People are jealous You're buzzin', you're dancing Everybody boogie ( Pop on radio) Hey, man, why you want to park this yellow peril in front of my blade, eh? This rust could be catching.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
It's Duff's big day tomorrow.
I've had the dream machine completely tuned up.
There is no way she could fail her test in this beauty, my old son.
No way.
She won't fail, but I don't know about this junkheap here.
- What do you mean?
- What do you think I mean, Charlie? Look at it, man! Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
- (Music off)
- (Clive) You coming?
- A little boy with splinters.
- I'll push him through as quick as I can.
- Cut, chronic piles?
- That must be him over there.
- Laughing Jack.
What's he doing here?
- Oh, I don't know.
- It's not very warm in here, is it?
- No, it isn't.
All right.
Susie, I am going to test now.
You watch, OK?
- Night, Michelle.
- Bye.
- Good night, Michelle.
- Right, Laughing Jack.
And no way were they more than 12, either of them.
- Any mail, Susie?
- I don't know.
Have a look.
The guy just hands over the cigarettes.
I say, "The kids are underage.
" Well, like he's blind or something.
He just stares at me like if I'd told him his flies were undone.
Or something.
Oh, come on, Duff.
Raspberry glacé, pink sunset or whatever this rubbish is.
- I dunno.
- Well, what do you think? Oh, come on.
You're only going up the Three Bells.
What's the big fuss? Well, as Sam likes to say, I'm an asset to the ambience.
Oh, and worth my weight in double shorts.
No, what I want to do is try and squeeze another quid an hour out of him.
So I can afford the wild, abandoned holiday in the sun this summer.
Which we're definitely not chickening out of, right?
- Right?
- Right.
(Tape) Flamenco music Hope you don't mind the music.
I love it, myself.
It's full of passion.
Been going to Spain for, oh, nearly ten years now.
Up in the hills, near Cordoba.
Not been up this way much.
There's not a lot of call.
Not far now.
You sure you want to be here? That'll be ã5.
90, please.
(Taxi radio: panicky voice over Flamenco) Nice music, Ken.
I can't see.
Get me an ambulance, quick!
- Oh, God!
- Ken?
- (Screaming)
- Ke (Buzzer) Erm Shouldn't we be doing something? Just Kuba triple checking.
I don't think he can believe he fixed it up wrong.
- Was that Laughing Jack I saw earlier?
- Yeah.
I thought they'd shipped him off to Bournemouth.
They had, two months ago.
But the home closed and he's back on the streets.
- Typical!
- Oh, you know about the meeting? Singalonga Ewart? You bet.
You need hands!
- Sorry, no sugar.
- I don't take sugar.
- I just want a quick word.
- Give the man some ears, please.
- Use the ladies and gentlemen.
- All right.
- Comrades.
- Yes, yes, comrade brothers and sisters.
You all know about the att*ck in the X
-ray department last Tuesday.
Yeah, we know.
We're moving fast on this and I wish l could say no staff will be att*cked again.
But I can't.
Obviously, management is dragging its feet on this.
Only to be expected.
As far as they're concerned, Tuesday was exceptional.
Typical! They only hear of an incident when somebody gets hurt.
Like Sheila.
- Lucky I wasn't there.
I'd have bust
- OK, thanks.
Sheila would like to thank everybody for the wonderful flowers.
(All) Ah.
For which any outstanding contribution will be gratefully received, Charlie.
Oh, just to point out the things that have been done.
You'll have all seen the illuminated sign, lessening the department's isolation.
Assuming they're able to get to the button.
I've forced the issue of patient v*olence onto the agenda for next month's management meeting.
Good.
At last.
But you all know what the problem really is.
As ever, money.
(Ponting) ETA, five minutes.
Will proceed direct to Holby.
Over.
Move over.
Over! (Mute) Great evening so far.
We've got two obstructers and now we've got a slipstreamer.
Where does he think he is? Brands Hatch? Look at that control, eh? See that? (Groaning) OK, that about wraps it up.
I'll keep you posted on developments with the district management team.
Er I would like you to join with me in expressing solidarity with Nurse Duffin, in her struggle for a driving licence.
- Ssh!
- Oh, when is that?
- Tomorrow.
- Good luck.
- Got your highway code all sorted out?
- Got your miniskirt sorted out?
- Ha ha.
That's sexist.
- I know, but I'm telling you because Can you do me a favour? Hmm?
- I've got a splinters anaesthetised.
- Mmm.
- Father's a bit of a pain.
- Mm.
- So you'll do it for me?
- Mmm.
Good.
- Hey!
- Mmm? Nothing.
If Laughing Jack shows his face again, give me a call.
If you'd just take a seat there, I'll get somebody to take you to X
-ray.
- I'm so sorry.
- Oh, don't you be daft, love.
- It's just, I couldn't help it.
- Ssh, ssh, you come and sit down, eh? You shouldn't have stood all that time.
Mind your hip.
My hip, nothing.
You're the one who's poorly.
You're the one who needs to be seen, eh? There.
- Oh, Kuba? Could you take that man down to X
-ray for me? Oh, yes, sure.
Perhaps we should call him.
It's not his hours, Leslie.
You should know that by now.
If needs be, Leslie.
That's what he always says.
- But he's so busy.
- Aye, you're right, love.
Oh, well, won't be long now, eh? I'd no idea.
He's looking very tired.
I'm not surprised.
Mrs.
Sherman's swept him off his feet.
- Ewart?
- She's asked him out to dinner.
I thought he was looking a bit spruce.
Have you seen his trousers? No, but I have seen the jacket in the office.
- A new jacket?
- Well, I've never seen it before.
And it certainly isn't his usual style, that is for sure.
Maybe it's his seduction jacket, with his tally stitched in the inside.
Susie, no! She really is working on him for that contract, isn't she? Yeah.
But does Ewart know that? Well, I hope so.
She had pearls.
You think someone wearing pearls is all right, don't you? That's the trouble today.
You can't tell from the way people look.
Let's face it, anyone could be a maniac in the 1980s.
- How's the burning sensation?
- Not bad.
I keep wanting to rub, though.
Well, don't.
You were very lucky.
I don't think any got in your eye.
First time I've blessed glasses.
I'd have been done for if that got into my eyes.
Not much use being a taxi driver if you can't see.
We've got another ammonia in the eyes coming in.
Sounds bad.
Hellfire!
- (Groaning)
- I'll just go and ask, love.
There's no need, Leslie.
They do the best they can.
I know.
I know they do.
But it can't do no harm, can it, just asking?
- I'm sorry, miss.
- I'll be with you in a moment.
It's hurting like hell!
- Ammonia in the eyes.
- Get him into a cubicle.
Duff, get a saline drip.
It's Ken.
Ken! Erm It's my wife.
Yes, I'm very sorry, Mr.
Davies.
We will be with you, but there will be some delay.
Lean back.
Make sure you've got his hands firm.
Lean right back.
Can you get the Anesthocaine ready?
- There you go.
- Smashing.
Can you take that?
- Easy, now.
Easy.
- I know him.
He's a cabbie, like me.
- You know this man?
- We're not particular friends, but yes.
But you know him? Good.
Talk to him.
- What?
- Talk.
Let him know you're here.
- What do I say?
- Anything.
- Erm
- Try and open your eyes.
- Ken, it's Les Weedon.
- Louder, man.
Louder.
It's Les.
I'm 2
-2
-0.
(Clive) It happened to Les, too, Ken, and he's OK.
You're gonna be OK.
Just let us get it out of your eyes, OK? That's right, Kenny, you're gonna be all right.
- You're all right.
- You're doing fine.
- Les?
- Megan? ( Princess: Say I'm Your Number One) Erm ã2.
81 , please.
- Trish, when you're ready, another one.
- I'll be with you in a moment, Tom.
I've got a terrible pain in my stomach, Leslie.
You hold on here.
I'll go and ask that girl again.
Maybe she can help.
Don't go.
Please.
(Groaning) Annie! Oh, God! Please, miss! My wife, she's very ill.
- Leslie, you're making a fuss.
- Do something!
- Tom?
- Oh, one for yourself? Oh, erhalf a lager, thanks, Tom.
That's ã1 .
27.
( Pet Shop Boys: West End Girls) You think you're mad, too unstable Kicking in chairs and knocking down tables In a restaurant in a West End town Call the police, there's a madman around Running down underground to a dive bar In a West End town In a West End town, a dead end world The East End boys and West End girls In a West End town, a dead end world The East End boys and West End girls West End girls Cheers.
- Cheers, Tom.
- Yes, cheers.
Just the last few drops.
Open wide and look this way.
There's a good boy.
Sorry about the rough stuff back there, Ken.
Glad you did it, mate.
I was ready to gouge 'em out.
No, no, no, no, no.
Don't rub.
- I'd rather be blind than feel like that.
- Right, close them again now.
What I couldn't believe is that it was a woman.
- Can I leave you?
- OK, sure.
I thought I'd just got this water in me face.
Like it was some kind of joke.
Student prank, I don't know.
Till I felt the burning.
God, hurt like hell.
Bloody maniac.
She looked so normal, though.
One thing's for sure, though, mate.
She don't like cabbies.
- 1 14 quid and 63p.
- Huh? That's what's gone through my till tonight.
I reckon that's worth a quid an hour extra, don't you? Sam doesn't.
- Sam's tight.
- Sam is tight, you're right.
In a West End town, a dead end world
- Hmm?
- What's the point? I'm working night and day and I still won't be able to afford a decent holiday.
You know, they can do anything and not worry about cost.
Don't tell me.
The closest I get to a holiday is a postcard from the kids.
Comes to something when you pay and don't go! Sorry, boring.
Well, I'm going on my holiday.
And why the hell shouldn't l? Right.
Yes, I see.
Yeah, well, thanks very much, anyway.
Bye
-bye.
- Well?
- He's not responding to his radio.
Doesn't mean anything, Megan.
If he's got a fare, he may have it turned off.
I do.
How many taxis are there in this city? 200? It'd be a long sh*t to choose Ted.
How many are not answering their radios? Tell me that.
- I'll try
- Susie's tried everywhere.
There are no ammonia admissions except here.
Yet.
Erm Look, I'd best be going.
Get Ken home.
He'll be all right, Megan.
Really.
- How are you feeling?
- Oh, great!
- Megan, I mean
- I know what you mean.
You know the symptoms.
I have not found a painless way of fighting cancer.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm tired.
I'm very tired.
Work I can take, but worry
- And Ted?
- No, I still haven't told him.
You should.
Yeah, well, he thinks I'm I don't know what he thinks, actually.
I just haven't been able to tell him.
He does have a right to know.
- You are repeating yourself, Ewart.
- Sorry.
Like the jacket.
Is this for the hot date? Strictly a business meeting, Megan.
Oh, this is real devotion to duty.
New clothes for a meeting? Oh, they're not mine.
I borrowed them from my flash brother.
- Oh, yeah?
- I have.
- Dropping off in a minute.
- Thank you, Richard.
Number 24.
And a repeat call for Ted Roach.
Please contact Control.
Wakey wakey, Ted.
To the station.
Anyone taking? And the same to you.
Charge nurse.
Mrs.
Sherman.
- Quiet night?
- Quite busy, actually.
- I see.
- You're working late, Mrs.
Sherman.
Ewart leads strange hours, as you know.
- The fight for efficiency never dies.
- No.
I see.
- Mrs.
Sherman.
- Ewart.
Your jacket!
- What?
- Very smart.
I must say you cut quite a dash out of your working clothes.
Yeah, it's something I bought in a sale somewhere.
You must be hungry.
Shall we go? I think your charge nurse is suspicious of me.
Charlie's suspicious of everybody at first.
(Grunting)
- Kuba? Kuba?
- Oh, Mr.
Plimmer.
The heating.
Not working very well.
I thought it felt cold.
Have you called the engineer? Engineer? What the engineer needs is an engine to get him here faster.
I didn't think I'd have the chance to see proof of my point in action.
- Sorry?
- An umbrella organisation.
All services supplied by one company.
Haven't you thought about it?
- Yes.
- You wouldn't have an unskilled worker attempting to put the heating to rights.
Rose, Kuba's a good man.
Maybe, but even good men are inefficient without effective backup.
Don't you see? The mechanism here just isn't functioning properly any more.
Let's face it, if this hospital were an old car, you'd have to change the engine.
You know that, don't you? After you.
I'm sorry.
I'm lost, I think.
Oh.
Well, maybe I can help.
- I need the library.
- The library? What, the main library?
- Yes.
- You are lost! That's a long way.
Oh, dear.
I'm very late.
Would you? Ahyeah.
Yeah, all right, hop in.
Yeah, that's a That's quite a long walk.
Mr.
Richards.
That's who you've been seeing, is it? My wife, yes, that's right.
- We call him Doctor becausewell
- Yes.
He thinks the world of my Annie.
Nothing's too much trouble.
Always willing to listen.
And he's put her through lots of tests, just to be sure.
That's why we went private, to be sure.
I felt it best.
After all, what use is money if you haven't got your health? Think on it, lad.
- Think on it.
- Yes.
(Groaning) All right, all right.
Oh, dear.
I'm so sorry.
- Don't you worry.
Just relax.
That's it, that's it.
Diverticulosis, Mrs.
Davies.
That's what he said.
Diverticular disease, yes.
So you've had a barium? Eryes.
And an enema.
- And a sigmundoscopy.
- Sigmoid, yes.
All sorts of tests.
He's been ever so good.
I feel I've let him down.
Have you ever had a colonoscopy, Mrs.
Davies? I don't think so.
II forget the names, I'm afraid.
But I do try to remember.
Ssh.
A minute, please.
- Ooh!
- All right, all right.
There you go.
Good girl.
(Ted) Maybe you done me a favour.
Got me working.
Just couldn't face taking any more fares tonight.
Ever felt like that? That's not to say I don't like driving.
I'd never do anything else.
(Control) Under no circumstances is she to be picked up.
If sighted, report to me.
About 30, darkish hair, green raincoat and pearls.
(Shrieking) You! Disgusting! Must die! Filth, all of you! Die! Couldn't believe it.
Has an appointment with his GP, but comes here because it's closer.
Thanks.
- Would you like something?
- No, Kuba.
Thanks very much.
Then he gets annoyed when I throw him out.
It's probably racing on TV tomorrow.
Or Jackanory! Worst one I ever had was on the phone.
Wanted me to do something about her mother's nosebleed in Scotland.
Is that the right time, Kuba? Half past ten?
- Yeah, half past ten.
- Damn him! Megan, I could phone him.
No, no, Kuba.
No thanks.
He'll phone when it suits him.
Oh, excuse me.
Annie? Annie? We've got some tea outside, if you'd like some, Mr.
Davies.
Yes, of course.
So I think we've got a right
-sided carcinoma.
Not diverticulosis at all, then.
Well, there's a large mass on the right side of the abdo, obstructing her bowel.
And she's in a lot of pain.
And hardly a squeak out of them.
All their savings, you know that? You know how proud he is of spending it? It makes me so angry, the trust they place in the private system.
- They didn't have to do it.
- Free choice, Charlie.
Free ch? Free enterprise! The freedom to bankrupt yourself.
He's just a man who spent money getting the best for his wife.
Yeah.
OK.
I can't help thinking he's a victim, Baz.
Oh, he's happy he did it.
I couldn't tell him he's been ripped off.
No, you couldn't.
OK, lads, spread out like I said.
You've got your patch, keep to it.
And communicate only via Cheryl.
Clear, crisp, using your tag.
We don't want no pandemonium on this posse.
And if you find her, none of the rough.
Leave all of that to the police.
Over.
- Cancer?
- It could be a tumour, yes.
Dr Richards never said anything about that.
Cancer? Diverticular disease, he said.
Not cancer.
We can't be sure of anything right now.
But I did feel a large mass.
A lump.
- Are you saying he made a mistake?
- No, Mr.
Davies.
Your wife presented symptoms common to diverticulosis.
At that stage, any tumour wouldn't have been apparent.
- It's very easily done.
- No.
Never.
Dr Richards thinks the world of my Annie.
- Made sure she had all those tests.
- And he was right.
The symptoms really are very similar.
- So we're going to need her permission.
- Permission? Your wife's bowel is obstructed.
We must remove whatever's causing it as soon as possible.
- Operation?
- Yes.
Well, l I think I'd like her to see Dr Richards.
- Mr.
Davies
- He's been so good with her, you see.
I want him.
I want Dr Richards to see to her.
Charity Tracker to Control.
Charity Tracker to Control.
- Come on!
- Yes, Les.
What is it? Nothing to report.
Over.
Oh, God! Just decided it that night.
Why should l take them whistling and calling me stuff? "Bet you'd like it, girl.
" All the time, never stops.
"Bet you'd like what I got, girl.
" Looking at me.
- All I'm doing is walking down
- Look, I'm just gonna get out of the cab.
I can't even walk home without bloody worrying in case they're on the piss.
- Really winding you up.
Looking.
- Nice and easy.
- Not running off.
- Can't sleep, worrying.
They know I'm on my own.
They think I'm an easy lay.
I can't sleep.
Staring at me.
Staring.
Still here, see? No, we haven't got her notes because she's private.
- (Mouths)
- (Whispering) Senior registrar.
That's right.
Well, she gave us a pretty good history, but She can't keep anything down and she hasn't opened her bowels for days.
The obstruction's ten centimetres in diameter.
I reckon it's a caecal carcinoma.
Thank you.
Could be argued it's unethical, persuading people to go private.
- You don't really think
- Could be, though, couldn't it?
- Of course, you'd never touch him.
- He did what he thought was best.
- Who for?
- Why are you attacking him? Why are you defending him?
- In the end, that's the side you're on.
- Side? Yes, side.
This country's built on sides.
Tory, Labour.
Private, NHS.
Us, them.
Exploiters, exploited.
Don't you think you're taking this a bit far? No, I don't.
They way I see it, they're a perfect example.
The worst of it is, they feel happy being done.
That woman may.
He did what he thought was best.
My God, if you spent as much time on your job as you do jumping onto every political bandwagon that happens to be passing! He'll be here soon, love.
Then we'll see what's wrong.
Without you, Annie I'm nothing.
- Just up here on the left.
- OK.
Thanks.
I hate walking home.
All part of the service.
Thanks.
ErmI won't invite you up or anything.
I'm a little bit knackered.
- (Yawning)
- Oh, yes! Sorry.
You set me thinking.
You know, what you were talking about earlier.
Holidays.
- Oh, yeah.
- Yeah, it'd be good to get away.
Oh, yeah.
Well, thing is, it's not like it used to be, is it?
- What?
- All that Mr.
and Mrs.
Smith stuff.
It's not like that any more.
Everybody's doing it, so it's accepted, right? if they turn people away now, nowadays, under suspicion of they'd hardly do any business at all.
So, erm perhaps we could arrange something sometime, Trish.
Oh, Tom.
No, I don't think so.
No, don't.
Please don't.
No, don't.
No, stop it.
Please stop it.
Please! Leave me alone! Tom, get off! Just get off!
- Tom!
- Trish Let me go.
- (Agonised scream)
- Oh, I'm sorry.
Let go.
Let go!
- I'm sorry, Trish.
I thought
- You thought what? What? You didn't think.
You didn't think at all.
Oh, God! I'm sorry, Trish.
- You can take me to the hospital.
Now!
- Yes.
Now!
- Now!
- I'm really sorry It's not just loyalty.
Outside contractors would break up all the team sense.
No, that matters.
We rely on that.
You're extremely experienced medically, Ewart, and highly competent.
- I know that.
- The unit works.
If you tell me the unit works, I have to accept it.
Of course.
But an outsider can spot weaknesses that just aren't apparent from the inside.
- What I saw tonight frankly shocked me.
- Then you're overreacting.
- The heating will be dealt with in time.
- In time.
Exactly.
Phone calls, supervision, checking up.
Why not leave all that to us? And leave you free to concentrate on the medical side of your team? No, I'm sorry.
I cannot give you my support on the porterage contract.
Of course, I don't have the final word.
Well, I think you're making a mistake.
I'm sorry if this hasn't been as fruitful as you'd hoped.
That's business, Ewart.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to convince you.
Your argument was very well put.
It's late.
I'm sure they'll call you a cab.
I'm sure.
Good night, Ewart.
Good night.
(Ringing)
- Casualty.
- It's warmer, isn't it?
- What?
- Yeah, like that! No, her name's not Ritchie.
It's Roach.
- What's the matter?
- Yes, Ted Roach.
You'll ring again if OK.
- St Luke's.
- Yes, what? Another taxi driver's been brought in.
Christ Almighty! Megan? They got a little mix
-up, I think.
He is safe, II feel it.
Everybody keeps saying that.
I want to hear that from Ted.
Yes, of course.
It's funny, I keep wanting to call his name out loud at the top of my voice, hoping he'll hear me and come running.
This worrying, I know it is very, very bad.
When I see Ted, I tell him, I tear him off a strip for you.
- You will see, yes.
- Thanks, Kuba.
(Clive) No.
You're not seriously thinking I'm going to give you methadone? Not seriously.
You're registered, you get it from your GP.
You know that.
You got a headache, take paracetamol or something like that.
Ah, I see.
You're not talking to me any more, hm? Go on.
Get out of here.
Out! And I don't want to see you around here again.
Is that understood? Sent them off happy! Addicts.
I wonder how many places they've scrounged at.
- Oh, and on to the next place.
- True.
- Sorry for what I said.
- So am l.
I'd like to give her a dose in her face.
See how she likes it.
- What, you?
- Yeah, and Ken, too.
Didn't you know?
- No.
- Are you sure you're all right? Yeah, sure.
We'd better tell Control, the hero returns.
Look, I got to make a statement.
You're in no fit state to drive, that's definite.
You get in my car and I'll tell them you're on your way, all right? (Control) About 30, darkish hair, green raincoat, pearls.
Under no circumstances is she to be picked up.
She is extremely dangerous, so do not, repeat, not, approach.
Please report any sightings to Control.
Excuse me! Sorry, you can't come up here.
- Trish!
- Where's Duff? I got to see her.
We were all out there, Ted.
We were a posse.
If you hadn't have got her, we'd have got her just the same.
You were a posse, were you?
- Think you're some Wild West sheriff?
- Hold on.
- Bloody idiot!
- Hey, we were done, me and Ken as well.
Yeah? You didn't spend any time with her though, did you? You don't know the half of it, do you?
- Look, I just want to make my statement.
- Yes, all right.
What about Megan?
- Are you gonna ring her or not?
- You ring her.
Tell her I'll pick her up as usual.
Come on.
I don't like it.
I don't like it one little bit.
The sign is symptomatic, innit? What's needed is real security.
- I'm going to have a word with Ewart.
- He knows.
Well, he covered it at the meeting.
Meeting? It wasn't so much a meeting, more a sort of ad hoc A meeting's a meeting.
It's also symptomatic that ambulance units are not regarded as part of the medical team.
Andy, you know perfectly well you're a key part of this team.
Fair enough, but were we told about this meeting? No.
All that retraining, and still we're glorified body transporters.
It wasn't an important meeting, all right? Meetings are important, Charlie.
- The cornerstone of democracy, man!
- Mr.
Richards? I'm Baz Samuels.
- Charlie
- Later.
All right?
- You gotta report him, Trish.
- I can't.
Sam wouldn't like it, me accusing one of his regulars.
- You can't let him get away with it.
- Oh, come on, Duff! He didn't really try any more than some drunken doctor at a department party.
- Anyway, I need the money.
- Oh, money! I can work any hours I want.
Days when I'm on nights, nights when I'm on days.
It's not much, I know, but I'm used to it now.
I need this holiday, Duff.
Right.
- (Screams)
- All right, all right.
Well done.
Sorry.
Why did we become nurses? Six and a half thousand quid and away it goes! It's not as though it's gonna get any better, is it? It's always gonna be like this.
Always.
- I think I'm gonna get out.
- Leave? Or else go and work abroad.
Australia.
Or Saudi.
Hong Kong.
Somewhere.
Who cares? Where it's Where it's hot, maybe.
Where you got at least a bit of money after your rent, and a bit of energy after your day.
You and me on Bondi Beach! It'd be great.
Let's go, Duff.
- Oh, I dunno, Trish.
- You know Rebecca? She's leaving.
- Rebecca?
- Yeah, she told me yesterday.
She went for an interview two months ago.
A pharmaceutical company.
Here we go.
All right, last one.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Starts in two weeks.
Ten thousand quid immediately.
If she stays with them, does well, more pay, company car.
Is that what you want to do, Trish? Sell? I know it's a cliché, but what about job satisfaction? And what about life satisfaction? That's what I want.
Don't you? (Clearing throat) Mr.
Davies? I can't believe it.
He thought the world of her.
She thought he was doing everything.
He is, Mr.
Davies.
He is doing everything.
How could he be wrong, though? After all that time, all those tests? I just don't understand it.
I should have come to you.
- Did I do wrong by not coming to you?
- You did right.
Me and my ideas! There's nothing we could have done.
Not that Mr.
Richards hasn't already done.
Really.
You got the best care you could.
How long might it have been, though? Tell me that.
- I can't say.
- Mr.
Davies?
- Nice dinner, Ewart?
- Fine.
What wasn't was walking back.
Mrs.
Sherman not see you safely home? Susie, for the last time, it was a business meeting.
- Not a bloody taxi to be had anywhere!
- Ewart.
What? Has Ted still not turned up?
- He's OK.
His control called.
- How's Megan?
- Working.
- Any calls?
- Messages are on your desk.
Oh, and one from your wife.
- What did you tell her?
- You were in a business meeting.
Hmm.
Yeah, of course.
So Thalton's doing the op, eh? Yeah.
Oh, I forgot.
That's another of Richards' talents.
Delegation.
- Charlie!
- I've been sticking up for that bastard.
So an old man doesn't feel he's done wrong by his wife.
He didn't.
You know that.
Medically speaking, maybe.
In every other way, I spit on what Richards has done.
I'm too tired for this, Charlie.
Please.
You're in a position to do something about this.
I'm not, I'm just a nurse and that's what it comes down to.
Oh, does it? So what am I supposed to do? Tell people not to be frightened by cuts? Tell them waiting lists aren't long?
- That's exactly
- Would you care to brief me? In my office.
(Radio: chirpy breakfast show)
- Hey, Trish.
- Oh
- Da da!
- Huh?
- My driving test.
- Oh, yeah.
- Are you sure you're all right to work?
- Yeah, I'll be fine.
Oh, I got you a clean uniform.
I'll leave it here.
- Thanks, Duff.
- Right! Hey, Duff.
- Good luck.
- Cheers.
See you.
Bye.
Megan?
- Oh.
- Sorry I'm late.
- Police.
I've been making a statement.
- I know that.
Cheryl phoned.
- Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
- Why didn't you phone me? I was in the cab with this woman for an hour.
Watching, listening.
I mean, this girl is terrified, every minute of every day.
Sometimes she doesn't leave the house for weeks.
She's no criminal.
That's what I've been trying to tell 'em.
That she's just a woman backed into a corner.
I was gonna try to be angry with you, do you know that? And Kuba, he was gonna tear a strip off you.
- Why didn't you answer your radio?
- I took the night off.
What do you mean, you took the night off? The first fare I took last night was a bloke I've been carrying around for years.
He's a restaurant owner or something.
I saw how old he looked.
He started me thinking.
- Something's wrong, innit?
- I don't know what you mean.
Well, after I calmed her down and we sat, my mind started ricocheting round that cab like one of them superball things the kids used to have.
Thinking about you and me, what's been happening.
Why we've been sodistant.
That was allflying round in there.
All the time, it kept coming back.
I mean, sooner or later, you've got to face up to things, I suppose.
You've always shielded me, kept things going at home.
I've had it easy, thanks to you.
- Have I been a disappointment to you?
- Oh, Ted! Look, look Look, you're right.
Yes, there is something wrong.
And, yes, I have been shielding you.
But not in the way that I should have.
I've been holding things from you.
- I've lied to you.
- What? Look, Ted, I have got to have a hysterectomy.
The result of the cone biopsy confirmed I am beyond the pre
-cancerous stage.
And, erI'm scared.
- I just couldn't bring myself to tell you.
- Oh, Megan.
All this time you've been worrying, all I could think about was me, me.
Oh, no, Ted, Ted.
(Sighing) Just take me home, will you?
- Is there something wrong?
- No.
Oh, no.
No problem.
Good.
Cos I want to practise round the test course.
Oh, yeah? Right, I've checked the oil, filled it up with petrol.
- I've even pumped the tyres up.
- Right.
Give her a go.
There we go.
Right.
(Starter motor chugging) Give her a bit of welly.
All right.
(Starter motor turning) (Engine failing to catch) Charlie!