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1 "A place for everything,

"and everything in its place," or so the proverb exhorts us.

But life does not always pay attention to our rules.

The world is inclined to shift and change,

according to its fancy or its will.

Turning habit on its head,

offending the established order.

We survey the chaos of the landscape and despair.

How can this ever be rectified?

And what are we to do with the detritus?

Blimey!

- It's a big one! - Mm.

It'll be carrots morning, noon and night!

Ugh!

Scram, you... so-and-so.

Good morning, ladies.

How does it feel to be guardian of the Rolodex?

Rather wonderful. Although I do hope

Nurse Crane's having a delightful Devonshire break.

Now, today I will be leading

the early ambulation seminar at St Cuthbert's.

I shall be teaching our colleagues to encourage new mothers

to be up and out of their beds soon after delivery.

Nurse Highland will be representing Nonnatus House.

So the advice is to no longer rest in bed for ten days?

That is correct. It's a new way of thinking.

Sister Julienne has already given her approval.

Sister Catherine and Nurse Clifford,

you'll be at the maternity home today.

May I ask, is there any news on the offending rubbish pile?

It's an outrage.

It is, but the binmen just want

what's rightfully owed to them for their hard work.

55%, I heard!

Leaving the whole of Poplar diseased in their wake.

Sometimes people's only route to change is to withdraw labour.

I mean, it can't be an easy decision for these binmen to make.

We should remember how moved we were

when our pay rise was finally awarded.

We don't generally see patients in this building,

but we do maintain a clinical room,

and the midwives have to cross that court a dozen times a day.

If I ruled the world,

we'd have everyone walking through troughs of disinfectant

like they had to during foot-and-mouth.

It's too close to the school.

That's my first objection.

Well, it's also too close to the market

and to shops where food is sold.

I'm just glad you're back on the Board of Health,

so you can discuss our fears with the council.

It's certainly good timing.

But how much it will help still remains to be seen.

Oh!

Ugh.

I came out without my hankie!

Take mine.

Oh! Thank you.

Thank you all for your questions,

and for taking such a keen interest in the principles of

early ambulation after childbirth.

Now, notebooks down

and everybody on their feet, please.

Come along, chaps, don't be bashful.

Nobody likes an embarrassed obstetrician.

Nurse Highland, would you take the lead

walking anticlockwise around the room,

keeping up a nice, steady pace?

Never mind the furniture!

These exercises will be performed by new mothers

in their homes and maternity wards,

not in empty gymnasiums!

Now, as you progress,

take note of the effect it's having on your bodies.

Any observations?

Er, it's raising my heart rate.

Oh!

And giving me bruises on my shins!

Now, before we move on to the leg and foot exercises,

perhaps someone could provide us with a recap

of the benefits of gentle exercise during the postpartum period.

Perhaps Nurse Highland can enlighten us.

Er, it promotes rapid resumption

of normal bladder and bowel functions,

plus better drainage

and speedier involution of the uterus.

Also, fewer respiratory complications occur.

Mm-hm.

Now, I'd like you all to lie down on the floor, please.

Come along!

If your white coats get dirty then you can

put them in the wash.

Bernie Midgely. Bun in the oven, just about done.

And I'm not talking about these rum babas.

I brought you all a few treats from our bakery.

How kind!

I must confess I have a soft spot for a rum baba.

I'd have put you down for a custard slice type.

Bruce!

What's wrong with ya? It's only a flight of stairs!

This case weighs a ton!

I'm in here for ten days!

And I don't want to end up wearing my knickers twice.

Oh! All right, all right.

All right, now.

This is number three now. You can do this standing on your head.

Oh, that'd be a sight worth seeing!

I will escort you to the ward.

Er, I'm afraid smoking is not permitted there.

Oh.

And as we're outside visiting hours, neither are husbands.

Unless you intend to be present at the birth?

No.

My phone number's printed on the outside of the cake box.

We will communicate news at the first opportunity.

Following on from the somewhat equivocal success

of the measles vaccination programme,

the next item on the agenda is the refuse workers' strike.

Turner.

If I could draw the committee's attention to the council policy

of siting rubbish dumps in largely residential areas.

It is a serious risk to public health.

I, in turn, feel that the committee should

draw this matter to the attention of Mrs Buckle,

who in her current capacity as mayor

has a degree of jurisdiction over civic insurrection.

The workers have the right

to strike for improved pay and conditions.

Mrs Buckle, if there was a trade union for GPs,

I would join it myself.

But, with respect, the children at St Wilbur's

have the right not to have a disease-ridden dump

within yards of their school gate!

Dr Turner, everyone wants this resolved as soon as possible.

Sentiments shared by the mother of the six-year-old twins

with diarrhoea and vomiting I was called out to this morning.

There are refuse disposal sites all over Tower Hamlets.

These cases are going to multiply and worsen,

and other diseases will creep into the mix.

I suggest we make Dr Turner's shrewd assessment

a matter of record.

Would somebody please propose and second?

- Yes. - Brysedale.

Chaudry. Thank you.

Let us see if our concern

will prompt any action on the mayor's part.

Right, time to get you up onto the bed.

Oh, you're having a laugh.

Don't worry, we'll give you a hand.

I reckon you'll need a crane.

All right.

I'm so sorry, Dr Turner.

I do want you to know

I fully appreciate how unacceptable

this situation with the refuse is.

I suppose we're both just trying to do our jobs.

And I suppose the sooner you do yours,

the sooner I can do mine.

I just wish I could impress upon you

how slowly the wheels of bureaucracy turn.

Even getting the minutes of council meetings signed off

takes an age.

They say time and tide wait for no man.

But neither does disease.

And meanwhile, the dustmen are driving a very hard bargain!

Would you like a lift, Violet?

Thank you.

I'd appreciate that.

This is novel.

I have not seen a midden in our midst since I was young.

Just as well disinfectant's been invented.

Can I have a go?

No, no. This is industrial strength, this is!

It's disgusting.

Oh, come this way!

Mr Buckle will assist you with deposition, if required.

Thank you.

Are there any rats?

I think not.

But if there were, they are all God's creatures

and we must treat them as such.

Sister Monica Joan? Come away!

You shriek as if a doodlebug had landed.

If a doodlebug had landed, you'd be dead.

And it's time for compline.

Well done!

Well done. Baby's head has just arrived.

What? What's the matter?

I'm just slipping the umbilical cord out of the way.

Baby was wearing it like a necklace.

Now, with this next contraction,

I need you to push down again, as hard as you can.

You know the drill.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Keep going!

Wonderful work. Wonderful!

You have a little girl.

Two minutes past eight.

She is the sweetest little thing.

Oh!

Oh, hello.

Sugar and spice and all things nice!

Aww.

Oh, I hope she improves before her father sees her.

You've got the right idea, Tony. I wouldn't mind a go of that.

There's rubbish on the war memorial.

Put it down, Reggie, you haven't got your gloves on.

On the war memorial.

Absolute sacrilege.

Oh!

This is positively the final straw.

Get out!

Oh! Where on earth is Cyril's cat when he's needed?

In fairness, I did see him

with a dead one in his mouth last night.

He's not going to kill many on his own.

We'll make a start on the morning list.

You go and sanitise your saddlebag.

I think you should check yours before you go sailing off.

He might have started a trend.

It's a good job I popped by

with those meals-on-wheels forms, Mr Butler.

I was expecting a lively conversation

about toad-in-the-hole versus hotpot,

not all this, having to get Doctor.

I tried banging on the floor.

But the neighbours didn't hear.

May I take a look in your eyes, please?

Hmm.

You have got a nasty infection of some kind,

there's no doubt about that.

Possibly because the rubbish outside is attracting vermin.

We've always had rats.

But they used to keep themselves to themselves

till now.

That rubbish dump is like a holiday camp for them.

They're having the time of their lives

and bringing all their relatives.

Ambulance, now.

No need to worry about rats in the bags any more,

Sister Julienne, because we're storing the bikes in here

from now on, and I have it on great authority

that rats can't climb the stairs.

I shall be putting traps down regardless.

I hope they'll be of the humane variety.

I can assure you,

they will not.

Right, ladies, shoulders back and extremities at the ready.

Nurse Highland has had the benefit of private tuition from myself,

so if in doubt, follow her example.

We will begin by gently rotating the left foot

in a clockwise direction.

Oh, other way, honey - that's anticlockwise!

I never could tell the time!

So, this is meant to stop our ankles swelling?

Precisely.

Full rotations, Nurse Highland. No short-cuts!

Now, please do remember, this is not purely about these exercises.

We very much encourage you to...

...take short walks to the nursery,

go to the bathroom unassisted and above all else,

avoid excessive rest in bed.

Mrs Midgely, why don't you walk Baby to the nursery

and settle her to sleep in there?

No. It'll disturb her.

Where are those nice nurses from yesterday?

Off spreading their wings on house calls.

Don't even try making your way to that bike shed.

You'd need a machete to get through that rubbish.

- Shall I just park up here? - No, give it here.

We're storing them inside while the rats are on the rampage.

Thank you.

Have you checked Baby's nappy?

Yes. It's not that.

I've been through all this, twice over.

I know you have, and you're doing really well.

What about a little walk around?

It might do you and Baby some good, you know,

perhaps help to settle her?

I'm all right here.

I could come with you.

No.

I don't need you watching over me,

criticising me.

Honey, I wasn't criticising.

I'm sorry if you thought I was.

I was just trying to help.

Course you were.

And, please,

don't call me honey.

Hello, Nigel.

Sorry.

That clearly didn't suit.

Oh, ladies, you are being diligent!

You can keep this up when you get home tomorrow.

Settle back in bed now, it's feeding time.

I brought little Rebecca in first as she seems quite peckish.

We'll fetch the others in a moment.

Can't you feed mine, Nurse?

I'm so tired.

I can't see any harm in you catching up with some rest.

You are lucky!

This, I cannot ask of others.

Well, you do things differently, don't ya?

Is that a rum baba?

I've often stopped to admire them in the cake-shop window.

May I be of assistance?

I need to book in Baby Edwards to see Doctor.

St Cuthbert's sent him home with undiagnosed tongue-tie.

Not feeding and not gaining weight.

I don't suppose we could get him in today?

Surgery is full.

I can create a space at ten past five.

Thank you. I'm in your debt.

In which case, I would appreciate a favour.

It involves assistance with the Cubs.

I see.

I assured Nurse Crane we would complete

all elements of the Bronze and Silver Arrow badges

before she returned from Devonshire,

and I fear that we are going to fail her.

What's the stumbling block?

It's a section called Know Your Area...

I've just telephoned St Cuthbert's to enquire about Albert Butler.

That nice old man?

He died last night.

Weil's disease,

which is spread by rats and in contaminated water.

I wondered how long it would be before that rubbish dump

claimed somebody's life.

The first fatality.

I'm worried it won't be the last.

Mum! Mum!

What is it, Reggie?

I need more toilet paper.

Oh, love.

I heard you getting up in the night

but I didn't realise you were poorly.

Have you been sick as well?

It's the other end that's gone wrong.

I need to feed Nigel.

Well, never mind about Nigel.

I'm going to get you some flat pop and some kaolin and morphine.

And more toilet paper?

Mm.

I'm discharging myself with immediate effect.

Mrs Midgely, this is most irregular.

I'll tell you what's irregular.

The amount of shut-eye I get in there.

I can hardly string an hour's sleep, there's that much going on.

Mrs Midgely! What are you doing dressed?

Mrs Midgely has announced her intention of returning home.

But that won't do at all.

Baby is barely two days old, and you need our care.

Meanwhile, I've got a nine-year-old

and a six-year-old to care for and a bakery to run.

Now, I'm going to put a coat and a hat on my baby,

and I'd like you to telephone my husband.

Nigel?

Whatever's the matter, you poor little thing?

Oh, that's handy.

Violet just called me to tell me to give him his pilchards.

Come on, Nigel. Room service awaits.

Fred, I don't think he's very well.

I'd stick with the good old-fashioned

tummy-bug remedies until further notice, Violet.

I honestly don't think it's anything more sinister

in Reggie's case.

Well, thank you for casting your eye over him, all the same.

Well, I was passing.

With the news that somebody has died

as a direct consequence of that monstrosity around the corner.

Which is itself a direct consequence of the binmen's strike.

I'm not a fool, Dr Turner.

I do know that this debacle

probably caused Reggie's gippy tum.

Because of my position,

I've been trying to take a dispassionate view.

But once people start dying

or even getting knocked off their feet with the trots...

Dispassion gets a bit harder to maintain.

Enough is enough!

I'm taking up the cudgels.

I hope I'm not developing an allergy to cats, Nigel.

We've been good friends until now.

That's right, little chap.

Sleep's the best medicine for you.

Rosalind?

Fred let me in.

I found Nigel ill on the street

and I didn't want to leave him on his own.

Oh!

Hello, my friend.

What's the matter?

He keeps trembling,

and I can't convince him to eat or drink anything.

- He feels cold. - Hmm.

Do you want to try some pilchards from a fork,

that special way you like them?

Thank you for looking after him.

I think it's you he wants.

Today, rather than working in our usual sixes,

we're joining forces

- as a team... - Ow!

I saw that, Abdul!

Those of you working towards your Arrow badges,

this part will involve going about the local area

and noting places of interest and history in our community.

When we return, you will each report back

three facts about the site that interested you most.

Are you ready?

Yeah!

And here comes Baloo! So we're all set.

I'm terribly sorry, pack,

but there's been a change of plan.

Tonight's session will be in the hall...

Aww!

..as the refuse site makes it too dangerous

for us to venture out in Poplar.

But the rubbish dump's exciting!

Precisely.

Instead, we will have to use the directories and map

and... our trusty A-Z.

Goodnight, Cyril.

Goodnight.

- First! - No, I did.

There is plenty to go around.

This is no way to achieve your badges.

This is... This is boring!

Can I have butter on this?

No, dry toast is all you're getting

until we're sure we've got this tummy bug on the run.

Oh!

You're looking perkier.

What's this, homework?

Ammunition for the next meeting.

Thank goodness for Miss Higgins and her intelligence network!

Diarrhoea and vomiting are not notifiable diseases,

so they've been going under the radar.

In the past week, there have been 24 cases

in just three GP surgeries.

Better go down the cash-and-carry and stock up on bog roll!

I don't think so. That would be profiteering.

Just when you thought life couldn't get any more exciting...

..I found some mini swiss rolls in the cupboard

and rustled up some Horlicks.

Oh, gosh.

Thank you.

I've just realised I didn't eat anything this evening.

Maybe that's why your face is pale as paper.

She has big dark rings round her eyes as well.

I'm not liking this at all.

I must confess, I've got a dreadful headache.

I'm fetching you some aspirin.

You get some food and drink inside her.

I'm running a fever, aren't I?

Yes, sweetie, you are.

Come on, my friend.

Just try.

Please, just try?

In the morning, I'm going to take you to the vet.

I don't even know where the vet is because you were never sick before.

You're always full of life and adventure,

marauding your way all over Poplar.

Coming home and telling me all about it.

What mice you killed.

What walls you walked along.

We need to get you back on your feet.

I need to see you sitting on your step in the sunshine,

waiting for me.

I need you to last till the morning...

..so I can take you to the vet.

Come on!

Come on, she's not going to wait for you.

Sh.

Oh, not that one! That's one of the old ones!

Sh, sh, sh, sh.

If you wanted to be waited on hand, foot and finger,

you should have stayed at the maternity home.

I told you, they changed the rules.

I was run ragged doing exercises every five minutes.

I've got to get the bread on and the boys to school.

- Come on, lads. - Sh, sh, sh.

Oooh!

There we go.

Don't leave me, Nigel.

Oh, no, my poor little man.

Oh, my poor friend.

My friend...

Oh!

You shouldn't be out of bed, child.

I don't think I can get back there on my own.

Don't even try it. I'm going to help you.

I tried taking my pulse earlier,

but it really wasn't very reassuring.

It's time for you to be the patient now,

and let others look after you.

I think I know what this is.

But I want it confirmed in hospital.

Hospital?

I'll come with you.

In the ambulance if necessary.

The sooner we get you there the better, I think.

Thank you, Fred.

It'll be nice knowing he's nearby.

I imagine you want to say a little prayer.

I'll stand back and when you've finished, I'll cover him up.

You know, I'm not generally sentimental about animals, but...

..I'm going to miss his little face.

We were strays together.

He had no-one and I had no-one when we met.

He wasn't too keen on the flat being a church

and I wasn't too keen on the smell of pilchards

but, er...

But we made a home together.

I used to wonder what he would do if Lucille came back.

I suppose that's immaterial now.

She is never coming back.

I hoped for so long.

I prayed for even longer.

Even after she asked for a divorce.

- I see. - I prayed because I...

..didn't know what to say.

Whether I should fight on or just give in.

And in the end, it wasn't God that gave me the answer.

It was Nigel.

How did he do that?

I'll tell you one day.

But I am going to get a divorce.

Hold up!

There's an ambulance pulling up at Nonnatus House.

Could there be something wrong with Sister Monica Joan?

Pick any flowers you want. I'll report back.

Stop it.

This way.

Midwife calling!

Good morning, Mrs Midgely.

I was hoping I'd see you again.

Sister Catherine will take a look at Baby

and I will cast my eye over you.

Once you've put that cigarette out.

This is my house. We play by my rules.

Apart from when I'm examining you.

And while I do that, you have to play by mine.

And what about your nipples? Are they sore?

Well, I would have said if they were, wouldn't I?

It is my job to check, Mrs Midgely.

Sore nipples can be very painful

and we wouldn't want you experiencing

any unnecessary discomfort.

I said they're fine!

Umbilicus is clean and free from infection.

Oh, dear, little one!

Perhaps getting out of this room,

walking Baby around the flat, might do you both some good?

We don't need to walk around. We need to rest.

It worked with the boys, it'll work with her.

Well, every baby's different.

And I have to say, I agree with Nurse Highland, you know.

Lying in bed all day, it won't do you any good.

She's a bad influence on you.

Give me my baby and get out!

I haven't completed your examination, Mrs Midgely.

Yes, you have.

Go!

Sh, sh, sh.

Excuse me, madam.

I'm from Thames Radio, London.

May I ask for your opinion on the dustmen's strike?

You certainly may.

I, along with many others, am living in a state of siege.

I cannot open my windows,

I am unable to have my milk delivered,

I'm spraying eau de cologne about as if it were tap water.

I am now about to walk to my work

in a hard-pressed doctor's surgery

because that eyesore prevents me from moving my car.

Perhaps while she is at the doctor's surgery,

she may locate her backbone.

Pardon me?

This is merely a transient inconvenience.

What has become of the population's moral fibre?

Radio Thames, London.

Would you care to elaborate, madam?

Yes.

Yes, I would.

Should I write down that she threw us out in my notes?

It happens. The usual phrase is,

"Mother declined attention at this visit."

That's a polite way of putting it.

I thought she was very rude to you.

It would appear that I can confirm the GP's

suspicion of Weil's disease.

The blood tests are also showing

some compromised kidney function.

It's all right, Rosalind.

Now they know what it is,

they can concentrate on bringing the fever down.

Penicillin is the treatment of choice.

Intravenous, in this case.

If we don't get the infection on the run

in the next 24 hours,

well, we're entering very difficult territory.

Trixie?

Will you pray with me?

Oh, sweetie.

There are so many people so much better at that than me!

Please.

I can't get the words straight in my head.

You close your eyes, and I'll close mine.

I bet she got full marks off the midwives.

I wouldn't know. I sent them packing.

What for?

Cos I can't stand that West Indian!

She thinks she's everybody. Keeps telling me what to do.

- Well, she's wasting her time there. - Yeah.

How about I bring you a cup of tea and a cream horn?

Oh, that's the best medicine in the world.

Who needs the National Health?

How is Nurse Clifford?

She has Weil's disease.

She's obviously extremely poorly.

It's a matter of watch and wait

and see if the penicillin works.

Can I go to see her?

I mean, she must need a toothbrush and some nightclothes.

They asked me to leave.

She's considered to be critical.

Doctor?

C-c-can I see my notes?

Not just now.

I need to know if I'm getting worse.

I feel worse.

We're going to change your treatment.

To see if that'll turn things around.

Bruce?

Where's the baby?

Oh...

Oh! Oh!

Maybe Nurse Clifford got it off of Nigel.

That cat had a rat in his mouth every time I saw him.

That was Mr Midgely on the telephone.

His wife isn't feeling very well.

Nurse Highland, would you please add her to your rounds this morning?

Of course, Sister.

Would you like me to observe, Sister Julienne?

No, thank you, Sister.

You will be required at the maternity home today.

I wondered if I might please enquire about Nurse Clifford?

Rosalind's very ill, Cyril.

Are you able to tell me what it is that ails her?

Yes, I know she's your friend.

But I think it might be sensible

for you to pay a visit to Dr Turner.

Your West Indian chum's back.

Oh, for crying out loud!

She's in a right state.

She says her leg's agony and she's burning up.

Mrs Midgely, may I take a look at your leg, please?

No!

Can't you get one of the other nurses?

No.

Mrs Midgely, I can see from here your calf is red

and you're in a lot of pain.

I think you might be quite unwell.

I am unwell!

And shall I tell you why?

I haven't been right since you were ordering me

out of my bed at that maternity home!

I never wanted a black person touching me then

and I sure as hell don't want one touching me now.

Come on, Bernie.

I will ask Dr Turner to visit as a matter of urgency.

And arrange for another midwife to see to the baby.

Yeah, Miss Higgins?

This is Nurse Highland. Please can you send Dr Turner

to Bernadette Midgely as soon as possible?

I think she might have

a deep vein thrombosis in her leg and...

..she refuses to let me examine her.

Refuses to let you examine her? On what grounds?

For now, that does not matter.

Please, just send him as soon as you can.

I understand.

OK.

♪ God sends us snow in winter

♪ The warmth to swell the grain

♪ The breezes and the sunshine

♪ And soft refreshing rain... ♪

Would you cease your warbling about some rustic idyll?

There are far more important matters afoot.

And now to the matter of the refuse strike in Tower Hamlets.

I'm standing next to the largest collection site

in Poplar with Sister Monica Joan

of the Order of St Raymond Nonnatus.

Sister, what do you make of all this?

It's you!

Indeed, 'tis I.

But...

I am of the view

that the local population is demonstrating

an absolute absence of backbone.

This tip is unsightly and malodourous,

and it is inconvenient, but it can be endured.

Just as we endured the Great War.

This is a minor chapter in our history.

It will pass, as all things do.

Thank you, Sister.

I wonder, Sister,

might I ask for a little of your time?

Time I have in abundance and in superfluity.

Take what you wish.

My only desire is that you use it well.

I'm sorry about your cat.

He was a good friend.

And I'm sure he did not intend to go around spreading disease.

Any flu-like symptoms,

diarrhoea, jaundice, you come straight to the surgery,

or telephone if it's out of hours.

But if a few days pass, you may well have escaped it.

What are the chances of recovery

for those who do not escape it?

It very much depends upon their age, general condition

and how quickly they're treated.

Can it be fatal?

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

It's like the whole of Poplar's

become a dumping ground -

somewhere where everything no-one wants to think about

gets... chucked.

I ought to be able to sort this out, Fred.

Or the council should.

Maybe you can't.

Maybe they can't.

Maybe the answer is higher up the...

..what do you call it?

The food chain.

In the Army, we used to call it the chain of command.

I may lack power, but I'm not short on humility.

Well, it's never too late to get a new perspective.

I'm taking this to the head of the GLC!

Oh! You're awake.

You've been asleep a long time.

Is that good or bad?

Let's see what this says.

I need to make a telephone call.

I'm not keen on this.

Mrs Midgely, would you breathe in for me?

And out again.

Does that hurt?

Oh, I don't know. It feels like everything hurts.

It... it's mostly my leg.

The pain in your leg seems to be caused by a blood clot.

I'm sending you straight to hospital, in an ambulance.

This is all that flaming midwife's fault.

She never looked after me properly.

The trainee midwife? Sister Catherine?

No! The West Indian.

Nurse Highland?

She's supposed to be qualified.

If I'd died, it would have been her fault!

Do you hear me?

Nonnatus House. Sister Julienne speaking.

Sister Julienne.

I'm so sorry to be absent

when we're already short-staffed.

Nurse Clifford? I'm just...

..pleased that you're well enough to call.

I'm well enough to be discharged!

I'm sure I am.

My temperature and pulse are improving, but they say

that I won't see the doctor again until the morning.

You must not worry.

You're ill. You must think of nothing...

..nothing but rest and recovery.

I'm worried about Pastor Robinson's cat.

From the Great War to the General Strike,

to the Blitz and The Big Freeze.

Now, what would you like to know about Poplar?

Ooh, ooh! Is it true that the new block of flats

- was once a bombsite? - Yes.

And before that, it was a school.

No!

Were all the children all right?

They were, as were their teachers.

Luckily, the bomb came down during the night.

What happened if the bomb came down in the day, though?

Did the children get let off school?

No, child.

Lessons were conducted in the bomb shelter!

As were doctor's surgeries and prayers with vicars.

Wow!

Bernie Midgely says she intends to make a formal complaint

against Joyce.

She insists that she failed to examine her properly

and therefore missed the thrombosis.

Never.

Nurse Highland is one of the most assiduous,

meticulous midwives I've ever known.

And meanwhile Mrs Midgely smokes, is on the heavy side

and has scarcely been out of bed since giving birth.

According to Joyce, Mrs Midgely turned her away.

Refused to be examined.

And that was why she called the surgery,

asking for an urgent house call.

Oh, but Sister Catherine wasn't with her.

She was needed at the Maternity Home this morning.

It's going to be Joyce's word against Bernie Midgeley's.

And allegations are allegations.

Cyril!

I brought you some grapes.

From me and Nigel.

Poor Nigel.

And all the way here,

I kept thinking I should have brought you flowers.

Flowers?

There aren't many vitamins in flowers.

Grapes are full of them.

And that is that, I'm afraid.

Haven't you got any other stories?

Oh, Cubs, Sister Monica Joan needs to go to her home now.

This is not the end, though.

You must relay what you have learned to your leaders.

They shall.

And I am willing to help.

I suspect Nigel's up in heaven now,

eating pilchards to his heart's content.

I hope he is.

Because in departing this life, he left me a great gift.

I'm not saying it didn't make me cry.

I'm not even saying it was welcome to begin with.

Hmm.

But then I knew I had to accept it, because it was true.

What was true?

That I cannot be an island.

That I am not made to be alone.

I could not have wept for him as I did if he...

..had not become my everything.

If he had not been all I had.

You aren't alone.

You have friends and a church.

And...

..you're married, Cyril.

Lucille's made a life over there.

And while I was waiting for her, I made a life over here.

She isn't coming back.

And we have...

We have decided to divorce.

Don't you have to commit adultery for that?

Not these days.

It can be done honourably and with decency.

It does not need to be anybody's fault.

I cannot know what the future holds...

..but I know I don't want to face it as a single man.

You can let go of my hand if you want to.

I don't want to.

Thank you.

Oh!

One moment, sir, if you don't mind.

We've just been joined by Dr Turner.

I've laid out the case for the removal of the rubbish

from a civic point of view.

He now needs to understand the medical concerns

from someone qualified.

I knew something was amiss.

She has a fever, and even though

she wouldn't let me examine her,

the pain she described in her leg rang terrible alarm bells.

That was why I rang the surgery immediately.

I wish I had just called an ambulance now.

Do you think Mrs Midgely's judgment

might have been affected by her fever?

I think perhaps...

..it might have been affected by something else.

Can you elaborate?

We need all the information we can gather.

Bernie Midgely is a character.

She makes people laugh.

She made instant friends out of the other midwives.

And she did not treat me in the same way.

I saw something similar in her attitude

towards certain patients.

I believe she objected to me

because of the colour of my skin.

Is that something you've experienced before?

I could laugh that you have even asked me that.

Or I could cry.

But...

I can only do what I always do...

..and try to respond with dignity.

Yes.

In training.

Yes, when I started on the wards.

Yes, when I am working

in the district or in the maternity home.

It is everywhere and in everything.

How do you survive it?

I survive it because it is not all there is.

Just as my skin is not all there is of me.

Nurse Highland...

..I'm going to make sure this matter is fully investigated.

On both sides.

Bring her in.

At least no-one's going to mount a picket line

- against the Army. - Oh!

They'd have had me to contend with if they as much as tried.

Thank you for joining forces.

I think we make a good team.

I was inches from death because of that woman's incompetence.

In our view, Nurse Highland

has always been exceptionally competent.

I am here because I need to find out

exactly what has happened.

What's happened is that you don't vet that lot properly.

They tip up here from God knows where.

You can't vouch for if they're properly qualified.

Nurse Highland was trained in England.

Like the majority of her compatriots.

What I feel we must ascertain is,

did she not even attempt to examine you?

Or did she leave and beg the doctor

to make an urgent house call because you...

..refused her care, and she was concerned?

I know what she did.

And I know what I'm going to do about it.

Just so you don't think this is some idle threat...

..I made sure I got the full name

and the address of the Supervisor of Midwives.

This is a major complaint,

and I'm going to make it properly.

She's here!

Nurse Clifford is returned to us.

Straight inside now.

I detect a nip in the air.

I've already put a hot-water bottle in her bed.

I'm so relieved to be home.

You look infinitely better than when I saw you last!

There's a definite whiff of Eau de St Cuthbert's, though.

I think a bubble bath beckons.

Mrs Midgely simply seemed to take a dislike

to Nurse Highland,

for no obvious reason.

Or at least...

..no obvious reason that one would care to put a name to.

Are you speaking of racial prejudice?

Yes.

I am speaking of racial prejudice.

I didn't like it at the time and I don't like it now.

But... I wasn't sure of Nurse Highland's point of view.

What she perceived, or how she felt about it.

I didn't want to make things worse

by letting her know that I'd sensed it.

Or seen it.

And that's not right, is it?

It's Mrs Midgley's behaviour that's not right.

But we can do better. We will defend Nurse Highland

with all our might and every tool at our disposal.

Let me help you with your wound.

Oh, thank you, Dr Gary.

God bless you.

The mood down here is low.

Do you have any suggestions

how to keep their spirits up, Sister?

Gin rummy!

Well done, Cubs!

I smell of at least three different flowers,

thanks to Trixie's bubble bath.

Definitely roses, mimosa and geranium,

probably something else as well.

- Jasmine, maybe? - Hmm.

- Joyce? - Mm?

Do you want to talk about the complaint?

No.

I do not want to talk about the complaint.

There's going to be weeks, even months,

where we talk about nothing but the complaint

and the trouble I am in.

Tell me about something else.

I'm going to go out with Cyril.

To church?

No, not to church.

We're going to go out somewhere else.

He's getting a divorce

and...

we're going to start spending some more time together.

Don't.

Child, please don't.

I know it's unusual and he's still married, technically...

It has nothing to do with him being married.

Or being divorced, or even being a pastor,

which I doubt makes anyone a very exciting boyfriend.

Joyce!

You are from different worlds.

The people who don't like him won't like you. And vice versa.

And they won't be afraid of showing it, or saying it.

It's going to be so hard.

Too hard, and I don't want that for you.

But what if it's something we want for ourselves?

I've said my piece.

Let me dry your hair.

Perhaps it is not what we do with our rubbish that matters,

but what we do with the things

that we most treasure.

The time for cherishing is short,

the time for mourning often longer.

Lessons bloom from the dirt,

and the flowers must be nurtured.

A stem in careless hands can snap

and petals can be crushed.

But the seed and the shoot have a power all their own.

Water them, shield them, respect them.

Then love can render the fragile indestructible.

- Today is the big day! - You've been waiting for this

- for such a long time. - Nearly a year.

If you don't tell us the truth

and let us help you, Baby is not going to

- be all right either. - I don't want to hurt my baby!

My peace of mind has so many enemies.

Is it permissible to say that?

I have been given a date for a disciplinary hearing.

How can I trust in a process that might be as prejudiced

as the person who made the complaint?

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