All language subtitles for Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2017-eng

We unwrap so much at Christmas.

We uncover and expose
such a great deal to the light.

We examine our heart's desires.

We unfold the year gone by,

seeking all that is perfect,

striving to offer up a bright,
clean sheet.

The festival brings sparkle

to our ordinary days,

peeling away each
layer of experience,

revealing the heart
of all that counts,

year by year by year.

I'm never quite sure about Jack
And The Beanstalk as a pantomime

cos I think the kiddies
get scared of the giant.

Still, you've certainly got
the legs for Principal Boy.

That's what my Aunt Edie said
when the other girl dropped out.

I remember you in Madam Edith's
shows when you were a little girl.

Always tapping away in the back row,
cos you were tall even then.

Where've you been?

Helping out Father Christmas
on his busiest night of the year.

Well, you're in the wrong costume.

Right, Dame Buckle!

I've done your high heels
in Lady Esquire -

they're drying by the bread bin.

I can't see you getting much wear
out of these bronze patent

slingbacks in Switzerland.

Are you sure you don't want me to
lend you my thermal-lined galoshes?

Christopher and I aren't
just going skiing, Phyllis!

We're going apres-skiing too!

And what does that entail?

My accessories coming under
quite a lot of scrutiny.

Besides, Christopher likes me
in those slingbacks -

I was going to wear them
on the aeroplane!

And would that be with the mink hat,
the musquash capelet,

or the jacket with the fox fur trim?

You won't be wearing them
with anything,

if the weather forecast for
Boxing Day turns out to be correct.

They don't just close airports
because of an inch of snow, Barbara!

Let's hope not!

Or quite a lot of blameless animals
will have died in vain.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYS

Oh, thank you!

What's in there?

Oh!

BABY CRIES

# That's how it goes
Whenever it snows

# The world is your snowball

# Just for a song

# Get out and roll it along

# It's a yum-yummy world
made for sweethearts

# Take a walk
with your favourite girl

# It's a sugar date

# What if spring is late?

# In winter it's a
marshmallow world... #

Everybody, there's
a surprise in the parlour. Come on!

Ta-daaa!

Ah!!!

The Seaman's Mission were offered
a new and rather superior model,

so I seized the chance
to reclaim this.

Unless my perusal
of the Radio Times deceives me,

Bronco will be broadcast
at half past noon.

THEY EXCLAIM

Hurry up, lass!
You nearly missed the line-up!

Sorry!

I've just had my third
turkey dinner in two days,

round at my Auntie Edie's!

Careful! The paint's wet!
Angela and I only just finished it!

Thank you.

Timer's on!

CAMERA WHIRS

Good grief!

Ooh!

Fred! It's a long time
since we've seen anything like this!

Morning, Nurse Crane!

Or should I say,
er, Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's minus five degrees.

That's right. Minus five.
Two foot of snow.

And three quarters
of the country at a standstill.

Oh!

No milk!

A tincture apiece for your tea,
and that's your lot.

The deliverers of milk are not
formed of the substance that

once they were.

One saw them struggling with
their crates through smoking rubble,

in the Blitz.

You've got a long face this morning,
Reggie?

I don't like this hat.
Violet made me wear it.

Fred's in the same sort of get-up.

I know he is.

Morning!

I like her hat.

Thank you, Reggie.
My sister knitted it.

Nurse Hereward, is that
a new addition to the uniform?

Oh, no, I only put it on
to cross over the road.

I'm afraid Tom's had
a call about the community centre.

There's been a burst pipe, flooding,

and terrible damage
to the electrics.

Will Clinic have to be postponed?

It can't possibly be postponed!

It's already two days late
because of the Christmas holidays!

The Fire Brigade were called
out to the flood,

and they think the building
will have to close completely.

But...what's going
to happen to the pantomime?

May I second that sentiment?

I've got three stripy frocks,
size 11 stilettos,

and a great big wig going to waste
if that has to be cancelled!

Fred, the beanstalk
is floating in a foot of water.

And the children from the dancing
school will be so disappointed.

I am going to my office

to locate an alternative venue
for our clinic this afternoon.

The fate of Jack And The Beanstalk,
I entrust to the Almighty.

We were always led to understand
that the Iris Knight Institute hall

would be on offer to Clinic
in the event of an emergency.

But others have first call on it
during natural or other disasters.

Bit of snow isn't a disaster!

The boxes of abandoned medical
equipment in a flooded hall are!

And so are improperly
monitored mothers.

Leave everything to us, Shelagh.

You've waited a long time
for Baby Teddy. Enjoy him.

Oh, I'm not quite ready to get
back in my girdle yet!

Oh, begging your pardon,

but I don't suppose I'm in with
a chance of a consultation?

I'm afraid surgery's
finished for this morning.

I was off to a clinic.

Only I've had a bit of an argument
with a paraffin heater.

I might have burned my leg.

It will be the first time I've ever
conducted Clinic in a public house.

It's rather irregular.

I'm just grateful Nurse Dyer's aunt
was so accommodating. Hm.

Afternoon, ladies.

Good afternoon, Sergeant. Are
we impeding the flow of the traffic?

We're advising non-essential
vehicles to avoid turning left

and heading down toward the wharf.

Conditions are considered to be
unsafe for vehicles

of a domestic nature,
and the less skilled driver.

In which case you may move to one
side with confidence,

and kindly permit us to pass.

I am a member of the Institute
of Advanced Motorists,

and the wheels of this car
have been fully winterised,

thanks to the timely application
of a set of snow chains.

I wouldn't've troubled you,
only I couldn't get to the hospital.

All the buses are off.

The trouble with this is that
the leg of your trousers has melted

and made the blisters worse.

Are they Crimplene?

I don't know, Doctor.
My wife buys all my clothes.

So does mine. Fortunately.

My Mabel, she, erm,
don't get down the shops much.

Been lame since she was a girl.

But she's been turning me
out like Burlington Bertie

since she discovered those, er,
small advertisements.

You'll need regular
dressing changes.

We'll a send a nurse out to you.

Oh, no, no.
I'll come to the surgery.

You've all got enough to do.

I tell you what - I take my hat off
to these stay-pressed slacks.

Still got a lovely sharp crease
above the knee.

If we set this table here,

we can put the scales over there
under the dartboard.

Auntie Florrie! I'm going through
to the back to clear some space
for the urine testing.

Well, I hope it's clean urine.

I've got a gross of pies arriving.

All my regulars are back at work
today.

You'll have to feed them
through the tap room window.

Women and children first.

They said that on the Titanic.

Good afternoon, ladies!
Please take a seat.

I'm afraid we don't have
any magazines for you to read today,

but we do have shove ha'penny
and dominoes.

Is this is where we're
supposed to come, Nurse?

Only my wife's not been
seen by a London doctor yet.

Oh!

Gangway!

Time and the weighing queue
wait for no man.

Believe me,
you're in highly expert hands.

Might even get a packet
of pork scratchings.

How long have you been
in these parts, Mrs Openshaw?

Only a week.

My bloke's a roofer,
and we came down because of his job.

And can I have your maiden name?

I'm not married.

Oh. Your fella said you
were his wife!

He keeps asking me to be.

But he's not the baby's father.

Here.

I keep this one for show
and sharing.

I haven't blown my nose in it
or anything.

Listen, it's bedlam in here today,
and you're as likely to get

a pickled egg
and a pint of mild as a urine test.

Why don't I come out
and see you at home?

We live in a caravan.

We haven't been able
to find a flat yet.

So, where are you parked?

THEY GROAN

Wait! Let me help you, Nurse Crane!

Such a very personable young man.

I thought you two would be making
merry in the land of goats

and superior milk chocolate by now!

London Airport's closed!

There's no flights to Zurich
until further notice. Oh.

I'm not sure
I can even get back to my flat.

You're very welcome to avail
yourself of our guest room,

if conditions remain trying,
Mr Dockerill.

WHISTLE

I want that car off the road now,

where it's not causing
an obstruction,

winterised tyres
or no winterised tyres!

MUSIC PLAYS

It is as well we had not yet
packed away the accoutrements

required for revelry.

For, as St Paul advised the Hebrews,

be not forgetful of hospitality,

for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares.

There are 12 days of Christmas,
after all.

MUSIC STOPS

Ah!

Why is it always me?

Bad luck, Val.

Right, let me get this out the way.

MUSIC STARTS

Have we prepared the end room
for our guest, Nurse Crane?

I've treated him to the
electric blanket.

I had thought that Sister
Evangelina's old dressing gown
would be appropriately masculine,

but it would seem it's been
donated to the poor.

I am poised to offer Mr Dockerill
a slice of sherry log

when his exertions are completed.

Look out.

Help me!

Oh, your feet!

Sorry!

Oh. Have you been with that
poor sailor all day?

No-one should have to die alone,

especially not in the back room
of a Seamen's Mission.

It's not often the corpse
is the warmest thing in the room.

Tom!

I've had some news.

What sort of news?

I've been asked to go to Birmingham,

to take over a church
called St Dionysus.

As vicar?

As curate, while the vicar takes
a leave of absence due to illness.

But that's exactly what you've been
doing here for the past two years.

Quite. And I love this parish.

If I'm going to struggle and starve,
I want to do that here.

That's the second mildly distasteful
thing you've said since you got
into bed.

We don't struggle much,

and we can't begin to know
the meaning of starvation.

Especially when I have a Penguin
biscuit underneath my pillow.

Has it melted?

Strangely enough, no.

HE SIGHS

I know I'm supposed to go
where God calls me.

I just don't know why
he would call me away from here.

And if I don't know why, how can
I be sure I'm being called at all?

Please tell me it's melted.

The reverse. We've even got ice
on the inside of the windows.

I'm not surprised.
I was shivering all night.

Serves you right
for not wearing a vest.

I don't possess a vest!

I had to hope that two satin
camisoles had the same effect.

Good morning.

Oh!

Christopher just saw me
in my rollers!

Dentists have scientific training,
Trixie.

He can't think your hair looks
the way it does naturally.

Stop! Mr Dockerill, stop! Whatever
you do, please don't go in there!

Why? What's happened?

Erm... The, er, the drop in
temperature has led to unforeseen

circumstances involving
the facilities.

I see.

The lavatory is frozen.
Emergency measures are required.

Is there anything I can do to help?

No!

SHATTERING

Oh! Not now! Oh!

TOILET FLUSHES

All now appears to be in order!

I recommend the application
of boiling water hourly, to the

cistern and to the S bend.

Your ministrations are appreciated,
Mr Dockerill.

I will make sure it is
taken care of.

Does anyone mind if I go in first?
I'm absolutely bursting!

Shelagh, you don't need to make us
Scotch pancakes for breakfast.

We'd be perfectly happy with toast
and jam.

Teddy's been as good as gold!

I'm glad I stuck with
the Truby King method of feeding

and wasn't seduced by that
American Spock.

15 minutes on each breast every four
hours is absolutely the only way.

Excuse me.

I'm going out to the patio to have
a look at the thermometer.

Good morning, ladies. Two points
of note before we commence.

Firstly, the London Meteorological
Office are of the view

that these conditions will persist
for the next ten days at least.

Secondly, with the continued
closure of London Aerodrome,

Nurse Franklin has kindly offered
to postpone her sporting holiday

until further notice.

Oh! Would you like a pair
of thermal drawers, Nurse Franklin?

Sister Julienne ordered
a job lot from Damart.

There's a choice of buff
or navy blue.

Thank you, Sister Winifred,
but I think I've sacrificed enough.

I had a proper boyfriend
for a while,

but it never came to anything.

Apart from this.

I had to move lodgings once
I couldn't hide it any more,

and my new place
was as good as falling down.

Selwyn was one of the builders
that came to fix some slates.

And there he was...smiling.

It felt like such a long time
since anyone had smiled at me.

Perfect.

Not if I don't love him.

No - I was talking about
your blood pressure.

Selwyn says he doesn't care
if it isn't his,

that he wants to take care
of us both,

that he'll love the baby regardless,
no questions asked.

But how can he?

I don't know, Linda.

But he thinks he can.

And sometimes if you think you can,
you're halfway there.

Sister Monica Joan?
I have a task for you.

I have a task assigned to me
already,

by Nurse Franklin's Titian-haired
suitor.

I am charged with preventing
the lavatory from freezing.

You can be knitting young Reggie
a bobble hat while you're at it.

He'll look a lot more a la mode
than he does with that cap

and scarf combination on his head.

Well, you have commenced
its manufacture already.

I thought it might help if I got
the ribbing off the starting blocks.

I will attend to it
when matters are less pressing.

First blade going in.

Just breathe in some air now, Dilys.

What a way to spend
a New Year's bloody Eve!

I'm sure we'd all rather be dancing
the bossa nova and eating vol au

vents, but Mother Nature has scant
regard for the social calendar.

Don't take the gas away!
Please, please don't take it away.

It's all right, sweetie.
This gas is going nowhere.

And neither am I, until we've got
this little rascal into the world.

Which is going to be 1962,
and not 1963, I promise you.

Ooh!

Come on, Dilys! Push!

Don't waste a moment
of this contraction!

You can do it! Keep pushing!

Come on, Dilys!

BABY CRIES

Well done!

Look, Dilys! You did it.

A gorgeous little girl.

Who will always have a party
to go to on her birthday.

BELLS CHIME

Do you reckon them bells
are Big Ben?

I don't know.
But they've woken the baby up.

It's kicking like mad.

Can I feel it?

It's like he's wishing us
a happy new year!

# We'll take a cup of kindness yet

# For the sake of Auld Lang Syne. #

RADIO: 11 people are now known
to have died as a direct

result of Arctic conditions
engulfing Great Britain.

Looks like we'll be drinking our
breakfast tea black this morning.

I'm sure it will have
arrived in time for our elevenses!

I expect the milkman's been
detained by grateful housewives

strewing roses at his feet.

It's like the liberation of Paris
every time

he gets through with the gold-top.

RADIO: Meanwhile, the Milk Marketing
Board has announced that after

almost two weeks of battling
to deliver the nations' milk,

a large proportion of its operators
are suffering from exhaustion.

All milkman are therefore to be
given a day's holiday,

with immediate effect.

Oh!

It looks like half of Poplar's
without water.

Your mother was right.

Maybe you should've
stayed at home today.

What's the trouble, Fred?

Burst sewer, Dr Turner.

There's all sorts bubbling up
through this tarmac!

I'd better take a look.

I need to telephone
Environmental Health.

We'll also have to get
that standpipe shut down -

it's too close to the burst.

Leave it to me, Doc.
There's a phone box just up there.

Let me poke it.

Ere, lads - what you doing?

All the schools are open today.
You've no excuse for running wild!

Oh, my gosh! It looks like a hand.

It's all right.
No-one's in trouble.

Run!

I think your ministrations are
required in the outhouse, Sister.

I have been distracted from
vital work by this pettifogging

and inessential task.

Go and put the kettle on.
You leave that to me.

There's no sign of any injury
or trauma.

He'll have become disoriented
in the blizzard, sought shelter.

Hypothermia will have eased
seamlessly into rigor mortis.

Tillerson, Percival.

He's one of my patients.
I treated him for leg burns.

PHONE RINGS

Turner residence?

That woman hasn't
come in to work again!

Do you mean Miss Plympton?

The one with the glasses
you put in charge.

The poor woman might feel more
inclined to put in an appearance

if you remembered her name.

I've got enough to do, Shelagh.

Especially today.
Th... There's been a fatality.

Oh, no.

I've found the records... I've found
the records of his next of kin,

but I have got a full list in the
surgery - mainly bronchial cases.

And I never like sending
the police to break bad news.

You need someone there to take
care of these things.

Oh, I'll manage.

Oh. Sister Julienne's arrived.

And I shouldn't have bothered you.

I'm sorry.

Sister,
may I beg a kindness from you?

Ooh!

Potty, Mummy!

Potty, Mummy, now!

Poor Linda Openshaw.
She's only just eight months.

Sounds more like a reassurance
visit than anything.

And pound to a penny,

the father needs more
reassurance than she does.

Ooh!

That'll teach you to snub
complimentary thermals.

Do you happen to know where
Mrs Tillerson might be?

Mrs Tillerson?

I was told she was housebound.

I ain't never seen them
since they moved in.

I'm afraid we need to break
the door down.

SCREAMING

KNOCKING

Midwife!

Oh! What's going on, Linda?

There's no room in here
for a piggy back race.

This bed's soaking wet.

Oh, look at you, you poor chick.

Have you got a couple of towels
we can put over the damp bit?

Then we'll get you comfy,
have a look at you.

Mrs Tillerson? Mrs Tillerson?

Mabel?

I did what you said!

Don't be afraid, Mrs Tillerson.

I'll light the heater, and make
you tea, and you'll soon be warm.

Close the door!

You have to go.

Percy won't have it.

Won't have what?

People coming in.

It's all right, it's all right.

Just let it wash over you,
like a wave at the seaside.

The seaside?

I could have phrased it better,
I grant you.

Not much chance of a 99 and a
kiss me quick hat in this weather.

Linda...

it does look as though you're going
to be having this baby very soon.

It's four weeks early,
but nothing we can't handle.

Sip this, Mrs Tillerson.
It will warm you.

You really were very, very cold.

But I felt warm. That's the
last thing I remember thinking,

how warm it was.

Hypothermia has that effect
when it takes hold.

I think perhaps you became confused
and took your cardigan off.

Percy doesn't like me
showing my arms.

He doesn't like any women
showing flesh.

When's he coming back?

He's been a long time
fetching the paraffin.

SHE MOANS

Warmth always eases pain.

I'm going to tuck one on each side
of your back and see if that helps.

Right, you! Fill that kettle again,
and put some towels to warm.

That'll free me up to stay
down the business end.

Do you want me to go
and phone for help?

Selwyn! I am the help.

And so are you.

I'm sorry.

I know the news is a great deal
to take in, Mrs Tillerson.

I have taken it in.

Percy liked to be the one
who said what happened when,

what was what, who did what...

Sounds like he had no say at all
in how he met his end.

And I'm glad.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Shelagh? Uh, where are the children?

Teddy's asleep in his pram
in the corridor

and the nursery took Angela
for an extra afternoon.

I left her drinking Ribena
and doing Plasticine.

Show me that pie.

I bought it fresh today.

From a shop that was under
a contamination warning

from the meat inspectors
last October!

Oh, Patrick!

We'll be bringing sandwiches
in with us every morning

until further notice.

What do you mean,
every morning until further notice?

We've a practice to run,
and a crisis to survive.

I can't pretend this girdle
isn't pinching,

but - for now - I'm back at work.

MOANING

I want it out. I WANT IT OUT.

That's just your body
telling you to push, Linda.

Baby's quite small,
it's going to come quickly.

You hold on.
Dig your nails in if you need to.

I'm scared I'll hurt your hand.

Only thing that can ever hurt me
is what hurts you.

SHE SHOUTS OUT

The children will need to be told
what has happened, Mrs Tillerson.

Edwin joined up as a boy soldier,
when he was 16.

Percy had given him
one black eye too many.

In the war, when he was took

prisoner by the Japanese,
I thought...

"..Nah...

"..he'll be able to bear it."

After VE day,
the Red Cross wrote to me

and said Edwin had died of cholera.

I hadn't thought disease
might get him,

I just thought how good
he was at standing up to blows.

He was hard-faced.

Hard-nosed.

Just hard, really.

I was never brave.

I just learned to do
what Percy said.

He used to say, "You can't
argue with what God wants."

Your husband wasn't God,
Mrs Tillerson.

Maybe not.

But they was as thick as thieves.

Is this your daughter?

A pretty little thing.

Anthea?

I wish she wasn't.

I used to think, if she was plain...

..would Percy have done
what he did to her?

I don't expect you to answer that,
Sister.

I never could,
in all the years of asking myself.

Even after she ran away.

Would you like me to tell
your daughter - Anthea - the news?

Anthea ran away...

..and I was glad.

Ooh! Ten dozen mince pies.

Puff or shortcrust, Reverend?

I'm afraid I don't know.

They're also factory seconds,
and I worry it might be a bit

unlucky eating them now that
all the Christmas trees are down.

They'll fall on them like wolves,
Mr Hereward.

Half these old folk didn't even get
a Christmas dinner.

They were just sat there
staring at four walls!

They're still just sat there,
really.

Well, at least they're not alone.

You wonder how it happens,
families breaking up,

people cut adrift
from their neighbours.

I see it all the time. Perhaps
a feud, an unresolved quarrel,

a death. Ties fray so quickly,
and once they fray, they snap.

People just stop belonging.

I think people get carried away
with notions of belonging.

It shouldn't matter where
you're from, or where you're headed.

What it boils down to in my book is,

do we all look out for each other,
or not?

Ooh, shortcrust.

These are the records for patients
who are on the old books

prior to National Health
reorganisation,

but never registered under
the new system.

I found Anthea Tillerson
quite easily,

but we last saw her in 1941,
when she was only 15.

Do you know where she is now?

There's a letter with an address
dating from 1954.

It relates to references required

when she applied to be
a council foster parent.

She's now known as Anthea Sweeting,
so she must have married.

At the very least, she needs to be
informed that her father has died.

At her last appointment, Anthea
had contusions across her back

and upper arms that were indicative
of being thrashed by a belt

with a metal buckle.

She was also three months pregnant.

Aged 15?

And the notes say,
"Mother present at examination."

Mrs Tillerson made no reference
to that at all!

And I may be surmising,

but I cross-checked
Mabel Tillerson's notes.

The very day
after that consultation,

the doctor was summoned by a
neighbour from the same tenement

block, who had seen Mrs Tillerson
crawling to the communal lavatory.

He found her to have a black eye,
and several broken ribs.

From a fall downstairs?

It's always "a fall downstairs"

when the ribs are broken,
or the spleen is damaged.

And they say, "I walked into a door"

when the bruises are just
to their face.

Anthea was never seen
by this practice again.

That's it, Linda!
That is absolutely fantastic!

Come on, you can do it!

I wish all my first-timers
were like you. Baby's almost here!

You did it, Linda!

You did it!

What is it?

A little boy! Little,
but absolutely gorgeous!

Come on, dozy drawers.

You're keeping your mummy
waiting for her cuddle.

Can I see him? Can I hold him?

Just give us two ticks!

Come on, little 'un, come on.

Show us what you can do.

Please!

Well, can't you slap him
or something?

Will that not make him cry?

Come on, little man!

Could you pass me a towel, please?
Yeah.

No!

Don't cover his face.

He's beautiful, Linda.

Do you want to see him?

No! No! No, I don't!

Will you take it away?

I'll take care of everything.
It's what midwives do.

Come on, back to your post.

In a few minutes, you can go
and make a phone call for me.

Argh!

KNOCKING

I decided you were gone too long for
this to be a visit of reassurance.

Placenta's delivered.

Do you want a cigarette?

It's too cold out here,
too small in there.

A hug?

No.

If you say so much as one kind word
to me, I'll go to pieces.

Valerie, this is the worst thing
that could happen to a midwife.

It hasn't happened to me.
It's happened to them.

What happens now?

To the little one?

We have an arrangement
with a family firm of undertakers.

We'll talk to you
about the details tomorrow.

Put that in with him.

It doesn't seem right,
sending a baby out into the cold.

If you want me
to arrange a transfer to hospital

or our maternity home,
you only have to say.

I don't want to be anywhere
I might see other babies.

That's probably wise.

I didn't even want to see him.

I was too scared.

And it's like it makes me
not his mother.

Selwyn looked at him.

He looked at him,
and he saw his face.

And you knew your baby
when he was inside of you, Linda.

You knew his smallest movements,
every single, little kick...

..and he knew
every beat of your heart.

But we both loved him.

Selwyn and me.

Yes. You did.

SHE SIGHS

CRYING

Help! Help! Quickly!

He's alive! I thought
he was stillborn!

You really are going to have to give
the Birmingham parish an answer,

Tom. I know.

If you don't grab this chance, I
don't know when you'll get another.

KNOCKING
Mr Hereward, come quickly, please!

Oh, Valerie! What happened?

I don't know. I don't know!

Is he still crying?

Yes, Valerie. Yes, he is.

BABY CRYING

His breathing must have
been very shallow

and his heartbeat slow
and hard to detect.

That hot water bottle did the trick.
Temperature's normal.

Thank you, Mr Hereward.

There is no need for you
to baptise this baby.

The parents can have
the joy of deciding when

and by whom
the christening is performed.

First, we must give them the news.

And we must talk to Nurse Dyer.

She must have expanded his lungs.
She simply didn't realise.

Linda. And Selwyn.

I know you're grieving.

And I know you're grieving because
a-a terrible thing has happened.

But sometimes, when a terrible thing
happens, and we survive it,

we find something beautiful
waiting for us on the other side.

Here's your baby, Linda.

He's warm, and he's pink,
and he's breathing beautifully.

He's yours.

He's alive.

The trouble is Tom
simply won't say yes!

I never had him down
as the prevaricating sort.

Give that handle a waggle for me,
Barbara.

The shank looks slightly suspect.

You could just try
repeating yourself, over and over.

Persistent drops of water
can pit solid rock in the end.

Hello, Reggie! Nice hat.

Nurse Crane knitted it.

Ooh.

Two more!

What are you doing with those?

Collecting them.

Well, they're a rare enough sight
at the moment, I grant you.

Put them in the corner of the porch
for now,

and then let's concentrate
on rounding up these Cubs.

BLOWS WHISTLE

Pack, pack, pack!

I want everybody to take a shovel,

or a spade or a World War I
entrenching tool.

This is an exciting enterprise

that's going to help you
towards your second star.

This is Reggie...

Hello. ..who's our designated
helper for the day.

Reggie's a gardener,

so he knows a lot about the kind of
implements we're going to be using.

And Reggie is going to be in charge
of the entrenching tool.

So anyone who doesn't make him
welcome isn't going to get a go.

So who wants a go?

Me! Me! Me! Me!

Excuse the knife!

I've got ten pounds of spuds
to peel by tea-time.

Is this to do with
one of the children?

No. It's to do with your parents.

Save!

How many children have you
fostered now, Mrs Sweeting?

The one I'm having is my fourth.

And I've looked after
more than 30.

Every time the council have
approached me, I've said yes.

LOUD MUSIC

I'm sorry.
They're having a discotheque!

Lyle! Anthony! Turn that down!

Sorry, Ma!

I've never ever had to raise a hand
to a single one of them.

Only my voice.

You should be very proud of that.

I am. And I'm not proud of much.

Everything I did, for years,
I did because I hated him.

I know from your mother
that your father's attachment to you

was...unnatural.

If beyond that I can only speculate,
I ask you to forgive me.

Me forgive you?

I didn't ask you to come here.

And I don't like what you stand for.

But as far as I'm aware,
you never raped me once a week

while my mother went to Evensong.

Did she tell you I ran away?

Yes, she did.

She was lying.

He threw me out,
after we came home from the doctors.

He threw me out,
and she didn't stop him.

I ran back and banged on the door.

And nobody came to open it.

Keep it tight!
Keep it tight! That's it!

Now the important thing
to remember is that the

top layers of snow are dry
and powdery. They won't be

strong enough to support the walls
or the dome of our igloo.

Eskimos always compress
the snow into hard, square bricks,

and we need to follow their example.

We're going to be like Eskimos.

Thank you, Clinton. That's not
what we do with our shovels!

Oh! Splendid, Reggie!
That's perfect!

I know you wanted your mother
to protect you.

I know you wanted her
to fight for you.

But your father's treatment of her
beat her - froze her -
into submission.

And it is now in your gift
to break that ice.

To let her into your life again.

Go behind the clock.

Go on.

Look inside.

I found it in my pocket
when I was banging on the door.

My mother must've put it there
without him seeing.

But you never spent it.

Not even when I got rid
of that baby.

I'm not proud of that.

But I am proud I kept
the one thing that she gave me.

Because somewhere inside,

somewhere where I never go,

I might not be as angry as I think.

It really would mean the most
enormous amount to her...

If I went to the funeral?

Put it back. Those notes aren't even
legal tender any more.

I want to call him after you.

Selwyn?

It's not ideal, is it?
Do you have a middle name?

In all these months,
I've never asked you that.

John.

John.

We like that, don't we, John?

I was told you'd like to see me.

Is the little chap doing well?

We don't need him christened
or nothing. Not yet.

But we would like him blessed.

Because if you bless him,
you bless the three of us.

Smile!

Yay!

Ooh, in a bit please, Jasvinder.

And can we have two hands on the
entrenching tool, Aidan. We want

it brandished aloft in triumph, not
accidently buried in someone's head.

Evacuate that treacherous edifice
this minute, the lot of you!

And when I say this minute,
I mean now!

Oh!

Good morning, Sergeant.

I think you'd have found a simple,
"Get out of the igloo!"

more effective.

Small boys respond better
to instructions

when they're given in plain English.

And in plain English
the instructions

continue as follows -
knock that thing down.

I shall do no such thing.

The boys have spent several hours
constructing it,

and it forms a principal component
of their Second Star badge.

Namely, the manufacture of a
"satisfactory model or article

"in wood, metal, cardboard, clay,
Plasticine or similar substance."

But it's not made of wood, metal,
cardboard, clay or Plasticine!

It's made of snow.

Which in my book - namely, Tracks
And Tracking by H Mortimer Batten -

comes under the heading
of "similar substance".

You needn't think you can blind me
with Scouting science.

I was Baloo to the 19th Stepney
for 14 years.

And that is a death trap!
Knock it down.

Boooooo!

Pack!

You should have them
doing something useful.

Tom, what is the beanstalk
doing in our kitchen?

I rescued it
from the community centre.

I'm asking small businesses
in Poplar to provide

the wherewithal for a Christmas
dinner for the elderly,

and Madam Edith has agreed
to resurrect the pantomime.

I think the foliage
has gone a bit mouldy.

Barbara, I saw such
an image of love today.

A hand inside a hand, inside a hand.

And it was a timely reminder of how
it doesn't matter where any

of us are from, or where we go, as
long as we hold on to one another.

You're going to accept
the post in Birmingham, aren't you?

It's only for six months,
and wherever I go,

the work I do will have
the same meaning.

I just want to leave Poplar
with a smile on its face.

Or possibly anthrax.

These need oiling.

Perhaps you can see to them
with Fred, tomorrow.

The policeman said to do
something useful.

And then he made us
knock our igloo down.

Yes.

I must say when you both asked
to see me together,

I was expecting news
of a slightly different kind.

Oh, no, nothing like that.

Will you still need me,
when I come back?

Nonnatus House will always
need good midwives.

And we will always need each other.

Little matters more
in such a fractured world.

Which is why I like your idea of the
dinner and the pantomime so much.

Morning, Sister Monica Joan.

I surmise you rose
long before cock-crow,

and have since been forced to pass
the time in self-examination.

And the consumption
of rapidly cooling tea.

As you have
these several mornings past.

It's not quite the same
without milk in.

You have witnessed much. And much,
I think, beyond your understanding.

I keep going over and over it
in my mind.

What I did right,
what I must have done wrong,

what I missed...
and I can't pin one thing down.

"And the Lord, it was he that did
go before thee, he was with thee,

"he did not fail thee,
neither forsook thee."

I really don't want you to think
I'm being impolite,

but I don't believe in God,
Sister Monica Joan.

That matters not one mote,
nor one iota.

You carried out your work,

and one much wiser
brought your labours to fruition.

Where did that come from?

I should like to say it
descended from the heavens,

like manna in the wilderness.

But I have had it
secreted in the woodshed.

The hands of the Almighty
are so often to be

found at the ends of our own arms.

Water. Water on cornflakes!
I'm sorry, Reggie.

They ate better
than this in Stalingrad!

I'm surprised that you can sit
there in that uniform, Fred Buckle.

The Civil Defence Corps
is responsible for the

maintenance of public services
and order during the time of crisis,

not for the provision of groceries.

Well, I look forward to you
maintaining

order down the rescue centre,

when we can't even offer those
poor people a proper cup of tea!

And don't keep telling me that
the milkmen are still exhausted,

or that the roads are blocked.

It might be minus five out there.

Minus nine last night.

Well, either way,
it hasn't snowed for days,

and the roads are as clear
as they've been for two weeks!

Milk has to come
from the countryside, Vi,

and-and you know what that's like -
it's miles away from anywhere!

And they've got to get the milk
out the cow, into the churns,

got to get the churns on the train,
and then they send the churns

all over London where they have
to be bottled.

Then where is it?

I would mind less if I hadn't put
the shop on short hours again

so that I can help
down the Institute!

I reckon this must be the
worst-run borough in London.

That looks most appropriate.

Thank you for the loan of it.

Percy was always
so careful with money,

I almost felt like splashing
out on a great big black titfer,

just to show him who's boss now.

But old habits die hard.

You can make changes, in time.

I used to carry a ten bob note
inside my corset.

Just ten bob.

But it was my escape route.

My bus fare, or my train ticket.
It could've got me out.

When Anthea went,
I put it in her pocket.

It was everything
I was never brave enough to do.

I think the cortege
will be arriving.

Let's go and wait for the lift.

You pop round for a cup of tea,
once the dust is settled, eh?

Thank you.

I'm so sorry for your loss, love.
Thank you.

We'll be thinking of you.

Corned beef, and the last of that
Christmas chutney.

What's all this?

It's Angela's Magic Bean costume.

I never finished it,
and now the pantomime's back on,

Madam Edith wants every sequin in
apple pie order by dress rehearsal.

You're doing too much, Shelagh.

If I don't do too much,
not enough gets done.

Ladies and gentlemen!
Ladies, please!

Mr Bentley is not a criminal,

he's a hard-pressed citizen
trying to do a job of work.

He's got churns full of milk!

And you heard his explanation!

He hasn't got any bottles
to put it in!

They were stolen
from abandoned floats,

they were dumped in rubbish chutes,

and those are the ones that didn't
go AWOL into the snowdrift!

I've brought two jugs
and a billycan.

And I've brought a bloomin' bucket!

Those churns are the property
of the Milk Marketing Board

and anyone making an advance on them
is liable to charges!

Charges of what?

Looting, and riotous behaviour.

And bodily harm,

if those ladies come any nearer
to Mr Bentley with their prams.

Mothers can become quite agitated
if their children are deprived.

Nevertheless, I would counsel
against decanting

milk from farmyard churns
into unsterilized receptacles.

We have hygiene to consider,
as well as diet.

Is there anything you need
assistance with, Nurse Crane?

Always good to have the support of
the Civil Defence Corps, Mr Buckle.

Next stop, the Gurkhas.

I heard that. If you would
follow me, please, Mr Buckle.

What plan are you hatching now?

Since you ask, Sergeant Woolf, I'm
off to do something useful.

LAUGHTER

All right, all right, that's no
excuse for you to start up again.

Now remember, anybody who wants
to touch her has to

wash their hands first!

KNOCKING

It's like Battersea Dogs Home
in here!

That's a lovely thought, Sister.
Thank you.

Would you like me
to tell your mother about the baby?

He dragged up too much stuff
by dying. I want everything buried.

Not just him.

Anthea, if you think it might help
to meet your mother in a more

relaxed setting,

we're giving a Christmas dinner for
the elderly in our neighbourhood.

I'm sorry, Sister. But I've just
given birth to my last baby.

And it's made me
think about my first one.

And I'm just going to get on
with doing what I've been

doing for as long as I've been able,

which is making sure nobody ever
gets a door shut in their face.

Can you understand that?

Yes. Because it's what we do, too.

I'm going to leave you
with your family,

to enjoy the happiness you made
with them, and make for them.

And which you so richly deserve.

One, two, three, four.

How many are there? Yes!

I've got one more, yes!

I've found another one,
I've found another one.

Yes, one more in the bag.

Now, be careful with those bottles,
lads. Don't break any.

Give us a hand.

Unbelievable, there's so many.

Whoever gets the most is going to
get a humbug. What d'ya reckon?

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

I like a man who gives credit
when it's due.

Welcome. Thank you.

Welcome. Enjoy!

MURMUR OF CONVERSATION

Hello! How are you? I'm very well,
thank you, dear.

Hope you enjoy it. Thank you.

Thanks.

Mabel! I'm so glad you're joining us
for dinner.

Let me show you to your seat.

We're running out of hessian sacks.

The Beanshoot Babes are going to
be in their knickers and vests!

Make sure you put
the dots of lipstick in the corner
of their eyes, Valerie.

Their features simply won't
stand out otherwise.

Well, you might want to do that
for me.

These false eyelashes
are a bit of a disappointment.

Fred, you're supposed to be a poor,
widowed subsistence farmer,

not Sophia Loren!

When it's my turn I'm
putting in a bid for cupid bow lips

and periwinkle eye shadow.

Be a bit of a waste on
the rear end of a pantomime cow!

I, meanwhile, will be
playing the front end.

And in case nobody's noticed,
I've had a full manicure
and a professional shampoo and set.

Well, there's never any excuse
for a lady to look less than her
best, as Fred well knows!

Ah. There's no call for frivolity.

I bear the weight of an ancient
tradition on my shoulders.

Christopher and I are aware that
our combined role is a lowly one,

and we bear it nobly for
the greater good of the community.

It's perked me up good and proper,
this has.

I hadn't pulled
a cracker in 32 years.

And I'm telling you, the jokes
in them don't get any better.

Hello, Mum.

Hello, Anthea, love!

I thought you might like
to meet your newest grandchild.

We've called her Helen.

The rest of them,
some of them are mine,

and some of them
aren't mine for long.

I'm sure your mother will want
to meet all of your children.

I brought you these.

I don't know how they managed
to survive this weather,

but they did.

They must be tough little things.

I wanted to buy
the flowers for you with it,

but the bank won't accept
those notes any more.

They belong in the past.

I can't believe you'll be
leaving before the end!

Another blizzard forecast
is another blizzard forecast.

Even if our finale does rival
that of The London Palladium!

There won't be a train
to be had in the morning.

I'll be back before you know it.

Oh!

Sorry. One of the Magic Beans
has trapped her finger in the door.

Oh!

Take care of her.

MUSIC

HE MOUTHS

# Though we gotta say goodbye
for the summer

# Darling I promise you this

# I'll send you all my love

# Every day in a letter... #

Hold each other close.
Keep each other safe.

For there is imperfection
everywhere.

There are always wounds that weep.

# I'll run to tenderly hold you

# But darling you won't be there

# I don't want to say goodbye
for the summer

# Knowing the love we'll miss

# Oh let us make a pledge
to meet in September... #

Year by year by year, we share
the season and move on.

Barbara?
# Yes, it's going to be
a cold lonely summer

# But I'll fill the emptiness

# I'll send you all my love

# Every day in a letter... #

There will always be

another Christmas
and all will be well.

All will be well.

# Sealed with a kiss. #