Chapter 81

The next day Martin drove them up to Joan's farm, in time for lunch. She greeted them at the door before hugging them enthusiastically. "Come in. Come in!" She hustled them into the kitchen and bade them sit. "Now, tell me what it was like!" she invited.

Martin looked at her. "It was good. Fine, hmm." He didn't elaborate any further and Joan rolled her eyes at Louisa.

Louisa gave Martin an exasperated look and began to tell Joan of their adventures on Scilly. She got out her phone to show Joan the snapshots she'd taken. Although she asked Martin a few questions when he'd answered "yes," or "no" a few times she gave up and ignored him. He eventually took himself off down to the gazebo.

Once he was clear of the house, Louisa asked if a package had arrived?

Joan said "Not yet, why?"

"When Martin was involved at the hospital, I went back to the pawnshop we'd been looking at. He'd spotted a clock in the window. I knew he was interested but he wouldn't go in to check it out, properly. Anyway while he was out, I went back and bought it for him. As I couldn't get it into my case, I had the owner mail it to you. Please let me know when it arrives?"

Joan nodded. "That sounds very thoughtful, Louisa."

"Really, it's a thank you to him for a wonderful holiday." Louisa admitted.

Joan smiled, "I know what you mean," and then laughed.

They had lunch and after washing up Martin announced that he had things he needed to do, that afternoon. They thanked Joan for the meal and went back to the surgery.

As soon as they were back Martin declared his intention of going to see to the letters and Louisa resigned herself to doing some more washing and folding the laundry which was dry.

She would be back at school, the next day. She collected her bag and went through it to make sure she'd everything she needed. She threw out some scribbled-on paper, tested the pens which had been lurking in the bottom of the bag and discarded those which were empty. She put the bag back in its place and went upstairs to sort out her school clothes. Eventually she had prepared everything in readiness for the first day back and went downstairs, picked up her book and proceeded to read.

In his office, Martin went through the notes that Pauline had left. Several papers reported test results for patients and some were prescriptions which required renewing. He sighed and got up to get the relevant patient notes. If he saw that the prescription was warranted then he signed it. Others, he thought, needed to be seen personally before he renewed them. He sorted through and left a note for Pauline to arrange appointments for several patients.

Mrs Tishell had sent the bill in for his accounts and so he perused through them, before getting out his cheque book. He sighed at the thought of visiting her to pay. Never one of his favourite jobs.

There were several pamphlets advertising this or that piece of equipment or new medication. Most he just binned, but kept one or two until he could do more research.

Having cleared his desk he then began to inventory his supplies and write out a list of those which were required. Most he could get through the pharmacy and he was therefore pleased to be able to go there just the once, to get two tasks done.

Eventually he finished the paperwork and checked that everything was clean, in readiness for his patients in the morning. A quick glance at his patient list showed that Malcolm Raynor was the first. A cynical sneer crossed his face at the thoughts of what possible ailments would be cited by this chronic hypochondriac.

When nothing else remained to be done, he went back to the living quarters to see what might be for tea.

Louisa was asleep on the couch; her book having slipped down onto the floor. He smiled at her and decided to give her another twenty minutes or so. Opening the cupboards he found a tin of sardines and decided that, together with toast, it would make a suitably light meal.

They could have cheese for afters. He put the kettle on before setting out the cutlery and plates on the table. The slight noise woke Louisa who sat up and looked about her trying to make sense of where she was.

"I thought we'd have sardines on toast for tea, if that is OK with you?"

"Gosh, is it that time already? The afternoon has flown by."

"Well since you've spent most of it asleep, it's no wonder, is it?" Martin was teasing her, but having just been woken up, Louisa wasn't receptive.

"I have not! I've checked my school things over ready for tomorrow, got the washing dried and folded, and got my clothes ready for tomorrow!" she snapped.

Martin held his hands up in mock surrender. He went across to her, bent down and kissed her slowly.

"Sorry Martin, I guess I'm a little tetchy," she murmured.

"Not to worry. I forgive you!" He went back to the meal preparations and soon it was ready.

As she sat down, she told him she was grateful for the tea and offered to wash up.

"What are your plans for the rest of the evening, Martin?"

"Not many. Read my BMJ's where there are articles, I haven't had time for. What about you?"

"I thought I'd download the pictures from my phone and select which ones I want copied, for Joan," she told him. "Are you going to give her some of your pictures, too?"

"I'll think about it," he replied. "I've several of you I'd like copies of, to put on my desk." Louisa looked astonished.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he queried. "Surely, it's normal that I'd like to see a photo of my beautiful wife during the day? You can't imagine how much difference your smile makes when I'm listening to some tedious person or another?"

"Thank you, Martin. I like knowing that I can cheer you up even when I'm not here."

"Hmm," was the only reply she got.

She took her phone out and retrieved her laptop from upstairs, then settled at the table to review the photos. She smiled when she saw his stiff posture at North Beach. However, it was a very good picture and so that was one she selected. As she went through them all she noticed that as the holiday went on, he appeared to relax when she took a snap of him.

Using a spare memory stick she transferred the wanted pictures to it and then told Martin to put his pictures on there as well. "I'll take them to Wadebridge next weekend and have them turned into paper copies."

Martin grunted an acknowledgement and carried on reading.

When Louisa looked at the time, she saw it was getting on so told Martin she would go for a bath and then have an early night.

"Do you want help getting in/out of the bath?" he enquired.

"Getting out, please, Martin. I'll put the bathmat down so that I won't slip getting in, but I find with Junior as a hindrance I'm struggling to get to my feet."

"Give me a shout when you need me." Martin looked over at her and smiled gently at her.

Three quarters of an hour later he heard her shouting for him. Quickly he went up to the bathroom and placing a towel on the sink he then assisted her out of the tub. He wrapped her in the towel and began to dry her. She looked up at him, with what can only be described as a smouldering look, and for once he got the message immediately. Pulling her closer he kissed her as his hands moved over her body. She edged closer to him and responded ardently.

Pulling back slightly he said "I'd better go and lock up, Louisa. Hold that thought!" and then disappeared back downstairs where he made short work of securing the house. When he returned to the bedroom, she was finishing off drying herself and smiled coquettishly at him.

"I'll erm go and…" he waved his hand at the bathroom. She nodded at him and then climbed into bed where she snuggled under the covers waiting for his return. She'd switched the bedside lights on after turning the main one off. Listening, she heard the shower run and then the buzz of his shaver. Before long he came out with his towel wrapped around his waist. He remembered to set his alarm clock and she hastily reached for hers and did the same.

She felt the side of the bed go down as he climbed in. Wrapping an arm around her waist he pulled her close. "You smell delicious, is that a new perfume?"

Louisa put a finger to his lips, "Don't go there, Martin," and looked seriously at him.

"Hm, no." They then began to make love.