He was in the middle of examining a patient's infected foot when his phone rang. Martin had been awaiting Louisa's call, and he did want to speak to her, but she was now calling at a very bad time. He put his hand up to his patient-he couldn't remember the man's name, maybe Mr. Tellis-and he stood and walked to his desk to confirm the caller.

"I'll be just a moment," he called to his patient, glancing around hoping to see the patient file. He really should know the man's name, but it didn't matter that much. "I've been waiting on this call."

"Yes, hello," he said into he phone, stepping toward his door. He had to be careful. Pauline was in her usual spot, along with a room full of patients. He opened his door, saw the full crowd, and he ducked down the hallway to the kitchen after making brief eye contact with Pauline. Hopefully, she would just assume this was a work-related call.

"Martin, I'm sorry my appointment took so long," Louisa told him. "I'm guessing you are with your patients."

"Yes," he said, nodding, as he leaned back against his sink to take her call. "I stepped into the kitchen briefly. What did your doctor say?"

"Well, no progress," she sighed. "I was hopeful those contractions were leading somewhere."

"Still Braxton Hicks contractions then," Martin nodded as he spoke quietly. "As I mentioned, those can go on for some time."

"Yes, but they've felt so different lately, and with school ending and all. I mean, well," she sighed again, "it's about that time. He is due to be born any day now."

"Yes, true, but as I told you last night, you can't rush these things or put them on your own time schedule. Babies are born when they want to be born."

"Yes, you're right," she sighed. "I'm just quite uncomfortable, and with it being Friday, I was hoping the baby would come this weekend so you could easily get here."

"I'll do my best when the time comes," he told her. "We've discussed that. Most labors take hours, and we should have that time for me to get there. I'm sorry I can't do more. I've taken time off these last few weeks, and I just can't do that right now. I'd like to be able to stay and take a few days to get you and the baby home and situated. You didn't want to come back here, and you don't want people to know, which I still feel is ridiculous, but if those are your stipulations, this is what I can do now."

"Yes, well, I'm sorry, Martin, for putting those requirements on things. I can't explain it exactly, but I just need to have an identity outside the village. I don't know. Maybe it's my hormones right now, and I can't expect you to understand it."

"Yes, yes," Martin nodded, dropping his head as he looked to the floor. They had gone in circles discussing this, and Martin was certain it was leading to more stress for him. His blood phobia was still an issue. He knew that with the baby coming, Louisa in London, and trying to keep things under wraps, he was a little stressed. He had thought more and more about speaking to someone, well, Ruth even though she was his relative, but that was a topic to discuss with Louisa another time. "Louisa, I do need to get back to my patient."

"Yes, right. I am sorry again, Martin, for things taking so long. My doctor had an emergency earlier today that backed up all the appointments. I know you understand," she told him.

"It will be late tonight before I'm home, the bloody festival," he complained as he mumbled. Louisa chuckled.

"I think it's sweet they want you there to give you an award for the work you've done at the school. It's long overdue, and I'm only upset I didn't think of it myself. Of course, people might have said I was showing favoritism. Ahh, I always did love the end of the school year festival at the school. That's one good memory of Portwenn I do have."

"One?" Martin asked, almost surprising himself that he had challenged her statement, knowing he had a roomful of patients and was getting further and further behind by the minute.

"Oh, I suppose I did enjoy other things, and I can't deny it's where I met you and fell in love with you," she said sweetly.

"Err, yes," he said, feeling his face flush as he nodded. He looked up when he heard movement, and he saw Pauline looking at him now from down the hall. He waved at her, and he stood up straight, almost as if he was getting back to his gruff self. Louisa brought out the best in him; he could not deny that, but he did have patients.

"Ahh, yes, I will check on you later," he said in his most professional tone. "Get some rest and stay hydrated."

"Ahh, sounds like Pauline is around," Louisa chuckled.

"Yes, err, good day," he said and ended the call. He looked toward the hallway again, and he did not see Pauline, but he was confident she was lurking. He made his way back to his examination room, and Pauline pounced on him at the door.

"Everything alright, Doc?" Pauline asked. She nodded toward the exam room.

"Ahh, yes," he said to her. "Patient issue," he held up his phone. Pauline looked to it.

"Did they call the surgery, and I missed the call? I apologize, Doc. I was just talking to patients, up and down from my desk, and I even had to run outside to see to your dog. He was thirsty."

"He's not my dog," Martin frowned and gestured for her to get back to work. "Everything is fine. Move along now, and I need to finish seeing ahh, ahh,-"

"Mr. Templeton, Doc. That's his name," she chuckled and patted his arm. "Good old, Doc. Make sure you remember the names of the people tonight giving you your award."

He made a face at her, "Don't remind me. A good emergency would get me out of that."

"Ahh, Doc, the whole village knows it's your night. No emergency is going to stop the school from giving you an award."

"Pity," he said and ducked inside to finish with his patient, whatever his name was.

Several hours later, Martin was seated uncomfortably at this award presentation down by the harbor at the end of the year school festival. He hated these bloody things. Speaking of blood, he was pleased with his afternoon's progress. After finishing with his ridiculous number of patients, he'd managed to lock up the surgery at a decent hour. With the festival in full swing and no interest in arriving earlier than needed-no need for idle chit-chat in his opinion-Martin had moved back to his shed where he was working on his phobia. He hadn't vomited, so he considered that progress. In fact, he had been able to cut through an animal heart and liver. In one of his calls earlier in the week, he'd visited a farmer, again, no idea of the name of the farmer, who was also a butcher. Martin had managed to keep the heart and liver on ice and was satisfied with how he was progressing. Hopefully, in time, he would be ready to go to London. It just wasn't soon enough for him.

"Marty," he heard his aunt and turned his head to see her sit down across from him at his table. He nodded to her.

"Auntie Joan, I suppose you are enjoying yourself," he sighed.

"Yes, and it's a shame you aren't, but I didn't expect anything different than that," she sighed. "I do love this festival each year, not to mention, I had to see your big award," she grinned.

He frowned and sighed, "Honestly, giving me an award for doing my job, for taking care of the children of this village, well, well," he gestured with his hand and leaned in closer to her, "it's absurd. It would be like rewarding a fisherman for feeding people with his fish."

"Well," she shrugged, "there are sometimes contests and such for fishing. Can't have that for being a doctor, so awarding you for doing such a good job with the precious children of the village, Marty, honestly," she shook her head. Joan leaned in very closely to him, "With you ready to have your own, you should understand these people truly appreciate what you do to keep their children healthy and safe. Think of that. Think of Louisa. She always appreciated you coming to the rescue at the school. I suppose this award would only be better if she were here to give it to you or at least see you accept it."

He gave her a nod, "Yes, well, she is the one with the good sense and hopefully at home in the flat resting."

Joan stood up and moved around closer and leaned in again, "Yes, what did her doctor say? Soon?"

He shook his head, "No, nothing yet. Her due date is next week. She was hoping for more progress."

"Yes, well," Joan sighed, "these things take time. I've told you, right, that Ruth said she would be there until you can get there haven't I?"

He tilted his head at his aunt, "No, Auntie, but why wouldn't I get there?"

"Oh, Marty! For a doctor, you can be so dense! You and I both know these things can't be predicted. No two are alike. She could," she paused and looked around. Seeing no one near them, she continued, "Marty, she could have that baby any moment in a split second," she added, snapping her finger. He frowned at her.

"Auntie Joan, it doesn't quite happen like that, at least not that fast. No, if she's made no progress, there's time. I do appreciate the offer from Ruth, but I'm sure I will make it."

"Hmm, yes, and what will you tell the villagers? Oh, Marty," she sighed, "just tell them! They will be happy for you. They will wonder where you've run to when the time comes."

"It's not my place to tell!" Martin almost exclaimed. He realized his loudness and quickly glanced around. He looked back to his aunt, feeling his face flush.

Joan chuckled and patted his hand, "Oh, my dear boy, it is. This is your wife and your child. I won't say more, but this is your family too."

"Dr. Ellingham," the two heard and snapped up their heads to see a young brunette standing there. He narrowed his gaze, trying to place her. Martin knew he wouldn't remember a name, but he still couldn't even place her face.

"Ahh, yes?" Martin asked.

"Liz Newton," she said, sticking out her hand. "I'm the new head here at the school. I just arrived yesterday with the term ending. I'll be getting settled in this summer."

"Ahh, yes," he said with a nod as he shook her hand. He pulled his hand back, and he gestured to his aunt. "This is my aunt, Joan Norton."

"Pleased to meet you," Joan said, giving her a warm smile. She nodded toward the school, "Lovely school. I hope you will be happy here."

Liz, taking that as almost an invitation to chat, sat down across from them at the table, "Oh, I'm delighted to be here. I was told that I should get to know you, Dr. Ellingham. It sounds like we will be working together, I mean," she gestured, "to take care of the children's needs here."

"Yes, yes," he nodded. "I run vaccine clinics for the school and do sports physicals, other physicals as needed. Any referrals for specialized care, I can handle those as well."

"Lovely," she smiled again. "I've heard about you around the village. I was told you like fish, and well," she gave a small shrug, "if you aren't busy this weekend, maybe we could get together for a bite to eat and to discuss things. I do like to hit the ground running with a new job."

"Oh, ahh," he paused, trying to quickly think of a way out of this dinner. Joan patted his hand.

"Marty is going to be at my farm tomorrow working on mending my fence. He's a wonderful nephew," she smiled brightly. "I'm worried I might overwork him this weekend with my long list of projects."
Martin turned to her, giving her a look as it was the first time he'd been told of these projects, and as he did, it clicked with him that she was helping him get out of the situation.

"Yes, yes," he nodded, turning back to Liz. "I'm sorry, Liza-"

"Liz," she corrected.

He paused and winced, "My apologies," he said honestly to her, giving her a nod. His eyes met hers. She was attractive, but that was of no interest to him. She didn't know his situation, and he didn't want to be intentionally rude. He had started to realize social norms to some extent with Louisa's help, even if he had a long way to go. "I am terrible with names. Liz," he nodded to her again.

She gave him a warm smile, "It's fine, really. We'll just have to get to know one another well so you remember me."

Martin held back his sigh, but he heard Joan chuckle quietly. He glanced at her, wondering why all of a sudden, the village seemed intent on fixing him up with a woman.

"Marty," Joan patted his hand then, and he turned to her. She gave him a nod, and he could see in her eyes she was trying to convey something to her. "Ahh, perhaps after your award, you could get me home? I don't want to be out too late, and," she looked across to Liz to explain, "Marty's just the best nephew, always taking care of me."

Martin opened his mouth to protest, to mention that she'd driven her own truck to the event, but she quickly kicked his foot under the table. He held back his groan, and he nodded to his aunt.

"Certainly," he nodded to her and glanced across the table before meeting his aunt's gaze again by his side. "Yes, as soon as I receive my award, I'll get you out of here and safely back home."

Joan gave him a small smile, and he sighed, knowing Louisa would get another good laugh hearing about a woman hitting on her husband.