SHE SIGHS
Morning, Hilda.
Morning.
Big day today. You ready for it?
Yeah. Er... It's...
I'm just... Nervous? That's normal.
It's more... I was thinking about you.
What time's the nurse coming? Oh, I asked him to come early,
so we'll be done well before the conference.
And will you be all right? I mean... The pain? Those painkillers?
Don't worry. I'll be fine.
You don't have to be. I can always...
Look, where's your laptop?
I was thinking,
we should include a reference to our research methodology
in the opening section.
When I was awake in the night... You couldn't sleep? Oh, I could. I did.
Eventually.
You know...
It's not the end of the world
if I have to get someone else to be the discussant.
Sobia, I'll be there.
But aren't you supposed to stay in while you have the treatment?
Didn't the nurse say...
I can sit down at the conference. Stop fussing. I know, but it's...
Well, it's not ideal if you're going to be... Going to be what?
A bit out of it.
What do you mean?
The medication. I will not be out of it.
Is that what you're worried about? No. I mean, yes.
I just don't want you to... Embarrass you? I didn't say that.
Look, I need to get going.
I hope it goes well with the nurse this morning.
So I'll see you later?
SHE SCOFFS
Since we're here, I would like to run an idea about VPAS by you.
Ah, yes, I can't this morning, I've got to dash.
I've got a meeting with Professor Anwar.
Zara's going to be lecturing at the university. Wait. What's this?
Well, it's just a bit of teaching and some mentoring.
It's really quite exciting.
Nice. How many weeks? Do you know the hours?
I'm going to find out the details this morning and I'll let you know.
OK, because if you're going to be away during surgery hours,
we are going to need to find some cover for you. Of course.
Daniel. My idea about VPAS, can we find some time?
Yeah, sure. Come and find me before surgery starts. Sure. Great.
Hilda, how are you doing? Honestly?
It's itchy, it's leaking and it smells.
Thank goodness I'm here, then, eh? Your knight in shining scrubs,
with his fabulous little friends. The maggots.
Yeah, that's them.
Three days, maybe four, we'll have your ulcer all cleaned up
and ready to heal. Well, let's hope so.
So, I need take off that dressing before we get on with the main act.
Have you taken the morphine? No, I'm doing without it today.
You don't need to be a hero.
Taking that bandage off is going to really hurt. Don't worry about me.
I'm a tough old bird.
OK.
SHE WINCES
Argh! OK.
Sorry. That's OK.
Look, I really think we need to use the medication. OK?
Then we can try again in 20 minutes. I'll go grab the bottle.
I don't have it.
I thought you got one delivered last week.
Oh, that. Well... Poured it down the sink.
Why?
I thought it was something else.
KNOCK AT DOOR
Yes?
Hey. Is now a good time? Yeah, sure, come in.
Er... OK.
So, my idea about VPAS, I know it might seem a bit leftfield,
but I think it could be great. Yeah? I'm keen to spice things up.
MOBILE ALERT
It's been on my mind lately, trying new possibilities...
Sorry. Oh, it's Izzie. Is everything all right? Er, yeah.
She's just posted a clip of Zara dressed as a hedgehog. No way!
Let me see!
LAUGHTER DROWNS OUT AUDIO
Classic comedy fall! That's brilliant!
Maybe I should get Izzie to take that down.
Seems a bit harmless. Yeah, you're probably right.
PHONE RINGS
Excuse me.
Scarlett, yes? Yes, send her through.
Sorry, Bear. It's my first patient of the day. Let's talk about...
Er, what was it you wanted to talk about?
VPAS. Of course. OK. Will you try and find me later in the day?
Yeah. Thank you.
I've just got back from the storage unit.
I was going to make a cup of tea,
but I can't seem to find any mugs anywhere.
Yeah. Yeah, it was sad.
But I knew it would be.
Yeah, it did feel strange shutting the door for the last time. Ahem.
Oh, Immie, listen, I've got to go. I will call you back tomorrow, OK?
Love you, bye.
Still fretting about her old dad.
Listen, if you need to speak, then I can...
I was just about to make us a brew, but I can't seem to find any mugs.
Ah. Voila!
I could never find things at home.
Karen was always rearranging the kitchen.
Couscous where the crisps should be and crisps in the...baking cupboard.
Well, the mugs will always be in there. You can rely on it.
Thank you. Where's the tea?
Right in front of you. Ah, yes! OK...
Yeah, that's great. Thanks, Jimmi.
So, Dr Clay has sent out a new prescription.
I'll pop to the pharmacy and then we can crack on.
I'm really sorry, Luca,
but I think I'm going to have to leave it for today.
You're having second thoughts?
I didn't realise when I agreed to the maggots that I'd be...
Squeamish? Hilda, you're not the first person
to have a bit of a wobble.
Why don't I show you how it works? You won't even be able to see them.
It's not them I've got a problem with. Well, then, what?
The morphine. I can't work when I'm not thinking straight.
I thought Dr Clay signed you off sick.
Well, something important's come up.
More important than healing this ulcer? I'm afraid so.
I thought I could do it without the drugs,
but since I can't, I'll have to leave it.
But it's getting worse. You're at constant risk of infection.
We can't just leave it.
All right. Come back with your maggots tomorrow
and I'll do whatever needs to be done.
I can't do tomorrow. I've got other patients.
And if we don't use the maggots today, they'll be dead by then.
Oh, I'm sorry. What a waste.
That's not what I'm worried about.
I'm worried about you. But if I'm being honest, I'm not sure
when we'll be able to arrange another delivery.
Don't worry about it, then. Look, Hilda, you can hardly walk,
you're not sleeping. What work is more important
than getting you on the road to recovery?
Why can't we try the iodine or honey again? It didn't work.
And the hyper gel didn't make a blind bit of difference either.
Come on. What do you say? I'm sorry, I've got to get these notes done.
All right. You're going?
To put the kettle on. Don't you have other patients to see?
Even nurses are allowed a break.
And when we're having a coffee,
you can tell me what work is more important than my poor maggots.
Please, do take a seat, Dr Carmichael. Please, call me Zara.
I really do appreciate you coming in today, Zara. It's a pleasure.
I'm delighted to be here.
So, this is the situation.
The person that I'd organised
to teach our applied medical skills module had a family crisis
and moved back to Manchester.
But I really need to replace them as soon as possible. No problem.
How often will you need me?
We've pencilled in a couple of lectures,
as well as some seminar sessions and some one to one mentoring.
Would that work for you?
Absolutely.
Good. Let's get started, then.
I'm asking everybody the same questions. Everybody?
We follow a fair recruitment process for all interviews.
Standard questions. Right. I thought...
I was under the impression that...
I am looking forward to showing you how much I have to offer.
There's a post-grad conference at the university this afternoon.
I can't miss it. I'm a discussant on a panel.
Can't somebody else stand in, just this once?
I promised Sobia I'd be there. Sobia?
My PhD student, research assistant and my lodger.
She's extremely smart and extremely long suffering.
She's been sorting this panel, writing her keynote speech
and slogging away in the lab while I've been here,
stuck in a chair with my feet up.
Hilda, you're hardly sunning yourself on a beach.
No, but I've pulled out of too many things recently.
I don't want to let her down again.
Even if it means putting up with agony from your ulcer
for longer, or risk it getting worse?
I'm sure she's sick of hearing about my silly ulcer.
She used to ask me about methodology and data.
Now, all she wants to know
is if I've remembered to put my cream on or take my tablets.
More carer than student.
It sounds to me like she just wants you to get better.
What she wants is a discussant with a sharp analytical mind
and that's what she's going to get.
Today, I'll be back in the lecture theatre.
Back as an expert, a professor, a mentor,
not just a some silly sick old woman.
All right. You win, Professor.
I thought my world-famous charm
might be able to change your mind, but...
This research we're doing,
the progress we've made, it's exciting.
It could be game-changing
and I couldn't have done any of it without Sobia.
You're obviously very proud of her. I am.
And today's all about her.
DOOR OPENS
Sobia?
Oh! We were just talking about you.
Is everything all right? What do you think?
If you're worried about me being ready for the conference, it's fine.
Luca was just leaving. Taxi's booked. Do you know what?
I don't think there's any point you being there. What do you mean?
Check your emails.
Should I open the biscuits?
You don't have to ask, Rob! This is your home.
Mm...
Hmm, yeah, well, that will take a bit of getting used to.
Yeah, I'm sorry. It must feel very strange.
It is a break from...the weight of all the...
Memories? Mm.
Constantly bumping into things all day long
that would bring me up short.
Immie thinks that I've moved out too soon,
but it was never going to feel right in that house, our house...
..without Karen being there.
How's Immie coping? By working all hours.
It seems to suit her. She says that coming home exhausted
helps her sleep. Well, I get that.
But, you know, keep an eye on her.
Grief has a way of catching up with you.
Actually...
..I intend to go back to work.
What?
I thought you were going to retire. There's no point now.
Yeah, but, I mean, come on, Rob, so soon?
I'm not good at just hanging around. I need stuff to do.
Well, yeah, but, I mean, there are other ways to keep busy.
I mean, things that are less full on than policing.
Well, full on, that's what I need at the minute.
Yeah, you finish your tea, I've got something to show you. Oh?
It's from the head of department.
He says that due to prolonged health issues,
he's taking over the supervision of Sobia's PhD.
I should have known this would happen.
Maybe he's just looking at ways to take some of the pressure off.
No, this is about sidelining me. He'll be hijacking my research next.
Do you really think that he'd do that?
He's a career academic. Had his eye on this project for years.
Now, he's got the perfect excuse to pension me off
and lead the team himself.
And there's no guarantee he'll keep Sobia on.
Almost definitely won't credit her.
I need to show him that I'm still top of my game,
that he can't just put me out to grass.
How dare he make this decision without even talking to us!
I'm sure when you both explain,
you'll find it's not what either of you want. Of course it isn't...
What's wrong?
Sobia...
What if it is what she wants, or what she thinks she wants?
Is that likely? She seemed pretty upset when she came in earlier.
I knew I shouldn't have taken time off. Look at me!
No wonder she's asked for a new supervisor.
Hilda, you don't know that's what's happened.
She must think I'm holding her back.
Why wouldn't she talk to me? Why be so secretive? No, I agree.
I think you should talk. At the very least,
it'll help you understand why she's done what she's done.
HE SIGHS
I had no idea you were considering this.
I know it's not something a business manager would normally do,
but I think it just makes sense.
A real hands-on approach
to finding out the needs of our most vulnerable patients.
Yeah, but hands-on healthcare is not why you're here.
You're management.
Look, think of it this way.
How many head teachers know anything about teaching?
It doesn't mean that they don't step into the classroom,
just because they run the place.
Erm... Well, I suppose the answer is I don't know, but also,
I just don't think it's a very good idea,
especially not with Zara taking this role outside of the surgery.
It's just going to spread us too thinly.
To be fair, I didn't know anything about Zara's plans. Yeah, OK, fine.
Look, I'm not saying no. All right? Why don't I text her now
and see if...
MOBILE ALERT
Oh, that clip of Izzie's... It's had a lot of views.
I don't think that the pratfall and silly soundbite will...
Oh, yeah, "Curse those little legs."
Yeah. This isn't the sort of image Zara wants of herself out there.
I'm going to text Izzie and get her to take it down.
Er... I don't think it'll make a difference,
even if Izzie deletes the original.
Oh...
Three boxes? Last one.
I'm sorry, but I just couldn't risk them
getting warped or mouldy in storage. Are they worth a lot, then?
Well, they're priceless to me. These are two-tone classics...
The Specials, Madness, The Beat... A bit before my time.
Well, just! Yeah. I used to count down the days
waiting for new albums to be released.
I would queue outside the record shop
and then I would play them over and over for weeks on end.
Do you still listen to them?
No, not really. They've not been out of the boxes for years.
You're hanging on to them, though. Dead right, I am.
This music helped to make me. Well, not just the music, the whole scene.
I mean, it blew my mind as a teenager
to think that not everyone was a smalltown bigot.
I can't imagine you as a teenager. Oh, yeah.
Quite a handful, according to my mum. Oh?
Yeah, many nights on smoke-filled dancefloors,
dressed in all my best gear, smelling of Brut.
Oh, sounds a lot like my youth.
Wild nights pacing up and down the landing,
trying to get Chris to sleep,
dressed in my pyjamas and smelling of baby sick!
Yeah!
Oh...
Hey.
I'm Luca. Hilda's nurse.
The one with the maggots.
Yeah, that's me.
Well, good luck with them. I hope they make her better. Sobia...
..Hilda told me... I...don't want to know what she told you.
If she's got something to say, she can say it to my face.
So, you'll talk to her, then?
Look, from what I gather, it's been a rough couple of months
for you both, but I know that she thinks the absolute world of you.
Well, she's got a funny way of showing it.
Chronic pain is so hard to live with.
She must be struggling.
Which is why I've been trying to give her a break,
not telling her about every little setback in the lab.
But you invited her to be on your panel today.
She could have said no if she wasn't up to it.
She was so flattered that you asked,
she was determined to make it despite everything.
In fact, that's why she refused treatment today.
She did what? She wanted to be on top form for the conference.
She didn't want the morphine throwing her off.
We tried without it, but it was too painful.
I told her this morning that I could get someone else!
She said she'd be fine.
Well, she didn't want to let you down. Is that what she said? Yeah.
Then I don't get it! I...
I could have coped with her pulling out of the conference,
but ditching me like this...
I can't believe she didn't even talk to me first.
She didn't ditch you. Then what would you call it?
One minute, I'm her star student, the next... Look, I think it's best
that you just probably talk to her.
So, you've had a chance to look at our syllabus.
Now I'd like to hear what you'd change about it.
Well, I applaud your inclusion of applied skills alongside theory,
examining the respiratory system, drawing bloods,
thoracic drainage in pigs...
But? But if your aim is to specialise in GP training,
you're leaving it until far too late in the course.
I would disagree. I've seen the statistics, Professor,
your faculty is well below average in the number of med students
who make it to GP. You need to incorporate primary care
into the earlier modules.
But if we introduce it too early, then students become overwhelmed
by the breadth of knowledge that a GP needs. Introduce it too late
and the hospital is already imprinted.
It's like you're leaving general practice to just be...
What, an afterthought?
So what you're putting forward here
is a major restructuring of the syllabus?
I can't see how that would work.
Let me explain.
I made a brew. First rule of conflict resolution.
I said I didn't want to talk to her.
Yes. Well, she's here now and she's got something that she wants to say.
Ha! A bit late for an apology! I've nothing to apologise for.
So why is she here?
Because I think you've both got the wrong end of the stick.
OK. Go on. What have you got to say?
I knew one day you'd have to retire... So there we have it!
The truth! What truth? I'm too old. You've given up on me. What?
You're the one who's given up on me! And I get it, I'd be selfish not to.
But you should have warned me.
Getting that email, it felt like a punch to the stomach.
You think I asked to stop supervising you? Didn't you?
No!
I'd supervise your PhD from my deathbed, if they'd let me!
And I'd be right there,
getting your opinion on my latest cell cultures,
if they didn't restrain me.
So you didn't ask for a new supervisor?
No!
Why would I, when I already have the most radical,
brilliant scientist supervising me?
I just thought that you'd had enough and couldn't face telling me.
And I thought you knew how keen I was to get back to work.
These last months here at home have been torture.
Then what are you doing, refusing treatment?
He's the maggot nurse with the solution
and you're sending him away.
Because of the conference. Oh, forget the conference!
I can get someone else to stand in.
I can't miss your keynote speech! Then watch me online.
What matters most is that you get better.
Does this mean we're good to go with the maggots? Prof?
OK.
So drip feed the study of primary care throughout the curriculum
so that it runs in parallel with their increasing knowledge.
Uh-huh... Some of the changes to the course content
would only be very small and I could advise with that.
The shift in how the students view GP training will be significant.
So, when they come to the final module...
General practice will already be on the table as a valid career path.
I see. It...could work. You're already encouraging recruitment
by taking on role models like myself
to help scaffold the journey from med student to GP.
I want to build on your can-do attitude
and help shape the future of primary care.
And if we were to offer you the role,
would you be able to start next week?
Next week... Would that be a problem? Well, obviously,
I have a very busy schedule. Of course. Of course. Er...
We'd aim to let you know very soon.
I look forward to hearing from you, Professor Anwar.
Thanks, Sajeed. I'm looking forward to seeing you too. OK, bye.
Was that the station? Yeah.
Sajeed has booked me in for a back to work interview.
I should think they'll be grateful to have a decent copper back.
Looking forward to it. And what about you?
Because I'm sure they'd be just as grateful to get a decent FME back.
Not unless the culture has changed. Well, I can't promise that.
Well, I'm just not ready. Understood.
Although it would be nice to have someone to chat to
and share biscuits with.
If that's the best guilt-tripping you've got, it's not going to work!
Right, shall we get this lot put away? Oh...
The Specials, Terry Hall, what a genius!
He died just before Christmas. Yeah, I heard.
Too young.
Much too young.
Play it for me.
Well, I would, but I don't have a record player.
Haven't had one for years.
Seriously?
Stay there.
I love the thought of you and the maggots just sat here, watching me.
Just don't turn the camera on!
I doubt it'll help our case if everyone sees me in this state.
We will need to make a case.
I'm just telling the head of department straight.
Unless you stay as my supervisor, I'm jacking it all in.
You wouldn't!
Watch me! Hm! OK, right, now for the main event.
Are the painkillers doing the trick?
OK, so, once I break the seal, the maggots will no longer be sterile,
so I'll have to apply them straight away. Are you ready?
Ready. I'll put the bag straight on the ulcer, but they're enclosed,
like a teabag. Right, that's done.
Thank you. I should get going.
I want to get there early, be super-prepared.
You know what I say, all work and no play... Wins you the Nobel Prize!
This woman is unstoppable.
What she does,
researching immunotherapy in cancer treatment, it's game-changing.
Yeah, well, you know,
even game-changing scientists are eventually allowed to retire.
You don't retire from scientific research.
You don't just hang up your lab coat and start hill walking.
Or making sourdough.
Maybe not yet, but eventually, that day will come
and I know it's not what you want,
but there are people that you can talk to that can help you adjust.
Get me mended, get me back in the lab. That's all the therapy I need.
He wanted to know everything,
from where I studied to what changes I would make to the course.
Well, that's strange. I thought you were just going for a chat.
Sounds like a proper interview. Well, it was.
He was seeing other candidates too. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, darling.
No, it's fine. It went well. I'm really good at interviews.
Great. Well, look, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for you.
So, Zara, the reason I was ringing is because...
You know, I've really missed being around a university.
I might just stay and have a bit of a look around.
Right. Tell me, if you get the job, when will you start? Next week.
Much earlier than I expected. Wow! Does Bear know that?
Well, not yet, but I'm sure he'll see the benefit
of improved links with the university.
Sorry, I should let you get back to work.
Yeah, Zara, have you spoken to Izzie today?
No. Why? Oh...
No reason. Daniel, is something the matter?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, everything's absolutely fine.
Enjoy your walk around campus. I intend to.
You know, I'm rather looking forward
to being a bit of a role model for all these young people.
MUSIC PLAYS
Ah! Hey!
I love it! I knew that record player was upstairs somewhere!
Good. It's good. Luca, come and join us!
I can't. Come on. I've literally never danced like that in my life.
I've only just learned. It's called skunking. It's called skanking!
Oh! Come on!
MUSIC: Too Much Too Young by The Specials
VIDEO CLIP PLAYS
This is good! It's so funny!
VIDEO: Curse these little legs!
Oh, look, why don't you? I don't know why I am bothering.
The woodlands are being decimated.
We wanted to check on you because you missed appointments at The Mill.
I was there the other day. That was last month.
You need someone who can keep an eye on you. Come and stay with me.
So, what would your superhero name be, then? Captain Spectacular.
Mate, you need to put the phone down. Sam, are you OK?