Call the Midwife s10e02 Episode Script

MATURE JENNIFER: In the spring of 1966 the ground did not feel entirely firm beneath our feet.
We were shaken by new revelations and stirred by ancient fears.
CHATTER The modern world brought uncertainty, and our troubles did not always vanish when we turned to face them.
BOOING Let me help you there, Mr Clarke.
I had a letter from Mother Mildred this morning.
I think it is somewhat preferable to a visitation.
Would you like to come to my office and hear me read it to our Sisters? I would not.
"I request you express my gratitude to Nurse Crane for her diligence "in providing photographic images of the exceedingly ".
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innovative new habits.
"My response is as follows.
"If the Almighty had intended us to dress in drip-dry fabrics, "the biblical plains should not have bloomed with flax.
"Are Ruth or Esther recorded as wearing Crimplene? "Did our Holy Mother ever appear in a pinafore dress? I think not.
"As the cost of this frivolity was presumably immense, "I instruct that every garment is put "direct in the charity box for the benefit of others.
"They might in due course be deployed as ".
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office wear.
" We are so grateful to you, Pastor Robinson.
I'm happy to be able to help.
I'm just sorry for your trouble.
Take your time, Mr Clarke.
We're not in any hurry.
Do you need to see a doctor about your leg? It's an old injury.
I was driving a lorry at the packing plant and there was an accident.
They blamed it on my inexperience.
Back home, he was an accountant.
But when he was discharged from the hospital, the packing plant wouldn't have him back.
And there's no work in book-keeping.
- Mmm.
- Or at least, no work to be had.
Not for people like us.
Of course.
That's fine.
Excuse me, Mr Scarisbrick, has Fiona Aylward been re-admitted? I'm afraid so.
Her husband telephoned to say she was feeling faint and running a temperature, so I asked him to bring her straight in.
- Does she have an infection? - I'm running all the usual checks.
Come with me.
We'll pop along and look at her.
Was there any doubt, when the baby was delivered, that the placenta and membrane were intact? None at all.
She was a little bit tearful when she arrived, so let's give her lots of reassurance.
Hello there! It's Mrs O'Malley, isn't it? I didn't know you were on our books again.
You look so glamorous.
Like a film star.
Off anywhere nice? Oh, go on with you, Sister.
I'm coming here for me check-up.
But it never hurts to make a little effort.
Know what I'm saying? I can tell it's not going down.
Well, temperatures can be naughty things.
Yes, I see no harm in some precautionary antibiotics, and we'll run a few tests to see if we can shed any light on the cause.
Sister Franklin will keep a kindly eye on you in the meantime.
It makes me smile just seeing you again.
Likewise.
I made this all by myself in a little kitchen down the corridor.
A pretty stern-looking matron gave me quite the stare.
- Hello, Sister.
- Hello, Mr Aylward.
An orderly would have been more than happy to do that for you.
Ah! Sister, we'll need to take bloods and swabs before we start the antibiotics.
- Of course, Mr Scarisbrick.
- Good day to you.
I'm looking forward to hearing all about baby Jonathan.
Oh, he's simply glorious! Getting bigger and bigger.
- Who's looking after him for you? - Matthew's mother.
I have to get out of here in short order, as I'm not sure she knows one end of the baby from the other.
She always had nannies for Matthew and his brothers.
Mrs Aylward, have you lost a little weight? Oh, I hope so.
Last time you saw me, I was giving birth.
But you have been off your food.
She didn't touch last night's beef stroganoff.
Beef stroganoff? No prizes for guessing who cooked that.
It was me.
Not exactly cordon bleu.
It should've been cordoned off.
Ah! I better organise your blood tests.
I'm so sorry.
You say you've lost your co-op card, but I can only find records for your little girls.
Is this the first time you've been seen with this pregnancy? Better late than never! Eh, Sister? Well, let's start at the beginning, shall we? Can you remember the date of your last period? We'll work out your due date and we'll take it all from there.
You're all right, Sister.
I know exactly when I got pregnant.
I imagine you'll be wanting a little boy if you've already got two little girls.
Mind you, it's always good to keep an open mind, don't you think? I'm giving the baby up for adoption, Sister.
That's why I don't care what sex it is.
That's why I've never been here before.
Now, if I could, I'd like to forget the whole thing, but every day I'm finding it harder to ignore.
But why are you ignoring it? Even if you you do want to give up the baby, there are things that have to be set in train.
Is there a form I need to fill in? You can take care of that for me, can't you? And anyway, aren't you married? I want to speak to someone more senior.
I need to see someone more official, like.
I-I didn't mean to upset you, Mrs O'Malley.
I Someone senior.
You heard me! - Is anything amiss? - No.
No.
Everything's in order.
Or it will be.
Actually, Mrs O'Malley, I've been working here for nearly two years now.
I'm senior enough to deal with this.
Maybe I can start afresh.
We all make mistakes.
You're preaching to the choir on that one, Sister.
Well, if you move the three o'clock to four o'clock, we should just about get away with it.
Why not? Well, I-I could take a taxi.
Very well.
I'll familiarise myself with the prosecution's arguments en route.
Ah! Er All right, all right, excellent.
Thank you.
I'll see you when I get there.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
I'm so sorry.
I I've dealt with worse spillages, believe me.
Did I do the right thing, bringing her in? Mr Scarisbrick talks about "feelings of faintness", but she went down like a tree.
She was out for the count.
I just panicked.
Of course you did the right thing.
Women are often a bit below par just after they have a baby, but it does make sense to look into any problems.
We'll soon have her back with baby Jonathan.
My husband, he's away at sea a lot, months at a time.
And a girl can get lonely.
You know what I'm saying? I think you're saying you've done things you regret.
Are you still in contact with the baby's father? It was so quick.
A fling, I think you'd call it.
What's done is done, Mrs O'Malley.
We need to deal with what's before you now.
The last time Dessy was home, I wasn't showing, so he was none the wiser.
And touch wood, if everything goes to plan he'll be away till after my due date.
So, what I think is best is that I have the baby don't tell him and put it up for adoption.
Do you not think your other children might work it out? They're very young.
I've hidden it from them.
I've hidden it from everyone.
I've been wearing a girdle when I go out, and then people just think I've been hitting the cream cakes.
Very well.
I suggest that as soon as your labour starts, you come straight to the maternity home.
DOOR CLOSES If there's anything you'd prefer, I'm sure Chef would be more than happy to prepare it for you.
It's imperative we get your strength up.
I need to visit the lavatory.
I could bring a commode, if that's any easier.
That won't be necessary.
Please I I just want you to take my plate.
Of course.
I want to do this alone.
I'm being mindful of my dignity! Of course.
THUD FIONA CRIES OU Oh, Fiona! I should never have left you.
Oh, I shouldn't have been so ridiculously stubborn.
Let's bite the bullet and join forces.
And I can assure you your dignity will be protected at all times.
Fred, can we take a fresh loaf, please? Someone's cooking up a storm tonight.
- Chocolate biscuits, as well? - CHUCKLES My kinda meal! Ah, not for me, I'm afraid.
For a homeless family I'm ministering to.
Homeless? No-one should be homeless in this day and age.
Hmm.
It happens more often than we realise - eviction, simply for getting behind on the rent.
It's not right, but it's real.
And we must help where we can.
No, no.
Put your money away.
Thank you, Mr Buckle, but there is no need.
It's too late for Mrs O'Malley to regret her mistakes.
I shouldn't have made her feel awkward about them.
She didn't need that.
Mrs O'Malley needs good, solid encouragement and an efficient midwife, and it sounds as though you gave her both.
I'll be giving her a home visit, too.
She's anaemic.
And she'll need iron tablets.
The main lesson you need to digest from this is that we need to be ready when a patient wrong-foots us.
It's like having a shilling in your pocket for the meter.
We must always be prepared.
Now, I believe we have an appointment with a cheese and onion flan! Gosh, it all feels as if it might soon be within our reach.
Has Mr Scarisbrick been in touch with you directly, Sister Julienne? He has indeed.
And I am reporting everything to Mother Mildred.
It certainly seems very "all systems go".
We shall see.
But the information thus far seems extremely satisfactory.
In my mind's eye, him look like Dr Kildare on the television.
Mr Scarisbrick? He's certainly quite suave, and there is a hint of a cheekbone, but he's very definitely the wrong side of middle-aged.
Maturity can bring very valuable experience.
THEY CHUCKLE Anyway, there's scant time for getting square-eyed at the moment.
We're rushed off us feet, being one man down.
The standard of care at the Lady Emily is excellent.
And no-one can deny that Mr Scarisbrick is genuinely caring, but I also am quite certain there is something we can take to the table there in terms of midwifery practice.
All the luxury in the world cannot take the place of kind and sensible support when a woman is at her most fragile, because when she is at her most fragile, that's when she finds her strength.
What do you think, Sister Monica Joan? Seek not wisdom beneath the branches of the mighty oak.
Its shadows cast confusion.
Stand, instead, beside the saplings.
There is more light.
You will gain clarity.
Ohhh! EXHALES - Iron tablets.
- That's what I call service! - Come on in.
- Thank you.
Oh, we aim to please.
Is that your husband? He looks lovely.
All he ever wanted was a family of his own.
Had a picture of it in his head.
Little house garden doting wife little boy little girl.
I gave him two girls.
It was near enough.
Maybe he'd understand.
His own family, Sister.
Well, from here on in, whatever happens, I can help you every step of the way.
Look at you.
You must be my age.
What happened, huh? I ended up like this and you ended up like that.
Mr Scarisbrick? Do we have the results of Fiona Aylward's tests? Not yet.
- How's her temperature this morning? - She's still pyrexial and seems unusually weak.
I didn't like the look of that petechial rash you spotted, as you know.
Septicaemia crossed my mind, but the rash hasn't spread.
I thought I'd root out the last set of blood tests we have for her whilst we wait for the results of her new ones.
Her antenatal tests? Yes.
They're not entirely consistent with a straightforward iron deficiency picture, so I've consulted with the haematologist at St Luke's.
He'd like to perform a bone marrow aspiration here on Friday.
He'll take a sample of soft bone tissue so we can see what's really going on in her blood cells, and to see if there's anything more serious lurking.
I do hope there isn't.
So do I, but we must investigate and wait.
You take good care of her in the meantime and her husband.
I will.
Ta-da! Are you feeling sad, Sister Monica Joan? "Sad"is such a specific word.
I feel a bit sad, if I'm honest.
It was something a patient said, not for the first time! But each time I hear it, it punctures me.
She pointed out that we were the same age but were on completely different paths.
We've led such contrasting lives.
Now, I know some Sisters think all the time about the sacrifices they've made to join the Order.
But I don't.
I hardly had to give up anything.
I entered the convent when I was seventeen before the Beatles, before the pill.
I've never had a boyfriend never mind been kissed.
Plus, I've never worn a miniskirt.
And I never will.
The pinafore dress was quite sufficient.
I was mortified when they made me wear that.
The first time I saw a miniskirt in Harrogate, I was quite perturbed.
I thought, "Oh, that that poor lady's skirt's ridden up "and no-one's told her.
" So I did.
I was very polite about it, but she gave me short shrift.
Can I really understand my patients' problems when I'm so unworldly? You are faced with a conundrum.
Conundrums require solutions.
Do you have one? No.
I, too, am challenged and can find no answer.
May I interject and venture a suggestion? Life never quite goes to plan, does it? I was just getting into my routine with Jonathan, and Oh, if I talk about him I shall cry.
You must miss him dreadfully.
I miss everything.
I just want to go home.
I miss my own bed.
I miss lining up my Le Creuset pans and musing on what I'm going to cook for Matthew! I miss writing in my journal, with Jonathan's head tucked in up against my neck.
You keep a journal? I hope it's full to bursting with delicious scandal.
You'll have to kill me to find out! Oh, there's nothing in it, really.
I always looked rather fashionable - I worked in advertising - but deep down, I'm actually quite old-fashioned.
You're in better company than you might think.
You too? I won't tell anyone if you don't! Who knows, maybe one day we'll both break out and run down Regent Street in our bikinis! It's a date! I'll book a baby-sitter.
PHONE RINGS Dr Turner's surgery.
How may I be of assistance? Miss Higgins, it's Sister Hilda.
Oh, Sister Hilda, how may I help you? I'm telephoning on the cadge, so to speak.
Hm Next time you're throwing out any magazines, would you mind passing them our way? I'm talking specifically about periodicals from the, er the more "groovy" end of the spectrum.
Well, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the term "groovy".
Er, but I could offer you Woman's Realm and The People's Friend.
I was rather hoping for Tit-Bits.
Might I remind you that this is a doctor's surgery and not a a beauty parlour on the King's Road? Of course, Miss Higgins.
I stand corrected.
I think it's best if you don't linger by the coatstand.
Miss Higgins is in an acerbic mood.
What's wrong with her? Oh, words have been had with Nonnatus House.
It wasn't to do with medical matters.
There is such a lot of tension underneath the surface.
Miss Higgins knows as well as we do that our fortunes are tied up with the Order but we have no control over what they choose to do.
Patrick, even if the Sisters do expand to the Lady Emily, they won't leave us in the lurch.
Sister Julienne's whole reason for doing this is to underpin their work in Poplar.
I do know that.
And I don't want to see them shut up shop for lack of funds.
Our general practice could survive without them, but the maternity home can't.
Just as they can't survive without us.
I'd grown to cherish the fact that we're so dependent on each other.
But things really do feel quite precarious right now.
It will fall on deaf ears if I tell you to have faith.
But I will say this - I am praying every day.
That's my girl.
Keep staring at the flowers, Mrs Aylward.
The local anaesthetic is working.
You shan't feel a thing.
Look at me, if that helps.
We're just double-checking a few things.
It won't take too long.
I might not be a haematologist, but even I know why doctors do bone marrow tests.
Mr Aylward What is wrong with my wife, Sister Franklin? Please.
I just want someone to tell me the truth.
The truth is we don't know.
But we're trying to find out.
The bone marrow test will help us rule out certain things.
"Certain things"? "Certain things" is It's all euphemism! Do we not need to move her to a proper hospital? With the best will in the world, this is a maternity clinic! If If she Mrs Aylward will be moved when the test results are in, if necessary.
And in the meantime, I've been thinking, if your wife is going to be here for a longer period than we first envisaged, we could set up an adjoining room for baby Jonathan, if you so desire, and bring in a nursery nurse.
That is a wonderful idea.
Thank you.
I managed to find some clothes for the children in the charity box at Nonnatus House.
We can take those over with the food for Mr and Mrs Clarke.
It's so warm and toasty in here.
I shudder to think how cold they must be in that place.
We'll warm them up soon.
Come and have a taste of this.
Cyril Robinson! You are beating me at my own game.
BOTH LAUGH BABY CRIES TRAIN RUMBLES PAS DOG BARKS DRUNKEN SHOUTING MUSIC FROM UPSTAIRS Fred Buckle! Hello, sweetie.
I have someone to see you.
Ohhh! Hello, you.
Oh, I've missed you.
JONATHAN CRIES Oh, what a beautiful face.
- I'm about to leave, Mr Scarisbrick.
- Sister Franklin! In another very soignee ensemble.
I wonder, Mr Scarisbrick, if you'd allow me to observe you in theatre tomorrow.
Of course.
Any particular surgery? I'd like to watch a D&C.
You seem to do them quite frequently.
I admire your diligence.
You are, of course, most welcome to attend.
SISTER HILDA: Read another! This is jolly good fun.
"Mothers, beware! "My three-year-old niece "recently locked her mother in a cupboard by mistake, "and she had to wait for my brother-in-law to return from the office "to get her out again.
Fortunately, they all saw the funny side.
"Miss AC (Wimbledon).
" I hope they're not renting a room out to any tennis stars.
Centre Court will be empty.
Do people really have nothing better to do with their time than to write such banalities in to women's magazines? I'm surprised the nation hasn't been driven to narcolepsy.
Tell us again about the Beatles' favourite family Christmas gifts.
I enjoyed that.
They feel like important matters for the woman about town.
Don't you agree? It's hard to believe they're the same stars we saw back in Rodney Bay.
Do you think they're looking down at us and thinking, "Fools"? No man who tries to get something better for his children is a fool.
And no woman, either.
I'm sorry, Faith.
I wish things were going differently.
Sister Franklin will be observing us today, ladies and gentlemen.
She has assured me there'll be no jeering from the cheap seats.
Hegar's dilator, if you would, please, Nurse.
A routine D&C.
Let's see what we'll find.
You've been busy.
It's the only thing he or she will have that's a little part of me.
Oh, I think they'll have more of you than you'll ever know.
I never knew my mammy.
She left when I was six weeks old.
And my dad had a bit of a temper, so I used to always think, "Why couldn't she take me with her?" This is hers.
It's the only thing of hers I have.
Well, apart from her nose, apparently.
I used to wonder, were we alike in temperament, were we, like, similar? Or I don't remember her.
Sometimes I think I do, but I'm kidding myself.
When I touch this I dunno I can feel her.
Is that mad? No.
No, not at all.
I always swore I'd never do to my kids what she did to me.
Well, guess what? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
SIGHS I'm now preparing to remove the products of conception.
This young lady was not entirely candid about her condition.
She's three months pregnant, not nine or ten weeks, as she told me.
I'm just glad she had the means and the common sense to come here.
God knows where she might have looked for rescue otherwise.
They have some wonderful competitions in there.
A lady who comes in here won a year's supply of Avon's new Tender Tints.
Not that you'd have much call for that, though! Ooh, and in that one, there's a wonderful true-life romance.
A young woman opens her heart to a doctor, and he helps piece her back together physically and emotionally.
I'll just take these two, please.
Thank you for letting me observe, Mr Scarisbrick.
I trust you found it informative.
I most certainly did.
That operation was entered into the theatre record as a D&C.
And it will remain on the record as a D&C.
It was an abortion! Sister Franklin, you knew what you were going to see in there.
That's why you asked to watch me working, was it not? I didn't know.
My suspicions were aroused.
And, meanwhile, I am under orders and honour bound to report back everything I learn about the Lady Emily to Sister Julienne.
- You know that! - And will you? There's much that could go unspoken.
So much does.
Women don't die here.
I'm not going to say that makes no difference, Mr Scarisbrick because this is less lethal than a backstreet kitchen table.
We're both entirely aware of that! But you are still breaking the law! All morals, all beliefs, all views aside, what you are doing is criminal, and I cannot allow the Order to walk into it.
I couldn't do it to them.
And you shouldn't want to! Do you not read the papers, Sister Franklin? The idea of hospitals performing abortions is being discussed in Parliament.
Being discussed in Parliament doesn't make it legal! Yet! I'm not interested in having a debate with you.
I'm interested in collating all the relevant facts so that I can put them before Sister Julienne and allow her to come to her own conclusions.
I trust this will all be done in confidence.
You're good at doing things in confidence, aren't you, Mr Scarisbrick? I think you'll find Sister Julienne's defining virtue is integrity.
It's so clean in here.
Everything smells so fresh.
It's a constant battle against the damp.
You have to keep on top of it.
Honestly, they chucked up these flats without a second thought of what it's actually like to live in them.
As soon as you put fresh paper up, it's mouldy.
The wind gets in, the rain Oh, Jacinta, I'm sorry.
I'm the worst woman in the world.
I'm not going to let you say that, because it's just not true! I wouldn't waste your breath, Sister.
Nothing you can say to change my mind.
And no matter how much I clean, I still feel so dirty.
I've told you, I'm not having this! I'm giving my child away, my newborn baby.
Every time I think about it, I just fall to pieces.
Hello? CHILD: Daddy's here! WHISPERS: Is that your husband? Hey, yous.
How are you? Look how much you've grown! Look what Daddy has for you.
One for you and one for you.
Where's your mammy? Huh? OK Where's your mammy? Huh? Jacinta? Jacinta, guess who? OK I'll Jacinta! - What the? - Hello, Mr O'Malley.
Suffering ice cakes! Are you Are you taking holy orders now? Jaysus, do I not even get a hello? Jacinta? What's going on? - Why won't me wife turn around? - Erm You dirty little tart! Mr O'Malley, no! Keep away from me, Dessy! Well, it's not mine, is it? Well, is it? Mr O'Malley, I'm going to have to ask you not to be violent, or I shall call the police.
Oh, shut your hole.
Well? No.
It's not yours.
Oh? Are we offering a delivery service now? It's just a couple of loaves and a and a few bits.
Nurse Anderson and Cyril told me about this family fallen upon hard times.
SCOFFS: Well, we'll fall on hard times if you keep on giving things away.
But, Vi, they're living in a squat.
And you said yourself there was a shortage of houses at the moment.
I don't know why I bothered locking up the shop today.
I should've just left the door open and invited everyone in for a free-for-all.
And no more tick! I'm going to put my hand in that till one day and find it empty because you've given everything away for free.
Please, Vi, just come with me.
I'm so sorry, Sister Julienne.
I know I'm interrupting the Great Silence, but when you hear what I have to say, I-I think you'll agree it can't wait until the morning.
Just through here.
This is Mr and Mrs Buckle.
They're the people that sent you that food the other day.
Er, we've brought you some more bits and bobs.
Er Er, some more corned beef, and swiss roll for the kiddies.
You're very kind.
You are most welcome.
We will reimburse you as soon as our circumstances allow.
We'll not hear of it.
You're in the East End now.
And in the East End, what we have we share.
- And this is commonplace there? - Yes.
It is.
Mr Scarisbrick has offered up a full disclosure.
One wishes he had done so without being asked.
It would appear our bid to save Nonnatus House by going into private practice is now over.
- Is there something you wish to say? - I'm angry.
I'm angry that wealthy women can go there, and ordinary women end up on a table in a room above a pub, that whether you are damaged internally is down to how much money you have.
The haves have it all, and the have-nots are yet again cast aside.
And yet I I like Mr Scarisbrick.
I respect him.
And just in this moment, that makes me angry, too.
Anger is always an interesting emotion.
It never comes without questions in its wake.
You will work a week's notice at the Lady Emily, after which we will not speak of it again.
They're your dirty shoes.
Take them off.
Or don't step on the rug.
Er, you don't tell me what to do.
I tell you what to do.
Ball's in my court now.
Talking of which, you've been unfaithful.
Any court in the land would say that you're an unfit mother - and give them kids to me.
- She's not an unfit mother.
She's a very good mother.
Who cares what some nun thinks? It's what the courts think that matters.
And they'd agree with me.
She's damaged goods.
And for the record, I'm only here to see my kids while I make me mind up on what to do.
I'll show you out.
They should have mended the lift today.
Sorry, there's something I have to do.
Do you have no sympathy for your wife, Mr O'Malley? Left alone while you were at sea? I know life isn't as black and white as it is in the agony columns and letters pages! And I know it must be very hard to forgive what Jacinta's done.
It It must feel like a betrayal.
Feel like a betrayal? It is a betrayal.
Look, there's a lot in life that I don't have the greatest grasp on, but I do know that she's a good woman.
And I do know that she just wants what's best for all your children.
"All"? I've only got two, love.
That thing in there is not mine.
KNOCK ON DOOR DOOR OPENS It might be best to sit down, Mr Aylward.
That sounds ominous.
Why don't I take baby Jonathan off your hands for a while? Dr Carlson has got the results of your bone marrow aspiration.
We've consulted.
I'm afraid it's not the news we'd hoped for.
The tests show that you have acute myeloid leukaemia.
This This is ridiculous.
I mean, she only came in with a fever.
What have you done to her? - Matthew - I am sorry, Mr Aylward.
Puerperal fever and leukaemia have very similar symptoms.
So you missed it? Is that what you're saying? This was some sort of misdiagnosis? I'm not saying that.
Perhaps you and I could speak outside, Mr Aylward.
- Please may I have my son? - Of course.
Darling? Nobody's made any mistakes.
And nothing you do or say now is going to change the fact that I'm ill.
There must be something more that you can do for her.
Trust me, Mr Aylward, we will explore all avenues.
There's a specialist in Manchester, a Dr Prince, I wish to telephone for guidance, and we should try a blood transfusion, see if that can't perk your wife up.
I fear she needs a little more than just perking up, sir.
No.
Currently, I do not advise moving her to another facility.
She's just too weak.
Call me naive, but I refuse to give up hope.
Oh! Mrs Buckle mentioned you were in her shop the other day purchasing some magazines.
I've broken a rule, haven't I? Have I? I think it's tremendous that, er, you're keen to understand young women like Mrs O'Malley, on many levels so very different from yourself.
If reading such publications facilitates that I am learning a lot.
then it can only be good.
I hereby grant you permission to read one women's magazine a week, so long as you do so in the parlour during recreation and you don't take said publication up to your room.
KNOCK ON DOOR Are you writing in your journal, Mrs Aylward? Please call me Fiona.
It seems rather pointless standing on ceremony now.
- Could you do something for me? - Yes, of course! I'm writing a letter to Matthew.
Well just in case.
If I dictate it, could you write it for me? Of course.
I only got as far as "Dear Matthew" and then I rather ran out of steam.
Sometimes, when I have to do something incredibly difficult, I find it best to just say what's in your head.
Who cares if it jumps about? We can always fillet it down and make more sense of it later.
I don't care if I have to write it a hundred different times.
We'll make it wonderful.
Ready? Ready.
And the blood transfusion? Doesn't seem to have helped.
If she's deteriorating rapidly, you just have to let nature take its course.
- It's funny - SHE SIGHS no amount of money can make Fiona Aylward better.
I suppose at times like this we are all as poor - or rich - as each other.
My mother went to Harrods yesterday, bought Jonathan a sailor's suit.
I'm worried he might look like Popeye.
I think she's reliving my babyhood.
The next thing you know, she'll be putting his name down for prep school.
We always said we don't want him to board, didn't we? We want him home every night all three of us round the table eating supper together and - KNOCK ON DOOR - .
.
watching the television.
Fiona's parents are here.
POP MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES CRIES OU GROANS JACINTA CRIES OU BREATHES HEAVILY GROANS AND CRIES OU JACINTA GROANS Go! Phone box! Phone Nonnatus House.
Now.
GROANS BABY CRIES Come here, sweetie.
CRIES OU Darling, if you need to go go.
- Mum? - Jacinta? Back to bed, girls.
Back to bed now.
SOBS Is it dead? It's not breathing.
Please check it now.
Darling, don't worry about me and Jonathan.
We'll be fine.
Do not worry about anything.
You can go.
Do something, please.
Just rub its back.
- Yeah, rub.
- Come on, little one.
Come on, now.
- Come on.
- BABY CRIES That's more like it.
I can't believe it.
Oh, thank God.
Oh, you certainly wrong-footed us, Jacinta.
You've delivered this baby - all on your own! - Thank God you're here, Sister.
- Is it all right? - Well done, lad.
You can stand down for now.
And go and put that kettle on.
Tell me, is my baby all right, Sisters? All's well, Jacinta, all's well.
Thank God you're here.
Pulse 96.
Placenta still appears to be attached.
She's gone.
It's just us now, soldier.
Just us.
Aren't you the cleverest mother ever? Do you know what you've got yet? A little boy.
How about that after two girls? You let us know when you feel ready to hold him.
She may not want to.
We've done enough in a rush for one day.
All in good time.
He's so gorgeous.
I hope that cup of tea's on its way! And then we'll be needing more hot water to bathe the baby.
We don't want any heat escaping.
Or any cold coming in.
Mother and baby need to be kept warm.
Water.
Warm.
As a last kindness to your lovely, lovely wife I have to give you this.
I was with her when she wrote it.
And I promised her I would.
Do I have to read it now? Sometimes, some things are best left for another day.
Will it hurt? Yes.
Because it's beautiful.
When will the undertakers come? Not yet.
SOBS I'm so very sorry to intrude out of working hours.
Can I tempt you to a nice cup of Earl Grey, Sister Julienne? There's some in the pot.
I would have been perfectly content with ordinary tea, but thank you.
And a little home-made shortbread? Oh, just the tea would be delightful, thank you.
You said you had news.
Indeed.
I do.
And that it would be music to our ears.
I have decided to cut all ties with the Lady Emily clinic and with Mr Scarisbrick.
No partnership with them would be appropriate.
I was always concerned about it, Sister.
I know you acted at all times in the interests of those people we care for in Poplar, but at what cost? Not at the cost of legality or the Order's moral standing.
Ah.
I take it Mr Scarisbrick has a certain sideline.
What sort of sideline? Indeed.
He does.
The termination of unwanted pregnancies.
Oh! Sister, they all do it.
Why wouldn't they? I have been naive at best, wilfully, doggedly blind at worst.
The scheme had too much to commend it.
It It could have made such a difference here.
But at what cost? You've cancelled the relationship on point of principle.
In my experience, there's no better reason for ever doing anything.
Thank you.
And now we have to find another way ahead or Nonnatus House will not be serving anyone.
I'm sorry.
- Goodnight.
- Good evening.
This is for Mr Clarke.
He has a job interview! Really? Your trousers are going to be very long on him.
Mrs Wallace has come to our rescue again.
She knows a dry cleaner in need for a part-time book-keeper.
Mr Clarke has his interview tomorrow.
A dry cleaner? It's a wise move to send him in a suit.
Do you want me to pick him out a tie? Mm-hm.
What's going on in that little head of yours, pal, eh? We thought we'd lost you there, you know.
Thank the Lord we didn't.
Dessy, I'm so sorry.
There isn't even an excuse.
We all get lonely.
But he's here now, and well, you always had that picture in your head the house a boy.
Well, this little boy's come along through no fault of his own.
There's a new picture now, all right.
The reason I telephoned was I wanted to thank you for everything that you did for Fiona.
I appreciate it hugely more than I can I can ever say or will ever get the chance to say, probably.
Delivering her baby was a joy.
And looking after her was a privilege.
I don't want to hang up.
If I hang up, it means I have to go to the funeral.
- I so wish I could be there.
- I keep wishing Fiona could be there which is just bloody silly, really.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Mr Aylward.
SIGHS You look like a gentleman again.
I have been helped by one.
And there are some good people in this country.
Right, then.
I better go and call the lift.
I'll, er I'll I'll see yous when I get back.
All four of you.
Really? Oh, Dessy! Goodbye, girls.
Goodbye, little fella.
MATURE JENNIFER: Certainty isn't everything.
Sometimes the unknown is better than the known, and courage and love make many things possible, if not all.
Much is asked of people on a journey.
Humility is called for and acceptance and resolve.
These are the quiet gifts.
These are the qualities that help us to stand fast when the world would have us falter, and our path is strewn with stones.
So move forward, putting one foot in front of the other, other lives in front of ours.
There is pain but there is love and there is hope.
It seems we are to have a visitor.
And where will the young gentleman be sleeping? Three hours I waited.
I won't be coming here again.
How bad do things have to be before you'll help me? You know, children, you have - an exceptionally clever mother.
- Yay! I may be verging on decrepitude, but I am not yet dead!