Martin sat at the kitchen table, working out his best course of action. If he could convince Louisa that he was only doing what he had to do, then she might forgive him. At least she might understand him. He jumped a little as the phone rang. He walked into the darkened reception area and tentatively picked up the receiver. "Yes?"

"Well, Martin," Ruth said with a sardonic laugh. "If the beating of the jungle drums is correct, you made quite a spectacle this afternoon. Another banner day for the Ellingham clan?" Martin's first reaction was relief. He had been concerned that it Louisa ringing to tell him she was staying with friends that night, too disgusted with him to return home. His second thought was the realization that if Ruth, out at Havenhurst, knew about the fair, then the whole of North Cornwall knew.

"Aunt Ruth, if you've called to scold me, then I..."

"Sorry to interrupt you self-flagellation, Martin, but I haven't called to join the torch and pitchfork brigade. On the contrary, I was actually calling to find out if you were on your way."

"On my way? What do you mean?" Martin was puzzled. Had they made plans to visit Ruth this evening that he had forgotten?

"Well, considering that Louisa was the chairwoman of the fair and seeing as you seem to have snatched defeat from the jaws of her victory, I thought you might be looking for a place to sleep tonight. I wanted to know if I should leave a light on for you." Martin noticed, not for the first time, that Ruth had an unfortunate Ellingham trait of being unable to convincingly express empathy. Even as she was calling out of worry and offering to help, she couldn't help sounding as if she was somehow enjoying his moment of suffering.

"Thank you for your concern, Auth Ruth, but I have no plans to visit you this evening," he replied as confidently a voice as he could muster.

"Ah," she responded. "So Louisa hasn't come home yet." Damn, he thought. He hated how she could read through every situation. "Well, Martin, I'll leave a light on just in case. Or I'll text you if she decides to sleep here."

"Martin, I'm sure you've be sitting there figuring out different ways of convincing Louisa you were right. That you had to do what you did and that the community needs someone like you whether they realize it or appreciate it. One piece of advice." Great, thought Martin, relationship advice from an old maid who enjoyed chatting with psychopaths. "Aegrescit medendo. The cure is sometimes worse than the disease. There was a small chance that one product out of one hundred could have made someone ill. You destroyed a community event meant to bring a little joy into a rural community during a time of year when there are few crops and the sea is too dangerous. And you, Martin Ellingham, partner of Miss Glasson, father of young James, decided the best course of action was to wreak havoc. That's all."

"Thank you, Aunt Ruth, but I doubt I…" Martin stopped talking when he realized that she had already hung up the phone.

Martin sat on the desk replaying the day. Ruth's final comments kept intruding on his introspection. If he was wrong about his handling of the fair, then… He was woken from his thoughts by the sound of James Henry's voice in the kitchen and the lights turning on. He sat in the safety of the darkened consulting room for a moment more, collecting his thoughts before putting on a brave face.

"Hi Daddy!" yelled James, running into Martin's arms. "Did you hear about the fair? Apparently someone was selling poison." Martin looked up a Louisa. She looked just as angry as she had this afternoon and James's excited retelling of the poison wasn't helping. He unsuccessfully tried to catch her eye, to gage whether Ruth as right and he should start the drive to her farm. "My first fair and there's poison," squealed the little voice, enjoying the excitement of a three-year-olds innocent understanding of events.

"Alright James," Martin gently shushed him. "Have you eaten supper yet?"

"Yep. Mum and I had fish and chips with Mr. and Mrs. Fenn." Martin wasn't pleased at the unhealthy meal they had eaten, but decided it was better to stay quiet. Perhaps it gave Louisa a chance to vent and cool off before she told him what she thought of him.

"James," Louisa said softly. "Why don't you get your pyjamas on and pick out your story? Your Daddy can help you." As she spoke, she still hadn't looked at him.

Martin carried his son upstairs and helped him with his bedtime routine. He handed Martin his favourite book about Alexander's bad day, a book that had some resonance with Martin this evening. As he turned the last pages, James had drifted off to sleep, probably exhausted from the day's stimulation. Martin tucked him in and kissed his forehead. He went down the stairs to face the firing squad.

Louisa was sitting at the kitchen table nursing a cup of tea. She looked at Martin as he came in and sat down at the table across from her. For several minutes, neither of them spoke. Finally, Martin couldn't take the silence. He inhaled and opened his mouth to speak.

"Not now, Martin." Louisa closed her eyes and put her left hand out as if to physically stop him. They continued sitting in silence until Martin found the uncertainty unbearable.

"You're still cross with me," he declared.

"Not cross. Disappointed. This day was about my work, the village getting to celebrate in the middle of winter, James's first fair and you couldn't help ruining it all." He started to object, but she cut him off again. "Don't tell me about health hazards or community safety. There were ten different ways to handle today, nine of which would have preserved the pleasantness of affair and let you been the guardian of the community's welfare. One would have you alienating everyone, including the stupid committee, and embarrassing me. And which did you insist on choosing." She had spoken this simply, just declaring a fact. Martin found this far more disconcerting than if she were yelling and throwing things at him.

"Louisa, I'm…I'm sorry." He put his hand over hers, testing her reaction.

"Are you?" She grunted softly. "I'm tired and heading to bed. Good night." She stood, placed her cup in the sink and headed upstairs.

Martin sat motionless and listened to her going about her nightly routine. Once he was certain she was in bed, he made the rounds downstairs, turning off lights and checking that the doors were locked before heading upstairs himself.

xxxx

It was after midnight and they were both still awake. Louisa was lying on her side, facing away from Martin. He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. He knew if he said something, the chances were high that he would say the wrong thing, sustaining her anger or giving her something else to be angry about. Still, the one thing he had learned in the three years the two of them had lived together was that not talking always made things worse. Sitting up slightly, he started slowly in a low voice.

"Louisa. I know you're upset that I ruined today and all your hard work. And I've given the village one more reason to question your judgment in being with me. It's just that…if one person was made sick and I had it the opportunity to prevent it and didn't, then I've failed as a physician." He breathed a deep breath before continuing.

"Medicine is the only think I know, the only thing I'm good at and the only place I can demonstrate my competence, my worth. It sounds ridiculous, I realize that." Louisa hadn't reacted, so Martin continued to explain. "I regret that my actions today hurt you. I couldn't care less how the village sees me, but I realized this evening that it's not just about me. You're also the one to face the mockery of the town, the jokes, endless complaints about what a tosser I am. You and soon enough, James Henry. I worry that one day you and he will come to despise for putting you in that position. That's what I am sorry for, for making you a part of my…disgrace."

Louisa hadn't moved during his entire speech. Had she fallen asleep, or did the words not make an impact or her? He rubbed his forehead – maybe he needed to explain everything. "As for the committee…"

"Shhh." Louisa whispered turning around. She looked at him for a moment, trying to discern whether his apology was genuine. His downcast eyes were the cool blue/grey of the sea and his mouth was frowning, but with no tension. It was a rare sight these days, but she recognized it as the expression he had when he doubted himself and doubted her willingness to love him. She put her arms around him and cuddled into his chest. "That's enough for tonight." Martin put his arms around her and pulled her in closer, grateful that she seemed to forgive him. He kissed her forehead and they both lay back and closed their eyes.