Chapter 51

"This is nice, isn't it?" Margaret smiled at her from across the table as the waitress brought them each a cup of hot tea.

Louisa replied with a noncommittal "mmm". She hadn't been surprised to receive the call from Martin's mother, after learning from Martin that she had returned from Portugal. He had returned home late one evening last week with that news after checking in with his father and seeing his mother. He was always troubled after encounters with his mother, and that evening was no exception. He barely touched his supper, he closed himself up in his study with his latest clock afterwards, and slept restlessly. He left for hospital earlier than usual the next morning, and when he returned home that evening, he confided that he had called Harold, his therapist, to see if he could fit him in. Both his parents opened up old wounds in his soul, but his mother's vitriol seemed especially caustic. The insecurities that woman gave him were resurfacing and he needed an independent advisor to help him navigate the turbulent waters his mother churned up in his psyche with every encounter. All the more reason Louisa thought, to meet this woman, this gorgon who had made his childhood miserable.

Now that Margaret was back in town, Louisa knew it would be a mere matter of time before she would try to contact her. Louisa had put her off when she called before Christmas, but she had no good excuse now for declining her luncheon invitation. She had told both Ruth and Martin that she wanted to meet his parents and this was as good a time as any to meet his mother. But she knew to be careful. Ruth had warned her to be cautious, that Margaret would be sweet and gracious, welcoming even, and that she shouldn't be taken in. And Martin, Martin was barely able to contain his horror at her meeting with his mother, "I know I can't forbid you to meet her, but please be very vigilant. She is manipulative and cunning and she will try to ingratiate herself with you so that we will take care of her in future." She promised him that she would be on her guard.

So here they were, in this lovely little café just a few blocks from her home. She couldn't help noticing that Martin's mother was quite attractive. She must be nearing eighty yet her hair was still full with only a few traces of grey. She should ask her mother if Margaret's colour was natural or not. A skilled colourist could work miracles. And her skin was flawless with only a few wrinkles to indicate how many years she had passed on the planet. Louisa couldn't help but hope that she would age as gracefully. "I wonder if she has had any work done. You can't always tell."

"I'm so glad you agreed to meet me for lunch. I hope we can be friends."

There it was, the gauntlet thrown down. Heeding the advice of both her husband and his aunt, she was noncommittal and she nodded, "It is nice to be out of the house on my own for a change."

"I suppose it is, although…" Margaret lowered her eyes demurely before continuing, "I was hoping you would bring the baby. I'd love to see her again."

"Mmm … she is just 12 weeks old, and she usually naps around this time. I don't like to disrupt her schedule. Plus, she is too young to take out for long periods of time."

"I suppose so. Maybe another time?" Margaret's voice was full of hope. "I was only able to see her that once … whilst you were still in hospital."

Louisa gave her a sweet smile and responded ambiguously, "Perhaps it can be arranged some time. We'll see." She turned her attention to the menu, "The last time I was here I had the chicken caesar salad. It was quite good, but I think I'd like something hot today. It's so cold this winter. Maybe a bowl of lentil soup. That sounds delicious. What do you think?"

"Yes. Sounds good. I think I'll have a glass of merlot as well – would you care for a glass of wine?"

Louisa laughed, "I'd love a glass of chardonnay, but I'll have to pass for today."

Margaret pressed her, waving her hand in the air, "Oh go ahead. One glass won't hurt you."

"But it's not good for Joanie. I'm still breastfeeding and alcohol isn't advisable. Thanks anyway."

Margaret raised her eyebrows in surprise, "You're breastfeeding the baby? In my day we used formula. It's much more convenient and it frees you up for other activities."

Louisa screwed up her mouth, "Yes, I suppose it does, but breast milk is much better for the baby. Martin is very supportive, says it's good for the mother as well."

"I suppose he would know … as a doctor," Margaret intoned, with just a tinge of doubt colouring her agreement. Just then the waitress returned and they placed their order.

Louisa took a sip of water and laughed, "One of the benefits of breastfeeding is that it uses up calories … helps to shift that baby weight." She wasn't about to be intimidated by this woman, and an uncomfortable silence settled over the table as she smiled at Margaret across the table.

"Yes, I suppose it does," Margaret finally replied with what Louisa could only describe as a simpering smile. "Still it does tie you down, having to be 'on call', so to speak for the baby's feeds. I don't know how you mothers do it these days."

This was one of the openings she had been waiting for, although she needed to be careful. She didn't want to antagonize the woman right off. "So, I take it that you didn't breastfeed Martin when he was a new-born?"

"Heavens no. It just wasn't done in our day. It was felt … back then you understand … that it was easier for the mother to get her figure back if she didn't have to deal with all the demands of that sort of thing. It was better to turn over care to the nanny, who knew best how to care for a new-born, and get back in society, get involved again with one's volunteer work, charities, that sort of thing. You do have a nanny, don't you?"

"Yes, she comes in five mornings a week."

"Only in the mornings?"

"Yes, but things were so different when Martin was little. Can you tell me more about him back then?"

"Oh, it was so long ago. It's hard to remember. I suppose he was cute. Aren't all babies cute? I do remember that he was curious, almost from the beginning. I remember he would look around the room when the nanny brought him in to visit with us before dinner; but after a few minutes, he would start to fuss. Christopher couldn't stand to hear him cry, always made the nanny take him away. It was just as well, as we usually had guests arriving for cocktails or dinner. Martin tended to be a fussy baby, always crying or wanting to be held. But as he grew older, he was better behaved when brought in to visit with the adults. He would stand quietly next to his nanny and look around the room, his eyes stopping to examine this or that, only speaking when one of our friends addressed him."

"What about at other times? Did he enjoy playing in the park or with other children?"

"I suppose he did. The nanny took good care of him, but she never said anything about their activities."

Louisa was unable to understand Margaret's attitude and she wanted to push her to elaborate. Did this woman really spend a mere few minutes every day with her child? She wanted to scream, but knew better. Better to stay as objective as possible, "So, you only spent time with him in the evening?"

"Yes, of course. That is what we did in our day, in our social circles. We kept very busy with our social and charitable obligations. There was the hospital auxiliary, fundraising events, that sort of thing. I was heavily involved in the hospital auxiliary when Christopher was working."

She raised her hand to smooth her perfectly coifed hair, "In fact, I was chairwoman for three terms running; you may see my name on the plaque inside the main lobby along with the other chairwomen." Margaret tried to make this last statement sound humble, but it was obvious from the way she smiled that she was quite proud of her position and especially the recognition that came with it. She took a sip of her wine and glanced out the window at the park across the street.

Louisa followed her eyes and commented, 'It certainly is blustery today, so nice to be inside where it's warm."

"Yes," Margaret finished her glass of wine and signalled the waitress for another glass.

'As I said, I was chairwoman of the hospital auxiliary for several terms. It kept me very busy. Plus, there were dinner parties to plan for Christopher's colleagues and hospital benefactors. There just wasn't time to stand around watching the children play. I'm sure you must find it difficult to entertain and care for the children as well."

It was all Louisa could do to contain her fury at Margaret's attitude, but she managed to remain calm and reply with tact. "Actually Margaret, Martin and I do very little entertaining in our home, and never with his hospital colleagues. It is a refuge where Martin can relax and unwind from the demands of his work, a place where we focus on raising our children, spending time with them and with each other. We both love caring for the children."

Louisa could tell by the expression on Margaret's face that she was both surprised and shocked, and Margaret's response confirmed it, "I must admit that I am quite surprised that you don't recognise the importance of maintaining a close relationship with his colleagues and their spouses. It can help smooth over any controversies or rivalries that occasionally arise in hospital.

If she knew her son at all, she would know that Martin despised this kind of false socializing, but Louisa knew that now was not the time to antagonize her "mother-in-law", and she responded in a matter of fact tone, "We do socialise with his colleagues occasionally, at the annual holiday gala and at various fundraisers and benefactor dinners from time to time. Martin doesn't feel the need to do more than what is required, and I respect his decisions on these matters."

Their meal had arrived while Louisa was speaking and Margaret turned her attention to her soup, as did Louisa.

As she savoured the warmth of the soup, Louisa pondered, "I'm here to learn more about this woman … need to keep her talking." She had made up a list of questions to ask Margaret earlier that morning, questions that she was hoping would encourage her to talk about herself. It had been fairly easy to encourage Margaret to reveal why she had raised Martin the way she had, although Louisa still was unable to understand her lack of interest in her child. "That was how it was done in my day. Really?" She took a few spoonsful of her soup, "This soup is delicious. I always enjoy a hearty soup in the winter, don't you?"

"Yes, delicious." Margaret responded vaguely as she reached for a roll and a pat of butter.

Louisa took a sip of water and then opened another avenue of conversation, "I hear that Christopher is doing well after his operation. Martin tells me that you should be able to take him back to Portugal within the next month or two."

"That's what we're hoping,"

'I think that's wonderful. I'm sure you will be happy to be back home. Tell me something about your life there in Portugal. Where exactly do you live? How do you pass the time?"

Margaret was pleased that Louisa seemed to be interested in their life. Perhaps she would come visit with them for a day or so after they got settled, and she began to describe their community, painting it in the best of light. The villas were exquisite, the clubhouse and pool, the golf course and tennis courts all perfect for a leisurely lifestyle. She briefly described their circle of friends, the prestigious positions that the men had held before retiring and the accomplishments of her friends.

"It does sound like a very pleasant way to pass your 'golden years'."

"It is pleasant, but we also participate in the community outside our compound. We hold a fundraiser for one of the local children's homes every year, and I'm on the organizing committee. Last year when I chaired the event, we raised more than we had in any previous year. I was quite pleased with the result."

'Yes, I imagine it would be very gratifying."

"It is. But I don't mean to monopolize the conversation. Tell me about your interests, other than the children of course."

"Whilst the children are young, they are, of course, my primary focus. It's important to give them a good start in life, make them feel secure and loved. Other than that, I teach elementary school maths three mornings a week, although I have taken this term off whilst Joanie is so young."

"You really don't feel the need to support Martin in his work?"

Louisa chuckled, "It's not like I have a medical background, but I do make sure he has a loving home to return to each night."

"That's not what I mean. You really should participate in the hospital auxiliary and various fundraising events, that sort of thing. I can't stress enough how important that is. You are much more likely to be aware of various staffing changes, funding initiatives, that sort of thing if you are involved, and you can make sure Martin benefits from whatever changes might occur."

"You are aware, are you not, that Martin is quite accomplished? He doesn't need me to help advance his career." She stared straight at Margaret raising her eyebrows ironically, then she continued, "As I said before, I do accompany him when he meets with benefactors, at dinners or fund-raising events. In fact, I quite enjoy them, but I don't have time to get more involved. And fortunately, he neither expects nor wants me to. Frankly he would much rather I spend all my time caring for the children, but he tolerates my teaching because he knows how much I enjoy it."

They had finished their meal and the waitress returned with their bill which Margaret quickly picked up. She gave it a quick glance and slipped her credit card into the slot, waving for the waitress to take it, and then continued her thought, "Martin doesn't always understand the importance of these niceties. He never had much social intelligence. I strongly encourage you to consider it."

Louisa had had enough. She dropped the pitch of her voice and looked Margaret straight in the eye, "Margaret, I think we need to be honest here. I am completely aware that you and Christopher have been estranged from Martin for years."

"Yes, but …"

Louisa cut her off, "If you knew anything about your son, anything at all, you would know that he abhors the intrigue and backbiting that comes with the "involvement" that you think is so important for his success. He has succeeded in his work because he is brilliant and because he always puts the welfare of his patients first. The hospital administration understands his priorities and have rewarded him appropriately. He doesn't want or need me to be snooping around behind the scenes.'

She rose to leave, "Thank you for lunch. It was delicious."

Margaret rose and tried to stop her, "Oh please just stay a few more minutes."

Louisa looked at her watch, "I can't. The boys will be returning from school soon and I need to tend to Joanie."

"Ah yes, Joanie. When do you think I could see her? Maybe tomorrow?"

"No, not tomorrow. I'll be in touch." Louisa quickly donned her coat and hat and turned toward the door.

"Wait, please, one more thing. I understand you visit your mother in Portugal every winter. She lives near our community. I thought you might want to bring the children over to play in our pool one afternoon whilst you are visiting."

Margaret's offer surprised Louisa, but she was quick to respond, "That's very generous of you, but I will have to check with Martin. And we won't be visiting this year. Joanie is too young for air travel. Perhaps another time."

"Yes, the offer is always open. I hope you will consider it."

"Well … yes." Louisa quickly fled to the door. She had had enough of Margaret Ellingham for one day.

Dear Readers, to those of you celebrating, I wish you a pleasant and happy Thanksgiving. Among my many blessings, for which I will be giving thanks, will be my discovery of the show, Doc Martin, which has given all of us such enjoyment. I am so grateful for those who work hard to create and produce this brilliant show. May they continue to be inspired. I will also be giving thanks for this fan fiction community where I have found so many wonderful friends. I wish all of you the best.