Chapter 9

Being Saturday Louisa had a sleep in while Martin got ready for morning surgery. He left a dry cracker and a glass of water on her bedside cabinet. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand before going to begin his day.

A while later Louisa woke to see the biscuit and water waiting for her. She smiled and gave thanks for thoughtful husbands. She didn't feel so queasy this morning, but ate the cracker anyway. Her morning ablutions passed without incident and she was soon making her cereal for breakfast. Looking out of the window as she waited for the kettle to boil, she smiled as Joan came by with some vegetables.

"Morning Louisa. How are things?" asked Joan, negotiating her way to the table.

"Good, do you want a cuppa, Joan?"

"Sorry Louisa, not got time just now. More of these to deliver. Why don't you and Martin pop over this afternoon for a cup of tea and slice of information?"

Louisa laughed and said she'd see if Martin had any other plans. "What time, if we are coming?"

"Three-ish, phone me if you can't come."

"OK, hope to see you then."

As Joan disappeared again Louisa looked at the washing and decided she'd better do some. More cleaning then claimed her attention and she'd done a fair bit when Martin came for his elevenses.

"Hi Martin, Joan popped in earlier. She asked if we want to go up to the farm for a cup of tea? "

Martin frowned but as he didn't have anything else planned, he acquiesced reluctantly.

"Might be a good idea to let Joan know the news, but to keep it under her hat?"

"I thought you didn't want to share it, Louisa?"

"Joan's family, Martin, so I didn't want to exclude her."

"Hmm – we'll talk later, I've only got a few more patients to see, so might get finished by midday, today. Of course, now I've tempted fate…." Martin rinsed his cup and put it in the dishwasher. He kissed Louisa briefly and then went back to the surgery.

Louisa went back upstairs and reviewed her wardrobe. Some of her clothes were of the close-fitting type and she knew she wouldn't be able to get into them early next year. She re-arranged her wardrobe so that she could wear them more often in the run-up to Christmas.

As predicted Martin was finished by midday and walked into the kitchen to prepare a light lunch. He laid out some soup and accompanied it with the crusty bread. Fresh fruit to follow, he thought. He called out to Louisa that it was ready and then sat down. He was about to take his first sip of soup when he realised that Louisa wasn't coming down the stairs. Quietly he went up to see what she was doing. Opening the door, he saw her fast asleep on top of the bed. A small smile lit his face and he went over to her side of the bed. He stroked her hair and kissed her cheek. "Louisa" he said softly, "lunch time."

She awoke with a smile and said "a handsome Prince has just awakened me." Martin looked askance but then got the reference.

"Ah, yes. I've made some soup, are you coming?"

"What time is it?"

"One o'clock. Have you had a good nap?"

"Yes – longer than I'd intended. You go down and start yours, I won't be long."

Joining Martin at the table she said, "When Joan came, she didn't have time for tea, but said she hoped to see us later today. We can tell her our good news, I'm sure she'll understand the need to keep it quiet."

They drove out to Haven Hurst Farm, where Joan had afternoon tea ready.

"Hello, you two. Glad you could come. Here Louisa, have a seat. Now tell me, where did you go on your honeymoon? Did you have a good time?" the questions rattled from Joan as she poured out the tea.

Louisa told her about the cottage at Luxulyan and also why they'd decided not to go abroad. Joan nodded and glanced at Martin from time to time.

"Have a scone, Martin, there's cream and jam to go with them." Martin declined with his usual disclaimer of empty calories and unnecessary fats. Joan just shrugged, well used to his excuses.

"Anything happen while we were away?" he asked.

"No, but I got Phil Pratt to look after my sheep alongside his. That will mean I have less to think about until after shearing." Joan was approaching her mid 60's and as far as Martin was concerned, should be taking it more easily than she was.

"I thought you and he didn't get on so well?" Martin queried her.

"Well, as you know, when Mary died things were strained, but since his new partner has moved in and all the gossip has died down, he's mellowed a bit. We're not exactly bosom buddies, however he's a lot less surly than he used to be."

Martin nodded, and shuddered as he recalled the nasty accident on Pratt's farm which resulted in a bloody mess and potentially the loss of Pratt's leg. Happily, for all concerned, prompt administration of antibiotics saved him from losing it.

Louisa had finished her cake and scones, quelling Martin's disapproving looks by saying it was a "once-in-a-while, treat."

"Joan, we've got some news for you," began Louisa.

"Oh, are you moving house? I did think the surgery wouldn't be suitable for you Martin, now you are married..." Joan swiftly said.

"No, no Joan. That's not the news." Louisa looked at Martin but it was obvious that he wouldn't be saying much. Taking a deep breath, she announced "We had it confirmed yesterday by Doctor Lewis, in Wadebridge, I'm pregnant."

Joan was at first flabbergasted and her eyes grew round. "Pregnant! Well, I never. Oh, congratulations Martin, Louisa. Tell me, when is it due?"

Louisa told her that it was due in July and that she was just over two months gone. "The thing is, Joan, we'd like to keep it quiet until I'm more than three months. You do understand, don't you?"

"Your being family, is why we've told you. We hoped you would become Granny Joan to it as neither of us is in touch with our parents." Louisa expanded her explanation.

Joan's eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip quivered. "Thank you, both of you. This is the most wonderful news I've had in a long time. I totally understand your desire to say nothing at the moment. Marty, how do you feel about it?" She looked over at him.

"I was surprised at first, Auntie Joan, but now I'm coming around to the idea that I shall be a father as well as a husband. These are things I didn't think would ever be." He quietly said.

Joan smiled at him lovingly. "I should offer you both some of my best sherry to toast the baby, but I suppose the pair of you are teetotal now?"

Louisa laughed. "Yes, we went for a celebratory meal last night and I almost ordered a drink until reality took over."

Martin said, "you know Louisa, alcohol isn't good for developing foetuses. Studies have shown..." Louisa frowned at him and he ducked his head and said "Yess."

"Do you know whether it will be a boy or a girl, yet? I know they can tell these things beforehand, now."

"We've decided to wait until it's born. We wanted time to appreciate the possibilities." Louisa explained. "Of course, if we see on one of the scans just which one it is, we will be OK with that too." She reached into her bag and took out her copy of the first scan. "Look, here it is on this scan."

Joan went and got her spectacles before studying the grainy picture. "Where exactly is it?"

Martin turned the photo and pointed out the shape as well as a slightly darker mass which was the heart.

Joan turned a teary gaze onto him "Marty, I couldn't be happier for you both." She reached across and gave him a hug.

Martin, uncomfortable with this blatant show of emotion, cleared his throat and said to Louisa "I'm afraid it's time we left. You will be OK with this won't you Auntie Joan?"

"As they stood at the door to go, Joan hugged Louisa "Thank you, my dear. You've made two people very happy. If you need anything, just let me know and I'll help if I can."

At this point Louisa herself was beginning to be teary. Martin ushered her out to the car and Joan watched as he pulled away along the drive.