09x08 - Licence to Practice

[bunniefuu]

HE KNOCKS Ruth! Are you OK? I'm fine, thank you, Martin.

Louisa said you had a medical problem.

That was something of a white lie.

What? Why is it so dark in here? So that we can see the screen better.

There is a medical problem, Martin, but it's you and your haemophobia.

Oh, for goodness' sake! The GMC have you assisting at an operation in Truro hospital tomorrow.

And I will cope! You fainted again.

That was an aberration.

They're sending Bernard Newton.

Are they? How do you know? He got in touch with me yesterday to ask about you.

- Well, that's good news.

- Oh, yes.

As long as you don't have one of your turns again, right in front of him.

Right, what is this new therapy? Sit down right here.

Flooding is a well-regarded desensitisation method for overcoming phobias, but it works much better if you're relaxed.

So I want you to tense all your muscles as tightly as you can, like this .

.

and then release.

Now, keep doing it.

- What are you doing? - Be quiet, just try and relax.

I should organise a dinner for Bernard.

I've done that already for tonight.

He's staying at The Crab And Lobster, so I thought we'd eat there.

That's a terrible idea, we'll eat at the surgery.

That's fine, but will you please now try and relax? I'm going to show you a series of blood-related images increasing in severity, but first, tense and release, it really does make a difference.

Really? Well, I told you they increase in severity.

That's paint.

PROJECTOR CLICKS Now, I want you to concentrate on the texture of the blood.

The colour, the thickness, the smell.

The journey it takes through the veins.

The way the heart pumps the blood through the body, 140 millilitres of blood within each heartbeat.

70 beats-a-minute.

A severed artery will spurt blood for about 30 seconds for a distance of over six feet.

HE RETCHES HE SPITS WEARILY: Oh, dear.

You weren't sick! No.

Are you all right there, Doc? I've got some post for you in my bag.

Do you want it now? Come back inside.

I think you're beginning to make progress.

MARTIN SPLUTTERS Can you say D? D is for dog.

Can you say D for dog? - Buddy.

- Buddy! Yes! Oh, Buddy is a dog, isn't he? Morning, James.

All right? How did it go? Oh, I see, you were aware of all that, were you? Yeah, sorry.

Did it work? Er, well, it's only a temporary solution, but Ruth thinks it should see me through the next 24 hours.

Yes.

Anyway, it turns out that Bernard Newton is doing the surgery and assessing for the GMC.

So, who's Bernard Newton? He used to be my tutor and my mentor and we worked alongside one another.

Was he good? He was and is one of the best, yes.

So, you don't need to worry any more? I wasn't worried.

- Doc! - Front door.

It never used to be an issue.

You used to be the nanny.

- It's an emergency.

- What is? Here, me, blotches, very itchy.

Not a good look for a maid of honour.

- Janice! - Hello, handsome.

Oh, no, no, no! Oh, no, please.

You might be infectious.

- Oh, good point.

- Come through.

So, there'll be hay bales either side, right? And at the end, there'll be the arch, right? Hay bales? My idea, I thought hay bales would look more rustic.

It'll look nice.

Trust me.

So, where do I stand? Oh, you will be down the front with Al.

My dad's officiating, so he'll be in the middle of the arch and, then, my mum's gonna walk me down the aisle because my dad will be at the front.

How's the arch looking? Where's Pippa? She's up at the school working on it.

- PHONE RINGS - Oh.

Sorry.

Hello? So where do I make the speech? No, I have told you, it's a beach-front buffet afterwards, no speeches.

And you stand there.

Are you sure this is what you want, me stood to the side? Yes, Joe, I'm sure.

Well, I'm feeling my role has been minimised somewhat.

Well, I'm sorry you don't feel like you'd be the centre of attention on our wedding day.

It's not all about you.

I mean, it's a lot about you.

OK, all right, I'll speak to you soon, bye.

Just stay there, Joe.

- SHE SIGHS - What's happened? - Mum and Dad missed their flight, they can't make the wedding.

- Why? There's a flash flood outside the village they're staying at - and all the roads to Mombasa are closed.

- Mm.

But this means we have no-one to officiate and no-one to walk me down the aisle.

Mm.

Maybe we should postpone.

Well, I mean, if that's what you want, but it's just everything's set up.

The invitations have all gone out.

Well, who are we gonna find at such short notice? You go to work, I'll sort this.

- Really? - Really.

Go.

- OK, um - Yeah.

- .

.

call me if there's any update.

- I will do, yeah.

Yes, you have hives.

Can you make it go away? Well, the clean-up rate depends on what's caused it, common triggers are certain foods, medication, infections Yeah, yeah, I meant go away, like, right now! - You don't have any allergies, do you? - No.

- Are you on any medication? - No.

- Any muscle soreness? - No.

- Shortness of breath? - No.

- Vomiting? - No.

- Diarrhoea? - Urgh! - Your skin's a funny colour.

- It's called a tan, I was in Spain.

Well, you're not jaundiced.

- Is there any stress in your life? - Oh, God, yeah.

Mega-stressful.

Where do you want me to begin? I don't.

I'll write you a prescription for some antihistamines.

Fexofenadine.

One tablet, twice a day.

I think you're right, though, it's the stress.

Thinking of setting up a nail salon in Weybridge, a lot of planning.

Then there's Morwenna's wedding.

Sorry, Doc, I know I'm late.

Yeah.

Ross Abbott.

- Where were you? - Medical emergency.

Well, what kind of emergency? I've got chives! From stress.

Like, helping you plan your wedding.

Oh, I'm not entirely sure there's gonna be a wedding.

My mum and dad can't make it.

Because they disapprove of Al, I saw that one coming.

No, because the roads to the airports are closed.

Aww! Thanks, anyway.

- No good? - This is a disaster.

You're not going to postpone, are you? Oh, we've just got half the village helping out, kids building an arch, Bert and Caitlin doing the buffets.

Plus, she might change her mind.

I'm not worried about that, Joe.

Listen, you've got enough to worry about.

I'll call the churches and registry offices, speak to people I know at the local council, contact any registered celebrants.

You know a lot about this, Joe.

I've waited all my life to be a best man.

Tell Morwenna I'll find someone.

Trust me.

I'm a policeman.

Hello.

Oh, hello! - Come in.

- Oh.

Is everything OK? Yeah, great.

Just finished up the kids' art class.

Holiday club, lovely kids.

Pippa, what's wrong? Look, you know I'm temporary head.

I thought maybe, if I was more active in the community it would help me secure the job.

Well, yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

Yeah, so I said to Morwenna that me and the holiday club kids would decorate the wedding arch with paper flowers.

Except, I'd forgotten how much kids like to muck around.

So, how close are you to finishing? Well, if I had an extra pair of hands, I think, very close.

With some work.

OK, give me half an hour and I'll come and help.

Although, Martin's got a dinner here later that I really need to be at.

But, no, it's fine, I'll just tell him I'll be a little bit late.

Yes! OK, are you sure? OK.

OK, I trust you.

All right.

Thanks, Al.

- Mrs House? - Um, Doc? - One sec - No.

.

.

um, I need a small favour for tomorrow.

Yes? Sit down.

We've decided to go ahead with the wedding, one way or another, - it's my day, and all that.

- And what's the favour? I need someone to walk me down the aisle.

Right.

Great! You'll do it, thanks.

Oh, um, sorry, I didn't realise you were asking me.

Um, I can't, I've got the assisted surgery in Truro that day, so Er, well, I checked your schedule and you will be back in time.

Really? Right, well, I'll be there if I can.

Obviously, you'll need to, um, give a big speech and be part of the first dance.

Oh, no, no.

That's a joke, Doc.

Just walk me down the aisle.

That's all.

On you go, Wendy.

Yes, come on.

Louisa! You've lost something.

Sorry, was he round at yours again? He was and congratulations are in order.

You're a grandmother.

Sorry, I'm not quite following.

Shelly had her litter and Buddy's the father.

And while it's great he wants to be such a hands-on dad, she really needs to get some rest.

Are you sure it's Buddy? Quite sure.

Would you like half the litter? Well, I would, yeah, but I'd imagine Martin wouldn't and I do really need to discuss it with him first, though.

I can talk to him, if you like.

I need to chat to him about something, anyway.

Oh, no, no, no.

Now is not a very good time.

He's busy.

But I'm sorry, I'm sort of in the middle of something, too.

I will get back to you about those puppies, though.

Buddy! Come on, Buddy.

Come along.

Joe, I've been trying to get hold of you.

Yeah, I'm a little bit busy, Al.

It's a wedding tomorrow, things to do.

- Have you found an officiator yet? - Yes, I did.

He's coming over from Camborne first thing.

Really? What, you thought I'd mess it up? No.

- Thanks.

- I'm just here to make your life easier.

It's my job as best man.

Now, give me a hand with these lights.

Otherwise, you'll have your first dance in the dark.

I've told you, Joe, no first dances.

LAUGHTER Tell us some more.

Actually, I do remember, one of his One of his early operations, he was, he was the lead, you know, the boss.

And the operating tables, you know, they're designed to tilt in all directions, you know.

To give you access, you know.

But they're only supposed to do it when you want them to.

Suddenly, the table just - What did he do? - Well, he leaned over.

He leaned over and just carried He just carried on regardless.

And he said, "Someone, fix this table.

" Oh, that's I don't remember it being quite so simple.

Ah, Martin.

Martin, Martin.

By Jove, you look awfully healthy.

What is it, the sea air, or something? The house is just up the hill, why don't you follow me? Well, what's the rush? Let's have one for the hill.

I believe it is a rather special whisky here, distilled on the premises.

Yes, also responsible for poisoning a number of people.

Marvellous, more customers for you.

- Splendid.

Two whiskies, please.

- I don't drink.

Oh.

Oh, well, one One One water and one water of life, thank you very much.

Professor Newton was just saying how you were his favourite student.

Ah, I may have said I was fond of him.

I'm not sure if I said he was my favourite.

Although, that may have been the case.

It was a privilege to have such a great teacher.

Thank you, Martin.

So, cheers.

Well! Right! Thank you very much indeed for your generous hospitality.

So we put these wooden feet on to keep the arch up, but it's very wobbly.

I just think you need to put another wedge over that side.

Oh, right, good idea.

Look, I'll concentrate on the flowers.

If we work hard, we can get this all finished within the hour.

- And what if we can't? - Look, we will.

Because I've got this dinner I need to get back for and paper flowers were kind of my speciality when I had to cover art classes, you know.

They, erm They want you back, you know? The Board of Governors.

Really, have they said that? No, but they were very clear to stress the acting in "acting head" to me.

They probably don't think I'm good enough.

Oh, I doubt that very much.

But if it will help, I can write you a letter of recommendation.

- SAW WHINES - Really, you'd do that for me? - Course.

- Oh, thank you.

Honestly, I know I can do the job.

- Argh! - What happened? F-f-finger! OK, OK, don't panic, don't Don't panic, I just cut off my finger! - DOG BARKS - Buddy, shush! We've gotta find a first-aid kit.

- Where's the first-aid kit? - I left it on the peg.

- Which peg? - Over there, the peg! - What peg? - The peg! SHE MOANS You keep You've got to stay calm, Pippa, you have to stay really calm.

Yes, calm.

Yeah.

Let's just wrap this round your hand.

Yeah.

Sorry, sorry.

Elevate it, elevate your hand.

Elevate your hand.

Keep it high up.

Pippa, where's your finger? No! Oh, God.

Right, I'm gonna I'm gonna get a food bag and some ice from the freezer.

- And I'm gonna call Martin.

- DOG BARKS Buddy! I imagined that the road to the surgery would be lined with angry farmers wielding, you know, scythes and pitchforks.

They usually wait till nightfall.

So, Martin, who would have thought it, eh? A home, wife, child.

Where are they, by the way? My wife's name is Louisa, she is training to be a counsellor and she is currently helping out at the local school.

She'll join us later on.

And my son's name is James and he's sleeping upstairs.

Right.

So presumably you spent childhood holidays here, did you? - Yes, most of them.

- Yeah.

It's interesting, isn't it, that this is where you chose to run to when everything went wrong? Uh, I didn't run, I needed a job.

Yes, but But some might say that what you needed to do was dig in and fight, you know, and of course that fight has now followed you to your doorstep.

Thank you very much.

Have you read through the GMC report so far? I have, with a growing sense of horror.

I mean, insulting patients, electrocution I mean, you stormed out of the phlebotomy refresher thing.

And then there was the farce with the With the mock surgery.

- Good heavens.

- Those tests are a waste of time.

Bureaucracy, box ticking.

I agree, but at the root of this, Martin, is you.

You fainted on a patient! HE GIGGLES You see, that's why you should come back to surgery.

Because we only see them when they're unconscious.

You have taken steps, haven't you? I mean, to deal with this haemophobia thing.

It doesn't affect my ability to work.

He's put a lot of effort into bringing it under control.

Good, good.

Well, the GMC will certainly listen to my recommendations.

I'm not asking for any favours.

If you don't think I'm fit for surgery, then you must say so.

Oh, no, no, no, of course, I'll be completely honest in my assessment.

More or less.

I've put the finger on ice and now I'm gonna call Martin.

OK.

Oh.

Pippa, I think I'm gonna throw up.

Well, don't faint around me, I'm relying on you.

- Buddy, no, stay.

Buddy, no, Buddy, Buddy! - My finger! No, no, bad dog! Buddy! Buddy, Buddy, Buddy, Buddy.

Buddy! - Buddy, Buddy! - My finger.

My finger! - Wait! - Buddy! - My finger! - Buddy, stop.

Wait! I read they held a dinner for you.

Yes, 20 years of the old Newton Duct Retractor.

Any excuse to open champagne, you know.

It's richly deserved.

Your invention instantly became a staple of surgical instruments.

Well, tricky though.

When your greatest competition is your younger self.

That's why I wish you'd come back, Martin.

Come back to surgery? Mm, yes.

I mean, it's all so corporate now.

You know, it's all firm handshakes and and and straight lines.

You You You kept us on our on our toes.

Sorry.

Sorry about that.

Doctor, I wondered if you'd like a home-baked pie.

- No, thank you, goodnight.

- What's in it? - Current and saffron.

- Cu That sounds unexpected.

- Worth a try, I think.

- Oh, yes.

DOG BARKS Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

- Get out, get out.

- Me? - Both of you.

- What's that on the floor? That rather looks like a human finger.

LOUISA: Buddy! Where is it? - What, the finger? - My finger! There's been an accident, I was about to phone you and Buddy just grabbed the bag and sped off with it.

That sounds very careless.

Well, you've wrapped it in gauze and put it on ice, that's good.

- In what world is this good? - Erm, come with me.

- She's got to go to hospital.

- She hasn't got time.

I'll reattach it now, the finger's got a better chance of reconnecting the sooner it's done.

Martin, you're a GP, beyond your remit.

It's in the patient's best interests.

And I could use a second pair of hands when it comes to suturing.

There's fish in the oven, might be a bit dry.

- There's capers in the jar.

- Well, I suppose that's dinner over.

Yeah.

Oh, I'm so sorry I was late, it's all been a bit - Louisa Ellingham.

- Hello.

Bernard Newton.

I've heard so much about you.

And I've heard absolutely nothing about you, which is a real shame.

I'm so sorry to be rude, and the second pair of hands.

Of Of course.

It's good to meet you.

Mm.

Isn't he marvellous? It feels numb.

That'll be the anaesthetic taking effect.

Oh, I can't look.

Well, you're more than welcome to look at me.

Am I going to lose it? There's a good chance you won't.

Although, around 50% of patients suffer difficulties afterwards.

Motion and sensation deficit.

An increased sensitivity to cold temperatures.

Oh, I can't believe this.

No, he knows what he's doing.

At least he used to.

I don't think much has changed.

Oh, you have a lovely bedside manner.

I've sat on a lot of beds.

- Can you steady the finger whilst I prepare the site, please? - Mmm.

Are you OK? - Martin? - Yes, I'm fine, thank you.

That was smart of you, putting it on ice, but not directly, so as to protect the tissue.

I suppose I've picked up bits and pieces from Martin over the years.

I woke up, noisy.

Oh, dear.

I'm sorry about that.

James, you should be sleeping! What are you doing with those bricks, James? Letters.

Their my old letter blocks from when I was a child.

- Go on, off you go, back up to bed.

- I I don't want to.

Well, just five more minutes.

Well, he seems to like those a lot.

I know, even though they're missing a few.

You know, I gave them to him yesterday, hoping they'd help with his lateral sounds, but it's just like he wants to play with these and nothing else now.

Well, children go through phases.

Mm, I hope it's that.

I think you'll make a marvellous headmistress.

Oh, I don't know.

I mean, what sort of head slices off their own finger.

- Oh, I see a very dedicated one.

- Oh! Is it close to being finished yet? Mmm, very.

Yep, it's elegant work, you know.

Very good.

Particularly when it comes to restoring the blood supply, very good.

That's the sutures completed, I'll dress the wound for you and put it on a splint.

Right, good, I'll get out of your way.

Oh, thank you.

You've been wonderful.

Oh, not at all.

You did extremely well.

In fact, we couldn't have done it without you.

- I'll see you out.

- Thank you, Doc.

- Stay there.

- Yep.

Erm You You said it wasn't an issue any more, but I did notice a bit of a wobble, just now when you saw the blood.

I said, it didn't affect my work.

Good, right.

Well, let's hope it'll all be better tomorrow.

- Yeah.

- Oh, yeah.

SEAGULLS CRY What are you doing? The final check list.

Are you nervous? Only in a good way.

I thought I would feel all wound up and stressed, but, I feel oddly relaxed.

Nope, nope, nope.

This is all wrong.

You can't see each other on the morning of the wedding.

It's very non-traditional.

That's just what people say when they can't be bothered doing things properly.

You better be out of here before I do her hair and make-up, OK? - You are not spoiling everything.

- OK, OK.

And you are 100% sure Joe sorted out somebody to officiate? - Yes, I saw him yesterday, it's all set.

- I would double-check.

It's Joe.

You saw what a shambles our wedding was.

Probably because you ditched him at the altar.

Let's not play the blame game here.

So, we've got the officiator.

Let's make sure everything else is in place.

Buffet? Decorations? Arch? - Music, dress, suit Corsage? What's that? - Dress.

- We haven't got that yet.

- Yeah, you have.

You picked it up from the drycleaners yesterday.

Yeah, I was going to, but then I broke out in chives - Hives.

- .

.

so, when I got there, the place was shut.

Don't worry.

You can go there later.

Or now.

Right now.

- Green, yellow and blue! - Mm.

- Are you all set? - Yes.

Are you nervous? No.

You know, even meeting Bernard briefly, I could tell he was really fond of you.

I can't help thinking that he's disappointed in me, I'm not heading up the vascular unit of a London hospital.

- I think he thinks I let him down.

- Do you think you let him down? No, I don't.

I don't think how I live my life is any of his business.

- Are you still here? - Hi, Ruth.

I don't have to be in Truro until ten.

- What if there is traffic? - There's never traffic.

Until there is James I've brought you something.

Oh, look! Some new bricks.

- Lucky boy.

- You did say he was missing a few.

All right, I'd better be off.

Good luck.

Relax, breathe, trust the process and you'll be fine.

Thank you.

He will be fine.

Let's hope so.

That's it, keep going.

You could help, Joe.

I am.

I'm supervising.

- They're away.

- Away? A death in the family, gone for a few days.

- I've got to stay calm.

- Good plan.

- It's only my wedding.

No Mum, no Dad, no wedding dress, it's fine (!) You could wear my wedding dress.

Me and Joe never said our vows, so technically, it's never been used.

No.

Thank you.

It's not really my style.

My dress is vintage.

Yeah, I know.

So, look on the bright side.

At least now you get to wear a nice dress, not that shabby old thing.

I just want one thing to be in this wedding the way we planned it.

Joe! Joe can help.

Joe! Over here.

The drycleaners are shut and her dress is inside.

So, I'm going to break in and give it back.

Morwenna, stop.

You're not thinking this through.

- You can't just chuck a stone through a door.

- No.

I know.

You need to target the right pane.

Give.

GLASS SHATTERS In you go.

Don't touch anything else.

You just broke in.

I'll get Bert to fix it.

They'll never know.

No, no.

That was bad.

You are a bad boy.

And I'm finding that oddly attractive.

I feel a bit dizzy.

I'm flattered, but that ship has sunk.

- We split for a reason.

- I need you to hold me.

And part of me wants to, I really do, but Maybe we could just throw caution to the wind? What happened? - Me.

I happened.

- It feels like I can't breathe.

Weight on my chest, heart racing, help me! She's got it bad.

I don't think it's anything to do with you, Joe.

Right.

Stay calm, I'm a first-aid responder.

I don't want you, call the doc.

The doc's not here, he's in Truro.

I can get him on the phone.

Now, I just need you to breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth.

MOBILE RINGS Morwenna? 'Doc, something's happened to Janice.

'She's struggling for breath.

Her pulse is elevated.

' I think it might be sunstroke.

- It's not sunstroke, I've not been in the sun for days.

- Hold on a second.

Why are you so tan, then? - It's just my natural colour.

- Janice I've been using self-tan.

Milano Tan.

You inject it.

Doc, she's been injecting something called Milano Tan.

It's a synthetic hormone injected into the skin to encourage it to darken.

Is her mouth swollen? Or her lips? - Er No.

- 'Can she breathe?' - She struggling, but she is breathing OK.

- 'Any change in her hives?' - No, they look the same.

- She's having an allergic reaction.

Tell her to take a double dose of the antihistamine that I prescribed, and get some rest.

And stop injecting herself, that's clearly the trigger.

- Righto.

Understood.

- And tell her she's an idiot.

Don't worry, Doc, I'll tell her.

- Can I still go to the wedding? - What about the wedding? She'll be fine to go.

But call me if she doesn't improve.

'All right, I'll see you there.

'Good luck in Truro.

' What were you thinking? I wanted to look nice for Joe.

There we are.

So he'd see how amazing and together my life was and then he would be miserable.

I'll take that.

It's still a win.

Good morning.

Mrs Pearce? Good.

Good to get the patient right.

How are you feeling this morning? I'm in hospital, how do you think I'm feeling? BERNARD CHUCKLES I know.

A little hungry I imagine, hmm? Perhaps a little apprehensive, hm? I know this is a big day for you, but it's a routine one for us.

Now, that's Dr Ellingham.

He's actually a GP in Portwenn.

Don't worry, I'm doing the surgery.

He's just my assistant.

Is he qualified? I certainly hope so, I taught him everything I know.

Dr Ellingham, would you like to, erm? Yes.

You are having an open cholecystectomy.

Because of previous abdominal surgeries on your duodenal ulcer, keyhole surgery's not an option due to the high number of internal adhesions.

- Is it really necessary? - Yes, of course it's necessary.

That's why we're performing an operation.

So, I don't have a choice? No, you do have a choice, you can choose not to have the operation, and die a very painful death.

BERNARD CHUCKLES That's a rather blunt way of saying if we don't remove the gall bladder, with all of its nasty stones causing all of this terrible pain and vomiting and all that, then, yes, there would be trouble ahead.

As I said.

Thank you, Doctor.

Not at all.

I'll see you later.

You won't see us, of course, I hope.

Martin, you cannot talk to patients like that.

- I was being honest with her.

- No.

No, you were being rude.

I told you years ago, you have to be considerate of patients.

If anything, your attitude seems to have worsened.

It's my job to provide the best possible medical care, not to tell them bedtime stories.

Ah, well, you know sometimes a bedtime story is exactly what they need.

It's this attitude that's led you to being investigated by the GMC.

Hello.

How is the archway looking? It actually looks quite nice.

Come over here.

I want to show you something.

Jumble up James' blocks.

OK.

Hello.

Like that? James? - Are you trying to spell dog? - No Doc.

Very good! That's so clever.

I know I'm biased, because he's my great-nephew, but I think he is gifted.

His reading early, he's started to spell, he's introverted, he has all the hallmarks.

Like Martin.

Similar, yes.

But Martin didn't have parents who loved him.

Well, thank you.

I'm glad you think that.

- If I'm right, he's going to take up a lot of your time.

- Yes.

The next year or so is going to be interesting.

- Have you heard from Martin? - No.

- I imagine they are starting now.

- Yeah Morning, everyone.

- Morning.

- Morning.

All well and disease-free, I trust? Jolly good.

Well, just like old times, Martin, eh? Do you miss it? - I don't really think of it in those terms.

- I suppose not.

You know, I saw you as head of Imperial something or other by this time, not a GP by the seaside.

Worth fighting for, is it? - Is the patient ready for incision? - Yep.

Ready.

Jolly good.

Let's have a Kn*fe.

Upper midline 15cm and off we go.

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Thank you.

Give me a self-retainer.

Any time before tomorrow will do.

MONITORS BEEP - There we go.

- Hot packs.

Thank you.

All set.

Right.

We are going to isolate the gall bladder.

Open forceps, thank you.

In we go.

One more extractor in here.

Can you give me a pair that works? SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC Come on, you little blighter Gotcha.

Scissors? Thank you.

Lovely job.

Would someone adjust this light? Adjust the light! Thank you.

No MUTTERS IRRITABLY - Do you want me to step in? - No.

- I am here to assist.

- I know.

Here we go.

All right, separating the gall bladder now.

SNIPS Damn! Clamps.

Clamps! - Clamps! - You've cut the hepatic artery.

SHARPLY: I know that.

- Suction, come on.

Suction.

- Get it in there.

Give me another clamp.

MARTIN INHALES FORCEFULLY Do we have your full attention? - Yes.

- Pulse rising to 110.

MONITOR BEEPS FASTER You need to clamp above and below the bleeding.

I'm leading this operation.

I do have vascular surgical experience.

Oh, yeah? What, ten years of treating haemorrhoids and sore throats? Pulse at 120.

Blood pressure's dropping.

This is bad.

RAPID BEEPING Give me the Urgh! GROWLS: God, come on! - No.

- What? - No.

No.

No! All right, all right.

It's all yours.

It's all yours.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

Right, give her two units of blood, make sure the proximal clamp doesn't obstruct the flow.

I'm going to do an end-to-end anastomosis.

INHALES SHARPLY - Martin - Quiet.

TENSE MUSIC Suction.

Are you doing counter incisions? So that I can make an oblique anastomosis with a large enough diameter.

Good.

Very good.

Double-arm suture.

- STAMMERS: - Remember to keep the line loose until the posterior row is complete.

Yes.

I know.

Just saying.

Pulse rate's stabilised at 105.

Blood pressure restored.

Good.

Excellent.

HE RETCHES Oh, for God's sake MARTIN VOMITS What happened in there? What happened was that we nearly lost the patient! Y-You were struggling! I wasn't the one that threw up.

I suppose we should be thankful that you didn't puke in her abdomen.

Can we talk about this? Later.

Not my style, but maybe it was worth breaking and entering for.

- Are you sure you're gonna be all right? - Yeah.

This is your day.

If I collapse again, just prop me up in the corner.

Are you ready? Yeah.

- Ready.

- Excellent.

Your carriage awaits.

I've got a carriage? No, just an expression.

We're walking there.

Of course we are.

I hope the doc makes it on time.

I'm sure he'll be there! BUZZING Busy? I have a wedding to go to.

Oh, poor you.

Honestly, you'll enjoy it all the more if we clear the air first.

Hm? Come on.

Well I suppose we both agree that the op didn't go too well.

- What's wrong with your eyes? - What? Is it macular degeneration? Mm-hm.

Irreversible, as you know.

It's quite beautiful, you know, in its own way, watching the nerve endings round the retina just slowly turn white and die one by one.

You can't operate as a surgeon any more.

Yeah, well, I'm not the one under assessment here.

Oh, Martin, for God's sake, y You failed every test! Well, you're rude to patients and to your peers, and this stubborn refusal to play the game, it's brought your career to the brink.

This doesn't have to end here, you know.

What, you'll ignore my faults if I ignore yours? We both still have a great deal to offer.

Nice to see you.

All right? Be good! Look at this good-looking boy here.

Here, he's handsome, son.

Hey.

So where's the officiator? You said you'd booked one.

I did.

I did book one.

- Right.

- And then he cancelled this morning.

And you didn't tell me because? - Because I didn't wanna get your blood pressure up.

- Oh! I tried every other avenue, but there's nothing at this short notice, and then I thought - best idea ever - why don't I do it? - Oh! - I'm an officer of the law, after all.

Because it's not legally binding! Technically, no, but you've just got to validate it at a registry office later.

It's just a formality.

Joe, you cannot marry us! I've got all the words printed out and everything.

- Oh! - Al! Al! They're arriving! Oh, this is I can't believe - this is happening to me.

- It's going to be fine.

Dad, it is not gonna be fine, it is gonna be a disaster! I don't even remember who married your mum and me, but what I do remember is how she looked, the way she smiled and the feeling that I was the luckiest man in the world.

Now this is still gonna be the greatest day of your life, boy.

Thanks, Dad.

Thank you.

Looks all right, doesn't it? Better than all right.

No sign of the doc, though.

I can walk you down.

No.

No, it's fine.

I can go it alone.

Ah, Dr Ellingham, this is fortunate.

These are yours.

- What? - Puppies.

Your dog impregnated my dog, so half of these are yours.

- Didn't Louisa tell you? - No, she didn't.

Actually, there is one other thing, I was going to speak to you and Louisa about it privately, but I don't have time for this.

I'm late.

Will you father my child? What? As a donor, obviously, not the other way! You're actually asking me for sperm in the street? That's mad.

I understand, it's a very emotional reaction.

Goodbye.

We can discuss it later if you like.

Let's go.

Oh, no.

Um PLAYS THE WEDDING MARCH Coming through.

Sorry.

What are you doing? Oh.

Thank you.

Yes.

Hello.

Er Please be seated.

How did it go? We'll talk about it later.

- Is that later good or later bad? - Shush! Who's doing the wedding? I am.

You are? I'm not happy about it either, but there is no-one else.

Is it legal? Sort of.

We have to validate it at the registry office later.

So it's like getting married twice? Yes.

Yes, it is.

Yeah.

Excellent attitude.

Yeah.

Well, everyone's here, and I got my dress .

.

and I just wanna marry you.

Let's get married, then.

- Just don't be weird, Joe.

- Yeah.

Martin, I have some news.

So do I.

Shush! Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

Now, normally at this point, you would ask if anyone has any objections to the marriage, but I think that's a waste of time, because if there's ever been two people made for each other, it's Morwenna and Al.

Which reminds me of a funny story about Al and a badger CLEARS THROA .

.

which I'll share with you another time.

It's very funny.

It's not.

Al Large, do you take this woman to be your wife? I Oh.

To live together, to love her, to honour her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? I do.

And do you, Morwenna Newcross - Yes.

- .

.

take I do.

The man now places the ring on the Oh, no.

Not meant to read that bit.

Does the best man have the rings? I do.

We really do need to talk.

I know.

I'm pregnant.

Are you sure? Yes, I'm very sure.

What is it? By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

CHEERING Thank you.

I emailed the GMC and opted out of the assessment process by resigning from general practice.

They were gonna strike me off anyway for non-compliance, and I'm not prepared to jump through any more stupid hoops.

What? I'm not a doctor any more.

Oh.

Is that bad timing? Really bad.

I love you.