Chapter 100.
After the excitement of the earlier part of the week, routine matters took their attention. On Friday night, they travelled along to Wadebridge to go to the big supermarket. Louisa had decided she wanted to cook one of the more exotic recipes that Martin enjoyed. They looked at the choice of fish, but Martin suggested that Louisa should pick up some fresh fish from Eric's on Saturday morning. He pointed out several cuts of fish and explained just what to look for, to get a really good fillet.
They moved on to the vegetable section and picked out baby tomatoes, fresh herbs, spring onions, small new potatoes, lemon, lime, fresh parsley, carrots, oregano, aubergine and salad ingredients.
Moving on they also purchased a small loaf of sourdough bread, wholemeal bread, olive oil, white wine and then their usual household items such as milk, cereals, soaps and cleaners.
When they arrived home Louisa put the shopping away while Martin made a cup of tea. They sat together on the couch and Louisa asked Martin what they were going to make.
"A Mediterranean seafood dish. To be truthful it is not too complicated but it does taste delicious."
"Sounds good," she said. "Did I tell you about the time I made some monkfish niçoise?"
"I don't remember that? When did you do it?"
"It was after I bought my dress and you were coming to mine for dinner. I'd found the recipe online and it looked quite easy – to me, anyway. I got it all ready, with a well-presented table of crockery and condiments. The time ticked on and you didn't arrive. I got quite worried about it because normally you're very punctual. I thought about my phone and went to check for messages. I'd left it in my bag, consequently I hadn't heard it ring so I missed your text telling me you'd been called out!"
He looked sad, as he knew what it was like to cook for someone and not have them turn up. "I'm sorry, Louisa. Did it taste good?"
"Yes, it did, but I wasn't really in the mood for it and I just binned most of it."
"I'd like it if you would cook it for me again, er if you would?"
"If you're a good boy, I might."
"Hm. What constitutes a 'good boy'?"
She looked up at him. "I'll think of something!" she teased him.
"Oh well, carte blanche then!" He took both of their empty cups and put them on the coffee table. Then he proceeded to kiss her.
Louisa's eyes were smouldering as she looked up at him. "Well, that was a step in the right direction!"
Martin checked his watch, "Do you want any supper?"
"No, I'm happy to say, where we were going has stirred my appetite for something different."
Martin sucked in his breath. "Erm, I'll go and lock up."
Louisa went upstairs and was in the shower when he joined her. His warm hands enfolded her and he nuzzled in to her neck. She gave herself up to him and things progressed as you might imagine.
As he was making his breakfast the next morning, Martin mused on what constituted a 'good boy?" He certainly hoped he'd made a good start! He sat down to an egg with soldiers and slowly ate his way through it. His usual espresso made for a satisfying meal.
He rinsed off his plate and put the utensils with it into the dishwasher. Making his way into the surgery he picked up the letters from the front door. He scanned through them and found one from the shop from which he'd ordered the cog. He retreated to his desk and hastily opened the missive.
There was a small packet containing the requested cog. The letter explained that they'd had to order it which explained the slight delay in getting it to him. Martin looked wistfully at it and heartily wished there was no surgery this morning. Reluctantly he put the packet in the box, to await the time that he could concentrate more fully on repairing his clock.
Pauline's "Morning Doc," resounded from the reception area. He heard her go to the kitchen to make herself some coffee. As she came back, he asked her for his patient notes for the morning.
She got up, went to the filing cabinet and took out the requisite folders. "There you go, Doc. So far, we've only got seven coming in."
He looked at her in some surprise. "Really? Well I'll hope that no plagues suddenly appear then. A light day would be extremely welcome."
"Does that mean I can go early? That would be cool."
"Let's see who comes in first, before we make plans for an early finish."
Martin began reading through the notes of his patients.
"First patient!" yelled Martin.
An old man shuffled through the door. "Mr Davies?" asked Martin.
When the man nodded, Martin indicated the chair for him to sit down. "What seems to be the matter?"
"I've got pains, in my feet. Excruciating they are. I took tablets, but they're not doing any good. The pain doesn't go."
"Can you take off your shoes and socks for me, and get up on the couch?"
Slowly the old man got ready and then shuffled across to the couch. Carefully he managed to climb up. He lay back and extended his feet so that Martin could inspect them.
Martin put on his blue surgical gloves before gently touching the swollen big toe joint. "Is the pain centred here, or elsewhere?"
"Yes, it's mainly there. It's worse at night when I'm in bed." Explained Mr Davies.
The joint was swollen on both feet and very red-looking.
"How old are you, Mr Davies?"
"59, I'll be 60 in August."
Martin was surprised. The man appeared to be so much older than that. "How long have you had this pain?"
"It started about 18 months ago, Doc. I woke up one night and it was there. I tried painkillers and it went away. A couple of months later it came back. Same thing happened over the next six months, but since then it's just been non-stop. Now I can't bear to have the blankets on my feet."
"Have you pain anywhere else?" Martin enquired.
"No Doc. I just feel tired all the time."
"Sit back whilst I listen to your chest." He placed his stethoscope on Davies' chest and listened intently. There didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary. "Can you tell me what food you eat, in the main?"
"I'm partial to meat, Doc. Beef, liver, kidney pie. Sometimes I eat fish, but that's mainly shrimps."
"What about vegetables?"
"Oh, potatoes with me dinners, occasionally carrots as well. Yorkshire puddings with the beef, and onion with the liver."
Listening to the man's diet, Martin could see that it was very restricted and didn't contain anywhere near enough fresh vegetables, and too much meat. "Do you drink a lot?"
"No Doc. One or two pints on a Saturday night, when me an' the missus go to the pub, but that's all."
"Hm. I'll take a blood sample and get it sent off for analysis. In the meantime I suggest you take ibuprofen tablets for the pain, and increase your vegetable intake. Cut down on the offal as well."
When he saw Mr Davies look puzzled, he clarified, "Liver and kidneys."
"Oh, but they're me favourites, Doc."
"Well you can continue with the pain or do something to lessen it. Your choice."
"What do you think it is, Doc?"
"I suspect it's gout but the blood test will show if you have increased levels of uric acid. If you have, it is likely that it is crystallizing in your toe joints and that's what is causing the pain. However I can't be certain that it is not something else leading to these symptoms. I'd like the results of the blood test first before I send you for an X-Ray. Make an appointment for next Friday, and I'll discuss it with you then."
"I work all week, Doc. Can I come next Saturday morning?"
"Yes."
Mr Davies got slowly to his feet and left the room. "Next patient," called Martin.
And so it went on. Eventually all the patients had been seen and Martin sat composing his notice to announce the Saturday closing times.
Important Notice
Please note that as from June 4th, this surgery will close on the first and third Saturday of each month.
If you are ill, medical assistance can be obtained by calling 111.
In an EMERGENCY call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Dr M Ellingham BM, FRCS, GP
He then printed several copies, giving one to Pauline.
"What? What's this Doc?"
"I'd have thought it was obvious Pauline. The surgery will be closed on two Saturdays in the month, beginning in June."
"But what about my pay? You can't do this!"
"I can and I have. It's been cleared by Chris Parsons of the PCT in Truro. As for your wages, they will be paid as usual."
It took several moments before Pauline worked out that she'd actually gained a day's holiday per month, and would not have to come into work, but she wouldn't lose any pay.
"Oh! Oh, thanks Doc!" She couldn't wait to tell Al. Once all the filing had been done, she was out of the door as quickly as she could, racing as fast as her shoes would allow, down the hill.
Martin sighed. He didn't think it would be long before the first protester called. However he was determined to get his family time, and as Chris had okayed it, there was nothing anyone could do.
He went into the kitchen to greet Louisa.
"Hi Martin, salad sandwiches for lunch. Is that, OK?"
Going across to her he kissed her lightly, "Fine. What do you think of this?" He put a copy of the notice in her hand.
She quickly scanned it, and then smiled. "Hello hullabaloo."
"Yes, I gave a copy to Pauline and she practically flew down the hill to tell Al. Of course I'd cleared it with Chris that she would be paid her normal wages for those weeks and it took her a moment to realise that she'd be gaining a day's pay, in effect."
"Smart thinking, Dr Ellingham."
"It was, wasn't it?" he smirked. "I'll put a copy in the surgery window and then we can have a walk around to put copies up in strategic places around the village."
"Did you go for the fish, Louisa?"
"I did indeed. I got a selection of different sorts. I thought pollock would be a change from our usual purchases, but I got the normal monkfish, cod, salmon etc. I kept the pollock out, the rest are in the freezer."
While they ate their meal, Louisa mentioned several of the people she'd met on her shopping trip. "None of them mentioned any salacious news concerning you-know-who. Mind you, they might be wary of talking to me. We'll see if Joan hears anything."
"Did I tell you that the cog for my clock arrived, this morning?" Martin looked quizzically at her.
She glanced across and saw the almost pleading look he had on. "I suppose you want to go and try it out, then?"
Martin ducked his head, "Ah yes, that would be good. Erm, fine."
"Does this recipe you are going to show me take a long time to cook?"
"Actually it is quite a quick dish to make. The fish only cooks for about 20 minutes," he told her.
"Well, if you drop me off at the library, I'll change my books and walk back home. Then I'll have a nap and be ready to learn. Meanwhile you can have a couple of hours to yourself. How does that sound?"
Martin smiled, "You know I love you, don't you?"
Louisa gathered her books together while Martin washed up, then they proceeded to the library. She kissed his cheek and went off happily to change her books.
He was soon back in the consulting room and busy with taking apart the clock, to try out the new piece.
After changing her books Louisa was going to set off for home again, when Joan bustled in.
"Oh! Hello Louisa. I didn't know you would be here. Do you fancy a cup of tea and a cake at the café? We could go together, once I've got my books?"
Louisa grinned. "That sounds like just my sort of assignation. I'll wait outside on the seat for you to finish."
Before long, Joan was outside with her books and they were rattling down the hill in her truck.