Disclaimer: Doc Martin is the property of Buffalo Pictures. I own nothing.

Chapter Two

Pauline looked at the appointments list with dislike. Ever since Doc Martin had been in the newspapers, more and more people had been trying to join the surgery, many of them lying about their home address in order to get an appointment. This meant that there were people coming for appointments whom she had never seen before in her life and who had no right to take up appointments that could be given to genuine locals. At least Doc Martin gave anyone he caught a real tongue-lashing and refused to see them again. He'd also told her to get proof of address from all new patients, which was a good idea but made her very unpopular. She'd had to threaten to call the police last week when someone refused to provide evidence of their address. You could tell that they weren't locals; they were actually worried about her calling the police. Anyone who'd lived in Port Wenn for more than a week knew that Joe Penhale was looked after by the community not the other way round. Pauline wondered if the next patient would turn up; there'd been a deathly hush on the other end of the telephone when she'd told Mrs Lewis that she'd have to bring proof of address with her.

Pauline's ruminations were interrupted by an elderly couple coming into the surgery. The man had an anxious expression and hovered nervously at the woman's side.

'Can I help you?' asked Pauline, briskly.

'Hello, I'm Mrs Lewis. I've got an appointment to see Doctor Ellingham.'

The woman's voice was hesitant and apologetic. Mollified, Pauline said,

'Yes, that's right. I just need you to provide me with proof of your address.'

Mrs Lewis unzipped her handbag and handed Pauline her Pension Book. Pauline opened the book and read the address: 171 Bristol Road, Exeter. Exasperated, Pauline said,

'This is no use. You need to be living in Port Wenn or the surrounding area to join the surgery.'

'But I don't want to join the surgery.'

'Then why did you make an appointment?'

'I'm visiting my sister and I'm not feeling well and Mary, my sister, said I should come and see Doctor Ellingham.'

'You want to see him as a visitor?'

'Yes, if it's not too much trouble?'

'No, that's fine. There are some forms you need to fill out. Take a seat and I'll get them for you.'

Mrs Lewis had just handed Pauline her completed forms when the consulting room door opened to reveal a furious young man, who turned to shout back into the room,

'I'll live my life how I want to!'

Doc Martin followed him out into the waiting room,

'Then you'll keep catching infections and eventually you'll catch something fatal. Personal hygiene is not an optional extra!'

'Tosser!'

Pauline sighed as the young man slammed the outside door behind him.

'Mrs Lewis, you're next.'

Mrs Lewis got slowly to her feet, saying,

'I'm not sure…I don't feel that bad really…'

Martin looked carefully at her,

'Have you been having dizzy spells?'

'Well, yes, Doctor.'

'Come through.'

Martin led Mrs Lewis into the consulting room,

'Sit down. When did they start?'

'Just a few weeks ago. A first it was only once or twice a day, now it's every time I stand up.'

'Hmm. Take off your coat and roll up your sleeve please. I'm going to check your blood pressure.'

Martin was just about to inflate the sphygmomanometer's cuff when the phone rang. Annoyed, he barked into the phone,

'What?'

'Bert Large for you, Doctor Ellingham. He says it's an emergency.'

There was a click and then Martin heard,

'Doc, is that you? You've got come straight away.'

Bert's voice was frantic and Martin reacted automatically as his professional training kicked in,

'What's happened? Are you hurt?'

'No, I'm fine. It's…it's Anthony Oakwood…'

'Is he ill?'

'I…I think he's dead.'

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