Martin
He looked over the harbour, his eyes reflecting the sparkle of the waves in the sunlight.
The steaming coffee's scent was rich and as deep as the waves pulsing to the shore.
Ramrod straight with nary a hair out of place he watched as the gulls circled and squawked.
His thoughts whirled with them. How had it come about, he wondered?
Why had fate brought him back to the only place that he'd ever felt love before?
A vision of loveliness beckoned him to recall how she'd melted in his arms and whispered his name.
Never before had he felt the deep abiding love which enveloped him like a warm cloak. Was this truly love, or some fantasy pulling him deeper into a maelstrom of confusing emotions and longings?
It seemed to him that the yearning for a partner, lover, wife, family and children was about to be made reality. The chestnut-haired siren who called to him even now at this early hour of the day would soon be a tangible reality.
He'd invited her for dinner that evening and he contemplated their time together. Having visited Aunty Joan to tell her the good news she had, in turn, given him her mother's engagement ring to give to Louisa.
There, he'd said her name. The vision came back to him of her clinging to him after he'd proposed, and then later after consummating their love. He became breathless and the cup rattled slightly on the saucer as a wave of emotion crashed through him.
Martin looked across the inlet at the white building which was the local school. Soon children would run and play across the yard. Teachers would watch them, chide and hurry them into school once the bell went for lessons. She would be there and perhaps would look across to him and smile.
Just thinking about her brought a freedom from the inner turmoil which walked inside him and dogged his footsteps as insidiously as the little dog which followed him about the village.
Finishing his drink, he turned to go inside and prepare for another routine day in the life of Doc Martin. Until this evening then, and a slight smile crossed his face.
Louisa
Walking rapidly downhill towards the school she let her thoughts drift to the somewhat miraculous happening of two nights ago.
Following on from the successful treatment of Holly for her reaction to the morphine pain reliever, she'd praised his extraordinary skill as a physician. He'd been deprecating and gone back inside her house to wash and pick up the shattered bottle. She moved slowly towards him and helped to pick up the bloody glass from the kitchen floor. Gathering up his bag and the defibrillator he moved to leave the cottage. "You're a remarkable man, Martin"
"No, I'm not" he'd answered and walked to the door. Rounding the partition to leave he blurted out "Marry me!"
Scarcely believing her ears she asked him to repeat it. He walked back in and said shakily, "Please Louisa, I can't bear to be without you. Will you marry me?"
She'd nodded as tears started to flow down her cheeks and she ran towards him. He held her tightly as she flung herself at him. They clung together as though their lives depended upon it and simply swayed from side to side.
Eventually he'd put her down and drawn back his head before kissing her, gently and then more urgently. She could only reciprocate and they were lost in their own world.
Making love with him later she found that he was a considerate and gentle partner, holding back until she was ready before taking them both to that point of no return.
The next morning when she woke and found him dressing, her insecurities led her to ask if he was sneaking off before she was awake. He'd denied it and pointed out that he needed to go and get ready to open the surgery. At her request he repeated his proposal and she'd beamed at him and nodded her head.
She'd hastily donned her dressing gown before accompanying him to the front door, where they kissed again. She opened the door to hear Dave, the postman saying "Morning all" before handing the letters across to her. Martin grunted and set off towards the surgery.
Going back inside Louisa hugged herself and went to get ready for school. That day, the news of them spending the night together flashed around the village in no time at all thanks to Dave who mentioned it at every door he knocked on.
Louisa dressed in a simple outfit with a matching cardigan. She'd put her hair into a ponytail, fastening it with a scrunchy. Her sandals set off her dress and she carried her handbag and the marked homework along with her.
She rounded the corner to go into the playground and glanced across the harbour to the surgery in time to see Martin's tall figure moving off the terrace into the cottage.
He'd invited her to dinner the following night and she couldn't wait to see him again. For now, she'd have to concentrate on her work but pictures of their night together wove their way into her thoughts and she'd imagine what it would be like to be Mrs Martin Ellingham.