Chapter 7

Monday saw Louisa scurrying around trying to assemble the books and teaching materials that she'd worked on over the weekend. How was it, she thought that she was always in a rush? She'd made an effort to get out of bed earlier than she normally did, but still she was in a last-minute flap. She'd just had cereal and a cup of tea for breakfast, her shower had been quick and her hair hadn't taken that long to dry! Maybe there was method in Martin's colour co-ordinated wardrobe after all. It had taken ages to find and then put on her matching blouse and cardigan. She looked at her new ring as it sparkled when caught in a ray of sunshine. She'd be able to show it off to her colleagues, today.

Finally ready, she left the house with her packages and locked the door behind her. "Morning Louisa," shouted Dave the postman. Louisa acknowledged his greeting with a quick wave and continued on down towards the school. She had to wait at the gate while her friend Pippa Woodley parked her car at the far end of the playground. "Morning Pippa," she called. As they came closer Louisa asked "How was your weekend, then?"

"Hectic. The twins had footie practice and muggins here had to find all their kit and ferry them to and from the ground. George was working on overtime, so he couldn't turn it down." Pippa explained. "What about you, anything exciting?"

At that moment Louisa put her hand up to open the heavy front door and the light caught her new ring.

"You're engaged!" gasped Pippa. "Is it to the Doc? You really are going for it aren't you? Let me see it properly."

Louisa held her hand out so that Pippa got a good look. "It belonged to Martin's grandmother and is a bit of an heirloom," she informed Pippa.

Pippa said "It looks lovely, congratulations! I admire your courage taking him on!"

Louisa looked askance at Pippa. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he is gruff and rude, isn't he? Most of his patients are frightened of him!" Pippa laughed, but Louisa wasn't having any of it.

"Martin isn't like that at all with me, or Joan come to that. Maybe if people followed his advice when they are ill, they would recover more quickly and he wouldn't have to shout." Louisa angrily retorted, before pushing the door wide and moving off down the corridor, her ponytail flipping from side to side.

As with the village, news of Louisa's engagement to Doc Martin spread throughout the school like wildfire before it was disseminated just as quickly outside. By lunchtime most of her staff had been in to her office to offer their felicitations and admire the ring.

In the surgery Pauline noticed a sharp increase in patients wanting an appointment, today. She managed to fit most of them in but for quite a few of them their symptoms were a bit vague. Already seated and waiting was Bert Large, who answered the shrill ring of his mobile. He listened to the caller and a smile broke out on his face. "Really, The Doc and Louisa? Well, I never. 'Course I saw it coming from day one he smirked. I gotta go I'm nearly next on the list."

"What was that all about?" asked Pauline nosily.

"Word has it that Doc Martin and Louiser got engaged at the weekend, she's wearing a bootiful diamond ring to prove it!" explained Bert.

Just then Martin came out of the consulting room with Mrs Poustie trailing in his wake. "If you'd followed the instructions on the bottle, Mrs Poustie, I wouldn't need to be giving you a new prescription. Why do I bother?"

"Do-oc," Pauline wailed, "why didn't you tell me? I am your receptionist and Practice Manager, after all"

"Tell you what?" asked Martin looking confused.

"That you and Louiser are engaged?"

"None of your business," was his sharp retort.

"Can I be a bridesmaid, then," she wheedled.

"No, now get me the next patient's notes," he demanded. "Pearl Fisher? Come through."

It was lunchtime before Martin had a chance to talk to Louisa. Since Bert had made the announcement of the engagement everyone who came in had some comment to make about how lucky he was that Louisa would even consider marrying a tosser like him, and others who thought she was bonkers.

Louisa was so glad to see Martin's name on her phone. "Hello Martin," she crooned.

"They know about us." He yelped. "They know we're engaged!"

"Yes, Pippa spotted my ring this morning and it was all around the school in no time. I daresay someone else told someone in the village, and you know what it's like! Don't worry Martin, someone else will become the new centre of gossip soon and we'll be old news."

"Busybodies!" was his instinctive verdict.

"Well, I'll see you tonight, I'm looking forward to it, handsome." Louisa wished she could see his face.

"Hm, yes – tonight!" Martin sighed.

Louisa did battle with Year 6 during the afternoon and then retired to her office to do battle with the paperwork which was threatening to overspill on her desk. She sighed with relief when the bell went at the end of the day. She spent another half an hour finishing the School Report and then went home. She opened the door and picked up the post from the mat. Bills, bills and more bills she thought, before dumping them on the little table near the sofa.

She went upstairs and stripped off to have a shower. She picked out some trousers and a jumper to wear before applying a light covering of make-up. Then she selected her school outfit for tomorrow, before going downstairs to cook dinner.

She heard the knock at the door and went to open it. "I've missed you today," she purred.

"What, only today?" Martin joked. A novelty for him. Louisa smiled happily up at him. "Don't I get a kiss then?" Louisa stood on tiptoe to give him the kiss he requested.

"What's for dinner? It smells good. Do you want me to do anything?" Martin was eager to help, but Louisa declined his offer.

"In order, tuna steaks with salad, thank you and no. Please take a seat at the table." she replied.

He complied and she quickly served their meal. As was normal for him, talking was kept to a minimum whilst they were eating. She selected tea for her drink and then they retired to the sofa to chat.

"I've got some great news," he told her. "I phoned Reverend Clarke at St Endellion to enquire about dates for the wedding and he told me that 11:00 on Saturday 24th October had become available only this morning! Apparently, the couple who were going to be married split up and cancelled!"

Louisa's eyes lit up at the news. "Really Martin? How lucky is that? Sad for the other couple of course, but brilliant for us. Now we can get the invitations ordered, the reception booked but first of course, we have to agree our guest list."

"My part's simple, Aunty Joan, Chris and Carol Parsons." Martin's reply dismayed Louisa.

"No more family, or friends from London at all? What about Al Large or Joe Penhale?"

"Noo to them, because where Al goes, Bert is there too. Just a simple ceremony you said. Penhale, really?"

"Well, I'd like to invite them because they're a part of my life here. Louisa went on to name more of the villagers who had helped her over lifetime. Also, my best friend from school, Isobel, or Libby as we always called her, to be a bridesmaid. I only want the one."

They talked some more about the logistics before Martin indicated he was ready for bed. They both went up with several things on their minds and merely cuddled before Louisa fell asleep. Martin's thoughts churned around in his head before he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.