Arising

Louisa was cuddled up against Martin's warm side, her one arm around his bare waist when she heard the front door unlock and then the door swung open downstairs. It took a few seconds for her brain to realize what she was hearing. Then she heard the clomp of platform shoes on the reception room slate, a clunk of some object dropped on a desk, then a jangle of what must be many bracelets. Finally, she heard the creak of a desk chair. Only then did she start to put two and two together. "Martin! Wake up! Pauline's downstairs!"

Martin's arms and legs jerked as he swam up to consciousness. He turned his head to peer at the alarm clock. "Nine? Nine o'clock? Oh God!" He sat up and the sheet and blanket slid off his body. "Louisa! Get up! We overslept!"

Martin was greeted by the sight of his wife's bare bum, as she threw the sheets away and grabbed her bathrobe.

"Nine; bloody nine in the morning," she started half cursing. She felt like she'd been drinking all weekend from her aching muscles. But, she thought, hiking in the rain and cold will do that to you, as well as engaging in other strenuous activities. "We're late!" She ran to the bathroom, used the toilet and began to look at the mess of her hair; all tangled in knots. She hacked at the mess with her fingers, but it was obvious she'd have to wash and condition the rat's nest into condition. "First in the shower!" she shouted over her shoulder. As she started the water and waited for it to warm up from cold, she inspected herself in the mirror. "Well," she muttered, "marriage has been surprising." As she took off her robe, she called out, "Owww."

"You okay in there?" Marti asked through the door.

"Fine, Martin, um, stubbed my toe," she lied for the robe had rubbed against her nipples and both were quite sore, enlarged and very pink. She touched them gingerly and winced. Breasts sore as well. "Getting married is treating you poor girls harshly," she sighed. And it must be hormones. When the water was warm enough she stepped into the tub, pulled the curtain closed and began to wash herself.

Next she heard Martin come in to use the toilet (oh the things you learn and hear when married). Then from the sounds of water, shaving foam and the scrape of his razor he was shaving.

"Blast!" he yelled when he nicked his jaw just by his ear.

"What?"

"Cut myself," he explained. A dab of styptic and the bleeding stopped, as he swallowed hard. Damn it, my blood problem persists. Back in the bedroom, he pulled on boxers and then got socks and shirt on, then his suit and tie. He quickly lashed his shoelaces taut, then bracing himself, clattered down the steps. As he slowed down, after passing the landing, he saw Pauline Lamb looking up at him with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Did you… sleep… well, Doc?" she asked with a smirk. "And Louisa? Did she rest alright? Have a good… sleep, the two of you? Rest well? Having a bit of a lie in up there?" Pauline found it very funny to catch the Doc still in bed, especially with the Head Teacher; well, they were married after all – finally.

"Pauline," Martin said as he brushed past her to start espresso for he badly needed caffeine and he recalled that he'd told Chippy to arrive early. The rush was on.

Pauline followed him right to the kitchen. "Had a bit of an adventure, Al said."

"Yes," he snapped.

"Out on Rough Tor in the rain and wind."

"Yes."

"And got lost?" she persisted. "Had to call Penhale for help?"

Martin got the espresso machine working then whirled to face her. "Pauline, you apparently know the particulars and I fail to see how this discussion can further any knowledge you might gain – not that it's any of your business."

Pauline clasped her hands together and stepped towards him. "But, Doc! It was your honeymoon and all."

Martin sighed then went to the fridge, got out the butter and jam. Took bread from the breadbox and went back to the counter where the toaster was sitting. Despite his quick motions, Pauline dogged his steps. He dropped the bread into the slots, plugged in the device, and switched on the outlet.

"Doc? But are you alright? And how's Lousia? Out on the Tor is not any place I'd want to be."

Martin shook his head. "Yes! Fine!" He pointed towards reception. "Work! Desk! Now!" He clapped his hands. "MOVE!"

With a hurt look on her face, Pauline slunk away. "Okay, okay. Gee, no need to bark."

After she left, Martin closed his eyes and just wanted things to go back to normal. Then he looked down at the new wedding band on his hand. There is that – a new normal, now what to do concerning it? As he stood there for a little while the espresso machine finished with a hiss, and then he could smell the toast was burning.

=0=0=0=

Louisa descended cautiously, trying to sneak past Pauline but the girl fell on her like a hungry dog after breakfast, throwing her arms around the startled Had Teacher.

"Oh my God!" the girl moaned. "Out on the moor I the rain, cold and dark! I'm surprised the Beast of Bodmin didn't get you both!"

"I'm fine, Pauline, and so is Martin; just got a little lost is all."

"And calling out Penhale with a search party as well. You poor thing! You must have been desperate!"

Louisa saw Martin approach his medical file cabinet and begin pawing through it. Not quite the 'nice wake up' she might have wished for. She pried Pauline's clinging arms away. "Still, we're fine. Honestly. Now I must grab a quick bite and rush off to school."

Martin cleared his throat. "The toast was burned but I made new and there's a fried egg for you under kitchen foil."

Louisa got away from Pauline and pointing her head, indicated her husband should go into his office. Martin led the way and Louisa heaved a sigh of relief when she closed the consulting door behind her. "Whew," she sighed.

"Yes," Martin told her. "Louisa?" he asked.

Louisa just put her arms around him. "Back to the usual rubbish," she said into his shoulder.

Martin returned the hug but told her, "Louisa… sorry… Monday… patients."

She inhaled the aroma of his warm male body; aftershave, a little soap scent and a trace of perspiration since he'd showered last night. She closed her eyes and luxuriated in the warn embrace, then she tipped up her face to be kissed.

Martin was bending his neck to kiss her lips when the door flew open as Pauline barged in supporting her aunt. "Sorry, Doc! Mergency! Aunt Jennie burned herself with an iron!"

Caught in a close clinch, Martin and Louisa practically launched themselves away from each other, trying not to look guilty.

As Martin waved the injured woman toward his exam couch, Louisa tried to fade into the background, so she told him, "Sorry, I'll just be…"

Martin caught her eye. "Lunch?"

Louisa shook her head. "Staff meeting." She'd rather tell them all to bugger off and just drag him back to their bed. Have a nice lie in, followed by a lovely brunch, and then a lazy afternoon. She looked around the green painted room and sighed to herself. Maybe a tropical honeymoon on some deserted island would have been a great idea after all.

"Ah." Martin sighed. She is so beautiful and all he wanted was to just hold her and look deep not her eyes and…

The injured woman look daggers at them. "You two love birds gonna keep making googly eyes at one another or can I get some help here? My hand is hurtin' like the blazes!"

Martin stirred himself into action but had to force himself to pay attention to the woman. "Right. How'd you do this?"

"Hot iron, Doc," Pauline told him. "My Aunt Jennie's been taking in some laundry work and…"

Martin held up his hand to make her stop talking. He watched with regret as Louisa crept out of the room.

Outside, Louisa leaned against the wall, took a deep breath and then went to the kitchen to wolf down a very quick breakfast.