Thank you for your interest so far. Comments and messages are welcome, they encourage me to continue with the publication. I haven't had time to understand how this site works yet, so for now I'll answer from here. Obviously all rights to Doc Martin belong to Buffalo Pictures, mine is a tribute.
CHAPTER 3 Martin swallowed bitterly. He couldn't understand his wife's recklessness. She was seriously risking her life with that behavior. She had a bad accident, complications and head surgery…how coulds he act so crazy?! Suddenly a thought hit him like a kick in the stomach.He went and sat down at the desk…in his command post…where it all made sense and he could be in control. He ran a hand over his face. "Idiot… Louisa would rather risk her life than be with you again!" He remained motionless. "You managed to kick her out in the end…the most precious thing you had…your family…you lost everything and it's only your fault, you hopeless imbecile…"
He banged his fist on the table and cursed himself.
Louisa, meanwhile, stood at the window looking out over the dark sea. Martin couldn't believe that a hug was enough to fix all the problems they'd had.
The last few weeks had been impossible. He didn't accept her job at school, her friends, her community… he growled and insulted, put anyone down and was stubbornly rude. He never paid her an offhand compliment, he was incapable of the smallest gesture of affection and he never laughed. He wasn't able to smile at his son…to hold him and play with him…and he wasn't able to smile at her, except in some twisted rare case that also required some imagination.
Yet he had said he loved her… why did he have that attitude about her then, if not because she didn't make him happy? She had tried to bear his silences and his reproaches, she had swallowed his terrible manners and tolerated his coldness, but she could take no more.
She needed to reflect and being close to him didn't help her at all. Going to Spain to see her mother would be far enough… and maybe she would find help in her… for once.
She sighed heavily. Martin was like that… whatever the reason behind that impossible character… however terrible his childhood might have been… he was like that. She had always known that, but that hadn't stopped her from falling in love with him. She had deluded herself that he would change for her... that he would soften for love of her and of his son, but it hadn't happened. She knew he was ill… he no longer slept, ate little or nothing and dragged himself around the house uselessly at night. She had hoped with all her heart that he would open up to her... that he would let off steam about her, but he never gave answers to her questions, remaining to look at her with his eyes wide and bewildered. She simply wanted to help him... comfort him, but he wouldn't let her...then the arrival of her mother had precipitated everything. If she'd had just a little more patience and given him time… damn, she'd waited! She had tried! She was crying again. How could she take her son away from him at such a difficult time for him? Margaret had hit the mark…wasn't she rejecting him too?
She wondered furiously about the sanity of her decisions, about the choices she could make…or not make…when she heard her husband's footsteps, who turned on the lamp by the sofa and was amazed to find her in the dark in that corner.
"Sorry. I thought you had gone up to your room."
Louisa couldn't say anything in front of his guilty look. His arms fell painfully at his sides and his shoulders were slightly hunched, as if he carried an unbearable weight on them.
"I just wanted a glass of water." he clarified, pointing wearily towards the kitchen.
He went to the sink and drank. He started to leave, but he looked at her instead.
"Really, Louisa. I understand that you don't care about my opinion…and I know I have lost the right to give my opinion, but…it could be very dangerous to leave so early. Please think carefully about it."
Getting no response, he slowly lowered his head and headed for the stairs.
"Come with me."
She Louisa couldn't believe she said that.
Martin stopped short and turned to look at her frowning. She took a step towards him wringing her hands.
"I want to make you an offer."
He came over and waited.
"How soon do you think I'll be able to travel?"
"Well, it'll take at least a month, if all goes well." he had extended the convalescence by a few days… just to be safe…
«Okay…Martin…I'm willing to wait three weeks if you promise me you'll come with us. Otherwise I will leave in a week, as I have decided.' her tone did not lend itself to negotiation, but he was stunned.
«Louisa, you can't…no, it's too little…with you? And the clinic? And then for how long? No, I can't… it's impossible… I don't…" he stammered nervously.
"As you like. I thought I understood that you wanted to join us before the operation. I'll stick to the original schedule, then." she lifted her chin in annoyance, determined to hold her position.
Martin let out a kind of frustrated grunt. "She's giving you a chance, imbecile, do you want to play it like this?" he told himself. "Okay…Louisa." he answered softly.
She was surprised that he had given up so quickly. She held out her hand. "In three weeks, then, all three of us. Don't try to change your mind, because I swear…if you do…I'll leave and you'll never see me again. I want your word."
He looked into her combative eyes for a moment, then squeezed her hand. "You have my word, Louisa."
"Well."
«…but you will have to rest completely in the meantime, eat properly and undergo a thorough examination before departure.» he added firmly.
She nodded.
"We have a deal now, Martin."
"Yes." he confirmed puzzled.
The next morning…and the next…her husband returned to her room to help her get dressed and then move on to deal with James Henry. He didn't accept any protests and reminded her that it was part of the deal that she didn't make any kind of effort.
He took care of preparing meals and shopping between patients. After his visits they had taken to going out for a short walk and in the evening, after bathing his son, he would help Louisa get ready for the night before retiring to his cramped little room.
Martin kept a low profile and spoke as little as possible, fearing to stir up more discussion. He did exactly what was asked of him, as long as it didn't prevent him from taking care of his wife. In that case, he did what had to be done with his head down and in silence… heedless of protests.
Ruth meanwhile watched them from afar, curious. Every now and then she showed up at their house to test the waters and drop one of her illuminating phrases into the conversation... apparently by chance...
One morning she met her nephew in the market and offered to drive him to the clinic. He informed her that he was going to Spain with Louisa and James. He admitted that the idea of her did not please him at all, but they had made a pact and he had agreed to prevent her from leaving too soon. Ruth watched him for a moment with those shrewd eyes that Martin knew he couldn't escape.
"And what are you going to do with the surgery?"
"I'll close it. I'm entitled to holidays too. They will go to Wadebridge."
"I understand…"
"What's up?" the man knew that his torment had just begun.
"Nothing. So you will leave with your wife and your child for a distant place... without the commitment of your work and without the entertainment of your watches..."
"I'll bring several copies of the Lancet."
"Are you sure that will be enough? You can't think of going to Spain and locking yourself up at home reading all day. Louisa will expect to go to the beach, go out at night and maybe take long walks…" she insinuated with feigned indifference.
She heard him grumble softly.
"Are you trying to change my mind?"
"Of course not. I just want you to be prepared. On vacation, especially in a place like this, life is lighter… festive… and the sunsets over the sea become very… romantic…»
Here…her nephew had grunted again.
"I have no other choice."
"What do you mean?"
"If I didn't accept, she would have left after a week and it would have been dangerous."
"This is true. So soon, it would have been risky for your wife."
"Yes."
Ruth realized that there was something else gnawing at him… "And…Martin?" she insisted gently, but resolutely.
He looked at the ground, then to the side…he was definitely nervous…and finally made up his mind.
«Here... I don't know why I go there, in fact it seems useless to me now..." "Explain yourself better."
"Louisa doesn't want me, of course. She was willing to risk her life and leave after a few days to get away from me. More of an embolism…but not…me." he concluded he grieved.
His aunt was silent for a moment, then put her hand on her arm. «Mhmm… I, on the other hand, have a different opinion.»
Martin looked at her curiously.
"I rather think your wife risked her health just to save your marriage."
"I do not understand."
"You see, Martin… I have the impression that Louisa used this kind of blackmail in a last-ditch attempt to set things right between you. You probably think that spending time alone…with no work and no meddling…might be helpful in clarifying some aspects of your relationship. In my opinion, she thinks that being alone with her would allow you to open up and bring you closer together."
«Damn, does that sound like a good reason to risk your health?!» he cut her off angrily.
"I don't know, Martin. Do you think your marriage is a good reason to do it?" she retorted sarcastically… and she nailed it.
The man hesitated. He dropped his arms to his sides.
«Yes, but… what if I refused?»
«She probably would have left… you know how combative and stubborn your wife can be… but the point is, she was ready to try anything for you.» "I do not understand…"
"Think about it, nephew."
His aunt gave him an accommodating smile and walked back towards the village.
The preparations had been complicated enough. Although they had come to a temporary truce, the organization and departure resulted in many cases a cause of friction. They did not give up, however, and kept the pact. For her part, Louisa grew more and more enthusiastic as their vacation approached. She appreciated the patience and discretion of her husband in those days. She felt better physically and also more relaxed immersed in her quiet and peaceful routine.
She was aware that all the problems remained there, pending, but she also believed that facing them more serenely, in a different context, would have been more useful. So she gladly tolerated his stubbornness and his dumbness.
A couple of days before leaving, Martin examined her carefully, finding with relief that the physical condition of his wife was satisfactory.
He often reflected on his aunt's words as he secretly watched Louisa. If she Ruth was right, it meant she still cared about him…maybe she loved him and was willing to give him another chance. It was this hope that made him endure all the hardships and demands during those three weeks.
They landed at Almeira airport on a sunny early July morning.
Eleanor and her new boyfriend came to get them. They loaded the luggage into the car and headed for Villaricos, where Louisa's mother now lived with Caleb, a gentleman originally from Oxfordshire, who had seemed very kind and calm to her ... perhaps too much for such an exuberant woman.
The village was quite small, but it stood directly on the sea. They turned into a quiet street, neatly surrounded by rather similar houses, almost always white, with flat roofs and a small enclosed garden in front.
"Have a seat!" Eleanor invited them with a radiant smile, opening the front door.
It was cool and welcoming inside. Martin marveled in silence at the order that reigned there... it certainly couldn't be thanks to his mother-in-law. They gathered in the living room, where drinks and light refreshments were immediately served. Mother and daughter caught up on the latest news and, after the due pleasantries… well tolerated by Martin with enormous relief by his wife… Eleanor gave them a little tour of the house to settle in. She finally led them to what would be their room.
"Well, you will certainly want to freshen up and rest a bit. My man and I have to go and open the restaurant…you know…it's high season for us now…but I'll be back in a couple of hours. We have planned everything so that I have more time for you and my beautiful little nephew." she informed them cheerfully.
"Thanks Mom."
Eleanor took a step towards her daughter and hugged her tenderly.
"I'm really glad you're here, Loulou." she took her face in her hands "We have a lot to tell each other."
They smiled.
"Okay, I'm going now. Make yourself at home, see you later and..." she looked at him amused "... Martin, I'm glad to see you too."
The man blushed slightly as he mumbled something incomprehensible. He carried the bags inside and gave a startled look as Louisa entered with James in her arms.
"What is it, Martin?"
He looked at the only bed available as well as a small wooden cot for the little one. Louisa understood then.
"I didn't tell my mother about…us…our situation. I didn't want to discuss it with her." she explained awkwardly.
"I understand." he cleared his throat taking a better look around.
There weren't many options other than a small uninviting chair. «Well…I'll sleep on the floor…I'll put a blanket as a mattress under the window…there seems to be enough space…»
Louisa was touched by her availability, but she had already thought about how to do it.
"It's no use. We can also share a bed without too many worries. We're grown people…and we're married, so that won't be a problem for a couple of weeks."
Martin was still surprised, but deep down pleased. He was glad the tension between them was easing.
"Well. If you want to freshen up... meanwhile I'll arrange our things... if you tell me how you want me to do it.» he politely offered.
For a couple of days, after he had removed the bandage holding her arm, he had stopped helping her with her clothes… which he, he had to admit, missed.
«Thanks…Martin.»
"Please."
Eleanor returned early as promised. Making sure they had everything they needed, she suggested they go out and explore the area before dinner. The house was located in a peripheral part of the small town. The peculiarity that thrilled Louisa was that she could walk to a huge beach, practically crossing the street. In a short time they were on the seafront, a beautiful walk that skirted the beaches and the small port.
Here the holiday homes had several floors, everything was clean and there were beautiful palm trees scattered here and there. They stopped in front of a room that seemed new, quite large and pleasant. Caleb soon appeared to receive them and show them to a table. There were few people, but her mother explained that in Spain dinner hours started later.
There was a lot of fish on the menu, which put Martin at ease. The food turned out to be tasty and well cooked. They didn't stay long, the tiredness of the journey made itself felt and Eleanor took them home. Once in the room, with James already dozing off in the cot that his grandmother had provided for him, there was a moment of embarrassment.
Martin urged her to use the bathroom first. After it was his turn and he went back to her room, Louisa was already under the sheets leafing through a magazine absentmindedly.
He cleared his throat and walked over to his place. He adjusted the pillow, turned off the lamp and lay down neatly on his stomach. Louisa did the same and they stood in the half-light staring at the ceiling.
"It was a pleasant evening…and I had a good meal at Caleb's restaurant. He seems like a good man... and Mum seems calmer too." she wanted to talk a little.
"Yes, the fish was tasty." he confirmed.
"I can't wait to go to the beach tomorrow."
"Yes."
«It's a nice place, I'm happy for mum... and I'm happy to be here. I really needed to get away for a bit. Don't get me wrong, you know I love Portwenn, but… I needed a change of scenery."
"Mhmm."
She turned to look at him.
"And I'm glad you came. Thank you Martin." He too looked at her with tender, helpless eyes.
"Please."
"Good night."
"Good night."