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”Right,” Evangelina said as she walked down the steps leading towards the front door of Nonnatus House.
Julienne stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking sheepish and mumbling something about how this was all quite unnecessary. Having to turn to cough rather undermined the sentiment though, and left her cheeks more flushed than they already were.
“Case,” Evangelina declared, pretending not to have heard her. She put the case she carried on the floor close to the door.
“Coat.” She fetched Julienne’s coat from the coat rack and helped her Sister put it on in silence.
“Gloves.”
Julienne fidgeted. “Now, I really don’t think that is necessary-“
“Gloves.” Evangelina said firmly, holding out a glove for Julienne to put her hand into.
Julienne stared at it for a moment, then reluctantly allowed Evangelina to help her put on the gloves.
“Scarf.”
“Sister Evangelina-“ Julienne began, but was cut off by the front door opening.
Fred stepped inside, accompanied by a strong gust of wind. “Good mornin’, Sisters.”
Despite the coat and many layers of her habit, the cool air sent a shiver down Julienne’s spine. She met Evangelina’s gaze, who was staring back at her meaningfully.
“I’ll get this to the van. You come out when you’re ready.” Fred picked up the case and walked out again, leaving the door ajar. Another shiver wracked Julienne’s body.
“There is no need,” Julienne tried, but her glassy eyes betrayed her.
“There’s every need,” Evangelina countered. She swiftly brought a hand up to Julienne’s forehead. With a clenched jaw she shook her head slightly. “Your fever’s up again.”
Evangelina pulled Julienne’s coat closed and did up the buttons. “I don’t like you going out in this condition. But your retreat is long overdue, and I do believe you’ll get more rest down in Chichester. The sooner we get you situated at the Mother House, the better.”
Once the coat was done up, Evangelina wrapped a scarf around Julienne’s neck. ”Stay here,” she ordered and went to fetch aspirin and a glass of water. When she returned, Julienne stood stiffly with shoulders up high, clearly freezing.
She handed over the pills and watched as Julienne swallowed them down, then gently ushered her out the door.
“It feels so unnecessary,” Julienne said sadly, looking at the van. “I am quite happy walking. Fresh air would only do me good,” she suggested.
Evangelina scoffed. “You know as well as I do that there’s no fresh air on this side of town. And I watched you get winded on your way down the stairs this morning, you wouldn’t make it halfway to the station.”
“I could take the bus,” Julienne tried.
“Fred’s taking you and that’s that.”
And that was indeed that. Fred opened the passenger door and Julienne clambered in.
“I’ve already spoken with the Mother House, someone will meet you up at the station.” She turned to Fred. “And Fred will make sure you get on the train alright.”
“Roger that, Sister.”
——o——o——o——o——o——
If it weren’t for the cobbled streets, Julienne was quite sure she would have fallen asleep. Despite her only actions that day were having gotten dressed and had breakfast, she felt utterly exhausted.
She had postponed her retreat several times already, for one reason or another. Eventually summer had given way to autumn and both Sister Evangelina and Mother Jesu Emmanuel insisted she take some well deserved time away from her regular duties.
A few days before she was set to depart she’d woken up with a headache and scratchy throat. Then she started running a temperature, but she carried on. Sister Evangelina knew - she always knew - and tried to make her rest, but Julienne simply couldn’t. There were always things that needed doing. Even when she decided to stay within the walls of Nonnatus for the sake of patient safety there were always floors to be scrubbed, laundry to be done, autoclaves to empty, delivery boxes to be prepared - the list of tasks was endless, but their numbers weren’t.
In the knowledge that she would be away for a week, she wanted to make the most of her time until her departure. But in doing so she had exacerbated her symptoms. And as every jump and jolt that travelled from the cobbled street through the vehicle into her aching body, she wondered briefly if it had really been wise. She burrowed down in her seat, arms clasped around herself for warmth, trying to focus on taking slow and steady breaths.
Arriving at the station, Fred insisted on coming along and carrying her case for her. Julienne assumed it was down to fear of the consequences from Sister Evangelina if he didn’t. But in her fuzzy state of mind she did not notice the worried glances he kept casting her way.
Together they made their way towards the platform. Julienne felt herself flagging but tried her best to not let on. She realised she must not have succeeded when Fred offered her his arm when going up the stairs to the platform.
The bright lights and noise level overwhelmed Julienne’s senses. Declining her head she pinched the bridge of her nose in an attempt to alleviate the pounding in her head.
“Nearly there, Sister,” Fred reassured in an unusually soft voice.
Fred helped Julienne onto the train. While normally she would have found it unnecessary, this time she was grateful.
“Here we are,” Fred said, sounding relieved when they made their way into the nearly empty carriage. He looked at the seats and out the window. Julienne was about to sit when Fred stopped her.
“I think this is better, Sister,” he said, gesturing towards a seat facing the opposite direction. He pointed towards the front of the train. “Best be travelling forwards. Just in case.”
Julienne nodded faintly. “Mmh, yes, probably for the best.” She gave a weak smile. “Thank you Fred.”
She crossed the aisle and sat gently in the window seat.The short journey from the van had taken its toll and she wasn’t at all pleased how exhausted it had made her, and a little lightheaded. She was glad to be sitting down and relieved that she was not expected to move for a few hours.
Fred put her case on the overhead shelf. “There we are. Now, you have a safe journey, Sister, and a proper rest at the Mother House. You’re always takin’ care of everyone, let’em take care of you for a bit. Okay?” He smiled at her, expecting a response.
Julienne swallowed thickly and attempted to smile back. “I am sure the sea air will do me good,” she said, dodging the question.
A whistle sounded outside the train.
“Oh!” Fred looked up. “I best be off, then. See you in a week, Sister!” he called as he made his way off the train.
Julienne watched him wave from the platform as the train got moving. She gave a small wave back but felt a dull aching in her arm and shoulder as she did so. There was no denying she was unwell, but she hadn’t realised how awful she felt until now.
The train picked up speed and the rhythmic noises of the engine and wheels thumping on the gaps in the track slowly lulled her to sleep. But she was unable to get comfortable, waking up every few minutes to shift around in her seat but to no avail. And despite her many layers she still felt cold.
At some point the aspirin finally took effect and allowed her to fall into a deeper slumber. When she felt herself return to consciousness it took her some time to understand where she was and what was happening.
A man stood in the aisle. He was speaking to her, but she didn’t process what he was saying at first. She realised it was the conductor.
She assumed he expected to see a ticket. She rubbed her eyes, then looked around and patted her pockets in search of it.
“Ah, no Sister there’s no need, you’ve already shown me your ticket, remember?”
She still felt fuzzy, whether it was from sleep or fever she did not know. Perhaps both. But a vague memory of having presented the ticket returned to her.
“I just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss your stop. We’re only minutes away and you seemed dead to the world.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Julienne said, voice a little gravely. She slowly rose from her seat but had to stop, and lean forward for a bit as her vision was going dark at the edges.
“You alright, Sister?” the man asked with concern.
“Yes, fine thank you, just stood up too quickly,” she said quickly. She looked out the window at the approaching platform. “How did you know this is where I would get off?” she asked as the train slowed down.
“Ah, I get nuns on here every so often and you’re always travelling to or from this station, Sister,” he said brightly, pointing out the window to the station building. “And I also read it on your ticket,” he added with a grin.
“I see, of course,” Julienne said, feeling slightly foolish. She steadied herself as the train came to a stop. “Thank you,” she said with a tired smile, making her way to the carriage exit.
“Sister,” the man called out after her, pulling down the case from the overhead compartment. “Don’t forget your luggage!”
“Oh dear,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry, I-”
“Nothing to apologise for, Sister!” he said jovially. “Here, let me help you.”
“Oh, I-“ was all she managed before he made his way past her with the case, opening the carriage door and stepping outside. She followed and he extended a hand and helped her down the steps. Then he handed her the case and got back on the train.
“Safe travels, Sister!” he called before closing the carriage door.
Julienne blinked slowly, watching the train depart. Her head was pounding and she felt a little unsteady. She tried to remember what bus she was supposed to take when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
“Sister Julienne. Sister Julienne! There you are,” Sister Hilda called, walking towards her. As the Sister drew closer her facial expression shifted from pleased to sympathetic. “What’s this, then?” Hilda asked, drawing Julienne into an embrace. She then grasped Julienne’s shoulders and took a proper look at her. “We normally don’t have to send you to the infirmary until a day or two after you arrive,” she said in a joking tone, but looked concerned.
“I’m sure I’m over the worst already,” Julienne said quickly. “A good night’s sleep will have me restored.”
“We’ll see about that, Sister.” Hilda put an arm around Julienne and led her towards the platform exit. “Mr Wilson is parked around the corner. Based on Sister Evangelina’s description it sounded as though door to door service was in order. I’d say it was a good call.”
Julienne flushed with embarrassment at the attention and the thought of the additional fuss and expense she had caused. But she knew there wasn’t anything to do about it now.
“Sister Charlotte has made you broth, which you are to eat as much of as you can manage upon your arrival. Once you finish, a hot water bottle will be waiting in your bed. Mother Jesu Emmanuel insists you have one of the side rooms. She worries you won’t get uninterrupted sleep in the dormitory.”
“That is very thoughtful, but I’m sure it is not necessary,” Julienne said, stifling a yawn.
They slowly made their way to Mr Wilson’s car. Julienne was looking forward to reaching her destination and, if she was truthful, was rather looking forward to spending a day or two in bed.