CHAPTER FORTY NINE 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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The train from Bodmin station was whisking by fields and fences, but even the exceptionally bright winter day could not make the brownness look good. Sheep were huddled here and there hoping a group vote would bring the spring, or at least a few blades of green grass. Jen had taken me to the station after the children had left for school. Louisa begged to accompany me, but I just wanted to visit Mum and Dad and get out of Portwenn alone for a week. The emphasis being on "alone."
Mum was in hospital and Dad had said he would meet me at their flat. I took the Underground to Formby Station and walked my old familiar neighborhood. I became aware with each passing shop and park how much I'd missed Liverpool. It had the winter chill of a port city just like Portwenn, even colder this day. A neighbor, Mrs. Kerr, came out of the green grocer. I called her name and she had to take a moment before she recognized me.
"Eleanor, is that you dear? I can't believe it. Here to see your Mum, Love? I know your dad is worried to death. I can see it in his face. It's good you've come. How're things in Cornwall? You've stayed away too long, you know."
"Yes, I know, Mrs. Kerr. Need to see Mum."
"Well, I hope you have time to pop by for a cuppa. Cherio Love."
When a neighbor sounds worried, it's not good. I found my dad waiting for me.
He's not a demonstrative person so his strong hug said more than he may have intended. He was so guarded in his words about Mum that it would have been more consoling had he just spelled out exactly what was going on.
We sat down in the kitchen, which was more natural for us than the sitting room. I couldn't believe the green plastic tablecloth had not worn out. It was all as if I'd just left yesterday. A weight of melancholy came over me. I brewed some tea and we did talk. Dad explained that Mum had a tumor on one of her lungs that must be removed. My natural question brought the feared answer that yes, it was cancer, and yes most likely caused by the fact that she smoked for so many years.
"Daddy, I'm so sorry. I should have been here more. I'm so sorry."
"Don't beat up on yourself child. You have your life and we get along here. We'll get through this and your mum'll be fine. It'd be good to see our granddaughter, though. Mum was just saying last week how much she'd like to see her. Tell me how you're doing in Cornwall."
"Oh Dad, it's as cold and miserable as Liverpool this time of year. Terry has to work on the oil rigs because there's no quarry work in the winter. We don't like it, but it has to be. You would just love Louisa now. She's a sweet child and does well in school. I'll find a way at break to bring her for a visit."
My mind was wandering. It was so sad they didn't have a bond with Louisa. For this and a thousand other reasons it would have been better had we remained in Liverpool. Why did Terry bugger everything up so we had to leave? Trouble just followed us to Cornwall. Better I think had we stayed and faced it here.
Dad's words interrupted my thoughts. "Ellie, I never told you this but after you left some rough fellows came asking after Terry. Said he owed them a hundred quid. I told them we didn't know where he'd gone. They wanted me to pay them. I can tell you girl, I was glad when they stopped coming. I hope he doesn't mix with a bad lot on those oil rigs."
We finally retired but weariness did not bring peaceful sleep; there was too much on my mind. We were both awake early and I knew Dad had not slept well either. By seven o'clock we were on the tube in route to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Mum's surgery was scheduled for late morning so she was still in her room when we arrived.
I entered her room and we embraced, both with tears. "Oh, Ellie, Ellie. I'm so glad you came. I miss you so much and my little Louisa, how is my Love?"
"She's fine Mum, just fine. When I heard you were sick I had to come. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'm so sorry you have to go through this."
"Ellie, no need to worry you with my wee problem. The doctors say that I might need some treatments, but they say I should be just fine. So don't you fret."
Not one thing Mum said or the way she said it did anything to ease my fears. This was serious and I knew it. Mum and Dad knew it too.
"Ellie, tell me how you're doing. What's going on with Terry? And my granddaughter, tell me all about what she's doing now."
I spent the time before they came to take Mum for surgery prep telling her about our life in Portwenn. I took Jen's advice and tried not to let on that there were any problems at all. I was so positive that I think Mum read my cover-up about as well as I read hers.
"Ellie, I don't know. Something's not right. I know you, and you don't sound good.
I hope Terry's not gambling again. I can tell you those blokes that came looking for him, they gave us a fright. Are you two getting on okay? I just wish you didn't live so bloody far away. I worry about you Love, I do."
With that two orderlies entered the room with a nurse to take Mum to surgery. She was placed on a trolley and Dad and I were able to give her a kiss before they took her.
She held our hands and said, "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine and see you in a bit."
Dad had told me that the surgery was serious and that Mum would be in the hospital for five days. After several hours the doctor came to tell us that it was over and all had gone as expected. Mum was in recovery and would be in intensive care for at least a day. Dad was not willing to leave hospital. There was no way I would go back to the flat by myself, but I did want to get away for awhile. I told Dad I was going to take a walk. After awhile I saw a hole-in-the-wall pub called Punch and Judy and went in for a pint.
It was well after workers had left for home so it wasn't crowded, I sat at the bar and ordered a Caffrey's, one of Ireland's better influences on England. I nursed my beer, in no hurry to return to hospital. My mind was preoccupied so I was surprised to realize that someone was seated on my left. At first I thought he was a local as his skin was as white as mine. It wasn't until he opened his mouth that I realized he was not from here.
Actually I started the conversation. I simply said, "Hello."
He responded to my greeting. "Hola. My name es Javier. Soy de España,..from Spain. ¿Que es tu nombre? Your name?"
"My name is Ellie. You want to sit at a table?"
"¿Qué?"
I picked up my pint and pointed to a table.
"Oh, si, mesa."
I knew no Spanish, but Javier did know enough English for us to sit talking for almost two hours. I completely lost track of time. I explained I was here visiting my mother in hospital. He said he was here with his primo. I thought his name was Primo. Turns out that is Spanish for cousin. They found a cheap ferry and came on a week's holiday. I told him I wanted to visit Spain someday, and he said I should come and he would show me his country. "España es magnifica," were his words. I knew that and now the pull was even stronger for me to see for myself. I had the will and now a way was forming in my mind.
Javier had jet black hair and his dark eyes were penetrating, at least for me they were. I suppose I was quite vulnerable at that point but I was taken with this man. He seemed a bit older than me but not by much. It was foolish to be talking this long with a perfect stranger. How did I even know he was telling me the truth? But something seemed too right about it. Two Caffrey's and the attention of this handsome man had me totally disarmed. My hypnotic state was interrupted when glancing up I saw the clock over the bar. I had been gone from hospital almost four hours. I felt panic in my stomach and knew I should get back right away.
I told Javier I had to leave for hospital, and started to get up. He took my arm and said, "Esperate Ellie. Wait." With that he removed some paper from his pocket and wrote,
Javier Rodriguez
Bar Santa Fe
Calle de Valliciergo, 2, 39003
Santander, Cantabria, Espanña
Tel: 942 33 12 00
He handed it to me and held on to my hand. "You come. ¿You see España with me, no?"
I stuffed the address in my pocket and told him. "Okay Javier, but my Mum is sick. I must go." With that I headed for the door.
As I reached the door a voice called out and grasped my shoulder. Thinking it must be Javier, I turned around impatiently and saw it was another man.
"You dropped this," and he handed me my ring. I must have pulled it out of my pocket after I pushed Javier's note in. I slipped it on my finger and rushed into the cold night.