Chapter 4

**Thanks so much to all who have been reading and especially to those who have reviewed. I really appreciate it.**

The next morning was Saturday but Martin decided he could phone Chris Parsons at home anyway. They talked and Chris, of course, had already heard all that had happened with Mrs. Tishell, partly because she had been treated in Truro and word about the "psychotic chemist" had spread like wildfire among many of the medical personnel. Chris felt fairly certain that the man who had been planning to come to Port Wenn would be fine to come for only a few months and then to take another position that would be opening in a nearby village at the retirement of another GP. He would call to be sure, of course, but felt that it would work out. The other village was larger, closer to Truro, and, as the new man was younger he would probably prefer the proximity of the larger town.

So now Martin just needed to call Imperial and make what he hoped would be final arrangements. He dreaded the phone call because he knew that these kinds of things just weren't done. You don't accept a position like Head of Vascular and then put it off and then turn it down. He feared he would ruin any chance for ever doing serious surgery again and he did not want that to happen. He couldn't ever imagine Louisa wanting to leave Port Wenn, but then he could never have predicted someone like her loving someone like him anyway. So she was right - he didn't want to completely burn his bridges.

But it had to be done. There was no way round it. So, on Monday, first thing, he would make THE phone call, after hearing first from Chris.

He decided to drive out to Ruth's and find out how Mrs. Tishell was doing. It was going to be rather embarrassing if she continued to work as the Port Wenn chemist but he would have to tolerate her, he supposed. After checking to see that Louisa and James were okay to be at home for a while, he sped away. He wanted to get this visit over with and Louisa needed to go out and buy some winter clothing for James Henry down in the village.

Driving down the narrow lanes, he reflected on the last few days. He and Louisa certainly seemed to be getting along better. Their conversations seemed slow to him, but he was sure that was because Louisa was trying to reflect carefully and make sure she understood him before she replied, just as he was doing with her. He wondered how it had happened but decided not to question what seemed a success, small though it might be.

Her "rearrangement" of the surgery had him puzzled, however. He had made no "overtures" toward her since the baby was born anyway and he didn't quite understand this plan of hers. Was it truly helping their relationship? He pondered this and thought of how much he missed seeing her hair fan out on the pillow, feel her warmth next to him, and sense her stirring as she woke in the mornings. How long did she feel this time apart should last? He didn't want to push her, but as he had told her many times now, he loved her and really wanted to be with her - completely with her, especially now that it seemed that just maybe they were going to have more than just a civil conversation, but also a pleasant life.

He soon arrived at the farm and was surprised to see Ruth walking out to meet him by the time he got out of the car. "Good morning," she said. Martin grunted in reply as Buddy came toddling over from the barn, acting as if he wanted petting. "Finding the need for time alone already?" Ruth asked. "I heard that Louisa has once more moved into the surgery. How long will it last this time, do you think?"

"Not that it is any of your business, but we seem to be making progress and I am hopeful that we are moving in a positive direction at last," Martin replied.

"Martin, you know that if you REALLY want to be different from your father, it will take lots of work. Not many can do it. But I suppose you can do it if you really want. Did you come here for psychiatric advice?" she said with a smirk.

"Certainly not!" he replied. "I came for a report on Mrs. Tishell. She is still my patient you know and, much as I would detest it, I suppose I need to see her if you think it necessary. I do have a duty of care, even to her."

"Well Martin you will be happy to know that Mrs. Tishell is as well as can be expected and will not need your services any longer. Clive has definitely decided to retire. They plan to sell the business and take off for the places he has always wanted to see. Maybe even London - who knows? But they are currently staying with relatives out in Truro and don't plan on returning, I understand. She did ask me to apologize to you and to Louisa as well. They will have to undergo counseling of course but hopefully they can at least work things out long enough to get away from Cornwall."

"That is a piece of amazingly good news then," said Martin. "I didn't know how I would continue to work with her. But of course it will cause problems if the business takes very long to sell. It is so much more convenient for me to have a local chemist."

"For YOU to have a local chemist?" Ruth exclaimed. "So you really meant what you said the other day? You really are going to stay in Port Wenn? You are going to turn down the position at Imperial? Martin, are you sure you have thought this through properly? You know that if you turn this down there will likely be no going back?"

Martin gave an exasperated sigh. "Yes Aunt Ruth I do know that. And again, not that it is your business but I meant what I said on that horrible day. I am going to stay here if this is where Louisa wants to be. And for now, at least, this is where she wants to be. I am trying to arrange things so that I can go to London for a short period of time to allow Imperial to conduct a new search if they wish. Hopefully they can contact their second choice and it won't be for long. I have also been thinking that I might talk to Chris about doing some specialist work in Truro. But I haven't discussed that part with Louisa yet. One step at a time."

"But Martin - this place, these people! They have grown on me, some of them anyway, but they seem to infuriate you beyond belief! How will you deal with that?" Ruth asked.

Martin looked down at his hands. He looked up at his aunt and said, "I am not quite sure about that part yet. However, as I told Louisa - now that James Henry is here I suppose I am going to have to learn to tolerate the upturned schedules and even the village of the damned. I will learn. I have to. God help me. Can there be just one sane person in this place?"

Ruth shook her head. "Martin, if anyone can do it, you can," she reiterated. "I'll help too, if you will let me. You can come and play chess with Al, and I will make tea. How's that? He'll beat you though - fair warning."

"Somehow I doubt that," Martin replied. "Well, I need to be on my way. I need to get to the hospital to visit a patient." He turned to walk away and then turned back quickly. "Aunt Ruth, I forgot. Louisa asked me to call the church and re-schedule the christening if possible for mid-December. I am not going to have good phone service on the way to Truro. Could you make the call for me and then let Louisa know what the vicar has to say?"

"Certainly Martin. Have a good day then. Good-bye."