Original subtitles

MATURE JENNIFER: Life seldom unfolds exactly as we wish it.

There are shocks and disappointments.

Unwelcome revelations bring a light we can't deny.

There are new things, and we fear them.

There are hard things, and they must be done.

Sometimes we have no choice,

and sometimes choice is imposed upon us.

And the questions pound like hammers.

What lies beyond this?

Where will we decide to go?

Ah, nice to see you putting that fall behind you, Mr Bagnall.

You're doing very well on those new crutches.

I'm recovering at a rate of knots!

Can I interest you in yoga lessons?

Is that how you did it?

My son's running them - Joel.

He's inside, putting up a poster.

Hot off the plane from a year in India.

Oh, of course! I remember him leaving.

Joel, welcome home!

I've been wondering where your wanderings took you.

I started out in Bombay, and then I worked my way right up

to Ladakh, near Tibet.

And then I went to an ashram in Varanasi for a few months.

Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges.

And now I'm back on the banks of the Thames.

There's no place like home.

Take a leaflet. Yoga AND meditation.

I'm a very busy woman, but I shall.

I haven't got a clue how this is supposed to work.

The colours have all got to be mixed up for the Easter egg hunt.

But they've got to be all separated out first.

Can I eat one?

Oh, go on.

Better check to see that they haven't gone stale.

Race ya!

DOOR OPENS

I press-ganged Cyril into putting up the bunting.

That isn't very public-spirited...

..taking chocolate out of the mouths of children.

It's our wages.

Fair day's pay for a fair day's work.

Hmm!

Oi.

CHATTER AND BABIES CRYING

Mrs Estelle Glennon?

Mrs Hope Glennon?

Would you like to come with me?

Must be rather fun, being pregnant at the same time

as your sister-in-law.

Yes. Two more for the clan.

Grandchild ten and grandchild 11 for the Glennons.

Family in Belfast are laying bets on which is born first

and what the weights will be.

Well, it may well be quite a close-run thing,

due dates eight days apart.

Do you have family over here as well?

Hope's husband's working as a welder at the Barbican site.

My Michael's doing the same, but on an oil rig.

So they took me in to live with them.

It's just us in London, really.

So, four years since your first baby.

And this one's going to be my last.

Unless I get another boy, and then I might try again for a wee girl.

Oh, we've got a pill to help you choose how many.

We've no control over anything else.

You'd think science would have it all sorted by now.

Will I have it soon, do you think?

Mm. The head's definitely engaged.

With a second baby, that is usually the sign that things are

about to get moving.

I was thinking of taking castor oil,

or going all modern and having a curry.

My advice, Mrs Glennon, is to leave well alone.

Chances are, all you'll do is upset your tummy.

And if labour gets going anyway,

you're in for a dismal combination of events.

Good things come to those who wait, eh?

Well, you come into the maternity home as soon as things start moving.

- We'll look after you. - Yeah.

The shoemaker and his wife

never saw the little elves again,

but from that time, good luck was always with them.

They were rich and happy for the rest of their lives.

And that is the end of the story.

I could listen to you read all day.

You've got ever such a nice voice.

I have to try to tell him the story through my tone of voice.

But we're still not sure how much English he understands.

Well, kiddies are kiddies, aren't they?

All they really understand is how much they're loved.

And, in here, if someone's coming at them with a needle.

Oh.

I keep telling myself cancer treatment would bewilder him

if he spoke fluent English.

But perhaps the more he could comprehend,

the more frightening it would be.

You have to hand it to the National Health, though.

All the nurses keep saying there's a real chance he could be cured.

Yes, they do.

The new chemotherapy is such a huge advance on what went before.

Fingers crossed, eh?

LIVELY CHATTER

I always loved a community event, even as a child.

Every day was a community event when I was growing up.

My parents ran a boarding school for boys.

Rosalind! Your mother's on the telephone.

Speak of the devil.

You must take in as much fluid as you can, Harry.

Once the head goes on, you won't be able to drink for hours.

I won't be able to visit the bathroom either.

Oh, this is also true.

Grandma, please explain to me again about the Easter Bunny.

It's a mythical creature of pagan origin

which goes from house to house

delivering sweet treats to children.

So, it's not Christian, then?

It's best we don't quiz the connection too closely.

- MUFFLED: - I think I prefer Christmas.

EXCITED CHATTER

MICROPHONE FEEDBACK SQUEALS

Welcome, everyone, to the Easter egg hunt.

CHEERING

The rules are very simple.

Everyone taking part will be given a basket,

and there are more than 200 chocolate eggs hidden nearby,

each wrapped in different coloured foil.

The aim is to find six eggs -

one pink, one blue, one green, one yellow,

one purple and one orange.

And the winners are the first child in each age group to find all six.

Yes!

CHEERING

You can search anywhere within the boundaries

marked by the carrot bunting.

And if you're little and need a helper,

then look out for the people wearing an Easter egg badge.

The bell, if you would, please, Reggie.

BELL CLANGS

CHEERING

You may begin!

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

Ooh. And meanwhile, there is tea and simnel cake for the grown-ups.

And if you'd like a hot cross bun...

- LAUGHING: - ..just ask the Easter Bunny.

I couldn't believe it when my mother said she and my father

were coming to visit.

I've lived here for two years, and they haven't been once.

Better late than never, I suppose.

They talk about being progressive and voting for the Liberal Party,

but I always have to go to Leicestershire to visit them,

or meet them in a smart tearoom in London if they happen to be in town.

So, if they're now going to go to the trouble of trekking all the way

to Poplar, all the more reason to make them welcome.

Oh, gosh.

I'm not being very "honour thy father and thy mother", am I?

You should ask Violet if we can leave the bunting up.

I'm going to welcome them with open arms.

I've told them so much about you, and they do seem keen to meet.

Have they never said anything about where I'm from?

They've said you must be very enterprising to have come

all the way from British Guiana.

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

Seems like five minutes since you was in the Cubs.

Well, we're doing very well.

We've got a pink one, a blue one and a green one already.

What other colours do we need, Donna?

- Yellow. - That's right!

And, look, there's one over there, on top of the dustbin.

What a funny place to put it.

I'll lift you up, but you must try not to touch the bin lid.

SNARLING

DOG PANTS

Harry!

- Harry! - What is the matter?

Well, I think there's a dog in its death throes.

LABOURED PANTING

There's foam around its mouth.

I've seen dogs like this in the street in Delhi.

Stay there. I'm going for assistance.

CONNECT TONE TRILLS

- PHONE: - Police, ambulance or fire?

Police, urgently, to St Wilbur's School, Hendy Street.

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

WHISTLE PEEPS

Everybody, back.

Everybody, back!

The Easter egg hunt is suspended.

That means stopped, Mandeep.

- Aw! - I know.

Come over with me.

Nobody crosses this line.

First rule of civil defence -

establish and control the crisis area.

SIREN WAILS

Heavens to Murgatroyd!

We've enough to contend with without children getting knocked down.

BRAKES SQUEAL

Over this way!

If we had to come away, how can it be safe for Daddy?

Let's go inside, honey.

We've had reports of a rabid dog, sir.

It's a dead dog now.

Uh, Dr Turner. I'm on the police surgeon rota.

Sir.

It'll have to be taken for a postmortem,

and this whole area needs to be cleansed.

It has to be dealt with according to the rabies protocol.

- Mandeep Singh. - Yes!

Kevin Prenderghast.

LIVELY CLAMOUR

Teddy Turner!

BOYS PLAY NOISILY

WHISTLE PEEPS

- Everton Wheatley. - Yes.

John Muscatelli.

BOY BARKS

As soon as the police give us permission,

Baloo and I will walk with you to St Oswald's Hall,

where you can be collected by your parents.

BOYS BARK

Should I be serving butterfly cakes or kennel meat?

THEY LAUGH

Steady. That's it.

This feels awfully close to home, Dr Turner.

You read about rabies happening in places like Germany,

that the squirrels get it there.

But it can spread -

from Germany to France to England.

There was that case in Surrey last year,

the rabid dog that ran amok days after it came out of quarantine.

I'll never forget seeing the news,

watching them rounding up people's pets.

The results of the tests on the body

won't be through for at least two days,

but we have to find a way of keeping people calm.

Hmm.

Cushion's all ready.

If you turn around, you can reverse into the chair

like the occupational therapist showed you.

I do not need instructions, and I do not need a cushion.

The only good thing about your mother not being with us any more

is that I am able to jettison her excessive soft furnishings.

She liked keeping things cosy, Dad.

She liked a lot of things.

She liked Easter, as it happened, and kiddies.

It would have broken her heart, seeing that party stopped.

It needed to be stopped.

Have you any idea how much damage a rabid dog can do?

I seen that man foaming at the mouth in the public information films.

That upset your mother no end.

You're missing her, aren't you, Dad?

What do you think?

Shall I make a cup of tea?

Hmm! Child, if you walk out with a man for nigh on five months

without introducing him to your parents,

you're going to get nervous when that day rolls round.

I knew my relationship with Cyril was going to be serious,

right from the very start.

Didn't we all?

I've known all my life that there are people with...

..opinions.

Oh, I had opinions, too, to begin with.

If that made you scared of this, then I'm sorry.

Have you changed your mind, Joyce?

JOYCE SIGHS

I think the world at large is... starting to change,

if only a little bit.

And you two are happy.

I really, really want my parents to see that.

I don't think anyone could miss it.

SHE SIGHS

- SISTER VERONICA: - Goodbye.

PHONE CRADLE CLICKS

I thought I'd come in early.

But I had no idea how close to us that dog was until just now.

Have there been any developments overnight?

The Ministry of Agriculture seems to be in charge of the response.

Agriculture!

And I'm a health visitor, not a farmer.

They say everyone has to sit tight until we know for certain

that the animal was rabid.

But what do they mean by "sit tight"?

Are we all supposed to stay indoors?

The school's been closed.

The children were meant to be going back today.

Meanwhile, Mrs Buckle has called a public meeting

in an attempt to quell panic.

She won't be told it's as likely to fan the flames of hysteria

as it is to damp them down.

PHONE RINGS

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

This is Estelle Glennon.

- Is that Nurse Aylward? - It is.

- Are you in labour, Estelle? - No.

But I think it's Hope's turn.

Oh...!

Mind how you go, now.

No, Mrs Kelly, we do not offer the rabies vaccine at the surgery.

HOPE GROANS

Yes, I can make a note of the fact

that your children were at the Easter egg hunt.

Thank you for calling.

HE EXHALES

How may I help you, ladies?

I think I'm in labour.

Nurse Aylward said she'd meet us here.

Don't come near her. Don't come near her.

She's been scratched by a cat.

I am beginning to resent the success

of the government anti-rabies campaign.

It's made everyone think they're going to die

from infected animal saliva.

If it carries on like this, you're going to have to appeal for calm

through a megaphone.

I'll take one to the public meeting.

In the meantime, can you just send in my 12 o'clock?

You'll be pleased to hear it's a simple case of bunions.

HE STRAINS

Oh, Dad, I can do that.

You're interrupting my method.

You've got collapsed vertebrae!

I haven't got collapsed dignity!

I'm trying to help, Dad.

The best way you can help me is to get out of the house

and find a way to make a living.

Nobody wants yoga or meditation classes.

I'm not that keen on them myself.

DOORBELL RINGS

Your mum would cry her eyes out if she saw the way you've drifted!

Good afternoon. District nurse.

You come to give me my rabies jab?

Have you got any symptoms?

Because if you have, it's too late for the vaccine.

Things are starting to get going.

Not very much in the way of dilation, but there is a little bit

of water leaking, so I think we'll be keeping you in.

I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

I can't see any gas.

They said there'd be gas.

It'll be in the delivery room, won't it?

I only needed one whiff of it last time,

and they say the second one's easier.

Which isn't to say the first is terrible.

If it was, I wouldn't be doing it again, would I?

That was a nasty old pressure sore you had there.

Quite deep.

They said I was way too long laying on my back in hospital.

Mm.

I think this new soreness is because

the belt on your trousers is pressing down on it.

I caught him rubbing it with disinfectant, saying that it stings.

Out!

DOOR SHUTS

He will not stop fussing over me.

Yeah, Reg...

Well, I feel sorry for the dog, too.

But the police didn't kill him.

He was poorly, and he passed away.

But it's sad to die by the bins.

SHOP BELL TINKLES

Fred.

Have you got any disinfectant?

I saw a nasty little mongrel sniffing around my laundrette steps.

On the front of that shelf there.

And, uh, 10p off if you buy the bleach as well.

- THROUGH LOUD-HAILER OUTSIDE: - ...until further notice.

Repeat - all dogs must be kept on leads.

All cats must be kept indoors...

It's going to get worse than this if they build that Channel Tunnel.

BELL TINKLES

Oh, Mrs Turner, you do look tired.

How's the little man doing?

First cycle of treatment is now under way.

No vomiting or diarrhoea so far,

but he's not quite himself.

SHE SPEAKS CANTONESE

I have permission from Sister Julienne to come in the evenings,

if that would help you to get back to your own children?

Oh, it would.

He needs so much love.

And there are so few people that he trusts.

I don't want any more gas. It's made me sick twice now.

I can see what's happening.

This cheeky monkey has decided to lie on its back,

so its spine's pressing against yours.

Is that bad?

Well, it's a little easier when they're lying face down,

with their head correctly tucked in.

But you've got a bit of a nonconformist here.

I'm telling you, Nurse, the one thing this baby isn't

is a Protestant... Agh!

TRIXIE LAUGHS

- DR TURNER: - Thank you, Sister Veronica.

That concludes the first part of our presentation.

LIVELY CHATTER

Thank you for the slide show.

Why didn't it mention the improperly regulated pet shops?

You can buy monkeys on the Commercial Road.

MURMURS OF AGREEMENT

Because we are here tonight to try to allay your fears.

I used to be a steeplejack. I was always running into bats.

Can you get it from bats?

Bats can carry various diseases, including rabies,

even in this country.

You must always seek medical help if you've been bitten by a bat.

INDISTINCT MURMURING

Agh!

HOPE PANTS

Body is ready to push now, Hope,

but we need you to slow everything down.

Slow it down. Down.

HOPE SCREAMS

Down, Hope.

Hope, all is well.

We're going to use this pain now,

and we're going to make it work for us.

Argh!

SHE VOMITS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Allow me to remind you all of the facts.

We currently do not have any confirmed cases of rabies in Poplar,

nor do we have anyone presenting with symptoms of rabies.

The slides didn't make it clear what the symptoms are.

- Yeah, he's right. - He's right. He's right.

PHONE RINGS

Nonnatus House. Sister Julienne speaking.

TRIXIE: Hello, Sister.

Could you possibly send reinforcements

over to the maternity home?

Early symptoms can look a bit like ordinary flu,

with fever, nausea, aches and pains.

All very easy to dismiss.

But once the virus starts affecting the nervous system,

things become more distinct.

Muscle spasms, anxiety, confusion...

..paralysis, seizures.

And thirst, coupled with a violent fear of drinking fluids,

even water.

- CONCERNED MURMURING - Even water?

It's horrible, I know,

but that's why we have to take such care.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

SHE EXHALES

HOPE SCREAMS

- HOPE: - No! Agh! Help me!

Ah! No! I can't!

No, no, no, no, no!

Hope, with the next contraction,

we need one long, strong, brave push.

- That could well give us baby's head, - and the worst will be over.

HOPE SCREAMS

HOPE SOBS

Success!

We have the top of baby's head with us.

And I can see the most perfect little pair of eyebrows.

Well done, Hope. See how strong you are?

When I finally get it out,

I won't know whether to kiss it or give it a piece of my mind!

Agh!

Bear down, Hope.

Bear down. Down.

Come on, Hope. You can do it!

HOPE SCREAMS

That was a most magnificent push, Hope,

but baby doesn't seem to have read the rule book.

- TEARFULLY: - What's wrong?

All will be well.

But we need to work on getting baby's shoulder out.

Dr Turner is only around the corner.

We will work on the next massive push,

while Nurse Aylward nips to the telephone.

HOPE SOBS

What's happened?

It's nothing to be alarmed about.

HOPE SCREAMS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

They're not telling us the truth.

We can only remind you

that analysis of the dog's remains is still ongoing.

- QUIETLY: - It's an emergency. - Right.

We simply have to be vigilant until the results come in.

HOPE SOBS

Don't wait for the pain this time, Hope.

Just keep pushing.

SHE GROANS

Sister Julienne's going to work internally

to dislodge your baby's shoulder.

I'm going to get baby out. Just breathe deeply

and push whenever we ask.

Now. Now!

HOPE SCREAMS

Baby's arm is lateral to its body.

HOPE WAILS

Push now. Push, Hope.

HOPE SCREAMS

Keep pushing.

Push as hard as you can. Don't stop!

HOPE SOBS AND WAILS

Well done!

It's out.

HOPE SOBS

HOPE SOBS

Large baby. Shoulder dystocia.

BABY CRIES

It's a boy.

Oh...

Well done.

I may have broken his collarbone.

You've saved his life.

BABY CRIES

MUFFLED CRIES

PHONE RINGS

Good morning. Nonnatus House.

My sister's been regaling me with tales of slavering hounds.

- Are you still alive? - When I last looked, yes.

I haven't forgotten our conversation...

..in the park.

Nor have I.

I just want you to know that the offer of a listening ear

still stands. The offer of my friendship still stands.

You sound like Humphrey Bogart.

"All you have to do is whistle."

HE CHUCKLES

It was actually Lauren Bacall who said that to Humphrey Bogart,

but I shall take it as a compliment.

I do appreciate the things you said.

You're really very kind.

DOOR SHUTS

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

BABY CRIES

Will his arm be hurting him?

I broke my toe once, and it was agony.

Baby's bones are very soft,

and Doctor will be keeping an eye on him

in case he's restless and needs something for the pain.

Wait till I tell him what he put us all through.

It'll make a good tale, once he's old enough to listen.

Now, I need to take a look at your stitches.

But if they're playing the game,

we'll treat you to a little session with the heat lamp.

What happened to Estelle?

Your sister-in-law?

I believe she popped off home once she heard the good news.

- To give you time to rest. - No.

That's not what we agreed.

She was going to be the first to hold him.

Something's wrong if she didn't do that.

It's rather delightful that your journey to matrimony started here.

I ought to put up a plaque.

There was a lot of sadness at the beginning, Mr Scarisbrick,

even though there was happiness in the end.

Yes, of course.

Now, Lady Aylward, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?

You are looking really remarkably well.

I'm not expecting a baby, as it happens.

I'm hoping for professional insight

into maternity care in Britain in 1971.

Ah. Have you tired of the medical landscape in Poplar?

I'm as impressed as ever by what's accomplished at Nonnatus House.

But my eyes have been opened by living in New York.

Yeah, well, I've made more than one study over there myself.

It's like a different world.

Certainly a different country.

I learned a great deal by simply visiting American hospitals.

And now I want to see if I might apply that knowledge

within a British context.

Well, you are, of course, most welcome

- to spend some time here observing. - Thank you.

A little bird tells me you're planning on retiring very soon.

Ah, yes.

The golf club beckons.

TRIXIE CHUCKLES

And selling the clinic?

It's nice to see the balloons up.

One down and one to go.

They're for Anthony, really.

Are you sure Hope's going to be all right?

She's doing very nicely.

And the paediatrician from St Cuthbert's

is going to call in and check on baby's collarbone.

Did you know they had chosen the name Niall?

But Hope's all right?

Her main concern at the moment is you.

And I think I share it.

It will be a relief to be out of the surgery for an hour,

even if we barely have time for a sandwich.

The public meeting did no good whatsoever.

The phone is still ringing continually.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

ANIMAL WHINES

What was that?

Stay back, stay back.

There. Come on.

You need dog biscuits, not custard creams.

They're getting him in the shed, ain't they? That's what matters.

Be careful, Fred.

Fred, have you sent for the police?

They're supposed to be on their way.

- Shall I go and ring them again? - Uh...

SIREN BLARES

BRAKES SQUEAL

DOG WHINES

CROWD CHEERS

It's in the shed, Sergeant.

Tottering on its pins a bit and... drooling.

We'll take a look.

But toxicology came back on the one that died on Easter Monday.

May I ask, what was the conclusion?

It was negative for rabies.

Looks like it ate rat poison.

- So, the crisis is over? - Indeed it is, madam.

Must have been drooling over the custard creams.

LAUGHTER

Well, all's well that ends well.

And there you have it.

An object lesson in anticlimax and British understatement.

It would have been different in India.

At home, the fear is always real.

Yes.

Me and Hope, we were terrified that somehow our men

would get mixed up with the Republican Army.

Mm.

That we wouldn't know that they'd be in danger, or causing danger.

But they wanted to get out from early on.

Is that why you all left Belfast?

They lost their jobs in the shipyard anyway.

Catholics did.

And men need to work.

But women need family, so we stuck together.

Well, it's a wonderful thing to see, Estelle.

A bond like yours is something to be envied.

I thought at first that it wouldn't touch us.

There was so much talk for so long.

There were demonstrations, and they turned into riots.

But you can keep away from them.

You can't keep away from bombs. They hide them...

..and then they set them off in places where they'll do most damage.

Places like banks.

Estelle, were you caught up in a bomb blast?

In the bank. In the bank...!

ESTELLE SOBS

Estelle... Estelle, try to stay calm.

You're safe here.

You're safe now.

ESTELLE PANTS

This will stop you taking in too much oxygen.

It was the screaming.

And when I h-heard Hope...

..when I heard Hope, it was the same.

Screaming. Screaming...

You're safe now.

When this is over...

..I'm going to walk you to the surgery to see the doctor.

Afternoon.

What's all this about a whiffy sink?

Can't have that with the in-laws coming round.

Thanks, Fred. I was up till midnight repainting all the skirting boards.

I-I...I don't know what's got into me.

Lu-u-urve got into you.

THEY ALL LAUGH

I brought you some pot plants.

And I brought my plunger!

I heard my mother giving birth more than once,

but it was the last one where she screamed and screamed.

There were no more babies after that because...

..it killed her.

Nobody ever told me why she died.

I just remember the mattress being burned because it was...

..covered in blood.

Even 20 years ago, death in childbirth was very, very rare.

Now it's rarer still.

One thing I can promise you

is that your mother didn't die of pain.

And we are going to make sure

that you feel as little pain as possible.

I can't do it.

Yes, you can, and we will help you.

Sister Julienne is one of the most soothing and resourceful midwives

I know. But in New York, Estelle would have been simply booked in

for an epidural, and a calm, controlled

or completely painless birth would follow.

I've read about epidural anaesthesia.

I've been to lectures.

I've never seen one performed

because they don't offer it at St Cuthbert's.

Which is extremely backward, in my view.

At the Lady Emily, you can have one for �20.

�20?!

If you saw the difference it makes,

you'd think it was cheap at the price.

Have you been to the Lady Emily recently?

Yes.

I can connect you to Mr Scarisbrick, if you'd like.

Not such a good day today.

He's needed some anti-emetics.

SHE SPEAKS CANTONESE

A parcel with a wee hat arrived from his mother

in Hong Kong this morning.

But he wouldn't even let me try it on him.

He'll settle down.

He's a lucky little fellow, in some ways.

So many mothers looking after him.

You go, Mrs Turner, back to your other children.

I'll hold the fort.

I'm heading down the Black Sail.

Do you want to come?

No, thanks. I'm not feeling great.

And I'm writing letters for a couple of factory jobs.

Factory jobs?

And I'm also planning a haircut.

I've had enough adventures to last me a lifetime, Dad.

Just let me come home.

The children are having a picnic tea upstairs.

Sausage rolls and crisps.

I'm assuming that's because the grown-ups are discussing...policy.

Yes.

Sister, I am trying to move things on with regard to epidural provision

- at St Cuthbert's. - Do you think that's wise?

We'd never be able to offer it for home births.

And even at the maternity home, it requires an anaesthetist.

It does.

But we can refer patients to deliver in hospital in the GP unit.

Some mothers, like Estelle Glennon, would really benefit.

So, I have arranged to see an epidural block

being performed tomorrow...

..at the Lady Emily Clinic.

We do know the Order's dealings with them came to an abrupt end.

They were performing abortions there when such a thing was still illegal.

But I have something I need to tell you, too.

Also about policy.

- TV: - For the animal you love and couldn't leave behind,

and for you or someone like you,

death in a manner that is beyond description.

Whichever way you look at it, rabies means death.

HE GRUNTS

Sister Julienne, this is terrible.

Why didn't you tell us sooner?

I needed time to consider the Order's position.

And I still do.

Does it make it easier or harder that the National Health

have made their intentions so clear?

But there must be a chance that they'll keep funding Nonnatus House

when they take control from the council.

Not if we insist on retaining our religious clothing.

Sister, if you close down in Poplar, so must we.

Our practice is enmeshed with yours.

I know.

And there's so much work to do.

If we don't agree to the new terms...

..we will receive no more funds from the end of this year.

I've told them I will give my decision at the end of August.

On the feast of St Raymond Nonnatus.

Yes.

And in the meantime, we go on.

Ah, Lady Aylward, Dr Turner. Glad you could join us.

Mrs Duchenne is a most delightful lady,

and so very accommodating.

How are we feeling, Mrs Duchenne?

- Fine, thank you. - Good.

Where's Joel today? Is he out looking for work?

No, he's not.

He's off colour and lying down.

It's like he's lost all his spark since he's come home.

I don't know why he doesn't want to keep on adventuring.

Do you think maybe he's just a homebody?

He doesn't have to be, not in the modern world.

I had to be a steeplejack because my uncle was.

Spent my life mending chimneys.

Once, just once...

..I was at the top of this church spire,

putting up a weather vane.

You could see for miles.

And all I saw was all the places I would never go.

And Joel certainly grabbed the opportunities he had

with both hands.

No-one else round here had a kid who went to an ashram.

It's the kind of thing the Beatles did.

And I was proud of him.

- Did you tell him that? - What?

Did you tell him you were proud?

Oh, no.

We're not soft like that.

It's one thing to read about it.

It's quite another to see it in action.

HE SIGHS

It shouldn't just be for people who can afford to pay, should it?

No.

I'm going to talk to St Cuthbert's.

I appreciate Mrs Glennon is a special case.

You could always persuade her to switch entirely into our care.

I am not convinced that that would do her any good at all.

She needs a lot of care and a lot of attention.

Epidural anaesthesia requires the same,

which is why we've yet to introduce the practice.

Philip, St Cuthbert's is a good hospital.

It's even an innovative hospital.

I have respect for innovative things.

I'm saying this in the kindest

and most respectful way possible, Patrick, but...

..you're a dying breed.

I know I am.

And I don't know if my way of delivering babies

has much time left at all.

Do you think the National Health is going to close you down?

There's a big shake-up coming,

and when it does, I want to know that the women

who would otherwise have been in my care

are going to be looked after properly.

That they are going to trade what we can give them

for something that might, just might, be even better.

And that starts with us, doesn't it?

It will end with you, too.

Joel!

I thought you said you'd come down for something to eat!

I've opened a tin of oxtail.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Greetings, Mr Bagnall.

I've come from the surgery with a new prescription for your ointment.

- JOEL: - Dad!

I can't move my legs!

- He's had a temperature. - Joel!

I don't know what's wrong.

JOEL PANTS

It's all right, my friend. I will fetch help for you.

First, let me get you some water.

JOEL GRUNTS

Then Mr Parry called this morning, and it's a yes.

He had two anaesthetists already raring to go

and applying pressure from their end.

And he's content to have Estelle Glennon

have epidural pain relief in the GP supervised unit?

Yes. Mr Parry will be there, too.

In fact, it's going to be a fairly crowded room.

Estelle is one of the most anxious and distressed women

I've ever seen.

And if it helps her...

..I have no reservations.

But what of the implications for you and for our practice?

PHONE RINGS

It might put me out of business.

But it might give this place a fighting chance

of working in tandem with the National Health.

By delivering more babies in hospital,

regardless of what they ask?

That might be the way ahead...

..for all sorts of reasons.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Dr Turner.

I'm afraid a very urgent call has just come in.

Hello, darling. Lovely to see you.

- Mummy! - How do you do?

- Lovely to meet you. - Hello, Daddy.

Good afternoon, Mrs Clifford.

Terribly good of you to come and meet us.

Josephine has far more faith in this A-Z book than I do!

Oh! Well, the Underground was quite challenging enough.

Three Tube lines.

We're staying with friends in Hampstead.

Hampstead is a tricky journey from Poplar.

Cyril comes to pick me up from Women's Liberation meetings

if they finish late.

Oh, very gallant of you.

Although I expect you to intervene if she starts wearing dungarees.

Oh!

THEY ALL LAUGH

And you've no memory of being bitten or scratched by anything

while you were in India?

Bitten and scratched...

..by a cat at ashram.

But I've been fine.

How long ago did this happen, Joel?

Weeks.

Well, must be something else, then.

It can take up to three months for rabies symptoms to appear, Joel.

Have you been worrying about this?

We are going to call an ambulance to take you directly to

the London Hospital of Tropical Medicine.

They'll know what to do.

Tell me.

In this social work line,

do you do any work with maladjusted boys?

It's increasing all the time.

The council have just opened a special educational unit for them,

which we're really hoping will pave the way for change.

We've taken a few of the odder types into our own school,

but we seem to have sorted them all out with, erm...

..plenty of fresh air and a bit of discipline.

Oh!

This is a first-class Madeira.

Cyril made it.

Ah! Full marks, dear.

And now, uh, Rosalind tells us that she's getting confirmed.

Did you have a hand in that?

We're different denominations, but it gives us a common interest.

I'll show you the chapel at Nonnatus House

when I take you over to meet my colleagues.

It was joining them for prayers that got me thinking.

Well, we always said that Rosalind could make up her own mind

about being confirmed. Some of our friends were quite shocked.

But we have always been, erm, progressive thinkers.

- More tea, Mrs Clifford? - Ooh, yes, please.

Didn't expect Earl Grey.

As soon as you feel your first contraction,

you must contact Nonnatus House,

and you and I will travel together by ambulance.

Dr Turner will meet us at the hospital.

This...epidural, you say it's brand-new?

New-ish. It's catching on all over the country.

And I won't feel anything? No pain? None?

Nothing at all, between your tummy and your toes.

Everything is going to be as calm and controlled

and as comfortable as we can make it for you.

Oh, darling, I'm so proud of you.

We never entirely thought you'd be able to knuckle down to nursing,

but, erm...well, you proved us all wrong!

Ignore your mother. She's such a wet blanket.

I never had any doubts at all.

Sister Julienne really was absolutely delightful.

Can you see why I love Nonnatus House?

Oh, yes. It's very quaint.

And...what about Cyril?

Charming.

Mm. Yes, he's, erm...charming.

Impressive, even.

But, really, he's not the chap for you, is he?

He IS the chap for me, actually.

That's why we're going out together.

He is in the middle of a divorce.

And this is the modern world.

He is also black,

and you are going to have to look beyond that.

We haven't said one word about him being black,

and I think that is to our credit, frankly.

You don't have to say anything.

I saw it the moment you met.

He is a perfectly decent, respectable man.

We just, uh...

..don't want you to have any regrets, that is all.

Now, can we have a kiss before we part? Hmm?

Oh, don't send us back to Hampstead in the doldrums.

ESTELLE WINCES

KNOCK AT DOOR

Yes?

Hmm!

It's early for coffee, isn't it?

Nurse Aylward telephoned to say Estelle Glennon

is en route to St Cuthbert's by ambulance with labour pains.

Can you tell Mr Parry I am on my way?

Of course. Doctor?

I also received a call from the London Hospital

- of Tropical Medicine. - About Joel Bagnall?

Lyssavirus rabies has been confirmed,

and the paralysis is spreading very rapidly.

HE SIGHS

I keep thinking of all the times I've looked at him through windows.

I looked at him through a window on the day that he was born,

at the hospital.

And I used to wave at him through the front room window

when I was coming home from work, when he was just a little nipper.

The consultant said you can go inside and sit with him.

And his mum and me,

we watched him through the glass at the airport

when he flew off on his big adventure.

Go to him, Mr Bagnall.

The food I have brought you will keep. I will leave it here.

Thanks.

There's things I need to tell him...

..while he's still alive to hear.

JOEL GRUNTS

ESTELLE GROANS

Well done, Estelle. Well done.

Any moment now, you should feel the pain relief

starting to take effect.

It's already passing through that tiny tube.

Blood pressure's stable.

The fun starts now, Estelle.

I can feel the pain stopping.

It's like everything inside my body's going quiet.

That's what we want.

ESTELLE EXHALES

Rosalind, I know their reaction wasn't what you wanted,

and I hoped it would be better, too.

But you didn't expect it to be, did you?

No. I did not.

To them, I was always going to be... too different.

Well, I'm different, too, now.

And if they can't accept that,

if they can't accept you...

..they're going to have to accept that their place in my life

has now become much smaller.

Please don't cut them off.

Nobody should ever cut their parents off.

However much hurt they have caused, however ignorant they have been.

It's hard.

But, Cyril, you've had it harder.

You've had to put up with prejudice ever since you've been here.

Hold my hand.

I want everyone to see.

This is a really strong contraction.

Push now. Push as hard as you can.

ESTELLE STRAINS

That's beautiful, Estelle. Keep going. Keep going.

How are you feeling, Estelle?

I think I'm...excited, but peaceful.

SHE STRAINS

Contraction.

Right, Estelle, we're doing this together now.

I'm pulling. You're pushing.

Come on! Come on!

Am I doing it? Am I doing it?

Yes. Yes, you are.

BABY GURGLES

BABY CRIES

Well done, Estelle!

It's a girl.

Hello.

BABY FUSSES

It's quite something, isn't it, Sister?

It is the future.

And the future's going to hold so many things.

- ESTELLE: - You're beautiful.

MATURE JENNIFER: Choice is too often a privilege not granted.

We must take what is given and surrender what God takes.

But pain is never all there is.

There is endurance and resilience.

There is tenderness and strength.

All these gifts force through like sunlight,

often at a cost,

but then welcomed all the more.

DOOR OPENS

- DR TURNER: - We're home!

JENNIFER: We cannot dictate the weather, only our response to it.

And we must turn to face the elements,

embracing all that comes.

What's all this? Are we having a jumble sale?

Daddy, it's for our time capsule.

I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

Agata Balassa.

Why have you been talking to the Lady Emily?

That clinic is run for the benefit of the rich, not the needy.

Is there no-one who could pop in

with a nightdress and some toiletries?

I'm doing this on my own, Nurse.

- No, I cannot go to the doctor. - Why not?

Because I do not leave this house!

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