Chapter 88
For Louisa the morning went quickly. She ate her lunch outside while on yard duty, with Tricia. "Got any plans for the weekend then, Tricia?"
"Yes, Malcolm is taking me down to Truro and we're going shopping. "
"Well, you know what they say. Anytime you can get a bloke to go shopping, is a good time!" Louisa grinned at her friend.
"We'll have lunch there, and maybe visit one of the attractions. Can't wait to get out of Portwenn for a bit."
"Yeah. I know what you mean. The holiday I've just had was totally relaxing. No crying children, no interruptions of, please Miss, I want the toilet!" Louisa laughed. However, it was good to be home again.
The next thing, a chant of "Fight, Fight" went up. Turning around, Tricia spotted a scuffle over by the seawall. She marched over, "What is all this? Stand up and explain yourselves."
Cormac Trevanion and Joel Leadbetter got sheepishly to their feet. "Well?" demanded Tricia.
Cormac pointed at Joel, "he said Liverpool were better than Man City!"
Joel instantly denied this. "Man United are better than Liverpool!"
"Is this about football, again? What have you been told about scrapping in the schoolyard? Go to my room and wait there."
Tricia turned to Louisa, "Sorry, I'll have to go and sort this." She went inside, leaving Louisa looking across to the Surgery.
Glancing at her watch she realised there was only ten minutes or so left of lunchtime so she walked around the yard, checking for anymore miscreants.
When the bell went the children pushed and shoved to be first in line to re-enter the building. "Steady on there, no pushing. Emily, wait your turn."
Martin was having his lunch when Pauline clip-clopped into the kitchen. "Sorry Doc, there's this woman saying it's urgent that she sees you."
"Tell her to make an appointment."
"I did, Doc, but she's most insistent."
"Have her wait in reception and I'll be there shortly."
Martin got up with a sigh, cleaned his plate off, and then stacked the dishwasher.
He'd no sooner got into his office when there was a sharp rapping on the door and in walked a ginger-headed woman.
"Ellingham! Good to see you again." She smiled at him and advanced to the desk.
"Edith! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Canada?"
Edith looked closely at him. It must have been about 20 years since she'd last clapped eyes on him. Still the same upright posture, tailored suit and clipped way of speaking. "What? No I came back last year. I'm deputy head of gyny at St Mary's in London. More to the point, what on earth are you doing as GP in this little biscuit-tin town?"
"I left London because I couldn't continue as a surgeon, too much blood. Re-trained and am now here as the local GP."
"Oh. It was you? I heard about a top surgeon quitting because of haemophobia. I'd no idea it was you, until Chris Parsons mentioned you were here."
"Yes. Well now you've seen me, why the urgency? Is there something wrong with you?"
"No, not really. At least not health wise. I've written a paper and wondered if we could go over it a bit? Pull it into shape?" She opened her briefcase and pulled out some A4 sheets of paper.
"Er not just now, Edith. I've patients to see. Can you come back tomorrow afternoon? I'm finished at one pm on a Saturday. Leave that with me and I'll glance over it if I've time."
Realising that this was the best offer she was likely to get she dropped the papers on his desk and stood up to leave. "Right, I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye for now."
Just then there was a knock on the door and in walked Louisa. "Sorry Martin, I'm going to get ready.." and then she broke off to eye the visitor up and down. "Oh hello, I didn't realise you were busy, Martin."
"I'm Edith Montgomery, an old friend of Martin's. We were at Uni together and during our medical training. And you are?"
"Louisa Ellingham, Martin's wife."
"Well, well. I didn't know you'd married, Ellingham? And shortly to be a father, I see."
"Yes." Martin was as succinct as ever.
"Martin, I'll just go and change. Edith, nice to meet you." Louisa left and then went upstairs to the bedroom overlooking the terrace. She assumed that this woman was the person who'd left him all those years ago. What was she doing here?
A minute or so later Martin and Edith emerged and stood talking briefly. As she watched, Edith kissed Martin's cheek and then left to go to her car, parked next to Martin's. Backing out she proceeded back into town and out of sight.
No-one noticed the woman at the side of the road. She was carrying the latest MHRA and her face displayed both shock and jealousy. Mrs Tishell turned around and went back to her pharmacy, going over and over in her mind what she had just witnessed.
Martin went back into his office and called for his next patient. Mr Larkins was displaying the symptoms for a throat infection. When Martin looked, he decided that it was probably bacterial as several other people had been in earlier in the week with the same symptoms. He swiftly wrote out a prescription for some antibiotics and made sure to tell the man to gargle with salt water and keep his fluid intake up. Paracetamol for your pain, should be sufficient.
"Thanks Doc."
Martin tidied his desk and took the patient notes through for Pauline to file. "When you've done that switch the telephone message and you can leave, early."
"Thanks Doc, See you tomorrow."
"Yes."
In the kitchen he got a glass of water and sat down to wait for Louisa to appear.
She bustled in a short while later. She'd changed her dress and was now in a flowing green summer dress. The baby bump was not so evident in this costume.
"Did you know Edith was in the area, Martin?"
"Er no. It was a complete surprise when she walked in. I've not heard from her in almost 20 years. In fact I thought she was in Canada. She told me she was now deputy head of gynaecology at St Mary's in London."
"How did she know you were here, then?"
"She said she was in Truro, and Chris mentioned it to her."
"Oh. Well I'm ready now. Do you need anything else, before we go?"
"No, I'm ready as well."
The trip to Wadebridge was uneventful and they were soon seated in the waiting room, to see Dr Lewis.
Dr Lewis called, "Next patient," and Martin and Louisa went into his office.
"Greetings. How did the holiday on Scilly go? Did it live up to your expectations?"
"Louisa smiled and her face lit up, "Yes, it was a great time. We thoroughly enjoyed the sight-seeing and the relaxation we had."
"Yes," said Martin.
"Well, how have you been Louisa? Noticed any twinges or odd feelings?"
"No, I've felt pretty good, really. Although I admit that I've enjoyed more afternoon naps of late. I find myself tired around mid-afternoon."
"That's to be expected. The baby is growing much bigger now and the exertion of carrying it around contributes to the tiredness. I'm assuming you've been keeping a check on the anaemia, Martin?
"Yes, I have. Well within normal parameters. Oh, and I have felt the baby move. That was definitely an experience." Martin was positively loquacious on that point.
"No feeling like it, eh Martin?"
"Hm."
"I got in touch with the hospital about the survey they want to do. Apparently, Professor Wil Wright has had a car accident and broken his leg, quite badly. He'll be out of commission for another three months. His deputy is now going to do the surveys, a Dr Edith Montgomery."
Martin and Louisa looked at each other. She didn't miss the dismay in his eyes.
"Ah, I see," he said.
Dr Lewis looked form one to the other, "Do you know her?"
"Erm I was at medical school with her, before she left to go to Canada. I hadn't heard she was back."
"Actually Dr Lewis, I'd prefer to stay with you, as your patient, instead of trailing down to Truro. With my schoolwork still to do, and feeling as tired as I do, I think it would be just too much for me. That, and the fact that Martin is very busy, as I'm sure you are as well."
"Fair enough, Louisa. I can see how you feel. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
Louisa and Martin shook their heads and took their leave. Their next appointment would be in another four weeks.
Outside, Martin took her hand as they walked to the car. "Are you sure you don't want to do the survey, Louisa?"
"If it had been someone else other than one of your old girlfriends, I might have been keener. Under the circumstances I'd rather not court trouble."
"Oh. I see. You do know that the affair was over twenty years ago, don't you? Also I love you and I'm delighted you are carrying my child."
Louisa looked up at him, and smiled her biggest smile. "Yes Martin, I know that. However I also saw the way she looked at me when I said I was your wife. I still think that she was hoping to rekindle the relationship."
Martin visibly shuddered, which boosted Louisa's confidence. She'd just have to stay alert and try and nip in the bud any fresh attempts on Edith's part to muscle in.
They were soon on their way to St Kew and an evening meal cooked by someone else.
The next morning, Martin arose at his usual time, leaving Louisa to have a lie-in. It was closer to nine a.m. before she got downstairs. She had breakfast and then ambled to the shops for some groceries.
Several times she was asked about her holiday and she was delighted to be able to tell folk that she'd had a great time. She moved into each establishment purchasing fish, meat, soap powder and lastly, bread. Going home she heard the roar of a truck, and when she looked around, Joan was coming up behind her. When the vehicle stopped, Joan leaned over to open the door. "I'm headed up your way, do you want a lift?" she asked.
"Yes please, Joan. You're a lifesaver. Thanks." She smiled as she gratefully climbed in. Joan put the truck in gear and then moved on up the hill.
"Are you coming in for some tea, Joan?"
"Yes, I will. What's the latest news from Dr Lewis?"
"Everything is going well. He didn't scan me, so no photos for you this month. You know I can't believe I've only got two more to go!"
"Well, be careful what you wish for Louisa! Time enough now to take stock and decide what you really need and what is just candyfloss thinking." Joan looked quite stern as she said this.
Louisa laughed. "What's candyfloss thinking?"
"Thoughts that look substantial, but fade away to nothing when you examine them, just like biting into one of those candyfloss balls of spun sugar." Joan elaborated.
Louisa paused as if picturing the action. "Yes, I know what you mean."
They continued chatting and went into the kitchen. Joan put the kettle on while Louisa unpacked her bags and put things away. "I didn't get any cake this morning, but I've got some chocolate digestives."
She'd no sooner got the words out when a well-known voice from the shadows of the hallway pronounced "Full of calories, fats and who knows what! You don't need the calories, Louisa. It will be hard enough to lose the baby fat as it is without adding even more to the package!"
Louisa's chin went up, her eyes narrowed as she stared at Martin. "I've told you; I'll decide what I eat and when! You are beginning to sound like a broken record, and I'm tired of hearing it."
Martin looked shocked at this outburst. Joan turned away and busied herself with the teapot and cups.
Still looking daggers at him, Louisa said, "Later, Martin."
"Yes. I'll have an espresso, Auntie Joan so don't bother with tea for me." He made the drink and went back to his office. He thought about what he'd said and factually couldn't understand what he'd said wrong. Sighing he drank the coffee and then called for his next patient.
Joan pointed out to Louisa that he was just being caring when he said things like that.
"I know, Joan," she sighed. "But it's every time I have something that's just a little bit calorific. I'm sure it is a mantra he's got used to saying and he doesn't even realise what it is he's saying."
"How would he like it if every time he didn't talk to our friends and acquaintances, I said something like you know it's good, to talk, Martin. Come on, buck up.?
Joan nodded. "I suppose so. He tells me often enough that if I'm feeling out of sorts to make an appointment!"
"Well we had a surprise visit yesterday. I'd just got back from school and went into his office to tell him I'd be ready soon, and guess who was there?"
Joan looked blank, "Who?"
"Edith Montgomery! That's who. She'd come to ask Martin to help her with a paper she'd written. As if!" Louisa snorted with derision. "I'm sure she's after him again. Certainly put her out when I told her we were married and that I was expecting!"
"But it must be 20 years or more since she was on the scene. Detestable woman! Kept calling me Auntie Jill. I was very grateful she went off to America. Would have been a terrible wife." Joan was scathing in her opinion of Edith.
"Canada. She went to Canada. Got back last year and is now a deputy department head in gynaecology at St Mary's in London."
"Pity she didn't stay there. What's she doing here? Apart from writing papers, that is."
"She's doing a survey on older pregnant women versus the younger end of the spectrum. Dr Lewis suggested I might like to be a panel member, but Martin asked who would be running it. We had to wait until yesterday afternoon to find out. The proper Dr has broken his leg and she's taken up the reins instead. When I looked at Martin, I could tell he was less than happy so I made an excuse and said I wouldn't be able to afford the time involved."
"Just as well, Louisa. That would have been totally embarrassing. Are you going to continue with Dr Lewis?"
Yes, I'm happy to do that. Martin told me that because of my age it would be better to have Junior in hospital. That rules out a home birth. To tell you the truth, I think I'm a bit happier as well knowing there would be a full medical team around, if required.
The chat moved on and eventually Joan took her leave. "Keep me informed, Louisa. You know I'm available to talk to." With a cheery wave she left.
After surgery hours had finished Martin came into the kitchen for lunch. "I know I said something wrong, but Louisa it's right! If you put extra calories in you will find it hard to lose it afterwards."
Louisa ignored this comment. "Did you say Edith was coming back this afternoon?"
"Yes. I said I would give her a hand with the paper. I hope she doesn't stay long. I've got a headache coming on."
Louisa was glad to hear that he didn't want Edith to stay long, but suggested he take some paracetamol for his impending headache.
They settled on salad sandwiches for lunch and he went back to the office to wait for Edith.