Seasons of Change
Doc Martin is owned by Buffalo Pictures, not me. I am not making any money off of this story and in no way intend to detract from the wonderful work of the talented cast, crew, producers, directors, and others who make the show what it is.
Let me know what you think! I love reading your reviews, and take them into account as I write.
WARNING: This story contains frequent flashbacks and flashforwards, including multiple people reflecting on the same event at different times and places. This has been known to produce intense mind-bending and confusion, even frustration in the minds of several readers. It may help to understand that Season 6 takes place in Summer 2013. The prequel of this story, "Uncharted Waters" takes place in September 2013. Most of the events in the story take place in 2014 or 2016.
Chapter 1
September 2016, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, Canada
Edith Montgomery felt a knot in her stomach.
'Strange that,' she thought to herself. She'd conducted and watched intricate surgeries, been through two strenuous divorces, addressed rooms full of highly critical colleagues, and seen patients come within inches of death-and die for that matter. But rarely did she feel such moments of nervousness or anxiety, as she did now.
She simply didn't allow herself that option.
Not these days.
A soft, chilly breeze swept through. Small pieces of light danced about on the path in front of her as the tree branches bounced and swayed.
Emotional.
That's what she was becoming.
Perhaps she was wearing down, now that she was getting on in years. After all, hadn't something similar happened to Ellingham?
The man had been a great surgeon, a consummate professional with few equals in the medical field, until one day he simply couldn't stomach it any longer. He'd been reduced to a lowly GP in a miserable little backwater, where he'd 'fallen' (Edith thought the term quite appropriate for his impulsive behavior) for some hot-tempered local girl who he'd managed to get pregnant.
"We should be to the pavilion soon, Dr. Montgomery," the short balding man next to her said in his distinctive Kentish accent.
Edith nodded primly.
"Are you alright Doctor? A bit nervous perhaps?"
She stiffened.
"Me? Nervous?"
"Of course not, Dr. Montgomery." The man nodded his head, acting as if his previous statement had been the most preposterous suggestion in the world. Edith took some small, sadistic pleasure in making the man squirm a little.
"Mr. Hemming," she said, more to herself than to her companion, "I didn't fly half way around the world for my own health. I decided to do this thing, and I'm determined to see it through."
As she spoke, she saw something, or rather someone, moving amongst the willows on the far side of the lily pond they were passing.
Edith stopped in her tracks. She'd seen a few pictures, a Facebook profile pic.
But nothing prepared her for the stunning young woman she saw before her.
The sun's rays beautifully caught her long red hair as it draped over her shoulders. The girl was thin, but not excessively so. She was in her mid-20's, but her dressy blouse and skirt and her stately poise gave her an air of maturity that made her seem older.
As Edith watched the young woman drift slowly, almost sadly across the grass on the other side of the pond, her mind drifted to the bizarre series of events that had led to this fateful moment.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. I should have more soon.