Chapter 14
Spinning
Martin was quite shaken when Dr. Montgomery became teary as she apologized for Edith. Her emotional display was a bit discomfiting, and he tried to excuse himself saying he must return to London.
Rose urged him to stay until tomorrow. They would have dinner tonight with the village GP and his wife, along with the Willetts and PC Tierney. Feeling a bit sorry for Dr. Montgomery as well as himself, Martin agreed to remain another day. Rose placed her hand on his arm, and his instinct was to pull away. Instead – much to his unending embarrassment – he began sniveling as he hadn't done since year 3 at St. Benedict's. Rose patted his arm cooing, "There, there Martin. Have supper and then go off to bed. Sleep has healing powers as you well know."
The next morning, a subdued Edith suggested they walk into the village, select books at the library and perhaps have lunch at the tea shop. No sooner had they walked through the gates of Larchmont Hall, than Martin broached the matter of their future. She listened patiently as he laid out the plan for his career, which would meld with their personal lives: Marriage at 28 or 29, qualifying as a surgical registrar, then a cardiovascular consultant until his career peaked with the top surgical post in England.
After their marriage, Edith could work if she wished or maybe use her skills in a medical charity. Felicity Southwood was quite involved in several worthwhile organizations and would welcome Edith's help. The irony of Ellingham's last comment made Edith smile and was the one thing that kept her from exploding at his presumptuous dismissal of her career. Once again she asked if he could wait for marriage until she finished her residency in Montreal? Or could he train in Canada?
Unlike Edith, Martin did not contain his anger but roared: "No, Edith, I'm not leaving England. If you don't love me and don't want to marry me, fine."
"Martin, perhaps it is you who is unsure about your feelings for me. You think I'm too ambitious, a bit scary. Not someone you can control as your father controlled your mother. We've gotten on well and are matched intellectually, but what of emotionally?
"I've fallen in love with you, but are you in love with me? Or do you only want to continue the easy relationship we've had these last two years. Am I only a convenience as you solidify your career? Is it easier to keep me than to find someone else?"
"You are mad, Edith. If you don't want to marry me, say so. Don't imagine these emotional shortcomings I supposedly have."
"Well, then, Ellingham, do you love me?"
Turning away from her, Martin said: "There's no need for me to stay here, I'm returning to London."
On reaching Larchmont Hall, they encountered her mother and the PC nattering on about a lost horse. Mum shot Edith a stern look when Martin said he was leaving for London. Well, this time, she had done nothing wrong, This was all Ellingham's doing. He ruined the holiday by insisting she give up her residency, stay in England, and supposedly marry him in several years. All was planned, except for the one detail he would never think to consider: he did not love her.
Perhaps she was naive, but Edith could think of no reason to marry a man who did not love her. Ellingham seemed to consider marriage more of a merger of like-minded people who could get along. Love was assumed. Almost like the arranged Indian marriages Gurveer Sukhotra described to her. Edith thought differently and would not settle for a loveless marriage.
Now, Martin was bidding Mum good bye and offering thanks for her hospitality. Of course, she had taken Martin's side and assumed that Edith had precipitated his foul mood. Oh, bother, now she was offering Ellingham a farm cottage so that he did not have to see Edith. Next thing, she'd have him helping in the horse surgery, jabbing colts, swabbing hooves. Edith had done nothing wrong, and there was no reason Mum should pander to Martin. She'd put a stop to it.
"Mum, Martin wants to return to London. He's quite busy. He's to be a groomsman in Dover, and shortly after the wedding, he'll return to St. Mary's. I'll take him to the station."
Casting a questioning look at Martin, he confirmed Edith's statement: "Yes, thank you again, Dr. Montgomery. You have been most kind, and I've enjoyed my visit."
"Well, then, Martin, if I can't persuade you to stay, come back again. You know we would welcome you at Christmas – or any time you want a rest in the country."
Martin nodded and entered the house to retrieve his luggage. Without saying more to her mother, Edith walked to the surgery and found keys for the old truck. Unlike their lighthearted train trip to Larchmont, the journey to the station saw Martin morose and Edith matching his mood. At the station, he sprang from the truck and quickly took his bag.
"I'll say good bye then Edith."
Nodding her head, she made no move to leave the truck, waved and said, "Bye, Martin. Have a good trip. Please give my best wishes to Michelle and Parsons." Then she turned the truck round toward Larchmont Hall.
Sadly, she expected never to see Ellingham again. She understood his personality. There was no emotion attached to anything or anyone. Nothing could be done about him. She was to be a gynaecologist not a psychologist. Only left to her was working out a way to forget about him.
For the next week or so, Edith was pressed into service by her mum in preparing for the annual horse gymkhana at Larchmont Hall. Pony Clubs from around the area would compete in the three day racing event and horse show. The last few years Edith had begged off attending because of the crush of med school. Now, it was a good distraction from Ellingham.
The first day of the gymkhana consisted of barrel, keyhole and flag races and most participants were of primary school age. Edith minded her temper as she organized rambunctious ten year old boys into queues for the games. That evening she fled to the kitchen and away from the picnic marquees filled with parents. There she found Dad and her brother, Peter, preparing supper and sharing a bottle of wine.
"So, Edith, Mum said you ran off your boyfriend from med school," Peter smirked.
Dad immediately intervened: "Peter, stop. Do not tease your sister. You children are grown, and I'll not have you be rude to each other. We had enough of that for the last 25 years. You certainly left a trail of broken hearts when you decided to become a priest, and you should be more sympathetic, Peter."
"It's okay, Dad. It only shows how mean Peter's become now that he can no longer have sex," Edith gloated.
"Edith, I mean it. No nastiness. Be nice to your brother. Remember, he's the one who can get you into heaven. God knows, it's going to be difficult."
Peter and her father thought this quite funny, and Edith was tired enough that she giggled with them. They continued in a similar fashion throughout the dinner, laughing and recalling other gymkhanas as the Montgomery children moved through the ranks of the Hertford Pony Club.
Mum joined them close to nine, saying she could not bear to chat with one more mother who was certain her child was destined for the British national equestrian team. "Really," asked Mum, "when did every child become so very special?"
Minutes later, the phone rang and Dad reached to answer it: "Larchmont Hall Gymkhana, this is the butler speaking." After a minute he continued: "Oh, sorry old boy, I was just having a bit of a joke. It's been a long day. Let me find her. She's here someplace."
Placing his hand over the phone, Dad said "Martin Ellingham for you, Edith."
Edith felt her stomach lurch and the blood drain from her face. Seeing her reaction, Mum had the presence of mind to say: "Go into the lounge, Edith. Henry, let Martin know she'll take the phone in a minute." All eyes were on Edith as she nearly staggered from the kitchen and walked down a short hall to the lounge. As she picked up the phone, she heard a click as Dad returned the kitchen phone to its cradle.
After a deep breath, Edith began: "Hullo, Ellingham. How was your trip?"
"Fine, it was fine. I'm in Devon now, actually Newton Abbott, for the wedding. I've just left the stag for Parsons. Southwood organised it with the Royal Marines who served with Chris and his brother. He said I should ring you before you go off to Montreal."
"Really, now. Robert Southwood. Why's that Martin?"
"Um, he said I should see you in London - before you leave."
"Martin, do you want to see me or are you doing this only because Robert Southwood suggested it? You don't have to do everything he wants – he's only your mentor not your father."
"I'm well aware of that Edith. Actually, I do want to see you. Give you a proper send off and all that. When are you returning to the city?"
"Most likely on Wednesday. I'm helping my family with this gymkhana, and it will be finished by then. I'll be at the flat for a few days and then my parents are coming into town. I'll leave on the following Monday morning. "
"May I see you then on Thursday night?"
"Martin, you're not doing this to try and have me change my mind, are you?"
"No, I recognize you're leaving for Canada and nothing I can do will stop you. I'll speak to you in London. I'm off to bed now. There's a breakfast in the morning before the wedding. I'm not sure what else. It'll be a relief to have it over."
"Yes, well, enjoy yourself, Martin. I'll see you in London." As she returned the phone to its stand, Edith could feel the tension leave her body. She could breathe normally again. This did not bode well for their dinner.
Edith closed her eyes and slumped into a chair trying to compose herself. Hearing a knock on the door, she cried: "Go away Peter. I need a minute's peace."
"It's Dad, Edith. Are you okay?"
Oh, no, not her father. Mum must have told him everything and now he'd try to give her advice about men. She did not wish to discuss Ellingham with anyone, especially her father.
"Yes. I'm fine. Only tired, Dad. Thanks."
"You know your mother and I hold Martin in high regard. He's a fine young man and seems keen on you. Mum said he proposed to you."
Bloody, hell, Ellingham told her mother! No wonder she'd been simpering about Martin all week.
"Dad, I'm not marrying Martin because he doesn't love me. I'm going to Montreal as planned. If I end up a spinster, so be it."
"Look, dear girl, remember how you hated maths at St. Paul's. No matter how late it was, I'd sit with you each night and drill those exercises with you. You learned what was needed, and that's what allowed your matriculation at Oxford and then St. Mary's. So much has changed for girls since your mum went to vet school in Scotland. She was quite the scandal and expected to be a spinster as well. Look at her now: a vet with six kids and grandchildren on their way.
"We'd met in London when I'd only begun law school and she'd come in to visit her aunt and uncle who lived on the other side of the crescent. I spotted her that first morning pulling weeds in the garden with her aunt. London was a grim place after the war, but she was so cheery, almost as if there was a sunlight about her.
I had no business saying a thing, but I walked over there and, like a fool, introduced myself to her, right in front of her aunt. Well, the aunt invited me for tea, and I can tell you I was smitten with your mother. By the end of that week, I was forward enough to kiss her good bye and tell her I'd write to her in Scotland.
"There'd been a few other girls before your mother, but I knew almost from the first that I loved her. That's what you need for a marriage Edith. If you don't love Martin like that and he doesn't love you the same, there's no reason to get married. There's nothing better than a good marriage and nothing worse than a bad marriage. I know you think I'm a stodgy old man but I'd rather you be a spinster than be in a marriage where you aren't loved."
Continued . . .