Chapter 2

I had also heard that his parents were visiting. Danny had mentioned he had met Martin's parents when Martin had stopped to pick Danny up after his car had broken down.

He had told me the parents were exactly the kind of people you would expect to be the parents of a smug high flying surgeon...oops local GP. For someone who had allegedly found religion Danny could be a really nasty bit of you-know-what at times. I thought it had been nice of Martin to give Danny a lift, especially as I had an inkling what Martin must be thinking of Danny.

Danny had informed me that the atmosphere in the car had been very strained and that he had been darn glad to get out of the car, fearing to freeze to death otherwise.

I had also bumped into Mark on my way to school. Ignoring that I was rushing to work, struggling with a couple of books, he stopped me.

"Hullo, Louiser. Did you go to the pub last night?"

"No," I sighed and nodded to some exercise books I was balancing, "had some marking to do. Some other..."

I was stopped by him. "Last night... you'll never guess who was at the pub."

"Mark, I am in a bit of a hurry."

"Guess." He smiled at me and his open face made it impossible for me to disappoint him.

"Sorry, Mark. I really don't know. The Beast of Bodmin Moor?"

Mark chuckled. "Well, maybe some would say you're right. No. You know, the Doc." He nodded into the general direction of the surgery. "Our Doc. And there hadn't even been an emergency. Can you remember the Doc being at the pub, voluntarily?"

"No, Mark. That doesn't seem to be his cup of tea at all. How come?"

"He was with his dad." Mark grabbed my arm, just when I hoped I could escape to be at least vaguely in time for my first class. "Have you met the Doc's dad?"

"No Mark, I haven't."

"No family resemblance there," Mark mused. "Definitely no family resemblance. No, old Mr Ellingham is a true charmer. If he' d been twenty years younger, I truly would have been worried about my Julie. Even kissing her hand. Imagine." Mark lowered his voice and came closer to my ear, as if he was about to disclose confidential information. "Seems to be a bit of a ladies' man." Mark nudged my side. "Know what I mean?"

I imagined Martin in the pub with his old man, who was flirting with every woman in Portwenn, and could only start to guess what that would do to his mood.

"You know, I've told the Doc he should be a bit more like his dad. You know – sociable. Seemed to be a nice sort, his dad. Even insisted in buying me a drink."

I sighed. "Mark, I've really got to go. Class is starting in few minutes."

"Oh…sure…I…I didn't keep you, did I?"

'Yes, you sure did.' That's what I've been thinking. However, what I was saying was. "No, not at all. See 'ya."

It was my lucky day, obviously. Next I bumped into Pauline, who was just leaving her mum's house when I had almost made it to school. It's hard to believe how long it can take to walk those few yards when you're in a village.

"Helloooo, Louisa!" She darted right at me.

"Sorry, Pauline, need to rush. School." I tried to swerve past her, but to no avail. With a swift movement Pauline blocked my way.

"Have you heard? The Doc has visitors."

"His parents." I sighed. That was hardly fresh news. I bet it had been all over the village before his parents even set foot in his cottage.

"So you have met them?" Pauline piped.

"No. I've been home all evening. Marking tests." I nodded to the exercise books again and tried to pass Pauline to finally be able to start my work, but Pauline blocked my way again.

"His dad is a real charmer." She quipped. "A lovely man. Such a shame the Doc isn't a chip off the old block at all." Pauline giggled.

"So I've heard." I sighed. "What's his mother like?" Everyone was praising his dad, but I hadn't heard anyone mentioning his mother. Wasn't it odd that Martin and his father were roaming about town, leaving the mother home alone? Was she sick? That would have been an explanation.

"Actually, hardly ever see her. She's a bit… reclusive." Pauline whispered as if she was disclosing MI-5 top secret information.

Just then, I heard the school bell and the bustle from the schoolyard indicating that the last pupils were rushed inside. I practically pushed Pauline out of my way. "Have to run." I shouted after her and started my day, breathless and clinging to my papers.

To be continued…