be interested in knowing how they adapted. I do watch All Creatures Great and Small and I noticed the direction is much more subtle. They however, have a much smaller cast and a lot of the action takes place outdoors. I think they are on location for most of the filming, so it is much easier to form a cast and crew bubble.

I must admit I do miss the use of popular songs of the time, but I guess that’s expensive and runs into difficulties when the show is sold internationally. I find the original music a bit melodramatic for my taste and not always reflective of the era. It does seem a bit quieter or maybe I’m just desensitised. Nice to hear The Mirror again and I like the music in episode 4. I’m not a big fan of auld Jenny and the voiceovers. I must admit it was something that put me off the show when it was first aired, but I can live with them and sometimes people make nice posts out of them.

Speaking of which, “so there are just a lot of photosets and scattered comments" go easy @snoopctm I feel rumbled ;) . I would love you to start up your Tuesday and Thursday posts again. There is one thing I might add. I love discussing the show and episodes, but it is worth remembering Fandom etiquette. If someone writes a post about a certain topic and it promotes discussion, that’s great, but hijacking the post to bash your particular tambourine is not so great. Just start a new post and maybe add so and so’s post made me think of this and so and so might even be happy to respond to your new topic in an original post .

Shelagh, Shelagh, Shelagh! I think I have been watching a different show for the last 9 years, but Shelagh is still Shelagh to me. She was somewhat softer in series 2, for the whole romance vibe. That’s why I have never written her past series 2, too difficult for me to get her character right, almost impossible to write her in AU, because she is very much mired in the 1950 housewife mode. I found she just doesn’t lend easily to modern storylines. I know I have tried. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading all the excellent Turnadette fics and enjoy being privy to people’s aspirations for the character including my own, but we’ve romanticised Shelagh so much as a fandom. I doubt anyone’s idea of the character corresponds with anyone else’s by now, especially Heidi's.

I have to admit; I enjoy watching Dr T work with Phyllis and Trixie. I think there is a good work chemistry between these characters. The Turner medical scenes have a tendency to turn into infomercials. If it was on ITV, the adverts would all be for pile cream and breast pads.

Other thoughts:

We’ve gone from: 4 nuns, 4 nurses, 1 handyman, 1 doctor, 1 child, 2 love interests (13)

To in series 11: 4 nuns, 4 nurses, 1 non-Nonnatun based nurse, 1 handyman, 1 nephew, 1 shopkeeper/ councillor, 1 doctor, 4 kids, 1 teenager, 2 love interests. (20) plus a more frequent guest from the mother house. Edit* 1 receptionist, so that is 21 regular cast.

I actually love all the characters. I think Reggie, Sister Frances and Hilda have been great additions and I’m really warming to Nancy she offers that young swinging 60s vibe that Lucille doesn’t quite fulfil (she has another story to tell.) and Trixie needs to hand the young frivolous baton on once and for all.

Add two storylines with their own casts. It really is top heavy. I have really enjoyed the main storylines of this series, but I have been left wanting more. I feel at times they are too neatly wrapped up with an auld Jenny voiceover and I still have unanswered questions.

[whatstheproblembaby]

Fic: With Open Arms

Making my first foray into Call the Midwife fic writing! Turnadette, s2, ~2250 words, G.

Sister Bernadette keeps finding herself in situations where she desperately wants to be in Dr. Turner’s arms. This is not allowed...until it is.

Read here on AO3!

Sister Bernadette rubbed her thumb back and forth over the knuckles of her other hand, trying to focus on keeping a steady rhythm as the car slowly made its way toward Nonnatus House. She was hoping that between the cover of her scapular and the necessity of Dr. Turner keeping an eye on the road as he drove, he wouldn’t notice her small movements, but-

“Sister? Are you sure you’re alright?”

Blast.

“Nothing a little rest won’t cure, Doctor,” she replied, keeping her tone light. “Although even rest won’t help when Sister Evangelina finds out I’ll have to go retrieve my bicycle before I can do my rounds tomorrow.”

Dr. Turner glanced away from the road just long enough to shoot her a stern glare. “You were assaulted by a patient during a long, difficult delivery! The last thing you should have to do after all that is bicycle home on your own, especially when it looks like the weather is going to turn.”

“Assaulted is a little strong, don’t you think?” Sister Bernadette asked, though she couldn’t keep herself from reaching up to gently rub the place on her cheek where Meg Carter had struck her. It wasn’t throbbing with pain any longer, but even the slight pressure from her own fingers was enough to make her let out a soft grunt of discomfort.

“Clearly not,” Dr. Turner said, smiling wryly. He pulled over beside the staircase outside Nonnatus House, braking and turning the car off before reaching over to Sister Bernadette. “Let me take a look at that.”

“You don’t need to-”

“Let me take a look,” he repeated, hands warm on her face. “It will put both of our minds at ease.”

Sister Bernadette didn’t quite believe that statement.

She closed her eyes as the doctor carefully ran his fingers over her cheekbone, feeling for any lumps or breaks. Thoughts she had been trying to ignore for weeks now ran through her mind in the silence of the car, half-formed feelings of longing and love that she desperately wanted to believe were acceptable under her vows. After all, she loved her sisters in God and nursing, didn’t she?

Somehow I don’t think I’d be this conflicted if Trixie or Jenny were conducting this examination, though, she concluded mentally, pressing her lips together in chagrin.

“Sister? Did that hurt?”

“No more than the rest of my face,” she said, opening her eyes to find Dr. Turner looking directly at her with an expression she couldn’t quite name. As he let go of her, she shifted her weight and crossed her arms tightly against her chest, suddenly feeling adrift.

“I don’t think anything’s broken,” he said. She felt exposed under his gaze, though he wasn’t looking anywhere he shouldn’t. “A few hours sleep and an aspirin, and you’ll be right as rain.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Sister Bernadette said softly, looking down at her lap. “If you would...could you not tell the others what happened at the Carter delivery? I don’t want the fuss or the worry.”

“You know Nurse Franklin may have already told the story to everyone? She’s better than a newspaper sometimes.”

“She might have gossiped to the other nurses, but they won’t worry themselves too much. I’m more concerned about how my sisters might react.” Sister Bernadette swallowed hard after her admission. “They’ll want to have you conduct a more formal examination, or pull me off the duty rota...and I couldn’t bear all of that. Not now. If I experience any lasting pain or swelling, I’ll inform you, I promise.”

“I know you will, Sister. I trust your judgment,” Dr. Turner said. They shared one last look, during which Sister Bernadette tried to suppress her yearning for him. She was mere inches away from his arms...and much as she was trying to avoid the motherly intentions of Sister Julienne she usually appreciated, she had a wild notion that Dr. Turner’s embrace would be the exact comfort she so deeply desired, warm and safe and smelling slightly of the cigarette they’d shared….

“May I help you get your bag inside?” Dr. Turner asked suddenly, putting an abrupt end to Sister Bernadette’s fantasies.

“No, thank you. I don’t want any fuss, remember?” she replied. As he exited the car and walked over to let her out, she shook her head slightly, hoping to regain her sense. “You’re very kind.”

She took her proffered bag in one hand and shut the car door behind her, smiling up at Dr. Turner for a quick moment before making her way over to the stairs. As she reached the first step, she heard a call from behind her.

“Sister?” When she turned around to face Dr. Turner again, he continued, “You were brilliant today.”

“Thank you. Your support made all the difference.” She gathered her bag close to her chest, the closest she would get to an embrace that day, and nodded once at the doctor before turning back to the stairs and entering the convent.

If she had looked back as the door closed behind her, she would have seen Dr. Turner gripping the car door handle tightly, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to follow her inside and never let her go.

___________________

Weeks later, Sister Bernadette was back in Dr. Turner’s car, watching the city thin out into the countryside and trying not to obsess over every breath she took.

“I really do think we’ve caught this in time for the triple treatment to work its wonders,” he said, not for the first time. The hopeful side of her wanted to believe that he couldn’t think straight around her, either, but she refused to indulge that thought. He was driving, trying to make sure they got to St. Anne’s in one piece - he had other things to focus on.

“So you’ve said,” she teased, hoping to see him smile one last time before she was exiled away from him - no, Poplar, not just him, she corrected herself - for who knew how long.

“I’m sorry.” He turned to smile at her briefly, and Sister Bernadette felt her soul light up in response. “I’m terrible company, aren’t I? I just...I don’t want to worry you.”

“You’re navigating down treacherous country roads to a place you’ve never been,” she said, smiling back. “I understand if conversation isn’t the first thing on your mind just now.”

“I’ll be more interesting when I write to you, I promise.”

“When you - when you write to me?” Sister Bernadette parroted, caught off-guard.

“Do you not want me to?” Dr. Turner asked in alarm. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to overstep-”

“No, no - please do write,” she said quickly. “I just didn’t think - you’re so busy-”

“I don’t want you to feel alone,” he said, cutting off her spluttering remarks. “I know the sisters and nurses will write, but I’m sure they’ll also get busy at times - and I promised Tim he could send letters, too.”

“Well, we can’t disappoint Timothy.” Sister Bernadette turned to smile at Dr. Turner once again, but her expression froze as they rounded a corner and came upon the gates to St. Anne’s.

The car was silent as the doctor pulled in and came to a stop a little ways away from the front portico. They sat unmoving for a moment before he finally spoke.

“Here we are, then.” Dr. Turner got out of the car and came around to open Sister Bernadette’s door before popping the boot to retrieve her travel cases. As he bustled about, she stood unmoving by the rear of the car, staring up at the massive building.

“Sister?” He came up beside her, hovering uneasily for a moment before resting his hand ever so gently on her shoulder. She forced herself not to lean into his touch, to keep it chaste, appropriate, friendly.

It was a hard battle.

“I’m scared,” she said softly, glancing up from his hand to his eyes. “I know my chances of recovery are excellent, but nothing’s guaranteed, is it?”

“If anyone can beat TB, it’s you,” Dr. Turner said, squeezing her shoulder. “I may sound overconfident, I know, but I believe mindset plays a role in all recoveries, minor though it may be. I also can’t...can’t even begin to let myself think that you may not come back.”

At that, Sister Bernadette gave up on self-restraint. A couple of tears turned into a steady stream, and she felt a handkerchief get thrust into her hands as the rest of her body was pulled toward Dr. Turner’s inviting chest.

“Wait,” she choked out, halting herself a hair’s breadth away from the place she most wanted to be. She used the hankie to mop her eyes before taking a deep breath and continuing, “I could be contagious. You could get sick, too, and then what would happen to Timothy, and all your patients? I couldn’t live with myself if...if….”

She sobbed once into the handkerchief and took a tiny step back.

“I want to, Doctor, more than I feel free to admit. But I can’t. Not while I’m sick.”

Sister Bernadette made herself look Dr. Turner in the eyes once she finished speaking and felt a rush of relief when she saw understanding and support in his gaze.

“Part of me wants to take the risk, but I know you’re right,” he said, letting out a resigned chuckle. “As usual.”

She chuckled once at that, too. “Thank you. I suppose...I suppose the sooner I get inside, the sooner I can start treatment, right?”

“And the sooner you’ll be back in Poplar,” Dr. Turner confirmed. “I’ll miss you, Sister.”

“I’ll miss you, too, Doctor.” Sister Bernadette reached for her cases, only to remember she was still carrying the doctor’s hankie. When she stretched out her arm to return it, he waved it away.

“Keep it. Just in case.”

“I’ll give it back once I return to Nonnatus.” She tucked the hankie carefully in the pocket of her habit before offering her empty hand. “I promise.”

Dr. Turner shook her hand once, warmly. “I’m holding you to that.”

___________________

“I think it’s her!” came the shout from behind her.

Shelagh thought she might faint in the road when she recognized the voice. She turned back to see a familiar, beloved green car approaching and dropped her cases when it came to a stop and Dr. Turner got out.

He was in front of her almost before she could blink. They looked into each other’s eyes for a long moment, overwhelmed, until he reached up slowly and rested his hand against her forehead, checking for fever.

“What if it had started raining? What if you got lost?” he asked, hushed and fervent.

“I was lost,” she confessed. A sheepish smile threatened to grow on her face, brought on by the combination of her joy at seeing him again and her embarrassment at her plan failing. “I got the wrong bus.”

He stripped off his overcoat at that, wrapping it around her shoulders and surrounding her with the scent of Henleys and cologne. “I was on the right road.”

“Yes,” she whispered, reveling in the warmth of his jacket and the weight of his hands against her collarbone. Somehow, that one statement seemed the most apt way to describe their entire relationship. “I know you so little, but I couldn’t be more certain.”

“I am completely certain.” There was a moment of silence before he admitted, “I don’t even know your name.”

“Shelagh.”

“Patrick,” he replied, answering the question she had had since she saw the signature on his first letter to her at the sanatorium.

“There, we’ve made a start,” she said, feeling the rightness bloom inside her. “Timothy!”

Timothy had popped up beside her out of nowhere. He wriggled under her right arm, squeezing her in a casual yet affectionate hug and forcing his father to take a step back.

“Are you better? Are you coming back?” he asked, beaming up at her.

“Yes and yes. As long as your father allows me in the car,” Shelagh said, looking up at Patrick with a teasing grin as she hugged Timothy back.

“He will!” Timothy chirped. “Here, I’ll get your bags.”

He scooped up a case in each hand and darted back to the car, depositing her things in the boot before clambering back into the back seat.

“You are always welcome anywhere I am,” Patrick said when they were alone again. “But I would prefer that right now, we were somewhere warmer and drier, for your sake.”

“As would I,” Shelagh replied. “But there is one thing I need to do before we can go.”

“What could you possibly-”

Patrick’s question was cut off by Shelagh closing the distance between them to bury her face in his chest, her arms wrapping around his torso securely. Scarcely a moment later, she felt Patrick return the embrace, bracing her as she went slightly weak in the knees. His lips gently brushed the top of her head.

“I was dreaming about this at St. Anne’s. Ever since I had to push you away that first day,” she said, turning her face so she could speak clearly but refusing to move even a centimeter away.

“I was dreaming about this long before then. All I wanted to do after Meg Carter slapped you was bundle you up and ensure you were alright.”

“I wanted that too. But better late than not at all, right?”

“I couldn’t possibly agree more.”

[snoopctm]

Turnadette Tuesday

Topical Timeline--CS 2012, Episodes 4x08, 8x06

“Children Are Resilient”

Hello Nonnatuns! This week, I’m interrupting my normal Timeline posts because a) I noticed I moved on to episode 8x07 last week and skipped over a key scene in 8x06 and b) I wanted to discuss this scene in context with two other scenes, so this week I’m doing a Topical Timeline post! More thoughts follow:

So, I don’t know how I could have skipped over this scene in my Timeline posts, but I did! This is an important scene in the Turners’ fostering/adoption plot with May, but for this post, I’m focusing not just on that story, but on the callbacks to previous important Turner scenes, all involving similar statements. “Children are resilient” is something the case worker, Mrs. Taylor, tells the Turners during this interview in 8x06, which echoes a phrase Shelagh has said twice before, first as Sister Bernadette in the 2012 Christmas special, and later in her capacity as a nurse at the maternity home in episode 4x08--”Children are more resilient than you think”. I’m fairly sure others have pointed out this callback to a degree, but what strikes me mostly here is the difference in what’s being communicated even though the wording is similar. 

For Shelagh in both instances, she was trying to comfort someone--first Patrick because he was concerned about how Timothy was handling his mother’s death, and later her patient Maureen Gadsby, who was concerned about having to be separated from her young son, Neil, because of being confined to the maternity home with hyperemesis. In both cases, Shelagh was genuinely concerned about the well-being of the person she was talking to, and would demonstrate that by her later actions (her continued concern for Patrick and Tim as s2 progressed, and her looking for a better treatment for Maureen so she could be reunited with her son). She also was relating the first situation to her own experience growing up, and in the second, we know that she’s a mother talking to another mother, knowing how difficult it must be to be separated from your beloved child. There’s empathy demonstrated in both situations. 

In the s8 situation, I’m not seeing any empathy. I’m seeing a more businesslike “I see this every day” kind of thing that dismisses the Turners’ concerns about May rather than trying to reassure, encourage, or help.  She seems to be treating May as just another case, and although she is kind to her, she doesn’t seem as concerned about the long-term effects of the transition to a new family. The Turners are both concerned, though, and Shelagh eventually talks Sister Julienne about it before she comes up with the idea of making a photo album for May to help her remember. She’s doing what she’d done in the earlier situations--demonstrating compassion and concern for another person, even though the case worker had seemed to dismiss her concern as unnecessary. 

That’s all for this week. Anyone else have any thoughts on this scene to share?

Next week, back to the Timeline in episode 8x07!

[fic-al]

Chichester

So this is for @roguesnitch who needed it and everyone else who was expecting a blog lol, and what did you get Classic Turnadette.

“I am not too sure these utility shoes were made for this sort of terrain.”

The nervousness in her voice wasn’t because of the disorderly concoction of shale and rock under her tiny feet in unbecoming shoes, but due to the large hand that had clasped hers to steady her.

“We could go back to the Mother House?”

As he said it, she felt his fingers entwine against hers; how could his skin feel so dry? In contrast, she felt every single cell of her being to be as moist as a baby’s first breath. She had felt so many of those in the past upon her cheek.

She protested that her shoes were sturdy, as good as any pair Nurse Franklin might purchase from Clarks. So they resumed their walk.

“The south coast sea air smells so similar to the sea air at Morecambe Bay, I remember as a child.” He had halted and seemed to take in the geography, aware for the first time of where they actually were. Like a dreamer suddenly awakened.

“Me too,” she responded shocked by the eagerness in her own voice on sharing a memory. “This reminds me so much of Crovie, when I was a child.”

Did she mean to tighten her hand in his or did he tighten his on hers?

“I always preferred searching for cockles, than riding on an overburdened donkey and shove a ha'penny at Blackpool.” His laugh was genuine, not bitter like a winter wind but light like a sea breeze.

“I liked to bury myself as much as I could in the sand hoping no-one could find me.” Her words tumbled out quickly, “I wanted to dig right down and discover Australia like Captain Cook, or somewhere more mysterious like New Zealand. I always wondered where old Zealand was?”

She was so still; he realized this was probably not the first time she had this conversation, maybe with her father, her mother. How old had she been when her mother died? His son had been nine, this was the kind of conversation they had enjoyed with him, or was it at the time endured and now cherished?

The hand was now cold in his, behind the glass, he could see the blue eyes, the blue eyes that shamed the blue of the sea, were troubled.

“I could take you back to the Mother House.” Blast why did he keep giving her the option he wanted her to take least. “Or I believe there is a makeshift sea scout hut along this path that serves refreshments, would you take tea with me?”

Anyone who read my other fics might remember Shelagh’s seaside memories were in Balmedie, but as we all know now thanks to the gorgeous @wednesdaygilfillian fic it was actually Crovie.

[blodgmonster]

tagged in a thing!

Tagged by @ikilledtohavethisurl

Rules: tag people you want to get to know better and answer the questions :)

Relationship status: single as fuck and fully prepared to die alone for a variety of reasons 

Favorite color: blue and red. 

Top 3 ships: 1.) Korrasami from Legend of Korra. 

2.) Turnadette from Call the Midwife

3.) Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice 

Last song: Hammer to Fall by Queen

Last watched movie: I think it was Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I fucking love that movie. 

Tagging: @lokis-tardis-companion19 @miss-galaxy-turtle @ziger123 and anyone else who wants to do it. I’m not good at remembering urls. 

[nunonabun]

Another one in case the lucille x val isn't your cup of tea. Turnadette and ''i texted you thinking you were someone else and now ive got your number and we engaged in a conversation and oh god we've been talking for weeks i think i kinda like you? should i ask to meet? is that weird?'' au. you can twist the scenario as much as you want

Ooo well then I’m going to twist it into the other ask: 

You borrowed a copy of my favourite book several weeks ago and haven’t returned it yet. I managed to track you down, where is it?” AU – THIS WOULD TOTALLY BE SHELAGH FACING PATRICK OVER A MEDICAL BOOK DURING EXAM WEEK

This one got long, so under the cut it goes!

Shelagh and Patrick are both starting medical school and reluctantly engage in those first week ‘meet your classmates’ activities. At one of the pub meet & greets they do meet and greet and exchange numbers so they can properly meet at some point. They promptly forget to follow up.

When acquaintances introduced them to one another, Patrick was been introduced to Shelagh as ‘Pat,’ which he dislikes and never goes by.  

Fortune smiles on them and they’re placed in the same physiology lab group. However, they’re both quite nervous for their first lab and they’ve met so many people that the names of the people they’re introduced to just go in one ear and out the other. They both have an odd feeling they’ve met before, but first week has been a social whirlwind and they’re always walking around with that feeling, so neither comments on it. 

Shelagh’s pre-written this week’s and next week’s notes from their lab text so when Patrick comments he hasn’t been able to get his hands on one yet due to shortages in the book store and his own bad habit of doing every last minute, she loans him hers. He promises he’ll bring it back next week.

Next week arrives and that disheveled dark-haired boy from Shelagh’s lab group fails to show up. Where is he? And more importantly, where’s her textbook? She has no way of getting it back from him. How could she be so silly as to loan her expensive textbook to someone whose contact details she didn’t have? 

As it’s the second week and there’s a greater chance that everyone who will switch or drop out has already done so, the remaining group partners - refreshingly all women - exchange numbers. Over the course of the lab Shelagh’s noticed that she and a girl called ‘Patsy’ have similar work habits, and as she cannot afford to replace her lost textbook, Patsy gamely agrees to let Shelagh study with her. 

Shelagh texts her new study buddy, asking her if she’d like to meet up tomorrow afternoon to study this week’s assigned neurology readings. She notices that the contact she’s selected is ‘Pat’ but figures her phone must have autocorrected ‘Patsy’ to ‘Pat’. Silly devices. 

The reply comes that ‘Pat’ would be happy to study with her but, er, sorry, is she in his class? he can’t quite place her face. Shelagh’s a tad offended but explains she’s in his lab group. Patrick, feeling like an ass because she must be given that he has her number, just plays the lapse off and offers to study over coffee at 4ish if that works for her? She jokes that his prefrontal lobe must be malfunctioning a bit. He agrees the chaos of starting school has completely shorted it. They continue to chat throughout that day and the next and she decides she likes ‘Pat’ even more than she already did. 

Meeting at the designated coffee spot, Shelagh can’t seem to locate Patsy’s distinctive flame-red hair. Patrick tries to quell the butterflies in his stomach and desperately hopes he’ll remember what this ‘Shelagh’ looks like as he rushes into the the coffee shop. His heart sinks when he realizes he doesn’t recognize any of his lab partners. When Patsy doesn’t arrive after 15 minutes, Shelagh texts her, asking if she’s close. Patrick, delighted that for once he might not be the late one, replies that he’s at the furthest table to the left of the entrance, by the window. Looking over and recognizing the table’s occupant, Shelagh realizes she’s not been talking to Patsy after all.

She explains the situation and Patrick is completely embarrassed that he’s done this to anyone, let alone this girl he’s developed a little crush on in an alarmingly short space of time. He’d forgotten he’d borrowed the book as he’d gone back to the book store the afternoon of that first lab and had bought a bunch of other books and figured that was one of them. He immediately returns it and asks if there’s anything he can do to make up for being such a dolt. Shelagh’s a bit frustrated, but he hadn’t done it on purpose and she did like talking to him and he was cute and Trixie always told her to lean in…

“Well after all of this, I wouldn’t say no to a drink”

(send me a pairing and AU and I’ll come up with 5 headcanons about it)

[mg-bsl381]

An Affirmation

An idea for this has been brewing in my head since 7.7 aired.  Thanks to @weshallc whose thought provoking fic gave me the impetuous to get this written.  I, for one, was in need of some Turnadette togetherness.  

Also many thanks to @snoopctm for assisting me in smoothing out the rough edges.

This is based on my personal head cannon that Angela’s birthday and another date of significance to Patrick and Shelagh occur on the same day.

I hope you like it!

An Affirmation

 Shelagh didn’t know when she started keeping tabs on Patrick.  It was not a conscious thing at all.  She found herself looking at him more than normal and she wasn’t alone. When she glanced at him he often captured her gaze, then they would both smile and turn away as if caught in the act. It was a subconscious action born out of anxiety.  Barbara Hereward lay dangerously ill in hospital.  Her only hope was the intravenous antibiotics and her body’s own resistance to infection.  It was no TB and there wasn’t a triple treatment, miraculous or otherwise to assist in the fight.  Only time would tell if her battle would be won but the waiting was hard.

 Shelagh’s watchfulness tailed off when Barbara rallied and appeared to be winning but it was a short lived victory and her foe was stronger than her ability to fight.  The phone call from Sister Julienne sent them hurrying to Nonnatus.  The vigil was silent and took place not in the chapel but in the hallway.  Shelagh stood with her head bowed and eyes closed, praying.  She leant into Patrick and could feel the pressure of his hand on her shoulder holding her close to him.  Each of them lost in thought trying to chase away the dreadful ‘what if’ question. Shelagh knew Patrick had once walked in the shoes Tom would put on tonight.  The click of the front door ended the vigil.

 Shelagh’s subconscious checking up on Patrick continued unabated in the run up to the funeral. She kept herself busy with work and Angela’s birthday celebrations.  It seemed cruel to plan a party in the midst of such grief but life did not stop and both she and Timothy knew what that meant.  Even on the afternoon following the funeral, Shelagh distracted herself by preparing food for an army of four year olds.  She made oceans of different coloured jelly, some for the trifle and of course Angela’s favourite bunny blancmange.  She made butterfly cakes which required considerable concentration as the finishing touches were fiddly.  Shelagh baked Angela a birthday cake pouring her love for her daughter into every turn of the spoon.

 She gave into time pressure and popped out to the bakers for some jam tarts and iced buns with pink icing.  Some things would have to be left until tomorrow as they couldn’t be done in advance. She had learnt very early on in her marriage that it’s best to leave a cake to cool completely before icing it. She shuddered at the memory of rivers of sticky icing that seemed to set like concrete all over the kitchen work surface.

 Shelagh collapsed into bed exhausted but satisfied that she had got the bulk of the party preparations under her belt.  She fell asleep snuggled against Patrick with his heartbeat like a lullaby soothing her into sleep.

 Shelagh awoke not long after dawn to find the bed beside her empty and cold.  Her heart started racing and she tried to remember if she’d heard the phone during the night.  She climbed out of bed and pulled on her dressing gown, sliding her feet into her slippers as she went.  She crept out of the room ears alert for sounds.  The house was silent with no sound coming from the bathroom.  She moved down the stairs into more silence. Then she noticed a cold draught and looked around to see the patio door slightly ajar.  Nervously she walked towards the door and saw a dark figure just outside.

 Patrick turned at the creak of the door.  Shelagh stifled a gasp at the look of sadness on his face.  She hurried over to him and wrapped her arms around him burying her face against his chest.  She felt his arms encircle her and her heart stopped racing.  She always felt at her safest in his embrace.  She shivered in the cold air.  Looking up she noticed that it was not just cold but misty too. She felt Patrick kiss the top of her head and sigh.  She craned her neck up to look at him.

 ‘Are you thinking about yesterday?’

 ‘Yes and before when it was me.  And of us.’

 ‘Us?’

 ‘Yes we are so lucky to have found each other and it could have been so different.  You gave up everything for me.’

 ‘Yes, but I gained everything in return.’

 Patrick smiled down at Shelagh and she had the strongest sense of déjà vu.  

 ‘Patrick, it’s misty this morning.’

 ‘Misty?’

 ‘Five years ago, I was lost and you found me.’

 ‘Is it really five years, it feels like a lifetime ago and I mean that in a good way.’

 ‘Do you remember what we said to each other?’

 ‘You told me you knew me so little, well that’s certainly changed, my love.’

 ‘And I couldn’t be more certain and that definitely hasn’t changed.’

 ‘I still am and will ever be completely certain.’

 Patrick bent his head and kissed Shelagh reaffirming all they felt for each other then and now.

 ‘Hello Mum? Hello Dad? Is anyone there?’

 Shelagh and Patrick broke their kiss with embarrassed grins and turned to face a very puzzled looking Timothy.  Teddy was in one arm and Angela in the other and both of them were smiling.

 ‘Happy Birthday my little darling.’  Patrick smiled at his daughter taking her from Timothy’s arms.  Shelagh retrieved Teddy from his brother and went back into the house.  She put the kettle on for a much needed cup of tea.  

 ‘Dad, what were you and Mum were doing? It’s freezing cold and you were outside in your dressing gowns.’

 ‘It’s five years since we went to pick up Mum from the sanatorium.’

 ‘Oh yes, I remember that day but why the early morning mushiness and in the cold too?’

 ‘It was such an important day for us and that includes you.’  He ruffled Timothy’s hair and wandered over to whisper in Shelagh’s ear.

 ‘Shelagh, do we need to be mushy about things like misty mornings?’

 ‘I couldn’t be more certain, what about you Patrick?’

 ‘I am completely certain.’  Patrick winked at Shelagh who blushed before dissolving into giggles.

 Timothy shook his head, rolling his eyes at his parents.  Shelagh and Patrick smiled and held each other’s gaze until the kettle boiled.

[sincerelybluevase]

Thanks for the tag, @eatapinkwafer, @my-little-yellowbird, and @cooldoyouhaveaflag!

@eatapinkwafer ‘s questions:

 1.What’s something you’d never thought you’d do but have because of a fandom?

That would have to be my travel to the USA to meet a fellow fan 😉

2. If you could be in any tv show/movie which would it be and what role would you like to play

I’d be quite happy to play one of the patients in CtM, haha. I’d get to meet people from the cast, and get to wear some lovely pieces.

3.Is there any storyline that has impacted you personally?

Hmmm…. I remember the one about brittle bone disease. The diagnosis didn’t come as a real surprise to me because some of my cousins have it, too, and something similar happened to my aunt and uncle.

4.How would you describe your favorite show/ movie to someone to convince them to watch it?

CtM: it has nuns and nurses who are also midwives who provide medical care to the London poor in the 1950’s. Also, it is feminist as heck.

5.Have you convinced anyone to watch a favorite show/movie of yours and they got hooked?

My sisters and I watch CtM together, haha.

6.Have you ever cancelled plans or left early in order to watch an episode of your favorite show or for a fandom thing? If so, tell the story

I don’t think I have, no. I just record the episode if something happens which means I can’t watch it live.

7.   How many fandoms have you been in and what are they?

Just CtM I’m afraid. Oh, and the German musical fandom, too.

8. What scene first got you hooked to your OTP?

I think it was the cigarette smoking scene. I was pretty sure there was love in the air for Turnadette, then. I think the hand kiss got me squealing good and proper, though.

@cooldoyouhaveaflag ‘s questions:

1.      If you’ve written fanfiction, do people in your real life read it? Would you want them to if they don’t?

My girlfriend does, haha. I mean we met through fanfiction, so it is logical. As to the rest of my family: they don’t, no, and I’d prefer to keep it that way. I don’t think I’d like them to read my smut.

2.      Are you usually active in your fandoms? If yes, how long before you join in, if no, why not? (No right or wrong answer, I just think it’s interesting!)

This is really my first fandom. I was active in 2013, then not for a long good while (until 2016). I don’t know why, exactly; I sure wasn’t very active on Tumblr in that period, either.

3.      What is your dream fic about your OTP? (no restrictions, it can be anything from a cannon one-shot to a 200,000 word multi chap space alien AU) 

I think Timothy Turner and the Entertainment Badge is as perfect as they come already.

 @my-little-yellowbird ‘s questions:

1.      How has fangirling made an impact in your life?

It got me a girlfriend as well as some good friends, for starters. It also made me start writing again. I’m eternally grateful for both things.

2.      What makes fangirling most worthwhile to you?

The contact with people who have the same interests as I. I don’t have many of them irl.

3.      What have you learned about yourself by being a part of a fandom?

That I am bisexual, haha!

My questions:

1. What activity in the fandom do you enjoy the most (the discussions, making gifs, writing/ reading fic, etc.)?

2. Do you prefer to be part of a small, middle-sized, or large fandom, and why?

3. Have you ever met someone in your fandom in real life? If not, would you like to?

I think most people have been tagged already, but I tag @purple-roses-words-and-love, @alice1nwond3rland, @bbcshipper, @simone020896,

[turnt4turnadette]

Eyes (Turnadette Fanfiction)

The last two speculation fics I have done were full of angst, so this week I have decided to write something fluffy and sweet that could possibly take place in S7 E4. Hope you all enjoy and it makes the waiting less painful!!

Shelagh was cooking dinner when Patrick came home that late afternoon. She accompanied Sister Monica Joan to her appointment with the ophthalmologist and had the rest of the afternoon off to get caught up on chores.

“Hello dearest” she said loudly so he could hear her

“Hello Shelagh” he replied when he walked into the kitchen

“How was your day?” she asked him

“It went good, no major catastrophes happened today. I’m glad to be home though.” he answered

“I’m glad that you had a good day at work” she said

“How was the ophthalmologist visit with Sister Monica Joan?” he questioned

“Getting her to admit that her eyesight is not well was not easy. She was nervous about it, but thankfully I was able to comfort her somewhat during her appointment. He confirmed that she is going to need cataract surgery to fix her eyesight. Although now the hardest part will be to get her to actually go through with the surgery” she told him

“Surgery will make just about anyone nervous and she is probably even more nervous on account of her age” said Patrick

“Yes and then there are the special glasses that she will have to wear for the rest of her life which I imagine is quite a daunting thought for her” Shelagh replied

“They are not the most flattering glasses either” he told her

“I can still remember the first day that I wore my glasses to school when I was a little girl. I was excited that I could read normally again, but some of the other children didn’t have nice things to say about them” she said

“If I could go tell each one of them off I would. I think that you look gorgeous in your glasses, they bring out your beautiful blue eyes that I fell in love with” he told her smiling

She felt heat rise up in her cheeks and replied “Thank you and I love your stunning brown eyes”

He stepped closer to her and ran his fingers through her hair. They looked into each other’s eyes and Patrick leaned down and kissed the bridge of her glasses, which made Shelagh smile. He kissed her nose and then their lips met. Shelagh wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands were already wrapped around her waist.

Just as their kiss deepened, Timothy came down the kitchen stairs and said “mushy stuff” and rolled his eyes. Patrick and Shelagh broke their embrace, looked at each other and laughed.

[eatapinkwafer]

11 Questions

  i was tagged by the lovely @thatginchygal , thank you!

1.       What was the first fanfic you ever read?

Oh gosh i think some Outlaw Queen one from the Once Upon a Time fandom like 4 years ago, can’t remember specifically which one

2.       What was the first fanfic you ever wrote (if any)?

Never written any, i’ll leave that to those who can write

3.       Your last text message is the title of your next fanfic.  What is it (and a brief summary)?

Last message sent was to my sister, “Yes of course my love!” Which isn’t too bad for a title and i’m not a writer so i have no idea what it would be about, some fluffy thing for Turnadette probably

 4.       Do you keep your fandom interests a secret from your RL family/friends? 

My family knows that im obsessive with shows because i can’t help talking about it, but only one sister knows about my Tumblr and the extent of my madness. And only two of my friends know i have a Tumblr, but they only know a fraction of how crazy i am and they will never know the rest haha

5.       What is one of your favorite scenes between your OTP?  

If we’re talking current OTP with Turnadette then it would be the hand kiss scene in 2x05 but my first and ultimate OTP, Luke and Lorelai, it would either be their first kiss in season4 finale or when she sings him “I Will Always Love You” in Season 7

6.       Do you have a playlist for your OTP?

I think i used to have one for Booth/Brennan but for Turnadette not really unless you count listening to “When I Fall in Love” on repeat

 7.       Why do I suck at coming up with these questions??

You’re doing brilliantly

8.       Would you want to live in the ‘world’ of your favorite fandom?

I don’t know which fandom is my favorite, ughh... i’ll just go with CtM and say yes only if i was part of the Turner family

 9.       What is your favorite piece of fandom merchandise?

I only have two items that were given to me, a STAR Labs sweater from the Flash and a Phoebe Buffay FunkoPop...I’ll admit a while back i was designing a CtM sweater/shirt because i was bored and needed that in my life (never ordered them tho)

10.   Have you ever drifted away from a fandom only to be sucked back in (perhaps by a new season or change of storyline)?

For Once Upon a Time after they killed off one of the people in my OTP for no reason i decided to leave (because the show also wasn’t that great anymore) but then the storyline for the next season seemed very good so i went back. But then i left again because the show still wasn’t that great

11.   Do you prefer canon-compliant fanfic or AUs?

At first i only liked canon, but so many people wrote such lovely AU’s in the CtM fandom that i love those also now

Im going to steal some of your questions ginchy, thanks!

My Tag Questions:

1.   How many fandoms have you been in and what are they?

2. Do you keep your fandom interests a secret from your RL family/friends? 

3. What’s something you’d never thought you’d do but have because of a fandom?

4. Do you prefer canon-compliant fanfic or AUs?

5. If you could be in any tv show/movie which would it be and what would you play?

6. What scene first got you hooked to your OTP?

7. Is there any storyline that has impacted you personally?

8. Which character do you see yourself in or can relate to the most?

9. How would you describe your favorite show/ movie to someone to convince them to watch it?

10. Have you convinced anyone to watch a favorite show/movie of yours and they got hooked?

11. Have you ever cancelled plans or left early in order to watch an episode of your favorite show? If so, tell the story

I won’t tag anyone i’m too lazy but if you wan to do these questions or like them, consider yourself officially tagged!

[thymefortea]

It’s been one of the worst Christmas seasons, and really whole month of December, I can remember this year.

Burnt out from extra work, it hasn’t felt festive or jolly at all, and my best friend had her first baby yesterday and just thinking of her makes me cry with jealousy and despair - because she’s living my dream It’s a season of happy families and all I’ve ever wanted my entire life is to be a wife and mom and I never EVER imagined I would still be single at this point in my life. To make matters worse, I’m surrounded by colleagues younger than me now getting married and having babies and it’s all I hear about.

I’ve always loved babies and I made a career of caring for sick and premature newborns but lately I can’t even bear going to work because at the end of the day, I relinquish babies to their parents who - despite enduring days, weeks, and months in the NICU - get to eventually take their baby home. People say my job is so meaningful and I make a difference - yes, I get to care for and help those babies get better and go home.

But I’m so tired of helping and watching MY dreams come true for other people and wondering why it hasn’t happened for me. It’s constantly in my face - at work, among friends and now my best friend. And I’m still alone while everyone moves on with their new lives and futures to look forward to.

Every day my heart aches with the fear it might never be my turn to experience that joy and the only thing I’ve ever wanted for as long as I can remember - to be a wife and mother. How can I ever feel content when I feel like those roles are my calling, my vocation, and my ultimate purpose but they’re not yet fulfilled?

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll never meet anyone until I stop escaping reality by obsessing over fictional couples who have relationships I wish I had. Would I meet someone if I spent less time on Tumblr and stopped reading Turnadette fanfic and thinking about how wonderful their relationship is? I wonder 😔

[alice1nwond3rland]

11 Questions (A Compiled List)

Oh my, I didn’t have time last week or this week to answer all of them questions! Thanks to finals and preparing for my undergrad thesis defense (YIKES)! But a few people tagged me and for a break, I decided to pick some of the questions and answer them below! Thank you for tagging me @sincerelygeertje, @thatginchygal, @like-an-officer-and-a-sergeant, and @nurse-franklin!!!!

1.  Cats or dogs?

Awe, can’t we have both? Well, all my life and currently, my family houses them cute doggies. But I know one day, I would like to house cats and dogs- so both!!!!

2.  Share one sentence of something you’ve written and tell me why you like it?

Oh my, must pull something out of that dusty cobweb folder I have on my desktop haha! Well, this was something I wrote a while back and I like it because it’s a rather sweet moment and the whole story idea came from romance novels found by @firstactproblems back in the day, anyone can read it if they want:

“Would you kiss me?”

The motion of his fingers stopped midway as he turned to her, a blush evident on her features, but he couldn’t help the smile spreading on his own.

3.  Ideal pet?

I hope to one day house 2 cats and 2 dogs! Best of both worlds! 

4.  Are you someone who is always hot or seems to be cold always?

I seem to be warm most of the time, but I have ice running through my veins haha- always want to be colder!

5.  Imagine there’s a zombie apocalypse. What would be your plan of survival?

This might sound crazy, but I rather go to the Morgue because you need badge access, which I have and it is pretty secure! But I am taking a course next semester on how to survive a zombie Apocalypse, so will report back haha!

6.  Have you ever been on a camping trip?

I have and it was frightful! I can understand Shelagh’s dismay when they went camping haha!

7.  Do you need a proper breakfast to get going?

No, not at all! Just give me some water or a nice juice/smoothie and I’m good!

8. Have you ever had an operation?

I actually have, when I was younger, so I don’t remember much of it though. 

9. Summer or Winter? 

Winter for days! 

10. What is your career/major/future job and why? 

I hope to become a medical examiner because forensic pathology is just so interesting and understanding the circumstances of someone’s death is a challenge in itself and leading towards closure for one’s loved ones.

11. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose? 

Oh my, I guess potatoes. Starches for the win, all day, everyday! 

This was terribly late though, but I will provide my own questions if anyone wants to do this! But I’m going to be lazy in formatting them haha:

1. Favorite song at the moment?/ 2. Favorite article of clothing?/ 3. Last time you read a fanfic?/ 4. Last time you stalked someone’s fanfic for updates?/ 5. Last movie you saw, was it any good?/ 6. Are you a sweet potato or white potato type of person?/ 7. Tea or water type of person?/ 8. Last time you bought some new bookies?/ 9. Have you already decorated for the holidays?/ 10. Last time you quoted CtM or Turnadette?/ 11. What would you prefer, Patrick dressed up as Santa Claus or Shelagh dressed up as Mrs. Claus? 

I tag, hmm, I think a lot of people were already tagged, but I’ll go with @eatapinkwafer, @inspoartist, @silentkw, @anglophilebarista, and @clonethemidwife!!! 

[lovetheturners]

Tag you're it!

I was tagged by @thatginchygal .  Thanks you!

Rules: Andrea

Nickname: My nieces and nephews and siblings all call me Annie. It came from my oldest nephew almost 30 years ago (yikes!) because he could not say Auntie correctly (pronounced like the small, hardworking insect although I come from a region where the other pronunciation is dominate my family is different)

Gender: Female

Star sign: Leo  

Height: 5'1 1/2″

Sexuality: straight

Hogwarts house: Test came out something other than Gryffindor or Slytherin…can’t remember because it wasn’t Gryffindor.

Favorite animal: Pandas ever since my daughter became obsessed.

Average hours of sleep: 7ish hours. 

Current time: 3:52pm.

Dog or cat person:  both, but have only had a cat.    

Blankets I sleep with: In the winter I like the heat low and lots blankets.  I like my soft fleece one.

Dream trip: unsure, because I am not a fan of flying.

Dream job: A novelist, but my current job comes second

When I made my blog: about a year ago or so

Followers: 489 although not sure why some follow me because I am not into what you are.

Why I made a Tumblr: Once my turnadette obsession started, I searched for the letters.  I thought they had to exist.  I found my way to fanfiction which occasionally mentioned a tumblr prompt so I went to tumblr.  I had no idea what it was, although my kids have since informed me that it is only for p*0rn.

Reason for my URL: because I love the Turners I do wish I chose a name that lead to a name like some of my friends.  (I have no idea what I am called)

I’m tagging anyone who would like to share.

[snoopctm]

Turnadette Tuesday

Timeline–Episode 7x01

Subtext? (And Beyond)

Welcome to another Timeline post! This week, I’m continuing in episode 7 with a scene that could mean different things depending on how much the viewer knows. More thoughts follow:

Here’s the scene that @mg-bsl381 jokingly calls the “matching beige scene”! I’m not actually going to talk about wardrobe, though (even though that’s a fun subject, too). Instead, I’m going to focus especially on the different ways different people can approach this scene depending on what they know.

First, I’m going on the assumption that at least 2/3 of the show’s viewers don’t read the companion books or other supplemental materials for the show (interviews, etc.) and so they only go by what they watch in the episodes in terms of figuring out what is going on. So, for the majority of the audience, this is a straightforward scene with the Turners talking about a patient. With that level of knowledge, what you can see is a married couple who work together talking about a case, and displaying compassion and concern for that patient as they talk. It shows them as a couple who share their life’s calling, as well as showing them as caring medical professionals. That’s one level.

Now, there’s the level of viewers (like a lot of us here on Tumblr) who have read the companion books and listened to all the interviews and keep track of background information for “research” purposes (for being able to write essays like this, as well as participating in fandom discussions, writing fanfics, etc.)  Now, this group of viewers can look at this scene and see a different level–one that I think at least Heidi (to the highest degree) and the actors and probably the director also know to another degree. The “casual viewers” probably remember that Patrick was married before, but they won’t know how his first wife died, or know her name. The more obsessive research-minded viewers will know this, and so when we watch this scene, we will know about the history of these characters. We know that Marianne died of cancer, and we know that both Patrick and Shelagh know that, so it tends to make us examine the scene a little closer, looking for the subtext. What’s great about scenes like this is that they can be enjoyed on these different levels and still work.

Now, about the subtext. I think it’s subtle here, but I do see it. I don’t see any kind of deep, heavy introspection or anything, but just a simple understanding that Patrick has this history and Shelagh knows it. I think this degree of history informs their roles as medical professionals, as well. Patrick is going to be able to relate to the Gelins more because he has this history. I do think that subtext was intended in this episode (it seems too obvious when you do know Patrick’s history), but the story can also stand perfectly well without it. 

Also, going beyond the subtext of this particular scene, there’s me thinking back over several series of show history and thinking about how that affects my own headcanons. For instance, I see this couple who have such great communication now and are in essentially a “full disclosure” type of relationship where they don’t really have any secrets from one another, and it makes me think back to series 3 when they didn’t have that yet, and when Patrick especially was being obtuse and coy and evasive. This still makes me wonder what his first marriage was like because, at least to me, a man who has been married before acting like this in a new marriage makes me think that he’s used to those patterns from before. Since we don’t know much in canon (either primary or supplemental) about his first marriage other than that it was happy (but there are degrees there still), all we as fans can do in terms of thinking about it is go from context of the show and try to read between the lines and/or just entirely invent our own backstory. To me, going by the show and my own imaginition, I’ve assumed that the first marriage was happy but wasn’t as close as it could have been, and that Patrick was expecting the same thing with Shelagh until circumstance and her refusing to let things slide forced the issue. So now, they have this relationship where they know each other probably better than anyone else ever has, and that level of trust has built up over the years now so that it presents itself in this easy, matter-of-fact kind of way. That’s what I think, anyway.

So, as I’ve written, you can see this scene many ways, on a straightforward level or with subtext, and the subtext can lead your imagination on all sorts of tangents. Still, the years of storytelling and sheer believability of this relationship over the years have given it a depth that allows viewers to have these thoughts. It’s that well defined, I think.

OK, that’s all for this week. I hope this has mind sense. Next week, another scene from episode 7x01!