Chapter 42

It was Christmas Eve and Martin was up early so that he could visit the fish market to take advantage of the freshest fish available for their supper that evening. Louisa had already bought vegetables along with the turkey for Christmas Day when Al and Morwenna hoped to join them, but this night it would be just the three of them with Ruth, and he wanted it to be special for Louisa. He planned to bake the fish with a simple vegetable stuffing, cherry tomatoes, fennel, capers and onions with a spritz of lemon juice. He would prepare brussels sprouts braised with garlic and dates for their vegetable, a delicious new recipe he had tried once before and which they had all enjoyed, and he would serve it all with some couscous steamed with chicken broth, peas and carrots. He had bought a few apples at the farm shop over the weekend and a special cheese for afters although he wouldn't be surprised if Louis ordered something special from the bake shop. He had decided that he would accept whatever sweets she selected since it was Christmas, something of an unspoken Christmas present, but he would monitor her intake. She had shown no signs of gestational diabetes, but too many sweets could upset the balance of her blood sugar and result in unnecessary complications, especially as she was a geriatric mother.

By the time he had returned to the house, Louisa and James were in the kitchen eating breakfast. He greeted them both, giving Louisa a kiss on the cheek and sweeping his fingers over James' shoulder, "Good morning, James. How are you this morning?"

"Good." James picked up a piece of his banana and offered it to Martin, who politely declined, "No thank you."

Louisa brushed his arm as he walked past her and he stopped. She looked up at him, "I see you bought a fish. I could have done that later. James and I are planning to see Father Christmas arrive today."

"Yes. I know that is your plan." Martin leaned down to open the fridge, rearranging the contents in order to store the fish for later. "I wanted to get down there just after the boats came in, get the freshest fish that way. They had some very fine cod and I had them debone one for us. Should make a very nice meal along with the brussels sprouts and couscous."

"That does sound delicious, and it saves me a trip. I boiled an egg for you and there's bread in the toaster. Do you want me to make you some coffee?"

"Nope. I've got it." He stood up and glanced at the plate in front of James, "I see Mummy made you an egg, James. How is it?"

"Good. She made me soldiers too."

"I see that. I think I will have the egg Mummy fixed for me." He glanced around and put the toaster on, started some coffee brewing, and pulled out an egg cup for his egg.

Louisa picked up a piece of toast and took a bite, then put it back on her plate and looked up at Martin, "I was wondering if we could go visit Bert at Hightrees this afternoon. Might cheer him up since he can't be home for Christmas. I spoke with Caitlin yesterday and told her we'd try to make it. I think she will visit early this morning; she expects the pub to be busy this afternoon and tonight. Al and Morwenna usually go in the morning or mid-afternoon as well, but they might not be able to visit if the pub is really busy. There are a lot of visitors in the village this Christmas."

Martin grimaced. "Yes. We can go right after lunch. I should be home no later than one." He knew it was important to Louisa to visit Bert. Despite his aversion to the man, Martin knew that he had been like a father to Louisa over the years. "But I don't want to stay long. I need to be back to prepare our supper. Ruth is coming over at half five."

'I thought I'd ask Ruth if she would like to join us."

"I doubt she'd want to see Bert. She hasn't had the best of luck with him and his business dealings."

Louisa shrugged her shoulders, "Still … it is Christmas. She might enjoy the outing."

Martin sat down to eat and grunted his opinion sceptically, "Possibly …."

"When do you have to leave this morning?"

"Tom will be here at eight." Martin looked at his watch, "Fifteen minutes."

Once again Martin found himself with a less than optimal period of time to eat his breakfast, but he managed to finish his egg and one piece of toast before he had to run upstairs to brush his teeth and gather his bag. Louisa met him at the door for a quick kiss, and he was off. "I'll call when I leave hospital."

Louisa had a few errands to complete before the arrival of Father Christmas at noon. She bundled up James Henry in his heavy jacket and wool cap, and walked over to the bake shop to pick up the special cakes she had ordered for pudding this evening. They were saffron cakes made with eggs and just a little oil, no saturated fat and minimal sugar with a honey glaze; she was determined to have something special for afters this evening and she was certain that they would meet with Martin's approval. She then walked over to the sweet shop where she picked up a pint of ginger ice cream to top off the cake; that wouldn't meet with Martin's approval, but he would just have to humour her.

It seemed as if they had just arrived home with their sweets when it was time to gather with the rest of the villagers on the Platt to wait for the skiff that would bring Father Christmas to the shore. The fishermen had piled up their lobster pots for the traditional village "Christmas tree" and had festooned it with lights and ribbons at the beginning of the month when the holiday lights were turned on. That was always a festive celebration with the village band and the church choir and the school chorus leading the village in holiday tunes. The arrival of Father Christmas wasn't quite as festive an occasion, but it was still exciting for the children who were waiting to see what kinds of treats he would bring this year. Radio Portwenn had set up a booth and was playing holiday tunes and the Women's Council were selling hot cocoa and sweets, fundraising for a new cooler for the church hall.

James and Louisa wandered down to the Platt and met up with the Chens; Julia and Arthur joined them moments later. Ted was holding a morning surgery and would join them later, but Ethel's sister Grace, her husband Alex and their two children had joined them on the Platt. Grace's children were a bit older than Ethel's two girls; their son Ben was twelve and their daughter Joy was ten, but they were as excited as all the rest of the children, running around the Platt, chasing one another as well as Buddy and Shelly and the two puppies who had not yet been adopted. Julia was still looking for homes for the pups, who were nearly full-grown. Both Lili and Tina had been begging Ethel to adopt one, but Ethel wasn't so sure, given that they might not be staying in the village much longer. They had decided that they loved the coast and were hoping to stay. Ted and Martin had only briefly discussed his possible future in the village, and Ted felt good about his chances, but nonetheless, he had a meeting scheduled the next week with Chris Parsons to discuss a more permanent position in the southwest.

Even though the weather had turned cold and blustery, most of the village had turned out to see Santa arrive and to enjoy the festivities. Many of the parents of Portwenn Primary students greeted Louisa as they made their way down to the Platt. The primary school released the children two hours earlier than James' nursery each day, and she hadn't been around to visit with the other parents for longer than she cared to admit. Many were curious to know how she was faring in her second pregnancy and wished her well. Others knew she was back in school herself and asked about her studies, and some even pressed her to return to the school head mistress post after the baby came. She was her usual gracious self, thanking them for their good wishes but deflecting any response about her plans other than to care for the baby through next summer. When Pippa finally made it down to the Platt with her twins in tow, she exclaimed when she saw Louisa, "You look like you're about ready to pop! When's the baby due again?"

Louisa laughed, "Not for another month yet, although you're right." She glanced down as she cradled her belly, "I do feel as if I'm ready to explode. It will be nice to have this baby and not be pregnant anymore."

Pippa looked at her with concern and pulled her to the side away from the crowd, "I worry about you. Is Martin able to care for you properly? He must be busy off to hospital almost every day."

Louisa looked at Pippa askance. Pippa had always thought Martin wasn't good enough for her. Was Pippa prying, hoping to be proved right or was she genuinely worried about her welfare. She decided to trust that Pippa was truly concerned; it would be comforting to confide some of the struggles she had encountered with Martin's new position, "It has been a difficult transition." She took Pippa's hand, and glanced over towards James playing with the other children, "You know Pippa, Martin has always done a lot around the house, cooking and taking care of James and most of the laundry. But he has been busy since he started at hospital, even though he's usually there only three days a week. He tries to be home by six, but sometimes emergencies come up. The other two days he is at home working on his IT project, but even then he can be called to hospital if he is needed."

Pippa gazed at her friend sceptically, "I really had no idea he always did so much at home. I guess you have to do it all now."

Louisa nodded, "Yeah, this week has been bad. That terrible accident has completely thrown us off schedule. He was in theatre almost twelve hours Sunday night, and then back again Monday for a full day. I shouldn't complain. He's exhausted and I need to be supportive … all those injured people depending on him, but still … " She waved her hands in the air, unable to continue.

Pippa gave her a hug, "I can't imagine."

"He should be arriving home early this afternoon; he told me no later than one. We are going out to Hightrees to visit with Bert after he gets home."

"That will be nice. How is Bert?"

"I think he is improving, but you know Martin. He never says a word about his patients. I haven't seen Bert since he was discharged from hospital and I feel bad about that."

"Yeah. I guess Al and Morwenna go out there a lot… and Caitlin. I suppose some of us villagers should do our bit and visit, but, you know … Bert… "

Pippa sighed and looked out toward the harbour walls. The crowd around them started to become restless and Louisa looked down at her watch. "It's almost noon. Father Christmas should arrive soon. Do you know who is doing it this year … now that Bert can't take on the role?"

"I heard Chippy Miller had volunteered."

Louisa raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Really? That should be interesting."

She scanned the crowd, searching for James and found him standing next to the Chen girls and their cousins. She said her good-bye to Pippa, wishing her a Happy Christmas and promising to talk again next week, and then she walked over to stand next to them. They were all holding cups of hot chocolate, waiting for the big event. James held up his cup, "Mummy. This hot chocolate is really good. Would you like a taste?"

She smiled down at James and pulled his cap tighter over his ears, "Oh, thank you James, but I don't want any right now."

Ethel piped up, "We were all so cold down here. Alex decided to buy us all some hot chocolate and it has helped. I hope you don't mind that we gave some to James as well."

"I don't mind at all." She looked over at Alex, brushing back the loose strands of her hair that the wind had loosened from her ponytail, "That was very kind of you. Thank you." At the same time, she was thinking about Martin's reaction. It won't be easy to keep James from these kinds of treats forever, and Martin is going to have to learn that an occasional sweet or a cup of hot chocolate won't do any irreparable harm.

Right on time at noon on the dot, Father Christmas came roaring in, not on a fisherman's skiff, but on a powerboat, beard flying in the wind with two elves hanging onto the sides of the boat as if their very lives depended on it. They circled the harbour and then he pulled back the throttle and coasted onto the Platt, crying out, "Ho, Ho, Ho. Happy Christmas".

He grabbed his bag and jumped onto the shingle, and all the children rushed forward shouting and clapping with glee. The two elves opened a path for Father Christmas to move away from the water up to the bench in front of the pub so that he could sit down and visit with each of the children. After each child had introduced himself and confided with Father Christmas their hopes for their Christmas gifts, he handed each of them a wrapped present from his bag and a small bag of Christmas candies, cautioning them not to open the present until Christmas morning.

Louisa wiped a tear from her eye as she watched this ritual play out. For some of the village children, this would be the only gift they would receive, and she knew it would be special. The village shops contributed a small percentage of their tourist revenue each month to a special fund designated to provide one special gift for children whose parents were struggling. She and Martin, and others who were able, also added to this fund; no one wanted any village child to feel unloved at Christmas. Parents were asked to write down the name of the child and the gift the child would most cherish and slip it into a closed box near the post office. The elves would listen closely to the child's name and then pull out the gift with that child's name on it. For children like James and others whose parents were able to provide a good Christmas, there were generic gifts labelled "boy" or "girl" with an age range and the elves would pull one of those out for Father Christmas to distribute. There were, of course many extra gifts for the children of tourists who liked to participate in the ritual. It was a festive time for the entire village and it was one of those times when Louisa felt especially sentimental about her neighbours.

The elves placed the younger children at the front of the line and James was one of the first. She stood to the side to listen to what James had to say and she was tickled to hear him tell Father Christmas a short list of toys he hoped to see under the tree and then tell him that his dog, Buddy, needed a new ball to play with and a rubber bone to chew. James really was a special child, always thinking of others. After he jumped down from the bench, Louisa gathered him up with his gifts, said good-bye to the Chens and Pippa, and the other parents waiting for their children, and walked up the hill to their home.

Martin had already arrived when they entered the house, and he had a simple lunch laid out on the table. James ran up to him to show him his gifts, "I saw Father Christmas and he gave me this."

"That's very nice. Why don't you put it under the tree in the lounge?" Martin escorted James to the door and added, "And now go wash your hands in the lavatory."

"Okay, Daddy."

Louisa removed her coat and hung it on the peg next to the back door and then followed James, "I'd better take his coat and then wash my hands as well. Be right back."

Martin had placed the meal he had prepared on the table and, as James and Louisa returned to the kitchen, he was putting glasses of milk on the table for both them, and a glass of water for himself.

"This is quite a substantial meal you have prepared for us", Louisa commented as she looked down at the hearty bowl of vegetable soup and the turkey sandwich on whole meal bread sitting on the table in front of her.

"Yes. I thought you might be hungry. If we are going to Hightrees, we won't be back for me to prepare our evening meal until half six. I thought an optimally nutritious meal with a full portion of protein would help to tide us over until supper is ready."

Louisa had eaten a spoonful of the soup while he was speaking, "This soup is delicious."

"Mmm… yes."

Louisa turned to James, "What do you think James. Isn't the soup good?" Despite his cup of hot chocolate, James had been hungry and had eaten almost all of his soup. He lifted up his bowl, "Yes. It's good. More please?"

"You may have more soup, but you need to eat your sandwich first," Martin wanted James to consume some of the protein in the sandwich.

"Okay." James took a big bite out of his sandwich and chewed rapidly, then tried to swallow, but began to choke. He began to cough and started to gasp unsuccessfully for air, struggling to breathe. Louisa stood up and shouted his name as she moved to his side of the table, but Martin was already there, standing behind James with his arms around his son's chest pressing forcefully until the half-masticated sandwich shot out onto the table.

James took a big breath and began to cry clutching Martin around the shoulders sobbing almost uncontrollably. Martin clasped him to his chest and patted his back, whispering, "There, there. You're going to be alright."

Louisa came and stood behind James and began to gently rub his back in soothing circles. She looked up at Martin, "He will be fine, won't he?"

"Yes. He's just scared."

James slowly regained his composure and when Martin was certain that he was feeling better, he lifted his head off his shoulder and asked him if he was ready to finish his meal. James shook his head, "I'm not hungry anymore."

Martin put him in his chair, "That's fine, but I want to keep an eye on you for a few minutes. Sit here and rest and drink your milk."

When Louisa and Martin were close to finishing their lunch, Martin looked over to James, "I know that was frightening, wasn't it?"

James nodded his head yes, then took a gulp of air followed by a stifled sigh. He picked up his spoon and drew a circle around the remains of his sandwich. "I'm still hungry." Martin had cut his sandwich into quarters, four triangles, and there were three triangles remaining on his plate. James picked up one of the pieces and looked at it longingly. "Can I eat it?"

"Yes, you may. But take a small bite. Don't try to eat the whole thing in one bite. Before, you tried to eat a very big bite. There was too much food in your mouth and your throat wasn't big enough to swallow it, so it became stuck. It's important to eat small bites and chew your food thoroughly before you swallow. Do you understand?"

James nodded and took a very small bite of his sandwich and began to chew it. Martin commended him, saying, "Good. That's a good bite. Now chew it well and then swallow."

He observed James as he finished that first bite and then added, "Well done."

Louisa smiled at James, "I'm glad you are feeling better. You gave Daddy and me quite a fright. Daddy and I are nearly finished with our lunch. Why don't you eat a little more of your sandwich whilst we do the washing up and then we will go visit with Mr. Large. That will be fun, won't it?"

"Okay Mummy."

Louisa picked up her plate and glass and took it to the sink where Martin was rinsing his own dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. She leaned into him and whispered, "That was frightening. What would have happened if you hadn't been here?"

Martin looked up from the pan he was washing, "I'm sure you would have been able to dislodge the sandwich. Isn't that maneuver something all teachers need to know."

"Yeah, I guess. Still, what if it happens at school and the teacher doesn't notice."

"They will." Martin finished scrubbing the pan and started to rinse it. "Don't worry."

Louisa grimaced and sighed, "But I do. I do worry."

Martin gave her a sympathetic look and then returned to the washing up, "I know you do." He began to wipe down the counter, "Go get ready to leave. I will be finished here shortly."

To all my readers who have stuck with this story for as long as it has taken me to write it, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. May you find joy in the season, wherever it may be found, and I pray that all of you and all the world can find health and happiness in the new year. Doctor, Doctor will continue early in the New Year, as our little family continues to celebrate with the residents of Hightrees…. K