There are days that dawn without clouds.
Only sunshine is expected, and rain, should it come,
will not be of any consequence.
There is promise in the air, and there are new beginnings.
Relish the light, and the warmth.
Turn your face towards them
because these days are beautiful and rare.
Too much is unknown.
Too much is not within our powers.
Too much has yet to be revealed.
Well, there's a sight for sore eyes.
Thank you.
Do we think it might be missing something, Sister Julienne?
Thank you.
Wow.
It is a sight that never fails to stop the heart.
A midwife, new-minted,
career commenced.
Today, it begins.
And I wish you Godspeed.
It is an honour to wear this uniform, Sister Monica Joan.
And all we want is to do it justice.
Your slip's showing, lass.
Oh! Do I need to hitch it up?
I'm going to run to the autoclave. We're running a bit late.
Not so fast. We're not done just yet.
Each year, the Violet Albany Prize is given to the midwife
who qualifies with the highest marks in their exams.
The award for 1969...
..goes to Nurse Joyce Highland.
Thank you.
And if everyone would like to follow me,
there's a photographer from the Gazette waiting outside
to take a picture for posterity.
Oh, no, no, I'm not happy that they've not had their breakfast...
Give her a cheer.
Are you absolutely sure about this?
I don't want any more time to go by, Trixie.
It seems the only honourable thing to do.
We had our wedding reception right here on this forecourt.
I thought that the disasters had already happened.
That there couldn't be anything ahead of us but joy.
We didn't realise how perfect it was, did we?
I realise it now.
So do I.
Oh, Nurse Aylward. Better late than never.
You're at the maternity home today with Nurse Highland.
Oh, yes. We're showing prospective mothers round later.
Will it just be mothers or are fathers included?
They're not excluded but they'll be at work.
I think all parents-to-be should know what to expect.
And a quick tour of the facilities will settle a lot of jitters.
I'll put it through again.
Meanwhile, Nurse Clifford, you are coming with me
to the Kingsley Toy Factory for the first of two talks
on female reproductive health and birth control.
As health visitor, my offer to attend does still stand.
Do you really want to go?
I've been on two appropriate training courses.
I haven't been on any.
With respect, Sister Veronica, the union representative
is of the view that the religious habit might be
a bar to open discourse.
In the first instance, you only need to sign this one,
to agree to the proposal.
The ownership of this building is transferred to the order?
But, Sir Matthew, I cannot do anything
without conferring with Mother Mildred.
A deed of gift isn't a very complicated thing, Sister.
But the upkeep and maintenance of the building is...
And it would mean a great deal to me to know that the work,
or at least the good that I tried to do here
won't have been completely dashed away.
Why are you afraid it might be?
Because money, it transpires,
is like life itself.
It doesn't always do what you want it to do...
..and sometimes it comes to a very abrupt end.
When I first started trying to help...
..it was in the manner of a memorial
to someone very precious.
But Nonnatus House itself has become precious to me now.
It gave me things I never knew I needed,
or could have.
And I do not want to leave you in the lurch.
Is this building of no financial use to you?
Only if I sell it.
If the truth be told, it's more likely
to be seized from me in the not entirely impossible event...
..of me being declared bankrupt.
And then sold, by somebody else.
Please, Sister. Accept my offer.
It would at least enable me to keep some self-respect.
If it is of any consolation to you, you already have my respect,
the gratitude of everyone your generosity has touched.
And you have our love.
I did attempt drawing the male anatomy
for today's talk, but struggled with the scale.
And the general details. So I only did a female one.
I don't doubt the girls will find it just as revelatory.
You wouldn't believe the things their mothers never taught them.
Excuse me?
Excuse me, can I help? That's my car.
Well, according to this, it belongs to Aylward Estates,
and they want it back.
I have been told nothing at all about this.
I'm telling you. Sign here.
I'm a bailiff.
I'm not prepared to discuss this in the middle of the street.
You can discuss it at the police station if you want to.
Can we get this show on the road, please, ladies?
Other people's business is not a spectator sport.
Matthew? What's happening?
Keys...
..please.
Another surprise from the family firm.
I don't know what to say, Matthew.
And do you know what? Nor do I.
I failed him, Sister.
He looked at me as though I could help him.
And just for that moment, I didn't know how.
You are to drink this.
Then you are to go to your duties.
You will help others,
and by doing so, you will help yourself.
Everyone in business has their ups and downs, Sir Matthew.
Please...
..would you just call me Matthew?
Only if you call me Violet.
Everyone.
My whole family were shopkeepers, butchers, grocers.
My Uncle Percy had a Pets Emporium.
And I'm telling you now,
there was always someone who had their back to the wall.
Because they'd miscalculated?
Absolutely.
Or failed to spot a trend.
And that matters, doesn't it?
Seeing the next big chance.
I certainly never set out to be in haberdashery.
I trained as a milliner. But then the war broke out and,
well, hats collapsed. It was all "make do and mend".
So I started to sell what people needed,
which was needles and pins and darning mushrooms,
and trimmings to tart things up a bit.
Clever. No, it was resourceful.
You will find a way out of this.
And you will learn things.
I'm learning all the time.
We were hoping for a full hour with the young ladies, Mrs Tantouri.
Not a mere 30 minutes.
The health and welfare advisory says classes like this are essential.
Boss says 30 minutes.
Right, Nurse Clifford.
We shall just have to make use of the time we have.
Wait here, please.
A midwife will show you round during a suitable pause in her duties.
I'm not too late, am I? I had to go back
and change this one's bum.
You are somewhat less than punctual,
but the tour has not commenced. Take a seat.
Do we get a cup of tea?
I'm afraid tea is only served to patients
and very anxious relatives.
Ah! Nurse Aylward.
Um, can you confirm that the delivery room remains unoccupied?
I certainly can. It's all ready for inspection.
As are two new-delivered mothers, washed, brushed, fully made up
and ready to answer your questions. Follow me.
This is the ward where you'll come before and after your birth.
Baby will be looked after in the nursery
and brought to you for feeds.
Is this the only ward or can you have your own room?
Bless you, this isn't a hotel.
Most of the ladies like the company.
Next, we'll look at the delivery room.
This way, please.
You know, we can always pull the screens round
if you're not in the mood for a chat.
It's Mrs Godfrey, isn't it? I know you from Tuesday clinic.
Please don't think I'm being snooty.
I had Roger in the hospital,
and this time round I've had a change of circumstance.
And I don't want people asking me where me fella is
all through visiting every day.
I understand, honey.
Have you considered a home birth?
Dennis, my husband, he was dead against it last time,
in case anything went wrong.
Mm. And did it?
No.
It was like shelling peas!
And if Dennis isn't around, then he can't have an opinion, can he?
No.
Will you be home tomorrow?
All day.
I make kiddies' jumpers in my flat for a living.
Then, I'll add you to my rounds.
We'll soon work out what's what.
Just leave 'em round the front of the shop.
And they will be here in plenty of time?
You heard me say so, didn't ya?
Did you know that there has been a fantastic turnip harvest this year?
I've done a deal with Larry off the market.
For turnips?
Oh, we don't sell veg, Fred.
I'll have the costermongers baying for my blood.
Turnips ain't veg, Vi.
They are seasonal novelties,
like Catherine wheels or Christmas crackers.
Go on, then.
Now, there may be some girls who can set their watches
by their periods, but not many.
Still, it's important to get to know YOUR cycle.
Then you know when you're most fertile
and when you've missed a period.
Too late then!
Time to buy a pram.
We'll be talking about the mechanics of pregnancy next week.
Today, we're concentrating on the mysteries of the monthly cycle.
Is it true about perms?
Is what true, lass?
My mum says a perm won't take properly
if you're on your monthly.
My grandma says you shouldn't even wash your hair.
Or have a bath.
Personal hygiene is just as important
during menstruation as it is at any other time.
And as a devotee of the permanent wave,
I can't say I ever had any trouble when I was younger.
Yes?
Ooh! It speaks!
Don't be shy.
There could be three other people in this room
who want to ask the same thing but haven't got the courage.
Quite.
It doesn't matter.
Oh, I'm glad that's over.
I found those girls quite scary.
And you have to see them every day.
If there is anything you'd like to ask,
now might be the time to.
It's all right. I need to get back to work.
Thanks.
I'm sorry. Hmm.
I just stopped to talk to that girl, Alison.
The one in the massive woolly jumper?
And with chloasma across her nose and cheeks.
Well observed, Nurse Clifford.
Not everyone would notice the mask of pregnancy.
We got here too late, didn't we?
She's already having a baby.
And soon, by the look of things.
I will enquire,
but I'm afraid you will need to give me a telephone number.
Girl, you're as pale as death.
I can't work out whether you need a coffee break,
or just a bit more rouge.
Oh, I haven't been sleeping terribly well.
You are of course welcome to enquire again
at a later date.
Ladies, do we know of a nurse with the surname Warren?
What's the Christian name?
The gentleman didn't disclose it.
He had quite a formal manner,
I don't think he's accustomed to speaking on the telephone.
I can't think of anyone, can you?
No.
You go and find that rouge. I'm going to put the kettle on.
All right, love?
Chops and chips for tea
with a bit of onion gravy.
Not that jumper again.
I'm sick of the sight of it.
I tell you what.
Let's get your hair done.
I'll make us both an appointment
before your dad comes home next week.
I thought he wasn't coming back until Christmas.
And he's not my dad.
That's enough of that, Alison.
He brought you up as his own, so that's enough of that.
It's hard on us all when he's away working,
but we all feel the benefit, including you.
Look at the lovely life we have.
A cosy home. Good food on the table.
I know.
We're lucky, really.
Why is Jonty covered in jam?
I made him a sandwich for his tea.
Er, I was working through some papers.
He needs a balanced and healthy diet, Matthew.
The freezer's full of little casseroles.
Which he'd push round and round his plate, pulling faces.
He fell on that jam sandwich like a long-lost friend.
Did you speak to your mother about the car?
Trixie... You shouldn't just accept this lying down.
I'm not accepting anything lying down. I'm working
as hard as I possibly can to clarify
what we have left and what I can do with it. And...
..it's not all doom.
Isn't it?
Do you remember Chester, my school friend, in New York?
I remember being annoyed that you were doing business
whilst we were on our honeymoon.
I bought two large warehouses from him for an absolute song.
On behalf of Aylward Estates?
No. From my personal account.
Which means they're a personal asset.
Aylward Estates can't touch them.
Matthew, can you sell them?
Just get them off your hands and bring the money back here?
I-I-I don't know.
But I'm going to speak to Chester.
Has he called yet?
No, he was going out to dinner. He won't ring until after that.
Oh, yes. The time difference. Mm-hm.
Strangely, I don't mind waiting.
I can't remember the last time I felt this excited about anything.
Or even...particularly alive.
Darling, I was thinking that if it might help...
..perhaps we could discuss letting go of Jonty's nanny.
Oh, I've already given her notice.
Oh?
I'm going to get us out of this mess, Trixie.
Go get some sleep.
You deserve it.
You can't have come to bed before half past three this morning.
Why are you up so early?
He says that the property market in New York is on the up
and the district where I bought the warehouses
has been marked for massive redevelopments.
Chester thinks he can raise all the necessary capital.
So if we join forces, I could see
a return on my investment within five years.
Well, it's certainly something to discuss.
Yes. We were on the phone for an hour and a half.
You and Chester were on the phone for an hour and a half?
Mm.
I think this concerns me a little too.
Just like sacking the nanny concerns me.
Well, as soon as I have more details from New York,
you'll be the first person I come to. I promise you.
I got us into this mess.
I'm going to get us out of it.
Meanwhile, we live off my wages for five years?
We're married.
That's what marriage means.
And I'm...
..I'm so unbelievably grateful simply to have the chance
to build something new with you, for all of us.
Please, please let me redeem myself.
Help me!
Oh, my dear.
Oh! Are you unwell?
I'm going to have a baby.
Alison, have you spoken to anyone about this pregnancy?
The baby's father, your boyfriend?
No.
I don't have one.
Your mum?
She'll kill me.
No, she won't because we won't let her.
We are going to look after you and your baby.
And that starts with me taking a gentle look at you,
just to see where things are at.
Someone will call your mum and we'll break the news for you.
If you just lift your bottom up, we can slip your knicks off.
There we go.
You won't be needing those for a while.
Try to relax.
I can't.
Please don't make me.
It's all right, Alison.
You're safe.
This all looks very suitable.
But, my goodness, you keep yourself busy.
Well, I don't have much choice.
I can get through a couple of kids' cardies a day
if young feller-me-lad plays along.
How close do you let him get to that apparatus?
The knitting machine? He stays in his playpen.
You won't report me, will you?
I...I have got his name down for a nursery place.
Honey, look at me and listen.
You are doing a wonderful job.
Your home is spotless, and it's warm.
I can smell the cooking on the stove,
and your love for your little boy shines out of you.
Do you hear me?
Nobody ever said that to me before.
Well, somebody should have done.
Now. Let's take a look at you, shall we?
It was really hard to even examine her.
She was so tense and so distressed.
How dilated is she?
Eight centimetres.
She isn't coping with the pain at all.
I tried her with the gas and air but it was hopeless.
We can give her pethidine.
I think this might be a two-woman job.
Of course.
The poor girl's had no preparation and probably only
the vaguest idea of how Baby is going to get out.
If you ask me, she's only got the vaguest idea
of how Baby got in.
She says she's never even had a boyfriend.
Oi!
Oi, where are you going?
I don't think it's too early to ask the council
about improved play scheme funding for the summer.
November's a hard time for disadvantaged children.
They need to know they've got something to look forward to.
Hmm.
I hope they're not planning on parking by my shop.
Excuse me!
You can't leave these here. We...we...we can't get out!
It's all under control, Vi.
I only wanted a couple of crates.
You agreed to 20 hundredweight.
Yeah, but I didn't really know what 20 hundredweight looked like.
It looks like that.
And you were meant to deliver them round at MY shop, not here.
You sort this now!
Before the rats arrive.
Here, pal.
Hey, are you going to give us a hand or what?
My Alison is an innocent.
And I'm not being daft when I say that.
Look, I'm not one of them mums who thinks butter wouldn't melt
while her daughter's out acting like an alleycat.
No-one is suggesting that Alison has done anything wrong.
But, at the moment, she's scared and she's confused.
How did I not notice, Doctor?
And how are we going to cope?
Not to mention, how am I going to tell her father?
I have seen families going through this sort of crisis many times.
And things tend to turn out best when they all pull together.
I'm the one who runs everything.
He's working away, building the M6.
I mean, he's backwards and forwards
but you'd think it was going to the ruddy moon and back,
it's taking that long.
That's Alison, isn't it?
She sounds like I did when I was having her.
Alison, with the next pain I want you to be
as quiet as possible.
Gather up all that strength,
all that sound,
and use it to push that baby out.
Chin on chest now.
And a great, big, deep, deep, quiet push.
That's it.
That's it!
You have a little boy.
It's all over now, Alison.
As soon as Sister has cut the cord, we'll give him to you to hold.
Not yet.
When you feel ready.
There's some sugar in the spoon.
Thank you.
Nurse Aylward?
Is something amiss?
Are you looking for someone?
Yes.
I am visiting my cousin.
Doctor?
Miss Higgins thought you might be able to spare me
two minutes of your time.
What's the trouble?
Er...
I think the best way of summing it up
is to refer to "circumstances beyond my control".
Change, stress, money worries.
Trixie, you can tell me as much or as little
about your situation as you'd like.
I can't sleep.
I have to force myself to eat, but it's...
It's the insomnia that's tearing me to shreds.
How much sleep do you get each night?
A couple of hours, if you add it all together.
But I keep waking up.
And then when I do eventually drift off,
I suddenly feel as if I'm...falling,
or being pushed from somewhere very high.
And then I'm lying awake again.
Do you need to be signed off work for a while?
I'm better at work than you might think.
I drink coffee.
I cope, I can concentrate.
I'm in control.
But the nights are torment.
What I need is sleep.
I am going to prescribe you some sleeping pills.
They can only be a solution in the short term,
but if you can get some rest, you'll get some perspective.
I hope so.
Nitrazepam. You don't have to take them every night,
I wouldn't advise it.
But...try them,
and come and see me again in a fortnight.
Thank you, Doctor. I mean it.
I'm always here.
What are you doing with all those turnips?
That's for us to know and the Halloween goblins to find out.
Nurse Joyce!
You have a visitor.
He came to see you as a surprise!
Here, fancy a cup of tea?
I'll go to the shed and put the kettle on.
If we stop now, we'll be doing this at bedtime.
Evening, everybody.
There she is!
Cousin Joyce.
Sylvester.
How long has it been?
Er, four years,
since I came to England to start my training.
She looks even more like her mother now.
And even more like my mother.
They were sisters,
sadly both gone to glory in advance of us.
If they could see her now, they'd have so much to say.
When I saw you in the newspaper with your prize,
I could hardly believe it.
I didn't even know you'd come to England.
Mr Warren caught us all completely unawares.
The larder was entirely devoid of cake.
Mr Warren has been telling us he's hoping to settle
in Stepney and find work there.
Er, why Stepney?
I suggested Brixton.
Now the docks are shutting up shop,
there are more opportunities further west.
I think it's the docks that draw me.
Or at least the river.
Would you care for another cup of tea, Mr Warren?
No.
Thank you, but I have imposed long enough for one day.
If Joyce will show me to the door,
we'll make plans to meet again.
Of course.
Thank you, Sisters.
I hope our paths cross again.
So do we, Mr Warren.
What an absolutely charming young man.
I thought he was smarmy.
And I didn't like his shoes.
So...
...why Highland?
It was my mother's maiden name.
And why Joyce?
Why not your real name, Claudine?
Joyce is a modern name.
Joyce is the name of a woman who could say, "I have had enough,"
and then go in search of something more.
Claudine Warren was your wife.
And I am never going to be Claudine again.
We'll see.
You left me without even leaving a note.
You beat me and you abused me.
I was young.
And I was wrong.
People can change.
You grew up without shoes
and you became a qualified nurse.
But you are married to me.
And you can't change that
because I won't let you.
Enjoyed your visit?
I did. Thank you.
Come on.
Gosh, that was a shift and a half.
I felt tempted to leave my bike at the maternity home
and just crawl back.
Some days are harder than others.
Sister Julienne asked me to stay late and I could not refuse.
And now I find I've missed an absolute treat,
in the form of your cousin.
Will you please just shut up?
I...I'm sorry.
Was I going a little bit a mile a minute?
Maybe.
I can be awfully thoughtless sometimes.
Shall I go out and come back in and...and start again?
Child, please don't cry.
You're my friend.
You really are.
Turnips, turnips!
Get your turnips before they all go.
Free with your newspaper.
Free with a box of matches.
Just free, really.
No, thank you, Fred.
We've got enough at Nonnatus House.
Ah, Mrs Turner.
Can I interest you in a couple of turnips?
Free with the Gazette.
Two of them?
I'm calling it the Cook and Carve Double. Oh.
One for your dinner
and one to make into a lantern.
Oh! What a nice idea.
The children will be thrilled.
Oh, then take 'em one each, here y'are. Here y'are.
Thank you.
Oh, that's enough. Here, here, here, here.
Oh, gosh, no.
Oh, gosh...thank you.
Oh...
All the urine and blood tests from yesterday are back.
Thanks, Miss Higgins.
I suggest you look at Alison Casey's as a matter of some urgency.
Alison has syphilis.
Syphilis?
The girl's so naive she's barely had sexual intercourse.
And the disease then spread to this little chap.
Are you sure?
We can't be until he's tested.
But he's showing signs of mild fever and he's slightly jaundiced.
How's he feeding?
He doesn't seem that peckish.
I'm starting them both on penicillin straight away.
Now, keep an eye open for any sign of a sore mouth or a rash.
Doctor!
What about Alison?
There's a lot we need to find out.
Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.
Nurse Highland, is that you?
It's Gerri...Gerri Godfrey.
You're sounding a little anxious, Gerri.
Are things on the move?
The pains have started. They're coming quite regular.
That's lovely news.
Go home, and I'll be with you before you know it.
Where are you off to?
Gerri Godfrey.
My first solo home birth - wish me luck.
You don't need luck.
You can do it standing on your head.
Oh, I forgot to write down the address.
Oh, go and strap your bag on. I'll fetch it for you.
Flat 2, 7 Farfield Terrace.
Thanks. You're a true friend.
Well done.
That is Olympic-standard breathing.
If you were in bed, I'd give you a gold medal,
but you're only getting bronze cos you're still working.
That's that one over with.
Ah! Bed!
Your boy's safely with a neighbour
and the only machine of any interest to you and me
for the rest of this evening is the one with the gas and air.
Come on.
I got you.
Syphilis?
Is that like VD?
VD stands for venereal disease.
Syphilis is just one of a number of types.
And it gets passed on through sexual activity.
Sex?
Yes.
So how can the baby have it?
I've never had sex with him.
Do people think I've interfered with him or something?
It will have been passed on through your bloodstream,
while he was in your womb.
Your mum is still out in reception.
Do you want us to talk to her?
You're going to have to.
Cos I think she might have syphilis herself.
That's a disgusting thing to say.
In fact, it's worse than disgusting.
It's just...it's just plain wicked.
What does she mean?
I run a good clean home.
And a good, clean marriage.
We're a very happy family.
We're just very troubled by the things Alison seems to be suggesting.
You can tell me anything about your own health
and it will be kept in complete confidence.
I did have trouble with me waterworks last year.
Well, with me down-belows.
Like a bit of a boil.
Did you seek any help from anyone?
Well, you don't like to.
My husband works away.
I know he goes to tarts
but I never say anything.
He's a very loving man is my Stan,
and he's a good provider.
So I took some antibiotics I had left from when
the kids had tonsillitis, and it just went.
Some venereal diseases can appear to do that.
Including syphilis.
Well, there's nothing to say it was that.
You know, there's no proof.
Sorry, little 'un.
He won't get any more poorly, will he?
Not now he's receiving penicillin.
And you're looking after him so beautifully.
Have you decided what you're going to call him yet?
Mum says I should pick a family name.
But I'm certainly not calling him after my dad.
The one who ran off.
Or his dad.
Oh?
What name would that be, then?
Stanley.
He's my stepdad.
Your blood pressure's a little high, Gerri.
How are you feeling?
Like I'm having a baby!
I mean, are you feeling anxious?
Are you worried about what's coming?
Well, I'm not looking forward to it,
but it's not like I haven't done it before.
So, why don't we get you on your side?
I think you and Baby will find it more comfortable.
Dinner is served. No bursting into tears,
it's actually turned out quite well. What is it?
Savoury mince.
It turns out I'm quite good at cooking really cheap things.
How was today?
I've been speaking with Chester for most of it.
Was it good?
It was better than good. It was decisive.
I've accepted his offer to form a partnership,
starting right away.
In New York.
In New York?
I've agreed to go out for three or four months,
with immediate effect.
If things go well, we can confirm it's a permanent move.
Can we?
A fresh start.
To get away from all the things that we've failed at.
Or I've...I've failed at.
Matthew, if you try to force this through,
you're failing all over again.
You're failing to tell me crucial details.
You're failing to trust me to listen and to try to help you.
And you're failing to think that I might want a choice!
Well, you can have a choice.
You can choose to stay here and eat mince
and try to support a family on a nurse's wages
or you can choose to go to New York!
And a fresh start. You loved New York!
We were on our honeymoon! I would have loved Skegness!
Would you?
With you?
Yes.
I want to be the man that you fell in love with.
I want to be able to solve problems and be generous.
I want to have all the answers again.
I want to lay flowers at my wife's feet.
You bought me a cheese plant once.
Because I was scared of saying what I felt.
And now you're scared of me saying what I feel.
Which is that I want you to stop gambling
with what money we've got left.
I want to rebuild where we are, where we belong.
Well, that's not going to be possible.
Oh, you've decided that independently, have you?
Act now and tell the little woman later?
I am going to New York with Jonty.
If you need time to think about it, I don't
think that's unreasonable.
Oh! Thank you.
We will go.
And you can come when you're ready.
I've never even heard such a thing.
Even animals don't molest their young.
I was ten when it started.
Ten.
You'd told me nothing about what men did,
or could do.
You were too young to need to know about all that.
Well, he didn't think so.
Please, love.
Will you let me put my arms around you?
I don't like being touched.
By anyone.
It's how you feel after somebody takes no notice
of you screaming no.
I never heard you screaming!
I promise, I never heard you.
He taught me how to scream in whispers.
He said you'd run away if you found out.
My real dad had already run away.
So in the end I...I didn't scream at all.
I thought we were happy.
When he was away, I thought we were, too.
I saw you and Richard and Rachael,
all laughing around the dinner table,
and I nearly felt it was worth it.
He won't do it again.
I will make sure he doesn't do it again.
Are you going to let him come home?
Where are you going?
To find someone who's going to protect me.
I'm a mother now and I know when a mother has failed.
Good girl. Rest for me now. I'm going to check your blood pressure
before your next contraction.
I'm getting this weird pain in my side.
It's like it's there all the time.
I'm not going to hurt you.
I just need to see what might be going on.
Nurse, I don't feel right.
I know, honey.
And that's why I'm going to go and call for extra help.
Don't leave me. I'll be gone for less than five minutes.
And soon, everything will be better.
I have an obstetric emergency at Flat 2, 7 Farfield Terrace.
Yeah, I need the flying squad as soon as possible.
I suspect the placenta has partially detached.
Sylvester, I am needed by a woman in labour and her child.
Don't just walk away... I walked away from you years ago.
I will not let you drag me back into the past.
I am not in the past, Claudine. I'm right here.
The head's out.
What?
Should there be this much blood?
Just listen to me, honey.
Everything is going to be completely fine.
The pain in my side, it's getting worse.
The afterbirth is coming away before Baby's properly arrived.
Gerri, you are to do exactly as I tell you. Do you hear me?
Push now.
Now, now, now, now, now, now.
That's it.
You have a daughter.
Aww.
That should deliver the placenta.
I'm cold.
I know. I know.
You just hold on to your baby.
I need to apply pressure to your uterus.
Get into bed, Trixie.
I'm afraid I won't sleep.
We're still married and still have a future together.
And I'm afraid that I'll spend the whole night
lying awake asking myself
if all or any of those things are true.
I need to do this.
I know you do.
But I need time.
And there'll be an ocean between us.
Well, right now, this bed feels bigger than that ocean.
Take one of your sleeping pills.
Please.
Come and lie next to me and sleep.
Wait!
I wish you could come with me.
I'll be seeing you back here,
in your own home, within the week.
Mother and baby doing well?
Baby is picture-book perfect. Mother will recover.
What do you want from me, Sylvester?
I want to make a life here.
Immigration isn't easy for a single man.
The laws aren't what they were.
But when a man is married to a woman with a job
and professional qualifications,
it might be easier.
Do you need money?
Yes.
And you need my silence.
Do I?
You trained and qualified under a false name, Claudine.
You lied about your marital status and you carried on lying
by passing me off as your cousin.
You passed yourself off as my cousin.
And you did nothing to contradict me.
What would the good Sisters think of that?
I don't carry money with me.
It isn't safe.
I know where you live...
..Claudine.
Mr Robinson.
I, uh, I know you've been summoned in your professional capacity,
but I thought you'd be pleased to hear
that Nurse Crane and I have plans for your surplus of turnips.
Oh? Are they culinary plans?
Happily not.
The scheme involves the Cubs, Halloween,
and their activity badges.
Once the midwives discharge you and the baby,
I'll be your health visitor and can help you both settle in
with your new foster mum.
I'm her mum.
I should be looking after her.
I'm not coming back to that house until he's dead.
He's not coming back either.
I've spoken to him. I promise.
In a moment, I'm going to bring in Mr Robinson,
the child welfare officer assigned to the whole family.
He'll steer you through everything,
including what may happen if the police become involved.
The police?
You don't want to go to the police.
You need to put this behind you.
Alison will make her own decision, in her own time.
For now, all she should be worrying about is recovering
from the birth and choosing a name for her baby.
Nurse Clifford,
would you be so kind as to go and fetch Mr Robinson?
I've got a name for him now, anyway.
Martin.
There's never been anyone in our family called Martin.
That's the point, Mum.
We're starting new and going somewhere safe.
Sister Veronica says can you please come through?
Are feelings running high in there?
Mine as well as everybody else's.
Most of the time I adore this job.
But...
..sometimes, I can't bear it.
I am the same.
Are you going to be a good boy for your daddy?
Yeah.
That's the last of the cases in the taxi.
The cabbie's keen to get going.
Don't forget Jonty's satchel.
I've put his Dinky cars in it.
And some jam sandwiches.
Thanks.
I don't have much hope for him and aeroplane food.
I'm sorry.
Please come. Please.
You can come tomorrow if you want to.
And if you haven't decided what you want,
I won't force things.
I love you.
Let me help too.
Life, and love, follow patterns of their own.
There's never only darkness,
but there is never only light.
Flames burn more brightly in any given gloom.
There's the spark of the other in everything we feel.
Grief contains a mote of hope.
Joy is flecked with the fear that joy will pass.
And happiness shines in the shadow of its opposite.
We give, we receive,
we steal, we share.
We laugh together,
to keep the beasts at bay.
Because we are formidable and small.
We are valiant and fragile.
We are frail and invincible.
And we're only human.
I'm afraid I must ask you to leave.
Well, has something untoward occurred?
Help!
I have a very sick lady on my bus.
The cord is round its neck.
Look who's here! Sylvester.
Thank you for making me so welcome.
When did you last go to Alcoholics Anonymous?
Too long ago.