Chapter 75

Morning found him still close to Louisa with his hand on her tummy. Nothing appeared to be happening and so he cautiously withdrew to his side of the bed. He could see that it was light outside and a quick look at the clock told him it was approaching 8 o'clock. This meant he'd slept in long past his usual wake-up time. He thought about what had happened during the night, his mistake in thinking Louisa had nudged him and then the joy spreading through his body when he sussed out the real culprit.

He was surprised at how much he was affected by the simple happiness of feeling the baby move. As he'd told Louisa, he'd not thought himself to be an actual participant. He knew from his GP perspective what to expect of the gestation period, but in regard to his patients he'd remained totally detached from the process. He was really unprepared for the emotions which swept through him when he realised it was his baby which was moving and growing quickly. He was somewhat humbled by the knowledge that this beautiful woman sleeping quietly alongside him had chosen to carry his child.

Thinking about the day ahead he decided a quiet and relaxing day would be the right idea, in anticipation of the concert to come, that evening. Quietly he got out of bed and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

He returned to the bedroom after his shower and shave to find Louisa awake and looking expectantly at him.

"Morning Daddy-O," she smiled at him. "Did you sleep well?"

"Very well, actually. I only felt Junior move a few more times before I fell asleep, myself." He went across to the bed to greet her properly. "I thought we'd have a quieter day today, in order to be fresher for the concert, tonight."

"I'd like to go into the centre to get some more postcards, Martin. Perhaps a few other things as well?"

"Well so long as we are not charging about, I don't see why not." Martin was a bit puzzled as to what else Louisa could possibly want from the shops, but wisely kept that thought to himself.

He finished dressing and went to make breakfast while Louisa took her turn in the bathroom.

Louisa got her bag and they went off into town. She bought a few more postcards and stamps before joining Martin outside.

"Where to now?" he asked.

"Co-op for some more new bread, salad ingredients, oranges and bananas."

"OK, have we got enough fish for tea tonight before we go to the theatre? Martin wanted to know.

Louisa pulled a face. "Actually I fancy some ham instead of fish. Do you want some or are you going to have that tuna which is still in the fridge?"

It was Martin's turn to pull a face. "You know that ham's a fatty meat, don't you? Nutritionally, fish is much better for you," he opined.

Louisa looked at him. "You've been preparing the meals for the last month. How much ham have I eaten in that time?" she glowered at him.

Sheepishly he admitted that she'd not had any.

"Well then. A couple of slices today isn't going to add drastically to my calorie intake, especially as I'll be having plenty of salad and fruit, is it?"

"I suppose not, but you can't make this a habit," he said.

She picked up a metal basket and proceeded to the back of the store. The smell of freshly baked bread hung tantalisingly in the air. She selected a baguette and a nutty cob. They then went around to the meat counter to look at the ham. "Do you want any, Martin?"

He declined so she got a couple of slices and made her way to the vegetable section. The requisite salad ingredients and fruit were soon added to the basket. Seeing that the basket was getting heavy, Martin took it off her. Louisa looked at some of the shelves as they proceeded to the checkouts but nothing else took her fancy.

Outside the sun shone brightly as they went further into town. A street café came into view and Louisa said she felt like some coffee. Normally she drank tea, but today she decided to have a coffee. She seated herself at a free table while Martin went into order their drinks, decaffeinated for her. Louisa was looking around at the passing crowd when a voice greeted her. Looking up she saw Mrs Markham smiling down at her.

"Morning Mrs Ellingham. Isn't this sun lovely? How are you enjoying St Mary's?" the questions rolled off her tongue, quickly.

"Hello there. You're right this is just what the doctor ordered," and then laughed. "I didn't mean literally," she smiled. "Although Martin would have tried to oblige if I'd asked him to. We're having a restful day today as we're off to see The Fisherman's Friends tonight at the theatre."

"I've heard that they are good. They were here last year but I didn't get to see them, then. In fact I've got tickets for tomorrow night's performance. I'm looking forward to that." Mrs Markham was obviously pleased about this.

Martin came to the table with their drinks and set the tray down. He acknowledged their landlady and waited for her to leave before sitting down. "Did she have much to say?"

"No, not really Martin. She just asked if we were enjoying ourselves, so I said yes and told her we were off to the concert tonight. Actually she's going tomorrow night. She's not seen them before."

Martin gave thanks internally to be spared that particular horror. One thing he detested was the exchange of idle chitchat between people who really had little in common.

They supped their drinks and looked about at the passing parade of people. Louisa found that she could tell who the tourists were because they meandered slowly along the pavements, whereas the townsfolk made determined progress along the road.

Martin had finished his drink. "Are you ready to move on, Louisa?" When she nodded, he picked up her shopping bag and they strolled on further into the town. She stopped to look in a pawnbroker's window where all manner of things were displayed in the window.

"Don't you find it sad when you think that some people have to pawn their possessions to get by?" she looked up at him and saw he wasn't paying any attention to her. Instead he had his eyes fixed on a small clock placed towards the back of the display.

She moved across to look also. "What is it, Martin?"

"Oh, it's just an ebonised French clock. It seems out of place in a shop like this. I'd have expected to see it in a jewellers or proper timepiece merchants."

"Why don't you go in and see what it's like?" Louisa stoked his interest.

"No, no. I expect I'll find others in shops on the mainland." Checking his watch he suggested they return home for lunch.

They put their purchases away and Louisa made some tea with some sandwiches of the new bread and cheese.

"What are you doing this afternoon, Martin?"

"Reading a couple of articles in my BMJ. What about you?"

"I'm taking my book outside to read in the sun for a while, before I go for my nap."

"Don't stay out too long in the sun. It's very bright today," was all he said.

"Yess Martin." Louisa almost ground her teeth together, but her conscience pricked her and she went across to give him a hug.

"Hmm"

After half an hour or so she found that the bright sunlight was a bit overpowering so bookmarked her page and went inside. "I'm going for my nap, Martin"

"Fine, see you later."

She looked across at him, "Aren't you going to join me?" she asked suggestively.

He glanced up to see her fiddling with the buttons on her blouse, she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head to one side. Staring at her he was puzzled as to what she was saying and then realisation dawned. "I thought you wanted a nap?"

"Well we can do that after, can't we?" she looked demurely at him.

"Er, I'll just lock up then."

Later Martin climbed quietly out of bed and went to make the tea. He smiled as he thought of their afternoon "break" and decided he definitely could get used to them.

When Louisa joined him later in the kitchen, she was delighted to see their tea made and a crisp salad prepared. "You should have called me, to help," she gently admonished him.

"No, in view of our excursion tonight I thought you would appreciate the extra lie-in," he explained.

Martin had given her the ham and prepared the tuna for himself. She was glad to see that he'd opened a tin of pineapple and mixed a few of the cubes in with the salad. The slightly tart taste contrasted very well with some of the other ingredients. Happily pineapple also went well with the fish.

"Almost exotic, Martin!" she smiled at him.

He looked at her to see if she was making fun of him, but she seemed serious about her comment.

"Plenty of vitamin C in pineapple and other vitamins in the rest of the constituents," he explained.

She rolled her eyes before saying, "Yes, Martin."

Louisa did the washing up whilst Martin read some more of his journal. "Do you want another drink, Martin?"

He glanced at his watch. "No, thanks. We'll need to be making ready shortly. I know it's not far to the theatre for us, but we have to be there early so I can pay and pick up our tickets."

"Are we going dressed casually, or are we changing?" she wanted to know.

"Just casually, I think. I don't suppose it's the sort of evening which requires a more formal dress code."

"Good, I'll just change my blouse then." She went off to the bedroom to make ready.

"Martin?"

"What?"

"Thank you for doing all this for me. I've had a very good time, so far and I just wanted to tell you." She went across and put her arms around him, lifting her face up for a kiss.

He looked solemnly down at her, squeezed her gently and said "You're welcome," before giving her a tender kiss.

Returning a few minutes later he asked if she were ready and they set off for the theatre.

Outside the venue people were beginning to gather so Martin went inside to pay for and receive the tickets. Louisa waited for him to return, wondering as she did so, if she dared to request a carton of popcorn! Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour she refrained from mentioning it.

As requested, Martin's seat was at the end of a row and he decided that he would have sufficient room to stretch his legs if he needed to. He handed Louisa a program and looked over at it as she went through it. "I didn't know your family was musical," he commented.

Glancing up at him she asked, "What do you mean?"

"There," he pointed, "one of the songs is written by Harry Glasson."

She looked more closely at the entry written and nodded her head. "To be honest, I don't think we are related. If I am, he must be some sort of cousin three times removed, obviously." She smiled up at him and his heart was jolted anew at the loveliness of her.

The lights dimmed and the curtains opened. A burst of applause greeted the group as they launched into a medley of sea shanties.

Several favourites were sung and then, to Louisa's delight, and Martin's bafflement the song 'Grandfather's Clock' was sung. She looked up at him, laughingly, "See – even one for you!" As he listened to the lyrics, he realised what it was about and began to smile.

"I hope you don't think I'm a grandfather?" he asked.

Taking pity on him she replied, "Not if this afternoon's performance was anything to go by!" she told him, and then giggled when she saw him blush and look surreptitiously around.

The group announced that the next song "Cornwall my Home" was dedicated to its writer, Harry Glasson. He had been stricken with throat cancer and for several years had been unable to speak. Following the fitting of an automatic device he could now talk and sing in short bursts. The audience clapped loudly at this and settled back to listen.

The curtains swished shut and the lights went up signalling the interval. "Do you want a drink, Louisa?"

"Yes please. If you go and get them, I'll just go and use the toilets. I'll join you in the foyer, shall I?"

He nodded and went to get the drinks. Water for him and sparkling water for her. He stood out of the way, waiting for Louisa to join him. She entered the foyer and looked around for him. Given that he was head and shoulders above most of the men in the room it didn't take her long to see him.

She crossed towards him and just as she was almost there a voice called to her, "Louisa, Louisa?" She looked around and saw an old-time friend, Geoffrey Holmes.

"Hello, Geoff. Long time no see. How are you?"

"Pretty good, thanks Louisa. I can see you are in the pink, as well!" he laughed.

She brushed her hands over her abdomen. "Yes, it's coming along well. Here, come and meet my husband." She made up the last couple of yards and introduced Geoff to Martin.

"Geoff's an old schoolfriend of mine from way back," she explained. "We've not seen each other in about 20 years!"

"So how's life treating you, Geoff?"

"Married and divorced, Louisa. I'm now living on Tresco and doing gardening work."

"I'm sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. We were on Tresco yesterday looking at the Abbey Gardens. They were beautiful, weren't they Martin?"

A terse "yes" was the only answer she got.

Sensing that Martin was disenchanted to see him, Geoff made his excuses and left them to it.

"Huh Martin. You could have tried a bit," she admonished him. Martin made to remove her empty glass and she handed it over. He turned and made his way to the bar to hand the glasses in.

As he moved back to escort her into the theatre once more, he felt his phone buzz against his chest. Given that only Auntie Joan knew he was here he quickly opened it up. He didn't recognise the number so he answered in his trademark snappy manner, "Ellingham!"