11x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

Everyone knows that birds migrate...

...but not which country they believe
to be their home -

the hard, hot, cloudless climate of
the south,

or the fragile, grey-white warmth
of our own climes?

But perhaps the birds are simply lucky

they have the best of both worlds.

I spy with my little eye, something
beginning with I, Nancy.

Ladder?

SHE GROANS

These were the best of the bunch.

I thought if the hole was round the
back, the patients wouldn't see it.

You know perfectly well that that
is not acceptable, Nurse Corrigan.

Does anyone have a spare pair?

I always have a spare pair, as Nurse
Corrigan knows.

Sister!

What's the matter?

I...

I just feel so dreadfully...

...dizzy, as though I might be sick.

Don't worry, don't worry, I'll get
you home. You can lean on me.

Oh!

Oh, Miss Higgins,

we've had overnight guests at the
back of the building.

It was meths drinkers, I'm afraid.

I asked them to take their leave
when I arrived,

and they did so with surprising
courtesy.

They've been using the stairwell as
a lavatory.

Reparations are in hand

and hygiene will be restored before
patients arrive.

Thank you, Miss Higgins.

I hope they don't make a habit of
it, Patrick.

We seem to be seeing more of them
round here recently.

It's this new wave of demolitions.

The men tended to gather in the
cellars of the old houses

up around Albany Square,

but with those gone, they'll be
looking for new quarters.

Homelessness is all relative.

I know, but they're so unsavoury
and people are afraid of them.

PHONE RINGS

Good morning, Dr Turner's surgery.

I spoke to the surgery.

Dr Turner's going to come see
Sister Julienne at : am.

Thank you, Nurse Corrigan.

Meanwhile, we have a change of tack
for you this week.

Your debut on the district roster
beckons.

I usually just do midwifery.

That's because you needed to
consolidate your skills.

Now you need to expand them.

You're to go with Sister Frances on
the district round.

That means you can help me do the
sputum tests

at the Hostel for Tuberculous Men.

See? It's non-stop glamour.

Midwife calling.

You here to see Maureen? Mm.

She's gone down the launderette.

It's just a routine call.
I shall leave a note.

It's Thelma Haig, isn't it?

I bet you never forget a face...

...or a varicose ulcer.

I thought we'd never see the back of
that one.

I must have been dressing it for
nigh on three months.

Right as ninepence now, thanks to
you, Nurse.

Is she ready, Mrs Haig?

Julie, your manager's here!

I'm off, Mum.

Don't wait up.

I'll always wait up. You're my daughter.

He's her manager.

I gathered that.

She's blossomed since I last saw her.

Yeah, she never used to look like
anything much

but she could always sing.

I used to say to her all the time,

"You keep up that singing and it'll
bring you opportunities.”

A girl with a gift is a woman with
potential.

Mr Lewin spotted her in a talent show,

and now she sings in clubs all
over town, yeah.

She's got a contract to record a single

and he reckons she's in with a
chance of being on the telly,

and if he can make that happen,
well, the sky's the limit.

It's always been just you and her,
hasn't it?

I brought her up on my own, yeah.

You look after each other, now.

We will.

I never heard of a TB hostel before.

I thought everyone with TB went to a
country sanatorium.

It's quite a new idea.

Cheaper probably, but...

...it keeps all the men under one
roof, so we know where they are,

and it's clean, they can be monitored

and we can help them with nutrition.

Where are you?

Eh...

Your blood pressure's normal.

No sign of any swollen glands or fever.

I'm putting my money on labyrinthitis.

Is that the inner ear?

A mild infection or...

...possibly a bubble in the
vestibular fluid.

The best treatment is rest.

You can draw the curtains if you
feel very dizzy.

Resting and drawing the curtains is
not going to help...

...Nonnatus House run smoothly.

I can see to all of that.

There's even more to do than usual.

I still haven't managed to arrange
the anniversary event.

This month marks years
since the Order came to Poplar.

I specialize in celebrations.

I know you do.

Sister, we've been here before.

You work yourself to a thread time
and time again,

and then what happens?

Threads snap.

One day, we won't be able to mend you.

I will rest...

...for three days.

You will rest for as long as I tell
you to.

And in the meantime, I don't care
who helps you, but someone must.

And you must accept that
with good grace.

I think we need to get the doctor
out to see you, Mr Huntley.

I'm worried about your weight loss
and your weakness.

Nurse Corrigan...

- ...have you collected those samples?
- Al done and dusted.

Nothing like decanting some phlegm
to brighten up a morning.

I need your help turning Mr Huntley
and getting him more comfortable.

He's not doing so well all of a sudden.

Right. One, two, three.

There you go. All done.

You're good girls.

It's all part of the service.

My name's Avis.

Joan Avis, Cotton Field Tower.

Our rubbish chute has been blocked
for two weeks

and there's no light bulb in the
stairwell.

Well, I have an evening surgery.

You're welcome to attend, if you'd
like to make a formal complaint.

This is a formal complaint.
I've got my smart coat on.

And please be advised, I shall be
suspending payment of my rates

if matters don't improve.

I'm not quite sure where you think
you are, Mrs Avis, but...

...this isn't the rates office.

Oh, it's not a dressmaker's either.

That hem looks like it was done with
a Kn*fe and fork.

We need to go straight to the
phone box and call the surgery.

Mr Huntley's pulse is weak and he's
so debilitated.

Shouldn't he be in a hospital?

Well, if he is dying, and I think he
might be dying,

we'll take care of him here in his
own bed.

His own bed?

This is no better than a dosshouse.

The men in here used to be sailors
and labourers, Nancy.

They're too old and too
sick to work now,

and they've no families to turn to
or to take them in.

They've been in and out of actual
dosshouses their whole lives,

and I promise you, this is better.

I'm sorry, I just don't see how.

And it's an emphatic no to
strawberries and evap

from Sister Julienne.

That bodes ill.

The strawberry is a fruit of which
she has always been extremely fond.

I don't think she fancies trying to
eat them lying down.

She goes dizzy the minute she tries
to lift her head up off the pillow.

I shall be heading
upstairs in short order

to make sure she passes all
responsibilities on to me,

including the centenary celebration.

I think you'll find she refers to
the event as a "commemoration".

Be that as it may,

she can't be setting events in train
from her couch of anguish,

and I am content to step into
the breach.

I think, after this, I shall be a
shoo-in for next year's Olympics.

Mexico City, here I come.

Do the Olympics have a medal for
catching and throwing?

Of course, and I'd get a gold medal
with moves like this.

Mummy!

Excuse me, mister, can I have my
ball back, please?

Yeah, you'll have to come fetch it
if you want it,

cos I've got a bad leg.

All right.

Colette.

Come away!

She's all right.

Don't panic, I had her in my sights.

The likes of him shouldn't even be
around here.

He looks harmless enough.

There is a school over there!

Meths drinkers are like rats,

except the council does something
about rats.

COLETTE: Why does that man smell so
horrible?

He's in the habit of drinking stuff
that's very bad for him.

It has an effect on his blood and
his insides.

So, why does he do it?

I don't know.

He might not know himself.

But you keep away from him and men
like him, do you hear me?

OK, come on. Let's get you a piece
of cake

before I take you back to Auntie Vera's.

♪ Cry me a river

♪ Cry me a river

♪ I cried a river over you

♪ I cried a river over you. ♪

APPLAUSE

Wow!

Wow, girl, they love you!

DOOR OPENS

Oh, Vi.

I was getting worried about you.

You've been cooking fried bread?

It was for you but it was getting cold.

Council meetings don't normally go
on this late.

Well...

...we had a bit of a turn-up for
the books, as it happens,

and we ended up with quite a lot
to discuss.

Oh, yeah?

What's that, then?

Lord Stonham has invited us

to send a deputation
to the House of Commons.

Oh, what brought that about, then?

You know he started
out in the East End himself,

and we've corresponded with him over
various issues

for the last year or two, and...

...well, he always seemed inclined to
listen to working people.

And now that he's Minister for State,

he wants to hear from us direct.

Are you going to get to go, Vi?

Well, I thought it would be all the men

but they want me to be part of the
deputation.

You say that like you're surprised.

Yeah, well, I'm certainly daunted.

All the way home I kept on thinking,

"What am I going to wear?
What am I going to say?

"And what is it that Poplar people
really want?"

If I were you, I would just round
them up and ask them face-to-face.

Mm.

Milk's going on for your Bournvita.

How was it?

You look proper washed-out under all
that panstick.

SHE SOBS QUIETLY

Petal...

...what's up?

I had one of them funny turns onstage.

Everything was just swimming in
front of me

and there was smoke in my eyes,

and the baby was
just kicking and kicking.

You're going to have to tell Mr Lewin.

You haven't even told Jeff and he's
the baby's father.

Everything's fizzled out since he
joined the Army.

It's like we're just pen-friends.

We've both had our heads in the sand
about this.

Me just as much as you,

cos I've been trying to play things
your way but...

...Julie, you are pregnant.

If I can just keep it
a secret for a bit longer...

You're running a temperature, Julie.

I don't think we can.

PHONE RINGS

Good morning. Nonnatus House,
midwife speaking.

You were right, Sister Frances.

I was slightly worried about
Mr Huntley at the TB hostel

when I saw him last night, but he
seemed bright enough.

I came back early this morning and
he's really gone downhill.

Does he need someone with him?

Yes.

It could be another hours or so.

You know what it's like, but...

No-one dies alone, Doctor Turner.

Not on our watch.

HORN BEEPS

- Is she all right this morning?
- I'm fine.

She's got a bit of a sore throat.

I'm taking her to the quack

to see if he can give her some sort
of prescription gargle.

Perfect.

Cos I have secured an audition for
a certain young lady for...

...Associated Television.

When, Mo?

pm tomorrow.

Hop in, let's make sure we get your
pipes oiled.

Smoking is not permitted in the surgery.

It's a top-quality cigar.

Havanas, Panatellas, Henley's

or roll-ups stuffed with the
cheapest shag...

The same rule applies
and will be enforced.

Look, if we don't get satisfaction here,

I'm taking Julie to Harley Street.

That girl...

...heading for the top.

I'm quite far gone, aren't ?

I'd put you at weeks, lass.

In other words, you've seen off
eight out of nine months pregnancy

with no medical support.

No wonder you're feeling a bit
frayed around the edges.

Will she have hurt the baby, Doctor...

...cramming it flat with that panty
girdle?

We're giving her a thorough
once-over but I doubt it very much.

NURSE CRANE: Doctor's going to have
a feel of your tummy now, Julie.

Usual bloods?

Oh, come on. No tears, now.

We've plenty of time
to get things organised.

She's got an audition for a
television show tomorrow night.

SHE MOANS

Oh, no, she hasn't.

Because what she has got, I suspect,
is a very nasty water infection.

Is Colette too young for the Judy, Fred?

I wouldn't know.
Reggie's the expert on the comics.

I bet even he don't
read the girls' ones.

I'll get it anyway. Free gift this week.

Nurse Nancy, just the person!

Now, I've arranged an open meeting
at the Institute.

Could you deliver some handbills on
your rounds, please?

Do you sell drink?

No, sorry, pal. We don't have a licence.

We do baccy and fags, if you want those.

No, I'll leave it.

Thanks all the same.

He'll probably go straight to the
ironmongers

and buy methylated spirits.

It smells like sewer gas.

I wouldn't light
any matches for a while.

SHE GIGGLES

He would've been a
respectable bloke, once.

Just because he isn't now
doesn't entitle us to laugh at him.

Here, mate.

Take these.

It's not got much of a kick to it,
but, you know,

with the warm weather and all that.

Well...

...I won't say no.

Thank you.

She can't be in the family way.

She's... she's been wearing minidresses!

We've built every stage outfit
around the Sandie Shaw look.

She needs bed rest and antibiotics.

They're going to keep her in
overnight in the maternity home.

Maternity home! I never even noticed
a blinking thing!

The chances are ATV won't notice either.

- She can still do the audition.
- No, she can't!

From now on, my daughter's health
comes first.

I'm not saying never mind about her
health, Mrs Haig.

But I am saying, what about her future?

I can't market an unmarried mother.

She's already got a
contract for the single.

They'll drop her like a stone
the minute they find out.

Well, then, her future
stops here, doesn't it?

Everything we planned is over.

If she tied the knot with someone,
it would be a different matter.

Dare I ask where the father is?

Westfalen, Germany.

He's in the r*fles.

Well, he wants ruddy sh**ting.

It must be like feeling seasick.

It is, only without the consoling
thought of a holiday destination

at the end of it.

All will be well.

Only I'm not convinced all will be
well in time for the centenary.

Do you have to mark it at all?

There have been so many miracles
along the way

that thanksgiving seems essential.

But...

...we mustn't seem to be patting
ourselves on the back.

Sister Hilda seems to be full of ideas.

Sister Hilda is as inventive as she
is enthusiastic,

which I fear will prove a rather
febrile mix.

You, on the other hand...

...know us inside and out...

...and can look towards us from the
outside in.

Oh, I hope you're not suggesting
I might take it over.

No, I'm asking you to.

Simple, dignified, loving and truthful.

No-one can do it... better.

I want all of this drunk up

and there'll be another glass of
water with your teatime omelette.

The baby's going to drown
if carry on like this.

A regular intake of fluids is just
as important as your antibiotics.

We need to get that
infection on the run.

Yep, you do as the nurse says, girl.

Now I've rearranged the audition
for next week,

you've really got
something to aim towards.

If I may interject,

I think Doctor Turner may be of the
opposite opinion.

I just want to sing, Nurse Crane.

I want to be like Helen Shapiro used
to be, like Shirley Bassey is now.

She's from somewhere no better than
round here,

and they say she's made so much money

she's going to have to live abroad.

There's nothing wrong in wanting to
get on in life.

I transfigured my own
fortunes in my small way.

But you're not going to be playing
The Palladium

when you're weeks gone.

The audition is for the telly

and they can do things
with camera angles.

What you can't do with a camera is
bring an infant into the world

on time, properly nourished and healthy.

You've got work to do, lass...

...and it isn't on the stage.

Hello.

I'm sorry to disturb you.

I'm only listening to the dogs bark.

They do that in the evenings.

They send messages to each other.

I brought you some things that you
might find handy -

a walking stick and a mack.

You'll be too warm
in that overcoat soon.

I don't like to take it off.

A good coat gets to be a friend.

Will you have the stick?

I might give it a try.

I wondered if you'd hurt your foot, sir.

"Sir"?

HE LAUGHS

I'm a nurse. It gives you a knack
with the etiquette.

No, I got sh*t of my surname years ago.

I just answer to the name of
Bernard, like a dog.

You're from Ireland.

My name's Nancy.

I was born in Cork but I live here now.

My mother was from Skibbereen.

She... she lived here, too.

People from our neck of the woods
get everywhere.

When I see things that are yellow
sometimes, I... I think of her.

A painted door, a ribbon on a child...

She... she had eyes the colour of
robins' eggs

but it... it was the yellow things
she loved.

Does that foot hurt you, Bernard?

You could come to the surgery, where
I work, and get it dressed.

No.

I can't... can't even feel it.

It's the best way.

Best way.

Is that the pop that Fred gave you
from the shop?

Might be.

Might be a little bit more to it, now.

You know, I... I was just looking...

...for them little golden flowers.

Not daisies.

The ones that shine.

Butterfingers and all that.

You mean buttercups?

Might do.

I keep looking but I never find any.

I have no objection to Mrs Turner...

Doctor's wife, midwife, nurse and,
well, general all-round good egg...

Arranging the centenary celebration.

I have every objection to such an
important role

being assigned to Sister Bernadette,
ex-nun!

Perhaps we can talk about what we're
likely to see the Queen wearing,

during her forthcoming tour to Canada.

I'm always very struck by her
diplomatic choice of colours.

So, I'd anticipate a lot of red
and white

and she might borrow the maple leaf
brooch from the Queen Mother.

I'd just like to see her jazz up her
shoes a bit.

And her bags. I mean, they're all
the same.

Her footwear does seem to be
becoming increasingly conservative.

Once upon a time, it wasn't unusual
to see her in a peep-toe.

Hello. I'd like to enquire about
making an international call...

...to West Germany.

There you go, Albert.

That should freshen you up a little.

Albert - it seems so natural now,

even to one from a generation such
as mine,

where formal terms prevailed.

A woman's Christian name, when she's
in travail.

A man's, when he stands in equipoise
betwixt this life and the next.

You think of his mother choosing it,
don't you, when he was born?

Looking down at his little face and
wondering what would suit him.

I've brought you a Thermos of
minestrone and some Cheddar rolls.

A rather savoury repast for so early
in the day.

Sister Monica Joan...

...I think he's going.

Depart, O Christian soul, out of
this world.

In the Name of God, the Father
Almighty, who created you.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, who
redeemed you.

In the Name of the Holy Spirit, who
sanctifies you.

May your rest be this day in peace

and your dwelling place in the
Paradise of God.

WHISPERS: Amen.

WHISPERS: Is there anything I can do?

Open the window.

Let his soul out.

Mrs Buckle, what plans has the council

to ensure that the order of
St Raymond Nonnatus

remains at the heart of midwifery
and nursing in this area?

The council makes a significant
contribution to health care

right across Tower Hamlets.

My understanding is that there are
no plans whatever

to change the funds already allocated.

But, in the centenary year of the
Order's arrival in the area,

is Lord Stonham even aware of the
extent to which a vital service

has to rely on religious charity and
private donations?

I can certainly ensure that it is
brought to his attention.

No-one's higher up in the nun's fan
club than me, Mrs Buckle.

I've had five kids with them...

Four in my own bed and one in the
air raid shelter.

They are the best of the East End.

CROWD: Hear, hear!

And what I want to know is, what
are you going to do about the worst?

Well, I think you're going to need
to define

what you mean by "the worst",

if I'm going to answer that question
in a satisfactory manner.

I mean cars all over the bombsites,
with God knows who living in them,

people keeping goats in their back yards

and meths drinkers in every doorway.

One cannot be oblivious to the
presence of unsavoury elements

throughout the borough,

which appears to be the direct
result of the chaos

caused by the housing programme.

Will you be asking Lord Stonham how
this can be remedied?

We all have grave concerns about
housing, Miss Higgins.

I have grave concerns about people
using my stairwell as a khazi.

CROWD MURMURS IN AGREEMENT

Your concerns have been noted and
will be passed on,

when the deputation visits the House
of Commons.

My mum thinks you should've kept
me in longer.

You're doing very nicely.

If this were a test at school, you'd
be top of the form.

That would be a first.

Can I do classes in what to expect?

I feel like I've got to make up for
lost time.

The only thing you've got to do is
stop berating yourself.

There's no harm done.

And you can't turn back the clock.

You don't understand. I've got to be
fantastic at this.

Like I've always had to be fantastic
at everything.

Why do you think that?

Because my dad ran out on me after
I was born.

The only thing he left behind was
the colour of my skin.

He also left your mother.

And she's given you enough
determination, love

and willpower to make up for any
deficit of his.

Now...

...I'll talk you through what to
expect, shall ?

KNOCKING

Mr Lewin, you're intruding upon
a professional consultation.

I've actually come in search of a
professional consultation

about residential nurseries
for the nipper.

I beg your pardon?

What's a residential nursery?

A select, fee-paying facility, where
babies can reside all year round.

Now, we can pick up where you left off.

I've even got contacts at
Search For A Star.

Out of this young lady's bedroom, now!

She may have decisions to make about
her future,

but she also has a mind and opinions
of her own.

I've been her manager for a year.
Do you think I don't know that?

Julie, if we don't sort this out,

none of this will ever come your way
again.

Jeff, what are you doing here?

Well, what do you think?

As soon as you told me, I couldn't
get to the boat train fast enough.

I didn't even change out of my uniform.

Oh, have a heart, Thelma.

Let me in.

Jeff, why aren't you in Germany?

Because of this.

Is she having it now?

NURSE CRANE: No, although I can't
vouch for how the day will unfold,

if we are subject to any more drama.

I brought Lucille's lacquer.

You can immobilise Big Ben with what
she's sprayed on her barnet already.

It's a windy day

and we're having our photograph
taken with Lord Stonham.

Have you got the French chalk?

Where's the kid gloves?

On the kitchen table. The mark is on
the thumb.

Just pretend you're spraying a car.

You have to stay calm, Mrs Buckle.

You're looking elegant and dignified

but it's not your appearance that
matters today,

it's about what you are going to say.

That's exactly why the backs of my
knees have turned to water.

Why, when all you have to do is tell
the truth

and ask the questions that matters
on behalf of the people you love?

You make it sound so easy, Cyril.

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy,
but you know...

...it can be quite simple, if you
just speak from your heart.

Garnets?

They're your birthstone, if you're
born in January.

I was going to get you a diamond but
that's the birthstone for April

and I thought it might be unlucky.

I've applied for a special licence.

It only takes a few days.

Please...

...please, say yes.

At least it'll make having gone AWOL
worthwhile.

AWOL?

You've come here absent without leave?

What did your mum say?

She thinks they've let me home on
compassionate grounds.

I panicked.

Jeff...

...what if I say yes and I make you
miserable?

Well, I keep telling myself how much
more miserable I'd be,

knowing our little titch was getting
name called for being a bastard.

You had it just as bad as me, didn't
you, Jeff?

Almost.

Let me be a man who does the decent
thing.

Would the delegation from Tower
Hamlets please come with me?

Greetings.

I imagine you've come to confer with
Sister Julienne.

I approve of all of it.

Even the balloons?

Especially the balloons. So much of
our work has been about children,

why not do something that will make
them smile?

Sister Hilda, would you like to see
this?

This all seems most...

...acceptable.

But what, may I ask, is item ...
Surprise?

I can't say.

All of this is in the manner of a
gift to you.

To the whole Order.

And it doesn't seem right to unwrap
every element at once.

DOOR OPENS

Violet, you're home!

The minister gave us a full
minutes of his time.

That's good, isn't it?

We discussed play streets,
playgrounds, unlicensed dogs,

and what's going on at Tilbury Docks.

Well, no-one likes the sound of
those containers coming in.

And then, finally, we looked at a
plan of action

against the meths drinkers.

Councillor Finney persuaded the
minister that what we really need

is to increase police powers of
arrest and dispersal.

All that's going to do is move them on

and make them somebody else's problem.

Oh, half the time, that's what
politics is, Fred.

Good afternoon, sir. May I be of
assistance.

Um... Yeah.

There's a... there's a nurse, who
works here, name of Nancy.

You can't have him in here. It's
insanitary!

I'm afraid Nurse Corrigan is not on
the premises today.

I will confer with Dr Turner, if you
would like to wait outside.

No, it... it's not bad enough for a
doctor.

No, I'm... I'm happy with the nurse.

Sorry for dragging you out, Fred.

Nothing much scares me, but on my own,

I can't vouch for Nurse Corrigan's
safety in this set-up after dark.

And I suspect she's the only one
this man will trust.

- What's this?
- Eucalyptus ointment.

Rub it underneath your nose.

It's a trick I learned years ago,
going into dosshouses.

What is it about drinking meths that
makes them like this, Doc?

If you mean the smell,

the raw alcohol is rotting their
flesh from the inside out.

Some of them will have gastritis
and soil themselves constantly,

and their legs are probably covered
in ulcers.

Poor sods.

If you mean why are they confused
and incoherent,

it's because the alcohol is damaging
their brains,

possibly even blinding them.

Why is there nowhere for these
people to go and get treatment?

There is no treatment and they
wouldn't go.

They cling to each other

and the few small things that still
feel familiar.

Everything beyond that is the void.

And in the one place they can bear
to be...

...nobody even wants them.

- I got the licence.
- I got the dress.

Me and Mum nipped up to Venus Modes

and bought a little white number off
the peg.

- Hat to match, and all.
- Oh, can I see it?

No.

It's like diamonds when you're born
in January...

unlucky.

I hope you aren't planning on
wearing that shirt.

Bernard?

It's Nancy, the nurse.

You asked for me at the surgery but
I wasn't there.

I've brought the doctor.

I don't need the doctor.

Now, I reckon you do.

But I'm just junior, he knows more
than me, which isn't difficult.

If you'd let the nurse just ease
your shoe off, have a quick look,

I won't interfere, unless it's
necessary.

I've heard of a thing called antibions.

Antibiotics?

Mm, we've tonnes of them.

Pills, lotions, liquid, solid.

- Probably even gas.
- Just her.

Right.

Let's ease this off, then.

My mother, right, she used to be a
Lady's maid.

The family, who she worked for,

they used to have their shoes
handmade in Piccadilly.

His.. his foot's come off with the shoe.

I'm... I'm sorry, Bernard.

I'm sorry.

I didn't feel a thing.

You wouldn't.

You've got gangrene.

What will they do at the hospital?

Amputate...

...somewhere below the knee, if he's
lucky.

If he'd led a different sort of life,

he'd stand a decent chance of being
fitted with an artificial leg.

That's not going to happen,

because of the thing that got him in
this state in the first place.

The drink?

The drink...

...and everything that made him drink.

Smoking can cause arteriosclerosis.

A bad diet can cause diabetes.

Both can lead to loss of circulation
and dry gangrene.

But only catastrophic self-neglect

can result in a sight like we've
just seen.

It didn't even seem to hurt him.

It was as though he hardly cared.

And that is the most painful thing
we ever see.

I can't stop asking myself.

I mean, why is it that I bend over
backwards for some people

and not for others?

And all for the sake of what,
a well-kept street?

I can't say I'm keen on driving
those poor men

as far away as possible.

It's not about what I want, is it?

It's about what my constituents want.

I mean, I am in the service of others,

however unfortunate that may be in
this instance.

What about Bernard?

Isn't he your constituent, too?

Knock, knock.

Bernard, it's Dr Turner.

We met last night.

Do you work here?

No, but...

...I'm good at sneaking in.

And there is a lady, who wanted to
visit you.

Is it Nancy?

I'm Councillor Buckle.

Violet.

I'm so sorry for your troubles.

...I brought you a small parcel of
essentials

from the Pensioners' Benevolent Society.

Oh, I don't get a pension.

I lost me cards.

Is there something wrong with me

cos I keep thinking I ought to want
to drink?

They're giving you medication to
take the edge off any cravings.

Yeah, they took me leg off too,
didn't they?

Not all of it.

According to the staff nurse, you've
still got your knee joint.

I always wanted to disappear.

Looks like I'm doing it bit by bit.

HE LAUGHS

This is not something I get to say
every day,

but we have a bride in labour.

Events have taken something of a turn.

And are we to book the lady in
question in as Miss Haig or Mrs...?

...Lilly. My client is in fact a
married woman, now.

We told the registrar to keep
proceedings brief.

I love you, Julie.

COUGHING

They won't let me smoke. It's making
me cough.

Pneumonia's making you cough.

- Is it?
- Mm, it's in your notes.

I took a shufty at them.

Is pneumonia when your lungs fill up
with water?

Well, it's an acute lower
respiratory infection,

involving the alveoli.

But, yeah, it comes to the same thing.

Ah, I can go along with that.

They're giving you medicine for it.

My mother drowned...

...in a canal.

She left her handbag on the side

and there were three ha'pence in her
purse.

They gave me the coins to take to
the industrial school

but the matron robbed them...

...and I've been grubbing about in
the dirt,

looking for pennies ever since.

I lost my mother when I was a child.

I'm a mother myself, now.

Does it make things better?

Yeah.

PIANO PLAYS

I'm sorry, Miss Higgins, but if this
is to be set to "Repton”,

I don't think that's
the appropriate key.

It's the key I sang it in, when I
was writing the verse.

Miss Higgins, the words are your domain.

The music is mine.

PIANO PLAYS

I joined the Navy when I was .

That didn't make it better.

I started with the booze at .

That didn't make it better, either.

You certainly gave it enough of a
chance.

The w*r made it worse.

Living a life at sea in peacetime
made it worse.

Every year, every day, I needed
something stronger...

...and I just tramped about.

Went all over...

Land's End to John O'Groats, like a
ship avoiding harbour.

And then...

...in the end...

...I came home.

Home to Poplar.

Where I lived with my mother.

It was like I could see her
footprints on the pavement

and hear her voice.

IN IRISH ACCENT: "Let's see if you
like butter.”

And the tickle of the flower
underneath me chin.

"Yes... yes, you do."

One way or another, I've been trying
to drown myself for years.

Now, I have the pneumonia...

...I can stop.

I'm sorry about the smell of dog dirt.

I'm trying not to spray it around
with the brush.

After the stenches I've encountered
in the last few days, it's nothing.

How do you do it?

Do what?

This job.

Seeing people so...

...broken and in so much want?

You have to sidestep want most of
the time.

Just concentrate on providing what
they need and that's...

...just love, most of the time.

I just want it to be all right, Nurse.

Not too weak or too small or too poorly.

Come on, precious.

You're using up all your strength
with all this crying.

And I don't want any more contractions.

Nobody said how much they were going
to hurt!

Julie, if we can get you nice and calm,

we will have a try with the gas and
air with the next one,

and I promise that will really help.

But first, let me get you a nice,
cool cloth to bathe those eyes.

No wonder she's in no frame of mind
for this, with all their fretting.

And she's had no time whatsoever
to prepare.

I'm scared.

Everybody is scared of things
they've never done before

but that's where we come in.

We've done this time and time again,
haven't we, Nurse Crane?

I delivered my first baby

before Shirley Temple was top of the
hit parade.

SHE SHRIEKS

Here we go, precious.

You do exactly as I tell you, and I
promise,

the difference will be like night
from day.

JULIE SCREAMS

I brought us all some pie and mash
and a bottle of champagne for later.

Vintage.

I just hope we've got something to
celebrate.

It's coming too early, Mo.

I've never known a girl push
so strongly and with such control.

Every time you push, I can see a bit
more of the head.

You're doing so well, lass.

And the head is with us.

See how well you've done?

The baby's head's starting to turn
now, just one last push, Julie.

Give it all the strength you've got.

SHE SHRIEKS

BABY CRIES

Hello.

May I introduce you to your daughter?

BABY CRIES

She's beautiful.

And that was... that was...

How about fantastic?

So many men are psychologically damaged.

Loss or...

...poverty.

Always, always w*r.

When I got back from Italy, I was
encouraged to talk.

Maybe I didn't talk enough.

Maybe I could've talked more about
talking...

...but I was healed.

People like Bernard never get that
chance.

We are all the things that have
happened to us, aren't we?

I keep thinking about that all the time,

while I've been organising the
centenary.

All the things I was part of...

...and how those things became a part
of me.

We've been so lucky, haven't we?

One for posterity, in case the press
ever ask.

What are you going to call her?

Nicola Samantha.

I love it.

Is it all right to come in?

Please, do. There's no-one we can
send for.

Mother...

- ...is that you?
- You're out of luck, love.

But I brought you some flowers.

I've been crawling all over the
bombsites with a nun,

looking for these.

I hope you're grateful.

It's not right, is it, Nurse Crane?

It's a tiny bit on the high side.

Little lass might have picked up
a mild infection.

What will you do?

Will you send her to hospital?

I'm going to telephone Dr Turner
and we'll see what he advises.

I can see it glowing against your skin.

Brightest gold you ever saw, like a
coin...

...or a Fairy Flag.

WHISPERS: Shall we see who likes butter?

Oh, you do, Bernard.

You do.

I don't want her to go.

I'm her mother.

And you're a very good one,

which is why you know you have to
let her get the best of care.

Will you leave the buttercups with him?

He loved yellow things.

I'm the only person who's crying
for him in the whole world.

No, you aren't.

These readings are going up and up,
Julie.

I don't want to have to ask Doctor
for a sedative.

Baby will be back in your arms in a
day or two, I'm sure.

And what's going to happen, then?

I hand her over to my mum, put on my
glad rags,

paint my face and go out singing?

You're under contract to Mr Lewin
and to the record company.

My contract is with my daughter.

Sincere apologies for any disturbance,

but two gentlemen have called for
Mr Lilly.

♪ Something happened to my heart
the day that I met you

♪ Something that I never felt before

♪ You are always on my mind no
matter what I do

♪ And every day, it seems I want
you more

♪ My love is warmer than the warmest
sunshine, softer than a sigh

♪ My love is deeper than the deepest
ocean, wider than the sky

♪ My love is brighter than the
brightest star

♪ That shines every night above

♪ And there is nothing in this world
that can ever change my love. ♪

Do the hospital require any assistance

with the gentleman's funeral
arrangements, Dr Turner?

There are age-old routines for
burial in a council grave.

They do it all the time.

I said they could use my surname,
on the forms.

Bernard Corrigan.

If anyone looks at the cemetery records,

they'll know he belonged to someone.

Well, he belonged here. He was born
in Poplar.

Poplar should have taken better care
of him.

We tried...

...but we could all do better.

And we will.

Now, I know we have hostels for
treating men who have TB.

We need similar facilities for
treating people,

who suffer from alcohol addiction.

Somewhere where they can be helped.

Somewhere where they can be treated
like human beings.

Would the council fund that?

Well, it will take time...

but I will try.

We look after our own here.

JULIE: I'm going to sing her so many
songs, Mum.

I wanted more for you.

You gave me everything I needed.

And now, I'm going to do the same
for her.

With respect, Mrs Turner,

wouldn't it be more sensible to get
this into position

once the rain had packed in?

It's going to end up out of tune,
you know.

The rain is not due to "pack in"
until early afternoon,

exactly as the service commences.

I'm also armed with a large tarpaulin.

TRIXIE: When we first started,

this seemed like the
most marvellous idea.

A canopy of massed summer flowers

donated by well-wishers from the
community of Poplar.

What we've ended up with is a sort of...

...chrysanthemum soup with privet
croutons.

So, that's no good, then?

Matthew, I'm Constance Spry-trained.

Well, I'm glad I didn't know that

when I sent you the Swiss cheese plant.

It wasn't...

...right for me to send you actual
flower flowers, then.

And it wasn't right for me to do
that for a long, long, time.

No, when I...

... never wanted that.

And do you want that, now?

I mean, would you allow that, now?

Because, if you'd let me...

...I would fill your arms with flowers.

Roses, lilacs, lilies...

...and something red.

Like, more roses.

- Red roses.
- Yeah, red roses.

Because, I mean, everybody knows
what they mean.

And I hope very much you know what I
mean, when I do this.

♪ Their heads were veiled,
their lives avowed.

♪ They came to serve the people proud. ♪

The Nonnatus House centenary
celebrations took place

in gently falling rain.

The people, who loved it, stood
shoulder to shoulder

in defiance of the elements,

determined to carry on and regardless.

The weather could not have been more
perfect.

Skies will always shift, seasons
with them.

Days become years, years become decades.

Decades evolve into a century and more.

And all the while, our lives
entwine, and then, unspool,

borne on the winds of time and aimed
we know not where.

But we know where we come from and
where our hearts call home.

May I give you a wee bit of advice?

Please do. Polish up your dancing shoes.

Make her feel like she's the only
girl in the world.

Well, how does Cyril feel about that?

I haven't told him yet.

Get away from her. You're hurting her!

I prayed for the intervention of
angels and I have been answered.