All language subtitles for Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2012

CHATTER IN STREET

MAN CALLS OUT

It's on!

RATTLING

It's on!

RATTLING

It's on!

CHILDREN LAUGH

VENDORS SHOUT THEIR WARES

Hurry up, you lot!

Roast chestnuts! Come on!

Come and get 'em.

Decorations!

What's all this about?

I can't see!

I can't see through!

THEY LAUGH

SISTER MONICA JOAN LAUGHS

GIRL: What's that?

'My first Christmas in Poplar
was unlike any other I had known.

'The streets, like all streets,

'were strung with coloured lights,

'and children drew up lists,
like children everywhere.

'As the days ticked down,

'it seemed as though the district
was fizzing with delight.

'But at Nonnatus House,

'a different magic was at work.

'The Sisters spent Advent
in prayer and meditation,

'and the atmosphere
was not one of excitement

'but of expectant, joyous calm.

'I wasn't entirely sure
what I should make of it.

'I was young, and faith
was still a mystery to me.'

TELEPHONE RINGS

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

It's me neighbour,
she's started having pains.

Name, please.

Hilda Levons, Lisbon Buildings.

You're meant to be sending her
down the hospital.

She's already crying her eyes out.

BABY CRIES

'First one,
she was in labour for three days.'

I'll come out and assess her.

Keep her tucked up and warm
until I get there.

It's all right, baby.
It's all right. Come here.

It's all right.

Mrs Levons was very anxious
at the last appointment.

I'll come with you to reassure her
and then go on to the mastitis case.

Oh, straw for the crib!

Well done, Sister Monica Joan.

I availed myself of the kindness
of some costers in the market.

The...spirit of the season...
would appear to be amongst us.

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

BABY CRIES IN DISTANCE

Nurse!

You've got to come quick, Nurse!

Please, quickly, she's in 'ere.

Come on.

She's through 'ere.

Please hurry up.

Take that. Follow me.

Please. Hurry up.

WOMAN CRIES OUT IN PAIN

Hilda, it's all right.
The Nonnatuns have come!

You can stop pushing. I can't stop!

Yes, you can. Let me through,
please. I'm a midwife.

I need to go to the hospital!

I had to have forceps
with the last one.

Second stage, Sister.

Don't distress yourself, Hilda.
All is well.

HILDA MOANS

Please, will everybody stand right
back so we can assist Mrs Levons?

It might help if you were
dispersed elsewhere.

Begging your pardon,
this is a communal toilet,

and I was in the queue!

Get yourself down
the other bloody landing!

I can't do this on my own.

Yes, you can.

I want you to take nice, steady
breaths in between each contraction.

It will help you
to feel a lot calmer.

Good.

SIREN OUTSIDE

Oh, thank God!

Thank God!

HILDA MOANS

Who sent for an ambulance?

It wasn't necessary at all.

If you really want to be of help,
you will boil a kettle,

fill some hot-water bottles,
fetch clean, dry towels, a basin

and...a blanket.

I'm going to need forceps again!

Thank you, gentlemen,
for your attendance.

All is in order, for the meanwhile.
All right, Sister.

I want you to inch forward for me,
Hilda. That's it. Good girl.

Bit more. I can't have it 'ere!

I haven't had my enema!

Vertex is visible, Sister.

Shall I tell you something, Hilda?

You're doing splendidly.

Nurse Lee and I
aren't going to leave your side.

Now, on this next contraction,

I want you to make
as little noise as possible.

I want you to put all that energy

inwards as you bear down.
Thank you.

Hot-water bottles are on their way.

That's right.

That's wonderful. Well done.

Well done.

HILDA MOANS

Keep going.

Now, on this next contraction...

I think we're going to have
the baby's head.

HILDA MOANS

Really good.

Really good!

There! Really good.

Well done.

BABY CRIES

Oh, there!

There!

Lovely girl, Hilda. Well done.
I can't believe it!

I always cry when a baby's born!

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it.

'There were days and deliveries
where I couldn't believe it either.

'Birth was and will always be
the most commonplace of miracles,

'an event at once familiar and
phenomenal, timeless and immediate,

'briefly making angels of us all.'

BABIES GRIZZLE

Over 18 pounds, bravo!

About the same size as a turkey.

All the children for vaccinations
over this way, please.

And anyone who doesn't
line up nicely

will be reported
to Father Christmas! Trixie!

And you needn't think
I don't know where to find him!

Oh! Last year,
he left his number in my stocking.

Lynette, take the boys
over for their needles.

Mum, don't say "needles"
in front of 'em.

You know they'll kick off!

If they're frightfully
brave and well-behaved,

they'll get a jelly baby afterwards.
You'd better hurry up,

otherwise all the black ones
will be gone.

Ah! Watch out!

Come on, mind out me way!

I want a star on top of this,
not somebody's eyeball.

Season's greetings to you too(!)

Do I have to undress him?
It's on the nippy side in 'ere.

Down to his napkin,
if you would, Mrs Duncan.

Hand-knits weigh rather heavy
on the scales.

Get off! Christmas tree!

Get off! Got it!

Get off!

I'll see you at tea time.
Better hurry.

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

There's a baby been born.

Yes. There has. Is it thriving?

Yes. Is it?

Yes. And the mother?

Is she thriving too?

Mother and baby are both doing well.

I'm afraid you must let me pass,
because I'm expected elsewhere.

Both doing well.

Thank God, Nurse.

Thank God.

Hmm. There's a bulb loose
somewhere, I reckon.

Or a wire.

Go on, sonny.

Go and wiggle that plug for me.

The electric always slows down
in the cold weather.

It's what you call atmospherics.

Don't tickle it! Clump it one!

All sat in the bloomin' dark
at this rate.

And then how's the reindeers
going to find their way, eh?

Ah!

ELECTRICAL CRACKLE
Ow!

THEY LAUGH

You won't be laughing
come Cubs' Nativity.

How's Bethlehem going to look
without a tree and lights, eh?

What-ho, Lynette!

Looking for the pamphlet
on three-month colic.

Oh! Something caught your eye?

Not really.

Are you interested
in coming into nursing?

You must be finishing school soon.

Easter. Then I start as a
filing clerk down at Cousen's Wool.

My dad's their warehouse foreman.

Gosh.

Nothing like connections.

Must be rather jolly,
seeing doors begin to open.

Big, wide world, all of that.

I s'pose.

Happy reading.

Stop mucking about
with that plug now.

Ain't no-one told you
plugs are dangerous?

You'd have had more success
pulling her teeth out one by one.

One can't help having a sort of
spasm of fellow-feeling.

Don't you remember
what it felt like?

Feeling as though
you'd never stop growing,

like Alice in Wonderland
when she ate the cake.

Dreading being noticed...

and fearing you aren't
visible at all.

Can't say I do.

Never seen anyone so decrepit.

I have to say,
I've got a jolly robust nose,

but a meths drinker asked me
for small change the other day.

It was all I could do
to keep my bran flakes down.

I don't think she was a drinker.

And there was actually
mildew on her coat.

She was asking after the baby,
you say? Yes.

Sounds like someone we used to see
a lot of up Stepney borders.

Used to call her Mrs Jenkins. I
don't think that was her real name.

Not quite the full picnic,
if you ask me.

But she always knew
if a birth was taking place.

Do you know, I wouldn't have
thought Lisbon Buildings

would've been her stamping ground.

Do you know, I think
I saw her the other day.

I'm sorry to say it,

but the poor old thing
was widdling in the gutter.

Oh, well, that's
definitely her, then.

Been a lot of demolition
up Stepney way.

She may have moved her lodgings
or lost 'em.

Righty-ho.

For the next two hours,
I only answer to Akela.

The things you see
when you haven't got a gun.

RAUCOUS SHOUTING

CHILDREN WHOOP

Pack! Pack! Pack!

SHOUTING AND WHOOPING CONTINUES

Pack! Pack! Pack!
Come here!

Shut up!

Thank you, Jack.

BOY IMITATES AN AEROPLANE
Stop pushing me!

Neil and Kenneth,
we do not need any flags.

We're putting our semaphore
to one side this week

and concentrating on
our Nativity play.

CHEERING

Now, as you know,

we're going to perform it
for our mothers and fathers

on the last Thursday
before Christmas.

Everyone taking part will get
their Entertainer badge,

apart from...Timothy Turner,
who'll be getting his Musician badge

for playing the violin.

Now, calling all shepherds!

Jack, what about you? Aren't you
supposed to be a shepherd?

"O, what blazing light is this?"
I've grown out me dressing gown.

You said we had
to have dressing gowns.

CROOKS THWACK TOGETHER

"SILENT NIGHT" PLAYS ON VIOLIN

Well, why doesn't Gary
take your part?

He can be a shepherd,
you can play Balthazar.

Can I still have a crook?

TOOTS WHISTLE

Stop it, please.

TOOTS WHISTLE

Timothy.

Ooh, donkey's ears!

BOY: Eee-aww!

Now, the Alice band
has already perished,

so I want you to treat those as
though they're made of porcelain.

What's porcelain?

Not 'im again!
Oh, bravo! Reinforcements!

Excuse my tardiness.

I've been making enquiries
about a manger.

..Christmas tree!
Look, look!

Gosh! Move over,
Prince Rainier of Monaco!

Do you suppose your mother
will run you up a cape?

Put those donkey's ears down.
That's it. Yes, Akela.

Now, come on, boys.
We haven't finished yet.

BOY: ..I don't know.

ANIMATED CHATTER
CONTINUES BEHIND DOOR

You all right there?

I'm picking my brothers up.

My mum and dad don't like 'em
running round unsupervised.

Good for them, that's what I say.

< Now, in a horseshoe, please.

ALL: Akela!

Cubs! Do your best!

ALL: We'll do our best!

(Letter for you, from the vicar.)

Get into bed, Camilla, and calm down.

Calm down? The vicar's invited
the mayor of Poplar to the Nativity.

Oh, I know one shouldn't speak ill
of a man of the cloth,

but it was bally cowardly of him
to put it in a letter!

It's only a bit of fun.
It WAS only a bit of fun.

But if the mayor's
intending to descend,

that's a different kettle
of plaice entirely.

I can't just have a few Cubs
in their nightwear

and Tiny Tears in swaddling!

Camilla, why are you
getting so upset?

This is our district, Peter.
All Saints is our church.

I feel proud of it.

I don't want anyone to feel
as though we're somehow...lacking.

Into bed now, before you get
pneumonia off the lino.

Whatever happened
to "nil desperandum", eh?

You forget what you're
capable of sometimes.

I know exactly what I'm capable of.

That's the problem.

BABIES GRIZZLE

Oh...

Oh!

Who's a lovely 'un, then?

Who's a lovely 'un?

Two little dickie birds,
sitting on a wall.

One named Peter, one named Paul.

Fly away, Peter...

Get away from my baby!
..fly away, Paul...

D'you hear me? Get away!

I'd never take him.

I'm not accusing you of taking 'im.

I'm accusing you of touching 'im.

Mrs Jones, whatever's happening?

It's her, the filthy old crone.

I only nipped in
to pick up me orange juice.

Shh.

Get off! Mrs Jones, that's enough.

Now, go back in the clinic
and ask them to replace your juice.

Nurse Lee, would you
clear up this mess?

It's all right, my darling. Shh.

No-one can resist a baby,
Mrs Jenkins.

But mothers can be fierce when
they think their child is threatened.

It was only dickie birds. I know.

Dickie birds.

Just little 'uns.

It's a hard time of year
to spend too much time alone.

Can you tell me where you live?

We can send someone to look in
on you, to make sure

you're being properly taken care of.

She doesn't look well.

Old age. Poverty.

Chronic malnourishment.
And exhaustion, I suppose.

Why doesn't she accept help?

Who knows what brutality
she knew when she was young?

Help then didn't mean
what help means now.

Once more unto the breach
and all of that!

It's simply a matter
of scaling things up.

I just waylaid Brown Owl at the bus
stop, and we're combining forces
now.

So there'll be, um,
eight angels, a female Mary,

a full complement of cattle
and quite a sizeable flock of sheep.

Chummy...

it's the parish hall,
not the London Palladium.

Well, that sort of attitude
will get us nowhere.

CHUMMY SIGHS

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

SHE SIGHS SOFTLY

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

Lynette! Oh, hello, Nurse Noakes.

By all means tell me
I'm a frightful bore,

but would you consider
doing me a kindness?

I'd be glad to, if my mum don't mind.

It's all connected
to church affairs.

The Nativity play, to be precise.

We need a sort of capable
senior angel,

to rule the little Brownies
with a rod of iron.

I don't know, Nurse.

I might be needed at home.
I might let you down.

And I'd hate to let you down.

I always think it best
to travel hopefully.

But, Nurse... We're not
at home to Miss Pessimistic.

Now, we'll rig you out
in the best crepe paper.

Shame. I haven't got
my tape measure in my pocket.

You don't need it.

I'm a 40-inch hip.

Oh, bravo!

Splendid.

MAN: Elsie in?
WOMAN: Yeah, first door on the right.

Excuse me. It's the first door.

LABOURED BREATHING

Ta-ta, then! See you on pay day.

Yeah.

BREATHES WHEEZILY

Better check she's all right.

Greetings, Doctor.

I just called in
to collect those instruments.

Of course. Nearly done.

No sign of that new autoclave?

The department said
it would come this week,

but there's been no joy so far.

Are you staying for tea, Dr Turner?

Mrs B has made an absolute
piece de resistance of yule log.

Thanks, but I've got Timothy
outside in the car.

Oh, dear. Housekeeper's day off?

Well, I'm sure we can pop you
something into a paper bag.

TELEPHONE RINGS

How is Timothy getting on?

HE SIGHS

It's been almost a year.

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

He's doing well enough.
How may I help?

But it'll be our first Christmas
since his mother died,

and I'm worried it might...

undo things.

I see. I lost my mother
when I was very young.

Children are more resilient
than you think.

He's here. Well...

he's made his opinion
of my cooking rather clear.

Fish and chips for us
tonight, I reckon.

Sorry, Doctor. There's been
a message from the surgery.

Urgent home visit requested.

Lady called Mrs Jenkins.

I'm meant to be at a rehearsal now.

Stay there and don't talk to anyone.

You'll make me late!

Like you're always late.

Hello?

DOOR CREAKS

Mrs Jenkins?

I'm a doctor...here to help.

Don't you come near me!

SHE SCREAMS

I won't be a moment.
What? That's my dinner!

Who are you giving my dinner to?

It's a classic case
of angina pectoris.

I've prescribed amyl nitrite,

for use in the event of any new
collapse, and penicillin,

because there was evidence
of urinary incontinence

all over the place. Gangway!

Mrs Jenkins may very well
have an infection,

which would contribute
to her confusion.

It might be worth trying
to collect a urine sample.

That shouldn't prove too challenging.

Just stick a gallipot
in a convenient gutter. Huh!

She is also hard of hearing,
jumping with fleas,

and her living conditions
are calamitous.

If you could speak
to the social services,

I'll put her on the list
for daily visits in the meanwhile.

Hello?

Mrs Jenkins?

I'm Nurse Lee.

The doctor sent me to come
and have a look at you.

I don't need no bleedin' looking at!

There's nothing to be afraid of.

We just want to see if we can make
you a bit more comfortable.

Oh!

CAT MIAOWS

I thought you was Rosie
for a minute.

She's got a face like yours.

Like Carnation milk,
when you open up a tin.

Who's Rosie, Mrs Jenkins?
Is she a relation?

She's sweet.

Sweet as a little flower, she is.

The doctor wanted me to do a few
routine checks each time I visit.

I'll start by taking your pulse,

and then we'll move on
to your temperature.

Don't you touch me!
Please, Mrs Jenkins... No!

Oh! And when do you see your patient
again, Nurse Can't-Take-A-Pulse?

Look, it wasn't that
I couldn't, Sister!

It was that she wouldn't let me.

Oh, no. It was because
she didn't trust you.

And if you can't make
your patients trust you,

you are no good as a nurse!

Now, answer my question.

She's on the list for
this evening's rounds, Sister.

Oh. And shall I tell you what else
is on this evening's rounds?

21 injections, 16 insulin,
four penicillin,

an ear to syringe,
a cannula to drain

and three sets of haemorrhoids
to compress! I'm sorry, Sister,

but the problem was... No, no,
I'll tell you what the problem is!

You young girls do
too much book learning.

You sit for months in classrooms,

filling your heads
with loads of codswallop,

when simple, practical tasks
are beyond you.

INKWELL SMASHES

Now look what you've made me do!

SHE SIGHS

Oh...

Cynthia?

I'm modelling for Chummy.

She ended up with more children
taking part than parts,

so she decided to personify
the Wise Men's gifts.

And what's that supposed to be?

Myrrh. It's quite straightforward,
compared to frankincense.

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Nurses!

Well, now. Well, now, madam.

What's all this fuss about?

Doctor says you've got
a problem with your ticker,

but I would lay bets
that it's as hale as mine.

Hmm. Right.

Let's have a check of this pulse.

Oh!

Oh...

Pulse attempted.

SHE SIGHS

Patient...

..demonstrated strong right hook.

Right...

..you awkward old biddy,

let's see what you make of this.

SHE BREAKS WIND LOUDLY

And if that doesn't impress you,
I can do it again,

in a different key.

SHE BREAKS WIND IN A LOWER KEY

Catch it, Nurse Lee.
It's heading for the door.

Cat's got it now.
It's underneath the chair.

Where'er you be,
let your wind go free!

In church and chapel, let it rattle!

Good thing there's no
naked flames about!

BOTH GIGGLE

Right...

Off on the insulin round,

and I'm under no illusions
that it will be straightforward.

They'll all have been
at the Quality Street,

every man jack of them.

If I was the Prime Minister,
I would shut that factory down.

PLAINTIVE WAILING

WAILING

Is that Mrs Jenkins?

Yes.

I've never heard anything like it.

I have.

WAILING

SHE EXHALES

We used to call it
"the workhouse howl".

What?

It's the sound of someone who's
been at the bottom of the heap.

I would call it a cry of protest,
except there's no fight left in it.

And no hope either.

WAILING

Should we go back?

Not now.

We couldn't reach her if we did.

WAILING GETS LOUDER

# Silent night

# Holy night

# All is calm... #

And don't forget to smile.

# ..All is bright... #

The mayor doesn't want to see
a lot of gloomy faces.

# ..Round yon virgin
Mother and child

# Holy infant

# So tender and mild... #
Go on!

# Sleep in heavenly peace... #

SINGING FADES

Sister Monica Joan, why don't you
rest until it's time for compline?

SHE SIGHS

No.

I thought bright raiment
was stored within this room.

But it's gone...

..and we do not know
what forces are at work.

Chummy takes the costumes up to
her old bedroom for safekeeping.

She doesn't want them
getting in everybody's way.

I was accused of taking macaroons
to my room by Sister Evangelina,

but it was not so.

Almonds are mercurial and likely
to be consumed into the ether.

Would you hold the glue pot
for me, Sister?

FOOTSTEPS IN BACKGROUND

DOOR OPENS IN BACKGROUND

Sister Monica Joan, have you
heard of the workhouse howl?

I have heard the workhouse howl...

..itself.

One hears it less,
now the infirmaries are closed

and the inmates are slowly...

..tidied into graves.

It speaks of an agony
beyond all words.

This wasn't beyond all words.

Mrs Jenkins was calling
someone's name.

SHE GASPS

SHE GROANS

Lynette, have you seen
my kitchen scissors?

No, Mum.

I was putting the string
on the Christmas pudding

and I couldn't lay hands on 'em.

What are you doing
with your light still on?

I was just thinking.

You can think just as well
in the dark.

Come on, you.
Another busy day tomorrow.

Church in the morning...

and you've got rings round your eyes
as black as the ace of spades.

Reckon my monthly's coming on.

No medals for that, I'm afraid.

You know where the aspirins
and the you-know-whats are.

Good night, and God bless you.

BELL TOLLS IN THE DISTANCE

# Yea, with thine eyes
shalt thou behold

# And see the reward of the ungodly

# For thou, Lord, art my hope

# Thou has set thine house
of defence very high

# There shall no evil
happen unto thee

# Neither shall any plague
come nigh thy dwelling

# For he shall give his angels
charge over thee... #

SHE GASPS

# To keep thee in all thy ways

# They shall bear thee in their hands

# That thou hurt not thy foot
against a stone... #

SHE GASPS AND MOANS

# Because he hath set
his love upon me

# Therefore will I deliver him

# I will set him up
because he hath known my name

# With long life will I satisfy him

# And show him my salvation

# Glory be to the Father

# And to the Son

# And to the Holy Ghost

# As it was in the beginning

# Is now and ever shall be

# World without end

# Amen. #

THUNDER CRASHES

SHE SOBS

Help me.

Baby, help me.

SHE SOBS

SHE SCREAMS

SHE STRAINS AND SCREAMS

SHE WHIMPERS

BABY CRIES

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

SCISSORS SNIP

Fetch the milk, darling.

Let's hope it hasn't frozen solid,
like the bathroom tap.

Oh, no.

No, no.

Trixie.

Trixie!

Whatever's the matter?

Oh, my goodness.

Get Sister Julienne.

It's all right.

BABY GURGLES

His breathing's shallow
and his pulse is slow.

He was already turning blue.

I'll fetch the blanket
and the paraffin heater.

When you've done that,
call for the police.

KNOCK AT DOOR

< Lynette, time to get up.

I am up.

SHE GROANS

Pillowcase - candy-striped,
winceyette material.

You'll find the same in any one
of a hundred homes in Poplar.

We were able to snip
about an inch of the thread

that was used to tie the cord.

Sister, it looks like
ordinary kitchen string,

but the cord was cut quite neatly -
sharp scissors or a knife.

Make sure to clean
the cord properly.

Whatever implement was used,
it was unlikely to be sterile.

Yes, Sister.

Our order has been here
for over 60 years.

We've never had a single case
of abandonment until now.

There's a paper bag
here from Liston's,

that dry-cleaner's that shut down.

Sister...why d'you think somebody
would do a thing like this?

SHE SIGHS

I've come to the conclusion
there are only two reasons

for ever doing anything -

one is love...

and the other is fear.

It would appear that both
were at work in this case.

I've put almost
a whole layette together

from the things in the charity box.

Pink booties for a boy?

There weren't any blue ones.

One of the proper hue
can be acquired...

One of the proper hue
can be purchased.

Nurse Lee, take two shillings
out of the petty cash

and see that Sister Monica Joan's
properly equipped.

What are we going to call him, then?

I worry we should leave that
to his mother.

I mean, she may come back,

especially if it's reported
in the papers.

It is in fact customary
to name an abandoned infant

after somebody closely
connected with its rescue.

We can hardly call it Cynthia.
It would be worse than pink booties.

Somebody closely connected

and of the same gender.

Nobody calls baby boys
Fred any more.

You might as well give him
a flat cap and a Woodbine.

There is surely only
one appellation we can choose.

The child must be baptised in honour
of our patron, St Raymond Nonnatus.

Sounds like a spiv.

BABY BREAKS WIND

Ooh, sounds like a digestive system
in full working order.

Now, then, little Raymond,
let's see if we've warmed you up.

It's not what I asked for,
but it's a start.

I can't believe the council
won't rehouse her.

The building's been condemned.

Elderly single people are supposed
to go into nursing homes.

We can do better than that
for Mrs Jenkins, can't we?

I don't doubt it.

CRASH

Call off the search!
I've found the bath.

What's more, it's full of coal.

Right, I'll fill them up.

Oh, come on.

You move any slower,
you'll grow moss.

Don't you take against my Rosie.

You come over here, dear.

I don't know who Rosie is,
Mrs Jenkins, but she isn't me.

No...

She had a little girl's hands.

Yours are only small.

I'm not taking them off,
I told you! I'm not!

You thieving besoms.

Please, Mrs Jenkins,
we need you to take them off

so that we can get you
into the bath.

You can have them back afterwards.
She'll burn 'em.

I am burning your clothes

because they are riddled
with little visitors.

We don't want them
infesting the clean, new bed.

I never takes them off.

(They won't come off.)

They're stuck to her skin...Sister.

You'll have to try Vaseline.

Here.

Argh!

SHE STRAINS

Mm...

You're hurting me.

BOTH STRAIN

No wonder you were lashing out.

You must have been in constant pain.

Well, we'll get you
into the chiropodist's,

but Nurse Lee and I will give you
the once-over for today.

They shame me.

No...not any more.

# O come
O come, Emmanuel

# And ransom captive Israel

# That mourns in lonely exile here

# Until the Son of God appear

# Rejoice! Rejoice!

# Emmanuel

# Shall come to thee, O Israel. #

This placenta's less than
24 hours old.

And there's a piece missing.

What does that mean?

If the mother doesn't
get medical help,

she will develop
a uterine infection,

leading to high fever
and possible septicaemia.

If untreated, it may be fatal.

I see.

We need to find her.

We may not have much time.

I reckon that's squirrel.

And it's not long dead.

I'll keep it for best.
No, you're to put it on now.

You've a busy day ahead.

Dentist first,
then we're going to the doctor's.

Did you hear me, Mrs Jenkins?

I heard the word "dentist".

I'll go in the spring,
when it's warmer.

If you can eat without discomfort,
your general health will benefit.

My purse won't benefit.

There'll be no charge, Mrs Jenkins.

You're also entitled to free glasses
and a walking stick,

should either take your fancy.

And you haven't eaten
your meals on wheels.

I was saving it for Rosie.

She'll be hungry when she comes.

What's that? It's a lamb chop.

# Walk hand in hand with me

# Through all eternity

# Have faith, believe in me... #

Be good now.

# Give me your hand

# Love is a symphony

# Of perfect harmony

# When lovers such as we

# Walk hand in hand

# Be not afraid

# For I am with you all the while

# So lift your head up high

# And look toward the sky

# Walk hand in hand with me

# This is our destiny

# No greater love could be... #

(Merry Christmas.)

# Walk hand in hand

# Walk with me

# Be not afraid

# For I am with you all the while

# So lift your head up high

# And look up to the sky... #

What are you doing
with my paper, madam?

Reading about this.

Someone's been doing something
they didn't ought to.

Police have issued an appeal.
Quite right too.

Whoever she was,
she wants horsewhipping.

Oh, I nearly forgot.

Friday night is sweetie-money night.
Always has been, always will be.

Used to be a shilling, Dad.
This is half a crown.

That's cos the things you do
don't go unnoticed.

You're a good girl, Lyn.

You don't have to look after me,
Mrs Jenkins.

I should be looking after you.

Besides, if I sit too close
to the fire, I'll get chilblains.

Oh, not the chilblains!

My Rosie got chilblains.

She cried.

One night, the wardress,
she let her come to me...

..on account of the others
being kept awake.

I wrapped her in my petticoat.

Her bones was like birds' bones.

Was Rosie your daughter,
Mrs Jenkins?

All night, she stayed.

And when morning come,
she was put back with my others.

There were others?

How many?

Too many.

Did they go into
the workhouse with you?

Yes.

They didn't thrive.

What happened to Rosie?

After the night with the chilblains?

I never saw her again.

Never saw none of them.

Never saw them fly.

I just knew they wasn't
singing any more.

How could Mrs Jenkins
not have been told?

I believe once you walked into
one of those appalling places,

you gave up everything you were
and every right you ever had.

Even your children?

Especially the children. The kiddies
were kept in separate quarters.

BABY CRIES

SHE MURMURS REASSURANCE

Oh, sweet pea.

Social worker's going
to come for him on Friday.

Heard Sister Julienne
on the telephone.

First he'll be fostered

and then adopted and
lost to his mother for ever.

Don't say that!

All the facts will be filed away
in some sort of beastly cabinet.

We just have to hope that one day,
they go looking for each other.

I'm looking for some information
about that baby...

A baby?

Around here?

KNOCKING ON DOOR

SHE GASPS

KNOCKING ON DOOR

TELEPHONE RINGS

Public records office?

Just upstairs. Thank you.

All Saints Parish - baptismal roll.

Thank you.

All Saints Parish - deaths.

Poplar workhouse, 1888 to 1934.

'And there it was.

'In neat, indifferent copperplate.

'3rd of April 1906,
Jenkins, Mary-Ann.

'Widow.

'Admitted destitute.

'And underneath, the desolate
roll call of her only possessions.

'Alice, George, May, Percy -

'aged five, aged three,
aged two, aged seven months.

'And Rose.

'There was a Rose.

'Aged eight upon admittance
to the children's ward.

'The cause of death was given
as "failure to thrive".'

She was in there from 1906 to 1935.

Put to work in the sewing shed.

Enough to drive anyone doolally.
When the workhouse closed,

she was discharged with
the gift of a sewing machine

so that she could earn
her own living.

And what do you propose
to do, Nurse Lee?

Now you have garnered
these unedifying facts.

I don't know, Sister.

Then if I may crave
my sisters' indulgence

for a quote from the Apocrypha -

you have been curious
in unnecessary matters.

The past remains the past.

The present unamended.

Sister Monica Joan is right.

It's what happens in
the here and now that counts.

Will it matter one day
where baby Raymond was found,

blue with cold and
wrapped in a pillowcase?

No, because that will be his past.
And his present

will be safe and filled with love.

Mrs Jenkins' present isn't safe
or filled with love.

Nurse Lee. Forgive me, Sister,

but her life is completely wretched.

She waits every day for a child.

For children that are
never coming home.

Then you should turn
your mind to that.

Pass me a mince pie.

Public burial ground, Poplar,

1900 to 1910.

Now, I want Gold,
Frankincense and Myrrh

and the three kings
to stand at the back of the line

for the parade of the shepherds
and the sheep. Come on.

That's it, there we go.

Sorry!

We'll be starting that as soon
as Nurse Lee takes her gloves off.

And don't forget to line up nicely
down the central aisle.

You'll be walking past the mayor,

and I will not have him
knocked by any elbows.

Timothy Turner,
where is your tea towel?

My dad couldn't find one.
Very well.

Now, are you ready, sheep?

ALL: Baa!

Right, now. Angels.

I don't want any angels
trying to flap their wings.

Arms outstretched
but perfectly still.

That's it.

Lynette, you're drooping a little.

Sorry.

Bravo. Nurse Lee.

CHILDREN GIGGLE
AND MUSIC STARTS

CHILDREN BAA

No baaing. Absolutely no baaing

until you get to the manger
and see the newborn King.

Gary Schofield!

Any more poking with that crook
and I'll demote you to a bullock.

Right.

BOY: Lynette!
Lynette!

BOY: Is she all right?
Lynette!

I think she's just fainted.
Shall I call Doctor?

Ambulance.

Sorry. I'm really sorry.

What for?

I haven't told no-one.

Do you think you can tell me?

She wants a clip round the ear hole,
not chrysanthemums.

Mrs Duncan.

Margate.

Easter week.

Some lad she met
queueing up for the waltzers.

He was staying in the boarding house
across the way from us.

Should have kept me eye on her.

But I was three months gone myself,
sick as a dog most days.

I should have noticed.

I should have noticed.
I'm her mother.

If I didn't notice,
there's no hope for you,

and if you didn't,
there's no hope for anyone.

Mr Duncan.

You know I'm a church warden.

Of course.

And she's a pillar
of the Mothers' Union.

Our daughter comes from
a respectable home.

Nobody's doubting that, Mr Duncan.

But baby Raymond...
Who called him that?

We did. It's only temporary.

He's a bonny little thing.

Quite the bruiser, in fact.
When are the adoption people coming?

Friday.

Lynette's not signing any papers
unless we're there.

She ain't well.

No.

What are you bringing me
to a church for?

I'm not bringing you
to a church, Mrs Jenkins.

I'm bringing you to a churchyard.

I've no objection
to a constitutional.

Mrs Jenkins, I don't know
if you realise this...

..but we're standing
by a public grave.

Was there many put in 'ere?

Yes.

This is where they buried
the workhouse inmates.

I had too many.

And they're all here.

Together?

I was able to get plans of
the cemetery and the graves,

from the public records.

It's all written down.

Percy and May are lying
next to each other, just over there.

Alice is to the right.

I think, in the summer, that tree
must cast some shade there.

And George is by the cross.

And Rosie?

She's right here, Mrs Jenkins.

Almost underneath your feet.

Will you help me to kneel down?

Of course.

I'd have liked her in with me.

To warm her feet.

But I can see she's tucked up safe.

BABY GURGLES

If Lynette signs the papers...

..little baby Raymond
will just be whisked away.

Camilla, it's the family's decision
and none of our business.

It's Lynette's decision.

Or it ought to be.

I grew up with Pa and Mater
on a separate continent,

brothers at Winchester,
which was miles away,

but one always had an address.

We were given stamps
at the beginning of every term.

But poor little Raymond
won't even have that.

You've got your all-in look
about you now.

Are you sure you can't come home?
Peter, I'm on call.

I'll be quite all right
once I've had my Horlicks.

Besides, I rather enjoy
the odd night in my old quarters.

Young Raymond's rooming
in with Cynthia,

and I'll have an entire crepe-paper
menagerie to keep me company.

I shan't have any problem
counting sheep.

Someone trying to keep you out?

Possibly. Or been locked in.

WATER GUSHES

Oh, my giddy aunt!

No! Pipe must have burst.

The costumes!
Everything's utterly ruined.

It wouldn't happen
in bally Bethlehem.

Morning.

DOORBELL RINGS

I could die of shame.

Come in.

The social worker's waiting with
Sister Julienne in the dining room,

so you won't be disturbed.

BABY GURGLES

He isn't sleeping.

You can pick him up, Lynette.

I'm scared to.

Why?

Because they'll make me put him down
again, and I've done that once.

This is cruel.

She's not old enough to be a mother.

She's not mature enough
to be a mother.

It's flying in the face
of everything God ever wrote.

It's making milk come out of me.

I have no quarrel with our Lord
in the general way, Mrs Duncan,

but I think you'll find
Mother Nature wrote these rules.

Pick him up.

Come on, Ivy.

You're a mother too.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

SHE SOBS

It's a bit late for that now.

She ain't saying it to us, love.

She's saying it to him.

(Thank you.)

'Like all of the things in life
that are truly meaningful,

'Christmas is never
about perfection.

'In Bethlehem, 2,000 years ago,
accommodation was makeshift,

'the Wise Men followed
somewhat confused directions,

'and the shepherds gave the nearest
gifts that came to hand.

'That year in Poplar,
things were similarly compromised.'

DOORBELL RINGS

'But hope prevailed,

'and help came
from unexpected sources.'

Just the person we wanted to see!

Reinforcements!
How perfectly wizard!

'Baby Raymond was not lost,
nor was his mother.

'Their family made the best of it

'and gave their thanks in kind.'

All right?

There you go.

All right, fella?

Got it?

Hello, dear.

Morning.

(Hi, Dad.)

HUBBUB

Anyone who does not
line up nicely now

will not get their
Entertainer badge!

CHILDREN QUIETEN DOWN

Thank you.

Baaa!
Shh!

Please.

Right.

MUSIC BEGINS

# O holy night

# O holy night

# Mmm...

# O holy night

# The stars are brightly shining

# It is the night
of the dear Saviour's birth

# Long lay the world

# In sin and error pining

# Till he appeared
and the soul felt its worth

# A thrill of hope

# The weary world rejoices

# For yonder breaks

# A new and glorious morn

# Fall on your knees... #

Many years ago in a town
named Nazareth,

there lived a beautiful young lady
called Mary.

God has chosen you to be
the mother of a very special child.

You will have a baby,
and his name will be Jesus.

How can that be? I have no husband.

It is a miracle
from the Holy Spirit,

and the child will be a Son of God.

'It was a Christmas
as unique as any other,

'for every year,
the mystery unfolds itself anew.

'In later life, I came to see
that faith, like hope,

'is a rope and anchor
in a shifting world.

'Faith cannot be questioned,
only lived.

'And if I could not grasp it then,
I felt its heartbeat,

'which was love.'

# ..Divine...

# O night divine

# O night

# O night divine... #