Chapter 18
He'd suddenly come over all fuzzy-headed. He looked around and wondered how he was now on the floor. He was only making his way up the hill, as he had done 1000 times before. What was so different this time. He felt as though his heart was to beat its way out of high chest. And the headache was just unbearable. He had been carrying a box full of carrots which of course, were now rolling down the hill at alarming speed. His best bet was to shout and hope Mrs Tishell would hear him.
'Mrs Tishell. Mrs Tishell! SALLY. SALLY!' Bert shouted.
Mrs Tishell of course, sped almost as fast as the carrots to get Martin. And as Martin stomped his way through the village, Mrs Tishell tried her best to keep up with him. She was becoming increasingly breathless but none the less, saved her last breath for Martin.
'Oh Doctor Ellingham, I felt it appropriate to call on you. Oh thank you Doctor Ellingham. Thank you so very much. And please forgive me for requesting your assistance at such an early hour. We are medical equals but I can't help Mr Large, not without your approval and supervision.' She tried to smile as best as she could as her cheeks became increasingly flushed.
'Thank you, Mrs Tishell. Your assistance is no longer required. Goodbye.' Nonetheless, she continued to follow him.
'What happened Bert?'
Bert was also out of breath, he couldn't lift himself back up off the ground.
'Why were you putting your body under even further stress. Walking up this hill with a box weighing god knows how much at 8am? On top of your morbid obesity?'
'Well, I have to Doc. I have to get to Port Gavern for 7.30 for best catch. Tommy saves me a box of vegetables but I have to be quick or otherwise the best carrots go. Do you like carrot and coriander soup by the way, Doc? New to the menu?' Bert was forever thinking of new ideas to draw in the customers and he was sure that the soup would be a hit. Although he thought every new idea would be a hit- didn't always be the case though.
Martin was checking his blood pressure and heart rate. 'Ah I see. Carrots are far more important than your health. Maybe I shouldn't have bothered with the medicine and just studied carrots instead' he really wasn't impressed by Bert's persistent irresponsible behaviour. Your blood pressure is 210/130. You're on the verge of a cardiac arrest or stroke. It is also quite possible that you are already experiencing acute kidney injury.'
'Oh dear lord. That sounds serious, Doc.'
'It is. Not that that's ever bothered you in the past. Health isn't your main priority, is it.'
He clicked his fingers – 'Mrs Tishell, please could you get me 5mg Amlodipine and 2.5mg Bisoprolol?'
'Oh yes of course. Anything you want, anything at all' and she skipped back to the chemist in her floral, bright pink twin set.
Martin bellowed at Bert. He was cross. Bert never did take his health seriously and he had never taking on board any advice Martin had given him over the years.
'Bert, I'll need to see you again this afternoon to re-check your blood pressure. If it remains this high, you will need admission to hospital. Any signs of deterioration, call 999. And don't even think about appearing at Louisa Glasson's cottage unannounced expecting tea and cake.'
XXX
Martin quietly walked back into Louisa's cottage and noticed she must still be in bed. He lightly made his way up the stairs and perched at the end of her bed. She slept so peacefully, quiet rhythmic breathing. The cottage was calm and he could have stared at her forever. Her skin so perfect and beautiful brown hair cuddling her shoulder. It was the first time they had slept in this same bed for many, many months. It had felt so good- to be close to one another. Louisa had also loved every minute of having him so near. They had felt so tired after their night out, so they had arrived home, checked on the baby and then had a cuddle in bed before drifting off to the best night's sleep. Him wearing his beloved blue pyjamas, buttoned up right to his chin almost. This had amused Louisa so much. She was much more of a chaotic, disorganised personality. She could only ever hope to be as precise. She lay her head in his chest and it had immediately calmed her. The only person she ever wanted next to her.
Martin stroked her cheek. She opened her eyes slowly. 'Hi, Martin. Is everything ok?'
'Yes' he whispered. He was with her, of course everything was ok.
'Did you sleep well?'
'Yes thank you.' She stretched. 'Thank you for last night, Martin. What a special evening.'
They looked at each other. Louisa continued 'How would you feel about taking the baby swimming today?' She smiled.
'What? No, I don't think so. Not a good idea, Louisa. I've had previous experiences with swimming pools.' He was horrified.
'He'd enjoy it, Martin. Don't you agree that getting him active straight away would have several health benefits.' She was being a little naughty- she knew that would sway him.
'Absolutely not.'
XXX
Martin stood at the side of the pool with his stiff frame whilst Louisa and the little one splashed and giggled. They were having such fun; unlike Martin. Louisa looked as beautiful and petite as ever in her black swimsuit. She never, ever wore black but was still feeling a little insecure, Afterall it had only been four weeks since having a baby. A baby who always looked beautiful, smiling at his mum.
'Louisa, don't let the water go over his head. God only knows what strains of bacteria are festering in there' he pulled faces.
'And Louisa, inspect his skin in case of reaction.' He pointed. He then noticed some other children swimming rather close to them which raised his anxiety even further. 'You! Yes you two, move away from the baby. Move away. I SAID MOVE AWAY.' He bellowed which caused a slight echo.
He also complained about the bottom of his suit being wet now. And it was too noisy. And the walk from changing rooms to pool was too far. He was everything but impressed.
Louisa was starting to feel cross with him, 'Martin, please. Just relax. Everything's fine.'
He wasn't convinced.
The baby screamed as his two parents struggled and fidgeted to get his car seat clicked in on the back seat.
'What on earth is wrong with this thing? It worked earlier.' Huffed Martin, still slightly stressed.
'No you're doing it all wrong. The seat belt needs to slide through this side'
'Well this is how we've always done it. No, this is no longer adequate. It'll have to go back' He insisted as the baby continued to be moved around; his cuddly toys swinging all over the place. They also feared he may also continue screaming for the journey home.
They both sunk back into their front seats, sighing heavily. That had been a miniature disaster for sure. They wouldn't be doing that again soon. The baby did scream the whole journey home.
'Oh Martin, he's upset. It's ok, William. Mummy is here.'
'Hm that name is err, becoming a habit. Is that what you want to name him? I mean, it's satisfactory if that's what you want.' He wasn't really that keen on the name; he liked the name itself but it didn't seem to suit the baby for some reason. It had become a makeshift name.
'Yes, that matter does need immediate attention I'm afraid. It's funny because I had a number of names prepared when I was pregnant. Thomas, Henry, Charlie. But they just don't seem right. He would have been a Rosie or Rebecca had he been a girl.'
She stared out of the window deep in thought. 'I read a beautiful poem just before we had him. It was about how time passes but the beauty of Cornwall will remain for as long as there are stars in the sky. Lovely, isn't it. Hhhm. The author was called James Collins.' James. That had a nice ring to it.
'James was the name of my great-uncle' announced Martin, 'An engineer. He lived in Sussex and had an endless succession of women so I've been told.'
They both nodded in a sort of unspoken agreement. At least they agreed on some things some of the time. They would need to discuss it further but they were both too exhausted for the time being. Louisa suspected the baby may also be as tired, given his loud protest on the back seat. He'd even kicked his blanket off. An upset baby meant an upset Louisa.
'Could you pull over, Martin. I'm going to see if he needs a feed.'
'Louisa, we're thirty seconds away from the village. Let's just continue.'
She gave him one of her looks.
As they pulled up, Louisa noticed her front door open. There was movement behind her front window! Somebody had got in. She had locked the door- she always did. Martin's home had been cruelly destroyed; now it was hers. She looked at Martin as the worry suffocated her.