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

Chapter Four

Martin was annoyed. His surgery was always full of ignorant idiots but today the villagers seemed to be excelling themselves. He'd already had to explain to three patients that he wasn't their agony aunt and now he had a patient who thought he was a vet.

'Mr Rogers you need to take your dog to the vet. I only treat people.'

'But Nat is just like a person. More intelligent than some of the people I've met, I can tell you.'

'I'm sure that's true but nevertheless you need to take him to see the vet. I am not qualified to treat dogs.'

'You sure?'

'Yes, I'm sure. Now do you have a medical problem at all or did you just come here to waste my time?'

'Well, my knee's been playing up but old Doctor Sims, he said nothing could be done when I saw him.'

'When did you last consult Doctor Sims about your knee?'

'Well now, let me think…..must have been ten, maybe twelve years ago.'

'I see.'

Martin controlled himself with an effort,

'Get up on the examining table and slide your trousers down, please.'

Mr Rogers had just unzipped his trousers and sat on the edge of the table when Pauline ran in, white-faced and incoherent,

'Doc! The school!'

'What?'

'Doc, you've got to come! The school's collapsed!'

Without a word, Martin barged past Pauline and ran to the window. Looking across the harbour, he could see the school but instead of smooth lines and white paint there was a cloud of dust and a pile of rubble where one side of the school had collapsed. The back third of some sort of vehicle was sticking out of the rubble.
Horrified, all Martin could think about was Louisa and the baby. Louisa had promised to take the baby in for a couple of hours today and then Aunty Joan was going to have him.
The thought of either of them being hurt spurred him into action. He rushed back into his consulting room and grabbed his emergency bag,

'Pauline, call the Fire Brigade and the Police then follow me. I'll decide whether we need ambulances once I've assessed the situation.'

Leaving the surgery, he paused at his car to collect his second bag of supplies. He considered driving but decided that the crowds that were bound to come and gawp might scratch the paintwork.
Running as fast as he could, it only took him a couple of minutes to reach the school. The playground was already chaotic with pupils, teachers and villagers wandering randomly about. PC Penhale was already there and was adding to the confusion by trying to keep anxious parents away from their children. Martin used his height to look over people's shoulders but he couldn't see Louisa anywhere.
Impatiently, Martin pushed his way through the knots of people until he could see the damage clearly. A large 4x4 had crashed into the side of the school bringing part of the wall and a section of the roof down. Several desks and chairs were visible under the rubble. The school secretary was gazing at the rubble, her face glazed with shock. Martin grabbed her arm to get her attention,

'Was anyone in there?'

'Yes, it's the year two classroom.'

Martin shuddered at the unwelcome news. Year two meant six and seven year-olds.

'Who was teaching them?'

'Miss Glasson.'

Martin dropped her arm as his mind recoiled in shock. For a moment he felt sick and then his medical training kicked in.

'Everyone be quiet!'

His shout was loud enough to carry over everyone's voices and the noise subsided.

'How many teachers are here?'

Several people hesitantly stepped forward.

'I need to know how many adults and children are missing. Everyone else wait outside the playground for now.'

Martin waited impatiently whilst the teachers checked registers and whispered to each other.

'Well?'

'There are sixteen pupils missing and…….and Miss Glasson.'

Martin nodded curtly then turned to PC Penhale,

'Joe, you need to get people organised to start shifting the rubble to look for survivors.'

Penhale nodded and turned to the waiting crowd,

'I know its dirty work but I need volunteers to help move the rubble.'

Martin shot him an incredulous look as everyone waiting outside came forward to attack the pile of rubble.
Several of the school children were crying and Martin walked over to one of the teachers,

'Are any of them hurt?'

'I'm not sure.'

'Well, find out then! If they're not hurt send them home.'

'But, Doctor…'

Martin ignored her, searching for Pauline in the crowd. Spotting her, he pushed his way through the children until he was at her side.

'Did you get the Police and Fire Brigade?'

'Fire Brigade are on their way. Police say it'll be a couple of hours before they can spare anyone.'

'Too busy giving out parking tickets in Truro, are they?'

'Don't know.'

'There are seventeen people under there plus whoever was driving that vehicle. We'll need as many ambulances as they can spare.'

'Yes, Doctor.'

Pauline immediately started dialling and Martin looked across the playground, trying to decide where to put his stuff so he could treat any minor injuries that didn't need a trip to hospital.
He was about to move across to the picnic tables when he heard Pauline's voice, raised in disbelief,

'What do you mean? None available?'

'Pauline?'

'There's been a twenty-five car pile up on the M5 near Exeter. All the ambulances have been sent there.'

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