Chapter 7 - preparations

At about 10:30, there appeared to be a gap in the planning of patients wanting to see him, so Martin took the telephone and dialed the internal number of his assistant's device. That was also something he had learnt from the counceling sessions... Not to shout in the surgery..

With a short 'Yes Doc?' Morwenna answered Martins call.

'Can I have a word with you?'

'OK Doc, the next patient is at 11:50'.

'Good, come through then'

Quizzicaly, Morwenna stood up and entered the examination room, after a short knock on the door. She didn't know why she was summoned, so even if he knew it would be her, Morwenna chose to knock, just to be on the save side..

'Come in and sit down' Martin ordered.

'Morwenna, Louisa, James and I are going on holidays for two weeks, from mid April on'

'To the Netherlands, I bet?'

'Hmm, yes.. How do you know that?' But then Martin realized that she must have made the link with the tulips. 'I knew it, she is cleverer than most of these villagers', slipped through his mind.

'We will be away for about two weeks. I have to organize a locum, but we can also close the surgery completely during these holidays and send the patients to Wadebridge for the time being', he explained.

'In the latter case, you'll have to take holidays too. However, I don't want to force you to take holidays whenever it suits me, so...'

Morwenna couldn't believe her ears, 'Gee, Doc, you have changed since last year. All of a sudden you let me participate in your decision, you make me proud!...'

Martin blushed a bit, not knowing if Morwenna was sincere or just sarcastic.

'Uhmmm, yes, your choice!'

Still flabbergasted by his suggestion, Morwenna answered hesitantly.

'Well, I think we'd best stay open Doc. I mean, with the crisis and all, a lot of people can't afford to go to Wadebridge for a doctor's visit anymore. Besides, most of them prefer their own grumpy GP at their own surgery. So when the GP isn't there, I guess they'd still prefer a locum at their own surgery.'

'Hmm, from the patient's point of view, you're probably right. Very nice of you to think of them first, very professionnal. But now for your personal sake, what would you prefer?'

'Well Doc, if you must know, I'd rather stay and continue to work. I can't afford to go abroad yet and I wouldn't know who to go on holiday with either...'.

'Hmm, a locum then', Martin replied. 'I'll call Chris Parsons to organize it. And Morwenna,..?'

'Yes Doc?'

'Thank you for getting the flowers this morning, they are beautiful. I suppose the florist will send me a bill?'

Morwenna hesitated, '...Actually no.., he doesn't give credit. I had to pay immediately.'

Martin took his wallet out of his pocket and asked, 'how much do I owe you then?'

'Twenty-five pounds, sir, with the vase and all, I have the ticket in my purse, I'll get it'

'No, no, that's not necessary'. Martin gave her fifty pounds. 'This is for you. Buy a bunch of flowers for yourself with the rest of it, or save it for future use. Thanks again'.

This time Morwenna couldn't belief her eyes, Doc gave her a bonus!

She kept staring at him in disbelief.

'Now, off you go, I have a call to make'. He practically pushed her out of the examination room. In the doorway, she stopped and turned around.

'What?' Martin asked.

Instead of saying anything, Morwenna stood on her tiptoes to bridge the thirty centimeters length difference and pecked him on the cheek. 'Thanks, doctor Ellingham' and then strode back to her desk, leaving Martin speechless on the doorstep.

To be continued..