Chapter 19
Martin tore through the front door. Who on earth would do this? His heart beating ten to the dozen; Louisa not far behind, clutching the baby closely.
'Oh for god's sake!' Martin was appalled.
'Steven!' Louisa exclaimed
'Hello Loubelle. Sorry about this, can I stay ? Landlord threw me out. Snooty bugger.'
'What here? With us?' She was confused.
'Yeah, is that ok?'
Martin was unimpressed by how casual this all seemed to Steven. Little consideration for anybody else, he noted. He had thrown his bags all over the floor and had put a cardboard box full of fatty fast-food on the living room table.
Louisa stood awkwardly, knowing she was obliged to help him all the while Martin would absolutely hate it.
'Yes of course' she smiled, albeit forced 'I mean, it'll be a bit of a squeeze. But that'll be ok. I think.'
'Bit of a squeeze?' Martin said incredulously 'Louisa, we are living in a very small, two bedroom cottage with a small baby. His equipment alone takes up almost the entirety of downstairs. We have no capacity!' He watched as two pairs of almost-identical eyes stared at him.
'Martin! I've said he can stay so he'll stay' She stated defiantly, feeling as though Martin was completely out of order.
'He cannot just turn up and expect us to alter everything overnight, not with a small child as I keep saying.'
'I am still in the room' Steven reminded them.
Martin scoffed.
'Hello, anybody home?' Now it was Joan 'I've got some fresh vegetables for you all. Now where's my little grandson?'
'Oh for god's sake.' Martin said 'Anybody else wish to impose themselves? Penhale? Mrs. Taylor? Angel Gabriel?'
'Don't be so curt, Martin! I'm entitled to visit. It's not an anti-social hour. Why is your suit wet? Steven, how are you?' She smiled, not really interested in Steven; there was only one little boy that she wanted to see at this moment.
They all looked at Martin in a state of disbelief. Louisa stood and felt like a lodger in her own home, she couldn't believe it. And they all in turn, began to squabble. She couldn't squeeze in a word. It seemed to have become a competition of who could talk the most in the loudest volume. She huffed and took the baby upstairs. He was exhausted and needed some quiet. So did she in fact.
XXX
Martin slowly inspected what was his consultation room. Renovation work had finally began within the shell of a building that was his home. Almost everything had been damaged in some way and it felt so very sad. The bottle green walls had finally disappeared and the they were now a fresh magnolia as the painters & decorators had arrived the week before. He wondered around and wrote up a list on his small notepad, of everything that would now need to be bought. He was engulfed in concentration when a kitchen drawer caught his attention, it was half open. It had somehow survived the tragedy, retaining that green paint. It was a drawer he used to stuff in bills and correspondence from banks, pension schemes, tax returns etc. Very boring things. Right at the bottom of the drawer, something familiar reared its old and faded face. It was a plane ticket. A now fragile piece of paper. The very ticket he used to fly in to Truro on 17th September 2004. The plane he boarded which would begin the rest of his new life. The plane that introduced him to the love of his life; he of course didn't know it at the time.
It had been a very hot day and he was relieved to finally be at his destination. Things were very uncertain then; he was very unsure as to whether he had made the right decision, whether he would actually tolerate rural life. He took enormous strides through Tintagel to get to the Castle Hotel; it was a glorious day. It did feel somewhat like he was on holiday there once again. The backdrop scenery , the smell of sunscreen and grass but this was a million miles away from London, the complete opposite end of the spectrum. He didn't really know his way around most of Cornwall back then and it bewildered him as to how so many villages and towns looked almost identical. This memory felt very nostalgic.
He held the very fragile paper in his hand, it was almost falling apart. He looked at it and realised how much life had changed, he then had no idea who Louisa was after an unfortunate encounter on the plane. Now, just a few weeks ago, he had shared one of the most personal moments of anybody's life; being with a woman who was in labour, delivering his child. He still daren't believe it. He knew it even back then. As soon as he saw her, he was besotted although he would never admit this. He just knew. She was beautiful. IS beautiful. Even if things were to be difficult for them- he would always have this souvenir which meant so much to him.
XXX
Louisa and her brother sat in The Slipway having a light lunch. She smiled gently at him. She loved him and loved having him in the village, but she knew he wouldn't stay and that was ok. She'd grown used to it over the years; everybody who said they loved her, left her and so now, she just expected it. She did realise though how sad that was now reflecting as an adult. She also realised that she was lucky enough to learn that, that is not 'normal'. She looked at the baby, gurgling away in his pram. She could never even think about leaving him; not now or ever. What would she do without him? He wouldn't have the same upbringing as her, nowhere near.
'Ah he's lovely, Lou.'
'Who? Martin?'
He laughed sarcastically 'Are you joking!? No, this little man. He's gonna be a right heartbreaker, you know'
Louisa smiled 'Well, he is the most gorgeous baby' She said half-jokingly. She giggled, she was so proud.
'He's not really what I expected though.'
'Well, how do you expect a baby to be?' she was confused.
'I mean Martin. Different, isn't he?'
'Well, yeah I suppose. He's a good man with very good values.'
'He got you pregnant and was then going to leave you? Some values!'
'Please don't Steven.' She put him at an abrupt interruption.
'I'm not here to have a go, Lou. Really. Look, how about I look after the baby? Every Friday night. Gives you a bit of a break and gives me time to be an uncle.'
Louisa's instinct reaction was one of terror, 'Oh well, I'm not sure about that. I mean, it's a lovely thought, thank you. But we're not used to leaving him, he's still so tiny.'
'Go on, Lou. It'll be absolutely fine. Like I said, gives you two a break for one evening each week. It'll also get him used to being around different folk instead of just Mum and Dad. Please Lou, I want to be an uncle.'
She was swayed slightly, he was right but it did make her feel incredibly nervous. 'Well, yes ok, maybe we could trial it. He'll have to stay near home though, you can't take him out of the village. And you're absolutely not to leave him with anybody else. Ever. And you'll keep your phone handy at all times? Well, anyway, we'd better be off to Portwenn Tots. We'll see you this evening, Steven.'
XXX
As Martin quickly put two hard boiled eggs into egg cups, he glanced and noted that she looked slightly pale. She yawned as she winded the baby on her lap. Martin was concerned as always. She had hardly stopped since long before the baby was born. She was now looking after her brother as well as the baby, she was breastfeeding and calling by in the school several times a week for several small jobs she had allocated herself. All the while neglecting herself. He was very concerned, but this was typical Louisa. She had always been the same. The pair of them also still had so much to discuss. Yes, they had declared their love for one another but they hadn't discussed anything long-term. Martin was of course, now out of a job, were they to continue living together? What was their plan? Martin wasn't sure there ever was one.
'Are you taking on too much? You look very tired?'
She yawned again, 'No, no. It's just been a long day. Very hot also. The kids at Portwenn tots were very lively today. Portwenn reading club tomorrow.'
'I wish you wouldn't. You've taken on too much. You need the summer holidays to rest, not to chase around the local idiots' children all day; no doubt they themselves will become the next generation of local idiots.'
'Martin!' she exclaimed in her high-pitched, offended tone. 'It's important to part-take within the community. And might I add, your boy is a local Portwenn boy.' She reminded him.
Martin pulled a face 'Well. Sort of. Maybe but I mean other children, not ours of course.'
Louisa recognising the rather pompous side of Martin which surfaced occasionally. She knew he didn't mean it, not really. She loved him. And nothing would change that. She knew the real Martin. He walked cautiously over to her and perched on the opposite armchair. He wasn't sure how to start the conversation.
'I err, have been thinking about us. You and me, that is.'
Sadness draining the colour from Louisa's face; not that there was much this evening. Had he realised that he did in fact want his job in Edinburgh? Had he finally realised that he didn't want a life with her?
'I've decided to retract my resignation as Portwenn's GP. It makes sense. I was going to rent my house out but err, that won't happen now either.'
Her shoulders dropped with relief 'Oh Martin, that's brilliant news. So you're definitely staying?.' She beamed.
'Yes. Would you consider err, I mean, would the house meet your needs? I erm.' He was rambling which he often did when he was unsure or uncomfortable, but decided he should just ask. 'Will you move in to the house? With me living there of course.' He knew she loved her cottage. She had been there a while, he wasn't sure exactly how long but a number of years he imagined. She'd made it her own and it did have a lovely view. Her favourite thing to do was sit on the terrace.
'Martin, I would love nothing more. We'd love nothing more. Thank you, Martin. Thank you for staying with us.' She smiled at the baby and turned him to face her so that she could look at his face 'We're so happy Daddy is staying, aren't we? You, me and Daddy, all together'
They both sighed. It was a relief. It felt as though after months and months of turmoil, things were finally coming together. After all the gruelling months in London, it almost felt worthwhile for this moment; she was with the two loves of her life.
'Anyway, let's put James to bed.' They both said in sync before glancing at each other. They had called him by the same name. For the first time ever. And it just felt right, it suited him. And James would be his name.