Chapter 57

Martin's plane was due to arrive just before one pm. Louisa knew that it was important that she and Martin leave the airport as soon as he arrived, so she had left Ruth's flat with more than a half-hour to spare. There had been little traffic to slow her trip and she found that she had some time to kill before Martin's plane landed, so she bought a coffee and sat in the arrivals lounge with her book to wait.

When Peter checked with Margaret's doctors earlier that morning, they had confirmed that she could pass at any time. Martin might profess not to care whether he was there for his mother's last few minutes, but Louisa had the feeling that he needed closure. He needed to say farewell even if Margaret were unconscious. Louisa fidgeted restlessly in her seat; and unable to wait patiently, she put her book in her purse, tossed her coffee cup in a nearby bin, and stood to walk up and down the adjacent hallway, glancing at the arrivals board every minute or so. Finally, she saw that his plane had landed, and she walked over to stand just outside the passenger security exit hoping to catch him as he left the gate area. There he was. She could see the top of his head as he strode through the airport, striding past all the other passengers with his determined gait. She stood on the tips of her toes and raised her hand to wave, hoping to catch his attention. He noticed her immediately and pushed his carry-on bag in her direction as she rushed to his side, "I'm so glad you are here."

He slowed his pace and took her hand, steering them to the edge of the crowd, where he stopped and gazed down at her, "Hello Mrs. Ellingham."

She had been fingering her purse nervously when she first saw him but his greeting soothed her anxiety and she smiled up at him warmly, "Hello Mr. Ellingham. I've missed you."

"Yes." He enveloped her in his arms, ignoring the bustling crowds rushing past them. She buried her face in his chest, sighing with relief at his presence. After a few moments, he pulled away and tilted his head. "Any news?"

She shook her head and briefly brushed his cheek, "No, she's still the same. I thought we'd go straight to hospital. The children are with Ruth. Thank god she and Peter are here. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have them here to help. My mother can't cancel her clients without several days' notice."

He nodded his head in understanding, "Yes, very fortunate."

"The car's just out here." They exited the building and, after Louisa stopped to pay for her parking, they walked the short distance to her hire car. She had opted for a small SUV to accommodate the three children and all their luggage, which was fortunate because it was large enough to fit a man Martin's size comfortably. He went immediately to the driver's side of the car and held out his hand snapping his fingers, "Keys?"

She followed him, unlocking the doors and replied, "Don't you think it would be better if I drove?"

He pulled his head back and squinted at her, debating whether to press the issue or not, when he noticed that she was giving him 'the look'.

"What?" It had been ages since she had given him 'the look', the one that told him he needed to rethink his actions. He was annoyed, but before he could conjure up a compelling argument to support his driving, she had quickly slid behind the wheel forcing him to move reluctantly to the passenger side. "Just get in the car Martin. I know where we are going. Besides you aren't listed as a driver on the car hire contract."

"Humph… "

As soon as he had sat down and buckled his seat belt, she reached for his hand and, tilting her head, gave him a loving smile, "Before we leave Mr. Ellingham, I just want to say that I am truly glad you are here. I know I already said it, but I always miss you when we are away."

He immediately recognised the repetition of their ritual greeting and tipped his head to the side, a fleeting smile crossing his lips as his eyes softened, and he leaned over to give her a delicate kiss, "Ah, yes, I miss you as well Mrs. Ellingham."

She squeezed his fingers and beamed at him, radiating her pleasure that he responded a second time to their special greeting even at this difficult time, "I do love you."

And then, without skipping a beat, she straightened up, all business now, and started the car, "We should be at hospital within a half-hour. Peter said he would meet us there. He is staying close to her bed on the ward in order to catch any doctor or nurse who may have information to share."

"Good. I'll just give him a text to contact me."

"Why don't you just call?"

"Cell phones aren't always reliable in hospital and can disrupt sensitive monitoring devices."

'Right. I forgot."

Soon enough, they reached the hospital, and Louisa dropped Martin off at the entrance where he had arranged to meet Peter. She parked the car and, after some searching around, found the two of them with Dr. Fonseca in a consultation room near Margaret's ward. He was sharing the scans they had taken of Margaret's stroke damaged brain and outlining their treatment protocol. She hung outside the doorway listening to the conversation, understanding a few words here and there. It was obvious that the prognosis wasn't good.

"We have started the standard protocols to reduce inflammation, are giving her fluids, and keeping her as comfortable as possible, but other than that we are not providing any sustenance or any additional treatment, in accordance with her advanced decision living will, and we have placed a 'do not resuscitate' order in her file. We will contact you immediately if there is any change in her condition."

"Thank you." Martin nodded to Dr. Fonseca. "I'd like to see her now … please."

"Certainly. I will take you to her ward."

They turned to leave the consultation room, and Martin noticed Louisa standing outside the door. He reached out for her hand; and as they walked down the hall, he confirmed that Margaret's prognosis wasn't good, but that he would know more once he examined her himself.

"They'll let you examine her?"

"Of course, I am a doctor."

"Do you want me to stay with you?"

"No need."

She peered over at him, his head down, his usual serious surgeon's expression settled on his face, and she decided there was nothing she could do at that moment to help, "Okay. I'll just run down to the canteen and get some tea. Come look for me there when you have finished."

Peter and Dr. Fonseca led the way, talking together earnestly as they walked down the hallway and entered Margaret's ward. Martin followed the two of them and made his way to his mother's bedside. Louisa waited a few steps away and caught Peter's eye as he and Dr. Fonseca were finishing their conversation. "I think we should give Martin a few minutes alone with Margaret. Let him say his good-byes."

Peter glanced over to where Martin was reviewing Margaret's chart and examining the monitors next to her bed. "Yes. That would be best."

"I told him I would wait for him in the canteen, maybe get some tea. Want to come with me?"

"I should get back to Ruth and the children."

Louisa sighed, "Yes, I suppose you should. I was telling Martin that I don't know what I would have done without the two of you." She reached out and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much for helping out."

"I've been happy to help." Seeing the dismay in Louisa's eyes, he added in a brighter voice, "But you know, a cup of tea for the road would be good right now. Let's go."

It was close to an hour later that Martin found Louisa sitting by herself in a corner of the canteen. He sat down in a chair opposite, "I believe I've done all I am able here. Are you ready to go?"

Louisa tilted her head, wondering why he wasn't more forthcoming. Surely, he would understand that she needed more information. He was always this way, she knew that when they first married, but despite her hopes, he never learned to share more details. "You were there a long time, more than an hour. Did you discover anything the doctors here missed?"

"No, they all seem quite adequate to the job. She has had a massive stroke. Her vital organs are beginning to fail. There is nothing to be done. I expect she will pass sometime during the night."

"Will you want to be here when she goes?"

He drummed his fingers nervously on the table, "No need. She isn't conscious, she wouldn't be aware that anyone was by her side."

She leaned across the table with concern, "Are you sure?"

He stood up and reached for her hand, "Yes Louisa. I'm sure. Can we go now? I'd like to see the children."