Dear Heidi - I'm fixing season 12 for you!

At precisely 1pm there was a robust rap on the door – Patsy and Delia knew that knock and were so excited to see their dear friend Phyllis! Trixie, Patsy and Delia all opened the door together to see Phyllis, Shelagh, Millicent, Nancy and Nancy’s daughter, Collette, at the door.

Delia: Right on time I see Phyllis! 1pm on the dot!

Phyllis: Oh lass! I’ll take all the sass you have to give today – I am so happy to see you both!

Everyone erupted into smiles, hugs, and laughter. It’s worth noting that all of these ladies loaded into Phyllis’s new wagon to make the journey from the East End to Mayfair. And while they were packed in like sardines, there were no complaints, only happiness and cheer for they were all celebrating Trixie (and Matthew) as they embark on their lifelong journey together – though the actual wedding was still 3 weeks away. Today’s event was Trixie’s bridal shower, hosted by Trixie’s maid of honor, Patsy.

As the other bridal shower guests were laughing in the kitchen, Delia slipped out when she realized that the record player had already played through the first 5 records that she had loaded. She flipped through all of the records that were jam packed in the stereo console. She had carefully crafted a stack of records to play and had done an amazing job so far of choosing mostly mushy love songs.

She chose another 5 records and loaded them onto the spindle. Just as she clicked play she felt a familiar set of hands on her hips from behind. She turned around to see her love sporting an ear-to-ear smile. And why not – how often do you get to host your closest friend’s bridal shower? She and Delia had taken the train down from Glasgow the day before and were staying with Trixie and Matthew in their house in Mayfair. Patsy wrapped her arms around Delia and squeezed her into a tight embrace. With the others assembled in the kitchen, Patsy leaned down and kissed Delia. There was another knock at the door. Everyone knew that the knock was from the last two guests who were being picked up at Victoria Station by Matthew and dropped off for the shower. Everyone ran out of the kitchen to see Patsy and Delia in an embrace and everyone’s faces lit up in smiles. Love WAS all around.

Trixie opened the door to reveal two women with enormous smiles on their faces. They also saw Matthew’s Jaguar pulling away.

Jenny’s eyes welled up with tears as she saw so many women that she loved and had not seen face to face in years. The others stood in excited shock as they could not believe their eyes either. It was so exhilarating to finally be face to face after all this time. The shocked silence was broken by a familiar phrase by the taller of the two women – only, her enthusiasm caused her to expound a bit – “Tickety boo, all my darling people!!!!” Everyone erupted, even Nancy and Collette, who had only heard of Jenny and Chummy before and never actually met either until this moment. Nonetheless, everyone hugged, everyone laughed, and everyone spilled into the sitting room.

Just then the needle dropped on the second record Delia had loaded. The Ella Fitzgerald song “Makin’ whoopee’ began:

Another bride, another June

Another sunny honeymoon

Another season, another reason

For makin' whoopee

Delia chimed in – “I think we need to toast to this amazing song in honor of our amazing friend Trixie! Let’s go to the kitchen – we have every non-alcoholic drink imaginable – including cream soda and maybe even some bitter lemon! And I know a lady never tells, but I reckon Trixie might share whether or not Matthew is good at makin’ whoopee!

Everyone exploded into laughter again and all make their way to the kitchen. With Patsy playing bartender, Delia took Chummy’s handbag and sweater to the front bedroom she and Patsy are sharing to drop them off. Jenny followed behind her.

“Delia, I haven’t seen you since you were in your first year of nursing school!”

“I know, I can’t believe how much time has gone by!”

“When Patsy called to invite me to the shower, she told me about your relationship. You could have knocked me over with a feather, but I am so, so happy for you both! How long have you been together now?”

“Eight years, if you can believe it! We’ve been in Glasgow for 5 years now!

“And Patsy says that you are in medical school!”

“Yes, I’m in my fourth year, I’ve two more years to go!”

“Are there other women in your class?”

“Yes, there are 3 more. It’s not a lot, but it’s a start!”

“My daughter keeps saying she wants to be a nurse like me when she grows up – I keep telling her now that she can be a doctor if she wants to – that was completely unheard of when we started nursing school!”

“Yes, I kept telling my mum when I was little that I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up – she always sternly told me that girls become nurses and boys become doctors. We all loved nursing school, but there is no reason for the restriction, women have just as much ability to cure as care, men are not the only ones who can heal. I reckon one day there will be male nurses too. As Bob Dylan said ‘the times they are a changin’. Trixie tells us that there is a woman cardiologist at St. Cuthbert’s now!”

Jenny smiled at the wise and brave woman before her.

They walked back into the kitchen to see Collette sitting on Chummy’s lap asking her if she delivered babies too.

“I used to, I even delivered triplets once. Did you know that three babies can be born at the same time?”

“I’ve heard of twins – that’s when there are two babies! But I haven’t heard of triplets. How often does that happen?”

“It’s rare, but I don’t know how often.”

Delia chimed in with her medical school knowledge: “Triplets occur about one in 10,000 pregnancies. That means if one million babies are born each year, only one hundred of those pregnancies are triplets.”

Trixie: Between all of us, we’ve probably be involved in over 5000 deliveries and, correct me if I’m wrong, but only Chummy has delivered triplets. That’s how rare it is, Collette!”

Jenny smiled at Trixie and said: “Trixie, Matthew is so lovely! He met us both at our trains. He’s so warm and caring. He talked about you and Jonty the entire time. I’m so happy for you! I know you will both be as happy as Phillip and I are!”

Trixie: “Thank you, Jenny. Thank you everyone for being here today! This all means so much to me! I talked to Valerie on the phone yesterday, she’s still in South Africa of course, she won’t be able to make it to the wedding. Lucille too, she is in Jamaica with her mum and sister. But I am so excited to have you all here today and can’t wait to see you AND your families in three weeks! I’d all but given up on love and then Matthew just sauntered into my life.”

Patsy: He does saunter, doesn’t he? He’s at least as handsome as Cary Grant. But maybe even more dashing!!! We DO need an answer to Delia’s question, Trixie, but first I’m putting the kettle on, who needs a cuppa?

Phyllis: I’d like one, Patsy, if you don’t mind.

Delia: Me too, love.

Shelagh: I’ll have one too Patsy dear, if you don’t mind.

Nancy: I think Collette will stick with her cream soda, but I think it’s teatime for all the rest of us. Let me help you, since we’ve both been Trixie’s roommates, we’ve even occupied the same bed!

Patsy: And is the bed still as hard as a rock?

Nancy: Yes, ‘fraid so. Good for the back they tell me!

As Patsy and Nancy prepare tea, the rest of the ladies wander out to the sitting room. There is so much to catch up on! Delia gave Patsy a quick kiss on the lips before she joined the rest. Love was in the air!

Nancy: There was a couple earlier this year, Trixie may have told you – Olive and Jessie. They had been together since World War Two. Jessie would not leave Olive’s side, she was battling multiple myeloma, she was so brave for Jessie but she was in terrible pain. It’s the first lesbian couple I had ever met, or at least that’s what I thought at the time. Their love was so strong. I see that in you and Delia too. I hope you don’t mind me saying that. I just feel like I know you from Trixie and Phyllis talking about you both all the time and the fact that you and I shared a bed. Not at the same time I mean, but you know what I’m mean.

Patsy: Yes, Trixie told us about Olive and Jessie. I wondered if we may have passed by them or how our paths may have – must have – crossed at some point. Poplar is just too small for us not to have encountered each other at some point. It’s a shame that we didn’t know each other, I so often felt like an island, like I was the only one. I mean I don’t know how I got so lucky to meet Delia and that we were brave enough to discuss our feelings with one another. It was so different just 10 years ago, but we still have to be careful. We are very lucky to have been able to disappear into Glasgow when we moved there.

Patsy opened the fridge and pulled out the box with the cake in it.

Patsy: Since we are in here alone, I thought we could get all this together too and surprise Trixie when we bring the tea out!

Nancy: Oh grand idea! I’ll look for the plates and silverware.

Patsy: Plates are in the cabinet to the left of the hob, silverware in the drawer below. Serviettes are in the drawer by the sink and there’s a trolly in the utility room.

Nancy: Utility room – this flat is so posh! I’m not used to so many rooms!

Patsy: I’m not either, truth be told, Deels and I share a one bedroom flat in Glasgow.

Nancy: What part of Glasgow are ya in? I’ve visited there before.

Patsy: We’re in the West End, Deels is in medical school at the University of Glasgow, and I work as a midwife and nurse at Southern General Hospital.

Nancy: I’m from County Cork in Ireland. When I was young, before me mum died, I visited Glasgow with my granny. I don’t remember much about it. I don’t think I was more than 5.

Patsy: You and Collette are welcome to take the train up to visit us. Glasgow is a beautiful city when it’s not raining.

Nancy chuckles at the unexpectedly funny Patsy.

Patsy: I stole that line from Delia – she used to say that about her village in Wales. But it seems to always be raining in Glasgow, but we still love it. You just need some sturdy wellies, and the biggest brolly money can buy!

Trixie’s former and current roommates continue to chat as they assemble a trolly full of teacups, saucers, plates, serving knife, milk and sugar, two pots of tea and a beautiful cake on a raised cake platter.

Ready, Corrigan? Is all that Patsy said with a quick smile as they began to wheel the trolly out to the sitting room.

Nancy: Ready, Mount! She says with a huge smile.

Patsy: “Trixie! Ladies! Everyone!! May I have your attention please?!? We are here today to celebrate our beloved friend Beatrix Franklin. I know we all consider her to be one of our closest friends. Trixie helped me through so many issues. I would not have survived without her unwavering support and love. And I know each and every one of us feels the same.”

Everyone joins in a round of applause.

Patsy: Now who’s for a bit of pudding with your tea?

Patsy steps aside from the trolly and presents the cake to Trixie. It is a beautiful white frosting with lovely pink roses, but then Trixie sees the piped writing – it simply says “Gas and air - all the way to Mayfair – We love you Trixie!”

Trixie burst out laughing so hard that tears immediately rolled down her cheeks.

Patsy: Delia came up with the gas and air line, Trixie, as you might imagine.

Patsy flashes a huge smile at her Deels. Delia beams back.

Trixie: Oh girls, I love you all and I thank you so much for being here today! I know that Barbara is here in spirit too!

Phyllis: Here here! Even as an atheist, I agree wholeheartedly that Barbara is here with us in spirit!

Another round of applause from everyone.

Collette, who is sitting on Delia’s lap now, asks: Delia - what does it mean? Gas and air?

Delia: Well, I reckon you know that when mummies are in labor having their babies, that it hurts because your mummy helps women deliver babies. Right?

Collette nods.

“We sometimes give the mummies what’s called laughing gas, it makes the pain hurt less and helps them relax.”

Collette (giggling): Does it make them laugh??

Delia: Sometimes it does, but it mostly just helps them feel a bit better.

Phyllis: You going to be a pediatrician then Dr. Busby? You’ve got quite the bedside manner!

Delia (flashing a deeply dimpled smile at Phyllis): I’m not a doctor yet, Phyllis, nor would I ever have been if you hadn’t encouraged me and kept me on the straight and narrow in my last months of nursing school training! I don’t think I ever thanked you enough for that! Thank you, my dear friend!

Phyllis: You’re more than welcome, lass. I think that young Collette here might grow up to be a doctor one day too just like Delia! What do you say to that, Collette?

Collette: I want to take care of animals. I want to be a veterinarian!

Delia: I think that’s a splendid idea! We need good veterinarians just like we need good doctors for people!

Nancy: You’ll have to study hard. Are you prepared to do that, Collette?

Collette: Yes. Delia – do you study hard?

Delia: Yes, I study day and night, Collette, but I love it, there’s no reason to do it otherwise! I have an amazing study group and we push each other on every day.

Patsy: Delia has always been so studious, but once she set her mind to this, she hasn’t wavered even once. She is so inspiring!

Delia: Thank you love! You take such good care of us – including Garbo! Collette – Garbo is our dog. You and your mum should take the train up to visit us and you can practice your veterinarian skills on her.

Patsy: Deels I said the same thing to Nancy in the kitchen – that they should come up for a visit!

Delia: Great minds think alike, love!

Trixie: Alright you two! Are we going to cut this cake or are we going to have to continue watching you be this adorable?!? Collette – do you want cake??

Patsy (with a smile): Collette – would you help me serve the cake?

Collette (very excitedly): Yes Patsy!!!

Phyllis: Patsy, if I may, lass. Let me snap a picture of the cake before it’s cut. We can’t let this slogan be lost to time! We must preserve it with photographic evidence!

Trixie: Oh girls – can we do a group photo too please?!?

Phyllis: That’s a wonderful idea! Yes, I can set the timer and we can all group around Trixie holding the cake. How does that sound?

Everyone gathers in. Phyllis sets her camera up on the tripod that she brought with her and sets the timer.

Phyllis: Alright ladies, the timer is set for 10 seconds. Let’s all ready ourselves! I’ll press the button and dash over to join the group! Ready?

Phyllis pushed the button and scurried over, all of the ladies closed in around Trixie who held the cake at an angle so the words would be visible. The ear-to-ear smiles on everyone’s faces were captured with the click of the shutter.

Phyllis: Just one more moment while I take a close up of the cake. Our Welsh friend’s witticism must be captured on film!

She snapped a quick pic of the cake, once she unscrewed the camera from the tripod.

Delia’s smile filled the room.

Phyllis: Collette, lass, I think it’s high time that we eat this delicious looking cake now!

And now Collette’s smile filled the room! And she rushed over to help Patsy.

Once everyone was happily noshing away on their cake, Millicent, who had been waiting for the right moment, stood up.

Millicent: May I have your attention please. I know Trixie specifically asked that we not bring gifts, but I thought while you are all enjoying this wonderful cake, it might be a good moment for me to share a special poem that I have written for the occasion. It was written as a gift from the heart, Trixie.

Millicent clears her throat and not one soul in the room sighs or groans.

Millicent proceeds with her recitation with impeccable diction:

Love is in the air

Look around – you see it everywhere (she gestures to all in attendance)

Young and old

Meek and bold

Love is elusive

Love is inclusive

For those who find it

Hold on tight –

For those who find it –

Hold on -

With ALL of your might

It may feel like a dream

It may seem like an illusion

But when love is real

There is no delusion

So now dear Matthew and Trixie –

The time has come

For you to get frisky!

Millicent flashes a devilish smile, and everyone erupts in laughter again. Once the laughter dies down a bit Delia returns to her earlier statement.

Delia: Trixie – we’ve circled back to whether or not Matthew is good at makin’ whoopee! Your best friends want to know!

Trixie turns bright red and begins to laugh again.

Patsy (who also turns bright red): DELIA BUSBY! Little pitchers!!!

But then she begins to laugh too.

Collette knows, generally, what the grownups are talking about, but she thinks it’s a bit gross, so she simply focuses on eating her cake. Her piece of cake has large frosting rose and ‘Trix’ written across it.

Delia remains adamant: Well, Trixie? She flashes her a smile and, while it makes Patsy a bit weak in the knees, it just makes Trixie purse her lips and squint her eyes at her friend.

Trixie (sternly, but with a twinkle in her eyes): Now that I will officially be referred to as a ‘lady’, it may be seen as beneath me to respond to questions of this nature. But Delia – Matthew’s talents ONLY begin at being a good kisser. He does EVERYTHING well, and Delia – I do mean everything!

The group erupts into laughter again, but really only Patsy and Delia know the true meaning in what Trixie is referring to. And they are very happy for their friend! Patsy puts her hand on Delia’s knee and squeezes it. Delia looks at her, both of their faces blushing crimson, they smile deeply at each other.

The afternoon has rushed by too quickly, as so often happens when occasions are as joyous as this.

Phyllis: I do hate to bring this up everyone, but it is half past 5, we promised Sister Julienne that we would be back by 6pm.

Shelagh: Yes, my sitter is expecting me back by 6 too. This has been so wonderful. And it’s been so wonderful to see all of you again too! And we’ll get to see you all again in just three weeks’ time!

Trixie: I’m sorry that the sisters were not able to join us today, but they will all be there in 3 weeks. Especially Sister Julienne – some of you know already, but I’ve asked her to walk me down the aisle!

Another round of applause from all in attendance. And at that, everyone gets up and starts tidying up. They place their plates, silverware, cups and sauces on the trolly as neatly as possible. Patsy attends to the cart with expected efficiency.

Shelagh: Can we help you get this all sorted, Patsy?

Patsy: Not to worry, you should all know this is my forte by now! But Phyllis – would it be possible to get another group picture before you all leave us?

Phyllis: Yes of course lass, I was thinking the same thing!

They all assemble in front of the picture window as Phyllis deftly sets up the tripod again. She sets the timer for 10 seconds and scurries over before the shutter clicks.

When Trixie would look back at the photo in the album that Phyllis put together for her, she would see that Patsy and Delia were holding hands.

While the farewells were quick, due to the hour, they were heartfelt. The hugs were strong and filled with emotion.

Once the wagon full of East Enders pulled away, Patsy and Delia told Trixie that they had another surprise in store for this evening.

Patsy: Do you want to tell her, love?

Delia: You sure, love? This was your idea?

Patsy: Yes, go ahead. She took Delia’s hand in hers for all of Mayfair to see.

Delia: Trixie – you didn’t think we would forget about a hen do, did you?

Trixie: Oh girls, no! No drunken bacchanalia, please!

Delia: No drinking will be involved. We’ve all discussed this, no one is drinking, but Patsy, Jenny, Chummy and I want to take you out dancing tonight!

Trixie: Oh that sounds so grand!

Patsy: It’s settled then! We are going to the Gateways Club!

Trixie (a bit uncomfortably): That’s the lesbian club, isn’t it?

Patsy: Yes, it’s just on the other side of Hyde Park on King’s Road. And it is a SAFE place for us all to go and dance together. Deels and I know Smithy, the manager, so we are certain that we will be safe there.

Trixie: Well, I’ve just never done something like this before.

Delia: We are just going dancing, Trixie, there’s no sapphic initiation or anything. And we’ll stop at that chip shop on the way! Everyone knows that the best chip shops are close to the pubs and clubs!

Trixie: And you (this question is directed to Jenny and Chummy, who have been giggling through the entire discussion) are both on board with this?

Chummy: Absolutely, old thing. Patsy and I danced one night when we were snowed in at an unwed mother’s home. She really knows how to cut a rug! I can’t wait to trip the light fantastic with her again!

Jenny: Yes, me too, I’ve never had the pleasure of dancing with any of you, but our dansette parties were epic, so I am looking forward to it! I am not ready for this part of the celebration to end!

Trixie: Well, alright then. With Patsy and Delia as our guides – and I have danced with Patsy before – so many years ago when I thought she was starting the ornament society for girls on the shelf. I so didn’t realize that she had this gorgeous girlfriend already tucked away that she was keeping under wraps! I am so glad that none of us need to keep secrets anymore!

Delia: It’s settled then! What do you say we all go grab a quick kip then, before heading out tonight? We will thank ourselves later!

Patsy: Yes, darling. That seems very wise! We are not spring chickens anymore.

The group adjourns back to the townhouse, Patsy and Delia continue to hold hands. For all of Mayfair to see.

Another season, another reason

For makin' whoopee.