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

Chapter Fourteen

Martin went back into the Village Hall and searched the crowded room for Beth Saul. A lot of parents had arrived and for once Martin was glad to see them. Usually they just annoyed him by asking stupid questions or getting offended when he made factual observations but today their presence would help the children and should make his life easier.

He finally saw Beth Saul sat on a chair sipping daintily from a cup. The sight made Martin aware that he was badly dehydrated. Spotting Bert with a tray of drinks, he made his way to his side dimly aware that he hadn't had to barge through, people had stepped out of his way.

'Doc, what can I get you? Tea, coffee, hot chocolate?'

Martin looked at the tray. The coffee actually smelt quite pleasant,

'Did you make that coffee?'

'Uh, no. Mrs Jenkins made it in the kitchen here. But she brought in her special blend; she thought people might need a pick-me-up.'

Martin took a coffee off the tray,

'I need some water too. A pint if possible.'

'Right you are Doc. I'll get that for you in a jiffy.'

Martin turned to go,

'Before you go, Doc, some of the kiddies have been asking for drinks. I haven't been giving them any because the first aiders weren't sure if they should or not. So, can they have drinks and what about food? It's past lunchtime.'

'I'll let you which of them can have anything in a minute.'

This time Martin managed to escape and made his way over to Beth Saul, taking a cautious sip of his coffee as he did so. To his surprise it was excellent.

'Miss Saul, how are you getting on with the ambulance service?'

'Not very satisfactory, I'm afraid. The Emergency Operator became quite rude in the end. They are adamant that they can't release any more ambulances. There are two due in half an hour but after that they refused to say.'

Martin thought for a moment. Two ambulances could take Louisa, Nathan, Chelsey and the girl who'd been sealed in but that would still leave him with four here plus however many were still left to be found. He needed more ambulances. He reached over and took the phone from the table beside Beth Saul and waited impatiently for it to be answered,

'Chris? Martin Ellingham here.'

'Martin, what's going on down there?'

'There's been a major incident; a joyrider crashed into the primary school and demolished part of it. I've got multiple casualties.'

'The primary school. Oh, God! What can I do?'

'We need more ambulances. There are three on the way to you with six of the worst hurt. Two head injuries, one broken leg and three suffering the after effects of suffocation. Both the head injuries have broken bones too. I had to operate on the girl as she had a depressed skull fracture. I had to perform CPR on one of the hypoxia cases so he'll have to be checked for broken ribs. You need to get the consultant neurologist and his team in and the paediatric team too. And you'd better check that the Coroner's been informed. The Police should have told him about the fatalities but PC Penhale's pretty useless so he probably hasn't got around to it.'

'How many dead, Martin?' Chris asked gently.

'Two so far and one soon will be. They haven't found all the children yet so it could be more.'

'Three? I'm so sorry, Martin.'

'It would have been much worse if Louisa hadn't told them all to get under the tables.'

'Louisa? Is she hurt?'

'Multiple head injuries, stable.'

'So, she's on her way here?'

'No, there wasn't enough room in the ambulances. The children were more urgent.'

'I'll get you some more ambulances somehow.'

'Right.'

Martin hung up and passed the phone back to Beth Saul who was looking upset,

Three dead, Doctor? How terrible.'

'Yes.'

Martin walked away from Beth Saul determined that there wouldn't be any more. Not if there was anything he could do. He went to check the last girl to come in. Her colour had greatly improved and she was conscious and responsive,

'How do you feel?'

'A bit sick and I've got a headache.'

'That's to be expected.'

Martin took the sheet from the first aider; her vital signs were steadily improving.

'Can I have a drink?'

'Have you let the first aider examine you?'

'No and I'm not going to.'

'Why not?'

'He's going out with my sister and Dad says he's useless. I want someone proper to do it. I want you to examine me.'

Martin couldn't fault her logic,

'Very well. Does it hurt anywhere?'

'No.'

'Good. Take your shirt off.'

'It's not a shirt, it's a blouse.'

'Take it off anyway.'

Eventually, Martin was able to examine her. She had a couple of scrapes and scratches but was otherwise fine.

'You're fine. You can have a drink of water but nothing to eat yet.'

'I don't like water.'

'You can have some squash.'

Martin looked up to find Bert hovering,

'What do you want?'

'I've got your water. You were going to tell me who can have what.'

'Right. She can have squash but no food,' said Martin pointing to the girl he'd just seen.

'Squash for Lucy.'

'Megan, Katie, Rose, Chelsey and Josh can have a drink of squash and if it doesn't make them feel sick they can have something light to eat. Soup or a sandwich. Nathan can sip some water, nothing else.'

'Right, got it. What about you, Doc? Can I get you anything to eat?'

Martin thought for a moment. He was still feeling queasy but he knew it would be a good idea to have something.

'I'll have some soup.'

'Coming right up.'

With Bert finally out of the way, Martin went over to Louisa's bed,

'Any change?'

'No, Doctor.'

The first aider handed him the paper with Louisa's observations. The numbers were reassuringly stable. Martin felt something within him relax; he hadn't made the wrong decision when he decided she could wait for the next ambulance.

Reluctantly, he left Louisa's side and went to check Nathan. Nathan was complaining of a headache and still felt sick but his pupils were the same size and responding to the light.

'I'm thirsty,' complained Nathan.

'You can have some water. Sip it otherwise you'll be sick.'

'I don't like water. I want squash like everyone else.'

'Squash will make you sick.'

Nathan looked annoyed but subsided briefly before saying angrily,

'He won't let me go to sleep. I want to sleep.'

Martin looked at him thoughtfully. He was awake and coherent and it had now been over two hours since he was injured.

'You can sleep but just until the ambulance arrives.'

Nathan immediately lay down and closed his eyes. The first aider looked at Martin, waiting for instructions.

'Continue to monitor him. If his breathing changes, call me.'

'Yes, Doctor.'

Martin left Nathan to his nap and continued round the room. He was just about to talk to Rose's mother when a fire fighter came over to him,

'Doctor, the Station Officer says could you come when you've got a minute.'

Martin looked at him, puzzled for a moment until he realised what the man was saying. Grimly he picked up his bag,

'I'll come now.'

Authors love feedback – please let me know what you think.