So I basically ended up sketching this thing from @kit-screams-into-the-future from memory applied to my Citizen's Time Machine AU so far and I uhh... yeah. I still need to figure out Martin's hair + Jennifer's.
And also I still need to sketch the 1986 present version of this where it's the other way around.
Also reminder: this is how they both start out in my AU.
Well, Paddy and Bernie are back! Wonder how everyone else is getting on?
Thank you all for reading.
@lovetheturners you are brill. 🥰
@h4t08 there is a second chapter 🥳
Is Your Mouth a Little Weak? When You Open It to Speak. My Funny Valentine by Rodgers and Hart 1937.
Paddy was slightly knocked off course as Bernie made an impulsive last minute decision to change their intended seating plan. Walking ahead of him, she abruptly doubled back to claim the chair facing into the main body of the Teacups dining area, causing Paddy to swerve into Nancy. The collidants both stared at Bernie, waiting for an explanation. None was forthcoming as Bernie became preoccupied removing the offending cardi.
“You right then?” queried Nancy, not really expecting a reply or allowing time for one to be offered. “I’ll leave you a couple of ticks to peruse the menus. Can I get you something to wet your whistle in the meantime?”
Paddy scanned the drinks menu with great interest and not because he was thirsty. He wished he had been blessed with a photographic memory.
“We have an offer on a pretty pink Prosecco for Valentine's day.”
“That sounds nice. Do you sell it by the glass or a half bottle?” asked Bernie.
“Well, we do,” replied Nancy, “but it’s better value for money to get a proper big bottle”
“I don’t think Paddy will want to share.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. We'll stick a cork in it and you can take it home with you”
This distracted Paddy from trying to memorize the drinks' price list as he raised his eyebrows at this suggestion.
“Do you live 'round here?” Nancy hadn’t noticed his disapproval.
“We live in the village.” Paddy mumbled.
“Do you?” Nancy exclaimed, “I love Poplar-on-Tweaven. Do you live anywhere near that big old man’s pub? It’s so retro.”
Paddy felt his hackles rise, but answered calmly, “We live in it.”
Nancy was quiet for the first time in their brief acquaintance and Paddy was sure he heard the sound of copper hitting polished floorboard.
Before Nancy could ask any more questions, Bernie interrupted. “Just a gin and tonic for me, please.” Before Nancy could recite a list of choices, she added, "The house gin with slimline tonic still in the bottle, with ice and a slice of lemon or lime.”
“You know your stuff. And for you, sir?”
“The Teacups only stock bottled beer and lagers? As I recall.”
He saw Bernie glance at him; she knew he felt he couldn’t take the moral high ground and refuse a punter he knew was driving another drink if he broke the rules too. He often confiscated car keys and called a taxi or drove them home himself. But, beer and lager were his bread and butter. He needed to know what he was competing with.
Nancy seemed to have recovered completely from the previous awkwardness and was happy to report. “For now, sir. But I believe the owners are looking to install some electric pumps and a hand pull soon.”
This wasn’t what Paddy was happy to hear, but Nancy hadn’t joined the dots and cheerfully carried on, “We do now stock a range of bottles and cans from our new brewery. Buckles Best is very popular.”
If Bernie hadn’t given his shin a hard kick with her killer boots, he probably would have walked out at that point.
xxXxx
“Fred doesn’t have to check with you every time he takes on a new customer.”
Enough time had passed since the unwitting waitress had dropped her bombshell that Bernie felt brave enough to broach the subject.
“I know.” Conceded Paddy as he unceremoniously dumped his skinny fries out of their receptacle onto his plate. “Wonder why Vi has never thought of making heart-shaped Parmos for Valentine’s.”
“Because it’s a terrible idea,” sniggered Bernie.
She saw the tension ease from his face. “It is, isn’t it?”
“No garlic sauce either.” She raised her eyebrows in mock horror.
“These excuses for chips aren’t going to go down very well around here either.”
“See, we have nothing to worry about.” Bernie reassured him.
“Why do you keep looking over there?” Paddy asked out of nowhere.
“Sorry, what?”
“To your right.”
“I didn’t realize I was. Must be the light attracting me.”
At that moment Nancy walked passed carrying a tray of glasses and a serviette fluttered to the floor. Paddy turned in his chair to catch it, and Bernie knew the game was up.
Paddy straightened up immediately and turned back to Bernie. “Why are Tom and Bobbie trying to hide their faces behind menus?”
“Oh, are Tom and Bobbie here too? Oh, yes, now I see them.” Bernie trembled.
“To your right.” Paddy grunted. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Because you’ve been acting so weird since we got here. I thought you’d see them, eventually. “
“I have been a little on edge, haven’t I?”
“A little.” Bernie looked at him like a nursery school teacher scalding her favourite pupil, “This is much more their type of place, anyway. They probably like heart-shaped local delicacies and pink bubbles.”
Paddy nodded and reached for her knee under the table, giving it an apologetic squeeze underneath the hem of the pinafore. Then tightened his grip when a huge crash jolted them both, followed by the sound of a familiar voice.
“I’m sorry, so sorry, clumsy me.”
Paddy and Bernie turned with all the other diners to see Inspector Chummy dancing with the coat stand. A concerned Peter was trying unsuccessfully to persuade the errant piece of furniture to change partners.
A joker in the room shouted, “It's a ten”. Handkerchiefs, keys and even a mobile phone flew out at all angles from the pockets of the coats and jackets.
“Is she apologizing to the customers, the staff, or the coat stand?” asked Paddy.
“Probably.” Bernie confusingly replied.
“You knew they were here too, didn't you?” Bernie shrugged. “That was Chummy’s attempt at sneaking out without me seeing her, wasn’t it?”
Bernie didn’t give him an answer, just added, "She must be great on surveillance, don’t you think?”
With Nancy scrambling about helping customers retrieve their personnel effects, to Cyril’s relief, the Noakes’ finally made it to the door. Only as they were leaving, they collided with the Two Loves coming in.
Bernie covered her face with her hands.
Paddy was incredulous. “Those two never go out of an evening. They hardly ever leave Mount Busby.”
Bernie hoped the two old ladies would read the room and maybe just gesture a polite nod. It was a vain hope.
“Nurse. Look, Pats its Nurse and Paddy, didn’t expect to see you two here this evening.”
“Hello, Ms Busby, Ms Mount. Could say the same about you.” Bernie replied.
“Oh, we just thought being Valentine’s and all that, we’d pop out and see what was going on at the new Teacups.”
“Didn’t we all?” muttered Paddy.
“How did you hear about it?” asked Bernie, before anyone could answer, Cyril appeared.
“I’m sorry ladies, I will have to find another place for the coat stand. I had no idea what a health and safety risk it was so near to the exit.”
Bernie noticed a rather unattractive smirk on Paddy’s face.
“The whole world is a health and safety risk to our dear friend, I’m afraid. I’m sure she won’t have you arrested.” Patsy spoke so reassuringly that Cyril looked relieved and Paddy less smug.
“Can I find you a quiet table for two?”
“Or we could just join our friends, if they don’t mind.”
“Pats, don’t be ridiculous. These two young people don’t want to spend the most romantic night of the year with two old lesbians.”
Paddy’s face, which had broken into a smile at being called young was now completely relaxed and soothed by the humour and company of these two wonderful women. Bernie was so relieved that she almost forgave him for arranging the worst Valentine's date in history, apart from maybe the massacre.
“Romantic table for two, then ladies.”
“No, better make that a romantic table for three.” Paddy nodded towards the door as a blonde whirlwind breezed in. “Sorry, I just bumped into Chummy in the car park.”
“Literally?” said Paddy.
Trixie smirked and continued struggling to hang up her coat. “There seems to be something wrong with your coat stand.”
xxXxx
“I meant table three for you and your employers.” Paddy frowned as Trixie dragged a chair over the polished floorboards to join him and Bernie.
“So, what do you think?” Trixie asked, ignoring him.
“What do I think about the whole village being in my nearest rival on one of the busiest nights of the year?”
“If it’s one of the busiest nights of the year, why have you two taken the night off?”
Paddy hesitated. “Val and Vi can manage and Jack is working. Tim can lend a hand.”
Trixie grinned. “I’m only teasing. It’s not that sort of pub, is it?”
Bernie closed her eyes and started rubbing her temples.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Paddy responded.
“Well, it’s not the kind of place you take someone for a romantic night out.”
“Isn’t it?” Paddy and Bernie said at once.
“Well, obviously not. You two live there and you’ve come here.”
Bernie had to admit she couldn’t argue with that.
XxxXxx
Paddy and Bernie tucked into their shared dessert, which had been renamed Love by Chocolate for the occasion and no-one was shocked when it came shaped in a heart.
Trixie had ordered a coffee and ignored all Paddy’s attempts to offload her onto the Two Loves. She managed to annoy him further by occasionally poking her teaspoon into their cake and ice cream and Paddy couldn’t help thinking the original Death by Chocolate was the more apt name.
Paddy noticed she became distracted when a tall man with dark hair in his mid-thirties came in. He took off a long grey overcoat and attempted to hang it on the coat stand as it started to topple over. Cyril went over to him and muttered something, and took the stranger's coat away with him.
“She really has knackered that, hasn’t she? She will be mortified when she finds out.” Laughed Paddy.
“Fred will fix it.” said Bernie and then looked as if she regretted it.
Paddy smiled and nodded. He was way past being mad at Fred. He had too much to think about.
The tall man walked past their table and nodded at Trixie, who Paddy could have sworn blushed, if he only could believe Trixie was capable of any emotion close to shame or embarrassment.
“Miss Franklin, nice to see you again?”
“You too, Mr Aylward.” Trixie replied rather demurely.
Mr Aylward moved on to the Two Loves, who greeted him with hugs and kisses.
Paddy and Bernie stared at Trixie, waiting for an explanation. Trixie went to attack their pudding with her little spoon. She was stopped by Bernie, who it hadn’t seemed to bother before, but was now holding onto the intruder's wrist.
Trixie gave a little yelp. Paddy wasn’t sure if it was of shock or disappointment, but he was convinced it wasn't due to pain.
“Not until you spill.”
Paddy thought enough of the sweet had been lost without spillages, but then realised what Bernie meant.
“That’s Matthew Aylward,” whispered Trixie.
“How is he connected to Mount Busby?”
“He’s Patsy’s godson.”
“Really?” gasped Bernie. “I didn’t know she had a godson.”
“Oh, she’s got loads. Rich, famous people always do. Their parent’s always hope they’ll inherit.”
“Not like you to be cynical, Trix.” Paddy mocked.
“What’s he doing here? In Poplar,” asked Bernie.
Trixie looked at her friend incredulously, like she had put her dress on back to front.
“He owns the Fourteen Teacups.”
“But, Cyril?” Paddy spluttered.
“They are partners.”
Paddy took a long, hard breath. “What do you know about them and why are we just hearing about this now?”
“It’s not a secret,” said Trixie indignantly. “But it is private.”
Paddy sighed. Bernie frowned and handed Trixie back her spoon.
“OK. Apparently, he is a London lawyer and has suffered some fairly recent tragedy, which caused him to reassess his life and pack up and start afresh. Patsy knew the Teacups was in a precarious position and suggested they made an offer.”
“Where does Cyril come in?” Bernie asked.
“Friend of Matthew’s also looking for a new start. He’s the one with experience in the trade, hence his name above the door, but Matthew’s the money behind it.”
Trixie sat back in her chair. “Happy now?”
“Why didn’t you tell us all this, this afternoon? You were hanging around all day dolling Bernie up.”
Bernie glared at him and positioned the pudding between herself and Trixie, confiscating Paddy’s spoon.
“You never asked,” Trixie replied nonchalantly. “I didn’t know you were coming here, remember?”
“It was meant to be a surprise.” Reminded Bernie, with a wicked glint in her eye.
“You can say that again.” Paddy added exasperated.
What would Patsy and Delias daughter be like as a teenager,would she share her parents traits, who would she look like, would she go through any phases? I want to know your ideas and thoughts
i definitely think she’d be very active, and would get that from delia. i think patsy would be fairly involved with ensuring an interest in her education too, not pushy but enough to make sure all homework gets done on time etc, so i think she’d have an interest in school. definitely a stationery fiend. a fan of travelling. despite patsy’s protestations, more alert at night, and so sleeps in for most mornings when possible. for some reason i’ve always thought very arty as well - wanting to become an artist as a career, and of course patsy and delia would be supportive on condition she takes her academic studies seriously as well. collects postcards. massive photo taker. sensible with money. her and delia compete in local marathons and half-marathons every year, as soon as she’s old enough to be able to keep up and enjoy them. i’ll probably add more to this later, but they’re the initial thoughts!she’d also look more like delia - patsy’s eyes, but delia’s hair, and she’d also be on the shorter side too.
This idea occurred to me when @ivebeentojersey reblogged my Delia gifset and said that she is so cute (agreed there!) and that she could be in a 60s girlband.
Imagine this; Delia in a girlband who often sing at the Gateways club. And guess who is there often? Well, often as in she only goes when the band is playing- Patsy of course. A fan of the band that has taken a fancy to the cute Welsh singer, who often wear pretty cute dresses or a skirt and blouse, or even jeans and a button up top with her muscles showing. And who likes to make direct eye contact with Patsy and she sings love songs. They would cover songs like Be My Baby by The Ronettes or even Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles.
Then after their little “concert”, Delia would join Patsy for a drink. “Are you here alone then? I’ve never seen you dance with anyone before.”
“I’m afraid the person i’d like to dance with is usually preoccupied providing the music.“ Patsy would reply.
And when they become an item, Delia would sing “I Love How You Love Me” by The Paris Sisters (aka the song they dance to at the Gateways in s5) to Patsy.
because dragon age owns my soul I’ve been thinking of a dragon age call the midwife au (or at the very least a fantasy au)
Patsy is a human rogue who was incarcerated as a child due to political tensions and feuding between different human noble families. She is the daughter of a well-known noble but wanted to get away from that life as she knew that she suffered because of it. She joined the chantry and was sent to train at the chantry adjoining the Circle of Magi.
There she meets Trixie, an elf mage-in-training who is sick of not being able to leave the Circle and longs to be free, even if it means living as an apostate, constantly being hunted by the Templars. Patsy sympathises with her and they hatch an escape plan, destroying Trixie’s sample in the phylactery so they can’t find her again, and run away into Ferelden. The two of them travel for a while, not staying anywhere too long due to Trixie’s apostate status and Patsy’s tendency to be abrasive.
One day they’re fighting some bandits who attacked them when they’re cornered. Trixie is out of mana and Patsy’s bow has been kicked out of her reach. Suddenly an arrow flies out of nowhere and takes one of their attackers by surprise, and an axe takes care of the other one. It turns out their saviours are Delia, a dwarven warrior, and Barbara, a Dalish elf rogue who is taking a year away from her tribe.
The four of them get along well and decide to travel together. Delia and Barbara were heading to the Korcari Wilds to seek out the infamous Flemeth, so Patsy and Trixie decide to go with them. However, with the Blight drawing ever nearer and darkspawn appearing at every turn, their journey is about to get a lot more difficult.
