INAUDIBLE CHAT
Hi, Maisie! Long time, no see.
I know. Ages. Paul, Kim, this is Malika.
She'll take good care of you. As I said on the phone,
Kim's labour is progressing slowly at home.
I'm concerned baby's getting tired.
The heart rate dropped lower in the last contraction.
Timings? Every ten to 15 minutes.
Paul... I know, babe. It's OK. Look, can we get on with this, please?
We really don't want to be here. We told Maisie that. No offence.
None taken. I understand.
Let's see how you and baby are doing
and then we can take it from there, OK? OK.
The more I think about it, the more I think she played us.
Yeah, I wasn't sold. It just makes me sad. There are good politicians
out there, trying to make life better for people.
Maybe she things that she is. Out for a meeting, could last all day,
so don't call unless it's urgent. Bear, about the Beechwalk, could
we have your input? Sorry, Nina. Not right now.
Hutchinson Properties. Managing director Ross Hutchinson.
If anyone knows how much socially affordable housing is going
to be included in that development, it's him.
I'm going down there later, after my house calls.
You're just going to march into his office and ask him?
No, of course not. I'm nobody. But ambitious estate agent Tara Mills...
Now, she is somebody. I love it!
BABY'S HEARTBEAT
Baby sounds fine. But Maisie did the right thing bringing you in.
How was it the right thing? It's always better to be cautious.
I told you before, she doesn't want to give birth in hospital.
Paul, I... If the baby... Look, she just said he's fine.
Look, I said he sounds fine, but I'd like to double check to be sure.
So we'll get you onto a mobile EFM...
No, she doesn't want any drugs!
It's not drugs, it's a portable monitor for baby.
Right. She doesn't want any of those interventions either.
It's only to check he's OK.
No interventions.
We'll make sure baby's doing fine, then you can go home.
Maisie, would you mind waiting outside with Paul,
while I fit the EFM? No, I want to stay with Kim.
It'll give Kim a bit of a breather. Come on, Paul.
You could use a coffee.
I'll be right outside, OK?
Kim, you're doing fine. Try not to worry.
Just before I fit the monitor, can I ask, is Paul speaking for you?
Do you want to have baby here? Of course I don't! Like Paul told you,
I want to have him at home. A totally natural water birth,
not stuck in this airless place. I hate it here.
RINGS DOORBELL
Hey. Hi, babes!
Look at you, looking all smart. Oh, yeah. Always.
This is quite a place. So, do you...work from home often?
Depends on how well I know the client. So, in your case...
..come on in.
This is the last thing she wanted. It's best to be super cautious,
after everything you've been through to get to this point. Yeah, right,
I get it. You've been really great, Maisie, honestly, but...
What's the first thing we said when we took you on? No hospitals.
I remember. And I did say my number one priority would always be
the health of Kim and the baby.
That's what we're both here for, right? Course.
So I think right now, the best thing we can do is
stay as calm as possible to help Kim stay calm too.
What do you say?
I'll try.
This place is...
Wow!
What can I say? I like nice things.
You have some serious taste. Thanks, but full disclosure,
I bought the show house.
Furnished and everything? Cash. Saves time and energy.
I mean, some of the art pieces are mine,
but you'll have to guess which.
Sure. Now, if you've finished gawping,
shall we get down to business?
I'd love to.
Right, so what are we starting with? This one here.
What's this for? It'll help us find out if he's OK, or if he needs help.
I said I don't want any help. I can do this on my own.
And you will. Promise.
It's OK, Kim, honestly.
Look, how long is this going to take? No time. Half an hour, or so.
I really hate this.
It's just half an hour and then we're out of here, all right?
Promise.
Miss Mills? Ross Hutchinson.
It's Ms, actually. Tara.
Good to meet you.
Who are you? Didn't your receptionist...?
Yeah, she told me you wanted to see me, but I've not idea who you are.
I'm an estate agent. Property Portfolio Executive.
Richer Properties. Right.
And? I understand you're taking the lead on the Beechwalk development.
What makes you think that? A little bird told me. Which little bird?
I shouldn't say, really.
That development isn't open for advance sales yet.
There'll be an announcement in the press. Thanks for your interest.
That's a shame, cos a number of my cash-rich clients are very
keen to invest locally at the moment.
In Letherbridge? Thanks for your time.
I know all the local companies. I've never heard of Richer Properties.
Well, you wouldn't, because we... We're new to the area.
And we don't like publicity. We are discreet.
Well, maybe I could walk you through the plans.
That would be wonderful, Mr Hutchinson.
They're lovely people normally, but they've had a really rough
ride through IVF, so they're very nervous. I understand.
You were spot on, persuading them to come in.
So, how long have you worked for them? Kim and Paul?
Since the first trimester.
No, I meant the company. Oh, Brum Mums, not long.
The Lewises are my first family.
Must have missed the email from HR saying you'd left.
I did inform them I wasn't coming back from sick leave.
I thought you loved working here. You know I did.
But we both know how bad things are here now.
The stress, the pay, the overwork.
Yeah, but you always said you hated the idea of private midwifery,
so I'm surprised. I had to put my wellbeing first.
And the kids. I never had time or money to spend on them before.
Now I do.
That's good.
It's easier for you. You haven't got a family yet.
And nothing floors you.
Yeah, well, I love the job, so...
So, from what I've seen, there are several key areas where you
no longer provide clinical provisions.
We can help you subcontract your PLCVs to your MSU
at no financial risk to you.
And you can even look at providing other services privately.
Osteopathy, dermatology, chiropractic, even dentistry.
You mean like cosmetic mole removal?
Mm-hm. The list is endless. Your GPs can even subcontract themselves
to offer a more personal service, longer consultations,
continuity of care.
That sounds fantastic.
DOORBELL RINGS
Mm. Ooh! That will be lunch.
Seriously?
I ordered from Carmine's. I hope that's OK.
That new place with all the stars? Is that to sir's liking?
No, yeah, it's...great.
Questions?
How can you...? Afford all of this? Yeah.
The job offers competitive salary and I significantly help them
increase their profits, so I get good bonuses.
How good? Let's just say...
..generous.
And breathe out.
There you go.
Well done, babe.
OK, so... Please tell me he's... He's absolutely fine.
All the tests are good. The heart rate is normal.
He's just taking his time.
Great. Then we should get going.
You might want to consider staying here for a while.
You just said he's fine.
He is, but if he carries on being reluctant,
then we might need to give him some help. No!
Like I said, he doesn't need any help.
I want to have a natural birth at home.
And that's exactly what you'll have, right, Maisie?
She just said baby's fine, Kim's fine, so we get to go home, right?
Absolutely. Totally fine.
Right.
Then let's go.
High-end spec, detached, all mod cons,
double garages, apartments on top, private gardens.
It's really going to be something. How many units?
Well, we're still finalising. Ball park figure?
Could be up to 30.
And I'm assuming that the council is on board? The council?
Well, you wouldn't be pursuing a project on this scale without
all your planning in place, surely? It's all in hand.
Just some odd bits of red tape. Won't be a problem.
And forgive me for asking, Ross,
but my clients will want to know before they invest...
Socially affordable housing?
How did I know you were going to ask that?
Yeah, sure. There'll be some,
but, you know, every development has to have them these days. Sadly.
And how many units? And at what proximity to the high-end housing?
Because we both know that makes a big difference to how
sellable the other units are. You're right, you're right.
Let me show you the plans. Set your mind at rest.
It's been great to see you again.
You too.
Mm.
How about...
..you give me the guided tour?
I would love to.
So, you see, we're keeping social housing to the absolute minimum.
And they'll have an entirely separate entrance road. Exactly.
It'll keep... The riff-raff out.
It's brilliant! It's not quite Edgbaston, but, you know,
we're still talking top of the market range.
Great investment opportunities. MOBILE VIBRATES
And if we look again at the aerial view, we can see...
SHE COUGHS LOUDLY Whoa! Are you OK? I'm so sorry.
I just must have swallowed something wrong. Could you get me some water?
Yeah, sure. One sec.
CARRIES ON COUGHING
Oh, you're an absolute life-saver. Here we go, here we go.
Right. Water. Ah, thank you.
Mm.
Better? Much. So, you were showing me the aerial view.
Right...
Any news from Zara? No. Nothing yet.
I've been thinking about this all morning.
What we need to do is make people care as much as we do.
How about an online campaign? We could start a petition.
Ah, well, I mean, listen, that sounds great,
but sounds like a full-time job. Who's got space for that?
I certainly don't. Yeah, it's a waste of time.
Excuse me, Scarlett? Why is it a waste of time?
There's eco protests every day. So some trees are being cut down.
So what? It's not going to viral. That's not how it works.
So how does it work?
Well, you'd need, like, a totally original idea, like...
I don't know, like...fake adverts for the development company,
but telling the truth about what they're actually doing,
or a 30-second clip interviewing the wildlife down there,
complaining but in a funny way...
..sort of thing.
Are you thinking what I'm...? Yep.
He wasn't for coming out, was he?
Give me five minutes while I make a start on the paperwork
and then we can see how Mrs Parker's doing.
BREATHES HEAVILY
Malika! Maisie, what's going on?
Kim had a small bleed on the way home.
I called ahead, but you were in a labour. How much blood?
About a tablespoon. Please! Someone help!
Why is this happening? It could be lots of things.
Let's all stay as calm as we can.
We'll get you back into bed and take a look, eh?
How you doing, lovely? I'm so tired.
And this is my most prized possession.
Oh, man! That is... Stunning, right? Worth every penny.
Listen, Tanisha, um, I've got to day...
..this place...
..your life, you, it's all so...
It's all so what?
It's all so...
I don't know.
Are you lost for words?
Well, then, let me help you find some.
What's happening? It's OK, Paul, try and stay calm.
Could you page the on-call obstetrician again, please?
Please, just tell me what's happening.
The bleeding's getting worse. Possible abruption?
We're waiting on the neo-natal team.
It's looking increasingly likely she's going to need a caesarean.
No! She doesn't want that! She doesn't even want to be here!
Don't you understand? She can't have this baby in hospital!
Come outside a minute.
No. I'm taking her home right now. Paul.
Come outside.
This is exactly what I told you she didn't want.
Right from the start, we said... I know. What am I paying you for?!
Paul, please... No, this is just a big waste of money.
If she ends up having him here... I can't let it happen.
I'm taking her home.
Paul, I need you to listen to me, OK?
This is what you're paying me for right now,
not the breathing exercises or the antenatal classes. This.
I've seen hundreds of births, so's Malika. We know what we're doing.
The bleeding means that the placenta
is coming away from the wall of the uterus.
We need to get the baby out as soon as possible. She can't go home.
I can't... She... She could die, Paul.
They could both die.
What you said before sounded perfect.
An original campaign that really catches the eye.
Yeah, and I've got plenty of shots of the wildlife from the Beechwalk.
I did a photography course down there years ago.
That's nice, but this sounds like tonnes of work...
It's great you're up for it! Excellent!
I have total faith in you. Thrill us!
Thrill us...
Paul?
Yeah, I'm here, love. You're OK.
Everything's going to be OK.
Let's get her to theatre now. I don't want this.
I know, love, but it is better for you and the baby.
No, not like this! Kim, we have to, OK? We have to.
There's no choice any more. Paul, you promised!
I'm sorry, love. I'm so sorry.
We need to move... Please, can I go with her? No.
Her condition is too serious.
It's going to be brilliant. I can tell.
I'm sure we can do business together. Oh, I know we can.
Oh, Tara, do you want to leave me your contact details?
For Richer Properties? Well, I...
We're still setting up our local offices, so I'll email you soon as.
Look forward to it.
Try not to worry.
Yeah, right...
Shouldn't we have heard by now?
It's usually not a long procedure, but they'll want to make
sure that the bleeding's stopped and everything's fine.
Look, Kim lost a lot of blood, so she's resting now... And the baby?
He's being monitored. It was a tricky birth.
Has she held him?
I promised her the birth of her dreams.
At home. Peaceful, just us. No doctors.
Everything perfect.
Paul, there's no such thing as a perfect birth.
Can you help me understand?
Why was it so important to you that Kim have the birth of her dreams?
Years of injections,
collecting eggs, implanting, waiting...
Then the...
..miscarriages.
She lost so many.
What she put her body through, it nearly killed her.
This is all my fault.
Why would you think that? Because she'd had enough.
She couldn't handle...
..losing another baby...
..and I... I begged her to try
just one last time and she...
..agreed...
..for me.
And now look what's happened.
HE SOBS
WATER RUNNING
Um, I'd better get going.
Sorry? Yeah, I've just got some work piling up at The Mill.
SHE LAUGHS
You are not going to use that line to try and get out of here, are you?
After what just happened? I don't think so.
Thank you for lunch and for the private consultation suggestions.
I'm just going to... Uh-uh, Bear. Bear... What's going on?
It's nothing. Right.
Come on.
Talk to me.
What is it?
Ahem...
It's just, I think, um...
We're not in the same league. In what way?
You've seen where I live. Compared to this, it's...
Oof... You've got life envy.
Well, yeah.
Huge salary, company car, bonuses, art, fine dining...
I manage a GP surgery, I share a house, and I drive a used car.
What?
That guy I went to college with...
You know, that go-getting, all or nothing money maker...
What happened to him?
Hey, he's still in there...somewhere.
I think...
Where's my baby? Is he...? Kim, he's absolutely fine.
He's being monitored in an incubator for a little while,
but you'll meet him very, very soon.
Well done, you. You did it, babe!
You did it!
What did I do?! I was unconscious!
I missed the whole thing!
He's taking his first breaths on his own in a plastic box,
without me holding him.
I told you, I told all of you, I didn't want this.
This is your fault! You and the whole poxy NHS!
Kim, don't...
And you...
What a total waste of money you've been!
Birth of my dreams?! Birth of my nightmare, more like!
I want you to lodge a complain to Brum Mums about her.
No, Kim, listen... She stole my birth experience!
Kim, stop.
Now, don't do this. That's not true. None of it is.
I understand, I do. You're tired and you're disappointed.
But your son is alive. And so are you.
You could have died today.
Both of you.
But instead, you're going to meet him for the first time really soon.
And the three of you will go home together and live your lives.
And none of that would be happening without Maisie. None of it.
She made all the right calls today.
Can't you see that?
I know for a fact that Councillor Monroe is married
and Hutchinson wears a wedding ring.
They could just be friends. Oh, come on, Jimmi!
They're obviously having an affair. We don't know that.
Nobody sends texts like that unless they're sleeping together.
God, I feel old!
If she's doing favours for her lover to get the development
passed by the council... That's corruption, plain and simple.
Al was right, for once.
So we release these messages to the press and let them do the rest.
No, I'm sorry, I can't agree to that.
Jimmi, look at the texts! I have.
And I shouldn't have. Look, even if they are having an affair,
this is a private message that you've acquired by deception.
We can't use this. We're better than this.
Urgh... Blast it! He's right.
You cannot be serious! Do you have any idea what I went through
to get these? I know, and believe me, I'm in awe, but...
We have to beat them fair and square. This isn't right.
He's got my nose, poor lad.
I can't believe it. Look at him!
You did it, babe.
Finally, after everything, we...made a baby.
Maisie, I...
..shouldn't have said... What I did earlier was...
Not a problem, honestly. You're exhausted and stressed.
Yeah, but no excuse, though.
You've been brilliant from start to finish. We've been... A nightmare.
And your first private clients too.
Maybe we can give you some sort of bonus?
Thank you, but I can't accept anything like that.
Then a gift, maybe. Honestly, I'm fine. I get paid just fine.
Besides, we're not done yet.
We'll talk next steps, first feed and taking him home.
In the meantime, let's get him his first cuddle with Mum, shall we?
Oh, yes, please! Shouldn't be too long now.
Thanks again. It's all part of the service.
You were wrong, you know, what you said earlier.
I didn't make all the right calls today. She should never have left.
I just wanted to give them the best birth experience possible, so I...
Neither of us thought anything was wrong,
or we wouldn't have let them go home.
Don't doubt yourself like that. You're a good midwife.
Thanks. That means a lot.
Brum Mums, the full package, from conception to postnatal...
You said you get paid just fine. Do you mind me asking how much?
I get between... It's three to four thousand per mum.
So all you need is ten mums a year and you've...
Matched my salary here for a fraction of the hours.
And I can give proper continuity of care and I don't burn out.
They're always looking for experienced midwives.
They'd fall over themselves to hire someone like you.
I could put in a word.
I... I've got a job.
Actually, I'm doing some at a clinic too now.
You're not superhuman. The hours, the stress, the conditions...
You don't have to stay here.
Oh, Mais, I... I don't know.
Malika? Coming.
I've got to go.
I'm fine. Honestly.
Thanks, but...
I understand. I'll check when they can hold the baby.
Shouldn't be too long now.
Take care of yourself.
You're having to find pennies down the back of the sofa to keep
The Mill going. That is not the Bear Sylvester I knew.
When I first started, I tried a few more creative ways to make money,
but not lately. I'm just a bit stuck.
You could have a house like this too. This could all be yours.
Are you trying to be the devil on my shoulder?
I'm just saying. You don't have to stay with the NHS. What do you mean?
My company are always looking for people like you to join the team.
Visit one of our private clinics with me.
Let me show you what you're missing out on.
Come on! Pennies down the sofa...
..or generous bonuses?
I want you to abandon the Beechwalk development.
And why would we do that?
So you've just ditched the sailing competition to get back with Hugh?
I'm actually thinking of asking him to marry me.
I was simply trying to resolve the situation before it was too late.
Yeah, and you've made it so much worse! Uh!
Zara?