Chapter 47

Louisa was sorting through her school things ready for Monday and suddenly gave a thought to Martin's friends Chris and Carol Parsons. She'd suggested to Martin that he invite them over for lunch one day when the weather got better. She wouldn't say it was much better, but it would be March very soon.

Time to make good on that invitation. She went to his room and knocked at the door. "Come in," was shouted back. (Sometimes Martin didn't like to be interrupted when he was watching one of his medical videos.)

"Hi Martin, have you got a minute? Do you remember we said we'd invite Chris and Carol round for lunch? Plus, their children if necessary? Well, why don't you pick a Sunday next month and we can do that?"

Martin groaned, "Must we?"

"Mar-tin, we said we would. He is your friend, and I'd like the chance to get to know Carol better. She seemed very friendly at our reception?" Louisa looked encouragingly at him and he found that, as ever, he couldn't refuse her.

He took out his diary and looked at the possible dates. "How about Sunday, 8th March, or the following week, the 15th? If I give him two dates, he can pick the date most suitable to him?"

"That sounds like good thinking, Martin. I'll leave it to you to issue the invitations." With a toss of her ponytail, she left him to sort matters out.

"Huh, thank you, Louisa!" he said sotto voce.

Martin was usually decisive in his actions, but having to invite his boss to a luncheon, didn't seem quite right to him. In the end he reluctantly picked up the phone and after the usual pleasantries, issued the invitation.

"I'll have to consult with Carol, of course, but either date is suitable to me. How are things in Portwenn?

"On the practice front, on course for the usual winter illnesses. Nothing new has appeared, so I'm glad of that." Martin hoped he wasn't tempting fate with this statement. "Louisa had an unfortunate encounter with a cyclist which meant an overnight stay in the Royal Cornwall."

"Really?" Chris was surprised. "I didn't hear about that. What happened?"

Martin quickly relayed the details and Chris was suitably forthcoming in his well-wishes for her continued progress.

"Right, thanks mate. I'll go and talk to Carol and see which date suits her. I'll e-mail you with the decision. Okay?"

Martin agreed and quickly brought the conversation to the end. He went back to watching his video, finding that he was still gulping air at the especially bloody parts.

Louisa returned to making her arrangements for Monday, checking that the clothes she wanted to wear were readily to hand, and that her school bag was appropriately full.

After a light lunch with Martin, she went back to the couch to begin reading her new book. He went back to his desk to read the latest BMJ.

Louisa felt her eyes drooping and decided to go for a nap, in bed. That was where he found her an hour later. He smiled tenderly at her and went to smooth her cheek with the back of his hand. "Louisa, Louisa. Time to get up, love." She mused at how endearments came easily to him in the privacy of their own home, but outside he normally kept a formal distance from her. She hoped that in time he would be able to overcome his natural reticence.

"That seemed as though I'd just shut my eyes and you were waking me up."

"It's 4:00 o'clock. If you don't get up now you won't sleep tonight," he reminded her.

"I suppose so. I'll be down shortly."

He went down to prepare the sea bream for their dinner that night. He'd decided that fresh fruit would be sufficient for dessert.

The rest of the evening passed quietly by, with Martin sat next to her on the couch while she watched a nature documentary. This was followed by the serialisation of one of Ann Cleeves' novels. Martin wasn't watching it, so she was left in peace to enjoy it in full.

Bedtime soon followed, and even though she'd had a nap, Louisa was quick to fall asleep.

In no time at all, Martin's alarm went off and she was roused from a deep sleep by him leaving the bed to go for his shower. She turned over and tried to get a few more winks in, but thoughts of the new school term intruded so that when he vacated the bathroom, she was ready to take her turn.

"Are you sure you feel well enough to go to school," he asked.

"I think so, Martin. If I find that it's too much, I'll come home. Promise." She finished the last of her porridge and put her bowl in the sink, to wash up. The rest of the pans and crockery were soon done.

He went upstairs to clean his teeth and gave her a kiss before heading off to the surgery.

She got wrapped up in her coat and gathered her bags together, making her way along to the school. Upon arriving Louisa found Tricia Soames already there. "You're an early bird, today, Tricia."

"Yes, I've got some sheets I need to photocopy before lessons start. How was your week off?"

Louisa told her of the misadventures which had befallen her over the holiday.

Tricia was wide-eyed in horror when she heard about the accident. "Oh Louisa, you must have been terrified!"

Louisa nodded and then said the hospital staff were very good. Particularly after they found out she was Martin Ellingham's wife!

Tricia grinned as she knew what the inference was, but she was aware from first-hand experience what a good doctor, Martin was.

Before long, Pippa had joined them and the whole tale had to be gone through again. Pippa was aghast when she learned that Louisa might have lost the baby. However, she was soon reassured on that score.

When the bell tolled, they hurried inside and began to make their preparations for the incoming children.