This story takes place after episode 3-01. Parts in italics are from Doc Martin, Series 3, Episode 1: "The Apple Doesn't Fall" - written by Richard Stoneham.
Disclaimer: Doc Martin and recognisable storylines belong to Buffalo Pictures.
Initiative - Chapter 2 – Sunday morning
Martin awoke slightly later than normal. He hadn't heard the phone overnight, which was always nice, but he had stayed up later than he usually did. The course pack for Understanding Others had proved to be slightly interesting.
He dressed and headed down to the kitchen. He retrieved the Sunday newspaper from out front, checked and saw the light was not blinking on the answering machine at Pauline's desk, then set the paper and the course pack on the kitchen table. He made himself an espresso, boiled an egg, and settled into his morning routine.
Disquietingly, he soon found himself distracted by two things. He kept thinking about the call about the clock. It was a very interesting clock, with an ormolu mounting. He knew its rarity, as no true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because the use of mercury had been outlawed. Due to exposure to the harmful mercury fumes, most gilders did not survive beyond age 40. But he'd already told the man he didn't have the time. He probably should call a couple of contacts to help find someone else who could fix it.
The other thing that was nagging at him was that course pack.
After completing the Myers-Briggs test online, Martin had learned he is an ISTJ personality type. He really didn't like psychology, but he had read the description again.
"ISTJs are quiet and reserved individuals who are interested in security and peaceful living. They have a strongly-felt internal sense of duty, which lends them a serious air and the motivation to follow through on tasks. Organized and methodical in their approach, they can generally succeed at any task which they undertake."
Well, he couldn't deny its accuracy, so far, annoying as it was. The last sentence made him think of only one thing, though, or one person, as it were. Louisa. He didn't like thinking of her as a "task" but... he knew he had to be proactive if he ever hoped they would be a couple.
He remembered her quite recently telling him so, in so many words...
-oo0oo-
Louisa was at the surgery in the evening for a check-up after fainting. Martin had asked her a series of personal, but medically necessary questions.
"I'm not very happy talking to you about this kind of thing," she said, trying to sound confident.
"Why not?" asked Martin, in his usual, oblivious way.
"Because, Martin, you're asking me questions that are completely inappropriate."
"I'm your doctor."
"Yes, but you're also... ...you know. You're also. You know, you and me - we're - We've got some kind of... Should I just change my surgery and go to Wadebridge?"
"That's up to you," said Martin, trying to stay professional.
Her insecurity had morphed into anger.
"Right. That's what I'll do, then, because everything's always up to me, isn't it? You never do anything or say anything to help us move on. We just go 'round and 'round in circles."
She left angrily, and Martin just shook his head.
-oo0oo-
He had taken a few minutes and worked out that Louisa was probably an ENFP personality.
"ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it."
Absolutely his opposite, but that's why he knew he wanted her in his life. He wouldn't be able to give her back what she gave him, but he knew that what he could give her was in the next part of his personality description.
"ISTJs are very loyal, faithful, and dependable. They place great importance on honesty and integrity. They are 'good citizens' who can be depended on to do the right thing for their families and communities."
'That's pretty good, isn't it?' he thought. 'I mean, so many relationships go wrong on these points alone.'
"An ENFP needs to feel that they are living their lives as their true Self, walking in step with what they believe is right. They see meaning in everything, and are on a continuous quest to adapt their lives and values to achieve inner peace. They're constantly aware and somewhat fearful of losing touch with themselves."
Hadn't Louisa just told him recently, right here in this kitchen, that she worried about everything? He had tried to reassure her...
-oo0oo-
Martin was fixing a clock, and Louisa and Alison stopped by. They all had an uncomfortable exchange of words, including Alison trying to apologize.
After Louisa ushered Alison out the door, she poked her head back inside.
"Can I stay here?"
He was caught off guard by that, but, ever the gentleman, he said, "Of course you can."
"No, I promised to take Alison home. I meant can I stay at the surgery... as your patient?"
"You want me to be your doctor?"
"I want you to be my... doctor. Yeah."
He had heard her slight pause, but he asked, "What changed your mind?"
"I don't really know." She moved closer to him. "Do you think..."
"What?"
"Do you think I'm anaemic?"
She seemed a bit scared, so he gently said, "I can find out, but I wouldn't worry about it at this stage."
"But I DO worry."
"Do you?"
"Yes."
"What about?"
"Everything. I worry about what I'm doing with my life."
He felt the urge to reach out and take her in his arms.
"Well, I'm sure that's not uncommon," he said, reassuringly.
"Well, do you worry about your life?"
"I tend not to dwell on those things. I just try and keep busy, really, with work and... my hobby."
"Your clock."
"Mm. I've nearly finished this one."
"Then what?"
"Hmmm." He paused, trying to figure out what she wanted him to say. "Perhaps it'll be time for something new?"
"I hope so."
"Good."
"Yes."
She smiled, then, and left. He watched her, with longing and a little confusion.
-oo0oo-
He had realised he could have gone on and on with it, comparing, contrasting, qualifying, excusing himself, accusing her, but knowing he could review it another time, he'd finally called it a night and slept.
He set the newspaper aside and opened the course materials to the next section. It started off oddly, in a first person voice.
"It's easy for us to misunderstand each other even though we speak the same language. There's no such thing as telepathy. Our thoughts and feelings are essentially private, so tuning in on each other's wavelengths is difficult. Without being able to read each other's minds, we have to make do with verbal and non-verbal clues, and they are not always reliable.
Unfortunately, misunderstandings can be serious obstacles, making it hard for us to influence each other, cooperate and work successfully together.
But all is not lost. If I want to improve our understanding of each other, I can do two things. One is try to make sure I understand you, and the other is try to make sure you understand me. The first has to do with how well I listen, the second with how well I speak. They are two sides of the communication coin.
I can practise and develop both of these skills, and I don't need you to be good at them. They'll improve our relationship even if it's only me using them."
Maybe this course would prove more helpful than he'd imagined.
He knew he needed to get on with his day now. Time to start that herb garden. Louisa crossed his mind, and he figured it was because she'd been there yesterday, looking at his diagram.
There was a knock on the kitchen door behind him. He went over and opened it.
"Louisa."
End of Chapter 2