Chapter 68

The taxi was on time and they were very quickly transported to the restaurant. Their table was ready and they were soon served with their drinks. Water for both, but sparkling for Louisa.

A range of light meals was available and Martin cautioned Louisa against having the mussels. She opted for salmon with a side serving of fruit. Martin picked an array of seafood with a simple salad to go with it. Both declined the lagers or beer.

Louisa looked around and was pleased to see that, in his casual clothes, Martin was almost incognito amongst the other men. She decided to tell him later. He only had eyes for her, and had not given his attire a thought since Louisa had assured him, he looked good in it.

Their meals were served and once again Louisa remarked upon the flowers which garnished the plates. "Doesn't this look lovely, Martin?"

He agreed that the various colours added to the dining experience. Both of them enjoyed their meals and it seemed no time at all before they were heading for home.

Upon entering their apartment, Martin went to make their evening drinks while Louisa looked at the leaflets again.

"Martin, it says here that there is a large garden on Tresco which is open to the public. Is that what you want to see?"

"Yes, I've heard that the garden is a very sheltered spot and even subtropical plants can be seen there. I would think it will take a huge chunk of time to get around all of it, but if you really do want to see it, we could go on two separate days?"

"I think that's something to be seriously considered. It also says, there are the remains of an Abbey and the garden surrounds it. Definitely worth a look, I think."

They continued to look at the leaflets, mentioning several other places they might go. Louisa stifled a yawn, but Martin could see she was tired. "Why don't you go and have a shower before bed? I might join you," he suggested.

She looked at him. "OK, just give me 10 minutes, please?" she put her cup in the sink and went to the bedroom before going into the shower.

Martin washed and dried their cups before going to Louisa.

As usual he stripped off his clothes, putting the trousers neatly on a hanger and laying the jumper tidily in the drawer. He heard the shower running as he entered the bathroom. The shower was in a tiled cubicle, with the tray almost level with the floor. There was plenty of room for two. He put his arms around her and nuzzled into her neck. She shivered involuntarily before turning in his embrace and raising her head up for a kiss. Together they swayed as if dancing to some ethereal music. After washing, Martin wrapped her in a towel and began drying her hair, moving down her body with sensual strokes. He paused to gently hold her baby bump, looking into her eyes as he did so. "You are so beautiful.." he said.

She smiled at him, her eyes wide as she picked up his towel and emulated him by drying his body, slowly. They moved back into the bedroom touching and kissing as they went. Moving the sheet back Martin assisted her down onto the mattress before joining her there. Gradually their tempo increased as each sought to give as much pleasure as they could. Her breathless "Martin" was echoed by his "Louisa" in the moment of release.

Gradually he withdrew and lay facing her, watching the emotions chase across her face. Her eyes seemed to glow with the love she felt for him. She reached out and traced her fingers across his chest. "That was lovely, Martin. Thank you."

"Mm, I agree, but it is I who should be thanking you for all the love you've given me." He pulled her into his body and they stayed quietly in each other's arms. He moved onto his back, allowing her to press up close to him and he watched her eyelids droop as she fell asleep. Reaching across to his bedside cabinet, he switched off the light.

The next morning after breakfast they went into town and along to the Tourist Information Office, which seemed to be the central hub for information. They checked the displays and found the timetables for the local buses and boats. The bus stop was outside Holgate Green and would take them around the island. They found a map which showed the routes of easy walks for them to do, as Louisa wasn't up to hiking right around the island in one go.

Information about Tresco and some of the other islands was also there, which would save them time when planning their excursions.

The next stop was to the Co-op shop again as Martin had decided to cook their evening meal. He'd noticed that most of the menus in Juliet's Garden last night were of seafood and assumed that because fresh fish was readily available here, most of the other restaurant menus would include a high proportion of seafood. Therefore he opted for chicken breasts and got the butcher to slice them up into bite-sized strips. They got some fresh bread and inspected the spice aisle. Various small packets of spices were added to the basket. Lastly some basmati rice, fresh milk as well as a tin of coconut milk.

Louisa watched with interest as all the spices were picked and then the coconut milk. "What are you going to make, Martin?

"Indonesian chicken, with rice. At least my variation of it. I've done it before on a number of occasions and am confident this will turn out well. There are a number of ingredients which are just not available here, but that shouldn't detract from the overall dish. Its meat based, as well, so will make a change for you."

She looked up at him and beamed from ear to ear. "Sounds delicious, thank you. I'm afraid the only exotic dish I could offer would be beans on toast! At least I'm sure it would be exotic for you. Have you ever had it?" she enquired mischievously.

Martin grimaced. "No, thankfully. Or at least, not that I can remember."

Louisa picked up some packeted fruit drinks as well as some aluminium foil. More bread and some apples were added in. At last they decided they had enough rations, paid for them, and set off up the high street to look more closely at the shops and places of interest they'd spotted the previous day.

They browsed in the art galleries, but nothing leapt out at them. Most of the 'paintings' were abstract renditions of squiggles, with the occasional, badly-done seascapes. Martin shuddered, remembering the fine pictures he'd left in the flat when he'd sold it.

Louisa's interest was stirred by some of the clothes shops but common sense told her she wouldn't get anything else into her suitcase. The siren bookshop was also by-passed for the same reason.

Eventually they came to a beach with a quay and plenty of sailboats at anchor, bobbing slowly with each passing wave. A sign post announced they were at Holgate Green and looking along the road they spotted a bus stop. "This isn't so far to walk for us in the morning. I thought we'd have to go further." Louisa was pleasantly surprised at the proximity of the stop.

"Do you want to walk along the beach for a while? This is the Town beach which is north of the town. The southern beach, or Porthcressa is over that way. It doesn't have the quay, for boats to tie up to." As ever, Martin had a fair idea as to the topography of the area.

"That would be nice, Martin. I might get some good pictures, now that the sun is shining." Glancing over at him, she thought he looked handsome in his new fawn chinos and jumper. She was sure Joan would love a photo of him in his new attire. They strolled along the sand until Louisa decided the back drop of the boats would be perfect. Taking her camera out of its case she waved him towards the sea and got him to smile, at least a little. He stood there, awkwardly not knowing how to pose, or even what to do with his hands. Tall and straight, with them close to his side, was as open as he could manage. "Let me take some of you, now, Louisa?" She nodded and came towards the shoreline, handing the camera over to him as they passed.

For the first few she stood as he had, but then she relaxed and smiled and waved at him. He captured each pose, thinking they would make suitable photos for his desk in the surgery. Continuing their walk, Louisa looked with interest at the shells washed up by the tide. She recognised the limpets, razor and mussel shells, but one or two of the others were unknown to her. "Do you know what these are Martin?"

He bent down to look at them more carefully. "Piddock and, a rare find, a Mermaid's purse. The latter is actually an egg sac from a ray or a shark."

"Really? How is it you know so much about shells?"

"When I came down to stay with Auntie Joan, I'd go rock-pooling. Uncle Phil got me a second-hand book on shells and how to identify them." Martin looked distracted for a while, remembering those times with Phil, who had always had time for his questions and made an effort to encourage his interests. It dawned on him that he could do that too, for Junior. He turned to Louisa, "When Junior is old enough, we can take him/her down to the beach and do the same!" He looked really glad to have thought of something they all could do.

"I think I told you about looking at the stars? I learned a lot about those, as well when I was down here."

Louisa smiled at him, "See? You do know how to relate to a child. It's just a case of seeing what they are interested in and then fostering that interest as best you can."

They continued on until the end of the beach and then walked up to the path again before turning for home.

Lunch was a drink and some cheese with crusty bread.

The pots and cups were swiftly dealt with and the went to look at the places on the island they could visit. A short while later Louisa said she'd go for a nap. Martin nodded, "mind if I come with you? I promise I'll let you sleep."

Louisa looked at him in astonishment. "Come on then, Handsome."

They both took off their outer garments and climbed in to bed. Martin reached for her and pulled her close. Resting her head on his chest she sighed contentedly, and closed her eyes. In no time at all she was fast asleep. He thought, "I'll just rest my eyes," and before he knew it, he was asleep as well.

An unfamiliar warmth was what wakened Louisa after an hour. She realised Martin was with her, and then, that he was asleep. She listened to his heart beating and relaxed back into his arms. Putting her hand carefully over his chest she began stroking his arm and watch his face. He was still sleeping. She smiled and wriggled her hand under his vest, to stroke his body. His breathing altered as he woke up to the sensations she was arousing.

"I promised I'd let you sleep…" he rumbled.

"You did, that's right. But I made no such promise to you…" she smiled at him and then reached up to kiss him, passionately.

It was some time before they were ready to get up again.