Chapter 40

Louisa picked up the breakfast dishes and carried them to the sink. It was Friday morning and they were back in London, their holiday in Cornwall over. After the village holiday party Saturday night, life turned tranquil. Martin let her have a lie-in Sunday morning whilst he prepared one of his big healthy breakfasts, only waking her when it was time to feed Joanie. Ruth left on the Sunday afternoon train for London so she could attend a New Year's Day party with some old friends; and Emily, the Ellingham's nanny arrived on a train from London a few minutes later to help out with the children and to accompany Louisa back on the train Thursday.

Having their trusted nanny in the house also enabled Martin and Louisa to attend Alicia and Stefan's New Year's Eve party, always a big event in Louisa's close circle of Portwenn friends, although Martin insisted that they leave by half ten. With three children who would undoubtedly be up at their usual early morning hour, it was unwise to stay and ring in the New Year. All in all, Louisa had to admit that he was right. It was nearly midnight by the time they had settled into bed; and as they were both tired, she decided to give him a night off from the conjugal activities that they had enjoyed nearly every night of their holiday. She thought she heard a sigh of disappointment slip from his lips when she gave him a gentle kiss good-night followed by a "Happy New Year"; but perhaps not, for after he returned the kiss, he was asleep within thirty seconds, lying flat on his back with his hands folded across his chest and breathing in a regular rhythm.

They had passed on a New Year's brunch with the Parson's, staying at home, cooking a delicious Italian themed early dinner for just the six of them. Cooking was one of the activities that they both enjoyed and they had spent much of Sunday evening after Ruth had left planning the meal and shopping the next day. Wednesday was their last full day and it was glorious, cool but not cold and brightly sunny. They bundled up the children and took a long walk along the cliffs, breaking for a short snack of cheese, apple, and crackers, plus a thermos of warm cider. It was a lovely family day. By Thursday afternoon, Martin had packed Louisa, Joanie and Emily onto the train for the homeward journey and drove the boys back early in the evening.

Now it was Friday morning, time to return to their busy London life. Both James and Robert were to be back at school on Monday. Based on Joanie's original due date, Louisa had arranged to take the next school term off. She had been tempted to offer her services now that Joanie had fallen into a routine, but she had decided to try being a stay-at-home mom for a few months. It would give her the opportunity to volunteer at each of the boys' schools, where she would be able to know their teachers and the rest of the staff better.

Martin was back in his suit, the Shetland cardigan that she had given him the winter after they were married and which he often wore on winter days at the farm consigned to the back of the closet until the next trip to Cornwall. It was a beautiful sweater and she loved the way he looked when wearing it, but she loved him in his suits as well. She took a moment to engage in a little day dreaming, remembering the first time they had dinner together, when she saw him waiting for her at the hospital entrance. She never tired of reliving that evening; he was so handsome, she couldn't believe she was having dinner with such a distinguished man. She would never forget that moment, and despite all these years of marriage, there were still times when her heart skipped a beat when she caught a glimpse of him in one of his suits. This morning was one of those times … when he came down for breakfast, walking with his usual perfect posture to the front door to pick up the newspaper. She stood in the doorway to the kitchen with a dreamy look on her face as she gazed at him walking towards her. He stopped for a moment next to her in the doorway and tilted his head quizzically, "Are you alright this morning?"

His question roused her from her reverie and she smiled up at him, "Yes." She stroked the front of his suit and adjusted his tie, "I was just thinking how handsome you look this morning."

He raised his eyebrow as he was wont to do and harrumphed, "Right," but she could see the edges of his mouth twitching as he tried to suppress a smile. He always feigned amused disbelief that she found him so handsome, but she knew he enjoyed her attention, found it reassuring, that she loved him so wholeheartedly. He once said that "love is certainly blind" when she called him her sexy man, and perhaps he truly meant it, but she also knew he was secretly pleased that she found him so attractive.

She stole a quick kiss before he turned to place the paper on the table. He had a light schedule today since, technically, he was still on holiday, not due back in hospital until Monday. Simon had insisted on his taking a full two weeks. Even on holiday, however, he kept up with the department workload, and he had scheduled a staff meeting at 10 am to ease back in. He planned to meet Ruth at 11:30 at his Dad's care home to assess his condition and to accompany her on her first visit with her brother. If she were going to help him with his parents, arranging their affairs and making decisions regarding Christopher's care, she needed to know what she was dealing with.

Ruth had promised on their trip down to Cornwall that she would step in so that Martin did not have to manage his parents alone. Before she returned to London that Sunday afternoon following the village holiday party, Ruth had taken Louisa aside and told her of the conversation she and Martin had had the night before. No matter how she tried to assure Martin of her love, Louisa knew her support wasn't enough to assuage his anxiety. Somehow, she just knew that having Ruth at his side would give Martin assurance that he wasn't alone, would provide him with the strength to face his parents as the weeks, and months, possibly years went on. What would they do without Ruth? They had managed to soldier on after Joan's death; she didn't want to think about losing Ruth as well. Fortunately, she was strong and healthy despite her 78 years. Louisa refused to think about that this morning. There were more important issues to address, the most important one being Martin's parents.

After they had finished their morning meal, Martin took the boys upstairs to dress for the day. He didn't have to be at hospital for another hour. He hoped to be home for a late lunch after his meeting with his father and Ruth which would give them time to take the children to the science museum, a favourite outing for the entire family.

By the time he was ready to leave for hospital, the boys had busied themselves playing with their toys in the lounge and Joanie was cooing at the moon and stars rotating around in the mobile hung over her playmat on the floor nearby. He leaned over Joanie to brush her cheek before he straightened up and bid the boys good-bye. James looked up for a moment to say good-bye whilst Robert ran over to the door to give him a hug around his neck. Louisa had already wished him a good morning, reminding him not to forget that they all loved him, and she gave him a sweet kiss before he jogged down the steps of their home and headed off for a brisk walk to hospital.