CHAPTER 2 - YESTERDAY
"All my troubles seemed so far away, Now it looks as though they're here to stay Oh I believe in yesterday..."
"Why - she had to go, I don't know she wouldn't say, I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday..."
Martin looked at his Aunt as he turned the radio off.
"Umm - I'm not really sure as yet" he said
"What do you mean you're not sure? - Surely you've sorted things out with Louisa" replied Joan
"Well pardon me Auntie Joan but we did have a very busy day in case you didn't notice – not much time for tittle tattle"
"Hardly tittle tattle Marty, you have to talk to her, make some plans",
"I know"
"and tell her how you really feel"
"Yes, yes I know "Martin replied turning away as he felt the colour rising in his cheeks.
"And no beating about the bush Marty, you have a baby to think about now and you might not get another chance"
"I know, I know - I'm not going to London - I've told her that" said Martin defensively
"But you don't have a house - you don't have a job - what on earth are you going to do?
"Auntie Joan, at this point I don't even have a toothbrush as everything is in London but Rome wasn't built in a day, I need to make some phone calls.
"Yes Marty, I think you do" said Joan
Louisa felt so tired, she had only managed to doze and had been up and down for most of the night trying to feed the baby, who was having trouble latching on and had not quite managed it yet. She had been tempted to give up and give him a bottle of formula instead but decided to persevere. She could just hear Martins big gruff voice now "Breast is best Louisa, – provides all the required natural nutrients and builds babys' immune system" As if she didn't know! Things had happened so quickly she hadn't had a chance to speak to Martin properly, her head was bustling with questions that didn't yet have answers, but as she glanced at her sleeping baby son, "I would do it all again – even if my boobs are killing me" she thought as her eyes began to close.
Joan made breakfast while Martin made his phone calls. He called the removal company and arranged for them to return his belongings to Port Wenn, which would not be a great problem but would take some time to organise. He called the letting agent to cancel his 12 month rental agreement for a flat in Kensington, but it looked like he would be held to the contract that he had signed a few weeks back. And finally, he called Imperial College to inform them that he would not be able to take up the post of Head of Vascular Surgery after all, which they were not pleased about and he feared might have repercussion, but sod them. He would talk to Chris Parsons later for advice and to explore options for employment.
When he saw Louisa later, he wanted to be able to show her that he was serious about her and being part of their lives; he wanted to be the best father he could to their baby and as far as he was concerned actions were as good as words. Weren't they?
By 10.30 he was sitting at his aunts kitchen table having breakfast and coffee, having updated Joan on the outcome of his various phone calls.
"Can I stay here until I can get things sorted properly" asked Martin
"Of course you can there's plenty of room, but I would have thought you would want to be with Louisa and the baby" replied Joan
"Yes, yes I do - but Louisa's place is tiny - hardly enough space to accommodate her and the baby let alone me. Anyway Louisa might have something to say about that – I can't just presume!. I need to go to the village to buy some toiletries etc. Where can I buy some decent clothes?" Martin had never even dreamed of shopping for clothes in Port Wenn and didn't have a clue where to start.
"There is a menswear shop on Harbour Wynd – don't know if it sells suits though" smiled Joan as Martin got up to leave.
Hhmmm – I can imagine what rubbish it sells thought Martin
"And buy something nice for Louisa to take to the hospital with you" called Joan after him
Martin stopped and turned around "Buy what? – everything she needs is in the bag – she said so"
"Yes Marty, but she has just given birth to your son, buy her something for her – to show you appreciate her"
"Like what? said Martin a bit confused
"I don't know, perfume, flowers, chocolates just something from you to her" said Joan rolling her eyes
"Hhmmmm" said Martin as he got in his car and made his way to the village.
His first stop was the chemist to pick up some toiletries
"Oh Doctor, Doctor, a boy! A baby boy, how wonderful for you" said Mrs Tishell as Martin entered the shop and began to pick up his bits and pieces.
"Yes Mrs Tishell, a baby - 10 fingers, 10 toes, all there" replied Martin
"Does he have your beautiful eyes and your delightful ears" gushed Mrs Tishell
"Just the shopping please Mrs Tishell" responded Martin as he paid for his shopping and hastily made his retreat.
"and does he have your wonderful smile?" Mrs Tishell shouted as he slammed the shop door and quickly made his escape.
As he walked along the street every second person, some total strangers, were shouting their good wishes "Well done Doc" here, "Congratulations Doc" there "Didn't think you had it in you Doc" from all angles. Why these people thought his private concerns were any of their business was totally beyond him. I suppose it is an improvement on "Tosser" he thought as he made his way through the narrow streets.
He eventually made his way to the menswear shop that he didn't even know existed, shopping, especially for clothes, wasn't really his thing. He had a look around with a scowl on his face and finally picked up 2 pairs of casual, but smart, trousers, half a dozen casual shirts, 2 plain v neck sweaters, a pack of plain black socks and a pack of ridiculously patterned underpants (he always wore white). He could always bin them once he got his own clothes back he thought as he paid his bill while the owner rubbed his hands in glee - he had just sold more in the last 2 minutes than he had done in the previous week.
As he left the Menswear shop and turned the corner he felt a great big slap on his back and turned round sharply to see Bert Large standing there with the biggest grin ever on his face.
"Wow - Doc - well done – imagine - you a dad – if ever you need any advice you know where to come! Right Doc"
"Thank you Bert but I'm sure that will not be necessary" said Martin as he continued to walk away.
"Well Doc, I can tell you, you will learn from it" said Bert
"Sorry" said Martin as he turned in some confusion
"Well Doc for one, it will help you understand my depression better cause that all began when Al ...blah, blah, blah, blah...and now you have a son of your own...blah, blah, blah, blah and for two Doc ... blah, blah, blah, blah..." continued Bert, more talking to himself as Martin moved further away.
As he passed the Florist, he back-tracked and entered the shop. As he looked around unsure what he was looking for, a young man appeared "Hey Doc, You getting married again? I'm your man. I can do you...blah, blah, blah, blah... as Martin picked up nicest bunch of flowers he could see and hastily beat his retreat
Martin was relieved to reach the sanctuary of his car - 'is there one normal person in this entire village or are they all totally Bodmin' he thought as he started the car, although he did find it all mildly amusing he had to admit as he drove off with the tiniest grin on his face.
Martin returned to the farm, showered, shaved and put on his new clothes, not feeling entirely comfortable. As he entered Joans kitchen, Joan turned in surprise as she looked at his semi casual attire "New clothes Marty – nice" she said, deciding not to make an issue of it.
"And when do I get to meet my new nephew – Has he got a name yet?
"Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be, there's a shadow hanging over me but I believe in yesterday ..."
Bloody song's been in my head all day thought Martin "Soon" he said "soon".
