Chapter 7

The Doc Martin community is incredible and I couldn't ask for a better group of people including all the writers, and most importantly the readers. That said; I was shocked to receive an anonymous review by a 'Guest' using such language that I had to delete it. It was my first, and I hope to never read such language again. I love feedback, but please keep it civil. If you wish to use foul language then PM me because it won't be seen by anyone but me.

Some reviewers and PMs have mentioned they don't like my Doc. Remember this is an AU story and will not follow the show. Doc Martin has a problem talking to Louisa in the show, and I wanted the romance side of them to blossom. I use poetry and music to allow this to happen. My version of the Doc is more of MC is in real life with PB. Watch any interview they are in together and watch MC closely. I love romance with a side of drama in my storyline.

Problems in London

"It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire, and many things to fear."

-Sir Francis Bacon-

At seven sharp Friday night, the doorbell of Holly's apartment rings announcing the start of my unwanted night out. Holly excitedly opens the door and standing side by side are our escorts for the night. Firstly, the few appearance factors Holly mentioned are there, but she didn't say anything about that! She quickly introduces me to the men; I receive a smile from Kevin, my escort just stares at me with his pale blue eyes. At least he likes what I look like I can only assume by his smile. After just a few minutes of small talk by everyone but him, Holly ushers me out the door and down the stairs with our escorts to the waiting taxi.

I believe Holly thought I would back out of the evening if we stayed any longer. As the taxi moves through the city, I look around the taxi, sitting across from Kevin and Holly, noticing Holly's quick movement of her eyes and head towards the man sitting next to me, expecting me to talk because I have no problems starting a conversation with strangers. Turning my head, noticing the heavy Friday evening traffic I recall all the horrible dates of the past Holly set me up with. 'I realize on a scale of one to ten this is defiantly a minus one. Thinking back to college there was the one with the guy that had the personality of a frog; he would burp for no good reason, and it sounded like 'ribbit'. I remember a whole evening in a movie theater listening to him. Then there was the blond Adonis that spent the entire weekend camping passing gas and laughing. The guys sharing his tent slept out under the stars because their tent had a foul smell. Moreover, those two fond memories were the best dates; hopefully, this couldn't be worse.' I finish my thoughts, pull myself together, and turn towards my escort with a big smile on my face.

"William, what type of medical field are you engage in?" I ask.

"Vascular Surgeon," he says as he continues to look out the window.

I have yet to see him look at me except upon our introductions which are making me feel uneasy, so I try another question hoping he will look at me with his response. I hope it works as it will be an exasperating evening talking to the back of his head.

"I find that interesting. Can you tell me more about your specialty?"

I wait…. maybe a good fifteen seconds before he finally turns to me. He does have beautiful eyes. He clears his throat and looks annoyed with my question.

"Exactly what would you like to know?" He asks with a slight agitated hint in his voice.

"Well, I don't know much about the vascular specialty, other than you cut into arteries and veins," I lie, as Martin has told me about some of his life in London before the haemophbia.

Clearing his throat again he says, "A vascular surgeon diagnoses, treats, and manages conditions in your arteries and veins. They're also called blood vessels. We treat a range of health problems, from spider and varicose veins to life-threatening aneurysms, and can help patients manage chronic conditions throughout their lives." He finishes what he has to say and turns once again to look out the window of the taxi.

Kevin leans towards me and says, "He is usually sententious when it comes to conversations."

'Ok', I think. 'This will be a very interesting evening if he doesn't talk! I believe he is worse than Martin. At least I caught Martin looking at me on our first date.'

Holly refuses to make eye contact with me now, so I turn my attention to her boyfriend.

"Kevin, exactly what do you do?" I ask.

"I am an expert with extensive training in the proper diagnosis of both the non-surgical and surgical treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system."

'Oh this is going to be a long evening and I thought only Martin spoke this way' is all I can think. Both men converse in medical jargon by definitions only. 'There better be plenty of wine on hand because it is going to be a long night.'

I look out the window again and realize we are traveling towards Finsbury Square and the taxi stops in front of the Montcalm Royal London House. My jaw drops open, talk about posh and I am actually going into this place. The door attendant opens my door and extends his hand to help me out. I stand there stunned as the others vacate the taxi. Kevin reaches out, takes Holly's hand, and proceeds through the opened door. My escort steps towards the door following them, walking right by without a head nod or anything, leaving me behind. So much for escorting the good doctor, so I walk in unattended. My self-esteem has reached its limit. I look around to decide what I want to do, if this wasn't the Montcalm, I would crawl back into the taxi and return to Holly's apartment. I have wanted to see the inside of this place since my Uni days, so with the call of free wine, food, and wonderment for this place, not even my rude date is stopping me. We enter the lift and take it to the roof. We step out and with the early evening light providing a luminous show of the city, I forget my rude companion. I look around at the other attendees and there are some very interesting and beautiful dresses on some elegant older women. All the men are in suits, and to my surprise, some of the younger men are wearing uncommon colors. Holly leans over to Kevin while pointing at the tall man to our left dressed in a bright yellow suit, "Is he a doctor?"

"Yes, that is Mr. Malek, he is another vascular surgeon."

My date decides to leave us, heading directly to our table without a word. Once again, I look over to Holly and she refuses to look at me. I decide I have had enough and walk straight to the bar ordering a glass of wine. Kevin and Holly quickly follow and place their order. I turn away from them and look out upon the city and slowly calm down before I turn to ask,

"Holly, when will I learn to stop listening to you when it comes to attending public gatherings with your definition of an escort?" I ask.

Holly turns to Kevin, whispers in his ear, and turns to me, "Let's go to the ladies' room, Kevin will take our wine to the table." She grabs hold of my arm and pulls me away across to the doors near the lifts and pulls me into the ladies' loo.

"Louisa, I knew if I told you about his unusual behavior, you would never agree to come."

"He doesn't talk, won't look at me and his … his… he is worse than Martin was on our…"

She interrupts my rant. "Kevin said he's an up and comer and he could help him along the way since they have known each other since medical school and Kevin is his only friend."

"What does it have to do with me?" I question.

"You're my best friend. I like Kevin and hope our relationship can grow. If he tags along with Kevin then Kevin will be on top also. I need this Louisa! I am tired of looking and hoping for what I want and need, Kevin can give me that… prominence… and I deserve it," she finally stutters out.

I turn towards the wall of mirrors, I can't look at her. If William is good at his job it doesn't mean Kevin is, but Holly would never understand that. A good doctor can make his way and doesn't need to tag along. Besides they are in different specialties. Slowly my eyes wander in her direction and I feel sorry for the spoiled 'adult' child. Throughout her life, she has gotten her way and now she expects me to help her climb to a higher ladder of distinction, the spouse to a surgeon. Without looking her in the face I utter,

"I will do what I can tonight and only tonight. At the end of this evening, I never want to see him again and you will not set me up on another date while I am in London, this evening settles my debt to you."

I turn and walk out the door, placing a smile on my face as I walk over to our table, and sat down next to my date. By the time they serve dinner, I am finishing my second glass of wine and I remind myself to slow down. The conversation around our table is interesting, including wide aspects of topics, with history the top topic, mostly due to the view we have of London as we can see many of the London landmarks lit up. He grunts, or says 'good' as his only contribution to our discussion.

As dinner finishes up, I excuse myself for a trip to the loo before the 'Aren't I grand speeches' start. As I exit the loo, I decide I need a moment longer away from the table and some fresh air, which is funny as I am sitting outside on the roof of this hotel in the heart of London. I notice the doors of the lift are open and step in just as the doors are closing and collide with a well-dressed tall man. He reaches out to ensure I don't fall backward, with his arms reaching around my waist.

"I am sorry," I say as I gather my wits, as he continues to hold my waist. After what I think is an inappropriate amount of time, he releases me.

"No, I am sorry. I should have moved to the side of the car when I saw you hurryingly approaching." He stares at me with a raised eyebrow and mischievous smile as he continues to speak. "What floor?"

Startled from my glare I say, "Any floor. I just need some air."

He stares and his eyebrow rises again, grinning he says, "Why would you walk into a building for fresh air? Doesn't make sense, but if you want to come to my room we can step out on the balcony?"

I look more closely at the man standing across the lift car from me and notice the look in his eyes, it was like looking at the familiarity of the past four years. What is it that looks familiar? Suddenly the lights go out; my thoughts stop regarding the man with me, and then the feel of weightlessness before the jolting stoppage of the lift that bounces me onto the floor. Thank goodness it was dark as I landed very unladylike on my bum. A few moments pass by as I take stock of my condition, my lower back screams at me, and my wrist hurt and tingles a bit.

"Sir, are you alright," I asked.

There is no response, I hear a soft moan and ask again.

"Sir, speak to me, are you alright."

He continues to be verbally non-responsive but continues to moan. I reach around myself in search of my bag. I finally find my bag and the resulting pain associated with knocking into it with my injured wrist brought tears to my eyes. I think it is badly sprained or maybe broken. Great just what I need right now, what will Martin say. I use the flashlight on my phone to shine it around the lift. The man is crumpled in the corner with blood oozing down the side of his face. He hit his head on something when he fell. What should I do? It hurts to move and the buttons for the lift area on the other side. Painfully and slowly, I drag myself on my side toward the buttons and the speakerphone. Just as I get myself propped up into a sitting position a voice comes over the speaker.

"Attention, attention. Please remain where you are. The power is out, and the backup generator with start in a few minutes. I say again, please remain where you are and do not panic. The generator will come on in a moment."

I pick up the receiver of the speakerphone so I can alert them to our situation. A voice answers a few seconds later,

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"We are stuck on the lift and both of us are injured. The man is unconscious, moaning and bleeding from his head. I have back and wrist pain. We need help now," I plead.

"Lady, do you know which lift you are on and on what floor?"

"How should I know? I got on near the terrace lounge on the roof, the left one facing the bank of lifts. The control panel is dark, I can't make out the floor number."

"Hold on, we will be with you shortly when the power is restored," is his reply.

I punch in Holly's cell number and hope her new boyfriend can help me. Medically we should be fine as most of the doctors from some hospitals are here. No answer, so I leave a message for her, and then I send her a text message explaining I am trapped in a lift and need help.

The lights slowly come on, dull at first then slowly brightening. My lift does not move and I start to panic. I reach up and push the door open button, nothing. I push a floor button, hoping I can make the damn lift move, still nothing. The lights for the floors finally light up and I can see where we are, so I call them on the speakerphone again.

"Hello, we are still stuck on the lift and it is not moving. The number indicator reads we stopped on the fourth floor. Can you help?"

"We are working on it. Help should be there shortly," comes the reply.

The older man starts to moan and move again, so I slide over towards him to see his injuries. I pull his pocket square from its perch and hold it against his bleeding head as we wait for help. Sounds are coming from opposite the lift door now, and slowly the door starts to move. Finally, help has arrived.

"You need to help him; he is bleeding from his head and unconscious. I don't know what else is wrong with him," I tell the first person I see.

"What about you?"

"My lower back hurts and I may have broken my wrist."

There is more commotion in the area outside the lift; men in emergency-type outfits come in carrying bags with a big red cross on them. My mobile beeps and I answer,

"Holly, where are you? I am in a lift and injured." I start to say.

"Lou, where"… I can hear her talking to Kevin and he starts talking to me…

"Louisa, where are you? What type of injury? Are you bleeding?"

Typical doctor questions so I answer just as precisely as he asked,

"I am in a lift on the fourth floor, with lower back and wrist pain. No, I am not bleeding."

"We'll be right there."

When they arrive, Holly is out of breath; they must have taken the stairs, which she would never do if it were her choice. Kevin steps in and immediately goes into doctor mode; how I miss Martin this very moment. While Kevin examines my injuries, my escort and the medical crew worked on the unconscious man. The medics called for trolleys to transport two injured people to the hospital. The maintenance man working on the lift mechanics on the panel announces he can move the lift to the lobby floor for quicker access for us. With agreement by all, the lift door closes, leaving Holly standing just outside the door in the hallway. The last look I could see of Holly was her stunned face that Kevin chose to leave her behind. Kevin requests a backboard to go with the trolley for me, after some painful movements, I am strapped onto the board, lifted onto the trolley, and taken by ambulance to the hospital. My ride in the ambulance with Kevin was short but painful as every bump in the road sent jolts of pain across my lower back. Kevin is on his mobile ordering tests to be ready in A&E when we arrive. He reminds me of Martin when he is in doctor mode and demands everything for his patient's welfare. Upon my arrival, they whisk me to the A&E cubicle. Sometime later Holly finds me waiting for a doctor. Kevin had disappeared not long after I arrived. She enters and sits while she talks on her mobile. I hear someone tell her mobiles must be turned off as they interfere with certain equipment used and she ends her call quickly with,

"We'll see you when you arrive and I'll take care of the hotel."

"Who needs a hotel?" I ask.

"Martin. I called him."

I am stunned, "I didn't ask you to call him. What did you tell him?"

"That you and I were out to dinner and there was a power failure and you just happened to be in the lift when it happened and was injured." She says with her little smirked smile. "Why were you in the lift? I didn't tell him you were on a date with another doctor."

"I wasn't on a date with another doctor, I was helping my friend, and he knows I was out tonight for this medical affair with you," I snarled back at her. "I don't keep secrets from Martin."

Saved from my wrath when the curtain opens and a doctor with a nurse come through, they look at us thinking maybe they should turn around and let us finish our argument. I make eye contact with the doctor,

"What is wrong with my back?" I ask.

"We will send you down to radiology as soon as we do labs on you. Is there a chance you are pregnant?"

"No, I had an IUD inserted last August after the birth of my son in late June."

"We will send your blood for labs to make sure you aren't before we get your x-rays," he says and then nods to the nurse waiting at his side. She works quickly taking several vials of blood and departs.

I lay my head back on the couch, closing my eyes waiting for Holly to explain why she called Martin. How will Martin come to London if he has Phillip in his care? The pain medication in my IV they started is working and I fall asleep with the knowledge that Martin will need answers from me the next time we speak.

XxXxXx

I am awakened by the noise in the cubicle I am in, it takes me a few minutes to remember where I am and why until I try to move. Holly is arguing with the nurse and doesn't want to leave her seat.

"I told her husband I would stay with her at all times." I hear Holly saying.

"The doctor needs to do a physical examination and you are not family and cannot stay," the nurse says as she forcefully helps Holly out of her seat.

"But…" is the last I hear of Holly.

Kevin walks into my cubicle now as my doctor and introduces the resident of the A&E Doctor Flax.

"Louisa… Ahh… Mrs. Ellingham, I need to do a physical examination of your lower back. The nurse will help you into a gown." The two doctors leave murmuring to each other in medical jargon as they leave. The nurse walks back in pulling the curtain completely closed for privacy. The undressing is slow and painful, and finally, I am suitably dressed in only the gown, showing off my naked backside to the curtain wall.

"Excuse me, nurse, why haven't I had my x-rays that Doctor Chen spoke of while we traveled here in an ambulance."

"I do not have that information. I believe they are waiting for lab results."

Doctor Chen returns with another nurse; asking me if I am comfortable on my side as the examination will take some time and could be painful at certain times. Nodding I relax as much as possible with the pain coursing through my back; the medication only slightly dulling it.

He examines my entire vertebral column, his fingers probing along my spine. When he reaches my bum, I thought I would jump off the table from the pressure of his touch.

"Mrs. Ellingham, please if you can bend your knees, the nurse will help you pull them upward for this last portion of the examination."

Even this movement is painful and difficult. But I found the worst was yet to come. He continues his examination along my spine to the very end. The nurse leans over and quietly says, "This is going to be uncomfortable." I look her in the eyes thinking, it couldn't get any worse.

"I need to do a rectal exam and you will feel some pressure," Doctor Chen says.

I steady myself for pressure, I feel the good doctor insert his finger into my rectum, and the pressure he applies and the pain it causes almost did me in. I thought of the birth of my son before Martin insisted on the pain medication and that intrusion was bad with everyone looking at my private area, but this was worse. 'Martin where are you?' I am holding back the tears as I wait for this incursion of nether regions to come to an end.

After his exam, he sat down to explain exactly what he determined,

"You have injured your coccyx, better known as your tailbone. Coccyx injuries are often extremely painful for some time, lasting several weeks. I believe your injury is not severe and should heal without surgery. Upon examination of your lower spine, a hematoma is developing and the nurse will apply some ice to it when we have concluded our conversation. I will provide a prescription for painkillers and anti-inflammatories for tonight, you will be admitted to the hospital for observation. I believe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will reduce your pain and improve your ability to move around in twenty-four hours. Tomorrow morning when the swelling has decreased I will perform an ultrasound to determine the extent of the injury. I also requested a 'doughnut' cushion for you to sit on. I suggest you take it easy for a few days for the inflammation to go down completely around the injury. Tonight if you have any tingling sensations, you will need to let us know. Now your wrist; while you slept I reexamined your wrist, your lift trip left you a few injuries, nothing major just inconvenient. Now your wrist, x-rays will be taken as soon as they can and if broken I will cast it then. Again I don't see a long-term problem."

I lay there taking in all the medical information, 'Where is Martin, when I need him'.

"Kevin," I start to ask, "I mean Doctor Chen, please call my husband and explain my injuries to him. Holly called and you know her, more than likely she told him I was dying. He and my young son are in Portwenn and if Martin is trying to come here with our eleven-month-old son and he isn't required to because the situation does not sound like an emergency then he needs to know."

The nurse is placing the cold pack on my lower back; I catch her attention and ask her,

"Nurse, please hand me my bag, I need to give my mobile to Doctor Chen so he can call my husband. Thank you."

I pull out my phone and hand it over to Kevin. He nods and leaves to make his phone call. The next hour the new medication takes effect and they strap my wrist, while my mind goes through the argument with Martin, which I know will come as I fall into an uneasy slumber. Sometime later I am taken for my wrist x-ray and of course, I have a buckle fracture of a bone in my wrist. When Doctor Chen finished casting it they moved me to a room for my time in observation with sleep claiming me once again.

XxXxXx

Back in Portwenn, I am spending my usual early evening alone with my son. These past weeks have brought Phillip and me closer. I am thankful for Joan and Poppy as my stress would be higher if they couldn't take on Phillip's needs during my busy day.

Tonight I am bathing Phillip, an excuse to see my son a bit longer than I normally do as he will miss not seeing Louisa before bed. It helps me, watching my son enjoy sitting in the middle of the tub splashing water as I rinse the baby soap off his back. He loves watching the little rubber duck I bought him for Christmas, bounce in the waves he is producing. He squeals with delight as his toy bounces against the side of the tub. I can remember a rubber duck on my holidays at the farm but never understood the importance of it, now I do. To think I thought it belonged to Auntie Joan. I mentioned the duck one Sunday in early December when I came back downstairs to the kitchen and asked why she had that little duck in her tub. With a laugh, she explained the significance of the duck. 'I bought it for you the first time you came to visit. Phil mentioned seeing the duck at the chemist's. I thought you would play with it, but it always just sat along the tub shelf as you sat there washing. Not one time did you play with that rubber duck!' I know Phillip will never be like me and I wanted him to have fun in his bath and decided to purchase one for Christmas. I pull the plug and remove his duck before I settle him into a warm towel and quickly dry him. Putting on his nappy and pajamas as we prepare to read our book, but tonight will be different, Louisa won't be reading to him. These past weeks without Louisa reminded me of her time away after our non-wedding, my only reprieve is her nightly skype with our son. I hate sleeping alone in our bed, making our disagreement earlier the month prior worse. Phillip and I have just settled on the sofa with his night bottle and a book about farm animals when my phone beeps. I know it isn't an emergency call as the Wadebridge clinic is covering my calls tonight. I look at the number and don't recognize it so I let it go to voicemail. When Phillip has finished his bottle and I the story, I take him up to his cot. I tuck him in and give him a kiss on his forehead and cheek representing a kiss from each of his parents. As I walk out of the nursery and down the stairs my mobile beeps again, this time I answer,

"Ellingham" I announce.

"Martin, this is Holly."

"Who," I ask.

"Holly; Louisa's friend, she is staying with me in London during the course," she replies.

"Hmm…Yes" I say, but my mind is racing. Why would she call me unless Louisa is in trouble? "What's happened? Is Louisa hurt?"

"Louisa was injured in a lift accident and is on her way to the hospital by ambulance. I thought you should know."

"What hospital?"

"I don't know, I am still at the hotel and waiting for information," she replies.

"What happened? What are her injuries? Are they serious?"

"The hotel lost power, I was stuck upstairs in the lounge in the dark, and Louisa for some reason was in the lift. I don't know what her injuries are, but Kevin requested a backboard for her. The man with her was unconscious and bleeding."

"What man?" I shout.

"There was a man on the lift with Louisa. When I got there, they were lying together on the floor of the lift."

I can visualize all different scenarios; some I didn't want to contemplate. Louisa was with another man, leaving Holly in a lounge, going where in a hotel with another man. My mind screams out, 'his room!'

Holly's voice brings me from my nightmarish thoughts.

"Martin, the medics said the ambulance is taking Louisa to St Mary's Hospital where Kevin works."

"Who is Kevin? Is he the man Louisa was in the lift with?"

"No, he is my date. Louisa was with Doctor Shaw, a friend of Kevin."

Why was she on a date with Doctor Shaw? I am beside myself, why is Louisa dating, and then I remember the conversation earlier this week when she told me of Holly's request.

"Martin, I've got to go, my taxi is here to take me to the hospital. I'll call as soon as I know more."

She ends the call. Martin stares at his mobile for a moment, then finds Chris Parson's number and speed dials him.

"Chris, what is the number to the A&E of St Mary's Hospital London? Louisa is on her way there by ambulance." I say without any social nicety like 'Hello Chris or Chris, this is Mart'.

"Mart, what!?" replies Chris, stunned.

"I need the number to St Mary's Hospital London; the A&E. Louisa is injured and is currently on her way there by ambulance," I say again, only louder.

"Mart, please calm down. Give me a minute." After several minutes and a few interruptions from me about his slowness in providing me with the information I need, Chris passes on the number. "Now tell me what happened?"

"I don't know for sure; her friend Molly called to say Louisa was in an accident at a hotel, in the lift with a man. The medics took her by ambulance to the hospital. She said they needed a backboard to transport her because she said her back was injured. I need to call the hospital and find out what is happening."

Chris heard the disconnection sound in his ear at the end of Martin's ramble. He looks at the time, noticing it isn't too late to make the phone call, and dials his connection to the hospital. He needs to warn the hospital administrator that Doctor Martin Ellingham would be calling for information on his wife, but without the social niceties, they normally receive from a fellow physician.

"Joy, this is Chris Parsons. Sorry for the late call, but I just received a call regarding an emergency coming your way by ambulance. Doctor Martin Ellingham's wife is in your A&E as we speak and if you recall the name, he is calling to find out the health of his wife in his usual way."

"You are speaking of the same Ellingham, who terrorized every nurse and resident when he was a vascular surgeon consultant here a few years ago? Hold on Chris, let me call the A&E to get some information and warn them."

After several minutes on hold, Joy came back and informed Chris of the entire situation to include the conversation the senior resident in the A&E had with Ellingham, the injuries to one Louisa Ellingham to include the room number, Mrs. Ellingham would be held for overnight observation. Here, let me pass on the consultant's names and their numbers. Please pass the room number onto Ellingham, as that information was unknown when he called. Ahh… Chris, do you know if he is coming to London? I would like to warn the hospital staff."

"Thanks, Joy. I will pass this information on to Martin and call you as soon as I know what he plans to do. I am not sure as he has a young son to find care for before he could depart for London."

XxXxXx

End of Chapter

Coccyx, better known as the 'tailbone' is a triangular 3-5 fused bone structure at the base of the spine. It lies beneath the sacrum with several tendons, muscles, and ligaments connected to it. The coccyx and ischial tuberosities make up your' bottom' and bear your weight when you sit. Coccyx comes from the Greek term for 'Cuckoo', because the coccyx looks like the beak of the bird. Pain associated with coccyx injury is called coccydynia.

Buckle fracture wrist is one of the common problems or conditions in the wrist. Buckle fracture happens when a person falls, the hands are extended for support upon falling causing the wrist bones to break or crack. Buckle fracture happens more in children due to the softer bone material but can happen to adults.

All medical information in the chapter can be found on internet websites, like WebMD. I am not a doctor.