Chapter 44
Martin had a restless night without Louisa alongside him. By 6:00a.m. he gave up and went for his shower. Breakfasting on toast and marmalade he waited with impatience until he could phone the hospital.
"Hello, this Dr Martin Ellingham. Could you tell me which ward my wife, Louisa Ellingham is on, and then can you put me through, please?"
He heard the receptionist clicking through the names. "She's on Ward 7, Dr. I'm putting you through now."
"Thank you," said Martin before he heard the phone connecting to Ward 7. The wait seemed interminable, but he knew the staff would be busy, and waited for them to answer. At last, someone picked up and he asked them "How is my wife, Louisa Ellingham, this morning?"
"Good morning, Doctor Ellingham. I'm happy to say that she has had a good night's sleep and is awake having her morning drink. Do you want to speak to her?"
Martin held back the snarl of 'of course I want to bloody speak to her,' and answered meekly, "Yes please." The tapping of the nurse's shoes heralded the arrival at Louisa's bedside. "Your husband Mrs Ellingham."
"Hello Martin, how are you?"
"Louisa," the softness of his voice when first speaking to her, never failed to stir her emotions. "More to the point, how are you this morning?"
"I feel a lot better than I did yesterday. Obviously, my back is aching and my hands are still stinging, but otherwise I'm fine. I've been told I'm to have another scan this morning, and if that doesn't show anything untoward, I will be able to come home this afternoon."
Martin's audible sigh of relief washed over her. "I've missed you," he said huskily.
"Yes, I've missed you too. I don't know how I could have been so stupid, yesterday."
"Let's not worry about that, Louisa. The most important point is that you and the baby are fine."
"I'll give you a ring when I've been told what time I can come home. Are you working this morning?"
"That will be good, hmm. No, I've cancelled my patients for today. I spoke to Chris about it and he was horrified to hear the news. He and Carol send their best wishes."
"How nice of them. Martin, I'll have to go the nurses are coming around with breakfast. Love you."
"I love you too. Bye" he put the phone down and sighed with relief. When he'd heard from Joan yesterday, he'd feared the worst. The fact that she could be home today meant her injuries were not serious. Provided her second scan didn't show anything else, that is.
When he'd phoned Auntie Joan yesterday, she told him that her fine would be £50. He waited for 9:00a.m. and then phone Wadebridge Council and spoke to someone in their Parking and Fines department. He spoke to Mrs Amberson, and asked if the fine could be rescinded on compassionate grounds? She asked what the circumstances were and so Martin related the details of Louisa's accident. "So, you see, she accompanied my wife to the hospital and that was why she overstayed."
"Thank you for explaining those details, I'll consult with my colleagues and let your aunt know of the decision."
Martin had to be content with that, but rather hoped the decision would go in his aunt's favour. He decided to call in to the farm and speak to her personally. As he left the house, he heard Bert's distinctive tones "Hey Doc, you off to collect Louiser, then?"
Martin said that he hoped to bring her home that afternoon.
"You tell 'er we're all rooting for her, won't you?" Bert extended the sympathies from his family.
"Thanks Bert, I'll tell her." He sighed. Clearly the jungle drums had been going at full speed. The car needed some more fuel so he called into the garage to tank up, obtaining £100 from the cash machine as well.
Joan must have been on the lookout for him because she was at the door before he'd even exited the car.
"How's Louisa?" was her greeting when he got closer.
"I spoke to her this morning and she sounded upbeat. They are going to give her another scan this morning and if that doesn't show anything else she can come home this afternoon."
They went inside where Martin accepted a welcoming cup of tea. After they'd got sat down Martin told Joan that the Council were considering waiving her fine, in view of the circumstances. "They'll let you know directly. However just in case they decide not to forgo it, here's £50 to cover the fine. Did I give you enough to pay the taxi yesterday?"
"Thank you, Martin, and yes you did. In fact, I've some change for you."
"No, no you keep it."
"Louisa had bought some flowers as well so I brought them home. You can take them home and they'll fill the lounge with their perfume."
When he looked at the hyacinths, he thought how typical of her to buy something with such a strong fragrance. I'll tell her I've got them at home and that the scent is filling the lounge.
He and Joan chatted some more before he left to go home and wait for Louisa's call.
He placed the bowl of hyacinths on the dresser and went to look at what he could make for tea that night. Perhaps just a cod mornay, he mused. "I don't suppose she will want a heavy meal." He took the fish out of the freezer to thaw, and then realised he didn't have enough milk or cheese. He knew he'd have to run the gauntlet of well-wishers and bowed to the inevitable.
"Dr Ellinghaam? Dr Ellinghaaam! Oh Doc, how is Louisa? I was so shocked to hear of her accident!" Mrs Tishell at her sycophantic best was the first to question him.
"She's fine, Mrs Tishell, thank you."
"Oh Doc, if I can be of any help at all, just let me know!" This, whilst batting her eyelashes at him.
"I have it all under control, excuse me." He left her in the street looking longingly after him.
The next to see him was Joe Penhale. "Afternoon Doc. I was hoping I might catch you. Will Louisa be up to giving a statement as to exactly what happened? The boys in Wadebridge asked me to get one." Joe pulled himself upright and adjusted his toolbelt, almost wriggling with excitement.
"I'd rather she waited for a day or so, Penhale. She will have just made the tiring trip home later today."
"Gotcha Doc, what say I come tomorrow afternoon?"
"We'll see," was all Martin was prepared to say.
As he'd expected he was accosted by all and sundry wanting the full details to pass on in their quest for the latest gossip and thrill. Entering the supermarket, he looked for the milk, sliced turkey and some fresh cheddar cheese. He rounded the end of an aisle and came face to face with Dawn Lamb, Pauline's mother, and one of the biggest gossips in the village. "Here Doc. How's Louisa then? Our Pauline said she'd had a major accident and could be out of school for weeks."
"That's not the case, Mrs Lamb. I'm expecting her home this afternoon. Now excuse me I've a lot to do." He pushed past her and went and paid for his purchases. Arriving home again he breathed a sigh of relief. Bloody busybodies! They all got on his nerves.
He did some tidying around and had just finished cleaning the bathroom when his phone rang. "Ellingham."
"Hi Martin. They've told me I can come home today. When can you come for me?"
Louisa's lilting voice had the predictable effect of lifting his spirits. "Louisa! I was just thinking about you. Are you sure you can come home?"
"I just said so didn't I?"
"Ah yes. I can be there in an hour if I set off now. Do you want me to bring anything for you?"
"A change of clothes and my make-up bag would be a good start, Martin. Plus, my hairbrush." Louisa sounded a bit brusque at his obtuseness.
"Right, I'll bring those with me. I'll see you shortly. Love you." He rang off abruptly leaving Louisa looking bemusedly at her phone.
Arriving just over an hour later he went straight to her ward to give her the requisite items. "You get dressed, and what-not, I'll go and see Dr. Henderson."
Louisa nodded and asked him to shut the curtains.
Martin went to the nurse's station. "Is Dr. Henderson on duty? May I speak with him?"
"He's on his break, but I'll page him for you?" the nurse was doubtful about disturbing the registrar.
Martin nodded, "Yes, please." He waited and a few minutes later, Henderson arrived.
"Has my wife been fully cleared to leave?" Martin wanted to know.
"Yes, Dr Ellingham. We scanned her again this morning and there seemed to be no alteration in her condition. She should go home and rest for a few days, whilst the shock clears her system. As you know the bruising will look worse before it gets any better. Her hands only require light covers until the scabs heal."
"Thank you, Dr. Henderson. It's very much appreciated. We'll be gone as soon as she finishes dressing. Are there any papers to sign?"
"I'll ask the nurse to bring them to you."
Martin shook hands with Henderson before going back to Louisa.
Louisa was dressed and looking much more herself. When the nurse brought the papers, she signed the forms and then thanked the nurses for looking after her so well. Martin picked up the bag containing her things and arm in arm they left the hospital.
"Although they took good care of me Martin, I'm very pleased to be going home." Louisa smiled up at him and squeezed his arm.
"Not as pleased as I am, to have you home." They continued out to the car, where Martin assisted her into the passenger seat.
Louisa grunted as she lowered herself down. "Ooh, that's a bit harder than I expected."
"It will take a few days for the stiffness to clear. You mustn't expect to be as limber as you were, for a short time. Your muscles have not been used to this level of activity. I don't expect it to last, though. Good job you are on holiday as you won't miss any time at the school," he reminded her.
"Do you think I'll be fit enough?"
"As I say, so long as you go easy for the next few days, you will get back to your fitness level, fairly easily."
Louisa relaxed back into the seat at this news. She'd expected to be off next week. The motion of the car made her sleepy and before long her head drooped and she snored gently.
Martin decided to let her snooze and put his foot down in order to get home as soon as he could without disturbing her.
"Louisa, Louisa, wake up we're home."
Martin's quiet but insistent voice roused her from her nap.
She opened her eyes and looked about. Sure enough, they were in the surgery parking space and Martin was waiting to help her out and into the house.
She grimaced as they climbed the steps but managed to stifle the groan. On entering the kitchen Martin told her to go and sit on the couch while he made some tea. He brought the cup over to her and asked if she wanted a meal, or some sandwiches?
She'd had what passed for a lunch in the hospital, so elected to go for the sandwich instead. A cheese sandwich, with lettuce and tomato, was shortly put before her. Martin opted for a cheese omelette.
"You'll be able to move around a bit more tomorrow. It won't do for you to sit all day. Why not give Joan a ring and ask her down for some lunch? I can leave something in the fridge, so you won't have to do much?" Martin made the suggestion, partly because he knew Joan was blaming herself for Louisa's mishap, and partly because he knew Louisa would be inclined to dwell too much on the accident.
"That's a good idea. Give me my phone and I'll do it now."
After conveying the invitation to Joan, who was delighted to accept, and reassuring her that she was well enough for visitors, Louisa put the phone down and sank back on the couch.
"I take it Joan's coming, then?" Martin asked but knew from Louisa's smile, the answer already. "By the way Penhale has been asked to take a statement from you about what happened, so you can expect him in the next couple of days. He was beside himself thinking he had a real case to work on." Martin sneered at the policeman's zeal to get the interview.
"Oh Martin. Don't be too hard on Joe, he's trying to do his best, and you know he doesn't see much action around here." Louisa defended Joe, as she did most of the visitors.
"Yes. Do you want your book, so that you can read for a bit, or perhaps, the radio on?"
"I think I'll read a few pages and then go for a warm bath. If that's all right?"
"Yes, Henderson did say you can resume some normal activity, including baths, but give me a shout when you want to get out of the bath. You may be a bit unsteady?"
Louisa acquiesced and proceeded to find the last page she'd read.
"I'll be in the surgery, if you want anything." He left her to it.
After half an hour or so Louisa went and knocked on the door, popping her head around it she told him she was going upstairs. "Will you come and run the water for me, please? I'm not sure I can bend down that far."
"Certainly. Come on, you can go first up the stairs." He watched her carefully to make sure she didn't stumble. "Go and get your things and I'll make a start running the water.
He left the room while she used the toilet and then helped her to sit down in the bath.
Hmm. This feels good, Martin. Just what I needed." She smiled up at him, noting the concern on his face. "What's wrong?"
His eyes grew moist and he said, "All the bruising on your back. Oh Louisa, it could have been so much worse."
She reached out and grasped his hand, "But it wasn't, so don't get upset now. I love you and I'll be around to plague you with my ups and downs for a good while yet. Hm?"
He gave a watery smile and went back downstairs again.
When she was ready, he helped her out of the bath, wrapping a warm towel around her, before holding her close. Slowly he dried her off before putting her nightdress over her head. When she was ready, he pulled back the sheets to display a hot water bottle warming her place in the bed.
"Oh, how thoughtful. I used to love having one of those in my bed."
"I thought you might like it up against your back for a while." He smiled at her.
Looking up at him she said, "It will do until you come up, to keep me warm."
He bent and kissed her before returning to the study to do some more reading.