Chapter 52 Planning the future
Martin installed himself at the desk that stood in the corner of the main bedroom. Once again, he was glad that the Dutch men were so tall. In a French or Spanish B & B, you'd never find any furniture where he could comfortably sit at.
The first step was a call to Morwenna, but he sent her a text message first. "Morwenna, put the surgery line to the on-hold position and go to the kitchen, I need to talk to you.."
Reluctantly Morwenna did what he requested, somehow afraid that she had done something wrong. But she remained her positive self and texted back "Morning Doc, I'm ready for it!"
Right after she had pushed the send button, her cell phone started to ring.
"Hiya Doc, how are you doing? And how is my little friend? And Louisa?"
Ignoring her questions, Martin fired his own questions to her instead.
"Yes, uhm.. hello! How is the surgery going, Morwenna? Are the patients satisfied with the services of the locum?"
"Oh Doc, it's like a mad house here, we hardly have time for our own Portwenn patients! I bet you've already talked to Doc Brown and know already everything about the invasion from Delabole? All people from there seem to want to come here, all the way from Delabole!", she exclaimed. "There's been a huge number of temporary registrations, Doc! But Doc B. seems to be good, since they keep coming... Even if they expected to be taken care of by what they call 'the real Doc'."
"He IS a real doctor, Morwenna."
"Yes Doc, we both know that, but they all come to see Doc Martin, so they are a bit disappointed at first, because he is so young... But when they come out of the surgery room, they are OK with it."
"So they are satisfied?"
"That's what I said... they are OK with it. Some of them even call him a tosser as well. So he must be fairly good, isn't it?", she said with a laugh.
Martin grunted, but didn't reply to her attempt of a joke.
"Morwenna - and I want an honest answer - would he be the kind of Doctor you'd go to, in case you were ill?"
"Definitively, Doc!", then a penny dropped and suddenly worried, she asked
"but you're coming back, right, you're not staying away from us are you? I want to keep my job... work for you..., please Doc, don't tell me you're leaving Portwenn!"
"Don't be rediculous, Morwenna...", Martin shouted, but it pleased him that his receptionist was satisfied with her position at his surgery.
Relieved, Morwenna sighed. "You scared me Doc!"
"Morwenna, what do you know about the situation in Delabole? Are you in contact with the receptionist at the surgery over there?"
"Yes, Doc. The old receptionist from Delabole couldn't stand the situation anymore and left last week. After she worked here during my absence, Poppy applied for the job and she is the receptionist at Delabole now, Poppy... You must remember her.. she worked for you before, for a couple of days... Apparently you didn't scare her too much after the unfortunate incident with the poo-water and she still wanted to become receptionist somewhere. She is even going to get a proper medical education, to become the first aid responder. I bet she already does half of the first aid work the Doctor should do himself.. and better. She sends the other half here, because of all the disasters happening there.."
"I have some ideas about how to solve that. Are you getting along well, with Moppy?"
"Poppy", Morwenna corrected in a reflex. "Oh yes, Doc, she is a nice girl and adequate! I wish I knew as much as she already does about all the medical stuff..."
Martin immediately benefited from this opening,
"That brings me to another point. You are probably as smart as she is, or even smarter. We also need a first aid responder in Portwenn. Prepare for the application, I will sign it next week. If you are motivated and want to invest time in it, that is.."
Flabbergasted by the Doc's compliment, Morwenna asked "Are you serious, Doc? I would love that, but... do you really think I could get the certificate?"
"Yes, if you study hard. Much better than reading those useless magazines about popstars and movie stars anyway! Can I count on you?"
"Sure!"
"Good! And by the way, James is fine, Louisa is fine too. Goodbye!"
The second number he dialled was Chris Parsons' number.
"Mart! You did it again, didn't you, saving someone's life under heroic circumstances! You and your Dutch colleague are hitting the sky on social media Mart. That was spectacular. Good for your reputation too!"
"What are you rambling about, Chris Parsons? You know I'm not doing social media. Anyway it wasn't important, Elzenbosch and I did our jobs… Can we talk some business now? I'm sure that you are aware about the dramatic situation in Delabole by now? Did you read my files?",
Martin answered impatiently and continued without waiting for his friend's answer.
"The moron in Delabole has to be replaced as soon as possible, before there will be any fatal case neither me or any other doctor in the surroundings can prevent, do you agree?"
Chris answered, "Yes, absolutely, thank you for pointing out the situation so clearly in those files. We have already started the procedure, he will be assessed by the GMC next week".
"I have a suggestion to make. Tell me what you think about it. The young doctor you sent as a locum is very adequate. He has really good diagnostic skills and works in a professional way."
"That sounds like a complement to me, Mart, are you sure you're OK? What happened to your rude little self? You haven't been hit by the wing of a Dutch windmill have you?"
"Parsons! Shut up and listen to me!", Martin shouted, proving that he was still the gruff, rude person Chris knew so well.
"You need a replacement in Delabole. And I have come to the conclusion that the way we are organized in Portwenn isn't good".
Suddenly lowering his voice, he added a bit shyly, "Not good for the village and not good for me and my family. I need to be able to work on my family life, Chris. Working day and night, family life being interrupted all the time by well-meaning but very annoying villagers with genuine illnesses in only half of the occasions, is not good.. it's just not good."
Chris then showed to be a real friend to Martin and said gently, "Go on Mart, I'm listening.."
"I'd like you to investigate the possibility to create a kind of partnership organization for the surgeries in Delabole and Portwenn. With me in Portwenn and Albert Brown in Delabole, we could combine forces when needed and we could be each other's replacement during holidays and also organize weekend services. That would give both of us the opportunity to have some time off during some of the weekends. Brown is still very young, but I could act as his professional coach. I am sure he would grow into the job rather quickly. The details are none of your business of course, but I would need some more time with my family, Chris. My family needs me and I need them… If we can't organize something alike, I may have to resign as GP… no idea what I would do for a living, but it's that important to me..."
Chris could hear between the sentences that Martin was very serious and even emotional. But inwardly, he applauded his mate for having yet another brilliant solution for a problem that had troubled him for a couple of weeks already, since the first awful case on the Delabole GP had been filed. Not even by Martin but by the GP of Wadebridge.
"Martin, I embrace this idea of yours, it is brilliant!", Chris said enthusiastically, "I have had sleepless nights about this situation and you just gave me a perfect solution! Pity you don't drink, because I owe you a pint or two! By the way, his name is Alex, not Albert… May I give you the challenge to ask if he is interested? Then I will start the procedures for the organization of the partnership"
Martin replied with a factual "Yes, of course, thanks Chris and goodbye", after which he decided that the conversation was over and he broke the connection.
Then, he immediately dialled the cell phone number of his locum. He felt confident that, should he be with a patient, Alex Brown wouldn't answer it. He decided to let the phone ring three times, but after the second tone, the phone was picked up by its owner with a curt
"Brown".
"Morning Dr Brown, Dr Ellingham speaking. Are you with a patient, or can you spare me some moments?", Martin said.
"Ah Dr. Ellingham, good morning… Yes, no problem, Morwenna just told me that the next patient cancelled his appointment, because one of his sheep has gone in labour... How can I help you?"
"Nothing unusual", Martin replied, referring to the cancelled appointment, "that happens all the time.. How are things going? Anything I should know of?", he inquired.
"Well colleague, if I may say so, you have a hell of a busy surgery practice here in Portwenn. Even in the evenings they know where to find me at the Crab and Lobster for any medical, or non-medical advice as it seems… How on earth do you manage that the whole year round all on your own? There suddenly appears to be a huge inflow of patients from Delabole.. They all claim to be badly treated by the local doctor over there. Morwenna told me that you saved a boy recently, after the local doctor of Delabole misdiagnosed him. His parents must have spread the word, Ellingham!"
"Can you still handle it?", Martin asked.
"Yes, thanks to the great help of Morwenna, who is really good in triage. What a gem she is, Ellingham, you should cherish her for her high quality and professionalism. I would get her some proper medical education if I were you".
Martin then continued "Hm… I thought it would happen. The practice in Delabole is a disaster. The doctor will soon be struck off by the GMC. I have already sent a huge file with several cases to Chris Parsons to take care of his assessment".
"I could add a few, if you like", Alex Brown confirmed, "The guy can't even distinguish measles from chicken-pox or a sprained ankle from a broken one…"
"I will come back to you on that, should Parsons need more evidence. Now that you have some experience with being GP at the countryside, what do you think of it?"
"Oh I love it here!", the young doctor exclaimed, "From a professional point of view, I would love to be in your shoes and I regret a bit that you're not retiring yet, if I may say so. So sad my locum-period will soon be over. I really love the place and all of Cornwall!"
Martin frowned when the young doctor mentioned his retirement, but he appreciated the honest reaction. Brown reminded him of himself, apparently as direct and to the point as he was himself.
"That brings me to the next question, Brown… Something for you to consider and to think about thoroughly… People from Delabole can't continue coming to Portwenn, it is way too far for sick people. And as you correctly stated, running a surgery in Portwenn is already nearly too much for one doctor, even without patients from Delabole.. If there would be an opportunity to become the GP of Delabole, would you be interested?"
"I'm flattered, Dr. Ellingham, but I may be way too young and too inexperienced to run such a practice on my own..", Brown answered hesitantly. "But I would be interested, yes sure! I'd love to… in five years or so?…For the moment I wouldn't even be able to get the financial means to fund the takeover of a surgery with, I'm afraid."
He sounded very disappointed and Martin felt pleased about that.
"There's only one way to learn how to swim, Brown and that is by jumping into the pool. And I'm not saying this for your interest only, it will also be beneficial for me… Here's my suggestion." Martin started to explain the project to his young colleague, who listened attentively to this most intriguing proposal.
"We will work out the details, when I am back next week. If you agree with the plans and if Cornish Medical Association approves of it, of course. Don't answer now, just think it over thoroughly. Any initiative from your side for the details will be appreciated, Brown.."
"It looks like an offer I wouldn't be able to refuse, Dr. Ellingham!" Understanding that Martin would never say anything just like that, Alex Brown added quickly "but I will take enough time to think everything over before I will answer you and Dr. Parsons, OK?"
"Good", Martin replied. "There's one favour I'd like you to ask. Even if your answer is no, could you please stay in Portwenn for a couple of more weeks, to handle the situation with the patients from Delabole together?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Thank you... Goodbye." Martin hung up even before Alex could return a goodbye himself. No unnecessary chit chat to end the call. Alex Brown smiled, before he called "Next patient!"
Before starting the last of his planned phone calls, Martin took a moment to look through the huge window. He saw his beautiful wife and their young son playing on the grass. Both of them were laughing out loud and had a lot of fun with whatever little game they were involved in. "You're such a lovely mother, Louisa", he said to himself and he resolved to tell her that later.
This last call would be the most difficult call to make. He sighed, took a deep breath and dialled Ruth's number..
With a more or less surprised "Martin!", Ruth answered his call. "Why are wasting your precious time with your old aunt, instead of spending it with Louisa?", she asked in the typical blunt Ellingham way. "I do hope there's nothing wrong?, she added.
"Ruth, good morning", Martin started. A bit hesitantly, he continued, "no not really..."
"Go on...", she encouraged him.
"Ehm.. Ruth, you're part of my family, so I want you to tell you something.. yesterday, I lost control, I totally lost control.. about my parents, my horrid youth.. about my mother telling me I spoiled her life..."
His aunt breathed in sharply, but said nothing. Martin's voice sounded nervous and emotional.
"You didn't know any details of it, Ruth did you? Or auntie Joan? I bet they were masters in pretending? It's important to me to know.. I finally need to get the puzzle complete, Ruth, do you understand that? And to close the chapter.."
"It doesn't surprise me very much that this happened to you now, Martin, while you are on holidays and in a totally different environment, with your lovely wife and son... Let me try to answer your questions. I still don't know any details Martin and I don't need to know them, but if we, aunt Joan, uncle Phil and myself, would have known at the time how badly they damaged you, we would certainly have done anything within our powers to get you out of their malicious claws... A lot of the puzzle became more clear to me, since I live in Portwenn. When your mother arrived here with the message that your father died two weeks before and when it appeared that she only came here because of money - and to steal your grandfather's clock, I finally started to see what a horrible unsensitive creature she is.. I don't even want to imagine what she did to a smart, vulnerable and sensitive little boy, Martin..
I try to be there for you and your family, Martin, just like Joan tried to do when you came to live here.. Neither of us could or can change the past and I regret that, but both Joan in the past and I myself now and hopefully for many years, hope to give you all the support you may need, boy."
Then his aunt asked a simple but essential question, "And Louisa?"
"Louisa is the best that ever happened to me, Ruth", Martin replied, without giving his aunt much details about how Louisa took care of his crisis. "And James of course. And that's what I made crystal clear to the woman who doesn't deserve to be called mother... That I have a family indeed: Louisa, James and you! She's not part of it!"
"Good, Martin! But I'd suggest that you go and benefit of your holidays with Louisa and James Henry now, instead of wasting more time with your old aunt, hm...?"
Martin scraped his throat and said "Thank you, Ruth..." Just before breaking the connection, he mumbled a bit embarrassed and shily "love you auntie Ruth." On the other side of the line, Ruth, with her lopsided grin on her face, stood next to her phone for several minutes..
Martin put away his cell phone, opened the terrace door and stepped into the sunshine. As soon as James saw him, his son forgot what he was doing and crawled towards daddy, squealing with happiness. "Da.."
Martin scooped him up with his right arm, pulled Louisa up with his left and took them both in one embrace.
"I have to confess that I like to be with just the two of you more and more", he said "and that's what going to happen soon!" With a few well-chosen words, he explained his project. For a moment, he was a little bit afraid that Louisa would be cross with him because he hadn't involved her in his plans, but this time, she wasn't. She simply pulled his head down and gave him a lingering kiss.
"Excellent idea, dr. Ellingham!", she said when they broke apart.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ellingham", he answered softly and he kissed her back.
This time the ever present interruption of a lovely moment together was caused by their son, who evidently needed a nappy change. Louisa laughed out loud and even Martin showed a hint of a smile before he handed his now smelly son to his mother.
"Your turn", he said, "I'll prepare lunch."
To be continued. Greetings from the sunny Netherlands. Stay safe all!