Chapter 12

During the rest of the week Martin saw quite a number of his usual patients. Each one with depressingly routine symptoms of a fairly innocuous medical problem. "Why can't they wash their hands properly, or take all of their prescribed medicine?" he sneered. He groaned when Pauline called out that Mrs Rix had phoned in a request for a home visit.

"Did she say what the problem was, Pauline?"

"No Doc, just that Mr Rix was in pain and couldn't come to the surgery."

"All right. Rearrange the appointments for the next 5 patients, unless they have symptoms which mean they must be seen today." Martin gave Pauline the instructions as he checked his medical bag. He never knew with the Rix's just what "problem" might be presented.

Arriving at their house 10 minutes later he was shown into the lounge, where Eddie Rix was laid groaning on the sofa. "What is the problem, Mr Rix?"

"Ohh Doc. The pain in my belly is summat awful, I can't move," said Eddie.

Martin asked him to lay on his back and lower his trousers. Is this pain anything to do with your "activities", Mr Rix?

Eddie shook his head and groaned when Martin began to palpate his stomach and abdomen. Eddie felt hot to Martin's touch and as Martin pressed on the lower right quadrant of the body Eddie let out an agonised yelp. "Have you had diarrhoea or constipation? Any nausea?"

"I've had the runs Doc. Now you mention it I have been feeling sick, too." Eddie confirmed his symptoms.

Martin stood up and said he would call an ambulance straight away as he thought Eddie was suffering from appendicitis. He placed the call and was told the ambulance was on its way. Eddie paled and said "will this mean an operation, Doc?"

"I'm afraid so, Mr Rix. You're lucky it hasn't burst just yet, but if you don't have this seen to quickly you risk a lot of more serious complications."

"Mrs Rix can you get some things ready for a short stay in hospital, for your husband?"

She bustled off to get shaving kit, soap and flannel as well as some reading materials.

When the ambulance arrived, Mr Rix was loaded into it and the ambulance staff advised of the details of the patient. Mrs Rix opted to drive herself to Truro so that she could get home later.

"I'll be in touch with the hospital to see what progress you've made, Mr Rix" confirmed Martin and watched as the ambulance pulled away. He returned to the surgery to see his remaining patients.

As Martin was tidying his desk Pauline called through "Doc, can I have a couple of hours off on Thursday afternoon? I could leave at 3:00pm," she said hopefully.

"Why?" asked Martin, not one to mince words.

"The Christmas fair is on in Wadebridge and I can get some of my prezzies cheap-like."

Martin thought about it. If they closed early, perhaps he and Louisa could go to Truro to do some of their shopping and stay in a hotel overnight, returning early on Friday morning. "Yes, that will be fine," he told an astonished Pauline. She'd not been expecting that!

"Ohh, thanks Doc!" Pauline whizzed through the remaining tasks and shut the surgery door behind her, running quickly down the hill so that she could go and tell Al.

Martin walked into the kitchen and espied Louisa napping on the couch. She'd been quite tired by this time of the day, over the course of the last week. He walked quietly to the refrigerator to sort out their evening meal. Chicken fillets with steamed vegetables he decided and set to, to make it.

When the cooker beeped to signify the end of cooking time, the noise woke Louisa. "Oh Martin, I meant to do that." She apologised.

"It's nothing, you need the rest at the moment. Busy day?" he enquired.

She nodded and went on to tell him of the decorations the children had made and then decorating the hall.

Martin dished up the food and they sat down at the kitchen table to eat it. "Martin, this is lovely," Louisa complimented him.

"Yes. Louisa, Pauline asked for an early getaway on Thursday to do some shopping in Wadebridge. Would you like me to pick you up from school and we can go to Truro to do some of ours? Perhaps stay in an hotel before coming back early on Friday?" He waited for her to mull it over and saw her eyes begin to sparkle.

"That would be lovely, Martin. I'd like a change away from here for a night in a hotel. No cooking and pleasant company as well! What more could a girl ask?" she laughed. "I'd better start making my list of things to get."

Martin smiled and said he was going to read some of his BMJ's in the surgery. He liked peace and quiet while he read. Louisa put the dishes into the washer and picked up her pad to make the list out.

She'd put a number of things down on paper and then decided to do the marking of the children's work from school. With the Christmas preparations well underway this was not as long a chore as usual. Having finished that she went along to the surgery to see if Martin wanted some tea before bed.

"Just water, thank you," he replied.

She said she would do the same before heading off for a relaxing bath. When Martin came up, he found her brushing her long hair into shiny ringlets. Going over to her he kissed her bare shoulder and ran his hands down her arms. "I'm going for a shower. Won't be long," he promised.

Louisa was already in bed when he returned. He placed his slippers on the floor and his watch on the bedside cabinet. Reaching for the blankets he lifted them up to climb in and saw that she had removed her nightie. He didn't need any more encouragement than that.