Chapter 29
He entered the kitchen but Louisa was nowhere to be seen. After re-packing his bag, he went upstairs and found her in the bedroom brushing her hair. She'd already showered and was ready for bed.
"Hello, did you get finished at the Rix's?"
"Yes," he breathed thankfully.
"I decided I'd rather stay here than go to the Platt. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, I'm happier to be here with you. I'll just go and shower, too." He was soon finished and moving around the bed to get in his side.
She was reclining on the pillows watching him, carefully. "Well handsome, now that you're finally here, what are we going to do?"
The tone of her voice told him he was under consideration. Get this wrong and he'd be toast. Quickly he pulled off his pyjamas and climbed in alongside her. As he did so he noted the fact that she'd removed her nightdress.
"I'm told witches can make sparks fly, can they?"
"Let's find out, shall we?" She moved over to him and began to kiss him. Somewhere sparks were flying and not only on the Platt.
The next morning Louisa woke before Martin. When she looked at her clock, she saw it was her usual wake up time, but Martin had slept in. She went softly to the bathroom and got ready. He was still asleep and so she left him.
Downstairs she moved around quietly getting her breakfast ready and then beginning preparations for lunch with Joan. About an hour later movement upstairs alerted her that Martin was up and about. Consequently, his espresso machine was on, and the toast almost ready. When he came in, she went across to him and wished him a happy New Year.
Tenderly he pulled her into his arms and said "I love you, and the same to you, although I seem to recall we said it several times last night."
"We did? Gosh how time flies when you are enjoying yourself." She grinned up at him, "Thank you, for the fireworks." He blushed and went to get his coffee.
"What do you want on your toast? Did you remember Joan's coming for lunch?"
"Er marmalade, please, and yes I did recall the arrangement."
He finished his breakfast and went off to write up the notes from last night. His clock needed more attention and so he busied himself with that.
Louisa had made a thick vegetable soup, a lighter fish course and also a fruit jelly to finish. She was fairly sure Martin hadn't had a jelly for years. She had put plenty of fruit in his and the minimum of jelly, then topped all of them with a spoonful of double cream.
The soup was warming through when Joan popped her head in the door. "Happy New Year Louisa. This looks good," and waved her hand over the table.
"Thank you, Joan, and a Happy New Year to you too. I'll just go and get Martin. Once he gets in that study, he seems to lose all track of time."
"Martin, Joan's here and lunch is ready."
"I'll be right there, Louisa, after I've washed up."
After exchanging pleasantries, they sat down and enjoyed lunch together.
"Did you have many call outs then, Martin?" Joan enquired.
"Surprisingly I only had two and they were both finished with before midnight. We opted for an early night in case there were more, but thankfully no-one needed my medical skills."
"Doubtless your other skills were called into play, then?" Joan said mischievously.
She laughed when she saw his discomfort. "Only teasing Martin."
"When do you go back to school, Louisa?"
"Day after tomorrow. It's just as well that this will be a short week. I don't know where the time goes."
"If you think that now, wait until you've to look after the baby as well." Joan was very forthright in her views and she didn't altogether hold with Louisa going back to work so soon after the baby was born.
"Yes, January now, so only 6 months left to prepare for the arrival. Martin is going to get the boiler fixed and then we'll have to think about decorating the nursery."
He looked surprised at the news about decorating the baby's room.
When the jelly was served, he grimaced but ate it manfully without comment. Louisa smirked at Joan, unseen by Martin.
After having a cup of tea, Joan said she had to go back to the farm to make sure the animals were fed and secure in their pens.
When Louisa returned to the kitchen, Martin was still there. "I didn't know you wanted the little bedroom painted." He looked surprised.
"Surely you didn't think it was going to stay that hideous shade of green when Junior has arrived? It may be alright for your study, but in no way will it be used in the nursery!" She told him in no uncertain terms.
He held his hands up, "I'm sorry, it just didn't occur to me to think you didn't like it. You should have said. We could have lined up a painter to decorate. Are there any other rooms you would like to redo? Apart from my surgery, that is? In fact, I keep it that way because it leaves the patients more inclined not to linger!"
"Tell you what, we'll go into Wadebridge on Saturday after I've finished and get some paint swatches."
Louisa felt a fool not to have mentioned the colour of the house to Martin before, but with all that had happened since their marriage, somehow the topic hadn't cropped up. "Yes, I'd like that. Do you want to stick to paint only or would you like wallpaper in any of the rooms, Martin?"
"Either, whatever you want, Louisa. As long as it's quiet and tasteful. None of those garish colours which give a person a headache as soon as they walk in!"
When Martin was in his surgery the next day, Louisa took a good look at the colours on the walls of each room, trying to decide what she would like instead. The lounge carpet could do with replacing, but the lino in the kitchen was not too shabby and would need to be cleaned often once Junior had put in an appearance.
For Junior's room, something neutral so that they could bring more vivid colours in with curtains and cushions. She was undecided about carpet or lino in there.
Their bedroom was of a more masculine décor, but if she changed the curtains to something lighter it would totally alter the whole ambience. She made a list of what changes she would like to see. Martin could add his tuppence worth when he'd reviewed it.
Having looked at the list, Martin suggested going with the easily cleaned flooring in the nursery. He was amenable to neutral walls and coloured highlights in curtains etc. In their room he quite liked the décor as it was. Louisa decided not to push it in order to win the war in the lounge.
Even Martin could see the logic of leaving the kitchen flooring. He agreed with the other changes in the lounge and Saturday afternoon found them in Wadebridge looking at paint samples and cards. The choices of neutral colours were much wider than either of them had thought. Louisa preferred the paler shades of yellow or peach, while Martin tended to favour the oatmeal/white options.
"Of course, Louisa, if we knew the actual sex of Junior, we could make a more informed choice." Martin with his logic, had cut to the crux of the problem.
"I know, but that's why we're sticking to more neutral colours, anyway."
At each shop they collected the cards to take home and study in the respective rooms. They called in at carpet shops as well to see if any of the carpets/lino's went with any of their paint samples. Eventually with heads buzzing with ideas and samples they decided to stop for refreshments.
Over tea Martin asked "Is this all you want to do? Have you anything else you'd like to change?"
"Not at the moment, Martin. Once the boiler is fixed and the decorating done, I think it will be enough to be going on with. Obviously, we need to think about furniture, such as cot, baby bath, cupboard, changing mat, buggy, nappies, towels, all sorts of baby paraphernalia!"
Martin's head began to ache as he visualised the changes which would be required. He could see his precious peace and quiet slowly disappearing. He looked across at Louisa as she looked up and smiled at him. He decided he wouldn't really be bothered as long as this woman was safely in his life.
After their refreshments Louisa wanted to look for some new dresses which were not so figure hugging. They bought a couple and then she spotted some elasticated-waist trousers and bought some of those as well.
Martin purchased some new socks.
Finally, they decided to go home. On the way Martin asked if she knew a good gas-boiler repair man. (Not Bert!)
She thought about it. "There's Trevor Marshall from Bodmin. I've heard good reports about him."
"Andy George, also. I've never really needed one before, so I'm not that clued up on them. Aren't there any in the Yellow Pages you could contact?"
"Yes, I can do that, just wondered if you knew of any by reputation."
"What about decorators? Do you know of any of those? I imagine a few will live locally?"
Again, Louisa thought about it. "Harvey Grey is local, and I know he does a good job, because Pippa hired him to decorate their lounge. He did such a good job and so she got him to do the hall and staircase as well."
"OK, I'll look into those people and make sure they are qualified and insured. Then they can come and give us quotes for the work. How does that sound?"
"I could do some painting Martin. I've decorated my homes up to now."
"Oh, no you don't. I'm not having you going up ladders in your condition!" Martin looked horrified at the thought.
"Yes, Martin," was her meek reply.
When they got in, Louisa began to make tea while Martin looked up the suggested tradesmen in Yellow Pages, noting other locals as he went through the list. After they'd eaten, he set to and telephoned around. He arranged various appointment times for the following week, and said to Louisa that this was the first test. If any were late that would not count in their favour.
He and Louisa waited until Sunday to look at the various paint cards in daylight. Naturally their first go through ended up with both of them picking different colours which the other one couldn't agree to. They went back through them mentioning several alternatives and finally ended up with shades they could both agree with. Martin made a note of which paint was to go in each room, and which manufacturer could supply it.
As it was winter time, most of the tradesmen were very prompt. Both the gas-fitters recommended changing the boiler instead of repairing it, but when that option was denied, their quotes were taken and they were told they would be informed within a few days as to who had the job.
A similar routine was followed for the painter.
Louisa was soon back on track with the children, once the excitement of Christmas had faded from their memories. She was in two minds whether to apply for the job as headmistress, or stay at home and look after Junior. The headship had long been an ambition for her and giving it up would be extremely hard. However, being a Mum had also been a heartfelt wish and she was having great difficulty reconciling the two conflicting pictures of her future. She'd give it another week, and then make her mind up!
Martin had compared the quotes from the various tradesmen and picked Andy George and Harvey Grey respectively for the boiler and decorating. Andy was due to repair the boiler on the next Saturday. If all went well. Mr Grey would commence decorating on the following Tuesday.
That would mean that they would need to box things up and move what furniture they could to expedite the decorator's work.
All this was easier said than done, but with Martin's organisational skills the tasks were completed and Andy George managed to repair the boiler satisfactorily. Louisa was extremely glad for reliable central heating, at last!
The decorating in the lounge had been done and Harvey Grey was busy in the nursery.
They looked at the effect the new paint had had and both agreed it made the place more cheerful. Even Martin could see that!
At last, the decorating was complete. Louisa was delighted and said that they now had to looking for carpets and lino. Martin could see that they did, but was willing to wait for the next weekend.
Louisa was still no nearer deciding just what she wanted in terms of her future. She went from one extreme to the other in a matter of minutes. It began affecting her sleep and when for the second night in a row she disturbed Martin's sleep he began to be concerned.
"Louisa, Louisa, what's the matter? You're turning over and over. Are you alright?"
Louisa woke with a start. "What? Did I disturb you? Sorry, just having a nightmare I think." She glossed over what was troubling her.
When she got up and went downstairs, Martin had made their breakfast and was eating his. He waved to the pan where some porridge was keeping warm. She helped herself and sat down to face him. "I've been having trouble sleeping because I can't decide what to do about life after Junior's born. On the one hand I want to be a mother, and on the other I want the headship."
"The only way I can help you, Louisa, is by saying you ought to write down pros and cons of both jobs. Then when you've done that, make a decision. You know what I want you to do, but I'm not saying you have to do that. Only you can decide."
"Huh, thanks Martin. That's a big help." She was a bit sarcastic in her reply, but inwardly acknowledged that he was right. Only she could decide.
She washed her plates and left them to dry. Collecting her things, she kissed him and went to school.
Martin sighed. He desperately wanted her to stay at home with the baby, but knew he couldn't decide for her. She would be bound to resent him later, no matter what she felt now.