Chapter 83

Throughout the next day, in between patients, his eyes were drawn to the box in the corner. He'd managed to extract the mechanism after fiddling about with it for a while. All the pieces he'd recovered were laying in the bottom of the box, each in its own position. There were still a couple of more parts to take out, but he felt sure he knew what the problem was. If only he didn't have to see to dratted patients!

Louisa walked with jaunty steps down to the school. She was smiling to herself as she thought of Martin's evident joy at receiving his clock. He'd been most appreciative, last night in bed.

"Hi there, Louisa. Looks like it's going to be a good day!" Pippa Woodley greeted her as she walked into school.

"Hello Pippa. About time we got some heat from the sun. It was quite warm on Scilly so I really noticed the difference when we got back." Louisa hung her coat up .

"Did you have a nice time?"

"Yes, it was very interesting. We got to see lots of animals, plants and ancient monuments. There were good meals out as well. All in all a very good experience. What about you?"

"Oh, we got down to Land's End and Falmouth. After you telling us about the Eden Project we went there as well. Thanks for that." Pippa was pleased to be able to say that they'd not spent all their time decorating or sorting the garage out!

They continued to chat as the went to their classrooms. Louisa found her children already seated at their desks, and surprisingly, relatively quiet. She set out their lesson plan and began to work through it.

Both Martin and Louisa were satisfied with their ordinary day. Neither had to face a crisis, nor were they totally bored.

Louisa had time for a quick nap, but was still in time to make tea before Martin finished his day.

His quiet "Hello" had her crossing the kitchen for a kiss and a hug.

"I've made tea," she announced "and I'd rather like to go down to the Crab and Lobster, tonight. There's a quiz in aid of the Lifeboat Fund."

Martin grimaced. "Do we have to? I'm quite prepared to donate some money, instead."

Louisa huffed. "Well I'd like to go, but you don't have to come. You could stay and play with your new clock, if you would rather?"

Martin looked at her, "If, you're sure? Would you like me to walk down with you and then come and get you when it's over?"

"No, no. I'll be fine. It's 8 till 10pm. I should be back by 10:30 at the latest.

"Good. All right then."

They sat and talked over their respective day and then Louisa went up to get ready.

She was walking down Roscarrock Hill when Al and Bert caught up with her.

"You off to the quiz, then, Louiser?" asked Al.

She turned and smiled, "Yes – I'm looking forward to it. It's been quite a while since I went to one."

"No Doc Martin, tonight? I thought he'd a wanted to come along and support the Lifeboat Fund?" Bert as ever, wasn't slow to point out the obvious.

"He'll make a separate donation, Bert. You know he's not one for much socialising." Louisa didn't really like to have to make excuses for Martin, but she knew if she didn't make the effort to go out, she'd have very little social life at all.

They walked into the pub and already many of the tables were taken. Spotting Aunty Joan, Louisa went across to her and asked if there was a spare seat? She gratefully sat at the table and looked around. Plenty of village folk here she thought. Some must have come from Delabole as well as there were several she didn't recognise.

"Joan, I didn't tell you, did I?"

"Tell me what?"

"Martin felt the baby move, whilst we were on holiday. He was overjoyed and told me that he now felt part of the process, instead of looking in!"

Joan clasped her hands together. "I can just picture him saying that. I'm so glad Louisa, that he had the good sense to marry you!"

Louisa laughed. As she turned her head to look towards the little stage, she heard a voice call out, "Lou! I didn't know you would be here," and Danny walked up to their table.

"Mind if I sit here, Joan?"

Joan looked far from happy about it, but couldn't just ignore him.

"Lou, how have you been? I heard you'd married Martin. That lucky dog."

Louisa studied him and wondered what she'd ever seen in him. There was just no comparison between him and Martin. "Actually Danny I'm very well and, am now six months pregnant."

It was Danny's turn to look amazed. "Really, so quickly? When is it due?"

"Junior is due in July. We didn't want to know the sex until it is born, which is why we've nicknamed it Junior," she explained.

"Well, congratulations. Exciting times ahead for you. Are you here for the quiz? Can we make up a team?"

"I don't see why not. Were you expecting anyone else, Joan?"

"Only Erin. Erin Glover. Here she is now."

At that another woman came over to join them. She was in her late 50's and had recently been widowed.

Danny looked at the table and saw that no-one had any drinks and asked them what they would like. Joan opted for a half of stout, Louisa for fresh orange juice and Erin asked for some elderflower wine. He went away to get them.

John, the pub manager came by to hand out their quiz sheets. "Now then ladies, are you all happy? I think you should be able to manage these questions between you. Is someone getting you a drink?"

Joan explained that Danny was getting them, so John nodded and went on to the next table.

Promptly at 8 o'clock John used the microphone to call the participants to order and he read out the first question – "Which football team won the Premier League, last year?"

The ladies looked at each other, clearly none of them had any idea. When Danny came back with their drinks he said "Chelsea." Joan entered the answer in time to hear the next question – "Which horse won the Grand National, earlier this year?"

Joan answered "Rule the World."

Louisa looked at her in astonishment. "How do you know that?"

"I usually have a little bet on the National, it's the only time I bet on horse races. It was something Phil and I did for a laugh, and I thought I'd keep up the tradition."

The sports questions were relatively hard for those who didn't really take much interest in it. Round 2 was about literature. "Who wrote Moby Dick?"

Erin said "Herman Melville." To which Louisa nodded her head.

"Who, after supplying her manuscript to more than 20 publishers finally succeeded in having her first novel published, thus setting up a series of children's books which were then turned into super-successful films?"

It was Louisa who supplied "JK Rowling – Harry Potter."

"Name Peter Robinson's gritty detective who is based in Leeds?"

"DCI Banks" was Joan's prompt reply.

The next round was general knowledge, and the team found answers for all the questions.

John announced an interval so Danny again went to the bar for refreshed drinks for everyone on their table.

The next round was Film and TV. The first three questions had been asked, when all of a sudden there was a commotion at a table closer to the bar. One of the patrons was slumped over, clutching his heart. John went around to see what was the matter and then stood up. "Louisa, call the Doc!"

When he saw who was calling Martin's heart began to race. "Louisa! What's the matter, are you alright?"

"Fine Martin, but one of the customers has keeled over, clutching his heart. Can you come quickly?"

"Yes. Louisa call an ambulance. If it's nothing we can cancel before it gets here. I'll be there shortly." Martin rang off and went to collect his bag and defibrillator from the office. He locked the door and went as swiftly as he could to the pub.

John met him at the door and led the way to the customer. "It's Frank Quigley, Doc. He just doubled up!"

"Mr Quigley? Can you hear me? Where does it hurt?"

Frank turned towards him, "me chest, Doc. It's me chest."

"Open your shirt and let me listen to your heart."

The faltering beat indicated that something was wrong. "Roll up your sleeve and I'll take your blood pressure."

Martin found that the pressure was high and when he looked at the man he was sweating. "Do you have pain anywhere other than your chest?"

"Down me arm, Doc," said Frank gesturing to his left arm.

Martin took out some aspirin tablets. "Are you allergic to aspirin?"

Frank said he wasn't so Martin told him to firstly chew on the tablet and then swallow it.

With a grimace at the taste Frank managed to do as he was told.

Martin looked around and summoned Louisa across. "Did you ring for the ambulance? How long will they be?"

"Yes Martin, I did. They said they'd be about 25 minutes and that was, a quarter of an hour ago."

Just then Danny's voice was heard to tell Frank, "Saying a prayer for you Frank. The Doc's doing his best and an ambulance will be here soon."

Martin's hackles rose when he heard that unctuous voice behind him. "Clear back everyone and give me some space." He waved his arms about so that people were forced to step back.

When the ambulance men arrived, he told them that he suspected a myocardial infarction and that he'd administered 300mg of aspirin, orally. They nodded and put Frank on a stretcher to transport him to the hospital. "I'll come to the hospital, but I need to go for my car. Don't wait for me."

The ambulance departed, blue lights flashing.

Martin turned back to Louisa. "Are you staying or coming home with me?" His voice was curt and Louisa looked at him in surprise.

"I'll come home with you, I think. I've kinda lost my appetite for the quiz. I'll just go and get my bag.

She walked back to the table to say goodnight to Joan and Erin. Danny almost pleaded for her to stay, but she firmly told him she was going home with Martin.

As they walked back home, Martin said, "You didn't tell me he would be there."

Louisa knew exactly who he was talking about. "That's because I didn't know he would be, Martin. I was sitting with Joan and Erin when he came across to sit with us. I could hardly tell him to go away now, could I?"

Martin wasn't going to let it go. "It still seems odd that you wanted to go out tonight when he was going to be there."

Louisa's voice sharpened in response. "It was a bloody coincidence, Martin. I didn't know he would be there. If you remember, I did ask you to come with me, but it was your decision to stay at home!"

They reached the surgery and Louisa said "I'm going in. I'll no doubt see you when you get back!"

"Louisa," his soft voice stopped her in her tracks. "I'm sorry. I know you didn't set up a meeting with him." He hung his head in remorse.

She stepped back to give him a hug. "Go on, drive safely. I'll see you later." She reached up and kissed his cheek. He got into the car and she waved him off.

It was late and she decided to have a shower and go to bed. Martin wouldn't be back until after midnight, anyway.