Chapter 16

The surgery was quiet when Martin entered and he went straight to the office to write up his notes. As usual he re-packed his bag and went back to the kitchen for some water. Sitting at the table he bowed his head and thought about the stupidity of the young. That youth had cost a young girl her life and possibly caused his own disability for the foreseeable future. The occupants of the other car had been incredibly lucky to escape with such relatively minor injuries.

A soft footfall alerted him to Louisa coming in and looking up he saw her tender smile. "Do you want me to make you something, Martin?"

He shook his head and held up the water. "This will do, I'm ready for bed now."

Louisa nodded and went back upstairs. A short time later Martin sighed as he climbed in beside her. "Was it bad Martin?" she softly enquired. He nodded and stretched a long arm out to enfold her close. She held him and stroked his back. She knew better now than to question him about the accident, as he never discussed his patients. Feeling him relaxing she just lay next to him and they both drifted off to sleep.

Louisa was first up the next morning, making breakfast when Martin walked in. He still looked tired, to her, and she knew his sleep wasn't as deep as usual. "I'll finish my surgery and then I'll go to the hospital to check on my patients," he announced.

"Fine, I've got several things I want to do today." Louisa was determined to do as many of the chores as she could while he was busy elsewhere. She watched as he finished the toast and then moved off to his office.

After washing up she made a list of the shopping she required and then set off to the village.

Bert was plodding up the hill towards her as she made her way down. "Morning Louiser" he greeted her with his customary smile. "The Doc in?" "

"Yes Bert. Just waiting for you I think!" she joked. Louisa needed to visit the chemists for some mouthwash and decided to beard the dragon in her den first before doing the more pleasant shopping.

She opened the door and the cowbell jingled noisily. There were a few other customers waiting so Louisa picked up the mouthwash and waited her turn. "Morning Louisa, how are things with you today?" Mrs Lamb was, as usual, keen to ferret out any gossip which might be let slip.

"I'm fine, Mrs Lamb. How are you?" responded Louisa.

"Mustn't grumble" was Doreen Lamb's response.

The queue was swiftly dealt with by Mrs Tishell and then it was Louisa's turn. "I'll just have the mouthwash today, Mrs Tishell. Can you put it on Martin's personal account, please?"

"And how is the good doctor today? He must have been tired after dealing with that terrible accident?" Mrs Tishell too wanted any information she could get.

"Oh, you know Martin. Always puts his patients first. Thank you, Mrs Tishell, that is all I need today." So, saying, Louisa made her way out of the door. She could feel Sally's disapproving stare as she left.

Moving on she passed Joan who was making her vegetable deliveries. "Morning Louisa. How are you today?"

"I'm good, ready to face the housework when I get back!" she smiled.

Joan looked at her and warned her not to do too much. "How's that nephew of mine? Did he tell you he'd had to deal with a crash victim and a couple of other serious injuries last night?"

Louisa shook her head. "You know he doesn't discuss his patients, Joan. I could tell it wasn't good news, though. He looked shattered when he arrived home. He's off to the hospital this afternoon to check up on them."

"Yes, I know what you mean. I may have some spare veg left today. Do you want me to leave it in the kitchen?" Joan frequently left vegetables that she couldn't sell, for her and Martin.

"Yes please, Joan. Do you want to come down later for a cuppa and a cake?" Louisa invited the older woman. "Will 2:00p.m. be OK for you?" Joan agreed and they parted company. Louisa carried on towards the supermarket but stopped in at the bakery to get a couple of slices of their fruit gateau.

She walked on to the fishmonger's and decided to get some monkfish for tea that night. Martin needed some TLC and that would go a long way towards cheering him up. She smiled when she thought of how much he liked that particular fish.

She'd just stepped out of Eric's and nearly bumped into Joe Penhale. "Hello Joe. You're in a hurry today?"

"Got to see the Doc for his statement this morning. Nasty business it was last night. That young girl dying and the driver looked in a bad way too." Joe looked excited to be doing some 'proper' police work instead of the more humdrum work he usually dealt with. "Can't stop to chat, Louisa."

Louisa acknowledged his sentiments and waved goodbye before going to the store. She wandered around picking up various items thinking about what she'd heard this morning concerning the accident. How typical of Martin to keep all his emotions buttoned up and not share some of the stress with her. Knowing that Joan would undoubtedly leave plenty of fresh produce for them she selected salad and fruit to supplement her diet. Martin insisted she keep her vitamins and mineral requirements fully topped up. She gathered chicken fillets and some ham before going to the checkout.

The bags were a little heavy as she made her way back to the surgery when Al Large started to walk alongside her. "Hi Louiser. You want a hand with those bags? They look a bit heavy to me."

"I'm okay, and I don't want to take you out of your way." Louisa smiled at him.

"No problem, I'm off to see the Doc, myself." confessed Al.

"In that case, thank you very much" and handed Al the heaviest bags.