My impression of Doc Martin, may not suit you or be as you view him or the other characters in the series. I do not own the show; it belongs to Buffalo Pictures and Independent Television (ITV). All rights go to the aforementioned companies and Martin Clunes. I, however, own this story, which is set in no particular chronological place. He is married to Louisa but their relationship is typically tumultuous! This story charts him struggling to get over his fear of blood.
Chapter 1
"Next patient," barked Martin.
Pauline looked up. "Derek Windham!" she called. An elderly man followed him into the consultation room. "Sit down."
"It's my ears, doc! They hurt, and I can't hear a word!"
Martin stood up. After a quick examination, he sniffed and sat down. "You have a collapsed eardrum. Have you been near any loud noises recently?"
The man sat back and considered. "Now you mention it, Doc, I have. There was that building site we passed in Wadebridge. And I accidentally put the phone on speaker."
"That's probably what did it."
"Well, can you do anything for me?"
Martin squirmed. "Yes. Lie down...there." He motioned to the bed in the corner. The man eased himself onto it as Martin washed his hands and put on a pair of gloves. He unwrapped a long scalpel. "Right. This might hurt. It will...bleed." He knelt down by the man's ear and took a deep breath. Then he inserted the scalpel right into the man's ear.
The sound of the man's screams mingled with the sound of vomiting.
Louisa opened the door. Martin was sitting at the kitchen table, papers spread around him. "Evening," he murmured, not looking up.
"Was surgery OK?"
She saw him freeze. "Did someone bleed?"
"I threw up over him."
She sat down next to him and kissed his head. "You need help, Martin. And I know just where to get it..."