My inspiration is from the trailer and some press-kit talk about a subject Call the Midwife will deal with this season. I’ve used a snippet of Peter Noakes dealing with a case concerning homosexuality, and built on that. In this story, Patrick was somehow involved in the reporting of the case.

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The scratch of the phonograph player drew Shelagh’s attention away from her novel and she glanced over at her husband. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t noticed the music had ended. With a curious look, she closed her book and got up to turn the player off, then moved and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Alerted by her gentle touch, he looked up at her.

“Everything all right, Patrick? You look very serious.”

He took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes. Everything’s fine. I was just thinking.” He took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her fingers.

Smiling in response, Shelagh teased, “Well, then. That’s where the trouble begins!” With a caress of his cheek she sat down next to him on the sofa.

“Doesn’t it just?” Patrick lifted his arm to draw her in closer. They sat together in companionable silence, their fingers playing together.

Shelagh knew enough to be patient. There was clearly something Patrick needed to ponder through, and pushing too hard would lead to nothing. She knew he was thinking, and he knew she knew. Soon enough he would open up.

“Shall I make some tea?” she asked.

With another deep breath, he answered. “No, thanks. No tea. Just sit with me.” His thumb began to rub at his forefinger, a sure sign that Patrick was ready to speak.

“That case today? With Sergeant Noakes?” He paused, and Shelagh turned her eyes towards him. He released a breath and continued. “We didn’t make mention of the man’s …homosexuality… in the documents we had to file regarding the accident. We didn’t exactly falsify the record, we just…kept that part out.”

“Oh,” came her reply. “Will that be a problem? I mean, if it comes out in court that you hid-”

“Likely not. We were able to find a way to present the information without making reference to it.” He turned to face her. “If we hadn’t, he would have gone to prison, most certainly. Are you disappointed?”

“Disappointed? Why on earth would I be disappointed?”

He fidgeted in his seat. “The Church hasn’t had a particularly…understanding point of view on the subject.”

Shelagh sat up straight. “Patrick Turner, the Church is run by humans, and humans haven’t always been as compassionate towards one another as we should. I should hope that the Church will realize this one day and make amends.”

Patrick stared at his wife for a long moment, then laughed quietly. “The women of Nonnatus always surprise me. Such deep faith, yet so understanding,” he admitted.

“Good,” Shelagh retorted. She turned to nestle in again. “I like to keep you on your toes. Besides, Patrick, I should know better than anyone that you can’t help where you love. The heart wants what the heart wants.”

“Yes, love,” he responded, and proceeded to show her exactly what his heart wanted.