Joan Norton relaxed back in her easy chair and sipped her sherry. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth and Muriel Steele, her friend of many years sat opposite, mesmerised by the dancing flames. They'd both travelled down from Portwenn to St Ives for a few days for the Christmas holidays and had thoroughly enjoyed their time with their friends. She and Muriel had opted to stay at a bed and breakfast near to Sue Spargo who was hosting the Christmas get together. Sue had her sister Connie from Australia staying with her for a month. They all had a lot in common, not the least of which was that they were all widows, all had spent many years in Cornwall, in and around Portwenn and all had children that they were concerned about. Well Joan knew she didn't really qualify as a mother but Martin was like a son to her and she cared very much about him.

She wondered how his Christmas day had been. He'd looked quite uncomfortable when she'd taken the little Christmas tree around to the surgery. To Martin Christmas was just another day and she could still hear him grumbling about the spate of patients he would be seeing in the days following Christmas. "Over indulgence! Every year it's the same. It's not surprising they end up with indigestion and God knows what else when they drink themselves silly and eat things they don't usually eat in ridiculous quantities."

"Well of course they do Martin - it's Christmas!"

"What's that got to do with it? It's something that could easily be avoided if they didn't behave like idiots."

"Oh stop complaining, that's what doctors are for...aren't they?"

"What? For treating idiots?" Martin had glowered at her from across the kitchen. Yes he had to treat them on a regular basis but why did they never listen to him? They should learn from the experience, not repeat it over and over.

Joan had finished putting the last golden ball on the little tree. "What will you do for Christmas? You know you are most welcome to come to St Ives. Sue would love to see you."

"No thank you...all that inane chatter, too much food, too much alcohol and too much soppy nostalgia..."

"Nice to hear you being your bright and cheerful self as usual Martin."

"Yes…mmm."

Joan sighed as she put her sherry glass on the little table next to her and stared into the fire. She loved Martin but he frustrated her no end. If only he would relax a little. She smiled inwardly. Joe Penhale had let her know that Louisa was in the village and that Martin had been at her cottage on Christmas day, so maybe he had relaxed a little. She'd been delighted to hear that Martin and Louisa had spent the day together but she also worried about how Martin had behaved. He had a habit of speaking before he thought things through and he was in danger of mucking things up again because he was nervous. The gossip was that he'd had Christmas lunch with Louisa but then he'd been called down to the harbour to attend to a patient. She hadn't yet heard what happened after that. Someone was bound to let her know sooner or later.

Muriel looked across at Joan.

"What's on your mind Joan? Looks like you need another sherry."

"No thank you - maybe later. I was just wondering how Martin was getting on."

Muriel eyed her friend. She'd never made any bones about what she thought of Martin. "That nephew of yours? Can't see him being invited to any Christmas festivities."

Joan pursed her lips. She didn't like it when others were nasty about Martin. If she criticised him that was one thing but she didn't like it when others did.

"He wouldn't go even if he were invited. Martin is not one for socialising."

"Could've fooled me - I thought he was the life of Portwenn's social scene," Muriel chuckled.

"Marty is different Moo. But he is a kind man...a sensitive man…"

"Sensitive? You wouldn't say that if you heard some of the things he comes out with."

"I do hear the things he comes out with...and in my opinion some of them need saying...especially when people play Russian Roulette with their health."

"No need to get so defensive dear. I know he's a good doctor but what he really needs is a woman in his life. Someone to mellow him out a bit." She sipped her wine. "Pity he messed it up with Louisa."

Joan felt a flicker of annoyance. "They both messed it up. It wasn't just him. - not by a long shot. And I am always the first to tell Martin when he's been wrong."

"They were unsuited. My Danny was a better match for Louisa than Martin ever was...I don't know what she saw in him."

Joan thought about that for a moment. From the very beginning she could tell that they were attracted to one another. Martin had definitely been smitten with the girl. She'd never seen him hover and act like an awkward teenager around anyone. But she'd had to give him a shove when Danny had come back to Portwenn and had shown renewed interest in Louisa. It was as if Martin had lost all his confidence around her. When he did speak all he managed to do was get her back up, the stupid boy! But she knew one thing was as plain as daylight and it was that one thing that made all the difference in the world.

"No matter what went on between them, I know this much - they truly love each other."

Muriel looked sceptical.

"Yes Moo...present tense. They still love one another. It's one of the great mysteries of the universe, isn't it? That two polar opposite personalities can love like that."

"So why the big break up then? Right at the last minute too. Caused no end of speculation, didn't it? And he just carried on as if nothing had happened." She sniffed with derision. "Thickest skin I've ever encountered."

Joan knew Martin had been anything but immune to what had happened but he had shut down and refused to talk about it. And of course with both Martin and Louisa being tight lipped, speculation had been rife. Everyone just assumed it was Martin's fault. She'd gone to talk to him the day after the non-wedding but all he would say was that the decision had been mutual. He wouldn't elaborate no matter how much she badgered him for more detail.

As the days passed she tried to keep an eye on him. She took him cooked meals which she was sure went uneaten. And then the news began to spread that Louisa had resigned from the school and was leaving Portwenn. It happened so suddenly. Within two days Louisa was gone and she watched Martin begin to unravel. After his initial shock he'd withdrawn and seemed to become even more aloof than ever. He wouldn't talk when she asked him how he was holding up. He just said, "Fine," and she eventually learned to leave it at that.

But then one day, about two months after she'd left, Louisa had phoned her. Her first reaction had been one of anger and she'd wanted to give Louisa a piece of her mind for just disappearing like that without even saying goodbye. After all, she'd watched the child growing up in Portwenn. Not exactly an idyllic childhood with that scoundrel of a father and a flighty and self-centred mother. At least her father had loved her in his selfish fashion. His going to prison had almost been the undoing of the girl, but typical Louisa, she'd put her chin up and she'd gone on as if nothing was amiss. Plucky as a bantam hen that one. But she hadn't come out of it unscathed. Her childhood struggles had made her overly sensitive and needing reassurance all the time. Joan was sure that that was what had attracted her to Martin from the get go - him being so in charge, his confidence, his being so self assured and seemingly immune to what people thought of him. That and his integrity. He wouldn't be like her father.

After Louisa had told her all about London, she'd asked after Martin. Her voice had become soft and hesitant. All she wanted to do was talk about him. Honestly the pair of them were fools. They loved each other but just couldn't make it work.

She'd relayed the news of Louisa's call to Martin when they were having supper together at the surgery and she watched his head shoot up and the spark of interest appear in his eyes. How is she? Where is she? What is she doing? Is she thinking of coming back? Have you got a number? The questions were fired at her but she just shook her head. All she could tell him was that Louisa was somewhere in London and she seemed well. The disappointment on Martin's face had made him look like a schoolboy cheated out of some coveted prize. Then he'd got up from the kitchen table and disappeared into his consulting room.

Joan stared into the fire. It had died down to a lovely glow which made the room look cosy, cocooning them in its warmth as the rain beat down outside. She hoped that Martin and Louisa had managed to at least talk about things. Whatever happened between the two of them, it was never going to be easy. Two strong characters would always bump heads. Would their love be able to heal the bumps and bruises as they happened? She certainly hoped so. All she wanted was for Martin to be happy.

"I think you underestimate Martin, Moo. He's softer and more vulnerable than you realise."

"Well he does a damn fine job of hiding it. The man is as hard as nails."

"No he's not...if you only knew half the things he does for others. And I am not talking just about the medical side of things. But Martin is an Ellingham through and through - he calls a spade a spade and people don't like it."

"No they don't and I don't see why they should either. He's a doctor and having a tolerant bedside manner would go a long way to making people more accepting of him."

Joan stared at Muriel over the rim of her sherry glass. "He only cares about one person accepting him. I hope to God it happens - soon."

ooooOOOOoooo

Martin's visit to Truro Hospital to see his patient hadn't gone well. He'd had to knock a few heads together when he'd found that Jennings' CT scan report was not in his patient file. He could see that the scan had been done but the report was missing.

"Where is it?"

The young nurse standing next to him looked like a rabbit caught in headlights. "I don't know Doctor Ellingham...it must be here…"

"Well clearly it's not, is it? Find it…"

The nurse opened her mouth to say something but Martin's frustration boiled over.

"Now...immediately!"

"Yes Doctor." And the nurse scurried off looking flustered.

While he waited Martin read through the rest of the patient notes. Everything looked as it should, given the injuries. Nothing was jumping at him except the missing report. Incompetence that's what it was.

Just then the doctor on duty walked in. He was a young registrar and clearly nervous knowing that he was in the presence of one of the most famous surgeons in Britain. Of course he knew that Ellingham was no longer a practicing surgeon but the stories of his achievements were still legendary in medical circles. The man had been the best until, almost overnight, he'd retired from surgery and inexplicably gone into general practice. A lecturer at his medical school had lamented that if only Ellingham had opted to teach, hundreds of students would have had the benefit of his genius. The only drawback to that was Ellingham's lack of people skills. His impatience was legendary and the registrar was about to find that out first hand. Ellingham's brows met over his nose in a deep frown. It was not a good sign and the registrar swallowed hard.

"Good morning Mr Ellingham, I believe you are…"

"It's Doctor Ellingham now...where is the CT scan report?"

"It was emailed to me and to the nurses' station so it should have been printed and put in the file."

"Well it's not there." Martin sighed in frustration. "What did it say...give me a summary." His voice was curt.

The registrar rattled off the details while Ellingham glared at him. He'd never felt so uncomfortable in his life.

After examining Jennings and discussing his patient's regime with the registrar Martin left the hospital and took a slow drive back to Portwenn. The roads were streaming with rain and visibility was poor. He was thankful that there were hardly any other vehicles on the roads. At last he pulled his car into the space next to the surgery. It had just gone two o'clock and he was hungry. A bit late for lunch but some fruit and a cup of coffee would tide him over. He got out of the car and reached into the back for his medical bag and had just shut the car door when his mobile rang. What now? He reached for it as he hurried towards the kitchen door. "Ellingham." he barked into the phone.

"I thought I would wish you a belated Merry Christmas. How was your day?"

"Mmm...Aunty Joan...yesss...Merry Christmas and all that. My day was fine…"

"More than fine I hear. How is Louisa?"

Martin was completely taken aback and he spluttered, "Good God - the villagers' aptitude for spreading gossip is unbelievable. Who told you about Louisa?"

"Does it matter Marty? Tell me you had a nice lunch."

Martin dropped his medical bag on the floor of the consulting room then went back to the kitchen. "Yes...we had a nice lunch thank you." He switched on the coffee machine.

There was a slight pause. "Oh come on Martin! How did things go with Louisa?"

"It's really none of your business Aunty Joan...or anyone else's for that matter." He sounded petulant.

"It went that well, did it?" Aunty Joan chuckled knowingly. "I am not surprised you two couldn't keep your hands off of one another."

"Aunty Joan! You can't just assume…"

"Alright alright Marty, keep your hat on." She chuckled again. "Judging from your reaction it must have gone very well indeed. You can stop blushing now."

"Very funny."

"Are you seeing Louisa again today? I hope you don't get called out again. I thought you were supposed to be off duty over the Christmas weekend?"

"Yes...but a doctor has a duty of care if he is approached for help."

"Well mind that you and Louisa get some quality time together. I am sure there's lots to talk about...and other things to take care of."

"Aunty Joan…really!"

"And Marty...don't mess it up. Keep your mouth shut unless you have something nice to say...in fact don't say anything - just make Louisa feel special."

"Yes… thank you Aunty Joan...that's very helpful…"

"Good bye Marty - I'll see you the day after tomorrow and I expect to hear some good news."

Martin grunted and rang off. His scowl deepened as he put the phone in his pocket. There really was no privacy whatsoever in Portwenn. Even his aunt, staying in St Ives, knew exactly where he'd been on Christmas day and that Louisa had spent the night with him at the surgery. That was Bert's doing he was sure. The man had no decency.

Martin made an espresso and sat down to peel an apple. Once he'd eaten and freshened up he would go to Louisa. He felt his heartbeat increase at the thought. He wanted so much to be with her but he knew they had things to talk through; things that could make or break their relationship forever. It made him nervous and when he was nervous he tended to blurt out things that were best left unsaid. He would just have to be extra vigilant and not let that happen.

He drank the last of his coffee and got up to rinse the cup. All he knew was that if they couldn't work something out and they couldn't be together, his life would be empty forever, just like it had been for the last six months; just like it had been before he met Louisa. He couldn't bear it. Best not to think along those lines now.

He took the stairs two at a time and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. As he dried his face he stared at himself in the mirror. He looked anxious even to his own eyes. He sighed. Pull yourself together Ellingham. He tugged at his collar and straightened his tie. Time to go. With one last look, he squared his shoulders and headed for the stairs.

ooooOOOOoooo

Thanks to all who have left comments and sent me PMs - as always they are very much appreciated. Your feedback is encouraging.