Chapter seven

Both of them slept like the proverbial logs and woke smiling and thinking about each other. She had a small hope that he might call just to say hello before they started their day. He wanted to hear her say again that she loved him but was too shy to make the call.

"What the heck! Read the list Louisa!" She put his number on speed dial and made the call. After a short conversation of "Good morning" and "Did you sleep well?", they both said the thing that each wanted to hear from the other "See you at 6:00 tonight and I love you".

Martin had his typical day of piles, ingrown toe nails, jelly beans up a nose and other maladies that affected the people – no – patients in his district. Time to re-order his thinking. They're patients!

Pauline watched and was surprised to see that he was actually, well, mellow! The dog Buddy sneaked in and he didn't yell for the "filthy animal" to get out. Just looked moderately disgusted and told Pauline to put it out. Bert was there sniffing around trying to find some news to gossip about. He noticed and looked quizzically at Pauline. She just raised her hands into the air and shook her head. He watched a little longer and decided to go in search of news. Somebody must know something!

Just before lunch, Pauline couldn't stand it anymore and blurted out, "Hey Doc, you ok?"

He looked mildly puzzled and actually answered her, "Yes, I'm doing well. Should I ask why you want to know?" Then he raised that eyebrow that she knew was a warning.

"No, no reason. You just look…are…" and the eyebrow went higher, "Uh, like I said, no reason. Forget I asked."

With a nod, he called out, "Next patient." and went to the surgery.

Bert had strolled around thinking and looking for news and notice a crowd around Mrs. Bathel who lived across the street from Louiser. She was bubbling over with the fact that she actually saw the Doc leaving Louiser's house late last night. (It was 10:00. Hardly the witching hour!) What was he doing there so late? Did his clothes look rumpled? Did you see them do anything? No, but he was there really late last night and he didn't have his medical bag so he certainly wasn't there as a doctor! Bert made up an excuse to visit the school to check up on Louisa. He was glad to report that she looked very happy and sprightly. Well, bless their hearts. They finally got together. The rumors spread like wild fire throughout the village.

Martin walked to the meat market to buy fresh range chicken and then to the vegetable stand for the ingredients for the chicken casserole he planned on making. Then to the pharmacy for supplies and didn't even think to dread it. He finally started noticing the odd behavior of everyone he talked to and passed in the street. They smiled and nodded as he walked by. Chippy Miller actually gave him a thumbs up. What is this all about? It couldn't be…No, that is impossible! When he entered the pharmacy, Mrs. Tishell was angry and almost in tears.

He walked in and said as he normally did, "My order, please, Mrs. Tishell."

"Of course Doctor Martin. I'm surprised you have the energy to walk such a long way after last night!" She was very much on her dignity and wanted to be scathing and put him in his place. How dare he? They had a special, unspoken bond!

Martin looked completely outraged and snapped at her, "Just my order please. Put it on the surgery account."

With one more snort, she slammed the box on the counter. He grabbed it and almost ran out the door with her screeching, "I'm surprised at you! We're professionals!"

"The village of the damned! Why must they continually meddle?"

The worst was yet to come. The pack of teenage girls who always knew the latest gossip on everyone and were the bane of the village residents walked quickly in his direction already laughing. He tried to outpace them and they walked faster. He completely lost his dignity and ran up the hill, his packages banging against his knees, toward the surgery. He could hear "Tosser!" "Did you have fun last night, tosser?" "Should we check Louiser for bruises?" "Or maybe we should check you!"

He stumbled up the steps to the landing and burst through the door, startling everyone in the room and hearing the laughter behind him. For just a moment, he heard the boys in his boarding school laughing at him for his big ears, his bed wetting, for being the smallest boy in the school. No, those memories were supposed to be buried! Aware of the faces staring at him, mouths agape, he straightened his shoulders, glared at everyone in the room, daring them to say even one word. Sure of their silence, he walked toward the surgery.

Pauline knew her boss and calmly offered to put away the groceries while he handled the supplies and even offered make some tea. He barely nodded in agreement and seethed at the knowledge that his privacy was violated and at being the village joke. Surely Louisa hadn't started this! Instead of going to the surgery, he abruptly headed up the stairs to be alone. His anger got the best of him and his hand was dialing her number. He was going to forcefully make her aware that even if she didn't value her privacy, he certainly valued his. Last night was special – just between them! How dare she!

Having lived in the village her whole life, Louisa wasn't surprised when people started making joking comments, winking at her and giving the thumbs up sign. She didn't acknowledge that anyone had reason to act the way they were and just smiled, gave meaningless jokes back, winked gave no answer to any remark or look.

Martin called her at 2:00 when she was overseeing a parent/teacher conference so she couldn't take his call. She called him back at 3:00 and he was in the middle of a pelvic exam so he couldn't take her call. They missed each other twice more and he grew angrier each time. Finally, as she was leaving the school for the day, she got through to him.

They said each other's name at the same time, her voice soft and happy, his a growl.

"Martin, are you ok?"

"No, I'm not ok! Are you aware that we're the joke of the village? That everyone, and I mean everyone, knows that we had dinner together last night? And they think a lot more happened."

"And…?"

"What do you mean, and! You might not mind having your privacy invaded but I certainly do! Did you have anything to do with this? Did you have a "good" gossip today?", his voice clipped and angry.

She was silent for a moment, shocked that he would speak like this to her after their declarations last night. And accuse her of actually gossiping about it? Make a joke about it?

"Well? Aren't you going to answer me?"

"Give me a minute. This is quite a shock." She took time to organize her thoughts and could almost hear him snarling while he waited. Her voice a little shaky, she asked, "First, I have some questions for you. Do you really believe that I would do that? That I value 'us' so little? Think before you answer Martin. Do you want another row, another break up?"

He stopped pacing abruptly, feeling like he had been hit with a glass of cold water. His answer came out before he even thought about it. "No, of course I don't. No, I don't believe that."

Silence. "Louisa? Are you still there?"