THOC "Illustrations" Challenge #2 Adoration
Waltz
Was it possible for a village to keep a secret? Judging from the sidelong glances, knowing smiles and nods of approval, they could. Certainly there was jesting and the usual rampant gossip about who was with whom, in the Biblical sense, as Bert Large would say. Yet anyone living in Portwenn knew who it was their local doctor loved.
Their notoriously grumpy, stiff, formal, GP -with his permanent frown and scowl- was leading his wife out onto the dance floor. Doing his duty, as was required by new husbands to perform the traditional wedding dance. He looked natty and sharp in his suit and the bride radiant in her gown. The guests passed knowing looks, all of them endlessly amused by his starch formalities, looking more like he was going to an execution. They waited for certain mayhem with baited breath.
However, as the music began its first strains and he took his wife's hand in his, slipping the other around her waist, they all witnessed a transformation.
Already a very tall man, he appeared even more so as he squared his shoulders and slowly began to waltz his new bride around the floor. Anyone amongst the guests who thought the Doc would be all left feet at dancing got quite the surprise. (And that included the bride!) Their surprise turned into a silent delight as they saw his frown soften and that intimidating glare change. His gaze was fixed on his Louisa, a hint of wonder softening their intensity. Some of the guest would even swear that the slightest of smiles graced his lips. For the briefest moment their Doc put aside all the formalities, duties, and responsibilities of a wedding to focus solely on his new bride.
No one could deny that Martin Ellingham adored his wife.
