FIFTY FIVE 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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We leave Martin looking after Joan's horse. Louisa and Joan are wrapping up their holiday in France. James and Emily are still on their honeymoon.
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE
Mum's phone rang and she quickly looked at it and stepped outside. Sometime later, I decided to eavesdrop a bit and realized she was talking with her friend Natalie. Knowing that they could talk forever I went back inside. Finally curiosity bested me and going back to my listening post I overheard the words, "Are you and Emily doing okay?" I knew it. I just knew she couldn't leave them alone. She had to interrupt their honeymoon with a motherly call.
"Mum you're terrible," I exclaimed as she walked back into the room. "We agreed you wouldn't call James on his honeymoon."
"I'm sorry Joanie but I had to call. Natalie hadn't heard anything and we became concerned."
"Mum of course you haven't heard. Their minds are not on us."
"Well they seem to be doing fine. Let's talk about our last day in France."
I expressed a resigned sigh and acquiesced to a change of subjects.
"Come on Joan. Let's find a creperie and indulge ourselves. We can plan our day.
"Ooo crepes it is. Sounds great Mum."
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"James, quick your phone is ringing."
"James Ellingham...Mum, hello. Why are you calling? Is everything okay?...No. We're fine. Really fine. Why did you call?...Like I said, we're good here. Hate to see it end. Are you still in France?...No, we can't stop in Portwenn. We have commitments in Portsmouth. We'll come for a visit next month...Love you Mum. Cherio.
"What did your mom want, Sweetheart?"
"Just checking. Seems she and your Mum were talking. One of them asked if we'd called. You know Mum. When she heard we hadn't called, she was sure something was amiss. The rest you heard."
"You can be sure my mom is going to call. They may have been nonchalant with each other, but in their minds they both decided they were going to call. James...what is that look, as if I didn't know"
"Mmmm."
"Oh you evil sweet man. Let's...wait...'Hello.'...'Mom. I told James you would call.'"
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We found ourselves seated at L'Insolite as it received high praise from the owners of our bed and breakfast. I had scallops and mushrooms in a saffron tomato sauce and mum had crepes filled with beef burgundy. While eating we planned our day.
"Joan, it will really be a full day but I want us to visit the British War Memorial as well as the Tapestry Museum. I've heard of the tapestry all my life and now I get to see it. "
We were interrupted by my phone. It was Dad.
"Dad. How are things there. Is Granny okay?
"Hello Joan. Don't you think you should ask about my wellbeing? We're muddling through I suppose, but that's not why I called. I wanted to let you know Maya is fine. I rode her a bit today. A bit spirited. She needs to be ridden more."
"We'll be home in two days. I'll talk to Eva about riding her more. You'd probably like to talk to Mum."
"Hello Martin. Are you home with my Mum?"
"No. I'm at the farm with Maya. Terry walked over this morning and he and Eleanor chased me off so they could talk. No telling what I'll find when I get back. Are you still taking the early ferry on Thursday? We've got a lot of sorting to do. Your return can't come soon enough for me. I'm tired of an empty bed Louisa."
"I miss you too. I really do. Cuddles soon, okay? And thank you for saying 'we.'
I couldn't possibly figure this all out by myself. I'll call you Thursday when we're on the ferry. It's a bit stormy here. I hope it settles. See you soon, Love."
We could still hear the steady staccato of rain on the awning outside. While we should have really had an early evening, the weather dictated coffee and a chocolate and pear crepe...and a taxi to our nearby B and B.
We slept peacefully. I fell asleep with Mum caressing my head as when I was a child. I felt so fortunate to have a good Mum and Dad. Dad asked me once what I wanted for my life. I told him I wanted to be happy. He surprised me by his answer.
"Don't seek happiness Joan. You will be sorely disappointed. It is overrated as well as totally illusory. Surround yourself with good people and do your duty. You will be content and have moments of happiness."
The day dawned bright and fresh. After a breakfast of coffee and a buttered baguette we we off on our last adventure. The air was fresh and clear and called for walking, but we had to drive to the Bayeux War Cemetery and museum. I was not prepared for the feelings that came over me. We were visiting the largest Commonwealth cemetery in France. Over 4,000 headstones stretched as far as the eye could see. My life is so removed from this, yet realizing that most of these soldiers were younger than me when they died, I was overwhelmed with emotions that I can't describe.
It almost seemed a sacrilege to talk. After awhile my mother finally said, "When I was in uni a friend invited me to her home on the Isle of Wight. We visited St. Georges church. There was a star window and I can never forget what is written on that stained glass. "When you go home tell them of us and say: For their tomorrow we gave our today."
Our only response was quiet tears.
Later we spent two hours at the Museum of the Battle of Normandy. Over 1800 of the men buried in the Cemetery perished in the invasion that began on D Day. When we had finished the second sobering experience of the day Mum handed me a book she had purchased at the museum book shop. It was War Poems by Wilfred Owen.
"Joan, I bought this book for you. When I was a girl we read the war poets in school. They were from the First World War. I regret that it is no longer required reading. People still need to hear their message. Wilfred Owen's poems are beyond poignant.
"Thanks Mum. This has been an unforgettable experience."
After a lunch of soup and bread we made our way to the Tapestry Museum. I had heard about the tapestry as a student. Unfortunately it was in the context of memorizing endless lists of monarchs in history class. The Tapestry commemorates the Norman invasion over a thousand years ago by William the Conquerer. It also commemorates the beginning of endless jokes about the French and English hating each other. When one knows the history the jokes are based in fact. Our school library had a book on 50 reasons why the English hate the French. They are rude, don't bathe enough, are food and wine snobs and the list goes on. Maybe it's time to stop gathering wool and pay attention to this amazing work of art.
"Mum, it's unbelievable that people would put this much effort to portray one historical event."
"Isn't it? It's almost as long as a football field. The detail is just fantastic. You do know it was probably created in England?"
"But the French have it. We just have the replica. There you have the fifty first reason."
"What's that?"
"Nothing Mum. Just a joke. Listen, it's been a tiring day. Let's do an early evening. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
For the first time on our holiday we had to set an alarm. We had to be at the ferry in Cherbourg by nine o'clock and we were a little over an hour away. The ferry left at ten.
A steady rain was falling when we took to the road at six thirty. Mum drove as the steady click of the windscreen wipers lulled me back to sleep. I awoke when the car stopped.
"Joan, we have time and I want some coffee. Let's get some breakfast. I was told the ferry station's fare is quite meager."
There was a chill in the air so coffee was good. I decided to have some kippers and toast, a choice which I was to regret later.
Well before departure our car was secured and we made our way to the main lounge. It was only three hours to Portsmouth but the weather made it seem like an eternity. The channel was rough and my stomach informed me of the bad breakfast decision. What went down pleasantly was decidedly not so pleasant on the return trip.
We finally arrived in Portsmouth and in short order were on the M27. Thankfully the weather was much improved for our four hour journey. I was glad my tummy had settled and it was pleasant riding through familiar sights. We rode in silence for some time when I was aroused from my semi-conscious state by my phone.
"Hello...Who? I didn't catch that...Oh yes. Jeremy. What a surprise. Where are you?..."
It was Jeremy Chuppins.