Previously: Having given some thought to the recent traumatic events and her interactions with Martin, Louisa is now ready for her birthday dinner with him.

Chapter 55: Magic and Mystery

Sunday Evening

It was a soft warm evening as Louisa made her way up Roscarrock Hill to the surgery.

Martin opened the kitchen door, clearly pleased to see her. He almost smiled, Louisa noted, smiling to herself. She was glad she wore her green floral summer dress that flattered her figure and brought out the green in her hazel eyes.

"I brought a bottle of Perrier, I know you prefer to drink water with dinner," she said, handing over the chilled bottle. "What are you cooking? It smells delicious."

"I've prepared some grilled mackerel with a saffron risotto. Saffron is rich in B vitamins and essential minerals."

"Oh, that's good to know. And it's such a lovely colour."

"Mm. Did you have any trouble… er, outside on the terrace?"

"No." She was a bit confused by his question. "Why, what sort of trouble?"

"Er, just a seagull. It's been hanging about, being troublesome. It mostly doesn't seem to bother anyone else, just me. I've been trying to… er, discourage it."

"Oh, I didn't see anything. I expect it'll sort itself out eventually."

"Mm."

Martin poured them each a glass of the sparkling water and she helped him set the table. "Do you have candles?"

He looked puzzled. "Not many. Torches are much more practical. Why, are you expecting a power outage? It's not even dark out."

"No, silly. For the table. Some tall slender tapers, for ambience."

Martin rummaged in a cupboard and came out with a pair of stubby candles in mismatching glass jars, and a box of matches. "Left over from Dr. Sim," he explained.

"They'll have to do." Louisa lit them and put them on the table.

Martin plated their meal and they sat down together to eat.

"Er, while you were away I went to judge the pig farmers' look-alike contest at Bodmin Fair, as you suggested," he said. "I haven't had a chance to tell you until now."

"Oh Martin, did you really? That's wonderful. Did you enjoy at the fair? Oh of course not, I don't know what I was thinking," she said quickly, in response to his slight frown. "Well, the important thing is you made the effort."

She sipped her Perrier and changed the subject. "So how's Pauline doing then?"

"Fine, I suppose," Martin shrugged. "She's just had a two-week holiday, during which she left silly greetings on the office answer phone. I made her delete them yesterday. Anyway, how should I know how she is?"

"You should take an interest, Martin. You work with her every day. She's probably feeling low because Al's leaving town."

"I see." Martin cut up his mackerel, and then seemingly had to admit some interest in the topic. "I did advise Al to get out and see more of the world, now that he's earned some extra money. Did he say where he's going?"

"He wants to travel abroad. Going to Africa for an adventure I understand, looking for a challenge."

"Hm. Glad to hear it. Although sometimes it seems like just being in Portwenn is a challenge."

Louisa sighed. "Well, I think things will finally calm down and get back to normal now. At least I hope so." She took a bite of risotto. "Pauline and Al have certainly had their ups and downs. I suppose if it's meant to be for them, it'll happen no matter what. But on the other hand, they seem to be at cross purposes so much lately. Maybe it's for the best if they have some time away from each other. Oh, I don't know, relationships can be so confusing." She took a sip of Perrier, wishing it was a glass of wine.

"People can fool themselves into staying loyal to someone who really doesn't have their best interests at heart," she continued. "Look at Michael Wenn. It's so odd for him to decide to stay with his wife after all that's come out about her. Seems like it wasn't fate that brought them together after all, but her stalking him, except she was rather more obsessed with his fancy house than with him."

Louisa knew she was deliberating needling Martin by bringing up the subject of stalking, but it still stung that he had accused her of that behaviour not so long ago. However, he seemed not to notice.

"Well, yes," Martin replied, "their relationship started out on a deceptive basis. He seems to have been rather won over by her in spite of it. The heart has its reasons, I suppose."

"People can be blind about those they love, whether it's a romantic partner or a family member," Louisa mused. "I'm afraid I've learned that lesson the hard way. It caused me to wake up shaking some nights while I was away. In a way, facing the truth about my Dad was just as traumatic as being threatened and held hostage by a mental patient."

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I am. So much has happened since then, now I feel like the circus has left town and life is getting back to normal. It's all turned out for the best I think. So yes, slowly but surely, I'm feeling better."

"Mm." Martin frowned slightly. "I must admit, I found it difficult to understand why you would so loyally defend your father when he was so obviously unworthy." He ducked his head in that familiar way Louisa found so endearing. "I'm not judging your relatives, it's just that… I suppose my own parents never inspired that sort of loyalty in me. My father never did, certainly. For most of my life, I thought my mother at least harboured some maternal feeling toward me. I needed to believe it when I was younger, but I was, er… recently disabused of that notion. So, I suppose I should sympathize with your situation with your father. I do sympathize."

He paused for a bite and looked thoughtful. "My Aunt Joan said to me recently the funny thing about families is loyalty is but a step away from delusion. Perhaps love is the same way."

"A delusion? You mean, like De Clérambault's Syndrome?" Louisa teased him more directly this time but she could see from his expression he was pained that she brought bringing it up so she regretted it.

"Er, no. That was a mistaken diagnosis, a very unfortunate mistake on my part." He looked at her very sincerely. "Louisa, I'm very sorry I said it that time."

"But you also said that love was a difficult word then. You were right about that," she countered.

"Mm. And I seem to remember you said we've known each other quite a while now. We've been through a lot together." He gave a half smile. "There are theories about the psychoanalytical and hormonal aspects of, er… romantic attraction, but there are some other undefined aspects as well, that could be considered…."

"You mean, like mystery and magic." She smiled slyly.

"Well yes, I suppose… Mystery and, um… magic."

"Martin, you're doing quite well for a man who said he doesn't talk." She chuckled. "And I didn't even have to get you drunk this time."

"Yes, well, perhaps I'm learning."

"Yes, perhaps we both are," she replied.

Dinner finished, Martin took the plates to the sink and washed them as they waited for the kettle to boil. When the tea was ready, he suggested they move to the living room.

"It's a lovely evening, like summer's back again. Hard to believe the last time I was here it was so chilly you lit a fire," Louisa said as she sat on the sofa.

Martin picked up the candles and brought them into the living room. "This room doesn't get much light in the evenings. And the candles do create… as you said, a pleasing ambience."

He set the tea tray on the coffee table and Louisa was surprised to see he had included a plate with two little fairy cakes, each with a pink flower iced on the top. "I thought you didn't like cake," she teased him.

"I don't. These are both for you. My aunt made them. They're rather light, and I, um… thought you would enjoy them, seeing as we never got to have dinner together on your birthday."

"Oh Martin," she said, delighted. "You never cease to amaze me." She poured the tea for them both and put some milk in hers. "You remember the last time we were here… before we were interrupted."

"Mm. Yes, I do."

Even in the fading light she could see the tips of his ears turning pink. His voice took on that deep warm tone that she loved. He leaned toward her and their lips met in a deep lingering kiss. He pulled back and looked her in the eye.

"Louisa, I…"

The landline rang.

They groaned together. The answer phone kicked on. "Portwenn Surgery," said Pauline's voice. "Please leave a message." Beep.

"Hey Doc… Chippy Miller here. Hate to bother you on a Sunday evening but I was cutting up an avocado, see, to make some avocado toast. The wife likes it for dinner. Anyway, I was holding it to slice it up and the knife went through a little too quick and went right into my hand. It's bleeding all over, the avocado toast is ruined. I really need to you to take a look."

Martin scoffed. "That idiot!"

"Mar-tin!" she scolded. "It sounds like a real emergency!" She sighed. "I suppose you have to go out now. I really should get home. It's the first day of the new school term tomorrow and I need to be rested and ready."

She could tell he was sad as he cleared the tea things and brought them back to the kitchen. He wrapped the fairy cakes and gave them to her as he took his medical bag and accompanied her to the front door. "Please take the cakes home."

"Thank you, Martin. I expect I'll enjoy them very much. You know, it's supposed to be a lovely day tomorrow, like summer again. I'm taking some of the children down the Platt in the morning for story time. I've got some favourite books lined up, including a fun one about a prince searching for his princess."

"If it's a hot day please remember to stay properly hydrated, Louisa."

She smiled at his gentle concern. "I will. Perhaps we'll see each other there."

"Yes, perhaps we will."

She leaned in to kiss him on the lips and caressed his cheek. The tips of his ears turned pink again. Then they went their separate ways, each feeling better than they had felt in weeks.

Just one more chapter to go…