Original subtitles

JENNIFER: Once upon a time,

the season that is new today

was old and closed and packed away.

Advent had erupted into Christmas.

Darkness retreated in the face of light

and the wheel of the year kept turning.

But once again, we gather as the sky grows cold.

The leaves have tumbled, the fresh snow falls.

Pages turn as new doors open

time and time and time again.

-Merry Christmas, Fred. -Merry Christmas.

Medical supplies, packed and labelled

and ready for hand delivery to the branch house.

Hibiscus Clinic?

Do you think you should write on it in Chinese?

Hong Kong is a British colony.

I'm quite sure everyone is

competent in our mother tongue.

I detect a want of enthusiasm on your visage.

When adventure beckons, you should embrace the call.

This trip is a wonderful opportunity for Violet to see her son.

And the sisters at the clinic will be so grateful for these supplies.

I'll just be glad of a chance to run an errand,

if I'm honest with you, Sister Julienne.

There's talk of...

- MOCKINGLY: - ..cocktail parties.

KIDS SINGING: ♪ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

♪ Had a very shiny nose

♪ And if you ever saw it

♪ You would even say it glows

♪ All of the other reindeers

♪ Used to laugh and call him names

-♪ They never let... ♪ -Kevin!

I've told you before - stay inside the lines!

The lines represent the edges of the lorry!

-♪ Santa came to say... ♪ -You too, Teddy!

We don't want you falling off the float and getting run over!

Do you think they're going to need

bigger holes for their mouths, Mrs Turner?

I'm worried that they're going to be deprived of oxygen.

Oh, please, please - don't anyone stop singing on my account!

♪ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer... ♪

Hello, Diane.

♪ You'll go down in history! ♪

Well, now, pack, what do we say when a very important lady,

like Mrs Buckle, our Mayor, is kind enough to come and visit us?

KIDS: Good evening, Mrs Buckle.

Thank you, pack. Now, off you pop and work on your knots.

It's all set out on the tables.

One piece of cord between two!

I've bought a dozen pairs of brown tights for the reindeer.

I managed to get them on a special order.

You'll not get lads of this age to wear tights, Mrs Buckle.

Well, you'll have to tell them that it's in a good cause.

I mean, the whole Christmas Carnival is in a good cause!

Erm, elastic...

...black felt squares...

...erm, sleigh bells...

...and WD-40.

What's that for? To oil the sled runners?

Fred needs to do the paper shop bell before we leave!

Mrs Buckle, go.

Go to Hong Kong.

And do not give the Christmas Carnival a second thought.

SHELAGH: Oh...

Mrs Buckle! I'm sorry.

Oh, no, I'm sorry, Mrs Turner.

I'm not quite sure which way is up this evening.

I wondered if you could take a tiny parcel to Hong Kong for me.

It's a letter and some photographs, for May's mother.

We haven't heard from her for over a year,

but the sisters say they still see her from time to time,

with her little boy.

Of course I'll take it.

It must all be, well, such a worry.

I used to fret about my Derek when he was in the Navy.

But now he's in the Hong Kong Police.

They have to wear guns, Mrs Turner.

It makes me nervous.

You'll be back by Christmas, with wonderful memories.

And we've got Reggie coming home.

I'm already hoping that it will be snowing for him.

SHELAGH CHUCKLES

Whoever guesses the mystery ingredient in this year's chutney

gets to eat the first mince pie and make a wish.

I'm getting definite top-notes of tamarind.

Have you been on another cooking course?

No, Matthew took her to Antigua for their wedding anniversary.

-Oh. -It's mango!

-Ah! -Yes!

LAUGHTER

It's good to hear you're moving back to London, lass.

Matthew has to stay in New York until autumn,

and Jonty's starting pre-prep at Easter.

I needed to get him home and settled.

Sister Julienne, I will be free for midwifery duty,

should you be short-staffed.

We very seldom are, at present.

Things have been remarkably quiet.

I have offered her a receptionist's role at my new osteopathy practice

on Harley Street, but no dice, apparently.

You're only there four hours a week.

Nevertheless, his couch sees a constant parade of celebrities,

by all accounts.

Celebrities? Coming to you with their cricked necks?

I hope you're going to name names.

Professional discretion is my watchword.

Have a mince pie.

Oh!

Oh...

Fred! Have you seen the time?

We're going to miss the plane!

The party was running late,

and I didn't want to disappoint the kiddies.

Get in the cab.

You can change out of your costume on the way.

ENGINE STARTS

AEROPLANE WHOOSHES

Please let me knot my hankie and put it on my head, Vi.

No! We'll get you a nice, smart Panama hat

as soon as we've left these parcels with the sisters.

CLEARS THROAT

We're looking for a sign that says Hibiscus Street.

Derek says it should be written in Chinese as well as English.

Thank you.

There it is.

SHOUTING

UNTRANSLATED

The building has collapsed. Stay back, please.

The building has collapsed. Please, stay back.

COUGHING

There must be fatalities.

I'm sorry to intercept you, Sister,

but Mrs Buckle has just telephoned, from Hong Kong.

It's about the branch house.

How on Earth can an entire building just collapse?

I never heard of anything so colonial!

There were rumours that the ground in that area was unstable.

But whatever the cause,

it's the consequences that are truly shocking.

Sister Alice and Sister David were both killed.

-Oh, no... -Along with the doctor who worked with them.

Some of the children in the nursery...

...did not survive.

Meanwhile, the maternity ward

has been destroyed, the sisters are homeless,

and the people who depend upon them are scattered across Kowloon.

Once they have overcome this,

they will need somewhere to live and carry on their work.

Now, they need a doctor.

They need nurses and they need midwives.

In short, Sister...

...they need us.

I keep thinking we should be making Christmas trees for the Carnival,

not palm trees.

The theme of the float is A Caribbean Christmas.

There's going to be a steel band playing carols and a Gospel choir.

HE SINGS, SHE LAUGHS KNOCKING

DOOR OPENS

Are these the palm trees?

Mm-hm.

I'm starting to think we should be making Jacarandas.

So, what's this letter you want to talk to me about?

If ten days on the ground in Hong Kong

means that we can get them through this crisis,

I am more than happy to put a locum in the surgery.

And, Sister Veronica, you must go.

You were three years at that branch house -

you're the only one with even a glancing knowledge

of the way things work out there.

I will go wherever I'm told.

I will do whatever I'm told.

Very well. Dr Turner will go.

As will Nurse Crane, Sister Veronica

and myself.

So, this man, this... Mr Fischer,

who writes with an educated hand from an address in Belgravia,

wants to rent this flat, with immediate effect.

For a period of time that he is unable to specify.

For an amount that we are free to name.

Look, call me ruthless, if you want to,

but, Pastor Robinson, what I make of it is money for the church.

Running a church is always going to cost somebody something.

I'll find somewhere else to lay my head for a week or two.

The truth is, I'm more worried about me missing you over there

than I am about me being missed over here.

You were vital to everything when we were in South Africa.

And I came home with Teddy on the way.

Look, Timothy is quite old enough to hold the fort,

if you came to Hong Kong.

He's home on study leave for a month.

Patrick, I'm needed here.

DOOR CLOSES

That's the last box, Miss Higgins.

Dr Elyse Watkiss is our first choice for locum cover.

She's young but has excellent GP experience.

I will attend to the necessary paperwork.

Timothy, you might call the pharmacy regarding the export forms,

whilst I see to this.

Yes, Miss Higgins.

The posters have turned out an absolute treat.

I found a photo that must have been taken years ago.

And you'll never guess what -

you can see it clear as day, now it's blown up life-size.

Mum, look!

Oh, it's May.

As a baby!

Before we even knew her.

I would recognise her anywhere.

Come on, ladies! Dig as deep as you can.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you very much.

-Every penny counts! -Don't be shy!

Some of these clothes are ours, Mum.

Yes. I went up into the loft and there were bags full of woollies

that went back years.

This was mine. I remember this.

You had it when you first arrived from China.

Would you rather we didn't send it off?

The radio reporter says ready when you are.

Ten-year-old May Turner has a special reason for helping

with the appeal today.

Can you tell the listeners what it is, May?

I was born there.

A photograph of May, aged 12 months

and held safely in the arms of a Nonnatus nun

features on posters for the rescue mission.

As the Nonnatus Sisters of Poplar head east to help,

do you have a message for people listening, May?

WHISPERING: Please give all you can.

Please give all you can.

Because...

...some of the children there have nothing.

Sister Hilda will be joining the Nonnatus party at Heathrow.

At least that's only one plane we have to meet, Fred.

Derek, you're eating the lime marmalade.

I'm not going to lie to you -

I've laid awake at night dreaming of this stuff.

Thanks for bringing it.

And the mustard. Proper taste of home.

It's even got...

..."English" written on the tin.

Fred and I were wondering about popping over to Kowloon,

to see if there's anything we can take the poor sisters.

Mum, Kowloon isn't the East End.

Nobody pops over there.

Or not to that bit of it, anyway.

Hibiscus Street's about as dodgy as it gets.

Drugs, prostitution, smuggling.

Makes you wonder why the sisters are so keen to stay there.

Well, it's the same as Poplar, ain't it?

Bad things happen - good people sort it out.

The best people in the world couldn't sort Triad out.

What is Triad, Derek?

Organised crime.

It's invisible and it's everywhere.

Oh...

I got used to Tim not being here because he's at medical school.

What I can't get used to is him not being here because he's in the pub.

Mum and Dad...

You should be in bed, Tilly Mint.

We've been talking.

Oh, it's very late.

We've all been talking.

And we all want you to go to Hong Kong, Mum.

Do you?

Yes.

And I want you to take this.

Oh...

Oh!

And that was confirmation

that you can refer any health visitor business

over to Miss Haines at the Stepney Clinic.

If I say so myself, the plan is impregnable!

You, meanwhile, are the only one I trust with my Rolodex.

I will guard it with my life.

And Nurse Aylward considers herself on call at any time,

should you require her support with any administration.

I'm also available for midwifery duty.

You only have to pick up the phone.

Thank you. It's most unlikely that it will come to that.

This is a mercy mission.

It's also a mercy dash and we'll be home soon.

By the time we all gather here again,

we will have left our friends in Hong Kong in a place of...

...hope and of comfort and of joy.

Thank you, all of you, for helping us to help them.

APPLAUSE

I am reminded of Spitfires streaming overhead,

to skies and fights half known, but undetermined.

They'll all be home by Christmas.

That was our motto...

...in a different war.

I still don't like the idea of you living in a bedsit,

like you've just come off the boat.

KNOCKING

It's a better bedsit than I had in those days.

It's got fitted carpets and hot water.

DOOR OPENS

MAN: - Hot chestnuts. Get your chestnuts hot here.

BAND PLAYS: Once In Royal David's City

Ah. You, I take it, are Pastor CA Robinson,

of the Shining Tabernacle Church of God?

And you must be Mr Fischer.

Please, come in.

We got rid of the electric meter

to stop the lights going out when people were testifying.

And this is the bedroom.

DISTANT TRAIN TRACKS RATTLE

We put up thick curtains,

so the trains won't bother you in the night.

Oh, the trains won't bother me at any time of day.

I thought you'd be saying Lauds in your room, Sister Monica Joan.

In Hong Kong, they will be saying the afternoon office.

And the Psalm does not vary,

no matter from which corner of the globe we offer up our praise.

I shall raise my voice with yours...

...and theirs.

♪ My help cometh even from the Lord

♪ Who hath made heaven and earth

♪ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved

♪ And he that keepeth thee will not sleep

♪ Praise the Lord!

♪ Praise the Lord! ♪

WAILING

WHISTLE BLOWS

OFFICER GIVES INSTRUCTION

The thing is, Dr Turner, you just have to keep your nerve.

I haven't lost my nerve, Fred.

I HAVE lost sight of the van

containing all of the medical supplies and the donations.

I told the driver at the airport.

I said they were to follow immediately behind us.

I wondered what you were saying.

You sounded commendably forceful.

We just have to hope you said what you thought you said.

If we have any problems whatsoever,

my Derek has told me which police station to go to

and to use his name.

OFFICER GIVES INSTRUCTION

Thank you very much.

There's one of our sisters!

SHE GASPS

Sister Edith!

I greet you in the Lord Jesus Christ's name.

We greet you likewise.

SISTER EDITH GASPING

There is much to be considered.

Seven day, I have them upstairs!

Sick nun, sick children.

And we could not be more grateful.

Thank you.

Say that to her in Cantonese.

"Thank you" I know.

Thank you not important.

"Trouble" I know also.

You have trouble. Come. Come.

BABY CRYING, COUGHING

They can't all be living here.

Onward! I can hear the child crying.

HORNS BEEPING

I believe Sister Simon will need to go to hospital

and have her wrist reset under an aesthetic.

And I suspect Sister Prudence has a broken collar bone.

We're going to have to stand them all down

and send them for hospital treatment.

When did the diarrhoea start? Before the cough, or after?

Doctor, I know what ails me.

I have tuberculosis.

Are you sure?

Or do you simply fear it?

Miliary tuberculosis - the worst kind.

Tuberculosis is so very contagious.

It has spread from my lungs throughout my body.

I have little time left to live.

When were you diagnosed?

The day the clinic collapsed.

I was told by our doctor, Dr Li.

I took myself out for a walk

whilst she arranged for me to go to a sanatorium.

And when I returned,

there was no clinic...

...and no doctor...

...and no bed in a sanatorium.

And no choice but to carry on handling the children.

HE SIGHS HEAVILY

Oh... Oh.

You are kind, Nurse.

Just doing my job, lass.

At least the main treatment for pre-eclampsia is bed rest.

Both these ladies have had that,

rudimentary though the beds may be.

Once we've unpacked, I'll ask them to oblige me with some samples

and get the dipsticks out.

This is infected.

I don't think it's been properly cleaned.

Is it any wonder, with them all huddled up here

without even the barest essentials?

Not to mention ignoring their own injuries.

If you ask me, the sisters worked miracles enough

just keeping everyone alive.

And now it's our turn.

This place reminds me of a cash and carry.

There must be a gross of tinned bamboo shoots in this box

and enough soya sauce to float a battleship.

Do you reckon Mrs Ma would mind if we move stuff about?

We'll have to ask her, Fred.

I know she's a Christian convert and she has been very accommodating,

but... these are her premises.

I need the labelled crates of medical supplies, Fred.

We have to run urgent TB tests on everyone.

-Over here, Doc. -Ah, excellent.

Excellent.

No...

Oh, no, no, no, no!

These have been forced open.

HE SIGHS

It's all gone.

Is that the New Vista Sanatorium?

Mm goi. I have a very sick lady who requires urgent admission.

SHE SPEAKS CANTONESE

You have been charity itself, Mrs Ma.

-I'll hold. -You took the sisters in and gave them food and shelter...

Only till rescue.

You are rescue. Now, you all go.

But we have nowhere else TO go.

We will find a new clinic.

We will find a new convent.

But we cannot do that today.

It's not safe!

Why is it not safe?

You stay.

Stay now, but go soon.

And use back door, not front.

PHONE RINGS

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

Can I bring my wife to the maternity home, please?

Of course, sir.

Er, what name is it?

She says what name?

Diane Mary Edgar!

Diane Mary Edgar.

I made myself a cup of coffee, Miss Higgins. Do you want one?

Er, thank you. I generally keep myself in check until elevenses.

Um, your white coat should be hanging on the back of the door

of the consulting room. Would you like me to fetch it?

It's fine! I don't need it yet.

We've got bad coughs coming in at half-past nine

and 10 past 10, and at 11, all in the over-50 age group.

Have these patients been referred to the East London Chest Clinic?

I'm sure they have, if Dr Turner considers that appropriate.

Excellent.

I'll have a quick rummage through their notes just to make sure.

The files are through here, aren't they?

They are indeed. Erm, no fluids in the filing room,

if you'd be so kind.

LOUD GROAN

PANTING

Perfect work.

You certainly know what you're doing.

Oh, I feel terrible about bringing those reindeer heads.

I'd have never got 'em finished otherwise.

Good morning. May I help you?

My name's Queenie Forsyth.

My daughter's in child bed.

We arrived last night.

PANTING

That's six massive pushes I've done now.

It's not budging, Nurse.

Let's get you back on the bed

and then I can examine you.

We'll soon have a better idea of your progress.

I'm telling you now, there hasn't been any.

This one's not playing the same game as my others.

GROANING

GROANING

Midwives calling!

Good gracious! It's like the first day of the sales in here.

Can we open one of those windows and let in a bit of air?

How long have you been feeling that you need to push, child?

I don't know!

And every time they yell at me to push, I try.

Five hours.

Five hours she's been at it.

GROANING

OK, honey.

Until we know what's what, you must not push.

Do you hear me? You must not push.

I am not a bossy woman, but I am being bossy now.

How much did your other babies weigh, Diane?

Seven pound six, and eight pound nine.

Darren was like giving birth to a sofa.

This one feels like a ruddy three-piece suite,

and a coffee table.

I think Baby might be on the bonny side.

But I don't think he's read the book that tells him

how to line up nicely for delivery.

Doctor, could you pop across and speak to Dr Watkiss?

It's R-O-T.

A Right Occiput Transverse?

And quite a big baby.

But my dad, Dr Turner, always attends,

in the event of any transverse position.

Well, I'd better come through, then.

That poor girl started pushing long, long before she was ready.

Has she damaged her cervix?

It's not torn,

but it's so swollen I can actually see it

at the entrance to her vagina.

No baby's going to get through that unless we bring that swelling down.

We need ice.

Ice?

I think I saw a refrigerator.

If we don't make this work, she'll need a Caesarean section.

SOBBING

Diane, don't cry.

There are all sorts of things we can do to get things moving.

Would Dr Turner try the ventouse, do you think?

No.

He always uses forceps in a transverse position.

In which case, we'll continue with trial of labour.

We'll transfer you to St Cuthbert's, if we get no joy.

SOBBING

Timothy, this won't do.

Nonnatus House.

If you pursue midwifes, they are all abroad, or otherwise at large.

-Is there nobody there at all? -DISTANT SOBBING

Nurse Clifford has a multiparous woman in obstructed labour.

And the locum doesn't know how to use forceps.

Supply the details

and I will provide the advice.

You're going to be grateful to me in the long run

but I'm not going to lie to you and say this ice pack

is the nicest thing you ever had slip underneath your covers.

GIGGLING

Are you allowed to laugh at things like that?

I don't get the chance very often!

Ah!

It's freezing!

Serves you right, for being disrespectful.

SHE GROANS

Diane, we need you head down and with your bottom in the air.

This position will stretch your pelvic ligaments

and give the baby enough room to adjust its head position.

I hope you have that on good authority!

The best authority you can possibly imagine.

Let her have a little nap.

Is there anything else wrong with her?

I don't think so.

But, Queenie, women need skilled help when they're giving birth.

Especially when it's their first.

I took her to the doctor when she first knew that she'd fallen.

We were up in the far north then.

You forget where you've been.

Haven't decided where you're going.

And besides, I went to the hospital with my last one.

I wouldn't venture that again.

I'll examine her.

Let's hope it's worked.

Oh, I just want to lie down.

Baby has shifted position, Diane.

All we need to do now is make friends with gravity.

I'm going to have to push.

That's all right, Diane.

You give it everything you've got.

This is the bit where I'm glad I did the enema.

KNOCKING

I feared verbal instructions alone would not suffice.

Verbal instruction has done more than you can possibly imagine.

Baby's head is beginning to crown.

LOUD GROANING

The swelling has gone down, Marie.

But I need you to do exactly as I say.

Listen to Nurse Highland.

On the next one, I want your chin on your chest

and a slow, quiet, steady push.

Slow!

Slow.

BOTH: Quiet. Steady.

SHE GROANS

GROANING

We've got the head.

Come on. You can do it!

Keep it coming! Keep it coming!

LOUD MOAN

BABY CRIES

Is it a boy or a girl?

I'm afraid I can't tell. I've got something in my eye.

LAUGHTER, BABY CRIES

Can you see, Sister Monica Joan?

I can see every aspect of the miracle.

You have a daughter.

MARIE CRIES OUT

This stinging will end soon, Marie.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

And we have a head!

Well done, honey.

We also have meconium.

The midwife says we need an ambulance!

Oh. Go on.

MARIE STRAINS

SHE GROANS

You've a little boy, Marie.

Can I hold him?

All will be well, Marie.

I promise you - all will be well.

BABY GURGLES

He must be baptised.

-Now. -But there'll be a chaplain at the hospital, Queenie.

This is his home,

and he is not leaving his mother's arms until he is baptised.

- MISS HIGGINS: - Well,

Dr Watkiss' curriculum vitae

stated very clearly she is fully trained in obstetrics.

She has now revealed that, in almost five years of GP practice,

she has only delivered two babies,

neither with any complications.

That's the way it is these days.

We're all trained in obs and gynae,

but the expectation is that almost every baby will be born in hospital.

Dr Watkiss wanted to continue trial of labour

but we couldn't countermand her because she's more senior.

And next time we may not have Sister Monica Joan to call on.

Any wisdom I have was hard won,

in the days when there might have been no doctor to send for.

We were wise out of necessity.

And you are skilled in your own right.

Nevertheless, I will not permit this to happen again.

I am sending for Nurse Aylward.

Lord Jesus Christ,

who took little children in your arms and blessed them,

hold this infant, Luke Michael,

in your matchless love today and always.

Fill his mother and father with your peace

and cherish him according to thy will.

-Amen. -ALL: Amen.

-Amen. -Amen.

I keep thinking,

May's mother was a nanny for a British service family.

Is it worth asking if the Army have any record of her?

She would have just been cheap, casual labour.

After she lost her job, she must have been desperate.

And where would desperation take you, in a city of this size?

We have to find out.

Esther Tang gave us the greatest gift we've ever had...

...and we can't abandon her.

No. We can't.

Sister Hilda?

Are you lying awake for the same reason that I'm lying awake?

I don't know.

Well, I'm lying awake because we've flown halfway round the world

on a rescue mission and if we get thrown out of this place by Mrs Ma,

we're going to be in as much need of rescue as anyone else.

The injured and the sick sisters are leaving in the morning.

Sister Edith to the sanatorium

and the other sisters to the Roman Catholic hospital.

We have orphans to care for.

And expectant mothers.

Any one of whom could have caught TB.

And out in the street, there are prostitutes and addicts

who will look to us for help.

I know there are.

But we will pray.

And we will wait to see what love can do.

SISTER HILDA SIGHS

I'm sorry, Miss Higgins. I've been through all of these cases

and there are at least half a dozen

who should be at St Cuthbert's and not here.

Well, Mr Parry himself expressed satisfaction with our care.

Good afternoon, ladies.

Dr Watkiss, I presume?

Nurse Aylward?

Sister Aylward, as it happens.

I've accepted a promotion during the absence of Dr Turner,

under whom I've worked for 16 years, ever since I qualified.

Hmm, so we have three mothers over 40,

two gestational diabetes,

and Maureen Santoro I know already.

She had her first set of twins with us.

Second set isn't unheard of.

I've never handled a multiple pregnancy, Sister.

Well, there's always a first time.

Dr Watkiss and I will call ourselves Cubicle One.

Send them all to us and we'll see how we do.

Hello?

Queenie!

Have you brought Marie?

She's still above in the hospital, with the baby.

He's after taking the antibiotics.

She's doing grand.

It's... me that needs to see you.

Are you expecting, Queenie?

Under this coat, I'm having my ninth.

You don't shout about it when you get to my age.

But I heard what you and the other nurse was saying.

I need skilled help.

If you want it, we'll make sure you get it.

I do want it.

- WHISPERING: - My last was a stillborn.

Even though I had it in hospital.

I'm so sorry that happened to you, Queenie.

But we're going to walk beside you now.

I'll start by filling in your co-op card.

Ooh!

A tin of Carnation milk, if you please.

Oh, ah, and erm...

...a quarter of humbugs, if you'll be so kind.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. Perhaps just two ounces.

I do not consume them in any conspicuous pace.

You don't want them all turning sticky at the bottom of the bag.

No.

CREAK

Oh!

I thought I heard that.

It catches.

Doesn't it?

I think Mr Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.

He must have forgotten.

Well, then, I...

...I thought I'd imagined it.

HE LAUGHS

LAUGHING

It catches!

It's all very well and good complaining

that all the people who can deliver babies have gone to Hong Kong.

I'm more concerned that all the people who can sew

have gone to Hong Kong.

You're always waving your magic wand and producing costumes, Geoffrey.

And no-one's going to see the details. It's for a carnival.

Everything's going to be moving past at speed.

Well, moving past.

I'm an ideas man.

And a contacts man.

I'm not a needle and thread man!

And it was not my idea

to dress up the midwives of Nonnatus House as angels,

complete with ostrich feather wings.

I thought we could do it with just a bit of cutting and sticking.

Like Rosalind and her Christmas trees.

They're palm trees.

I heard rumours the sewing machine was out.

Angela just tried on her spoon costume and ripped it.

Oof. You look like you good do with a Snowball, honey.

Do you want a maraschino cherry in it?

I'll have two.

What sort of wounds have they taught you to suture at medical school?

Well, highlights include closure of incision after two appendectomies

and I did a rugby player's scalp once.

Needle. Thread.

If you want a cocktail, you're going to have to earn it.

UNTRANSLATED SPEECH

Oh...

This is not the way I intended my service to end.

As a patient in a sanatorium.

You have given all you can, Sister Edith.

That is enough, and more.

It was the children I lived for and loved the best.

I remember your daughter well.

May?

Oh, she's ten years old now.

And so many children pass through the orphanage.

Mm.

I took medicine to her mother, Esther.

Three months ago, she was living out on Tau Street.

Number 122.

The number is daubed on, on the door.

Sister Edith, do you think she might still be there?

She was there once.

And not too long ago.

Beyond that, I cannot say.

The sooner we are able to move into the premises,

the better it will be for the people in our care.

We can even overlook the pigeon infestation,

for a small reduction in the rent.

Down payment will be 2,000 Hong Kong dollars.

The sisters have the funds for that,

and there will be ongoing support

from a number of private philanthropists,

plus the Rotary Club of Hong Kong.

Very well.

We shall prepare the documentation.

Ah!

Thank you.

Mm goi.

Let's hope the Army can help with our medical supplies.

The collapse of that clinic barely made the news here.

And of course we're delighted to assist,

now that we know there's a rescue mission on.

The sisters need all the help they can get, sir.

It's not disinterest because buildings fall down all the time.

It's avoidance.

Cos it's going to happen more and more -

everybody knows that and there's nothing we can do.

Because of the overcrowding?

Because they just keep building upwards on insecure foundations.

One misplaced mudslide could obliterate Kowloon.

At least we can improve on the human side of things.

-Morning, Major. -Morning, Corporal.

I'm coming with my best party manners and a begging bowl.

TRAM BELL RINGS

It really is extraordinarily kind of you to accompany us, Mrs Buckle.

I thought it may be necessary to tell untruths, Sister,

and I thought if that was the case then better me than you.

Mrs Buckle, have you told untruths?

No!

I may have slightly pre-empted one or two realities.

Although I'm sure the Rotary Club

will be only too pleased to offer their support,

once I make contact and explain the situation.

I daren't even ask about the private philanthropists.

Well, one of them is me.

And I'm sure there will be others.

MAN GIVES INSTRUCTIONS

It's not just the TB kits and penicillin

I'm grateful to the Major for.

It's use of the Army labs for processing the tests.

It's all well and good the sisters having faith in God...

...but I reckon the military beat him every time.

The military's certainly better organised.

Well, I suppose they have to be, same as the police,

-especially with all this... -LOWERS VOICE: - ..Triad malarkey.

It's just like the Kray Twins.

And then some.

I've stitched wounds inflicted by the Kray Twins.

They never bothered us, nor Nonnatus House.

In fact, the sisters were revered.

I don't reckon the Triad revere the sisters here.

If they did, they would help 'em.

I think you're right.

You know, Violet's Derek says,

there's somebody Triad in every street

that people have to answer to or pay.

And Mrs Ma is living in fear of someone.

DISTANT SIREN

Oh. I'm searching for a young lady called Esther Tang.

She used to live at this address

and has a young boy about the same age as this little one.

I wonder if you or your wife might know where she moved to?

She has gone.

She will not return.

Miss! Miss!

Esther left one week ago.

Did she say where she was going?

She was sick and she was afraid.

Don't look for her, please.

Can I ask your name?

Grace.

Don't look.

♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas

♪ Let your heart be light

♪ From now on our troubles will be out of sight

♪ Merry Christmas Merry, merry Christmas

♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas

♪ Make the Yuletide gay

♪ From now all our troubles will be miles away

♪ All your troubles soon turn into bubbles

♪ Once again as in olden days

♪ Happy golden days of yore

♪ Faithful friends who are dear to us

♪ Gather near to us once more

♪ Once more

♪ Through the years we all will be together... ♪

Joyce, Trixie's supposed to be doing our make-up,

but there's no sign of her.

She's not the only one who knows what to do with a bit of eye shadow.

And if she doesn't turn up on time, our float is leaving without her.

Isn't it going to look a bit feeble with just the three of us?

We are midwives,

not the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!

Pack, pack, pack!

You are all to visit the toilets now and come straight back here,

as soon as you have washed your hands.

Right? Now, Harry,

who has arrived from university just in time to help us tonight,

is now going to hand out cough candy to help us all with our singing.

Come on!

KIDS CLAMOUR

I want one! I want one!

-Can I have one, sir? -Me!

Promise me you'll always have me home for Christmas.

We're going to be late, Geoffrey.

If you were content with boarding a carnival float

wearing improperly attached angel wings,

well, I can assure you, I wasn't.

Oh, for pity's sake!

Pushing this pram through snow is like dicing with insanity.

What's that?

It's a walking stick?

Oh. It's actually rather elegant.

I think it's got a solid silver top.

Oh, no, no. Sis, I know this.

This belongs to one of my Harley Street patients, Maurice Templemore.

He was an enormous film star when the talkies first came out.

What's it doing here in Poplar?

Also, if there's one thing I do know,

if you find a walking stick lying on the ground,

you're likely to find its owner nearby

and lying in a similar position.

-Sir? -No.

Maurice Templemore cannot be in Poplar.

I doubt he even knows where Poplar is.

He must have been burgled!

Sir!

-Sir? -Over... here.

I'm terribly sorry.

I seem to have rather overstretched myself.

Thank you.

Mr Templemore?

Please don't call me that.

Not here.

CHEERING

STEEL DRUMS PLAY

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

What are you doing in this insalubrious part of town?

Well, you're in the same insalubrious part of town.

But you're not well.

I know that because you said so when I was sorting out your fibrositis.

A blood disorder, you told me.

What kind of blood disorder?

A malignant one.

But I didn't tell him that.

I was born in this flat,

when the paper shop was a greengrocer.

My father came all the way from Russia, straight off the boats.

All he knew was beets and turnips

and so he made a life from that.

And you made a life out of different things entirely.

Yes. Little Manny Fischer

became Maurice Templemore.

New York, Hollywood,

and then home.

Well, to London's West End,

instead of the East End,

and to a life of comfortable obscurity.

But...

...everyone had gone.

Your family had gone?

Here. Here.

All manner of humanity that I once loved, had gone.

So I've come home to die.

Mr Templemore, you live in Belgravia.

Not any more.

And I'm no longer Mr Templemore...

...if ever I truly was.

He needs medical care, Sis.

DOOR CLOSES

And I'll arrange that in the morning.

But at this precise moment in time, we have a carnival to catch.

Come along!

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION

I used to... Oh.

I used to make them...

BABY CRIES

Oh, no! No...

A baby. Left to be found.

This happened all the time at the Hibiscus Clinic.

BABY CRIES

A girl.

I'd not put her at more than two days old.

And the cord looks to have been chewed through.

Come here. Come here. Come on, my baby.

-Oh... -Oh, it's OK.

Oh...

INDISTINCT SPEECH

What do you mean, we can't have the house on Half Lotus Street?

We have the keys and we have paid the deposit!

It is not suitable.

It is extremely suitable.

And we can move there immediately with the children

and our adult patients.

The man who owns the building say no.

Give me the keys.

If we are to return them,

it can only be in exchange for the money we have paid.

Give me the keys.

BABY FUSSES

Keys.

Esther is a very, very important person to our family.

It's as though they have both vanished.

What's wrong with its heartbeat?

Only doctors deliver by forceps.

Everyone's bringing a bottle.

CHEERING

Run by a crook who calls himself the Cormorant.

-A gangster? -Of the worst kind!

Mr Fred and the doctor are in trouble.