Chapter 34

The next morning broke with clear skies and bright sunshine. Light seeping through the blinds in Al and Morwenna's bedroom woke her, and she rolled over in the bed, flopping her arm across Al's back. He responded with a groan and rolled off the bed and headed to the loo. In a few mere moments he was back in bed, still half asleep curled up against Morwenna's warm body. As he shifted his feet, she gave out a yelp, "get those cold feet off me."

Now wide awake she glanced over to the clock and squealed as she jumped out of the bed and headed to the shower, "It's late. What happened to the alarm? I have to go to work."

Al grunted and pulled her pillow over his head and fell back asleep. He hadn't found his way back home until nearly two that morning. There had been a rowdy group from Delabole making the rounds of local pubs. They hadn't rolled into Portwenn until half eleven and had kept partying until nearly one. Ordinarily he would have sent them on their way at midnight, but they were spending freely and Caitlin was never one to pass on the opportunity to bolster the till, so they had kept on until the group staggered out to the taxis Caitlin had called. Morwenna might have to go to work, but they wouldn't open the pub till half ten and he was going to enjoy a lie in no matter what.

The Doc had just finished pouring his coffee and was walking into reception as she rushed into the surgery, swinging her bag forcefully behind her desk. He looked up to see her flushed face and noticed that her usually neat if eccentric clothing was a bit askew. He decided that a comment wasn't necessary, perhaps it was an intentional look. He had no idea about women's fashions. "You're late."

"No, I'm not. I'm bang on time, Doc, and here's your first patient."

Caroline Bosman followed Morwenna into the surgery and Martin nodded to her in recognition, "Good morning Caroline." She wasn't his favourite person, 'bloody minded' her husband called her; but they had come to an understanding after he had diagnosed her diabetes and saved her life when everyone in the village assumed she had a drinking problem; and, after all, he did have a duty of care. "Come through," he gestured as he waited for Morwenna to step over to the file cabinet and fish out Caroline's patient notes.

Caroline was there for a routine checkup, and he motioned for her to hop onto the examination table. "How are you feeling these days Caroline?"

"I'm feeling fine Doc. Can we hurry this? I've got to get to the station for the ten o'clock show."

"I thought you only worked the weekday program," he commented as he began his examination. A while back, Caroline's behaviour had become so erratic that she had been sectioned; but shortly after, it was determined that her diabetes management had failed. The station had hired her back on the condition that she was closely monitored by her GP.

"Yeah, but Nigel had a family emergency and they need someone to fill in … and that's me."

"Hmm … " Martin continued his examination and, as he was finishing up, he asked her to roll up her sleeve. He quickly and proficiently took several vials of blood.

"No more trouble with the blood, eh Doc?"

He glowered at her, "No." He removed the tourniquet and placed a plaster on the site. "All done. Everything looks good Caroline. I will contact you with the results when available. Make an appointment for one month's time."

It was a typical Saturday. The Doc's list was full, but still there were a few who showed up without an appointment. Morwenna would have sent them on their way with an appointment for the following week, but the Doc usually made time for people with genuine medical problems. Still, they complained about the wait. She had given up arguing with them ages ago. It didn't do any good. Most of them just liked to whinge.

Nate showed up a few minutes before noon while there were still a few patients waiting. He saw two of his regular patients, and when Martin opened the surgery door, he popped in and asked, "Want me to help out with any of these?"

Martin eyed the waiting patients, and replied, "Yes, will you examine Miss Sawle's knee?" Turning to her, he asked "Are you taking the medication prescribed by your consultant?"

Sheepishly, she replied, 'Yes. Doctor." She knew he was thinking about her last knee replacement when her sister had insisted on prescribing her own formulation.

Martin looked over at Nate and said, "Let me know if there are any signs of infection or if anything else looks amiss." He hadn't had time to mention the fiasco that occurred with her earlier knee replacement, although he had recorded her treatment aberration in her patient notes. He was certain Nate would look over the notes and would understand his unspoken inference.

Martin glanced down at the patient notes Morwenna had just handed him, "Mrs. Millinger, come through." Jenny Millinger, pregnant with her second child, waddled into the examination room and grimaced as Martin closed the door, "Have to admit I'm ready for this one. It's got to be soon, doesn't it Doc? My back is killing me and I just can't keep up with little Jimmy anymore." Her husband Jimmy had eased off the testosterone supplement he had been taking, and after eighteen months, his fertility had returned sufficiently to father a child, the "little Jimmy" to whom she referred. It hadn't taken more than a few months after his birth before she was pregnant again. He looked at her notes and saw that her first child was nearing his first birthday. As he recalled James at that age, he remembered that James could crawl faster than either he or Louisa could catch him. No wonder she looked exhausted.

Mrs. Millinger and Louisa were of the same age although Louisa still had more than two months of pregnancy remaining. These complaints were common among the pregnant women in his practice and he seldom felt much sympathy for them; fatigue was to be expected in the last few months, and it crossed his mind that Louisa might be making the same complaints in a month or so. Perhaps he should be more supportive. He turned his attention to Mrs. Millinger, "I see from your notes that you still have a month remaining until your due date. Discomfort is a common aspect of late pregnancy. Have you discussed it with your midwife? They can offer many ways to manage the difficulties of the last month or two."

"Yeah. She's been a godsend, but there's only so much she can do."

"Good," Martin replied. In an effort to comfort her he added, "It's possible that you will deliver earlier, but these things operate on their own time schedule. Hop up on the table and let's take a look at you."

"Hop up on the table … as if," Jenny grumbled as she shuffled over to the examination couch and heaved herself up with some difficulty.

After he had examined her, he motioned that she should take a seat in the chair opposite his. "Mrs. Millinger, everything looks normal for this stage in your pregnancy, but I don't see any signs of an early labour."

Jenny slumped deep into the chair. "I just don't know how much longer I can bear this."

Martin cleared his throat, "Yes I understand, but you are on track to have a healthy baby. That is the ultimate goal. Try to get some rest and eat frequent small meals to avoid indigestion. Have your husband help with the older child. Perhaps you have other relatives that can help as well."

"Yeah right." Jenny replied in disgust as she laboured to rise from the chair. Martin hurried around his desk to help her up and to the door.

One last patient, Chippy Miller had been waiting when an elegantly dressed man of east Asian descent walked into the surgery. He approached the desk and introduced himself, "Good day. I'm Doctor Chen here to see Doctor Ellingham."

Morwenna grinned at him, "Yes. We are expecting you. Doctor Ellingham is with a patient, but he should be free momentarily. Please have a seat."

He sure wasn't what she had expected. He was nearly as tall as the Doc, although slimmer, with short cropped hair, fine features and dark rimmed glasses. She smiled to herself, thinking that he must be cut from the same cloth as the Doc, both of them dressed in bespoke suits, expensive silk club tie, cufflinks on their freshly starched shirts and perfectly polished shoes. She wondered if he shared the same personality as the Doc. Things were going to be interesting, she thought. She pulled herself back together and introduced herself, "I'm Morwenna, practice receptionist, and this here is Nate, the other member of our team."

Nate had just walked into the reception area, and immediately walked over extending his hand, "Nathaniel Marshall, registered nurse."

"Yes. Doctor Parsons mentioned that you had become an invaluable staff member here. I look forward to working with you."

"And I with you. We are just finishing with the patients for the day. Can we bring you some tea or something else to drink? The Doc is partial to his espresso."

"Ahhh. Espresso. That would be very nice, Thank you."

"Well, I'll start you on the tour whilst the Doc sees his last patient. Follow me." Nate led Doctor Chen into the kitchen, pointing out the phlebotomy room and the lounge and discussing the changes that Doctor Ellingham was planning to make to the cottage to improve its function as a surgery.

As Nate led Doctor Chen out of reception, Morwenna started a list in her head: how similar are Doctors Ellingham and Chen? Tall, short hair, smart clothes, drink espresso. She couldn't wait to tell Al all about him, but she feared that he already knew if Mrs. Trappet had shared any information about her new client. And of course, Chippy Miller was sitting there watching Nate and Doctor Chen conversing; news would spread less than five minutes after he walked out the door. In fact, Chippy glanced over to Morwenna and asked straight out, "We gettin' a new doc?"

She stared straight at him, trying to decide what to say. It wasn't really her place to reveal the staffing changes at the surgery, but Nate had already let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, "Well, yeah for a few months."

"What's Doc Martin gonna do? Is he leaving?"

"No … He'll still be around." It didn't feel right going into detail, especially with Chippy, and fortunately she was spared from further conversation as she heard the office door opening.

Martin walked out of the surgery with Jenny Millinger, "Morwenna, make an appointment for Mrs. Millinger in two weeks' time."

Martin glanced around reception and nodded at Chippy, "Go through."

Morwenna handed Chippy's notes to the Doc, "Um, Doctor Chen has arrived, Doc."

Martin scanned the reception area, "Where is he?"

"Nate took him into the kitchen to give him an espresso."

Martin's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a brief smile crossing his face whilst he motioned to Chippy, who was hanging back, to go through, "Good. I'll be finished in just a few moments."

He turned on his heel and walked through the office door, glancing down at the notes in his hand. "What seems to be the problem today, Mr. Miller?"

"It's my knee again Doc. It really does hurt."

Martin looked at Chippy sceptically, wondering if, this time, there would be something truly wrong. He was walking with a slight limp and appeared to favour his left leg. "I see." He directed Chippy to stand next to the examination couch, "Can you lower your trousers, please, and tell me which knee is hurting."

Chippy did as he was told and pointed down to his right knee. "Terrible sharp pain every time I take a step." Chippy loosened his trousers and asked, "Are you leaving Portwenn Doc? Morwenna says we're having a new doc."

Martin glared at him, suddenly furious that Morwenna, who was usually discreet, should be spreading the word about changes to the practice. "Humph … Tell me what happened."

"We was pullin' in a haul and I fell on my knee this mornin'. I know I done somethin' terrible to it this time."

Despite Chippy's gait indicating his left knee was in pain, Martin examined his right knee, looking for bruising, feeling for any torn ligaments. He did the same with his left knee, just in case Chippy was confused; you never knew with some of these villagers. Chippy reacted once or twice with a sharp yelp when Martin manipulated his right knee, but exhibited no reaction when he manipulated his left. Martin could only think that Chippy had become slightly more adept at faking an injury than when he had first come to the village, and he played along for a minute or so. "Pull up your pants and walk over to the window and back."

Again, Chippy did as he was told, still favouring his left leg. "You think I can get a sick note so it can heal up?"

"Mr Miller, I can find nothing wrong with your right knee, no bruising, no swelling or indication of any torn ligaments. In fact, your gait would indicate that your left knee was injured, but I can find no issues with your left knee either. No sick note is indicated."

"But Doc…" Chippy raised his arms in frustration.

"No. Go home and rest. I'm sure both legs will feel better in the morning."

"So? We gettin' a new Doc?"

Martin opened the door and barked, "Just go home and do as you're told."

As he left the surgery, Morwenna could hear Chippy muttering about how the Doc wasn't worth a bucket of p**s. NHS shouldn't have given him his job back. Maybe this new Doc will be better … on and on.

Yep," Morwenna thought, "News of the new doctor will be old news by the time I reach the pub to tell Al."

Martin carried Mr. Miller's notes into reception and gave them to Morwenna. "Morwenna, it was highly inappropriate for you to tell Mr. Miller of changes to the practice."

"Not my fault Doc. Chippy was sittin' right there when Doctor Chen let it slip that he would be working here, and I just confirmed it. Didn't tell him anything more."

"Humph!" Doc responded with a grunt and then headed into the kitchen. "Doctor Chen … Martin Ellingham." Martin introduced himself and extended his hand.

Doctor Chen put his espresso cup down on the counter and smiled back at the Doc and, as he shook his hand, said, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, but please call me Ted."

"Ted? Of course."

"Yes, a childhood nickname that has followed me through to adulthood. Better than Eddie, I should think."

Martin tilted his head in the direction of the office and responded, "Yes. Shall we go through?"

Doctor Chen hesitated and gestured towards the lounge, "Yes. Mr. Marshall was just telling me of your plans to reconfigure this room into another examination room. That should prove highly efficient."

"Yes. The house was sufficient for one practitioner, but with two, or more, it is cramped. My family and I just vacated the house this past week. Work will commence on Tuesday. My contractor has told me it is a simple project and should be complete by the end of next week, although that may be optimistic."

Ted nodded his head, 'Yes. I understand. Occasional setbacks can rarely be predicted."

"Right."

Martin led Dr. Chen and Nate through to reception, "You have met Morwenna, our receptionist. She is also a fully qualified first aid responder."

Morwenna stood and grinned as she leaned against her desk, pleased that the Doc had felt her certification as a first aid responder was important enough to mention.

He continued, "She is responsible for making appointments and keeping patient files up to date. You will find that she is very knowledgeable about most of the villagers if you should need any background information to help with a diagnosis."

He walked to the door of the examination room, and spoke to Nate and Doctor Chen, "Come through," and then he turned toward Morwenna before walking through the door himself, "Morwenna, you may go for the day."

"Thanks Doc." Morwenna grabbed her bag and glanced back to Doctor Chen whilst donning her jacket, "I'll see you Monday morning Doctor Chen."

"Yes, I look forward to working with you," he responded with a slight nod of his head.

The three men walked into the office and took their seats around the desk where Martin began to summarize the practice, the hours, the types of patients, the occasional need for home visits, and the frequent need to respond to accidents, either in the village or out on the moor. As Nate began to describe his duties, there was the sound of clattering dishes coming from the kitchen, and Martin interrupted, "My wife Louisa has brought us some lunch, just a few sandwiches and salad. I thought it best to eat in rather than arouse the curiosity of the village by dining in one of the local restaurants, especially as that last patient will be spreading the news of your arrival before he hits the Platt."

Ted tilted his head in curiosity, "The Platt. Mrs. Trappett mentioned the Platt several times, and I have to wonder, what or where is the Platt?"

"Ahh ... yes, the local name for the harbour. I'm not really sure of the etymology, perhaps middle English? I believe the word 'platt' means flat and I suppose the area is flat, relative to the rest of the village," Martin expounded in a rare moment of non-medical loquaciousness.

Louisa had begun to spread out the lunch on the kitchen table and stood up when the three men walked into the room. She reached out to Doctor Chen to introduce herself, "You must be Doctor Chen. I'm Martin's wife, Louisa Ellingham. Welcome to our village."

Dr Chen returned the greeting, gently shaking her proffered hand, "Please, call me Ted. I'm delighted to make your acquaintance as well. My wife, Ethel and I are looking forward to enjoying the Cornish way of life."

"Were you able to find a suitable cottage this morning?"

"Yes, we had looked on-line for those available, and Mrs. Trappett showed us those we found suitable and we have engaged one of the older cottages in the heart of the village for the next two months."

"Good. I would love to meet your family. Would you like to join Martin and me for dinner this evening?"

"That would be nice, but I should check with Ethel first."

Martin gave Louisa a look that told her it was time to leave and she walked to the door, "Perhaps I will drop by and introduce myself. I'm sure you, Martin and Nate have much to discuss."

She gave them a little wave, "Do you remember which cottage it is?"

"I believe it is called East Winds on Dolphin Street. I'm sure Ethel would love to meet you."

Louisa gave a short squeal, "I know that cottage. It's just a few doors down from Aunt Ruth's cottage."

"Aunt Ruth?"

Martin spoke up, 'My Aunt, Doctor Ruth Ellingham. She settled down here after she retired, although she has kept her flat in London as well."

"How nice to have family nearby."

"I can ask her to dine with us. I think you would enjoy meeting her." Louisa opened the kitchen door, "Well … hope to see you later."

"Yes. Good-bye."

Martin had pulled out plates and glasses whilst Louisa was chatting with Doctor Chen and had filled a pitcher with water for them to drink. As he filled their glasses, he indicated that they should take a seat and sat down himself, "Please, take a seat and let's eat."

As Ted was helping himself to a sandwich, he felt something rubbing against his leg and he looked down, "Oh, do you have a dog, Martin?"

Martin jumped up, frustrated that Buddy had slipped into the house when Louisa left, "Noooo …. Nooooo." He opened the door and commanded, "Out … out." When Buddy stood his ground gazing up at him with adoring eyes, Martin grabbed the dog, carried him to the door, deposited him out on the terrace, and firmly closed the door behind him. As he walked to the sink to wash his hands, he grumbled, "Dog seems to think he lives here."

Nate grinned at Doctor Chen, leaned over and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "Buddy did live here until last week."

"So that is your dog?"

"No, it's not my dog," Martin growled. After a moment he clarified, "He's my wife's dog, but he insists on sneaking into the surgery. You will have to keep an eye on him. Dogs, other than service animals are not allowed in a doctor's office."

Ted replied with a grin on his face, "Yes, I see."