Chapter 2

Her hair dramatically danced behind her as the early morning breeze pushed its way into the village. Louisa stood in her dressing gown, on her terrace and could not remember the last time she felt this fresh. She smiled as she took in the view. Cornwall was so beautiful. She tried to absorb ever bit of the panoramic view in front of her and promised herself to never again, take it for granted. Right in the middle of this view was Martin, of course. Louisa could make out his espresso cup in one hand with the other held behind his back. He stood tall and solid, like a statue- she expected nothing else. He had no doubt, spotted her too.

They just looked at each other for a while; it was in these times that everything stood still and they both quietly wished that they could just talk. Talk without point-scoring, talk without losing one another's patience, talk without picking faults. Louisa gave him a smile and a small wave before heading in to get ready for the day.

Martin had of course spotted her. In return, he had given a 'sort of', forced smile. If it qualified as a smile? And gave her a little nod. He was glad he had managed to get a glimpse of her. It meant that it put his mind at ease. Well, for a few hours anyway. It meant that she was up and about, and generally ok. She looked fine from a distance; that would have to do for now. He turned back into the house where soon, the locals would be congregating. Oh God! Just a matter of time before they get wind of what's going on. He grunted.

XXX

'So you think I'm in with a chance?' Louisa worriedly asked Pippa.

'Yeah I'd say so. Not many folk want to travel to Portwenn for a part-time art teaching vacancy. Year 3 and all- rowdy bunch' She wickedly laughed.

'Mmm.' Louisa was tense.

'Oh don't worry, Lou! I'm sure you'll be fine, they'd be crazy not to have you back. What about Martin?' She loved a bit of gossip and was never too shy to prod.

'What about Martin? Everything is alright, isn't it?'

'Well, I mean, you know. He should be supporting you, Louisa. It takes two to tango!'

Louisa felt uncomfortable and didn't really want to talk about it. Especially not to Pippa; she'd not really discussed anything with Martin let alone anybody else.

'I tell you what, I'll finish off here this afternoon and then I'll head over there. To the surgery.'

'What?' Louisa dread to think what she was up to.

'I'll have a word or two for you. Doctor bleeding Ellingham in the medical healthcare profession. The only care he needs to be worried about is that to his partner and child. Over and out' With that, Pippa flounced off. When she had an idea, that was it- no swaying her. She had a duty to her friend and also, she secretly loved having an excuse to give Martin Ellingham a run for his money. Of course, it all came from a good place, she meant no harm really. But like so many others, she cared for Louisa and in her current situation, Pippa felt almost maternal towards her. Pippa wanted to help. However, Louisa was horrified of this idea and quickly jogged behind her.

'Eeer Pippa. I'm not his partner. Honestly, eer, it's fine. I'm actually going to speak to him myself. Pippa?'

On the other side of the puddle, Martin watched an elderly woman enter his consultation room. She had grey, permed hair, and walked with a frame. Probably for attention, he thought. 'What do you want?'

'And good morning to you, Doctor Ellingham. Fine day, don't you think so?'

Martin was agitated. 'Sit down here and tell me your symptoms. Fine day or not, no doubt you're going to spend the next fifteen minutes explaining your imaginary ailments to me.'

'Right so. The last few weeks doctor, I have been receiving eerr…..messages you could say.'

'What messages?'

'Well sort of, signs. Like something higher up is trying to get through to me. Tell me things. Help me to help you'

Martin looked Mrs. Jeffries straight in the eye. He was absolutely not in the mood.

'I went to bed last Tuesday. Hhmm or maybe last Wednesday? I lay for about five minutes…'

If Martin wasn't agitated before, he certainly was now. 'Listen to me, either you give me some factual information about your health that I can help with, or I will right now, refer you to the mental health team in Truro.' He wasn't messing around today, and it appeared to him, to fall completely on deaf ears.

'And then Doctor Ellingham…. Completely out of the blue, I sat bolt upright and said…'Louisa Glasson will return to the village!' and boom!'

Martin's eyes were wide with rage. How dare this woman waste valuable GP time and more so, how dare she mention Louisa.

Martin stood up and put Mrs. Jeffries walking frame infront of her. 'This consultation is over, Miss Meadows. Leave my surgery right now.'

Mrs. Jeffries quickly stood 'Yes but Doctor, that's all well but… the one thing I didn't see coming or receive any message about, was that baby. What do you say about that?'

'I say you're absolutely barking mad.'

XXX

Martin sat down to eat his fish and heavily sighed. It had been a long day and there seemed to be an undercurrent of speculation from all of his patients. With that, a knock on his back door.

'Martin. Oh you're already eating. I thought we were going to eat my chicken stew this evening?'

'Oh er yes. Sorry. I forgot. Er, sorry, Aunt Joan'

'Are you ok, Martin? You said 'sorry' twice in one sentence then.'

He did look out of sorts to her. But then, he had been since Louisa left. He was a closed book and she knew by now that trying to get him to talk would be like pulling teeth. Martin was just waiting for Joan to mention something. She must have heard by now.

'How was your day, Martin?' Joan smiled

'Nothing out of the ordinary really. Mmm.'

'You know I was delivering to Bert this morning. He's still owing me from last month might I add, but as I drove past the school, I could have sworn I saw Louisa walking in towards the main entrance.'

And there it was. Martin sighed again and put down his knife and fork.

'Well, we all miss her, don't we?' Joan continued.

'Louisa is back in the village'

Before Joan could even get a word in, Martin continued. 'She arrived back the day before yesterday and is trying for a job at the school. She is about 6 months pregnant with our baby and she doesn't want me involved. She had been renting her cottage out but has now moved back in which is where I assume, she will raise the child. That is all I Know…..

Any questions?'

XXX