Chapter 43

Happy New Year to all from snowy northern Virginia. May all of you have a safe, happy, healthy, and prosperous 2022.

The Ellingham family arrived at Hightrees mid-afternoon. Christmas Eve was a busy day at the care centre with many families making a special trip to see their loved ones, wishing them a happy holiday and carrying gifts to brighten the long winter days ahead. Martin dropped off Louisa and James at the entrance and then headed for the car park. The two of them entered through the doors to find a large Christmas tree just inside and holiday tunes playing in the background. They stopped to admire the decorations before searching out Bert.

One of the staff was sitting at a desk with a sign that read "Information." There was a name plate identifying her as Mrs. Trelights, and her desk was cluttered with all sorts of holiday decorations including a candy jar shaped like a Christmas tree filled with assorted candies inside.

Louisa grinned down at James and asked, "Do you want to tell this nice lady, Mrs. Trelights, who we have come to see?"

James grinned, "Yes. We want to see Mr. Large."

She grinned back at James andraised her finger, "Of course. I will just check my list and let you know where he is right now." She turned to a binder on her desk and flipped a few pages. "Only take a sec."

James was leaning against the desk, his head resting on his hands, contemplating an elf sitting next to the candy jar as well as the candy inside the jar. He slid his hands along the edge of the desk while staring longingly at the candy jar. Mrs. Trelights looked up from her list, "Mr. Bert Large? Is that the name of your friend?"

Louisa could see that James was distracted and she responded in the affirmative.

"This time of day, you should be able to find him in the solarium." She pointed down a hallway and said, "Go down to the end of this hall and turn right. You can't miss it." She lifted the top off the candy jar and held it out to James, "Would you like a piece of holiday candy?"

James reached out and then hesitated and looked up to his mother. "May I?"

Louisa hesitated a moment. She knew Martin would have said "absolutely not" without even considering it, but James was being so good. She felt his good manners deserved a reward. She gently shook her head in the affirmative, "Yes James, you may, but just one piece."

James peered into the jar and examined two or three different pieces and then took one. Remembering his manners, he looked up at the woman behind the desk, "Thank you Mrs. Tree Lights."

Mrs. Trelights smiled at his use of her name, 'You're very welcome, James. Have a nice visit with Mr. Large. I'm sure he will be glad to see you."

Louisa readjusted her purse over her shoulder and shifted the small gift bag she had brought for Bert from her left to her right hand. "Thank you as well Mrs. Trelights. You have been very helpful. My husband is parking the car. Would you point him in the right direction when he comes in. He's a tall man, short hair, dressed in a suit."

"Oh … Dr. Ellingham?"

Louisa gave her a questioning look, "Why yes. How did you guess?"

"He has frequently attended many of our residents, and he is the only man I know who wears a suit these days. Don't see him much anymore, now that that nice Dr. Chen has taken over his practice. Lovely man."

Louisa took her remark to mean that Martin wasn't a lovely man, but she decided not to take the bait. She stood up straight and looked down her nose at Mrs. Trelights, "Yes. Dr. Chen is a kind man. We enjoy having him and his family in the village."

She nodded her head as if to agree and added thoughtfully, "Come to think of it, Dr. Chen wears a suit as well … must be a doctor thing."

Taking James' hand she stepped back from the desk, "Come James, let's go find Mr. Large." She nodded to Mrs. Trelights, "Good day."

As they walked down the hall towards the solarium, they passed administrative offices and a few resident rooms. The hall was tastefully decorated with artificial greenery and fairy lights. James was fascinated by all the decorations. It was the first Christmas that they had actually taken him out to see the displays and he was enchanted by all that he had seen so far. It was only a short walk before they were in the solarium, a large sunny warm room bordered on three sides with floor to ceiling windows with skylights letting in even more sunlight. Another giant Christmas tree towered over the middle of the room, and there were poinsettias tucked into every corner. It was obvious to Louisa that Hightrees had gone all out for the holidays to make the home as cheerful as possible for the residents. As she and James stood entranced, gazing at all the sights, a voice called out, "Louiser, Louiser."

It was Bert pulling her out of her reverie. He was sitting in an easy chair that was part of a seating area next to the fireplace. As she walked over to greet him, he pulled himself up out of the chair and reached to give her a hug, then held her at arms-length, "Look at you, my lover. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

He patted her belly in a gentle paternal manner and looked up at her through shaded eyes, raising his eyebrows. "When is that baby going to make an appearance?"

If anyone other than Martin had touched her in so familiar a manner, she would have taken offense, but Bert was almost a father to her and she smiled at his affectionate gesture, for that is what it was, "Still have another month to go." She leaned in close to him, "To tell the truth, I'm hoping this one will come early just like James."

Bert sat back down, "Well, as I always say, got to go with the flow. Baby will come when it's good and ready. What do you think James? Are you ready for a new brother or sister?"

Surprisingly, no one had asked James this question up to now and he wasn't sure how to answer. "I don't know," he responded quietly. His Mum and Dad didn't talk much about a new brother or sister. He tilted his head and looked up at his Mum with a question on his face. She was rubbing her stomach in circles and he wondered if Bert was right. Would he have a new brother or sister? How would they find one and when would he come; he decided he should ask Mummy if it was true, maybe when they got home.

Bert persisted, "Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to play with? Al always wanted a brother or sister, but it wasn't meant to be." Bert turned sentimental and a bit sad. "My Mary left us before we could have another. Saddest day of my life."

Louisa pulled up a chair and sat down across from him, placing her hand gently on his knee, "I'm so sorry Bert. I didn't mean to upset you. I know you have always missed her."

She pulled James towards her, "It's warm in here, isn't it James? Let's take off your coat." She unzipped his coat and placed it next to her on the chair while James leaned against her knee. She turned back to Bert, "I was too young to know her, but I have heard she was a lovely woman. And Al is a good son. You did a good job raising him."

"He is a good boy. I've been telling him and Morwenna not to wait too long. I'd love a grandchild."

"I'm sure they will have children when they think the time is right." Louisa leaned over and picked up the bag she brought for Bert, "I brought you a present." She handed the bag to him and he pulled out a small saffron cake, one of the cakes she had bought just that morning. "Oh, ho! Does the Doc know about this?"

"Yes. We are having one of these cakes for our pudding this evening, and he approved. It's low in fat and sugar, but it's delicious. I think you will like it. Just don't eat it all at once." She leaned back in her chair and smiled at him with affection, "By the way, you look great. Martin will be pleased to see you in good health."

"Speaking of … where is the Doc?" Bert looked all around the room, "He didn't make you drive over here all by yourself, did he?"

"No. He had to park the car. I don't know where he is. It shouldn't have taken this long."

They continued their visit with James telling Bert about the arrival of Father Christmas earlier that afternoon. "He came on a motorboat. Brbrbr" James mimed the action and sound of driving the motorboat. "Brbrbr."

Bert chuckled, "Did he now? Was it exciting? And did he give out presents?"

"Yes. Mine is at home. I have to wait till tomorrow."

"That's always been the rule." Bert looked sad as he contemplated all the ways his life had changed. He leaned over to whisper in Louisa's ear, "I aways told the children the same. Didn't want the children comparing what Father Christmas gave to each of them."

Bert looked up to see Martin marching into the room and caught his eye, "We was wondering where you were Doc."

"Where did you have to park?" Louisa couldn't imagine the car park being crowded despite the number of families visiting on Christmas Eve.

"The car park. Unfortunately, Mr. Routledge saw me as I was walking through the hall and wanted a consultation," Martin grumbled as he recalled the man calling him from down the hall.

"Doc, Doc." Martin had turned and looked in disgust as Mr. Routledge hobbled towards him, holding on to his walking frame for dear life. He had had a hip replacement after his fall before James was born and was moved to Hightrees for rehabilitation, but he had made little progress. It was determined that he was unable to care for himself in his own home, and he now resided in the long-term section of the nursing home. Mr. Routledge managed to scoot up beside Martin and moaned, "Can you take a look at my shoulder Doc? I can barely move it."

"Mr. Routledge, I am not here in a professional capacity, and you are no longer my patient. I believe Dr. Chen holds regular hours here one afternoon a week. Make an appointment to see him."

"He's no good Doc," Mr. Routledge whined. "He wrote a prescription for some paracetamol and physical therapy. Just makes it worse."

"Dr. Chen is an excellent physician and that's standard treatment for a frozen shoulder. Are you doing the exercises they recommend between sessions?"

"Naw … too painful. I thought you could give me something stronger for the pain."

Martin huffed at the man, "If you aren't willing to do the work your therapist gives you, then you won't improve. It's up to you. Make an appointment with Dr. Chen and discuss it with him. Good day."

Martin shook his head to clear the image of Mr. Routledge from his head. Louisa looked at him quizzically. She had forgotten all about Mr. Routledge after he had vacated his house. "Oh. I haven't seen him since he fell over your doctor's bag and broke his hip. How is he?"

"Annoying… still a mentally deranged time-waster. None of these people have any respect for my personal time."

Louisa rolled her eyes; Martin had no patience for many of his old patients, and she changed the subject. "Right … We've been talking with Bert. Doesn't he look great?"

"Hello Bert. Yes. You look much improved from our last meeting. Keeping to the diet and physical therapy?"

"Not like I have a choice Doc. They keep the snacks locked up tight, dole them out like they was gold."

"Good. And exercise. Are they keeping you active?"

"Round us up after breakfast every day for a walk 'round the gym, exercycle in the afternoon." He dropped his chins onto his chest and looked up at Martin in disgust, "Happy?"

"Yes. It's doing you a world of good. You don't want another heart attack."

"When do you think I can go home?"

Martin raised his eyebrows sceptically. "Do you think you can keep up the diet and exercise at home?"

Bert shook his head in dismay, "It's awful hard Doc."

"Yes, it is. But it's either that or die. Your choice."

Bert looked back at Martin in disgust, "You never was one to sugar-coat it, were you Doc?"

Martin had already turned his attention away from Bert and was looking around for James who had wandered off to gaze at the decorations on the tree, "Perhaps we should take James home. It's been a busy day."

"I'd like to visit with Bert a bit longer. Why don't you go and keep an eye on James, examine some of the decorations?"

"Yes."

Louisa and Bert watched as Martin went over to James and crouched down to his level as he and James admired the many ornaments on the tree.

"That's a good man you have there Louiser, a grumpy old sod, but a good man."

"Yes, he is. And a wonderful father."

With Martin off with James, Louisa and Bert were free to engage in some village gossip. Bert seemed to know more about the villager's lives now that he was here at Hightrees than she knew while actually living in the village, and the two of them had a good laugh at some of the villagers' antics. Bert was full of stories about the Hightrees residents as well, "You wouldn't believe what some of these old codgers get up to." He told stories of old men wandering the halls at night, hiding from the nurses in order to slip into the room of this lady friend or that, and efforts by some of his friends to break into the snack cupboard, which was rarely successful, and on and on."

It had been a while since Louisa had laughed so hard and she was enjoying the visit when she heard someone come up to them and say her name, "Lou?"

She looked up in surprise to see Danny standing over her with his mother next to him. "Lou, it's so good to see you. I wasn't expecting to see you here today."

"Hello Danny, Mrs. Steele. How lovely to see you. How've you been?"

Danny noticed how she was nervously rubbing her belly and it hit him, "You're pregnant!"

She smiled gently, "Yes. Yes I am."

Danny turned to his mother and chided her, "Why didn't you tell me Louisa was pregnant."

Muriel shook her head and rolled her eyes, "It just never came up. You always have so much news when you call that I can't get a word in edgewise."

"But this is big news!" He turned to Louisa, "Is Martin still in the picture. Last time I was here, you two weren't living together. I thought it was over."

"Yes. Martin and I have worked through our differences and we are quite happy now. We've moved out of the surgery to a new home, more room for the children. Things are good."She beamed up at him to reinforce how happy she was with Martin.

Muriel was glancing around the room as Louisa and Danny were chatting, and she saw Martin holding James up to examine one of the ornaments on the tree, "Well! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes. Little Marty is interacting with his son. If only Joan could have lived long enough to see this. She would have been overjoyed."

Louisa glanced over to see her husband and son, and she sighed, "Yes. We were both saddened to lose her. Martin misses her every day, and she would have loved James and the new baby as well when it arrives."

As if he sensed that someone was talking about him, Martin turned toward Bert's chair to see not only Bert and Louisa staring at him, but also Danny and his mother. Instinctively he furrowed his brow into a frown. He and James had been having a pleasant discussion about the various tree ornaments, the toy soldiers, the nut crackers, the angels, and the musical instruments, especially the horns. Over the past several years, he had discovered that he enjoyed the company of his son more than he would have expected. James was always curious and Martin had learned to answer his questions in a simple manner that satisfied both James' curiosity and his own need to confer knowledge.

But now that architect had intruded on their father-son moment. Martin decided to ignore the Steeles and turned back to James, "What other ornaments can we find on this tree, James."

"Look at this red bird in a nest. It's pretty."

"Yes," Martin responded, "I believe it is a cardinal. They live in North America. Let's look for some other birds."

He and James wandered around the tree looking for the various birds represented in the ornaments, a robin, a goldfinch, a siskin, and several other birds.

"Martin?" Danny had wandered over to speak with Martin, "Hello James. Are you having a good Christmas?"

James tucked his head into Martin's neck and looked out, responding "Yes."

"That's good. Are you excited for Father Christmas to come visit at your house tonight?"

Again, he responded, "Yes."

James was still feeling shy, but the mention of Father Christmas reminded him of earlier in the day, and he felt the need to tell this friend of his mother about it. "I saw Father Christmas in the village. He rode a motorboat and gave us presents."

"That sounds special. What did he bring for you?"

James shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I can open it tomorrow."

"it's hard to wait, isn't it?"

James nodded his head slightly in agreement.

Danny smiled at him and looked back at Bert and Louisa who were chatting amiably with another resident of the home, and he turned to Martin. "Louisa tells me that you two have resolved your differences and are now living together again. You're lucky that she took you back, although she does seem happy."

Martin glared at him, "Not that it is any of your business."

Danny heaved his shoulders in a grand sigh, "That's what you'd like to think, but as she is one of my oldest friends, I am overjoyed to see her so content, to see her sparkling and happy."

Martin tucked his chin into his neck and replied cautiously, "Yes." There was something in Danny's tone; what was this twit about?

"And another baby. I'm surprised that you agreed to have another child." Danny leaned in closer to Martin and in a low voice, shared another thought that had just occurred to him, "Or is this pregnancy an accident like the first?"

What an arse this man was, and Martin scowled at him; if looks could kill, Danny's body would be lying lifeless on the floor. Martin smiled to himself at that image, but immediately returned to reality. Danny's remark was beyond tasteless, but he wasn't going to dignify his remark with a response.

The life that he and Louisa shared was really none of Danny's business. Why would he imply that Martin wouldn't agree to another child? What kind of man did Danny think he was? He put James down on his feet and took his hand, planning to return to Louisa's side and suggest they leave. When he stood up taller, he noticed Danny still standing near, gazing at Louisa with a look of longing on his face as if he were besotted and burbling on, "Pregnancy does suit her though. Just look at her. She is radiant."

Martin glowered at the man, then turned his gaze on his wife, and sighed. He couldn't agree more with Danny's assessment. She was beaming at another one of the residents. Martin knew that he was the one who had made her happy and that knowledge warmed his soul. Today she was radiant; it was a perfect word to describe her. His face softened as he replied, "Yes. She is radiant."