Original subtitles

(theme music playing)

(theme music concludes)

(joyful music playing)

(Mature Jenny) Every year, the magic sparks again.

But what do we mean when we say, "home for Christmas"?

Are we yearning for an accustomed door,

a familiar fire, a roof that has sheltered us for years?

Or is it the scent of something that we yearn for

as the year turns, saying, there it is again?

There's the thing that says it all.

Home, the past, our childhood revisited.

All our memories made tangible again.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Is that you, Reggie?

I'm coming home soon, Mum. Is everything all ready?

The tree's up, presents are wrapped,

and I'm judging a mince pie competition tomorrow.

I'm going to bring the ones that win first prize home for you.

Mum! I hate mince pies.

- (chuckles) - I never eat mince pies.

(chuckles) It's all right. I know the drill.

By the time you get home, there will be two dozen

- Shortbread Santas waiting for you. - (shop bell ringing)

I'm putting Fred on because he needs to talk to you

about your travel arrangements.

(clears throat)

It's... It's all right, Reg. I've got your postcard

with the time of coach and everything.

- Now, Mum's just fussing. - Has she gone?

I've got her a brilliant present.

- What is it? - Christmas roses.

In a pot. I grew them.

That's clever. How do you look after Christmas roses?

Feed them, water them, keep them warm, really.

- You just love them. - Well, they're in good hands then.

- I'll see you at the coach station. - (chuckles)

(music concludes)

(bicycle bell rings)

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, be careful, Nurse Crane.

Mine are made with all butter pastry,

- and they're very delicate. - (scoffs)

You'll be all right with mine and Rosalind's.

They're that solid you could jump on them

and not leave any footprints.

Are we Fanny Cradock impersonators, or are we midwives?

(joyful music playing)

No, Fred, no.

The mince pie competition is sponsored

by Violet Buckle, Haberdasher.

The Christmas tree is sponsored by the Lady Haberdasher's Guild.

- Well, doesn't that mean you? - (music concludes)

They both mean me.

(Shelagh) Not stopping today,

but I just dropped by with my entry for the competition.

- (inhales deeply) - Oh, Mrs Turner.

Just look at the sheen on that shortcrust.

I'm hoping I've finally perfected my egg white glaze.

Well, we'll have to see what the judges make of it! (chuckles)

I know you're always completely impartial,

- and so is Dr Turner. - Hm.

- Are you ready to go, Fred? - Sleigh's all packed up,

I just got to put some petrol in my reindeer.

Are you quite sure you're fully recovered, Nurse Clifford?

It's a terribly busy clinic today.

Oh, Joyce and I are already back and firing on all cylinders.

It was only the flu,

and it's not as though we're old or anything.

(scoffs) This Hong Kong strain really is extremely virulent.

Even if the epidemic is supposed to be coming to an end.

The staff at St. Cuthbert's are going down like ninepins.

When I went in to see Teddy last night,

Matron was reading the riot act.

Oh, how was poor Teddy?

(chuckles) Tucking into jelly and ice cream like a professional.

No one ever died of an adenoidectomy.

They do die of flu though.

(soft music playing)

The sooner you get him home, the better.

(all) Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five!

Four! Three! Two! One!

- (all cheer) - Ho, ho, ho!

- Yeah! - Merry Christmas, everyone!

- That's Fred. - Shh, he's just one of his helpers.

All right, so, nurses, doctors, boys and girls,

who wants to be the first

- to pick a present? - Me!

(children) Me! Me! Me!

Please pick me.

(music concludes)

(door closes)

The landlord tells us you rented this

- as a fully furnished property. - Yeah, we did.

But that little footstool was my grandma's.

(sombre music playing)

That's a girl. Don't you let them see you cry.

Won't give them the satisfaction.

Those are my children's clothes.

They aren't to blame for any of this.

You're going to throw them out of their home,

you might at least show them some dignity.

We're acting under instruction from your creditors.

(fusses)

- Is this your television, sir? - Yes.

No, it's on HP, but we didn't keep up the payments.

Are you some sort of animal?

This isn't the only job we've got to do today.

I'll need your keys if you'll be so kind.

(Alice) A few bits for you.

Have you got somewhere to go, love?

It's a bit make-do-and-mend. We just have to start again.

You look after all them girls of yours.

Family's riches. Remember that.

I will.

- All right, young miss... - (music concludes)

...what's your name?

- Karen. - (Fred) Hmm.

What do you want me to bring you on Christmas Eve, Karen?

I don't mind, as long as it's wrapped up.

Wrapped up?

You mean with all spangly paper and a bow?

Yes.

Hmm, I'll have a word with the elves at the workshop.

Any particular colour bow?

- Red. - (joyful music playing)

I reckon they've been saving the red bows for the big day.

Have a rummage in there, and then you can see what you can find.

I'm gonna ask if I can have a guinea pig.

(chuckles)

(indistinct chatter)

(Millicent) Have a treacle toffee and take a seat.

Please don't offer me a treacle toffee.

All I want is to see a midwife or a doctor.

- (baby crying) - (music concludes)

The problem is with your episiotomy stitches, Lesley.

They've become badly infected.

Mum said they shouldn't have sent me home with them in.

It's not so much St. Cuthbert's sent you home

as they didn't tell us they'd sent you home.

(Phyllis) And after just four days.

You haven't been properly looked after.

And we're going to put that right.

(Dr Turner) Oh, we can treat the infection

with a course of antibiotics.

But first, I'm going to get rid of these stitches. Now!

- (groans softly) - (Nurse Crane) Come on.

(sniffles)

(intense music playing)

- This is it. - This?

(rat squeaking)

I'm sorry.

Come on.

(music concludes)

- (fairground music playing) - (gasps) Look, it's a fair!

It must have come for Christmas.

May, we're supposed to go straight to Nonnatus house.

Not long to go, girls. We're opening tomorrow.

Have you got a favourite ride?

We're not supposed to talk to strangers.

I'd better not lead you astray then.

I'm allowed because I'm the oldest.

She isn't. Our brother Timothy is.

Have some leaflets. Take them home to your mum and dad.

Everything's half price before 06:30.

(May) Thank you.

Bye!

- Penny for them? - Just two lovely little girls,

that's all. Sisters.

Dunno what's gone on in their house

because one of them's Chinese and the other one isn't.

They start to make you want a girl again.

- It's boy, girl, boy, girl. - (chuckles)

You're meant to tell people you don't mind

what you have, as long as it's healthy.

But what I really want to tell people is I don't mind

as long as it's happy.

And first prize, a basket of sewing silks,

goes to...

Mrs Shelagh Turner! (chuckles) Collected in absentia by Dr Turner,

one of our judges. (chuckles)

And runner-up is...

Mrs Sandra Okwe.

(Violet) And...

Mrs Maria Santopolous receives

Highly Commended for her very innovative use of flaky pastry.

(soft music playing)

(Sister Monica Joan) Ooh!

(Sister Veronica) I'm perfectly aware

of why I didn't win.

The mincemeat, it... it wasn't homemade,

and I had to fall back on shop bought.

Don't look to me to have your disparagement affirmed.

I deem them perfectly acceptable.

(Sister Veronica) We've been so busy,

I got behind with my preserves.

I'm supposed to be making chutney for the order

to give as Christmas presents,

and that's all fallen by the wayside too. (sighs)

Would you come to my office, Nurse Highland?

Of course, Sister.

St. Cuthbert's is now so short-staffed,

they have asked us to supply a midwife on secondment

for two weeks. (inhales sharply)

I suggested you to them, and they were delighted.

I would be delighted,

but I'm afraid my papers aren't properly in order.

I have made my own inquiries, and I have been assured

that nothing that happened with regard to your marriage

has undermined your legal status

or your nursing registration.

- I do intend to pursue a divorce. - (Sister Julienne) In the new year,

I will introduce you to a suitable solicitor.

For now, go and represent us at St. Cuthbert's.

Hello, love.

Where'd you get that from?

Father Christmas came, and we had a party.

Love...

This is Karen Louise Shaughnessy, age nine years, six months.

Principal cardiac lesion is ventricular septal defect,

colloquially known as...

hole in the heart.

Excuse me. We usually see Dr Mackerton.

Er, Dr Mackerton did his rounds earlier this afternoon.

- Weren't you here? - I was tied up.

We were moving house.

Moving house?

It's a bit of a story, love.

(registrar) It sounds as though you're in for an adventure, Karen.

According to Dr Mackerton's notes, she's going home tomorrow.

(Mitch) All right, you all settled in?

Mind your hands.

(both chuckle)

All right. All right, Mitch.

You all right?

(Alma) I wish we could settle on a name before it's born.

I heard of a baby called Skye once.

That'd be nice. It'd make me think of this.

I knew a Scottish terrier called Skye. (chuckles)

(sighs)

How about Star then?

It might grow up to be really ordinary, Alma.

And then we've saddled it to something

it can't live up to.

My name was picked by a hospital cleaner

because my mum couldn't cope when she saw the colour of my skin.

Handed me over to welfare.

There will never be anything ordinary

about this baby because it was wanted.

We can call it Star,

Sky, or Moon, or Snow, or Sunshine.

Call it whatever we like.

- Rose, or Willow. - Or Rain.

- (chuckles) - Or...

Richard.

Richard?

Just a nice name.

(chuckles)

- (groans) Ooh! - Are you all right?

(breathes heavily) I don't know. (grunts)

(Karen sobs)

Why are you crying? We're going home tomorrow.

It's Christmassy here.

I can assure you, I myself received no notification

that Lesley Abingdon had been discharged.

Is it possible your Rolodex has let you down?

My Rolodex has not let me down.

The National Health has let its patients down.

We will go through all due dates, delivery, admission,

and discharge notifications available to us together.

Those which are not available, I shall pursue.

Hmm.

(door closes)

Roger Noble, we spoke on the phone.

- You must be Miss Higgins. - (chuckles)

I'm guilty of many things, I promise you, but not that.

Er, she's not in till later.

Miss Higgins said the doctor couldn't see me before Christmas,

but... I thought I'd come down and have another go.

What are you after then?

Sick note, blood test, antibiotics, or...

something lurid you have no intention of discussing

- at the desk? - Ah, I'm a tranquilizer salesman.

Oh, well, we could all do with some of them.

Tomorrow? At 10:00 a.m.?

- (sighs) - I've copied her writing.

Hmm... (chuckles) I reckon even she'll be convinced.

Thanks.

Maybe we should go. We've been here ages.

And you've been having pains all night.

Nurse!

Are you not feeling too good, honey?

- Let's make you more comfortable. - (breathes heavily)

(Shelagh) You're all up to date with the Advent calendar.

Get back on the settee and under that blanket.

(playful music playing)

Girls, your sandwiches are on the table.

Why can't we have spaghetti on toast?

Because there's only one tin and Teddy's still convalescing.

(music concludes)

Four prisoners have escaped from HMP Calder in Lancashire.

The breakout took place in the early hours

of this morning.

All the men are considered to be dangerous and may now be armed.

A manhunt is underway across the breadth of Britain.

Two of the suspects have ties to the London area,

the others to Bristol and Glasgow respectively.

Police have warned members of the public that the escaped

prisoners should not be approached under any circumstances

and that they should be vigilant at all times.

What does vigilant mean?

It means you are not walking anywhere

- unsupervised ever again. - (both sigh)

(Karen) It smells funny.

And my chest hurts.

(sighs)

(Dilys) It's just them stairs, Karen, and your heart.

Come on, have a lie down.

- (roof thuds) - (door closes)

Is this where we live now?

Now, but not forever.

- There isn't a cot for the baby. - Baby isn't born yet.

We'll sort something out.

(soft music playing)

Karen, I lived in some funny old places

when I was a little girl.

But I used to play this game called,

Everything Is Really Something Else.

A game where you need a board and counters?

No, all you need is words.

You say, "this room is really a cabin on a ship."

"This cup of water is really a silver goblet,

full of hot blackcurrant juice."

Then, when you close your eyes...

you can feel the ship swaying on the sea

and feel the drink warming your belly,

as real as anything you like.

We live at the top of a tower made of pearls and glass.

And this coat is a velvet eiderdown.

That's my girl.

Shall I put this on the mantelpiece?

(music swells)

(music concludes)

(baby crying)

I'll need to see you at the surgery

once you've finished those antibiotics,

but everything's going in the right direction.

And not before time. I shall be calling in daily

until we get Master Anthony's weight back up.

Thank you, Doctor. And have a happy Christmas.

You too.

(baby cries)

- (flies buzzing) - (Dr Turner grunts softly)

Doctor! My mum put a piece of that sherry log

- in tinfoil for you. - Mrs Abingdon,

do you know who lives in this flat?

It's an old lady. Keeps herself to herself.

(sighs)

(breathes shakily) I thought I had till New Year.

I thought I'd be able to get home to Kent,

where we live, and get to the cottage hospital.

They had flowery curtains there.

This isn't what I wanted.

I think what you really want is not to feel scared.

Now, I can't help with the flowery curtains,

but I can help you with that.

- (soft music playing) - (breathes deeply)

I'll be back in two ticks.

(breathes shakily)

- (flies buzzing) - (coughs)

- (screams) - Alma?

- I just wanted to get off the bed. - Can you get back onto it?

No! (screams)

So, mother knows best!

(grunts)

(Joyce) You stay right where you are.

The lady's no longer alive.

(sighs) I think the flies are from the ham on the table.

But bless her, she has been dead for a couple of days.

I think we can guess what's happened here.

Hong Kong flu.

Knocked off her feet and nobody looking in on her.

There's always somebody beyond our reach, isn't there?

We try.

Please. (groans) Please, can't you just pull it out?

You don't need anyone interfering, Alma.

You got the strength to do this all on your own.

- I haven't. - (Joyce) Yes, you have.

You have, honey. Now, come on. Come on.

You've given us a half a head! This time, I want all of it.

- Come on. Come on. - (grunts)

- Come on! Yes! - (grunts)

- (Joyce) We have the whole baby! - (baby cries)

- It's out? - It's absolutely out.

And it's a boy.

- (baby crying) - I want him.

Please. I want him.

(pants)

- Hello. - (coos)

I'm your mum.

Thank you for coming in time for Christmas.

(chuckles)

He looks like his dad.

(chuckles)

(Dr Turner) Gertrude Torrance.

Born, 1899.

The coroner will have to determine the cause of death.

Hmm, could you put this rent book back on the sideboard?

(inhales deeply) There must be a next of kin somewhere.

(soft music playing)

(baby coos)

Seven pounds, two ounces. Is that good?

Ah, seven pounds is the average, so two ounces higher than that.

When I was at school, I would have killed

to be called average. I was always marked weak or poor.

- (chuckles) - (baby crying)

He's doing better than me already.

(music concludes)

Would you like free tickets to the fair?

I've... I've... I've got some in my jacket. I can...

That's fine. But the hospital don't allow us to accept gifts.

Well, I'll leave your name at the gate.

You can take all your friends. Take everyone you know.

- (chuckles) Ah! - (soft music playing)

(sobs, chuckles)

He looks like his mum.

(sniffles, chuckles)

(music concludes)

(all chuckle)

The moment I heard there was a clearing-out sale

at Ealing Studios, I hot-footed over

to see what I could retrieve

for the Nonnatus dressing-up box.

Oh, well, this will all come in very handy

for the community carol service.

It's actually being billed as the People of Poplar Carols,

traditional but not religious.

There's going to be roast chestnuts on a brazier.

Oh, I could kill for the chance to warm my hands on a brazier.

(all chuckle)

Housesitting for my sister has rather lost its charm

since the communal hot water and heating broke down.

Trixie isn't going to like that when she comes to visit.

She shampoos her hair every night.

- (chuckles) - (phone ringing)

But Mr Franklin, you must come and lodge with us again,

if you're inconvenienced.

(gasps softly) I may take you up on that.

There was actually ice on my flannel this morning.

(all chuckle)

No, Mr Leadbetter.

I'm afraid I didn't pick up the deceased lady's dentures.

I would have expected one of your gentlemen undertakers to do it.

It seems a somewhat unfortunate omission.

(sighs) I shall go to the flats and confer with the janitor.

(Mr Leadbetter) Thank you very much.

(sighs)

(reporter) One of the four escaped prisoners

from HMP Calder in Lancashire

has been apprehended by police near Bristol,

an area to which he had connections.

- Anthony Belgarno, age... - Sister Monica Joan?

we encourage sociable activities during recreation.

There are felons at large and we are all imperilled.

Names may need to be added to the prayer list.

(reporter) A police officer sustained injuries

that are not thought to be life threatening.

Ask another question.

Er, will I be rich when I grow up?

(reporter) ...spotted by a member of the public...

No.

Oh, I'd better stop betting on the horses, then.

(all chuckle)

Here's a good one. Will Geoffrey ever get married?

(gasps)

Maybe.

(sighs) Better than a flat denial, I suppose. (chuckles)

(groans)

- I reckon it's Hong Kong flu. - (sombre music playing)

I'll go out tomorrow

- and I'll get you some aspirin. - (groans)

(grunts) Save your money.

I'll be fine. I'm fine. (pants)

Come on. It's time to blow them candles out.

(Pete groans)

It's funny having no electric.

There's carols down the War Memorial tomorrow.

It's not too far for you to walk. Why don't you go, and take Suzy?

Will it cost anything?

No. And it'll be really Christmassy.

(Pete groans, coughs)

(music concludes)

- The dentures were in the bathroom. - Ah!

She seems to have been a respectable woman.

Neat, clean.

I can't leave her smalls soaking for the council to find

when they come to clear the flat out.

I shall take them back to Nonnatus House

and wash them in the new machine.

She'll need to be dressed decently for burial,

pauper's funeral or not.

Phyllis, what's a pauper's funeral like?

(sombre music playing)

Plain, bare.

Not done without dignity,

but when there's no flowers, no mourners...

what you wonder is...

what does life amount to when there's no love at the end of it?

(music concludes)

- (festive music playing) - (indistinct chatter)

(both chuckle)

(children chuckle)

(Dr Turner laughs)

I thought the girls would say they're too big

for a merry-go-round,

and that Teddy would say it's a girl's ride.

Hmm, Teddy can't say anything

with that scarf wrapped around his mouth.

He's recovering from surgery, and there are a lot of germs about.

(Dr Turner) They're still children, aren't they?

Sometimes I dread the day when they won't be anymore.

Timothy's no longer a child, but he's still our child.

(sighs) I can't believe you won't be here

to open his presents on Christmas morning.

Oh, he'll be working on the wards.

(children giggle)

It's a dream come true for him.

And the presents will keep until he gets home.

(both chuckle)

(music concludes)

(gasps) I'm sorry.

Please don't say anything.

I don't want to make you break the great silence.

I carry silence within me.

It can be accessed at all times

and committed to every purpose.

Like prayer, its cousin.

I wish I was better at praying.

(soft music playing)

Likewise.

But there is only one examiner, and He does not give us marks.

(sighs)

What or whom did you come in here to pray for?

Just a woman who died alone.

If this is the lady who required a reunion with her dentures...

you may leave her soul to me.

You must rest.

(music fades)

(sighs)

- (carnival music playing) - (indistinct chatter)

(both laugh)

- (giggles) - (Dr Turner and Teddy cheer)

- (Angela laughs) - (Shelagh laughs, screams)

- Whoa! (laughs) - (laughs) Oh, my goodness!

Patrick, he needs to leave that on!

- Trust me. I'm a doctor. - Oh! (laughs)

- (laughs) - (Shelagh chuckles)

(door knocks)

(sombre music playing)

- (Jock) Hello? - (door knocking)

(cat meowing)

(Fred) Mind Nigel's paws on those splinters.

I haven't seen this much smashed glass

since the train crash.

What's happened, Fred?

(sighs) Broken into overnight. Same over the way.

Has much been taken?

(sighs) Fags, matches, three packets of custard creams.

And one of the Christmas Club boxes.

- Oh, no. - Well, apart from the coconut

on the top, it's mostly tins.

He ain't gonna get much joy out of it

- unless he's got a can opener. - Morning.

Morning.

(emotional music playing)

(chuckles) Two hours it's taken. With robbers on the loose.

(chuckles)

It's a good job that no one's being held at gunpoint!

Tell me if you need a hand later.

(police officer) All right, sir. What happened?

Pastor Robinson?

We need to talk about the choir and The People of Poplar Carols.

Oh, forgive me.

You're reading your letter with a Jamaican stamp on it?

Yes. It is from Lucille.

May the Lord shine his face upon her.

- What she say? - Nothing.

She's sweet. She's courteous.

She's enjoying her job.

And she says nothing.

(music fades)

(sighs) I feel like Churchill

when he had all his planes in the air

during the Battle of Britain.

I'm sorry, lass, we're that short staffed,

the only way you'll get through this district list on your own

is if you pack an egg sandwich and eat luncheon on the hop.

She better take something milky in a thermos.

- (phone ringing) - I'll get it.

And I'd better put you on the midwifery call board

after Sister Julienne.

We don't do it often, but needs must.

Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.

(Millicent) It's Miss Higgins, at the surgery.

- Apologies, one moment please. - (indistinct chatter)

- Morning, Miss Higgins. - Good morning, Doctor.

As you can see, we are rather busy today.

Nurse Clifford, we require reinforcements.

Look, I've done separate sections

for the different types of scrap metal.

Old keys, brass plugs, toy cars.

That's not fair! All the toy cars are mine!

I'm not going to let you join in with the Blue Peter appeal at all

if you don't stop squabbling about it.

But it's to buy a minibus so old people can have treats.

I'm not feeling particularly youthful myself this morning.

And my idea of a treat is you all go upstairs,

get dressed, and then come down and clean out Petula's hutch.

But I just had my adenoids out.

- (chuckles) - (sighs)

I think you're going to be a textbook case, Mrs Ali.

My mother-in-law delivered my first baby

at home in Sylhet.

I think she believes she will deliver this one too.

By the time she gets back

from dropping the children off with your sister,

- I think she'll be too late. - (chuckles)

(scoffs) Baby's lined himself up very nicely.

He clearly knows the drill. (chuckles)

A lady in the market yesterday said,

"I can see what you're getting for Christmas."

And I was perplexed because I'm not Christian.

Then I saw that she meant this.

(chuckles)

It's all cause for celebration one way and another.

Hmm.

I would like you to just keep sipping water.

- Your mouth looks a little dry. - (groans)

I am not good at drinking. I'm always busy.

It's time for you to look after yourself.

And I'll look after you.

(upbeat music)

Roger Noble.

Winton Daymont Pharmaceuticals?

I made an appointment yesterday

to meet with Dr Turner at ten o'clock.

You must be mistaken.

Ten o'clock falls during surgery hours.

I spoke to one of the nurses. She had, I think, a Cork accent?

Well, that will have been Nurse Corrigan,

who does not have a secretarial mandate.

Doctor will see you at his convenience,

and you may stand over there until a seat becomes available.

(music concludes)

- (groans, grunts) - (gentle music playing)

- (groans, grunts) - Afira. Afira. Afira.

- (sobs) - Just rest. Rest now

before the next pain.

You are doing the most beautiful work imaginable,

and baby will be with us very soon.

- It is coming too fast. - (Sister Veronica) No, no, no.

- It is coming quickly and easily. - (pants)

(exhales) Just take this chance to breathe.

- (breathes heavily, grunts) - (Sister Veronica) Push now.

- (grunts, groans) - Push now. Just a little one.

- (grunts, groans) - Just a little one.

- (groans, grunts) - (Sister Veronica) Oh, success!

(baby crying)

And you have a little girl!

(pants) Boys, I have already.

(Sister Veronica) Oh, she's a bonny thing.

(baby coos)

There we are.

(moans)

(baby crying)

We meet again.

(chuckles) In even more glamorous circumstances.

It wasn't me.

It was a wee fella. The minute I sat down next to him,

he parted company with his breakfast.

(chuckles) He's decorated the floor in the toilet now and all.

Do you want me to do your toe caps?

I think they got a bit splashed.

It's just as well I didn't come in Hush Puppies.

(chuckles)

I'll sort out this drawsheet

while you have a cuddle with young miss.

- (dramatic music playing) - What's happening?

(Sister Veronica) Hold her tight, Afira.

Afira, Afira all will be well.

- I will die. - No. No, no, that is not the case.

(baby cries)

(music concludes)

You can see your face in that now.

It's all part of the service.

Why not read some leaflets while you're waiting?

(Roger) People of Poplar Carols.

I like the sound of that.

Dr Turner to Afira Ali in the delivery room, urgently.

And we need the Flying Squad.

(dramatic music playing)

Nurse Corrigan, telephone.

I'll be right with you. She's in good hands.

(baby crying)

(Sister Veronica) Syntometrine already administered.

I think it's stemmed the bleeding, but she's unresponsive.

She's going into shock.

I had concerns that she was dehydrated.

(baby crying)

We need to raise her legs by 12 inches

and administer fluid rectally.

Take her to the nursery.

(Nancy) Oh, wait, Mrs Bibi.

(Sister Veronica) You have a little granddaughter, Mrs Bibi.

- (baby crying) - What of her mother?

(Sister Veronica) Doctor's with her.

The bleeding may have stopped, but...

without sufficient fluid in her system, her heart will fail.

Fluid going in.

(praying indistinctly)

(Mrs Bibi sobbing, praying indistinctly)

(Dr Turner) It's working.

Her blood pressure's going back up,

and her pulse is reducing and becoming stronger. Oh!

Is this the patient?

Atonic haemorrhage, placenta complete,

vital signs improving.

And prayers answered.

(music concludes)

Sister, what happened to Baby Curran?

The one whose parents work at the funfair.

Mother and dad have taken him home.

To what sounds like a comfortable billet in Kent.

He's barely two days old.

It's a new policy for when we're pushed for beds.

Sister Monica Joan. Whatever has occurred?

(chuckles) Are you still here?

I don't think you'll be seeing Dr Turner today.

He's been dealing with a haemorrhage.

Talk about paint the town red.

(chuckles)

My mop's been working overtime.

Well, you did a grand job on that toilet floor. (chuckles)

Do they ever give you time off

- for good behaviour? - (Nancy chuckles)

They would, if I was well behaved. (chuckles)

(Roger) If you're good and they let you loose,

would you come out with me?

Things are a bit busy because it's Christmas.

Carol singing and extra duties.

- You know what it's like. - Yes.

It's all right.

I'll see you around.

You can't just waltz into a funeral parlour

and offer bed and board to one of their clients.

Quite apart from anything else, Gertrude Torrance

may have had her own opinions on where her remains should lie.

She may also have had her own opinion

as to who should launder her small clothes

and retrieve her teeth.

But she died alone.

And she deserves to be accompanied to her grave.

Well, I suppose it is Christmas.

It is Advent, a time of darkness.

And who is there to bring light into that shade but we?

- (carnival music playing) - (indistinct chatter)

- Is it really all free? - (parents chuckle)

Grateful patients is one of the perks

of a career in healthcare.

I mean, I've never had fairground vouchers

for osteopathy, but, er, one lives in hope.

(chuckles) What's it going to be, honey?

Ferris wheel, mini planes, then helter-skelter.

No, no, no. Mini planes, helter-skelter, then Ferris wheel.

Then I want to go on the shooting range

- and win a new goldfish. - (Geoffrey) Hmm.

Dare I ask what happened to the old goldfish?

He got a sort of funny fungus on him and died.

- Does anyone fancy a toffee apple? - Oh, go and get them.

We will be...

- ...on the mini planes. - (Colette laughs)

- (children screaming) - (child) Mummy, mummy!

(Joyce laughs)

I'm awfully sorry, but these are quite sticky.

I think I should have taken my mittens off.

(chuckles)

You looked quite pensive standing there.

First time I ever went to the fair

was the first time Colette went to the fair.

I took her.

And feeling her little hand in mine made me... (inhales)

...feel like a child again myself.

(chuckles) And as old as the hills.

I suppose you must want her to have all the things you never had.

Yeah, all of that.

And I want her to have all the things

she hasn't got now.

That we haven't got now, come to that.

(sighs) Maybe when I look at her up there...

I realise how alone we really are.

I hope this is going to fit him. He's a lanky lad, is Harry.

And he looked to me like he's still growing.

His mother measured him before she left Liverpool

to return to Delhi.

Victor's estate was demanding her attention.

We make an odd little family.

But one way or another, we're bound together now.

And Harry's coming to me for Christmas.

You can smile if you want to, Millicent.

Bittersweet it may be, but you've got a grandson now,

and that's a gift.

Furthermore, this jumper's going to suit him.

(radio jumps between stations)

(sighs)

I should have nicked one with a pineapple on it

instead of a coconut.

It's like it's made of solid marble.

You're not cut out for life on the run.

(radio switches off)

If I hadn't had the foresight to nick a tin opener

from the ironmonger, you'd have starved to death.

(tense music playing)

You're serious about the sub-Post Office, aren't you?

We're in a serious situation.

Belgarno's banged up again, charged with grievous.

Smigger turned himself in. They knew where we were heading.

We had reason to head this way.

Did us no ruddy good, though, did it?

My Astrid's legged it, and no one was waiting for you either.

We need to disappear, Jock. And that costs money.

I don't do shooters, Stan.

I never would. You know that.

And you ended up doing seven sodding years anyway.

I just need you as a lookout, and we can split and move on.

If we want to have that choice, then we've no choice.

(thuds)

(gunshot fires, gun clicks)

Go on, make yourself a piña colada. (laughs maniacally)

(sombre music playing)

Do you want a hot water bottle to take up with you?

Yes.

♪ O Key of David

♪ And sceptre Of the House of Israel

♪ Who openeth and no man shutteth

♪ Who shutteth and no man openeth ♪

(upbeat music playing)

I'd imagined a sort of looped effect

with double swags.

Sister, what we need to establish is,

is this Selfridge's Christmas window

or the front porch of a convent?

Furthermore, the plug has to reach the mains.

Fred!

Fred!

I fetched you some fire lighters from the shop.

Oh, thanks, Vi. This coal's that wet,

it's like they dug it out the Thames.

Well, just get it going.

You're already late setting off to collect Reggie

- (electricity crackling) - (all exclaim)

(Sister Veronica) Oh!

I plugged the lights in, as suggested,

and they just went bang. (groans)

(Richard cooing)

- Doesn't seem very interested, Sid. - (Richard crying)

- Do you think I'm doing it right? - Yeah, we're all still learning.

(Richard cooing)

I love him all in white.

Skin's going a lovely creamy gold colour.

- (chuckles) - (Richard cooing)

(Alma) You hear about newborns crying

and crying, but he never does, do you, Richard?

Richard Rain Moon Willow Starshine Curran.

(Richard crying)

Hmm, the only middle name he needs is Sidney.

Thanks for staying here with me.

It just feels right.

I want us to be together while he's still so new.

(Richard cooing)

That twitching? Is he shivering?

No.

He's lovely and warm.

(Richard cooing)

(chuckles)

(band playing "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer")

- Neil Betteridge? - Yes.

- (Millicent) Kevin Muscatelli? - Yes.

- (Millicent) Ahmed Mohammed? - Yes.

- (Millicent) Patsy Brown? - (Patsy) Yes.

- (Millicent) Patricia Alexander? - (Patricia) Yes.

- (Millicent) Matthew Carter? - Yes.

Mrs Turner, we have been waiting for the hymn sheets.

There seems to be something happening

on the Commercial Road.

The police have blocked off Salerno Street. (groans)

(children laughing)

We have lanterns, and...

candles are still a possibility.

The Victorians managed perfectly well without fairy lights.

(car horn honking)

- Geoffrey! - Sis!

- (smooches) - Oh! Ooh!

I hope you've laid this all on for me,

'cause I would have happily walked from Portofino

if I'd have known what was waiting!

- (chuckles) - Trixie! Oh, welcome home!

(Trixie chuckles)

- (all exclaim) - Let there be light indeed.

- (Geoffrey chuckles) - Fred, have you seen the time?

- Hurry up. Reggie will be waiting. - Oh, will you get my cases?

(Geoffrey) Ooh. Yes. Coming right up, Sis.

Over there, dear, if you're going to the carols.

You forgot Reggie's sandwich.

You know he's always starving when he gets off the coach.

Did you actually go to Portofino for three days,

or were you in Milan for a month buying out the couture collection?

(scoffs) I'll have you know, understated elegance

has become my watchword since I've been living in New York.

Every garment I could possibly require

for this entire trip has been packed into a mere two cases.

Hmm, which is just as well,

since far away in a superior part of London,

your cashmere sweaters are all bristling with icicles.

Oh, by the way, you're in the attic.

Why am I in the attic?

(Geoffrey) Because I got the guest room

as a gesture of thanks from Sister Veronica.

I'm going to help her with her chutney.

Oh!

(emotional music playing)

- Someone coming to meet you? - Yes.

♪ O little town of Bethlehem

♪ How still we see thee lie

♪ Above thy deep and dreamless deep

♪ The silent stars go by

♪ Yet in the dark streets shining,

♪ The everlasting light

♪ The hopes and fears Of all the years

♪ Are met in thee tonight ♪

(horn honking)

I'm sorry, sir, but you'll have to be patient.

What's happening?

There's been an armed raid on a sub-Post Office.

One man's already been arrested, and one is still at large.

(groans)

- (dramatic music playing) - (indistinct chatter)

(pants)

♪ Where meek souls will receive him still

♪ The dear Christ enters him ♪

(emotional music drowns out choir)

(Jock) Mum? Guess who?

Hello?

Guess who?

(dramatic music playing)

(revellers laughing)

Oh, my God, I'm crying!

- Is this Poplar? - No, mate. Poplar's miles away.

(revellers laughing, speaking indistinctly)

Reggie?

Oh, no.

No!

(music intensifies)

Reggie!

(music concludes)

- Nancy, please! - I'm working.

Karen, you must tell me what is happening.

How are Alma and the baby?

I just left them all tucked up in the caravan.

You won't grow big and strong if you don't drink your milk.

What post box did you put the Blue Peter parcel in?

- I need to report a missing person. - (sobs)

Oh, Violet.

(theme music playing)

(theme music concludes)