Author's Note:
I have been writing "Fragile" for months, and avoiding the ff site for weeks, and am finally ready to start posting, when I see that another author has posted a story with the same title. I have not been in these parts for long, so I hope I am not breaking protocol, but I do not want to change my title. I hope the other author will forgive me. I have also decided not to read the other story, yet, but I will someday. (I can now see why my psyche has been pushing me to post already!)
- oo0oo –
Disclaimer: Doc Martin and recognisable storylines and characters belong to Buffalo Pictures and the creative team. Reviews are always appreciated.
Fragile - Chapter 1
"What is it, Martin?" Louisa asked, with concern in her voice. She ran her hand over his head, soothing him with her gentle touch, but she could see the frown on his face in the dim nightlight from the hallway.
Martin lay flat in their bed, without a pillow, as was his way, and looked at her. He could hear his watch ticking on the nightstand, but otherwise the room was silent. He felt warm, yet also clammy, but without a mirror he couldn't be sure what she was seeing.
"What?" he asked. "Nothing." He'd only just woken up, and was trying to get orientated.
Louisa didn't look as though she believed him. He took her hand, which had been lying on his chest, and now could feel how clammy his own hand must feel in her dry one.
"Perhaps the house got humid overnight," he suggested, watching to see if she accepted his explanation.
"Perhaps," she answered, lying back onto the bed beside him, but he had to admit she looked a bit sad at his excuse. He knew it was flimsy, because they'd had this conversation several times recently.
He couldn't possibly wake up over and over again covered in sweat from humidity. And he couldn't possibly tell her the real reason why.
- oo0oo –
Fragile - End of Chapter 1