Chapter 128

Sunday morning and Louisa woke up feeling out-of-sorts. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew she didn't feel right. Martin was still sleeping peacefully so she crept out of bed and went for her shower. Returning for her clothes he was still snoozing. She went and dressed in Junior's room before going down to make her breakfast.

She decided on porridge as she really couldn't work out what she did want. That seemed the easiest thing to do. She lingered over her tea, but couldn't hear a sound from upstairs.

Rather than make a noise, she collected the papers from the front door and settled in to read them.

Three quarters of an hour later, Martin came down, looking smart in his "off-duty" clothes. Louisa glanced at him, "Morning Martin," and held her head up for a kiss.

"Mm. you were up early. Everything OK?"

"I don't know. I feel unsettled, but I don't know why," she explained.

"That's a very precise answer!" he retorted.

"Well you asked, and that's the best explanation I can give."

He sighed. "Do you want another drink?"

"Er, yes please. Just tea."

He made his breakfast and a pot of tea before sitting down with the papers and expectations of an easy morning.

Luckily, he'd just finished his breakfast when his phone went off.

"Ellingham."

"Where?"

Right, don't move him I'll be there in about 10 minutes.

"I'm going down to the Platt. I'll let you know if I have to go to the hospital." He then went into the surgery to collect his bag and defibrillator.

The day was windy, but at least the rain had stopped. Yesterday had been really stormy and the thunderstorm had done some damage around the village.

Very few people were about and so his swift walk down to the beach area was unimpeded by browsing tourists.

As was typical in this small village a small crowd of people were gathered around the prone figure of a man, who seemed to be gasping for breath.

"Let me through," called Martin. The crowd parted and Martin was able to approach the man. "I'm Dr Ellingham, can you tell me what happened?"

"Can't breathe," said the man.

Martin took note of his flushed face and got out his aural thermometer. "I'm just going to take your temperature." It was elevated.

"Do you have anything else wrong?"

"Chest hurts, Doc." The man was wheezing.

"How long have you been like this?"

"Just came on yesterday. I'm on holiday. We've come down from Manchester." A bout of coughing stopped him from saying anything else.

"Len, Len! What's wrong?" a woman's voice was heard behind Martin.

Martin asked, "Are you, his wife?"

"Yes, Moira Fellows. We've just come down from Manchester."

Can you tell me if he's been showing any signs of illness since then?"

"He was complaining his chest hurt and he felt achy. Didn't stop him smoking though," she added cynically. "He said he was tired, too."

"Have you been in a spa, or jacuzzi since you came down."

"No, neither of us is interested in those things."

"Where does your husband work?"

"He works for an insurance company. He's in one of them office blocks, out of the way."

"Are you staying in a hotel?"

"No Doc. We've got a caravan of our own. We're staying at the local site for a few days."

By this time Len was obviously struggling for breath. Martin's first reaction was to think that the man had a severe dose of flu, but something told him it might be worse.

"Has he been sick, or had diarrhoea?"

"Yes, he was throwing up this morning, but we had shellfish last night and we put it down to that." She explained.

"Do you drive?" he asked Mrs Fellows.

"Yes, I can drive. Why, what's wrong with him?"

"It seems as though he may have flu, he's exhibiting many of those symptoms. However, I'm not sure. I'm going to call an ambulance to take him to hospital, for a check-up."

"For flu Doc? Surely, he doesn't need to go to hospital if he's got flu?"

"As I said, I'm not sure and the hospital will be able to perform tests that I can't do here."

Saying that he took his phone out and called for an ambulance. Then he assisted the man to his feet and got him moved to the nearby bench. "Mr Fellows, are you warm enough?"

Len said "Yes," in a rasping voice.

"I'm sending you to hospital for some checks, but I'll give you some aspirin, which should bring your temperature down a bit, as well as easing your chest pain." He gave Len two tablets and a drink of water from a bottle he carried. "Keep the water and drink it as you need to. "

Turning to Len's wife he asked her if she knew the way to the hospital?

"No, we've only just got here. Where's the hospital?"

"It's in Truro, The Royal Cornwall hospital. I suggest you go to your car and bring it closer to here. Then you may follow the ambulance there."

"Will you be alright, Len?"

"Yeah. Do what the Doc said, love." He was overcome with another coughing bout, and lay back against the seat.

With a worried glance she went swiftly up the hill to where the car park was.

Martin used his thermometer again to take Len's temperature, and then listened to the wheezy breathing with his stethoscope. He was concerned about the man's condition. Impatiently he looked at his watch and saw that if the ambulance was coming from Truro there was still another 25 minutes to wait.

After ten minutes he asked Len if the tablets were having an effect?

Len said that the pain in his chest was just as bad as it had been. They continued to sit on the bench and a car rolled into sight. Mrs Fellows parked out of the way of the lifeboat runway, but close enough that she would be able to swiftly follow the ambulance.

Eventually the ambulance arrived and Martin went across to them, out of earshot of his patient.

"What we got then, Doc?"

"I'm not sure, he's exhibiting flu-like symptoms, but there's something else, I think as well. Ask for a respiratory infection test, and urine test to be carried out, when you get there. Wear masks while you're with him in the ambulance."

The paramedics looked at each other. "OK Doc. Will do."

They helped Len into the rear of the ambulance and checked that Mrs Fellows was following before speeding up out of the village.

Martin picked up his things and went back home. He went straight to the consulting room to wash his hands thoroughly and then wipe down his thermometer, stethoscope and bag with antiseptic wipes.

He re-stocked the bag and then went to the lounge. Louisa was there reading her magazine. "Hi there, Martin. All sorted?"

"Yes, for now."

"Did you want to do anything, Louisa?"

"No. Not really. I've put some washing in, and will finish the rest, but just for now I can't get motivated. I'll finish the papers and then see if I know what to do. Are you going to do your clocks?"

"Yes. Er, if you don't mind?"

"No, you go on. As I say, if I feel like doing anything else, I'll let you know."

"Hm. Tell me if there's something wrong, won't you?"

She smiled at his concern. She rather thought that he'd learned, idle hands make idle people. "Yes of course, Martin. Go on. Go do your clocks." She ushered him on his way.

After he'd disappeared, she sat back down and sighed. 'What was the matter with her?' Why did she feel so 'out-of-sorts?'

She looked at her paper again and the date caught her eye. Of course! It was her Mum's birthday, and as usual she wasn't there. Tears began to roll down Louisa's cheeks as she thought of her missing Mum, and with the impending birth of her grandchild. Yet again, Louisa was bereft of her own family.

"Only me," was the call from Joan as she entered the kitchen. Looking across to Louisa she couldn't help but notice the tears. "What's the matter? What's he done now?" Joan thought she knew immediately who was at fault.

This made Louisa cry all the harder. She shook her head, "Not Martin, Eleanor! It's her birthday today."

"She won't be here."

Having heard Joan's greeting, Martin came in from the consulting room. At a nod from Joan he looked down and saw Louisa in tears. Instantly he dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"My Mum! It's her birthday." Louisa said, as if that made total sense to him.

Martin looked at Joan for guidance.

"Eleanor's not here Martin, and as this is by far, not the only time, Louisa is upset, again."

As Martin thought Eleanor was a selfish person, he was not sure of what to say to comfort Louisa. He didn't care about the happiness of his own parents and was puzzled by Louisa's reaction to the date. He continued to hold her and say "Sh, sh, sh," quietly to her.

Joan turned and reached for the kettle. A cup of tea might soothe Louisa's nerves.

Eventually, Louisa's sobs ceased and she gave a tremulous smile to Martin. "I'm alright now, thank you."

Martin stood up again, faintly embarrassed at being caught in a tender scene, by his aunt.

Joan placed three cups on the table and began to chat about everyday things, giving Louisa time to compose herself again. Martin made the odd comment and eventually Louisa joined in.

After she'd drunk the tea, Louisa said she'd go upstairs to freshen up, leaving Joan and Martin still sat at the table. When she was out of earshot Martin asked, "Joan, what was all that about?"

"Louisa's pregnancy hormones have exacerbated her feelings towards her Mum, who won't be here for another important day in Louisa's life. Just as she hasn't been here for other dates."

At Martin's baffled look she told him, "It's important to Louisa as she feels her Mum should be here for the birth of her grandchild. It would be slightly different if Eleanor was dead, that would be logical. However, deliberately staying away, is something else."

Realisation dawned for Martin how important it was for Louisa.

"Ah. Er, I see what you mean. What can I do?"

"Exactly what you did do then. Make her aware of how much you love her. That will help, but won't quite reach that underlying sadness. Nothing you can do about that. It's something Louisa has to come to terms with, herself."

"Thank you, Auntie Joan."

"Right Marty, I'll go. I only popped in because I was down at the Platt anyway. See you next week." She left, leaving Martin behind.

Louisa hadn't come down, so he went upstairs to see what she was doing. He found her laid on the bed, looking very upset.

"May I?" At her nod he climbed on next to her and wrapped his arms around her. He held her for a while, not saying anything just waiting for her to recover herself. Eventually Louisa calmed down and then fell asleep next to him. He shut his eyes and just drifted, his thoughts wondering about the emotions exhibited by his lovely wife.

Gradually he too, fell asleep.

About an hour later he woke up to kisses being placed tenderly along his jaw-line. "Mmm." He said and began to return the gesture of affection. "Are you feeling better, Louisa?"

"Yes. You make a big difference, you know? Simply being here for me, when I need you."

He hugged her a little more. "Isn't that what Handsome Princes do, for their Beauty's?" he said, playfully.

"You're wonderful. Have I told you that?"

"Well not in the last couple of days, but you've hinted at it, occasionally."

She began to laugh. Which was his intention.

"Come on, I need some sustenance. Do you want to eat in or go down to the Crab?"

"What time is it?"

"Just gone 4:00 o'clock. We can have an early dinner, for once."

"Yes, I'd like that. Give me time to wash my face and comb my hair?"

"Fine. I'll wait for you downstairs." He left the bedroom and went to sit and wait. He knew "a few minutes" wouldn't be less than 10 or more!

Eventually she came down, looking none the worse for her tears, and they left arm-in-arm to walk down to the Crab and Lobster.