CHAPTER TWENTY THREE REMEMBRANCE

The Characters, places and situations of Doc Martin are owned by Buffalo Pictures. This story makes no claim of remuneration or ownership, nor do I make any attempt to infringe upon any rights of the owners or producers.

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CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Emily and Mum were sequestered doing wedding planning. Joan and I were sitting over tea after breakfast in the kitchen and I wanted to take a walk with my sister. "Joan, come on, get your light pack and some water. Let's go walk the cliffs."

Thirty minutes later we were well above our house and Portwenn with our little town clearly visible behind us and the ocean far below us to our right as we walked along the top. It was an exceptionally clear day with blue skies and a warm breeze.

Blue dragonflies with black wings hovered above a patch of Cornish Heather. We came to our place. It is a natural bench at cliff's edge where we have come forever to sit and talk. I was wondering if this might be the last time we would ever do this.

"Oh, James, I know life has to change but I am going to miss our talks. Don't mistake me. I am so happy for you and Emily, but I am a bit sad that we will lose touch."

"I know it will be different Joanie. It already is, but I need you. I will always need my sister's ear."

My sister and I had a unique relationship, at least from my experience with my friends and their siblings. Other than when I was quite young and could be a nuisance to everyone, especially my sister, we have been close and totally supportive of each other. Joan certainly knew more about me than Emily. That would change with the years, but I too did not like the thought of Joan and me not talking. When we had troubles or our family was struggling, we were always there for each other.

"I can't believe in a month you will be married. I will be a sister-in-law. I do love Emily and it is not like she is a stranger I need to get to know. This really is good James. She is perfect for you, but we have known that for along time, right?"

"Right you are, Muffin. Oh, yes! But, hey tell me, what is is like for you in the romance department these days? Any guys on the hook?"

"You're kidding, right? I do not have time for romance in my life. I really haven't been much aligned with any one of the male gender for several years. You remember Reggie Harcourt. We had a thing a couple of years ago. In the end he was into snogging more than talking and relating. I was the opposite. So Reggie exited stage left and I have not missed it, I can tell you. I like my horse, James. Much less complicated."

"But, what about that Brodie fellow who was around last summer?"

"You mean Brodie Chuppins. He was just here on holiday with a friend, Chad. I accompanied them on some hikes. That's all. His grandparents are friends with Mum and Dad. Mum told me they visited here when you were just a baby. Said Dad treated him for something and they all hit it off. They had told Brodie so much about Portwenn that he wanted to come and see it.

"But, hey, no romantic sparks James. Brodie's a good bloke, a class act actually. He's busy with his life at the University of Alabama in The States. We communicate a bit, but that's all. And you know well I am busy with my own studies and spending time every week with Maya.

"So, big brother, I really only have two men in my life who have my affections, and may I add, can fully trust. I am sitting by one right now and the other is hiding somewhere while wedding plans are discussed."

"You know Joan, when I look at other families, especially those of my peers I realize how lucky we are. Every family is quirky in its own way and has good times and bad times, but we are just plain lucky."

"Sure. And it is not that we haven't had the bad times. The good times, it seems made the bad times bearable. We got through them. We have an amazing father. You know Dad almost never intended to be funny, but so often when he reacted to something in a way he considered normal or routine, we would all be laughing when it was over. I don't think we hurt his feelings. He was often quite confused, but laughed with us in the end. Don't you remember when he yelled at you for eating fast and struck the range hood?"

"Joan, how could I ever forget. It is one of my favorite family stories."

So sitting there I recalled that night at supper. I guess I was around nine or ten. Dad had asked me to slow down and take smaller bites. It was a frequent admonition. He got up to serve some more food from the range cooker and noted that my very next bite was huge. He became instantly angry and screamed "JAMES!" At the same time he struck the range hood with his fist. In doing so he dislodged the range hood bulb. In an instant it had exploded and showered glass all over the kitchen, especially all over our supper. A deathly silence settled over the room. Gradually we all wanted to laugh, but didn't dare. We were holding our breath and suppressing laughter. Finally it was Mum who couldn't bear it and she snorted. That did it. In the end Dad was laughing too. We finally settled and Dad simply said, "Everyone out the door. We are going for fish and chips."

"And it was always the same James. When Dad found himself cornered or totally frustrated he would fall back to something totally incongruous. He always told us how terrible fish and chips were for us, but that night it was, "We are going for fish and chips. He is great. I love him so much. We are way beyond lucky."

"What do you think was the most rigid rule in our house?"

"That is easy to answer. Everyone is to be present for breakfast and supper. And even more emphatic was the rule that the telly was never on during mealtime. Absolutely never."

"But you know Joan, it is the best thing we did. We ate together twice a day.

We were together, actually together. How many families do you know where they eat in shifts and on the run? We all cooked and we all cleaned up. Yes, way beyond lucky."

"You were such a practical joker. Remember when you shaped an aubergine like a banana and stitched a banana peel around it?"

"It was great. Dad had taught me how to do stitches so it was easy for me to do and slip into Mum's lunch. She still talks about it and laughs. She said her teachers told her, 'Louisa, you are in trouble. Just try and keep up with that boy.'"

"And James, how could a man who hated the thought of being around animals be almost the opposite now? You've seen him around Maya. You can't fool a horse.

She knows he's one to trust. What is so ironical is that Mum says dogs would follow him around. There was one time, she told me, when he was carrying a bag with liver in it back to his surgery and it was dripping blood. After that all the dogs followed behind knowing there was bound to be more liver blood. He had to feel like he was cursed."

"Now Dad is really encouraging you to study to be a vet, isn't he?"

"He really is. He knows it is a passion for me. I still go back and rewatch episodes of All Creatures Great and Small."

"Joan, I am away and you are still with Mum every day. How is she? Is she really OK? If she wasn't, you would tell me, right?"

"Of course I would. Mum is doing really good. We talk a lot and I would know if she were getting sick again. No, thank God, she is fine. That would be something she and Dad could not hide, even if they tried."

"I was so afraid when she was sick. I was afraid she would die. I have never seen Dad more despondent. Can you believe Emily's dad took over two weeks and came to be with Dad during the darkest time? It is no wonder they are like brothers. When I see Mum now, it is almost as if she had never been ill. Can you believe it has been over eight years?"

"That time taught me to treasure my family, James, and to treasure every day I have. Like today James, a treasure. Jalaja, the Indian lady who sells samosas always tells me, 'Have a good day. Tomorrow, only God knows.'"

"OK, on our way back we will buy some samosas for lunch. But now my gluteus maximus has had about as much of this saxum maximus as it can take. Let's walk a bit."

We stood and stretched fully. I opened my water and taking a drink shared it with Joan. The sun was warm and the cool water seemed to make you feel better all over. Suddenly Joan embraced me and I hugged her as I think I never had before.

"I love you James."

"Muffin you are the best sister. The absolute best."

We joined hands and walked on toward Havenhurst. Finally we doubled back and going through town stopped and visited with Jalaja. She filled a large bag with samosas and two half pints of mango chutney and mint sauce. She truly is a Portwenn treasure. We were in school with her kids. She came from behind the counter and gave Joan a kiss on the cheek. "Tell your parents they should come by more often. Greet them for me." As she said it she raised her hands held together as if to say in our leaving, "Have a good day - tomorrow, God knows."