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Chapter Two: Aunt Joan

Joan was in the chicken pen feeding the birds with seeds. It was part of her usual routine, feed the chickens, collect eggs that have been laid, check the vegetables to see if any were ripe and she would do this day in and day out, it was all part of her job as a farmer.

Once collected the last egg she had found and placed it into the small basket she had, there was an engine noise that came from behind her. As she looked around she noticed a familiar silver car parked behind her jeep.

It was unusual to see the tall, grey haired man rise from the drivers seat this late in the afternoon. Especially, since she only saw her nephew the previous day.

"Marty!" Joan cheered as she put the basket down and opened the door to the chicken pen and limped towards him.

"Aunt Joan" Martin said as he strolled over to hug her, "I noticed you were limping"

"Isn't it normal for Osteoporosis" she said and then changed the topic, "I thought you was in London?" Joan squinting up at him as the sun reflected into her eyes. She raised her hand above her forehead to shade the bright light away.

"Yes it is usual, but make sure you don't do too much and the meeting finished earlier than expected," Martin said

"Well come in and tell me all about it that way I won't be doing too much work" Joan said walking in the direction towards her cottage door.

Martin obediently followed.

The steam rose from the mugs that were set in front of Martin and Joan.

Joan sipped the slightest bit of tea making sure she didn't burn herself and then said: "So how was the meeting?"

"OK" Martin shrugged, "They have to look for a space at Truro hospital first before they can apply me formally. Chris Parsons is doing the official transformation with the paperwork"

"It shouldn't take too long. Any hospital will be lucky to have you as one of their surgeons!" Joan smiled and then looked around to see any signs of her dog, "Buddy must still be outside"

Martin frowned wishing that the smelly, flea ridden dog wouldn't intrude on their conversation. He disliked the animal as much as he could.

"We discussed the length" Martin sighed, "It could take up to a year at least"

"A year!" Joan gasped, "Well what are you going to do?"

"I suppose just have to commute to London every day until something appears" Martin explained

"Commute? Surely it will take a while to get to London and back here everyday. Didn't you tell anybody that you are a father now and that it would be reasonable to speed up the transfer?" Joan asked making it clear she wanted an answer.

"No" Martin said, "I didn't think it was anybody's business and as for travelling the train will only take a few hours, then in the car from Truro is about half an hour"

"Oh Martin!" she shook her head, "You cant possibly be embarrassed to tell people that you have a son. Do you realise that Louisa would only really see you at weekends? You'll be getting in at around eleven at night"

He thought this over, maybe it was going to be a struggle there and back every day. Louisa needed his support with a new born baby.

"Erm… I know, but… what else am I supposed to do. Doctor Wilson or whatever his name is has already got the GP space here? This is the only way I can keep my promise to Louisa" Martin explained

Joan looked at him in the eyes, "Well it's entirely up to you, but I believe you won't be up to travelling that much everyday. Maybe if you explain to them why it is that you want to move so quickly and they'll understand. You might even get Parental leave for a couple of weeks"

Martin looked down at his tea and took a deep breath: "I don't know. I'll think about it"

"Marty, I think Louisa needs you there for the first weeks with the baby. I know at first she said she could manage, but really any first time mother needs the father there for them." Joan said, "I know how much Louisa means to you and I'm sure as soon as you saw your son for the first time, you felt love for him"

He blushed a little knowing it was all true, but even in front of Joan it wasn't easy to show how much he did love his new born baby.

"You could ask Chris Parsons to require the leave if you don't want to yourself" Joan suggested.

"I suppose" Martin said

"When do you have to go back to London?" she asked

"Next Monday. I had the weekend to sort out my house, well apartment and various other things" Martin said

"I think you're going to need a bit longer than that, its only Friday and Louisa only gave birth yesterday!"

"I know, I also need to arrange the delivery van to bring my furniture back, I don't know what they've done with it" he sighed, "I'll give the company a ring later on. I guess to ring Jonathan Bright to request the next two weeks off"

"Make sure you do, Marty. I am rather worried for you two"

"What do you mean?"

Joan sighed and took another sip of her tea this time it was cooler, "I just think that you both need to be more open with your relationship, I know how much you love each other!" she smiled, "Remember what you said at the birth scene; you were wrong about Louisa and everything else"

"How did you know I said that?" Martin asked confused.

"Well it's a long story" Joan said not wanting to get into the whole conversation.

"Right, well, I wish to hear it" he said raising his tone.

He hadn't told Joan until Louisa was safely in hospital with the baby what had happened. Joan of course didn't mention anything about Pauline holding her phone up to the microphone.

"When are you going to visit Louisa?" Joan asked avoiding the topic completely.

"Erm… I've made arrangements to go in and see her later on actually. Around five, I have to take a few things up to her"

"Ring me when you are leaving, I'll be waiting to see how they both are today!" Joan said smiling excitedly.

"I will" Martin said, "Maybe you can come and see him tomorrow"

Joan hadn't seen the baby yet since after the birth was such a rush and then Louisa being told she had to be admitted for longer due to the premature delivery. The medical staff wanted to keep an eye on her.

"I hope so!" Joan said, "I'm really looking forward to holding him!"

Martin managed to smile a little; "Louisa should be well enough tomorrow to come home"

"Will you stay with her?" Joan asked curiously.

The previous night Martin had stayed with Joan and had planned that he would book a room in a bed and breakfast.

"I don't know if she'll want me to just yet anyway?" Martin said.

"Please, for your own sake Martin, don't let her go again" Joan said with a serious look on her face.

Martin looked into his Aunt's eyes and saw how true she was being.

Of course he loved Louisa more than anything in the world. Watching her walk away from his house twice previously, felt like everything had torn apart and now with the baby they had with each other, he knew it couldn't possibly happen again.

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