Original subtitles

MATURE JENNIFER: 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 RINGS

Hello?

Is that you, Reggie?

I'm coming home soon, Mum.

Is everything all ready?

The tree's up, the 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!

SHE CHUCKLES

I never eat mince pies.

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 RINGS

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

about your travel arrangements.

It's all right, Reg.

I got your postcard with the time of the coach

and everything. 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.

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

Oh, be careful, Nurse Crane!

Mine are made with all-butter pastry, and they're very delicate.

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?

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?

They both mean me.

SHELAGH: I'm not stopping today,

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

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.

I know you're always completely impartial.

And so is Dr Turner. Mmm.

Are you ready to go, Fred?

Sleigh's all packed up.

I've 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.

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.

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?

Tucking into jelly and ice cream like a professional.

No-one ever died of an adenoidectomy.

They do die of flu, though.

The sooner you get him home, the better.

ALL: Ten, nine,

eight, seven, six,

five, four,

three, two, one...

CHEERING

Ho-ho-ho! BELL RINGS

Yay!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

That's Fred! Sh.

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?

CHILDREN: Me! Me! Me!

Please pick me!

The landlord tells us you rented this as a fully furnished property.

Yeah, we did. But that little footstool is my grandma's.

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.

If you're going to throw them out their home,

you might at least show them some dignity.

We're acting under instruction from your creditors.

BABY GRIZZLES

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.

KEYS JANGLE

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.

Right, young miss!

What's your name?

Karen. 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 in the workshop.

Any particular colour bow?

Red.

Hmm.

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

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

I'm going to ask if I can have a guinea pig.

Good morning. BABY CRIES

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.

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.

NURSE CRANE: And after just four days.

You haven't been properly looked after,

and we're going to put that right.

We can treat the infection with a course of antibiotics.

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

It's all right.

This is it.

This? RAT SQUEAKS

I'm sorry.

Come on.

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 6.30.

Thank you. Bye!

Penny for them?

Just two lovely little girls, that's all.

Sisters.

I don't know what's gone on in their house

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

Did they start to make you want a girl again?

It's boy, girl, boy, girl...!

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.

APPLAUSE Collected in absentia

by Dr Turner, one of our judges.

And runner-up is...

..Mrs Sandra Okwe!

And...

..Mrs Maria Santopolous receives Highly Commended

for her very innovative use of flaky pastry.

Hmm.

Ooh!

I'm perfectly aware of why I didn't win.

The mincemeat, it wasn't home-made,

and I had to fall back on shop-bought.

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

I deem them perfectly acceptable.

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.

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.

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 enquiries,

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.

In the new year, I will introduce you to a suitable solicitor.

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

DOOR OPENS

Hello, love.

Where did you get that from?

Father Christmas came, and we had a party.

Love...

This is Karen Louise Shaughnessy,

aged 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.

Dr Mackerton did his rounds earlier this afternoon.

Weren't you here?

I was tied up. We were moving house.

Moving house?

I-It's a bit of a story, love.

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

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

Are you all settled in? Mind your hands.

Ooh!

All right?

All right, Mitch.

WOMAN: 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 would make me think of this.

I knew a Scottish terrier called Skye!

SHE TUTS

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, Skye,

or Moon

or Snow or Sunshine.

We can call it whatever we like.

Rose. Or Willow.

Or Rain. Or...

..Richard.

Richard?

It's just a nice name.

SHE GASPS Are you all right?

I don't know.

Ohh.

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.

And those which are not available, I shall pursue.

BABIES CRY

Roger Noble. We spoke on the phone.

You must be Miss Higgins.

SHE LAUGHS

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

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?

I'm a tranquillizer salesman.

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

Tomorrow, at 10am?

I've copied her writing.

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.

You're all up-to-date with the Advent calendar.

Get back on the settee and under that blanket.

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.

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.

TV: A manhunt is under way 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!

MAY SIGHS

NEWS REPORT CONTINUES, SHELAGH TUTS

KAREN: It smells funny.

And my chest hurts.

It's just them stairs, Karen.

And your heart.

Come on, have a lie down.

THUDDING FOOTSTEPS

Is this where we live now?

Now, but not forever.

There isn't a cot for the baby.

The baby isn't born yet.

We'll sort something out.

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?

BABY CRIES

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.

HE SIGHS

BUZZING

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.

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.

I'll be back in two ticks.

FLIES BUZZ, DR TURNER COUGHS

ALMA GROANS

Alma?

I just wanted to get off the bed.

Can you get back onto it?

SHE GROANS No...!

So, Mother knows best.

SHE STRAINS

You stay right where you are.

The lady's no longer alive.

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...

Please, can't you just pull it out?

You don't need anyone interfering, Alma.

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

I haven't. Yes, you have.

You have, honey. Now, come on.

Come on, you've given us half a head.

This time, I want all of it.

Come on!

Come on!

Come on!

Yes! We have the whole baby!

It's out?

It's absolutely out, and it's a boy. BABY CRIES

I want him. Please, I want him.

Hello.

I'm your mum.

Thank you for coming in time for Christmas.

He looks like his dad.

DR TURNER: Gertrude Torrance.

Born 1899.

The coroner will have to determine the cause of death.

Could you put this rent book back on the sideboard?

There must be a next of kin somewhere.

7lb 2oz, is that good?

7lb, that's the average,

so 2oz higher than that.

When I was at school, I would have killed to be called average.

I was always marked weak or poor.

He's doing better than me already.

Would you like free tickets to the fair?

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

That's kind, 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.

He looks like his mum.

HE EXHALES

LAUGHTER

The moment I heard there was a clearing-out sale at Ealing Studios,

I hotfooted 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.

House-sitting 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.

PHONE RINGS

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

if you are inconvenienced.

I may take you up on that.

There was actually ice on my flannel this morning.

THEY LAUGH

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.

SHE SIGHS

I shall go to the flats and confer with the janitor.

MAN ON PHONE: Thank you very much.

TV: 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, aged 39...

Sister Monica Joan? ..a convicted bank robber...

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.

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?

No.

I'd better stop betting on the horses, then!

ALL LAUGH

Here's a good one.

Will Geoffrey ever get married?

GEOFFREY GASPS

Maybe.

Better than a flat denial, I suppose.

HE GROANS

I reckon it's Hong Kong flu.

I'll go out tomorrow and I'll get you some aspirin.

Save your money.

I'll be fine. I'm fine.

Come on.

It's time to blow them candles out.

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?

Nah. And it'll be really Christmassy.

HE GROANS

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?

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?

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

I thought the girls would say they're too big

for a merry-go-round.

And that Teddy would say it's a girls' ride.

Teddy can't say anything with that scarf wrapped round his mouth.

He's recovering from surgery,

and there are a lot of germs about.

They're still children, aren't they?

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

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

I can't believe he won't be here

to open his presents on Christmas morning.

He'll be working on the wards.

It's a dream come true for him.

And the presents will keep until he gets home.

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.

Likewise.

But there is only one examiner,

and he does not give us marks.

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.

SHE SIGHS

ALL LAUGH AND SHOUT

Oh, my goodness!

Patrick! He needs to leave that on!

Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Oh!

KNOCK AT DOOR

Hello?

KNOCKING CONTINUES

CAT MEOWS

Mind Nigel's paws on those splinters.

I haven't seen this much smashed glass since the train crash.

What's happened, Fred?

Oh, broken into overnight. Same over the way.

Has much been taken?

FRED SIGHS Fags, matches,

three packets of custard creams.

And one of the Christmas Club boxes.

Oh, no.

Apart from the coconut on the top, it's mostly tins.

He ain't going to get much joy out of if it

unless he's got a can-opener.

Morning.

Morning.

Oh! Two hours, it's taken...

..With robbers on the loose. FRED SCOFFS

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

Tell me if you need a hand later.

All right, sir? Can you tell me 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.

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'd better take something milky in a Thermos. Hmm.

PHONE RINGS 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.

It's Miss Higgins at the surgery.

Apologies, one moment, please.

Morning, Miss Higgins.

Good morning, Doctor. As you can see, we're 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 that you all go upstairs,

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

But I just had my "aganoise" out.

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.

Baby's lined himself up very nicely.

He clearly knows the drill.

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.

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

I would like you to just keep sipping water,

your mouth looks a little dry.

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.

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.

Now, Doctor will see you at his convenience,

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

AFIRA GROANS

Afira...

Afira! Afira.

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! No, no, no.

It is coming quickly and easily.

SHE EXHALES

Just take this chance to breathe.

Push now. Push now. Just a little one.

Just a little one.

AFIRA GROANS

Success! BABY CRIES

And you have a little girl!

Boys, I have already.

Oh, she's a bonny thing!

There we are, Baby.

Oh!

We meet again.

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.

He's decorated the floor in the toilet now, and all.

Do you want me to do your toecaps?

I think they got a bit splashed.

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

I'll sort out this drawsheet

while you have a cuddle with young miss.

WEAKLY: What's happening?

Hold her tight, Afira.

Afira... Afira, all will be well.

I will die.

No. No, no. That is not the case.

You can see your face in that now.

It's all part of the service.

Why not read some leaflets while you're waiting?

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.

Nurse Corrigan, telephone.

I'll be right with you.

She's in good hands.

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 CRIES

We need to raise her legs by 12 inches

and administer fluid rectally.

Take her to the nursery.

Oh, wait, Mrs Bibi...

You have a little granddaughter, Mrs Bibi.

What of her mother?

Doctor's with her.

The bleeding may have stopped,

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

Fluid going in.

MRS BIBI PRAYS

DR TURNER: It's working.

Her blood pressure's going back up

and her pulse is reducing and becoming stronger.

DOOR OPENS

Is this the patient?

Atonic haemorrhage.

Placenta complete. Vital signs improving.

And prayers answered.

Sister, what happened to Baby Curran -

the one whose parents work at a 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?

SHE LAUGHS 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.

My mop's been working overtime.

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

Do they ever give you time off for good behaviour?

They would, if I was well-behaved.

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?

Is it really all free?

Grateful patients is one of the perks of a career in health care.

I mean, I've never had fairground vouchers

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

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.

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.

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

I think I should have taken my mittens off.

You looked quite pensive standing there.

The 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

feel like a child again myself...

..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.

SHE 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.

Hmm.

And Harry's coming to me for Christmas.

You could 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.

I should have nicked one wi' 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.

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

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

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, then we can split and move on.

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

GUNSHOT

Go on, make yourself a pina colada!

HE LAUGHS MANIACALLY

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... #

I'd imagined a sort of looped effect

with double swags.

Sister, what we need to establish is,

is this Selfridges' Christmas window,

or the front porch of a convent?

Furthermore, the plug has to reach the mains.

Fred!

Fred!

I fetched you some firelighters 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.

LIGHTS BANG, THEY GASP

Ohh! I plugged the lights in as suggested,

and they just went bang. Ohh.

He doesn't seem very interested, Sid.

Do you think I'm doing it right?

Yeah. We're all still learning.

BABY CRIES SOFTLY

I love him all in white.

His skin's going a lovely creamy-gold colour.

You hear about newborns crying and crying,

but he never does. Do you, Richard?

Richard Rain Moon Willow Starshine Curran.

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.

Is that twitching?

Is he shivering?

No.

He's lovely and warm.

PLAY RUDOLF THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

Neil Betteridge? Yes.

Kevin Muscatelli? Yes.

Ahmed Mohammed? Yes.

Patsy Brown. Yes.

Patricia Alexander. Yes.

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.

We have lanterns, and candles are still a possibility.

The Victorians managed perfectly well without fairy lights.

HORN TOOTS

Geoffrey!

Sis!

Mwah! Oh!

I hope you've laid this all on for me

cos I would have happily walked from Portofino

if I'd have known what was waiting!

Trixie! Welcome home!

Ohh! Let there be light, indeed!

Fred, have you seen the time?

Hurry up! Reggie will be waiting.

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?

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?

Because I got the guest room

as a gesture of thanks from Sister Veronica.

I'm going to help her with her chutney.

Ohh!

Is someone coming to meet you?

Yes.

# O little town of Bethlehem

# How still we see thee lie

# Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

# 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 BEEPS

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.

HE SIGHS

BRAKES SQUEAK

# ..Where meek souls

# Will receive him still

# The dear Christ enters in. #

HE MOUTHS

Mum?

Guess who?

Hello?

Guess who?

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

Is this Poplar?

No, mate. Poplar's miles away.

STUDENTS LAUGH

Reggie?

Oh, no.

No!

Reggie!

Nancy, please...

I'm working.

Karen?

You must tell me what is happening.

How are Alma and the baby?

Oh, 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 postbox did you put the Blue Peter parcel in?

I need to report a missing person.

Oh, Violet.

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