CHAPTER THIRTY SIX REMEMBRANCE

AM INTERLUDE

The characters, places and situations of Doc Martin are owned by Buffalo Pictures. This story makes no claim of remuneration or ownership, nor do I make any attempt to infringe upon any rights of the owners or producers.

Thank you for reading. Your reviews and comments are most appreciated.

It has been almost a year since I began this story. I am surprised, actually. As we enter the new year we will see what new remembrances there are. More surprises, I imagine.

I am very grateful to you for reading and reviewing. So at this turn of the year I offer you this holiday gift - a chapter with no reference in time. That is because Martin and Louisa have a relationship that is timeless - "timeless with bumps" we might call it. But then that is true for most of us who have lived and loved a good while. It reminds me of a quote from the poet Wendell Berry. "Only the streams that have rocks in them sing."

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

"Mum, did you and dad sleep on the couch all night?"

The children were cozily asleep in front of the telly which I had cut off. They looked lovely together. They had so wanted to stay up and see the new year in but sleep overcame them long before midnight. Martin and I were cuddled on the sofa covered with a large soft blanket. A storm raged outside with rain and wind and the waves crashing against the sea rocks. Now and again there were flashes of lightning. It was such a contrast to the flickering fire in our very comfy house. Inside it was amazingly peaceful and quiet. But all of a sudden I detected an intruder. When the house is quiet at night one does not want to hear or sense anything out of the ordinary.

Definitely an intruder in our home and I will say a most welcome intruder. Having spooned himself against me, Martin was embracing me. This marvelous and expanding

intruder was pressing against my bum. With the slightest adjustment of garments "against" became "between" and I hope I was communicating that no written invitation was necessary. Our sharing of intimacy that night was unhurried and beautifully gentle.

I moved to give my sweet husband complete access to my body and my soul. If it were set to music I would have entitled it Bolero in Bed. Wow! Ravel had no Idea what he composed that night. Gradually we moved together in harmony and while we might have wanted the delicious feelings of this Spanish dance to go on forever, the glorious crescendo, as in the musical score, was inevitable. And I must say, it takes my breath away to remember it. That night earth, air, fire and water came together volcanically. There is not other word for it. We descended the mountain ever so slowly and I could detect Martin's vice-like hold on me lessen just a bit. He did not withdraw but gradually his breath relaxed and I could tell he had slipped into a very peaceful sleep. His breath on my neck was a continuation of his spirit embracing and entering me. I wished he could have seen my subtle smile of contentment. And then lying there between awake and asleep I had a vision of another night sky that was indelible in my memory. It was not a stormy sky. It was a winter night when the sky was white with stars.

I was 14 and it was New Years Eve. I was home alone and had found some canned beans to have for supper. I really had no appetite so left half the can on the table. I hadn't even taken time to heat them. Dad was out and I knew how he would come home. I simply went to bed and to sleep early. Suddenly there was a pounding on the door and I jumped up to open it. It had to be Dad. I opened the door and he looked at me in anger.

"Why did you lock me out? Don't lock the door! Do you hear me Louisa? Don't lock the door!"

"OK Dad, but Mr. Bert told me to always lock the door when I am home alone."

"Well, he's not your dad, is he? You listen to me, girl! I need a drink of water."

With that he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. He took a drink and forthwith vomited on the kitchen floor and table. He looked at me and simply said, "I'm going to bed." And he did. As he walked through the door to his room I left the anger of dad and the stench of returned beer and walked out into the winter night.

My anger and sadness were both a comfort against the cold. And then I saw it. I looked up and there were more stars than I ever remember seeing. The sky was simply white with them. Could there be anything more beautiful? It was such a contrast to what I had felt in the house. My feet made their way to the Larges and I knocked on the door. Mr. Bert opened it and one look told him everything.

"My dear Louisa. Come in here. It's cold out there."

The sad memory did not overwhelm as I lay with my Martin holding me. The part that stood out was the starry starry night. And on this night that Milky Way, though hidden by clouds, had bathed us in incomparable love and beauty. I felt like Maria as she sang, "I must have done something good." And with a heart full of gratitude I drifted into a very peaceful and deep sleep. As I drifted off I heard the chimes of the beautifully restored Seth Thomas clock as it announced the New Year. A very broken clock, cast aside, had been brought back to its original beauty. And a broken child, loved by many and not the least of which were these three loves already asleep, restored to a state she never could have dreamed.

I was in a deep sleep and heard the voice of my daughter. "Mum, Mum, did you and Dad sleep on the couch all night?"

Groggily I opened my eyes as she repeated her words. "Mum, did you and Dad sleep here all night?"

Suddenly, realizing our state, I was instantly awake and in a panic. I tried to hide it as I said, "Good morning Joanie. Sleep well? Yes, I guess we fell asleep, just like you and James did. Say, would you be a sweetheart and go make a pot of tea?"

"Sure Mummy. Shall I wake James?"

I was trying to clear the room so Martin and I could escape to the bedroom. "No!" I tried to mask my feelings. "No. Let him sleep and go make tea. I'll join you in a few minutes."

"Righto Mummy." And with that Joan went to the kitchen.

I couldn't believe it. Martin was still asleep. I had to awaken him without waking James up. I jostled him and whispered, "Martin! MARTIN!"

"Wha...? What Louisa. Oh good morning."

"Shush Martin. We are in a pickle. Wrap in this cover and get to our bedroom stat!"

I hoped the medical comment would get him moving. Suddenly he realized the situation and did as I said. I was pleading in my heart, "Don't wake up James. Don't!"

Martin had escaped and I jumped up and grabbed my dressing gown.

We took a quick shower and joined the children in the kitchen. James had arisen and was sitting at the table having some toast with Joan. She poured tea for all and we sat around the table just enjoying each other and the first day of the new year. After getting beyond our surprise wake-up I realized the day had dawned clear and beautiful.

The storm had passed during the night and we were looking out on a blue sky and peaceful sea.

We certainly have known storms in our lives, before we met and in the ensuing years of our life together. Thankfully we have learned how to get through the storms and to appreciate a morning like this that also was a parable of the life of our good family. Weathering storms may strengthen us in life, but appreciating the calmness of a cloudless sky and a low blue sea was also nice. Really nice. It was Joan who interrupted my thoughts again.

"Mum, wasn't it funny. We all slept in the living room all night?"

"Yes, Joanie. Funny. Quite funny."