I now understand the old saying that water and electronics don't mix. Charlie, my 75lb Retriever Mix, came running up to me as I was drinking and I spilled some onto my computer. I was without a computer since Veterans' Day (in USA that would be November 11th). An IT friend had me put the computer in damp-rid in a closed container for 2 weeks and today is my first day working with it. So far I have not lost the story notes or my received edits, so here we go again.
Chapter 17
I have surgery Saturday morning, just the usual boring complaints. Louisa looked very tired last night so I let her have a lie-in. When I finish with my first patient of the day, escorting her out of my office, I notice Louisa at the kitchen table using my laptop. I walk over to Pauline's desk handing her the completed patient notes,
"I need a minute before you send in the next patient."
"Sure thing Doc, take your time."
I walk into the kitchen, leaning over kissing the top of Louisa's head,
"Good morning. Did you sleep well? Sorry I wasn't able to give you your massage last night."
Louisa looks up and smiles, 'Martin takes his duty of care of me to heart.'
"Yes, I was knackered with all the shopping on top of my day of work. I'll need you to provide a more thorough personal massage tonight." She says with an enticing smile.
"Uhm … I need to return to my patients, I should be done by noon." I say as I fiddle with my ear lobe; a silly habit I have when I am embarrassed.
Turning towards the hall, I walk towards the surgery, and call out "next patient."
That afternoon after the surgery closes, we are relaxing on the sofa; Louisa with her legs elevated over my lap. She spent the morning separating the new purchases in appropriate piles for washing, drying, and folding. I am rubbing her feet and ankles; when I finally finish thinking through my decision on moving house, I feel now should be the time to ask her.
"Louisa ... would you like to move house?"
Louisa caught by surprise, opening her eyes wide in shock. 'I thought we were getting on especially after our conversation and shopping we did yesterday.'
"I thought … if you want me to move out, I … can move back to my cottage," she says.
"No, that is not what I mean." I am now flustered with myself. "I want us to continue living together with our child as a couple; I would prefer to be married but I know that is not what you want. We are content when we are alone together, so what I would like you to think about is moving into a larger house with me. Everyone comes here before or after hours without invitation and we end up interrupted. You can't go up or down the stairs without all my patients seeing you. The baby requires more room. My patients bring in all kinds of germs that are not good for a newborn."
On cue, there is a knock on the front door. The knocking turns to pounding, and then the surgery phone starts ringing. I head to answer the pounding on the front door, and Louisa answers the phone on the reception desk. Yanking the door open, my mobile begins to buzz, I am ready to yell at whomever is pounding, and then I see Penhale. Louisa hears Ross's voice requesting the Doc. Answering my mobile I listen to Pauline while Penhale is babbling on,
"Shut up now" I say into the phone. "Penhale what is it?"
"Accident involving a car and pedestrians near the pub, with casualties."
"Pauline is this about the accident near the pub?" I ask into the mobile.
Listening to her answer on the severity of the injuries, I hang up on her. Louisa listens to Ross and tells him that PC Penhale is helping the Doc and will be right there.
"Penhale come with me." I walk quickly into the consulting room, telling Penhale, "Grab the AED and oxygen." As I go through my medical bag, and add a few items I might need, Penhale continues to tell me what has happened; we head for the front door to the Land Rover, when I stop to look at Louisa.
"Louisa call 9-9-9, Pauline called for an ambulance, but we may need more than one or an air ambulance if any of the injuries are life threatening, tell them to stand by for my call."
Penhale and I rush down the hill to the scene in his police Rover; he continues to tell me what happened, "An incomer driving too fast for the narrow lane clipped some villagers."
As we approach, I can see Pauline and Ross doing first aid the best they can. One of the injured has a compound fracture of the femur and profuse bleeding. I will start with her, worried that the shattered bone severed the femoral artery.
"Pauline help me with this leg. Ross what are your problems over there?"
"Mostly scrapes, with a deep wound on Sean's arm; they said that the car didn't hit them."
Pauline is opening sterile pads and saline to wash the wounds on the patient's head. I pull on gloves; working quickly on the leg, checking the pulse in the lower leg to foot region, finding it very weak.
"Penhale call 9-9-9, tell them that an air ambulance is needed; in addition to the ambulance requested earlier."
"Pauline find my vascular clamp, should be in the third right side drawer."
I start filling syringes with lidocaine to help my patient with the pain. Injecting a ring of medicine around the exposed fracture site. Next, I insert cannula into her arm starting an IV, then I fill another syringe with antibiotics and push it into the port on the IV tubing.*
"I … Miss Umm…"
"Serena Borthwick," Pauline announces as she continues to rip open sterile pad packages.**
Her pain level should be lower now, hand me the saline and sterile pads."
As I clean out the wound, I see where the bone had clipped the artery.
"Give me the clamp. Clamping it will stop the bleeding but we need that helicopter now."
"I hear it Doc," yells Penhale.
"Penhale we need someone to meet it on the Platt."
"Got it," Penhale responds, looking around he sees Chippy Miller on his phone.
"No worries Doc, Eddie and Tom are down there signaling them in as we speak," Chippy yells.
"Penhale, I need that board and a few men to help me over here."
I secure a neck brace on my patient then hand the IV to Pauline. We are able to move the patient onto the board. Ensuring the leg wound is covered we pick the board up to slide it into the rear of Penhale's vehicle. Penhale slowly moves the vehicle towards the Platt; the medics come running up to the vehicle with their stretcher. I report Miss Borthwick's vitals as they transfer her onto their rolling stretcher, briefing them on the medication given and the clamping of the artery to stop the bleeding. Knowing she is safe now, I turn to get back into Penhale's vehicle,
"Joe, get me back to Ross."
Exiting the vehicle and trotting up to Ross with my bag, I examine each of other two victims, cleaning their wounds, relieved they are not badly injured. Soon the siren announces the arrival of the ambulance, and we transfer the patients into it to transport to hospital for stitching and observation. Looking around as Pauline and Ross clean up the medical waste, I pick up my medical bag to head back to my surgery; Penhale loads the oxygen tank and AED in his vehicle and waits to take me back home.
xXxXx
Louisa has started our evening meal prep, and is waiting for me to return before starting the fish. I come in covered in blood, with Penhale trailing behind me. Louisa takes my bag and tells me to go upstairs to clean up. She places the bag in my office while Penhale plugs in the AED in and stores the oxygen tank in the cupboard.
Before leaving Penhale smiles at Louisa and then mentions that, "Doc saved another person but I noticed he didn't get sick working on Serena's bloody leg. He doesn't get sick anymore?" He asks in a questioning manner.
Louisa has no idea what Joe is talking about. She didn't notice a pale face that she associates with Martin when he deals with blood. "Joe, I don't know. Maybe he was able to control it?" She thanks him for helping Martin and closes the door behind him.
She returns to finish cooking the dinner. Ten or so minutes later, I come into the kitchen as Louisa is pulling the fish from the cooker. The table is already set; she places the fish, rice, and vegetables on the plates as I fill the glasses with water. Per the usual, Louisa talks about different things as I listen. I ask a question or two to appear interested as my mind relives the earlier medical call. I had no problem with the bloody leg; this is a good moment in my therapy. Doctor Hayes will be happy with my progress. I notice Louisa staring at me as I come out of my mulling hearing part of her question.
"I … mm, ah what did you say?" I quickly stand as I try to resume my air of confidence back to me. "Louisa go sit and get off your feet, I will clear up and bring our tea when I am done."
Louisa attempts to stand and I quickly move to help her up. I kiss her cheek before she turns to the lounge and sits down, then struggles to place the cushions on the table to get her feet up. I walk over, gently raise her legs cradling them in my hands, and place several cushions under them. I quickly wash, rinse and dry the crockery and pans. I fill the kettle to boil the water and set up the tea tray, and carrying it over after it brews; I set the tray down on the table. I pour her tea, adding milk and sugar and then hand the mug to Louisa. Taking my mug, I sip the tea, ready to continue my explanation from earlier.
"Louisa, I'm sorry I missed your question. I was busy thinking of the medical emergency in the village."
"My question Martin is; Joe mentioned you didn't vomit while dealing with the bloody mess. I noticed you didn't have that pale, sweaty look about you even though your suit was covered with blood."
"That is thanks to Doctor Hayes." I say, but I can see Louisa's questioning expression. "Doc Hayes gave a lecture, about a month after you left the village, on phobias. I spoke with him and he started treating me for my haemophobia. I thought if I could beat it I could return to London and surgery." I can see the fear in her eyes, so I continued, "At the time without you here in the village, I could leave here and return to the only thing I thought I was good at. However, it was with Doctor Hayes help that I discovered I was good at a good many things. He helped me with my confidence in many things; that is why I asked you to stay here with me."
She didn't speak, stayed quiet for many minutes as she processed what I said. "Martin, why didn't you say anything about therapy for conquering your haemophobia. Don't you trust me?"
"Louisa, I don't know why I didn't mention my therapy. Everything between us is going so well; maybe I am afraid I will fail again. The haemophobia does not bother me, however I hadn't dealt with anything as bloody as today. I worked on her leg as if I never had my problem. It was when I undressed upstairs to shower that I really looked at my clothes to realize what my months of therapy accomplished. Louisa I trust you with my life. I am sorry I didn't talk to you about my therapy. Please forgive me."
She leans over to me, cradles my face and then kisses my lips, "Martin as long as you trust me I can forgive you this time. Please don't hide anything from me again." Louisa looks me directly into my eyes, "Ok?"
"Yes … mm Louisa before we were interrupted I asked if you would like to move house; I do not mean to separate houses, but together in a larger house."
"Yes, I remember you saying that," she continues to look at me closely.
"There is a house just up the hill that a friend of Tracy Parsons, that is Chris's wife, owns and is selling. They live in London and come here for holidays; the wife is from Cornwall, she passed away a short time ago, and the husband can't bear to come here anymore, so he wants to sell."
I pull the printed copy of the notice from my jacket pocket, and hand it to Louisa.
"I emailed Mr. Mann for an appointment to view the house and I would like you to come with me for the viewing. If you like the house I will buy it for us – you, me and our baby."
Looking at the notice, she responds,
"I know this house; it used to belong to Mr. and Mrs. Hicks. He died just before I went to Uni and she died less than a year later. They bought the house to fill with children, but never did."
"We could fill it with our children and grow old in it," I proclaim.
My eyes expressing so much love, Louisa leans over kissing my lips. Sitting up she asks,
"Martin you said children?"
I reach over to her face with both hands to caress her cheeks,
"Yes, I did because I know you have always wanted loads of children. When you left to live in London, I overheard a conversation in the green grocers about us not getting married. They assumed we did not get married because I didn't want children and you found out. One of the gossipers mentioned a conversation you had with them; 'you said you wanted loads of kids'. *** I would love to give you more children if you still want more. When I proposed to you I said, I can't live without you and that is very true. The months were difficult without catching a glimpse of you each day. I will do anything to make you happy with me."
"Martin you are willing to have more children?"
"Mmm … I like the practice involved," he says with a boyish grin and soft eyes.
Louisa thinks to herself, 'if the village could hear this conversation they would say their good doctor went Bodmin.' "Make the appointment to look at the house, if we like it I can sell my cottage to help with the purchase."
"Good, I'll set a date."
xXxXx
The following Saturday, I drive Louisa over in the Lexus to view the house. Pulling up the drive, I see there would be room for two vehicles. Mr. Mann meets us at the front door, after introductions, we enter and he explains the layout of the house; the main hall of the house runs from front to the back door with the staircase on its left. Entering the room on the front right, we can see it is the lounge, with several large modern windows with double installation, I note 'no windy drafts' in this room. The floors are oak wood, with a medium stain. The room has a large mantel over the fireplace that has a cask iron stove insert. The room is a nice size. Louisa looks around the room thinking 'this room would be perfect for entertaining for the holidays'. We walk across the foyer to the other room; it is not as large, but good size for a dining room. There is a large farm table currently in the middle of the room. This room also has the large modern windows, but a smaller fireplace with the same stove insert. Mr. Mann notices me looking at it,
"Those cask iron inserts keep the downstairs warm in the winter helping with the heating bill."
The next room attached to the dining room is a very large kitchen with an area for a table to have everyday meals on; it's three times the size of the surgery kitchen, with plenty of cabinets and counter space. The appliances are all-modern and looked to be in good shape. Louisa and I check the hob and cooker out; I am impressed with the four burners and double oven, 'this would make cooking together more enjoyable' I think as I envision cooking here with Louisa. Off to the side of the room is a large built-in pantry and next to it the laundry room with more overhead cabinets and a worktable for folding. I looked over at Louisa as she opens and closes the panty doors and cabinets. Mr. Mann walks us to the back hall just outside the kitchen; there are two rooms and the toilet room that sits under the stairs. Currently the first room to the right is Mr. Mann's study, with one wall lined with bookshelves. The other room was Mrs. Mann's sitting room, and it has large tall windows that overlooked the back garden towards the cliffs. Standing just to the side of Louisa, I mumble 'Beautiful' under my breath as I catch Louisa's profile with the view of the village and sea. Walking over and opening the back door Mr. Mann leads us onto a deck and the back garden. The garden is large with lovely flowers, and with the breeze blowing off the water the fragrant floral scents flow our way.
"Why don't we look upstairs at the bedrooms and baths? As the notice pointed out there are four bedrooms and two full baths." Ewan Mann says.
We walk together upstairs; I can see Louisa is getting tired. Leaning over to her I ask, "How are you doing?"
Mr. Mann over hears my question and suggests we go to the master bedroom first as there is a chair for Louisa to sit. The master is very large, compared to our current bedroom, with a large window seat, and on the opposite wall is a built in clothes cabinet, more than enough room for both of us. It has an en-suite bath with a large tub and separate shower. Cabinets are built in for linens and a cabinet with drawers on either side of the double sinks.
I suggest Louisa rest in here and I can video the other rooms with my phone to show her later. Drained, she agrees. I follow Mr. Mann into the hall and the others rooms and bath, which had a combination tub shower, but plenty of cabinet space. Two of the other three bedrooms were smaller, but good size while the last bedroom is comparable to our current bedroom. I walk back to Louisa in the master, helping her up, and turn to Mr. Mann and shake his hand before speaking,
"We will let you know in a day or two of our decision."
Holding onto Louisa's arm as we go down the stairs heading to the front door, Louisa turns and says,
"Mr. Mann, this is a lovely house. Thank you for the tour. Have a pleasant afternoon."
I help Louisa out the door, down the steps to the car. I feel the need to get her home to rest. We can watch the video and discuss the house when she has rested on the sofa for a bit. As far as I am concerned, it would make a good family home for Louisa and me.
xXxXx
Later that evening, I am clearing the kitchen as Louisa rests on the sofa; Louisa has used this quiet time to go through their visit in her mind, she loves the house but is worried Martin will think it is too much.
"Martin did you like the house?"
"I … I did, yes I can say I do. It looks well maintained; I like the modern amenities they added. Umm … did you like it?"
"Yes, I am thinking the same. All the storage space in the kitchen, nothing out on the counters except your espresso machine. Our meal prep would be easier together. How were the other rooms upstairs?"
I dry my hands, and pick up our mugs of tea and walk into the lounge. Handing Louisa her mug, I sit next to her and pull out my phone. Setting my mug down on the table, I open the phone to the video I took. I start the recording, and explain the layout as we watch.
"Across the hall opposite the master is the first of the two smaller rooms. They are twice the size of my spare, but without the slanting ceiling that we have here, they look larger and will be perfect for a growing child. The third room is a little larger than our current bedroom; it sits at the front of the house. It would be a nice room for guests or if Auntie Joan comes to live with us when she is older."
Louisa sees the loving expression in Martin's eyes as he talks of Joan.
"Yes, that is a good idea and she would love to be near the children," Louisa says.
"The bath is good size, large tub with shower. Plenty of linen space in the built in cabinet. There is a hall cabinet just before the bath, here,"
I back the video a touch to show Louisa the large hall storage. Louisa appreciates the full details of the video, and looking me in the eye she asks,
"I believe it will be the best family home we could possibly find, what do you think?"
"I will call Mr. Mann in the morning and start the process, but I would like the house inspected to ensure there are no problems with the plumbing or electric."
"Martin, I don't think I can sell my cottage that quickly."
"Louisa, I talked to Mr. Mann about the low price he is asking; he explained that the economy is slow and that is why he is selling the house himself, didn't want to lose money on a middle man. The houses I viewed on the web were low also, that is why I couldn't find anything large as everyone is buying up at low prices or not selling, hoping for better times ahead. I would suggest keeping your cottage; continue renting it out for extra income for yourself. Besides if we live the rest of lives in the village, one of our children may want to live there."
Louisa thought over what Martin explained. "But I have nothing to add to our purchase, my savings isn't half of the asking price."
I look at her, thinking how wonderful a partner she is, nothing at all like my mother. Margaret just hung on my father's coattail and spent every dime she could. "Louisa, I have enough to cover the purchase, besides it is my idea to purchase a larger house. We can work out the money later; I want to make sure Mr. Mann does not sell this house to anyone else. I'll call my bank and solicitor after I talk to him."
Louisa nibbles on her lower lip, frightened. "I don't want to be a kept woman, Martin," she finally says.
"I will never understand you; sometimes you say the most ridicules things. This is not the medieval times; I want to provide for my partner and child. You are not my mistress; we are equal in this relationship. It would be easier with the paperwork if you were my wife, both our names will be on the deed in either case, so if anything ever happens to me before we …."
My voice trails off not saying what I really want; 'I will not plead for her to marry me. This is my best option for now. Why can't I tell her how I feel?' I fall silent as usual.
"Martin, we have strong personalities, survivors of terrible childhoods, together we can be even a stronger team to work out our problems, but we need to talk when problems arise. I am terrified when you hold back … I'm scared to get it wrong. When I get scared I run."
I don't want to argue, instead I take her face gently in my hands and kiss her lips. Afraid to say anything I do what I usually do and change the subject, "You look tired, go up and I'll be up after I take care of our tea things and lock up."
I help Louisa up off the sofa, kissing her cheek and turn picking up our mugs.
Louisa stares at me, knowing that my sudden change was because I am hurt, and craving for her trust and love. Trust was a barrier between them still, not for Martin as he has poured out his love for her, but her own. Unable to trust completely, as the people in her life have always let her down or just left; 'Danny did it twice, Gordon in college, didn't know he was married. Mom leaving early in my life and Dad coming in and out, always promising but never fulfilling that promise. No, trust is not part of my vocabulary; Martin is here now but will he always be here for me?'
Louisa makes her way upstairs, thinking 'Martin is the only person in my entire life that has not run from me. I ran from him by not marrying him and talking out my fears. I am the one that doesn't talk things out. Martin never had love, and everyone left me; fine pair we are.' She finishes in the bath, walking out she notices me leaning up against the doorframe. I look upon her with deep affection, but there is fear there too,
"Martin, what is on your mind? I see that you feel the need to ask me something."
I walk over to her, putting my arms around her, and whisper into her ear,
"Louisa, why won't you marry me? These last months I thought we were bonding, trusting each other. I know trust is hard for both of us. Knowing your parents from what you said and from Auntie Joan, I can understand your hesitation, but I give you my word I will never do anything untrustworthy with our relationship. You are my life now, my whole life, without you I cannot survive. I breathe every day because of you. My heart beats in rhythm with yours, as we are one together. Louisa, please marry me?"
Louisa steps back out of my arms to see my face better, "Martin, I can see how much you love me. Changing your ways, you talk to me much more than you ever did in what the four years we have known each other. I think we understand each other better, and these past months living with you, I know how much you love me, our child. Martin come here; hold me so I can give you my answer."
I take her into my arms once again, kissing the top of her head, before lifting her chin up to my face, looking into her eyes waiting for her answer.
"Martin, I have thought about marriage to you for a long time and for the past few minutes I reflected on my past, everyone I thought loved me and I came up with only one name that is always there for me and they are never out of my mind. Martin, it is you that I trust with my heart, so yes, I will marry you."
I pull her tighter to me, kiss her lips deeply and as she responds our kiss becomes more passionate. I kiss down her neck, over to her lobe of her ear and begin to nibble, then whisper,
"I have loved you for so long and will always love you."
Taking her lips again kissing her hard and deep. I finally release them; they are swollen and red; her fiery green eyes showing copious amounts of love as I kiss her deep once more as my hands grasp her back and bottom.
Louisa can feel my excitement growing hard against her pregnant belly. All of a sudden, she feels tightening, deep inside her. Grabbing onto me more tightly as a groan escapes her lips,
"Mar …t … in, oohh," groaning again.
I ease my hold, looking at her and realize Louisa is going into labor.
End of Chapter
*Injury of the leg in the accident and sequence of medical attention idea is from "Raincheck" by the "Portween Hydra".
** Serena Borthwick a character name borrowed from "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by Maggie Penhale
***Conversation between Bert and Louisa in her cottage from Series 3, episode 1 "The Apple Doesn't Fall" (UK) or "Tick Tock" (USA).