Chapter One
"Oh Trixie what's the matter?" Trixie let out a small downhearted sigh, as she read through Cora's letter.
"She won't be home in time for Christmas." Jenny smiled giving her a quick hug,
"I'm sure she will be home soon, Trixie."
Of course Cora had every intention of being home for Christmas, and as such she was on her way home to Poplar, at a steady pace until she heard about the unexploded bomb, in which case she sped up.
"My best friend fought in the War, and I know what you're going through."
...
"My father went through what he went through and I helped him, which meant when Cora came home from Korea herself, I could help her." Jenny brows furrowed concern,
"Was she like Alan?" Trixie nodded,
"Worse in some ways, she would sleep in the bed next to mine, and some nights when there were particularly loud bangs she would jump out of bed and grab me using her body to shield me from the danger. We would hide under the bed or in the closet for hours before it passed, fireworks were the worst they still are, she was never the same, but she was still strong, and brave."
The explosion had just gone off when she parked up, rushing the centre, her eyes wide with all the memories of old swarming behind panicked irises of cobalt blue.
"Trixie?!" Trixie came rushing toward Cora, a hand cradling her jaw,
"I'm okay Kingy, I'm here, I'm okay, everything is okay." Cora nodded into Trixie's shoulder, before the nurse was called away.
"I will be back Kingy, you just stay right here." Jenny glanced back at Cora as she began helping out,
"Are you sure you're okay, I'm sure Cynthia could help out." Trixie smiled nodding,
"Of course, she'll be okay, I know it."
"...Trixie was offered lodging with Doctor King and the rest of us scattered across Poplar..."
Cora attended Patrick and Sheila's wedding smiling at her two old friends, dressed in her very best suit, watching Trixie as she walked behind Sheila.
"You look awfully dapper in that suit of yours, Cora King." Cora smirked wrapping an arm around Trixie,
"And you look absolutely breathtaking in that dress Beatrix Franklin."
Thankfully Nonnatus House found another building fit for purpose, although Cora was heartbroken to see Trixie go.
"Are you sure you have to leave? You know how much I love having you here." Trixie smiled as she closed her last suitcase,
"You know that I do, but you'll spend a few nights here and there at Nonnatus, and I'm sure I can sneak into your room like we used to, and if you're lucky I'll spend a night or two here." Cora smirked wrapping her arms around Trixie from behind,
"Well aren't I lucky." Trixie scoffed with a laugh, swatting Cora's chest,
"Yes you are now, come on, we have to pick Cynthia up before you can drive us to the new Nonnatus house." Cora nodded grabbing Trixie's luggage to put it in the car,
"Yes Princess, right away, darling. And after I drop you both off I'm off to the Maternity home, to sort out my new office." Trixie nodded with a proud smile,
"Of course, Doctor King."
The arrival of Princess Margaret was something that Cora had looked forward to, "Doctor King, it's good to see you again."
Cora smiled at the woman bowing as she kissed Margret's outstretched hand, "Please the pleasure is all mine, you Highness."
Margret nodded, "We must talk before I go."
Cora winked, smiling cheekily, "Of course ma'am."
Trixie glanced at Cora perplexed, "You two know each other?"
Cora nodded with a small laugh, "We met a few years ago when she came to inspect the regiment, and of course with my father being who he is."
Cora couldn't decipher the look on Trixie's face whether that be jealousy or envy.
"I was surprised when I heard you left the army, Kingy, you looked so in your element there." Cora smiled nodding,
"I was, for a time, but after four years I found myself missing home, missing the people." Margret hummed, smiling
"Yes well Poplar, is lucky to have you Doctor King, as is that Nurse, I didn't think blondes were your type." Cora let out a chuckle,
"Yes well she's been the person I loved since I was six years old and she's been my reason for coming home for 16 years now, she is my home if I'm being honest." Margret smirked,
"It seems like the sentiment is shared, she looked incredibly jealous when she realised we knew one another." Cora rolled her eyes,
"And I'm sure you're exaggerating ma’am." Margret laughed all the same,
"Perhaps but there's no debate that she loves you. And she's very lucky that you love her." Cora nodded silently, thankfully,
"Now if you ever grow tired of your work here, you know you will always have a position ready for you on my staff."
"Thank you Margret." The woman nodded getting into the car, thanking Cora as she opened the door for her,
"Of course, oh and the next Royal Event you decide to grace us with your presence at, please do bring her, I'm sure Lilibet would love her, and we'll all welcome her with open arms." Cora nodded watching as she and her Royal detachment drove away,
"And what were you two talking about?" Cora smiled at the sound of Trixie's voice her eyes brimming with adoration,
"You, funnily enough. She likes you and she thinks Elizabeth would too." Trixie's eyes widened surprised,
"Elizabeth, like Queen Elizabeth?" Cora nodded wrapping her blazer and arm around Trixie,
"The very same. And she offered me a position as her personal GP should I ever want it." Trixie let out a gasp,
"Are you going to take it?" Cora shook her head,
"And be away from you again? Never, I'm afraid you'd have my guts for garters."