Chapter 27
Margaret stood up as the orderlies wheeled Christopher out of his private room. His procedure was scheduled for the following day. By the time the hospital had admitted him and started the preliminary tests, Margaret realised that she was famished. Earlier in the day she had been anxious about their appointment with Martin, whether they would be able to reconcile, and she had been barely able to choke down a piece of toast. Food had been the last thing on her mind during the consultation with Martin and his colleague, Mr. Brendall. The admission procedure had been complicated and interminable, or so it seemed, but finally Christopher was assigned a bed and taken down to the imaging department for scans.
She was free for an hour of two and it was time for an early dinner. She followed the signs down to the canteen where visitors and staff were milling about, inspecting the hot cafeteria offerings, searching through the prepared salads and sandwiches, filling cups with assorted beverages, and grabbing packets of crisps. It was chaotic, but she was hungry and she managed to put together an acceptable, if less than quality meal.
She found a table on the far wall against a bank of windows and pulled out her book to enjoy the few moments she could steal away from her husband and the reminder of the ordeal that both of them had ahead of them. Tomorrow would be gruelling. While Christopher was in surgery, she would contact one of the estate agents Martin's assistant had given her to see if she could find a temporary home here in the heart of London. She hoped that Martin would check on Christopher this evening before he went home. It wasn't as though she didn't trust this man Brendall that Martin had assigned to Christopher's care, but she didn't understand why he felt it necessary to operate immediately. Even though they had been estranged from Martin for years, she knew he had been raised to be a man of integrity and would tell them the truth.
She was sitting at a table next to several staff members who were gossiping, as staff were wont to do. They were laughing when one of them piped up. "Did you hear? Mr. Ellingham's wife had a baby girl a few hours ago."
"You're not serious!" another exclaimed. "That man is married?"
Several at the table laughed and nodded their heads. "Yep, he is! I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. You should see his wife, she's quite pretty."
"You're pulling my leg." The second one replied.
"Really, he is … they married, oh, maybe 8 or 9 years ago. This new baby is their third child."
"I guess it's true what they say …. There's someone for everyone … although I shudder to think what home life is like with him."
One of the nurses added. "I'm friends with his assistant, Morwenna and she tells me his wife is quite pleasant, his complete opposite, and that their children are just adorable and sweet as can be."
Margaret wanted to ask if the baby was okay, but that would imply that she had been eavesdropping. She turned the page of her book even though she hadn't read it just to make it appear as if she had no interest in their conversation, but she continued to listen to learn what she could about her son and his family.
"Three children? How can she stand to be with him? I've never seen the man smile. In fact, I avoid him whenever I can." The second wasn't going to be dissuaded in her opinion of the difficult surgeon.
Another agreed, "I know. Don't we all? I cringe every time I get assigned to one of his cases. You just know that your week is going to be hell."
Another spoke up to defend the man, "Well to be honest, he's fine as long as your treat his patients well and don't do anything stupid. He actually commended me when I discovered one of his patients was developing a hematoma last year. He really is an excellent surgeon and just wants the best for his patients."
"Maybe, but he could be a little nicer."
"I can't argue with you about that."
Out of the corner of her eye, Margaret could see one of them lean in close to the others and say, "Can you imagine having sex with him? I can't even begin to imagine what he would be like in bed!" She shuddered and the others tittered.
As the laughs died down, another nurse piped up, "Edith Montgomery was the attending."
"Eww" Some of the others shuddered, "Another doctor I try to avoid"
"Don't you know it. Well … I heard Montgomery's surgical nurses talking after the delivery. They said he was a typical new father, besotted with his baby and devoted to his wife. They couldn't believe it. One of them even heard him whisper 'I love you' to his wife!"
"Really? Wish I'd been a fly on the wall to see that."
The first nurse leaned in closer to them all, "You know, I remember someone telling me that Montgomery and Ellingham were an item back in medical school. They were engaged, but she broke it off to go abroad for her career. I wonder if that's true. Anybody else hear that?"
"Yeah. I remember hearing that myself, back when she first came on board. I wonder if it's true. It must be. Why would anyone make that up? Can you imagine how awkward that must have been for her to deliver his wife's baby?"
"Another reason to have been a fly on that wall."
They all howled with laughter at the thought, and then moved on to other topics. "Montgomery, yes that definitely was her" Margaret remembered Edith, the woman Martin was involved with whilst in medical school. "So, she is back in London, very interesting." Margaret drummed her fingers on the table as she sipped her tea. "Too bad Martin was already married to Louisa when she came back; he could have reconnected with her. She was lovely, so cultured, a much more suitable wife for Martin."
Suddenly Margaret shook herself as she realised the implications, "No. What am I thinking? If he had married her, it's unlikely they would have had any children. At least with Louisa, there are some grandchildren!" The sound of chairs scraping on the floor as two staff members left the group to return to their work startled her and reminded her that there was a more important issue to consider, the new baby. She was certain that the baby wasn't due for four weeks or more and she felt some concern, "The baby, is the baby okay? They didn't say anything about it so it must be okay." She took a bite of her pasta salad and returned to her book. In a moment, she had an idea, "Perhaps I can catch a glimpse of the baby if she is in the nursery. It can't hurt to go look." Margaret finished her meal, took her tray to the bin, and asked for directions to the maternity ward.
As she exited the lift on the maternity floor, she sought out the nursery. They had the blinds up for visiting hours and there were several other people her age searching through the window for their newest grandchild. She methodically looked at the names on each cot but was not able to find the name Ellingham. She caught the eye of the nurse and asked, "I can't find the Ellingham baby."
"Oh, I'm sorry madam, but the baby is rooming in with her mother and can't have visitors. She will be in hospital for one or two more days. Check with us tomorrow to see if she can have visitors."
"But she's all right, isn't she?"
"Of course. Check in tomorrow."
Somewhat relieved, she headed towards the lift and happened to see Martin walking down an adjoining hall. She hurried past to avoid his view and ducked into an alcove a few doors down, watching him walk towards the maternity unit and enter a private room several doors down from the ward. "That must be Louisa's room," she thought to herself, and made a note to wander by the next day, and then continued on to Christopher's room, hoping to be there when Martin checked in on him.
Christopher was awake and picking at the meal he had been given as she entered his room. "It's about time you came back," he snarled. "Where have you been?"
"I went down to the canteen to find myself some tea. I see that they have delivered your evening meal as well."
"Typical hospital food," he complained bitterly. "Mystery meat, overcooked vegetables, and hospital coffee. Why can't the NHS make a decent cup of coffee.?"
"Should you be drinking caffeine before surgery tomorrow morning?"
"Decaf." He sputtered.
No response required, she nodded and took a seat in the guest chair next to his bed and pulled out her book. "Has the surgeon been by?"
"No. You'd think with a fellow surgeon as a patient they'd be a little more attentive. Martin better come by this evening. There are a few things I want to get clear with him."
She glanced up from her book, "What kind of things?"
"You wouldn't understand … technical."
Deciding it was time they had a serious talk, she put her book down and removed her reading glasses. "It may be prudent to share your concerns with me. If something should go wrong, as your nearest relative, I will be the one to whom they will turn for decisions regarding your care."
"I would expect you to seek guidance from Martin."
She let out a sigh of frustration, "Really Christopher, given that you have been estranged from him for years, I'm not certain that he will be objective regarding your care."
He pushed the overcooked peas around his tray, turning up his nose, "Of course he will. He's a surgeon. He's accustomed to maintaining an objective perspective on his patients."
"Yes, but he won't be making those decisions as your surgeon. He's likely to be swayed by his indifference as to your outcome; he may feel it is in your best interests to withhold care. How would you feel about that? Do you want us to do whatever it takes to keep you alive, or let you go?"
He fidgeted with the sheets, staring at her hard. Margaret continued," I seem to recall that we discussed this a few years ago and you told me to just let you go. You didn't want to be hooked up to machines. Have you put that in writing? It would be best to have your wishes in writing."
She could see that he had not considered that he, Christopher Henry Ellingham, could possibly be so disabled that he could not make that decision himself, and he turned toward the window in thought.
"Well?"
Still facing the window, he muttered, "I'll have to think about it."
She returned her attention to her book, then raised her head and added, "I believe the hospital may require you to sign a form indicating your wishes before your surgery. That is standard procedure, is it not? You need to make your decision soon, probably tonight if surgery really is tomorrow."
Martin appeared a few minutes later after a short knock on the door. He nodded, "Good evening", and went straight to the patient notes at the end of Christopher's bed where he spent a few minutes going over them. He stood ramrod straight and when he finished, he looked up and addressed his father, "You are scheduled for surgery in the morning. I have spoken with Brendall and it looks fairly straightforward. A carotid endarterectomy. I assume he has gone over the details with you. Do you have any questions I can answer?"
"Yes, I do". Christopher then proceeded to pepper Martin with questions, none of which Margaret understood. When it appeared he had finally finished, Margaret spoke up in what she hoped Martin would consider a sweetly concerned tone, "Is there anything I should know before he goes into surgery, Martin?"
"The procedure will likely last five to six hours so you may be more comfortable waiting back at your hotel. Just be sure to give the waiting room staff your contact information."
"Yes. I will."
"It's likely his recovery will be a month or two or longer. He may need a second surgery in a few weeks, so you might want to find a flat for the duration."
"Yes, I plan to do that."
"Very well. I will check in tomorrow evening."
Martin turned to go, but Margaret stopped him, placing her hand lightly on his sleeve, "Martin, I hear congratulations are in order."
He snatched his arm out of her grasp, glowering at her, confused, "Wha …? What do you mean?"
"You and your wife have a new baby?"
He tugged on his ear, "Mm …. Yes."
"Mother and baby are both doing well?" She gave him a sweetly questioning look of concern.
"Yes."
She clasped her hands together, releasing a sigh and smiled, "I'm glad."
Christopher had picked up a magazine when Martin turned to leave, but when he overheard this conversation, he barked, "You already had two children. What did you need with a third?"
Martin whipped his head around to face his father, and not expecting his comment was, for a moment, tongue-tied.
"Honestly man, what are you doing with that woman, breeding like rabbits. It's disgusting!"
Martin pulled himself up to his full height, balling his hands by his side, and bellowed, "How dare you! That woman, as you call her, is my wife. She is …. She is …" For a moment Martin was at a loss for words, wanting to escape, never to see his parents again, yet needing to defend Louisa.
"She is what? What? You were lucky to have found any woman to marry you."
"Louisa is a beautiful and brilliant woman. I love her and all three of our children."
"Love," Christopher spat. "What do you know about love?"
"I know more about it than you do," Martin snapped back.
"Humph," Christopher scoffed, a scowl covering his face.
Martin glared at him, his entire body quaking with fury, his face contorted with rage. He could contain himself no longer and he addressed his father in a low threatening voice, "I have endured your distain for me my entire life, but now you excoriate my family? You despicable excuse for a human-being." He went to the door, still shaking with barely controlled anger, "No more! – you are on your own now. Good-bye" He turned on his heel and flew out the room.
"You've done it now," Margaret said as she glared at Christopher and followed Martin out of the room as he strode down the hall, crying out, "Martin, Martin, wait."
With his long legs he was at the end of the hall in a few seconds and she found herself running after him shouting even more loudly, "Martin."
He skidded to a stop and turned, snarling, "What do you want?"
Struggling for breath as she caught him up, she gasped, "Martin, please. I wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your daughter. Please ignore your father's outburst. He's not himself these days."
"Seems pretty much as he's always been," he growled back at her. Martin was not in a humour to give his father any slack.
"It's been so long since we were close. Can't we heal this rift … at least you and me. We may be the only family we have left should something happen to your father."
"I have a family", Martin responded, looking at her with contempt. She had no way of knowing that he was remembering how he had handled just this situation in his dream so long ago. "I have my wife and I have my three children and I have Ruth. You never wanted me, even when I was a child, why should you care now?"
She continued to plead with him, "You know what I mean. I would really like to be a grandmother to your children."
"They have a grandmother, Louisa's mother, and they had Joan."
"Please Martin." Margaret begged. "Please let me meet your family, or at least, see the new baby, a little girl, so sweet."
Martin softened just a bit at the mention of his daughter, but only a bit, and he replied in a more civil tone, "I must get back to Louisa. It was a difficult birth and she needs my attention. I left her only to check on Dad."
"Please," Margaret begged.
He stood silent for a few seconds, appearing to consider her request, then lifted his head higher so that he was looking down at her, and he responded with gravity, "Let me speak with Louisa. Perhaps you can come look at the baby tomorrow through the window. Give my assistant Miss Newcross your contact information in the morning, and I will have her notify you before visiting hours. Now I must return to Louisa and ensure she is cared for properly."
"Thank you, Martin." Margaret smiled to herself as she turned back towards Christopher's room. "That went fairly well. Now I just have to get Louisa on my side."