CHAPTER 4 – I NEED SOMEBODY
"Take a sad song and make it better..."
That song has been in my head all day thought Martin as he parked the car in a space marked 'Private – Staff Only', turned off the radio and waved at Joan who was waiting at the hospital entrance as arranged.
"Hi Marty, I was going to go on up but wasn't sure what ward they're in" said Joan excitedly
"Well you'll see them soon enough" grumped Martin as they made their way to the ward.
xxx
"Oh Louisa – Congratulations, well done" said Joan as she gave Louisa a hug.
"Oh he's lovely, absolutely gorgeous. Imagine you two being able to make HIM" said a delighted Joan as she peered over the cot.
"Can I get a hold" she asked excitedly
"Sure you can" said Louisa unable to deny Joan her obvious pleasure.
"Hello Master Matthew Terence Ellingham" I'm Joan and I'm your favourite Auntie" said Joan as she held him up.
"He doesn't understand you Aunt Joan and you are his only Auntie in case you hadn't noticed" said Martin
"Yes, Marty I know that. What's wrong with that? All the better for me is it not?" questioned Joan
"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it. It didn't do me any harm after all. Did it?" replied Martin
"No – I don't suppose it did" said Joan as she and Louisa lifted their eyebrows in unison with smiles on their faces.
xxx
"How are you today? How did he feed? Did he sleep?" asked Martin as he bent to kiss her cheek.
"I'm OK Martin, just tired – Matthew was up twice during the night and my boobs are still sore, which of course he is oblivious to, but the Doctor said we can go home today just waiting on the all clear. Did you bring the car seat?"
"Yes I did" said Martin "Have they examined your ummm breasts, we really don't want to allow this to develop into something nasty. There are various conditions...
"My breasts are just fine Martin" said Louisa cutting him off "The Community Midwife will visit every day to keep an eye on things – I just want to go home".
"Hmmm" said Martin making a mental note to look up her symptoms.
xxx
Joan played away happily with the baby, as the doctor did his final check on both the baby and Louisa. "Yes everything seems shipshape, I'm quite happy for you both to go home. The community midwife will visit every day to monitor – you have ample support?" questioned the doctor.
"Yes" said Martin and Joan together.
"Emm Yes" said Louisa just happy to be going home.
"As you're going home, How about I'll go make something nice for dinner and pop round with it later, if that's all right?" said Joan not wanting to be intrusive.
"Yes Joan that would be great, I don't know that I would be up to cooking at the minute. Thanks" as Joan gathered her things and headed for the door.
"See you later then"
xxx
Martin and Louisa gathered up the mountain of baby things that had gathered and headed to the car. Martin fiddled about with the baby seat quite capably as Matthew looked up at him in apparent curiosity. Martin couldn't help but smile.
"Awe lovely Martin, see he knows who you are already" said Louisa as she watched
"Probably thinking 'you're big for a baby or what big ears you have' " said Martin out loud not meaning to.
"Was that a joke Martin Ellingham" smiled Louisa
"Mmm" said Martin as he started the car and they finally made their way home.
xxx
They were only in the house 5 minutes when there was a knock at the door. Martin went to answer to find Bert Large standing there with a big bunch of flowers.
"Yes" said Martin
"Hey Doc, Can't believe you've done it till I see it with my own eyes" said Bert as he barged his way past.
Martin stared after him in disbelief "Bert, now is not a good time"
"It's fine Martin" said Louisa as she smiled up at Bert.
"Wow" said Bert as he peered over the babys crib "What a wee cracker – Are you sure ...?." he said to Louisa as he nodded towards Martin.
"Yes Bert I'm sure" said Louisa with a smile.
Martin set about trying to organise all the baby equipment when there was another knock at the door. He opened the door to find 3 of Louisa's work colleagues all carrying gifts;
"Hello Doctor Ellingham – Is Louisa fit for a visit?" asked Mary
"No" said Martin as he went to shut the door.
"Martin" gasped Louisa as shook her head and looked at him with probing eyes.
Martin opened the door a touch wider and went back to trying to tidy up the baby things as the others chatted away. Just then there was another knock at the door as Joan let herself in carrying a warm covered dish.
"Only me - Oh busy" said Joan as she left the dish on the kitchen worktop and headed straight to the babys crib.
At that moment Matthew began to whimper. Martin looked over in concern but made no move.
"Can I lift him" asked Joan
Louisa lifted him out of his crib and handed him to Joan as the rest of her visitors fussed and chuckled about him.
Martin looked around at the mess and all the people in the small room. Bloody villagers why can't they just mind their own business and this place is tiny – it will never do he thought as he clapped his hands loudly to attract their attention.
"Right you lot - time to go! Matthew needs to be fed and Louisa needs to rest" he barked as the visitors turned to look at him in surprise but began to gather their things.
"Not you" he said waving his finger at Joan
"Mmm I can take a hint Marty. I'll leave you to it and pop in tomorrow" said Joan as she kissed Matthew on the forehead and passed him to Louisa who was looking at Martin shaking her head in astonishment.
"Sorry" she muttered to her visitors as they prepared to leave mumbling among themselves.
"Martin" she said with a questioning look as shut the door behind them.
xxx
"What?" said Martin
"You really can't go round talking to people like that" said Louisa
"Like what?" said Martin in some irritation
"Like that. Rude" said Louisa shaking her head
"That wasn't rude" said Martin in some irritation
"Oh yes it was and you really can't speak to people like that" replied Louisa
"WHY?" cried Martin as he headed for the stairs.
Louisa turned the radio on, shaking her head in bewilderment as she went to pick Matthew up.
..." Think of what you're saying, you can get it wrong
And still think that it's alright " ...
..."While you see it your way,
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone"...