Call the Midwife (2012–…): Season 9, Episode 7 - Episode #9.7 - full transcript

WOMAN BREATHES HEAVILY

SHE CRIES OUT

MATURE JENNIFER: There are times
when all we can do is our best.

Gosh!

We're tested.

We're challenged.

We must have faith.

WOMAN CRIES OUT

We must do our utmost.

We must trust in those around us.

We must trust ourselves.



We have to say, "I can do this!"

Good!

We have to believe it, too.

Belief is the beginning
of all things.

BABY CRIES

Well done!

You've done it, Mrs Whitehouse.

There we go.

You've got a baby boy.

Doctor, if I wasn't
trussed up like a chicken,

I'd give you a great big smacker!

Congratulations, Mrs Whitehouse.

And to you, too, Dr McNulty.
Your first forceps delivery.

First?



Now you tell me!

Not the first, Mrs Whitehouse, Dr
McNulty's first without assistance.

Right, I shall leave you
in his very capable hands

while I have another delivery
to celebrate.

Thank you for taking surgery
this afternoon. It's a great help.

I'm just pleased to be of use.
You definitely are.

What a wonderful entrance!
Thank you, Nurse Crane, boys.

Now, I'd just like to...

Oh! Thank you, Mrs Turner.
Er, if I may...?

Today is a very special day for
our borough and for our community.

As your local councillor,
it gives me the greatest pleasure

to welcome the most precious piece
of medical equipment on four wheels.

It's a bit small for an ambulance!
LAUGHTER

Thank you, Councillor Buckle.

Now, if I may say a quick word, Dr
Turner and I want to thank everyone

who contributed so generously
to our fundraising efforts.

Nurse Crane and her Cubs
have been particularly generous,

and I really don't think
we would have made it without

the contents of Angela
and May's piggybanks!

LAUGHTER

Thanks to all of you. It means our
premature babies will be able to

stay with their mothers,
where they should be.

Very well said, Mrs Turner.

Now, I expect you're all waiting
for the great unveiling.

Now, you might need these,
Councillor Buckle.

Thank you, but I always carry
my special ceremonial shears.

Music, maestro, please!

♪ Do do-do do-do do-dooo! ♪

LAUGHTER

Ooh!

May I assist you, Dr McNulty?

I was just going through the list
for today's surgery. Oh! Very well,

carry on. I hear you managed a very
successful delivery this morning.

Oh! Dr Turner was there, of course.

But yes, it seemed to go
like clockwork.

Hm! This list shouldn't pose
any problems, then.

Most are common ailments,
although we can always give

Dr Turner a call if you're unsure.
I doubt that'll be necessary.

Besides, the whole point of me
standing in this afternoon

is to lighten Dr Turner's load.

One swallow does not
a summer make, Doctor.

There's no need to run before you
can walk. I'll bear that in mind.

CHATTER

Mrs Carter?
Hi. Here we are.

Afternoon. Good afternoon.
How can I help you?

We're here for the antenatal clinic.
Are we in the right place? You are.

I'll just get you registered.

If I could take
your wife's details, Mr, erm...?

Mrs Irmsby. Marion Irmsby.

As my husband will tell you,
I'm very good at talking for myself.

I'm so sorry. Please don't worry.
No harm done.

Right, Stewart, you can get off now.

Marion? Go on.
I'll meet you outside after.

OK. I'll be out there.

Don't forget your cane.

He seems like a nice young man.

He has his moments.

Do you have your Co-op card?
Mm-hm.

Would you like a hand?
Unlike most women, I know how to

find everything in my handbag!
You should teach me the secret!

You're registered at a different
general practice, Mrs Irmsby.

I want to change now.

I'm not happy with the way I've
been treated since I got pregnant.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I can
arrange to transfer you to ours.

Is your doctor sympathetic?
I don't want one that isn't.

I would say so.

I demand to see a real doctor!

And I will not budge from this spot
until my demand is met.

Mr Walsh, it may have
escaped your notice,

but we only employ
real doctors here.

Dr McNulty fits
that very stringent criteria.

Five years at medical school
and several nicely framed

degree certificates confirm it.
I don't give a monkey's.

He's not cutting
his baby teeth on me.

Very nice to meet you,
Mr Walsh. Dr McNulty.

Is your chest playing up again?

Let's get you seen so we can
start to get you better.

Good. Baby's coming through
loud and clear, Mrs Irmsby.

You can sit up now.

Have you ever looked after
someone like me, Nurse?

Do you mean blind?
No, but I've lost count

of the number of mothers
I've taken care of.

Good! I won't be
any different, then.

Lots of blind women have babies,
you know.

I'm sure. So you've been blind
since you were a child? Yes.

I've got this rare type of retinitis
pigmentosa. That's the posh name.

It's just blindness to me.
And there's worse things, like...

..not being a mum.
I couldn't bear that.

Mm. Well, we'll do everything we can
to help you manage it.

I can manage fine, Nurse.

Most new mothers need support,
Mrs Irmsby.

Babies can be a shock to the system.

And your condition makes things
a little more complicated.

It really doesn't.

Er... Why don't we take this
one step at a time?

That's you done for today.

And when you pop in
to register with Dr Turner,

one of the midwives will show you
round the maternity home,

then you'll know exactly where
you're giving birth.

There's no need.
I'm having my baby at home.

Mrs Irmsby, I really think
that you should...

The council have given us
a lovely ground-floor flat

in Rigsby Buildings. It's all on
one level. No stairs to worry about.

I'll be better in my own home.

I'll make a home visit tomorrow
and we can discuss it then.

And that's not me treating you
any differently.

I have to do it for every mother
who wants a home birth.

Thank you.

See how you get on with the tablets,
Mr Walsh. See you again in a week.

Excuse me? I could've
bloody pegged it, sitting here,

the time you took with him.

I'm sorry, but this isn't
an antenatal clinic.

That's over at
the Iris Knight Institute.

Is it, now? That's nice for it.

But I'm not well, so I need to see
a doctor... if that's what you are.

Hello, you. Hello, you!
Your hands are cold.

You been out here this whole time?

Nothing gets by you.

Dr McNulty, you've admitted
Yvonne Smith.

She's got a severe
urinary tract infection.

I hope I did the right thing.
Absolutely! Well done.

She seems very happy to be here.
Did she mention her husband?

Just to make a joke. Why?

Things aren't that easy at home.
He drinks quite heavily.

It's a strain on her, though
she'd never admit it. I see.

A break might be
the best thing for her.

What Mrs Smith needs is a doctor

who'll take an interest
in her general wellbeing.

Being a doctor isn't just about
handing out pills.

Thank you. What for?
Giving me this chance.

It's not completely selfless.
You're doing me a favour, too.

Something wrong?

Nothing serious.

It's just an old shoulder injury
from my medical-school days.

It flares up now and then.
Must be the damp.

If it gets really bad,
I take pethidine.

It might be worth
getting to a physiotherapist.

They'd fix you up, and then
you wouldn't need to take anything.

We're going to have to tread
very carefully with Mrs Irmsby.

I don't want her walking out on us,

like she did with
her previous doctor.

She's going to need so much support.

We might have to convince her
about that.

Mm.

If only these were in Braille.

BABY CRIES

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

Stewart, are you ready yet?

SHE LAUGHS
I am now!

Here. What do you think?

It's high enough for you
to lift the baby in and out,

even when you're sitting on the bed.

What is it? Don't you like it?

Of course I do! It's perfect!

I often push my bike
back to Nonnatus House

after delivering a baby.

It's not so much I'm tired,
more that I need to slow down,

mull things over.

Does it leave pictures
in your brain? How do you mean?

The job. The things you've seen
and the things you have to do.

When I was a houseman, I'd have days
when I'd get back to my room

and close my eyes,
and it was like a film

playing over and over in my head.

Stitches going in,
maybe a tumour coming out.

Was it in colour or black and white?

Glorious Technicolor, usually!

Me too! Dark green meconium,
bright-red haemorrhage.

I once saw a gastric haemorrhage
coming up like a pint of coffee.

I've yet to see one
at the other end.

All in good time.
I'll bring my wellies.

SHE LAUGHS

Those chips smell lovely.

That van does the best battered cod
in Poplar, so I'm told.

I could kill for a quick
fish and a sixpenn'orth.

Well, I'm not allowed
to eat in the street.

Or anywhere that's not in
the dining room at Nonnatus House.

Those are the rules.

I'm not a nun, though,
so they don't apply to me.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Dinner's ready.

Just coming.

Is something wrong?

Mm, just tired.

I'm getting old, lass.
Nonsense.

You've done a full day's work,
and now you're off to Cubs.

It's not been easy
since Sergeant Woolf left.

You'll just have to find
someone else to help you.

You wouldn't happen to
know anyone, would you?

Er, no-one springs to mind,
but I'll give it some thought.

See you downstairs.

SHE SIGHS

DOOR CLOSES

Those chips smell divine.
Have one.

A moment on the lips, a lifetime
on the hips. No, thank you.

I'm perfectly happy
with my slice of ham.

I'll have one. Apologies. I was
preparing for the onslaught ahead.

That uniform brings my rather
undistinguished Scouting career

flooding straight back, Nurse Crane.

The only badge I managed
was fire safety.

What, not even first aid?
Especially not first aid.

VALERIE LAUGHS

Perhaps you should go back
and try again.

Nurse Crane is looking for
a volunteer to help her.

I'd happily do it. I've got
too many other commitments just now.

Would his name be Cyril,
by any chance?

Master Cyril, if you wouldn't mind.

I would, Nurse Crane,
but Dr Turner's relying on me

quite heavily at the minute.
I wouldn't want to let him down.

I can't imagine that would happen,
Dr McNulty.

You seem to have settled in Poplar
remarkably well.

Now I've tasted Granger's
fish and chips,

I won't be leaving in a hurry.

Sister? Would you like to try one?

I will oblige, but only in
the interest of historical research.

I wish to know if they're
as good as they used to be!

DOORBELL

Hello?

It's me, Marion. It's Beryl.

Well, I hope you haven't come
to make trouble.

I think trouble's well and truly
on its way, don't you?

Going to let me in, then?

SHE SIGHS

Why didn't you tell me
you were moving?

I didn't think you'd be bothered,
not after the things you said.

Well, I only spoke the truth.

A baby needs proper care, Marion.
Who's going to do that?

I'm its mother! I'll care for it.

Listen to yourself!
You're living in cloud-cuckoo-land.

Not everybody wants
to take the pill.

DOORBELL

That's the midwife. You'd better go.

I'm going nowhere. Perhaps
she'll make you see sense.

No, Beryl, no!

Midwife calling. Is Mrs Irmsby in?

In there.

Mrs Irmsby, it's me, Nurse Franklin.
Nurse! Is everything all right?

No, it isn't.
My sister's about to make

the biggest mistake of her life,
and I won't let it happen.

I'm... not sure what you mean, Mrs...

Cairns. I'll tell you what I mean.

Marion can't see.

She's a danger to herself, so
imagine what she might do to a baby!

How could she give it a bath,
for pity's sake?

Marion can get help with that.
That's why we're here.

You going to move in with her, then?
Her husband will be here.

Not all the time. He works. He can't
not work, or they won't eat.

Well, can't you help?
You're her sister, after all.

I don't want her to.
She told me I was selfish

and had no right to bring a baby
into this world.

It is selfish! And I won't be party
to it. It... It's not right.

It's not fair on the child.
Mrs Cairns, I think you should go.

You're upsetting your sister, and
it's not fair on her or the baby.

You're right, Nurse. You have
a responsibility to that child, too.

So do your job.

Get that baby up for adoption,
for its own safety.

No! How can you know that?
Baby isn't even here yet!

I've taken care of my sister
since she was 13,

and I will not stand by
and see her fall to pieces.

If you won't talk to
social services, then I will.

TRIXIE TUTS

Oh, sweetie, there, there.
DOOR SHUTS

Can they do that?
Can they take my baby away?

I'm afraid they can.

Temperature's gone down.
It's a good sign.

You're not going to send me home,
are you?

It still hurts when I go,
and I'm up and down like a yo-yo,

aren't I, Nurse? She still has
urinary frequency, Doctor.

Then I want you to drink
as much fluid as you can.

It'll help flush the infection out.
I'll drink this bloody place dry.

Just don't send me home yet!

As hotels go, this one ain't bad!

Though the beds are hard as nails.

Mrs Smith, if there's something
bothering you,

something at home, you can tell us.
It will be entirely confidential.

I'm not prying, but I am here
to help you get better.

If there's anything making that
harder for you, it helps me to know.

There's nothing to tell.
I just don't want to go home yet.

It's quiet here.

Here. Drink this.

It's hot. Be careful.

I have got it, thank you.

Who's the knitter in the family?
Oh, I am. My pattern's in Braille.

You'd be surprised
at the things I can do, Nurse.

I can see that.
You seem very well prepared.

It certainly doesn't feel like
you've just moved in here.

That's Stewart. He's made sure
everything's organised for me.

He's a wonderful husband,
and he'll be a wonderful dad.

What does he do?
Bus driver.

He's saved up all his holidays so he
can take them when the baby comes.

That's good. Social services
will want to know

you've got someone with you.

You're also entitled to a home help.
I can arrange that.

No, I don't want any strangers.
Mrs Irmsby, please...

I won't let ANYONE say we're not fit
to look after our own child.

Not Beryl, not social services,
not anyone.

That's you all nice and comfortable
again. Did the doctor mean that?

About letting me stay a bit longer?

If he said it, he meant it.

I've not met a bloke
who means what he says yet.

MAN: Yvonne!

Yvonne?

SHOUTING: Yvonne!

Yvonne!

Where's my wife? Huh?
What have you quacks done with her?

I'm afraid you can't see your wife
just now. It's too early.

Visiting isn't until this evening.

Yeah, I don't give a stuff.

She's my wife,
and I'll see her when I like.

So you mind your own business,
you interfering old... bag.

Miss Higgins? Is something wrong?

We appear to have something of
a situation, Doctor.

There's my girl!

HE LAUGHS

Oh! That's a nice welcome...
You're drunk.

Pfff!

Where's the kid? You had it yet?
What seems to be the problem here?

Hm! And who's this? The cavalry?
I must ask you to leave my ward.

You're disturbing
the other patients,

not to mention upsetting your wife.
She's not upset.

Not upset, are you, darling?

See? She's not upset.

I told you to get out. Now get out!

Mr Smith, I have called the police.

I'm going.

So get off me. Now!

SMITH SNIFFS

You better have your bags packed
when I get back.

You're coming home with me.

You all right, Doctor?
Yes, I'm fine.

I'm sorry, everybody,
for losing my temper.

You won't be the one to suffer
because of it, though.

To what do I owe this honour?

Nothing. I was just passing.
I'm glad you were.

It's a lovely surprise.

That's not like Nurse Crane,
not to speak.

She's not herself at the moment.
What's wrong?

She's tired. She's doing too much.
The Cubs are taking it out of her.

I feel a bit bad.
She asked me if I could help out

and I said I couldn't.
Why did you say that?

Because of us! We hardly
see each other as it is.

Well, how about we do
something about that?

We help Nurse Crane together.

Yeah.

Oh, Nurse Franklin. I'm afraid
I've just had a deeply upsetting

phone call from social services
about Marion Irmsby.

Her sister threatened
to contact them today.

Well... she's now reported Mrs Irmsby
as an unfit mother.

The poor woman hasn't even
given birth yet,

and she's already seen as a failure!

Social services will have to be
involved now. They have no choice.

The welfare of the baby
is paramount.

We will be obliged to inform them
as soon as that baby is born.

They will decide on its future.

If she loses her baby,
it will devastate her.

No-one wants Marion Irmsby
to be separated from her child.

But if we want to put her case
to the social services,

then we have to be convinced
that she can cope.

If we have any doubt,
we must express it.

It is our moral duty.

I understand, Sister.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Come in.

I thought you might need
a little pick-me-up.

Just what the doctor ordered.
Thank you.

My shoulder's playing up again.

It was horrible. I've never seen
anyone that drunk before.

It's not a pretty sight.

Thank goodness Dr McNulty was there.

Indeed, Sister.

Poor Mrs Smith. I'm sure
she bears the brunt of it.

And she has a child
on the way now, too. Mm.

It hardly seems fair. There's
your young couple, Nurse Franklin,

who, in any other circumstances,
would be considered ideal parents.

But because she's blind,
they're held to higher standards.

You're right, Sister Hilda,
it's definitely not fair.

I've been thinking.
Have you?

About what?

About the Cubs.

If the position's still open,
I'd like to take you up on it.

Well! This is a turn-up!

In fact, I'm not the only one.
Cyril has volunteered too.

Two for the price of one!
That's a bargain.

I shall be very glad
to have you both.

Don't get too comfortable.
I need your help. Now? It's bedtime!

That's as may be,
but we need a project.

Now that the incubator fund is over,

we need to come up with
something exciting for them.

So put your thinking cap on.

BICYCLE BRAKES SCREECH

Good morning.

Is the water warm enough?
It's just right.

I need to feel it for meself, Nurse.
The baby's not any different.

Er, where's the chair gone?
It should be here.

Oh, it's just here.

I moved it to make it easier
for you to get to the bath.

I need everything to stay exactly
where it was, or I'll get confused.

I'm so sorry. I didn't realise.

Now we're going to pour the water
into the bath.

Good.

Now pick baby up.

Using the cotton wool,
we're going to dip it into the water

and wash baby's face.

Hold baby securely,
with her head over the water.

We're going to wet her hair
by scooping up the water

with your free hand.

Now, with soap, we're going to
lather up baby's hair.

Where's the soap gone?
It's on the floor. I'll get it.

No. You can't do it for me.
I have to do it myself.

THUD

Don't worry. It's your first time.

I can do it! I'm just nervous
because you're watching me.

You just need more practice.

Now, why don't we carry on
and finish this bath?

I'm just going out for
a bit of air, Miss Higgins.

I seem to have a headache coming on.

Very well. Try not to be too long.

Dr McNulty, Mrs Smith is in labour.

She's already three fingers dilated,
and her contractions are strong.

The pain relief we've given her must
have masked her early contractions.

But she's not due yet. She must have
got her dates slightly wrong.

She's got a way to go yet,
but I'd like to give her

50 milligrams of pethidine.

I think sedation and pain relief
will help her at this stage.

Can you countersign the book?

Her husband was drunk, wasn't he?

The full three sheets
to the wind, I'm afraid.

Poor man.
You don't get in that state

if there's not some sadness
eating at you.

PHONE RINGS
WOMAN: Nurse?

You go. I'll sort
the pethidine injection for you.

Dr Turner's surgery.

Yes, er...

Where's the kettle?

Fred's fixing the whistle on it.

My brother and I always forgot
the kettle when we went camping.

Please don't suggest
we take the Cubs camping.

I don't like the idea
of sleeping under canvas!

You don't know what you're missing.

We used to have to do it
all the time in El Alamein.

TWO SHORT, SHARP WHISTLES

Anyway, what were you talking about?

Nurse Crane's Cubs. We've been roped
in to help her, and we're racking

our brains trying to come up with
something to do with them.

Hmm. Well, seeing as
you've asked for my opinion...

..boys love to build things
that move. You're a mechanic.

Why don't you get them to make
something with wheels on?

They're only ten!
They're not allowed to drive.

They don't need an engine.

Huh? Mm. Yeah.

THEY BOTH CHUCKLE

You are fully dilated, Mrs Smith.
Baby won't be long now.

Don't tell my husband.

I... don't want him here.

Let's get you to the delivery room.

Mr Irmsby!

Just keep your wife calm, Mr Irmsby.
I'll be as quick as I can.

You must be her eyes now.

I'll do my best, Sister.

Right, things are moving
quite quickly, Yvonne.

I'm just going to get some towels,
and I'll be straight back.

Dr McNulty's here,
so you don't have to worry.

SHE GROANS

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

SHE CRIES OUT AND SOBS

Make it stop!

Right, let's get baby out
safe and sound.

You still uncomfortable, Mrs Murphy?

Shall I bring you
some more painkillers?

No, I'm fine. If you're sure.
Thank you. Mm.

SHE CRIES OUT
All right, Mrs Smith, calm down.

You're all right. Why has he cut me?
Why has he cut me?!

You won't have to push
nearly so long, Mrs Smith.

Baby'll be here very soon.

Doctor, can you put pressure
on the incision?

Yvonne? There's no need to panic.
I'm going to call for Dr Turner.

I'm sorry if this hurts,
but I have to keep the pressure.

It won't be for much longer,
Mrs Smith.

We'll get baby out very soon.

SHE SOBS

We won't need the forceps, Doctor.

Towel.

If I deliver baby,
can you prepare to suture?

Then you can be ready
as soon as baby's out.

Yvonne? I can see baby's head,
so I'm going to ask you to give me

a big push now with the next
contraction, to help baby out.

No! It hurts!
I know you're in pain down there,

but I want you to push the baby
down, as it will push the pain away.

No!

You HAVE to trust me, Yvonne.

That's it.

Take a breath.

Long, steady push.

Well done.

Take a breath. And again.

Can you manage a third push
with this contraction?

Slow this one down now.

Well done!

Syntometrine, please, Dr McNulty.

BABY CRIES

He's a beautiful little boy, Yvonne.

Oh, thank God! Thank God!

Now, Yvonne, baby's
a little on the small side.

It's nothing to worry about,
but we're just going to have to

put him in the incubator
for a little while.

He'll just be in the nursery.

You can hold him now, though.

Well done.

I'm glad to see everything's
under control, Dr McNulty.

Don't forget to check
her haemoglobin in the morning.

That's it.

That's it, sweetie! That's it.

Baby's nearly here, Marion.

When your next contraction comes,
I want you to push

and imagine baby is in your arms.

That's it.

That's it, that's it!
That's it, sweetie.

Short pushes.

HE TAKES SHORT, RAPID BREATHS

Ah! That's it.

The hard work's nearly done.

Take a breath.

Almost there. Almost there.

And again, Marion.

Go on! You can do this.

BABY CRIES

A little girl, Marion.

A little daughter!

There we are, sweetie.

BABY GURGLES

Hello!

She's got hair! What colour is it?

It's dark. It's dark, like yours.

She's beautiful!

Just like her mum.

Sister Frances!

SHE EXHALES

I just couldn't stand
to see her pushing so hard.

I thought an episiotomy
would shorten the second stage.

It was an unnecessary risk
that I wouldn't have taken.

Goodnight, Doctor.

She's sleeping.
BABY CRIES

This little one's
almost out for the count, too.

Marion wanted to feed her herself.
It's easier for her

than making up bottles.
She still can, Mr Irmsby.

I'll stay until she wakes up,
and then we'll try again.

Thank you, Nurse. I don't know
what we would have done without...

Mr Irmsby... you have to persuade
Marion to accept a home help.

No, no. We don't want strangers
coming in, watching our every move.

You don't have any choice.
Social services will insist on it.

What have they got to do with it?
Everything, I'm afraid.

Your sister-in-law told them
that Marion isn't fit to be a mum.

Are they going to take my baby?

Please don't let them take my baby!

SHOUTING: Please! Please!
BABY CRIES

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING

Er, I thought you were
out on your rounds.

I am. I just popped in
to pick up a dressing pack.

Have you got time for a cuppa?

What is it?

It's my gran.

I'm so worried about her, Lucille.

If you could see what it's like
in that place. It's...

..just...

I've never been in a prison,
but I can imagine.

Oh, it's worse than that,
I promise you.

When are you going to see her again?

Today.

I haven't been for a couple of
weeks. I feel so bad about it.

I'm desperate to see her... but
I'm dreading it at the same time.

DOOR OPENS

Mrs Smith...

..you weren't in any danger.
You know that, don't you?

Neither was the baby.
We had it all under control.

Sister Frances did, you mean.

Men!

I should have known better
than to trust one.

You're all talk.

Never owning up.

Blaming everyone else.

Doesn't matter whether you've got
a big, fancy job like you

or whether you're like Vic,
without a pot to piss in.

You're all the same underneath.

The same scared little boys.

BABY GRIZZLES
Give me the baby, darling. No!

Marion, baby needs changing.

If you let me take her, I'll change
her and bring her straight back.

How do I know you won't
walk out the door with her?

Marion, come on! Nurse Franklin
wouldn't do anything like that.

You need to snap out of this.
It's not helping.

Don't you tell me to snap out of it!

I'm going to lose everything!
EVERYTHING!

Not just you, Marion.

Us.
BABY CRIES

I'm going out for a walk
before I say something I'll regret.

I won't be long.

What's happened?

That was social services.

I was legally obliged to inform them
when Marion Irmsby had her baby.

I felt like Judas.

You had no choice.

BABY CRIES

Why isn't she feeding?

You're too upset, sweetie.
Let's leave it for a little while.

There. That's better, isn't it?

I can hear her sucking!
She must be starving.

KNOCK ON DOOR, MARION GASPS

Is that them? Don't let them in.

I'm afraid I'll have to.

FRONT DOOR OPENS

It's all right, Mrs Irmsby.
It's just your sister.

She was worried it might be
the social services.

I'd like to see her.

No! I don't want to see her.

I'm sorry, but I can't.

I didn't mean for this to happen.
I was only thinking of her.

It doesn't feel like that to her.

We were so young
when our mother died.

Just children ourselves.

But I was the eldest, and if
anything had happened to Marion,

I'd never have forgiven myself.

And I don't want that fear
hanging over my sister.

But she's an adult now, Mrs Cairns.

She's blind, Nurse!

How can she look after her baby?

And what if her baby turns out
to be blind, like her?

Retinitis pigmentosa
is usually hereditary.

I'm sure she'll face it
with the same strength

that she faced her own,
IF she's allowed to keep HER baby.

There must still be a way that
you can be part of this, surely.

She can come in.

Just for five minutes.

She was hungry.

What's her name?

Rosemary.

It's pretty.

Would you like to hold her?

No.

It's best not.

In you come.

CHATTER

DOOR CLANGS SHUT

Oh! Ohhh!

KISS

You're a sight for sore eyes,
and no mistake!

Sorry I haven't been
for a couple of weeks, Gran.

I've been run off my feet at work.
Winter's coming.

It feels like every child
in the district's going down

with something! Make sure
you don't catch anything.

These bugs can wipe the feet
from under you.

I'm a Dyer. I've got

the constitution of an ox.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You brought the paper? Yeah.

I hope you've brought a pencil.

Have you lost weight?

A little bit.

Noting to write home about.

Well, you look a bit pale.
You feeling all right?

Fine! Just can't stomach
the food in here, that's all.

I'm fine!

The Cubs' parents will be pleased
they'll be learning new skills.

You're right, lass.

MUSIC: You've Got Your Troubles
by the Fortunes

♪ I see that worried look
upon your face

♪ You've got your troubles
I've got mine

♪ She's found somebody else
to take your place

♪ You've got your troubles
I've got mine

♪ I too have lost my love today

♪ All of my dreams have flown away

♪ Now, just like you
I sit and wonder why

♪ You've got your troubles
I've got mine... ♪

BABY CRIES

♪ You need sympathy
Well, so do I... ♪

HE SIGHS

I'll be glad to get back to work
and have a rest!

What's that meant to mean?
Doesn't mean anything.

You can't say those things, not
ever! It's what they're waiting for.

They want us to say
it's too much for us.

Maybe it is, Marion. What's the harm
in having someone in to help?

No! It's giving in.

You're making this harder
than it already is.

Well, you know what to do, then.

FRONT DOOR CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING

I'm just here
to wet the baby's head.

I won't stay long, so don't get
your knickers in a twist, Sister.

Vic, have some respect.
This it, then?

The kid?

Billy. His name's Billy.

HE LAUGHS

Billy the Kid!

HE LAUGHS MANIACALLY

HE STOPS LAUGHING

Congratulations, Mr Smith.
He's a handsome boy.

Well, he would be, wouldn't he?

Now, if you don't mind,
I have to examine your wife.

Be my guest.

BABY GRIZZLES

BABY CRIES

I'm coming, darling, I'm coming!

Don't cry, baby, don't cry.

I'm here. I'm here, darling.
All right, Mummy's here.

DOORBELL, KNOCK ON DOOR

Go away! Just go away!

Mrs Irmsby, it's me, Nurse Franklin.

We'll see how baby gets on in a cot
for a couple of days

before we can discharge you both.

It might be better,
given how things are at home,

if you were to stay with a relative.

Is there anyone?

I've got an aunt in Margate.
Well, the sea air will do you good.

She'll love this.
She never liked him.

Looks like she was right, eh?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
You won't...

..tell him where I've gone,
will you? Of course not.

You going to tell them
about Dr McNulty, Sister?

I don't know whether to, either.

I'm sorry. I should never
have left you alone.

If social services had turned up,
God knows what would've happened.

You're going to have to
leave me alone sometime.

Marion, please listen to me.

We can't do this all by ourselves.
We need help.

There's no shame in it.
It doesn't mean we're bad parents.

I don't mind help!
Nurse Franklin helps.

I do, but I won't be able to
forever.

I don't want somebody I don't know.

It doesn't have to be.
You have a sister.

And I'm sure when you were young,
Beryl would have done exactly

the same thing to get to you
as you did for Rosemary today.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Ah! Kevin, come in. How are you?

Not great, to be honest.
I just wanted to let you know

I've got an appointment
with a physiotherapist next week.

Well, that should sort you out.

Is it possible to have
one prescription of pethidine?

Just to... see me through
until I see him.

I'd rather you took codeine.

It doesn't touch it.
Give it another try.

Ta-daa!

They're lovely, darling. Thank you.
Well, they're not the most delicate

fairy cakes you've ever seen,
but they taste all right.

I've had three.

Here, before I eat the lot.

ELSIE CHOKES
Well, they're not that bad.

ELSIE SOBS

SHE GAGS
Here. Take a swig. Go on.

ELSIE GROANS

Went down the wrong hole,
that's all.

You should get the prison doctor
to have a look at you.

There's nothing wrong with me! I'd
be wasting his time. It can't harm.

If it happens again, I'll go.

SHE GROANS

Thank you for coming.

I hope it doesn't cause
any more trouble, that's all.

Mrs Irmsby, your sister's here.

Oh! Hello, Beryl. Marion.

Stewart. All right, Beryl?

Hello, Peggy? Yeah? Who is it? Nurse
Franklin. We spoke on the telephone.

Oh, yeah! Come in. Watch you don't
trip. There's toys everywhere.

BELLS JINGLE
What are the bells for, Peggy?

So I can hear exactly where she is.
She's a rascal, that one.

I have to keep tabs on her!
CHUCKLES

The bells get on your nerves
after a while, but they do the job.

I can't see an inch in front of me,
but I can hear a bloody pin drop!

I can tell exactly why the baby's
crying just from the sound.

When I hold her,
I feel how she feels.

What about the nappies?

PEGGY LAUGHS

You don't need to see
to know if a nappy needs changing,

that's for sure! When it's sopping
wet, it's down by their ankles.

I use nappies with snaps. No pins.

Babies don't know the meaning
of the word "still".

Marion?

Get all of your medicines
labelled in Braille.

And take all of the help
you can get. You're entitled.

I will. I definitely will.

I'll make sure of it.

TAPS ON DOOR

What's happened?

My gran's not very well.

She's lost loads of weight,
and she's struggling to eat.

I... I don't know what to do.

If Beryl agrees to help us,

does that mean social services
will leave us alone?

I think they'll still want
to be involved, Marion.

But if Beryl's here,
they won't be so worried.

Beryl?

I know we've had our differences,
but this isn't about us any more.

It's about Rosemary.
We're her family.

She should be with us.

All of us.

If it's what you both want.

I still want to do for myself,
Beryl.

Have I ever stopped you?

Sister?

I have something I should tell.

But if I do...

..I will get a friend
into serious trouble.

When a secret weighs heavy...

..we imagine it is our burden alone.

But... the opposite is true.

Once it is spoken...

..it disappears.

BOYS LAUGH

Now, I'd like to introduce you
to two new friends

who have kindly volunteered
to help us with our next project.

Nurse Anderson
is one of my esteemed colleagues,

and Mr Robinson
is a wonderful mechanic

who has expertly tuned
my Morris Minor many times.

Good evening, boys.
Hello, everyone.

Now, I expect you're all eager
to find out

what our next project's
going to be. Hm?

Well, with Nurse Anderson
and Mr Robinson's help,

we are going to build...

..go-karts!

BOYS CHEER

SHE CHUCKLES

Hey!

Morning. Hey!

Beryl.

Stewart.

MATURE JENNIFER:
There are always challenges in life.

There are pieces to put together...

..plans to lay...

..and progress to be made.

HE BREATHES SHAKILY

Sometimes there are no prizes,
no medals to polish,

no trophy for the shelf.

A reward comes as a smile...

..a touch...

..a dawning sense
that all WILL be well...

..that the future is smiling...

..and opening its arms.

BABY CRIES

Good luck.

And so we take courage...

..or it is given to us...

..in a squeeze on the hand
or a pat on the back...

..and the magical words...

.."I believe in you."

You are in here because
you're clearly not well, Gran.

I'm acting up, ain't I?

The work of your order is clearly
going to decline in importance.

I think he needs a girlfriend.

I think he just needs
to concentrate on his job.

Everything's going to be perfect.

We can't run the maternity home
without the order!

You did what was right then
and you're doing what's right now.