Chapter 10

It was a Sunday and it was going to be yet another beautiful, bright day in Portwenn. As the tide washed up against the edges of the village and as the birds started their day with a song, Martin lay next to Louisa just looking at her. He watched her calm, rhythmic breathing as she nested beneath the duvet. It looked almost as if she had a smile on her face. She looked lovely and peaceful and he was glad to see her in a deep sleep as he knew how hard that had been the last few weeks. But now, he was as confused as ever. He was leaving. He was leaving her behind as their relationship had ended, moving to a fresh start in Edinburgh, but he had just spent the night right next to her? He continued to gaze at her until that ever-annoying vibration frightened him back to reality. Who on earth would be calling him at this time of the morning on a Sunday? He fumbled his way over to his mobile and attempted to run down the stairs before it woke Louisa.

Louisa had vaguely heard some moving around but she was so blissfully relaxed in bed. She inhaled and smiled. What a lovely evening they had had together. They'd spent the evening chatting on the terrace before she took the chance. She was so glad that she did although she wondered where the courage came from! It was as if her mind and body completely relaxed just knowing that Martin was next to her. She had slept well and she felt so refreshed. She decided to go down to see what Martin was up to.

'Morning, Martin.' She smiled, 'You're up early.'

'Yes. I just received a phone call. How are you?' he felt nervous for some reason.

'I'm fine. Actually, I'm better than fine' she walked over to him and slowly put her arms around his neck, the way that she did. 'Who was the phone call from?'

'Arnold Barrett. My mentor and er, I will be meeting him this evening for dinner. He's in Cornwall'

'Oh' she said, she wasn't expecting that, 'Everything ok?'

'Er yes. Yes.' Martin was trying to avoid hurting her, especially after last night but he thought it be best to be straight with her. 'It looks like the Corporate induction has been forwarded slightly and that I'll be heading to Edinburgh soon.'

'Oh. How soon?'

'Tomorrow'.

Her heart sank, completely. She definitely wasn't expecting that. She slowly unravelled her hand from him and took a step back. She too, was so confused. Why was he doing this to her? She was millimetres away from tears. She felt let down but most of all, she felt as though she was letting her baby down. She was a grown woman who couldn't even hold together a relationship until her child was born. All this whizzed around in her mind all at once.

'So, is this how it's going to be, Martin?'

'What?'

'You and me. The baby. Are you going to every now and then, just tease us with a bit of affection and then just leave!?' she was sad and angry and frustrated.

'No. No, I didn't plan this, it ….' Martin was taken aback by her reaction, definitely hormonal Martin noted.

'Stop making excuses Martin!'

'I'm not. I'm just…' he didn't really know what to say. He understood. At least he thought he did, and he knew that she wasn't overreacting. Not really.

Martin felt sad underneath that exterior because Louisa was sad. And that's one thing he never wanted to see. She became tearful. And he never knew how to react to that.

'You're crying.'

'No I'm not. Martin, I'd like you to leave. Please. Sooner rather than later.'

'Oh. Why? Eer, no, I mean, yes. I'll attend my meeting and then I'll return to collect my things. Would that suit you?'

'Yes' she snuffled.

XXX

Whilst Joan was at Louisa's, as promised, to make her a good hearty Sunday dinner, Martin stared blankly out of the Castle Hotel window. All he could think about was how Louisa had looked that morning.

'You ok Ellingham? You seem a million miles away!'

'No, I'm fine, thank you. Please proceed.'

Dr. Arnold Barrett continued although Martin continued not to listen.

'….And so this is when we will review your progress and liaise with the flying pigs. You know the ones that fly over Launceston?'

Martin came back to earth '…What? Sorry. What?'

Arnold looked completely unimpressed. 'You're not listening. What's wrong Ellingham? Worried you've lost the city bug?'

'I have no idea what you're talking about.'

'Well, you have spent the last god knows how many years, in this shoe box. Can take a while to get back into the swing of things. Having second thoughts?'

'No! No, not at all. Please proceed. And try not to worry about bringing this 'show box' into the conversation.' Martin could also be curt, and was not amused at Arnold's attempts of trying to read his mind.

'Ok well, everything's set to go. We can fly you out by lunch time tomorrow. Are you ready?'

Just at that moment, the ringtone of his mobile screamed from within his suit pocket. He huffed. Why could he never get any peace? Arnold watched him carefully as Martin said nothing to the person on the phone but could see the colour drain from his face. He looked terrified.

'What is it Martin?'

Martin nervously swallowed a sip of water and stood up almost immediately 'Barrett, have you ever delivered a baby?'