Patrick Turner like puzzles, especially solving them. However, at the moment he was at a loss on how to find the solution to his latest puzzle-his wife. Shelagh was a fine wife and was settling into married life well. There were no complaints yet Patrick felt that there was something missing. It was during clinic hours that he finally had some insight. He was smoking over the sink listening to the nurses converse as they set up the screens for the clinic. He smiled when he heard the Scottish brogue of his wife. "Did you enjoy the dance Cynthia?"

"Very much so, we're going again in a week." The petite nurse replied

Trixie's voice carried, "He's already given you flowers Cynthia, surely there will be something even more romantic next."

"I think flowers are romantic" Chummy chimed in.

"Chummy! We're talking romance! Love letters, walks hand in hand and you know..." Trixie trailed off.

The sound of chunky heels echoed and another voice was heard, "Is this Trixie's famous words on courtship?" Nurse Lee's voice demanded.

Days later Timothy needed help with a geography assignment. He knew they had an old atlas somewhere. On the middle shelf he found it and as he pulled it out a smaller book fell to the ground. Timothy eagerly took the atlas and scurried off to the kitchen table. Patrick knelt down and went to pick up the book only to be stopped by Shelagh.

"That's all right Patrick I'll take it." Shelagh's voice was higher than usual and her eyes were wide.

Nevertheless Patrick handed over the book and watched as his wife dashed off with it. Filing this piece of information away he went to help Timothy. The assignment was to make a map of South America. Timothy had the idea to use the colored origami sheets to distinguish the countries. Shelagh said she would fetch the scissors and glue while Patrick went off to retrieve the paper. Soon Shelagh was in charge of helping, as a Nun she was used art projects more so than Patrick. He stepped back and watched as Timothy's face lit up with delight as he traced shapes from the atlas under the guidance of Shelagh. He knew that yesterday's newspaper was in the bedroom perhaps it could be used as well? As he went to search for it he noticed one of the pillows laying haphazardly and he went to straighten it. Underneath the pillow was the book from the shelf. A quick look revealed it to be a romance novel and more detailed look revealed the name Franklin written in pencil on the inside cover. This was one of Trixie's books, Rubbish Novels as Sister Evangelina called them. He smirked at the thought of Shelagh reading it until he remembered her panic at him seeing it when it fell from the shelf.

Suddenly the last piece of the puzzle slid into place and Patrick knew what was missing. A few days later during morning report mail was delivered. Chummy had a letter from her Mother and Nurse Turner also received a letter. She recognized the penmanship, it was from her husband. At first she was puzzled as to why she would be receiving mail from him but brushed it aside. Surely it was for Nonnatus, perhaps an addendum to a patients record and he had merely addressed it to her so she would take care of it. As she walked with the other nurse she slid her finger under the flap of the envelope and hastily opened it. She laughed with Cynthia over a joke, her intent was to read the letter but a child's scream from the clinic had her shoving the letter in her pocket and racing towards the clinic doors.

The antenatal clinic was brimming as it always was. Nevertheless, patients were seen and the work was done. Around three, Sister Monica Joan announced tea had been made and biscuits procured. Nurses and Nuns alike sat, drank tea, and chatted about the days events. As she sat the paper in her pocket crinkled and she remembered her letter. She took it out and started to read.

My dear love,

I'm thinking of you as I write this wishing that this pen and paper was your body so I could touch it. Run my fingertips down your back, put my palm on your waist and trace the curve of your hip. This pen is cold and metallic, you are warm and alive. The paper is flat but your body has peaks and valleys and is always an adventure. I could and would never tire of exploring you. I need to feel your skin against mine, I love that feeling.

She knew she was blushing and as much as she wanted to read the rest of the letter she knew she couldn't do it at the table. Once again the letter went into her pocket and she gulped her tea to hide her face. Later she went out into the garden to finish her letter.

Having you wrapped around me, touching me everywhere is so pleasurable I think that sometimes I might die from it. Even more I crave the feeling of your heart racing in your chest as we make love. I can feel it through my chest and it makes me dizzy that I can make you feel that way. Tell me, do you think of it? What do you love? Do you know you always sigh in contentment when I kiss your neck and you inhale sharply when I nip your shoulder. There is always wonder in your eyes when we first make love and I'm awe that I am the one that you have chosen. I want to know all the things you like and please know I will do whatever you ask or want to try. If you don't want to speak out loud of your wants or desires write to me.

Love always,

Patrick

In the garden Shelagh suddenly understood what Trixie had been talking about. She also knew that she would need to purchase some good stationary.