My 1 year anniversary working on this story and the fact you continue to read brings me humbly to my knees. I wanted to post this chapter on the actual start date, but I was out of the country, visiting relatives in Ireland. My thanks to all that leave reviews or send me private messages (PM). I can't personally send you thanks if you're not logged in, but I do appreciate your words, and many times have left a message on the review page. This chapter has drama, romance, and comedy, hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 25
Colloquia Abunde
"Time, you found time enough to love. And I found love enough to hold you. So tonight I'll stir the fire you feel inside. Until the flames of love enfold you."
'Somewhere in the Night' – Helen Reddy
ME/LE
I start the descent into the village; the car passes the school on Fore Street, and the Crab & Lobster near the Platt before turning towards home. The Lexus passes the chemist shop and the Large restaurant on Roscarrock Hill Road to its final destination the drive to our house.
Unbeknownst to the vehicle owner, eyes are watching as he passes; just outside the gate to the school, among several villagers, a set of watchful eyes stare. Again eyes watch from the entryway of the Crab & Lobster a shadowy figure hidden from the vehicle watching the occupants of the silver Lexus. A third figure, finishing the delivery of an envelope through the mail slot of the surgery quickly turns towards the stairs of the Large restaurant, ducking out of sight of the car as it ascends Roscarrock Hill Road.
I pull the car up to the garage and look over at Louisa, she is sleeping.
"Louisa, we're home," I say as I tap her upper thigh.
I move speedily around the car to help Louisa unbuckle and get out of the car. Slowly we walk towards the house, Louisa is a bit unsteady on her feet.
"I'll make you some tea, do you have a preference?"
"I wanted to try the lemon-ginger this time," Louisa replies.
"I found another suitable tea for you to try in the coming weeks for your evening tea. I'll show you while you sit and drink your tea. I see Joan's truck is here."
Phillip's loud squeal startles them to look at the back door and watch their son wobble towards them with his arms reaching out, with Poppy chasing right behind them.
"Ohhh, hello Phillip," Louisa coos.
"Phillip," I voice to my son. "What has you so excited?"
"Ish, ig Ish!"
"Your aunt showed Phillip the fish she bought for dinner," Poppy informs us breathlessly, finally catching up to the toddler.
"Mmm, com e Ish," Phillip exclaims.
"Yes," I reply and reach out to take Phillip into my arms.
Phillip continues his babbling about the fish demonstrating how long and how big the eyes are, and all about the big mouth the fish has.
I carry him into the kitchen expecting to see Joan busy starting the sides for dinner but finding my other aunt busy cutting salad makings at the table.
"I thought you were returning to London today."
"Change of plans," Ruth says. "I wanted to hear about my great-children and hoping to see a few pictures. Did you find out their genders?"
Poppy takes Phillip from my arms, saying something about him needing his nappy changed before dinner. I remember I was to brew Louisa her tea,
"Would anyone like tea, I'm brewing a cup for Louisa?" I ask.
My aunts request a cup and I proceed to brew. I listen to the women in my life contently giggle and discuss the twins, and my heart swells with pride. Poppy and Phillip reenter the room and join everyone at the table. Louisa hands Poppy one of the scan pictures and Phillip wants to see it with her.
"See Phillip, these are the babies."
Phillip looked at the pictures, raising his eyebrow like a true Ellingham, and lost interest in the grainy picture when he noticed me filleting the fish in preparation for our meal.
ME/LE
Promptly after dinner, Joan took Phillip upstairs for his bath; Ruth and Louisa went to the patio for a talk, and I cleaned the kitchen. I walked towards the patio door to join Louisa and met Joan with a clean, but tired Phillip,
"Kiss him and I'll read to him upstairs. I don't think he'll be awake much longer."
I place a kiss on his forehead and wish him goodnight. I watch as they disappear down the hallway before I turn to join Ruth and Louisa outside. I silently close the door behind me as I listen to their conversation. Mrs. Tishell's name has me wondering what they were discussing. Expeditiously I make my way to Louisa's chair, touching her shoulders, informing her I am there,
"What has Mrs. Tishell done now?" I ask.
"I asked Joan about her the other night after we met her, Martin. There is something strange about her," Ruth announces.
"I was just about to tell Ruth about the few incidents I have had since returning to Portwenn six months pregnant," Louisa says. "Since Martin came to Portwenn, Mrs. Tishell has spoken very highly of him. I think she has a little crush on him," Louisa says with a giggle. "She has much told me I trapped him into this marriage."
"Mrs. Tishell does not have a crush on me. She believes we are co-medical partners for the village. I don't call that a crush."
"The reason I asked, there is something that sets off my mental alarms when she is around you, Martin."
"Most of the villagers would set your mental alarms off. Starting with PC Penhale, he is a gadfly. He is always talking about him and me as the 'Dynamic Duo'. I had a sixteen-year-old girl waiting in my bed the first year I came here. The PC before Penhale could have made you rich for all the help he needed with his small self-esteem," I finish with a smirk, remembering the question on 'average' during his medical examination for the insurance. Mrs. Tishell is a Femina demens, nothing more."
"Now that is an interesting little tidbit, Martin. Explains everything," Ruth nods with a renewed look of understanding.
Joan pops her head out the door, "Ruth, Al called and I need to help him with that troublesome ram again. We need to go."
"Yes, yes, I'm coming. Last time, those two wrestled that ram ended up more entertaining than any telly show."
Louisa is sipping her water when I return from escorting my aunts to the truck, "Louisa would like to try that new tea," I ask as I walk up to her.
"Tell me about the tea, Martin."
"It is another organic pregnancy tea to drink at night; it is called 'Nite Time'. It will satisfy your tea cravings. Tones the uterus, it is a sweet chamomile tea without the sugar you crave. And the mint in it will soothe the mind, allowing you a deeper sleep."
"That sounds tasty; you know I miss the sugar in my tea. The flavors help but there is no substitute for sugary tea," Louisa says with a smile.
"Give me a moment and I will brew you a cup."
ME/LE
Louisa and I are enjoying our quiet evening watching the setting sun on the water. I catch glimpses of her from my peripheral, Louisa is relaxed, the tea is working, now is the time to discuss this.
"Louisa… I wanted to… explain why I turned down the job in London."
Well, that got her attention. She is looking at me with a flash of gold in her green eyes, and I am not sure now is the time.
"Yes, Martin, why did you turn down the job offer? Without discussing it with me; I wouldn't have known anything if it wasn't for your aunts."
"Ruth would understand the cost to our lives as a family. Louisa, for me to do my job the way it needs to be done, we would not have a life together as a family. I would be at the hospital by six every morning, walking the Residents through the wards on rounds, teaching them constantly. Surgeries daily sometimes more than one, again teaching those Residents and then monitoring those patients that were in surgery that day, before leaving for the evening which would likely be well into the evening if all the paperwork is done. We wouldn't have a home life. I wouldn't see my children awake, watch them grow up. That is not the life I want anymore. The life I want is here with you and our children. A simpler life, you and I together, raising our children.
Louisa grabs my hand, pulling to bring me closer. She is emotional, kissing my face and pulling my head to her shoulder. When she looks up, into my eyes, I see for the first time her tears running down her cheeks. Using my thumbs I wipe her tears away, lean in kiss her forehead, moving slowly down to her lips.
As we cuddle on the outdoor settee, fully relaxed now watching the last remnants of the sun burning into the water Louisa pulls away adjusting her back to a more comfortable position,
"Martin that sunset reminds me of our time together a few months ago. Do you remember our wonderful time together at the cottage?"
"Of course I do," I say as I wrap my large surgeon hand over her extended mid-section. "Your birthday and our anniversary are set between your twenty-fifth week and Doctor Gee's final examination. Why don't I make arrangements for us to spend time there to celebrate, alone together?"
"I would like that."
The colors of the sunset – the orange glistening on the edge of the water bringing out the vibrant summer-blooming flowers along the edge of the cliff of the garden, clearly making a gorgeous romantic picturesque Cornish evening for Louisa to start the conversation of her dream with her husband.
Leaning into my shoulder, Louisa pulls my face down to her lips, starting as a gentle kiss that ends up exploding with passion, sending shivers down my spine.
"Martin, you and those male doctors just don't understand women. I want, no I need to have sex with my husband."
"Louisa, medically speaking those are your hormones talking. We need to listen to Doctor Rawle."
"Martin Ellingham, DO NOT go into Doctor Mode with me."
I sit with eyes on her, this woman that captured my heart a year ago, this woman so intrinsically linked to my survival of my soul, my future… many times my belief of unworthiness would rise again to taunt me, goad me with the threat of inadequacy, of rejection. And then she would look into my eyes, like now, and there I can see her joy, the joy of being with me. The sound of her voice startles me, what a sweet sound…
"Martin, I love you."
All the thoughts of the medical reasons we can't evaporate. I take her hand and lead up to our bedroom for a night of cuddling and kissing her to pleasure.
"Ummm," Louisa gasped in pleasure from my silky voice in her ear, my deep tones vibrating around her heart, my breath sending electric tingles up and down her body.
"Louisa, I love you," I whisper seductively into her ear, moving across her face, drawing her lips into another passionate kiss.
Later that night, Louisa is unable to sleep. Rolling onto her side to readjust her pillow she stops to look at her husband's face. My husband, a man who'd worked hard to set himself free of the shackles of his past, and with the help of the women in his life, his future is bright on the horizon.
Her small hand trances along my chin as I doze, a groan escapes from my throat. Louisa places her thumb against my lips and trances them; full demanding lips, concealing my not-so-perfect teeth, a mouth that could deliver a sharp medical reprimand to those that refuse to do as I prescribed but can bring her infinite pleasure.
Louisa's attention wakes me just enough that I feel the need to pull her closer to me to ensure she is safe in my arms. I mumble, 'Iloveyou', kiss her shoulder and fall back to sleep.
ME/LE
At breakfast, the following morning Louisa and I went over the shopping list for our visit to the village. Prior planning makes my trips more advantageous to the overall calm with my family. When we finish our list I went to my study to set up our weekend away. Pulling the folder from the bottom drawer of my desk, I looked for the realtor's number and place the call. As I conclude my call I open my laptop to research ideas for the perfect gifts for Louisa and that is where she finds me an hour later.
"Martin, are you finished with your call? It is getting late, we have a few stops and Joan called to set up lunch at the pub. Did you know Ruth is staying another month?"
"Yes, I finished my call. We are set for the weekend after your appointments. And no, I did not know Ruth is staying longer. She didn't mention it last night."
'Now what do my aunts have in mind?'
"Phillip is ready, he is playing with his blocks in the sunroom. I packed his bag and hung it on the pram, and it is set at the backdoor. All we need is you," she says with a smile.
"I need to grab my dirty laundry to take to the cleaners. I'll run upstairs and grab them, be down in a few minutes. Do not pick up Phillip," I remind Louisa with my effective glare.
"Of course not, Phillip and I will sit and read a book while you do that," she replies with an upset glare sparking her dark green eyes.
I park the Lexus near the Platt, pull Phillip's pram out of the boot, and proceed to unbuckle and then strap him into his pram. 'My thoughts wander to the future with three children and the difficulties of our weekly trips into the village will be. Has Louisa decided on a new pram?'
"Martin, are you finished? Joan and Ruth just left the chemist and heading this way."
"Yes," I reply as I stand and turn the pram in the direction of my aunts that are descending on us with interesting looks on their faces. I hate it when they know something I don't.
"Morning Joan, Ruth," Louisa says to my aunts.
"Morning, and hello my little Phillip," Joan purrs as she gives him kisses all over his face.
Phillip giggles from the tickles of Joan's kisses and puts his arms up to get his Granny to pick him up.
"I will run the laundry to the cleaners, pick up the cleaned suits and meet you here after my trip to the chemist. "
"Phillip needs more nappies, Martin. Please pick them up while you're there. Thank you," Louisa says as she places a chaste kiss on my cheek.
"Mmmm, yes," I mumble. "Is there anything else you need while I'm there?"
"No, I should be able to buy everything else. You know I don't like going to the chemist if I don't need to."
Our conversation is not missed by the Psychiatrist in the group.
I open the door to the cleaners, I notice there is a group of villagers standing at the counter talking and laughing. A sudden hush of their conversation, with a touch of an arm, or a wave of a finger when they notice me standing in the doorway,
"Myttin da, Doc," announces one of the fishermen in yellow waders.
"Doc, coming to pick up your suits, r you?" Bert says with a laughing smirk.
"Bert," I grunt out his name as I nod to the others standing in front of me.
"Move over Bert, let the Doc take care of his business," Mrs. Uptin sounds off with a guffaw.
"Sure, here Doc," he says as he moves aside.
I hand over our cleaning and receive in return the suits I left the week before, along with a small brown wrapped paper package that Mrs. Uptin placed on the counter.
"What's this?" I ask.
With a titter, she says, "The rest of your cleaning."
Bert's belly laugh puts me on edge. "What, I brought in two suits, seven shirts, and I can clearly see them hanging. What is this," I ask again but this time pointing at the wrapped brown package.
"I discovered it in your coat pocket and assumed you wanted it laundered," she replies.
Snorting laughter continues from Bert. "Doc, my mum told me to always keep a clean pair in the glove box but I never thought to keep an extra in my coat pocket."
I look at him first with disdain, but my contempt for him pulls a growl from deep inside of me. I grab the package and storm out the door hearing the sound of laughter as the door slams shut. I continue my grumbling as I walk over to the Lexus to place my cleaning in the car. They say curiosity killed the cat but I couldn't think of a single item I would have put in my pocket relating to Bert's comment. I rip open the brown paper, to discover a pair of lady's knickers.
Behind me, I can hear my son squeals and quickly store the knickers in my trouser pocket. I turn towards my family and Louisa notices my rush in hiding the offensive item and the blushing on my face and neck.
"Martin, what's wrong?" she questions noting my tense stature.
"Bert and his idiotic sense of humor as he went on about keeping something clean in his glove box but not in his coat pocket. In my opinion, the man has gone Bodmin."
"Put these in the car and let's go eat, I'm starving, husband," Louisa says as she smiles at Joan.
ME/LE
Louisa and Ruth walk on either side of the pram pushed by Joan with Phillip greeting everyone and everything as they head to the shops.
"Louisa, we have a concern about someone we saw this morning," Ruth states.
"Who, do you think you saw that would concern me?" she asks
"She tried to disguise herself, with big sunglasses, a scarf wrapped around her head, but no tourist dresses up to come to a fishing village."
"WHO?"
"We believe we saw Martin's mother," Ruth announces.
"WHAT?" Louisa voices as she stops in the middle of the lane, looking around for the wicked woman.
"She was standing in the doorway near the fishmonger looking towards the surgery, trying to decide if she wanted to climb that hill," Joan reveals with a chortle on the thought of Margaret walking that steep hill.
"Joan and I weren't positive it was her," Ruth says looking at her sister. "So we went into the chemist shop to spy on her. But your Mrs. Tishell came out of her storage area in the back and interrupted us and we lost track of Margaret."
"If she is here then that means she wants to talk to Martin," Louisa says out loud as she thinks of what to do.
"I'll ask around to see where she might be staying when I get back to the farm. Before we leave Ruth and I will hit the accommodations here in the village, but I don't think we could stand it here in the village.
"We need to contact the Wilson Hotel, that is more her style than anything in the village," Louisa says.
"What we need to do is make a plan, and keep Martin safe and oblivious of her. But we need help from a few more people, Louisa. Who can we trust in your village," Ruth asks?
"Morweena, his receptionist for one, she could keep an eye out for Margaret and call me or Joan. She would stop Margaret from harassing Martin long enough for us to show up. Then there is Al, but he is always at the farm. Martin is either at home or at the surgery working, and Margaret doesn't know he moved to a different house unless she asks someone but this village would have spread the word that some woman is asking about him. I know when they visited a couple of years back that she didn't leave the cottage except when she left."
"If anyone recognizes her it would get to Bert and he hasn't said anything to Al," Joan included.
"Then we plan is to keep our eyes and ears open. Talk to the people we can trust and don't let Martin know," Ruth concluded.
'There is something wrong with Martin, he is tense and shouldn't be. I wonder if Mrs. Tishell said something. Oh no, Margaret spoke to him,' Louisa thought as they are walking up to Martin.
Martin explained his agitation.
'Wonder what that comment meant glove box, a clean one, the only thing I can think of is knickers or in Martin's case a pair of pants. I will bring it up when we are alone; there is no need to embarrass my husband in front of his aunts.'
ME/LE
I made several trips from the Lexus to the house, starting with a sleeping Phillip. On my last trip with the cleaning, as I came back down the stairs I could hear Louisa in the kitchen putting items in the pantry.
"Would you like some tea?" I ask
"That would be nice Martin, and then we can sit down so you can explain the glove box comment."
I reach down to feel the garment in my pocket, pulling it out and placing the knickers on the table.
Louisa looks at them, "Martin, why do you have my knickers… Ohh, now I understand his rude comment. But I don't understand why you had my knickers cleaned."
"I didn't intend to have them cleaned. Sit while I explain."
Louisa moves to her chair and I sit down across from her. "These are the knickers you were wearing that Sunday you needed medical attention. I removed them to do my examination. After wrapping you in the blanket with the IV, I carried you to the car. When I came back for my bag, I picked them up and put them in my suit jacket pocket and forgot about them. I didn't check that pocket when I dropped off my laundry but Mrs. Uptin found them and laundered them, and then wrapped them separately in brown paper. When I walked into the cleaners this morning the gossip brigade was talking and laughing until they realized I was standing there. The chance for gossip was too great for her to keep her mouth shut so now the whole village knows I had women's knickers in my pocket," finishing my indignation of the scene.
"Martin, I am sorry but I can see the funny side of it and now understand Bert's comment. Be prepared on Monday for the rumor that you are seeing another woman, whose knickers were found in your pocket by me; even if that isn't the truth."
"Ohh no, they wouldn't, would they?"
"Anything is possible," she replied as she strokes my hand.
We had a quiet evening, just the three of us. I made Louisa sit in the lounge with her tea while I bathed Phillip. I bought him down so she could read to him and finally, we were alone once again on the patio, sitting closely together watching the sun dip into the water. It was a beautiful night, cloudless, with the sky full of bright stars creating the perfect atmosphere to cuddle and let nature take its course.
ME/LE
Sunday dawned bright with a cloudless sky so we decided after breakfast to take a walk along the coastal path away from the village for some exercise. Louisa packed Phillip's bag, packing our carrier bag with a thermos of brewed tea, along with cheese, crackers, and a couple of apples. I changed Phillip's nappy and placed him in the back carrier. I remember the adverts on the website about the carrier… the manufacturer boosted 'you can climb Mt. Everest with your baby' – nonsense, who in their right mind would go mountain climbing with a toddler. The sale point for me was the durable construction and simply the color – gray. Phillip and I walk out of the study and meet Louisa in the kitchen; a smile crosses her face when she notices my attire. I am wearing the clothing I ordered just before she left for London. I had a mishap on the farm one day and ended up getting mud all over my black dress shoes. Louisa had suggested hiking-style boots for our outings but I didn't like anything we found in Truro, so I contacted my tailor, telling him what I was looking for along with certain clothing. He sent me pictures, and a suggestion on the footwear, and I purchased one ensemble and the footwear. Today is the first day wearing them in front of Louisa.
"Martin, I love your outfit. Where did this come from?'
"You mentioned my inadequate footwear in April, I made some inquiries and my tailor came up with this. I have one of my dress shirts on under the jumper."
"Well, the color looks good on you. Did you buy more than one outfit?"
"No, I wasn't sure I would feel comfortable in them. I can show you the other choices when we return."
"I would like that."
I pick up the bag with our snacks and thermos hooking it onto the ring on the shoulder strap and follow Louisa out the back door. We walk slowly towards the coastal path, up the rise as it turns towards the cliffs, stopping to look out at the beautiful site. Just below us, we can see the seawall at the entrance of the harbor, and a few boats going out.
Phillip is babbling and pointing at the boats, "bots" he squeals.
We continue our stroll as Phillip continues to narrate all he sees. Rounding past the seawall, the path sloops downhill, I take Louisa's hand suggesting the green area away from the cliff side, off the busy path filled with tourists, to enjoy the scenery with a cloudless sky, blue water, and the village off to the side in the distances with the very noticeable white school house.
Phillip let go an ear-shattering squeal and giggles, drawing Louisa's attention to her son. She could see why he became excited; sitting on my shoulder a ladybird had landed. Phillip was surprised and tried catching it.
"Martin lower yourself, Phillip is trying to catch the ladybird and he will likely put it in his mouth."
I lower towards Louisa and she easily takes hold of it and places it in her palm. Of course, Philip squeals in excitement until it flies away.
"Why don't we stop over there and unpack our snack and let Phillip walk around a bit," I suggest.
I move a few meters so we are well off the path in the grass. I unsnap the different straps across my torso and slowly allow a strap to slide down my arm and swing the Phillip-filled carrier down in front of me.
Louisa reaches into the bag for the blanket and shakes it open to lay it down on the grass-covered ground. While Louisa pulls our food out, I lift Phillip out of the carrier, carefully standing him on his feet. He immediately wobbles away toward the field. His commotion causes insects to scatter, my son squeals and drops to the ground, realizing he can travel faster, covering more ground to catch those pesky insects. Just as his fingers reach out to one nesting on a grass seed pod I pick him up. I endure his squealing protest,
"Phillip, no," I firmly say to his startled face. He quiets as I continue, "You can't grab them, and they can sting you." I set him on my knee as I lower myself, pointing to another ladybird. "This ladybird will bite you and it is painful. You can tell this is the 'harlequin' ladybird by the white spots on its head."
"I thought all ladybirds bite," Louisa states.
"Yes, but not always. The harlequin is the more aggressive of the species."
Louisa looks closely at the insect, "A learning moment for all. Let's eat. Phillip are you hungry?"
One way to get Phillip's attention is to offer him food, everything else is forgotten. He tries to wiggle off my knee; instead, I pick him up as I stand and carry him to the blanket and sit him on my lap. Louisa lays out our feast and lowers herself onto her side, in a lounging position. Once Louisa is comfortable I place Phillip next to me with Louisa's legs acting as a wall penning him in. She hands me a hand wipe, I first use it on Phillip and then clean my hands. She hands him a biscuit as I finish tying his bib. I place his sippy cup close by. Louisa pulls the cheese and crackers out and places them on the plates Louisa is holding. I take the thermos and pour our tea into the cups, handing one to Louisa.
"Here drink this," I say as I finish pouring my own and drinking it down.
We enjoyed our food with most of the conversation explaining different parts of nature to Phillip. I notice once Phillip finished eating, and with all the fresh air, he is getting sleepy.
"Louisa, do you want to walk back and we could settle Phillip in for his nap then you and I can lie down and cuddle," I ask while looking at my new boots.
"Let's do that," she replies and reaches to touch my cheek making me raise my eyes to her.
Louisa packs up the bag while I settle Phillip into the carrier before he falls asleep, then swing the carrier onto my shoulder. I adjust the other strap on the other shoulder and buckle the snaps across my chest. I help Louisa up and she hands me the bag to snap on the ring. I can feel Phillip's forehead against my lower neck and am thankful for the carrier now as a twelve kg sleeping child would become tiring even for me. While Phillip sleeps, I take Louisa's hand and we make our way back onto the path, and then back to the village. Walking hand in hand, these quiet moments allow me to feel close to my wife. I interlock our fingers occasionally caressing the back of her hand. To me, this intimate gesture is like making love to her.
This romantic time is short-lived as we walk up to our drive and find PC Penhale pounding on our back door.
End of Chapter
Chapter title Colloquia Abunde is Latin for Conversations Abound
Gadfly: a persistently annoying person. That could be said about Penhale. I love the character. Don't all small villages/towns have someone like him? For my American friends, remember Barney Fife in Mayberry.
Femina demens: mad woman. I believe that describes Mrs. Tishell. She is insanely in love with the Doc. Mrs. T is my favorite character; Selina Cadell brings out the best in Mrs. Tishell, her looks make her character all the more interesting. Saw a photo on FB of the filming of Series 10, and that look from Mrs. T towards Louisa was so telling.
The saying 'The Women in his Life' is a tribute to a friend.