Chapter Fifty Six
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.
Thank you for reading. Your reviews and comments.
Louisa and Joan are on the road back to Portwenn from their holiday when Joan receives a surprise call from Jeremy Chuppins.
CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
It was Jeremy Chuppins.* I had not heard from him since his visit last summer. He is the grandson of some friends of my parents whom I had never met.* I did know his parents because they, at their parent's insistence, had visited Portwenn when Jeremy and I were just children.
"So you're not in England...I'm so surprised to hear from you. How have you been?...And so, how are your studies going?...Well, I'm in year two of veterinary training and finding it very challenging. Mum and I are just ending a holiday in France...A visit? That would be good, I suppose. When? ...I don't know my schedule yet. I'll have to let you know later when I know what next summer will be like...Yes, it's nice to hear from you too. Greet your parents for me...Take care of yourself and I'll let you know about next summer as soon as I know...Thanks. I will. Goodbye."
"What was that about Joan?"
"What a shocker! Jeremy Chuppins of all people. I hadn't heard from him since last summer. I guess we both got busy and the emails stopped. He wants to return this summer."
"Hmm. Seems more than an interest in the scenery and scones. Are you ready for that?"
"No. I don't have time for a man in my life. If I did Jeremy would be a good one. We enjoyed being together. His family is wonderful. But I just don't know."
"Joan, you work hard. The rest of this term is going to be a challenge. By summer you'll be ready for a break. So I say invite Jeremy and have no expectations. We enjoyed meeting him last year. Why not go up to the Lake District for a few days? There's a nice small b & b close to lake Buttermere. My gift to you for your hard work. I say do it."
"Mum, sounds like you're pushing this."
"Wouldn't you like time off with a friend?
The penny dropped for Joan. "Mum...!"
"Whot?"
"And there we have it. When you say 'Whot?' like that, there's more to it than time off with a friend. What's in that mind of yours?"
"Joanie, I'm just sayin'..."
"You're just saying your glad our would-be visitor is a Chuppins, right."
"Oh, you know me too well. Look, the Chuppins are a good family. Jeremy's grandparents are friends. Hal Chuppins had two strikes against him years ago. He was American and worse, a tourist. He was clever enough to give advice that your father accepted that actually helped our marriage. When does Martin accept advice from anyone? Hal and Zarie are helpers. Jeremy's parents are both teachers. Look, I'm just sayin' that the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Mum, if Jeremy comes, I don't want you to play matchmaker."
"Why Joan, it's your life. I have to remain neutral."
"You're not very convincing. But really Mum it's scary. How can I really know what a boy is like?"
"I can tell you where to start. You need to see how his father treats his mother. Martin's father was atrocious and that has caused us many difficulties. Start there Joan. It will tell you a lot."
"I'll let you know. It would be nice to see Jeremy again. But hey I don't know about time off. I just spent a week with my very best friend in France."
"Wasn't it wonderful? It's going to be...uh oh."
Mum quickly pulled the car to the side as an ambulance with it's lights flashing whisked by us.
"Wonder what that's about."
We rode along in silence a short while. I was shaken from my revery as we turned onto the road leading to Portwenn. As I looked toward Mum she was smiling and finally chuckled.
"What are you thinking Mum?"
"We have shared a lot of memories on our trip and I just remembered that it was along here that your dad kissed me for the first time."
"Wow. The first kiss. What was it like?"
"We were both exhausted and emotional after Martin had saved the life of one of my students. He was actually like a shy teenager, moving his hand close to mine, but hesitant to take it. Suddenly I took his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. He was responding in kind. It started out perfect but for the first time I discovered your father's propensity to move from the romantic to the clinical in a heartbeat."
"I'm afraid to ask. What happened?"
"He looked into my eyes with feeling, but suddenly it changed and I sad 'Whot?'"
"Oh no there's your word, whot."
"Your father began to lecture me on all the possible reasons for my bad breath."
"Oh no, he didn't. But he did, didn't he because that's my dad. I love 'im Mum."
"I love him too Joanie, and I can't wait to see him. Five minutes and we should be home."
We drove through town and turned up the hill.
"Oh no Mum. That ambulance is in front of our house."
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
*To learn of the Chuppins family, read AN INTERESTING MAN by Portwenn