Call the Midwife

Mature Jennifer, voiceover: Loss, to a child, is often fleeting.

The grief and the missing are erased as soon as the loved thing is returned.

The void is filled so simply, and the joy is so complete, that only the reunion stays imprinted on the mind.

The picture is perfect once again, as if the trouble never happened.

But a child's pain, when they feel it, is real and absolute.

We must shelter them until their dark hours pass.

[Girls giggling] Careful!

Girl, falling: Ah!

Whoa.

That was quite a tumble.

Are you alright?

Don't worry, Sister Veronica, we can sort this out.

Can't we, Deborah?

We've got the first-aid tin and the sweetie tin.

And they both make you better, don't they?

So, which one are we going to open first?

That one.

I thought you might say that.

Well, I wish the dinner ladies at my school had had medicine like that, Mrs Robbins.

I'll see you both when I'm next in school.

[Chuckles] [Footsteps leaving] Right.

Off you go and play before the bell.

[Groans] [Sighs] Nurse Crane: You hear it?

That's a good, strong baby's heartbeat.

That's something to tell your friends about, isn't it?

And next time you come, there should be a little brother or sister here to meet you.

[Gasping] Ooh.

Mmm.

[Exhaling shakily] They're getting closer together.

We'd better leave you to it, then.

What about Kenny, love?

Shall I tell him you're here?

He's probably got the right to know.

Alright, yeah, just, uh, say you'll let him know when the baby's been born.

Alright, darling.

Come on, you.

[Groans] Come with Granny.

Let's leave Mummy to it.

[Distant] Should we get you something to eat?

Me and Kenny separated a few months ago.

I did notice there was no one down to be in the delivery room with you.

Well, he's the last person I'd want, truth be told, Nurse.

He's taken the right hump because I'm moving out to Stevenage, where my sister is.

I'm better off by myself.

[Chuckles] [Sighing] [Sighing] [Laboured breathing] That's it.

Good lass.

You can tell you've done this before.

[Gasps in pain] This is the bit you try to forget about.

I know, but the body doesn't forget.

[Groaning in distance] Hello, Pam?

Oh, my God, that's Kenny.

Oh, I really don't want him in here.

Oh!

Hello, Pam?

[Gasps] [Frantic knocking] Hello?!

[Pam gasping] Sorry, Mr Shields, fathers aren't allowed in the delivery room without the mother's express permission.

I was there for the last one.

That may be true, lad, but there have been some changes since then, haven't there?

It's my baby too.

Everyone just takes her side.

It isn't about sides, Mr Shields.

This is a maternity home.

We have to put the needs and wishes of the labouring mother first, because that is what is best for baby.

[Pam gasping and groaning in background] [Birdsong, water rushing] It's from my solicitor.

He's received my Decree Nisi.

Oh, my goodness.

So, does this mean... It means in six weeks and a day from today, I can apply for my Decree Absolute, and I will officially be a single man, free to do anything I choose, even marry again, if I want to.

If you meet the right person.

If I meet the right person.

[Both laugh] I suppose it must feel sad too.

I know it's not what you would have wanted or expected.

You know, I thought it would be sad.

I had lots of hopes and dreams when I married Lucille.

And she was the one who wanted to divorce.

But now it's actually happening... it's more like... closing a book.

I can think about the future.

[Laughs] [Flowers thud] [Groaning loudly] Good lass.

Keep pushing.

The head is coming.

[Groaning, panting] Well done.

I have your baby's head in my hand.

We're so very nearly there.

I want you to give me one more, just like the last one.

[Straining] Aaah!

[Pam panting, gasping] You have a beautiful little boy, Pam, born at exactly 22 minutes past 2.

[Baby crying] [Whimpering] Has he got ten fingers and ten toes?

He certainly does.

[Baby whimpering] Perfect.

[Baby whimpering] [Chuckling] [Crying] Isn't he just... [Whimpering] Hello.

Looking good, Fred.

Hello, Edwin.

[Sighs] Yeah.

I take that as a compliment, coming from a professional.

Not anymore.

I retired from the park last Thursday.

Yeah, man of leisure now, mate.

Well, good for you.

You meeting Molly?

Yeah.

I thought I'd come down, surprise her, take her for a strawberry Mivvi, seeing as the weather's so nice.

[Chuckling] Oh, you are romantic.

Got to keep the magic alive, Fred.

[Chuckling] [Baby crying] There you are.

Young Master Colin Shields is ready for you now, Doctor.

Well, hello, Colin.

Aren't you the handsome lad?

I am just going to do a little bit of checking and measuring for you.

I did notice that his eyes are a little red.

I wondered if there might be some infection present.

[Colin whimpering] Yes, they are a bit.

I'll take a swab.

Don't you worry, young man.

We will find out what it is and get it cleared up in no time.

[Colin whimpering] You're awfully quiet, love.

Mm-hmm.

What's wrong?

Is your back bothering you again?

It's not just the back, Ed.

The other thing happened again.

The waterworks.

It was awful.

And what if it happened when I was serving the children or-- or in the kitchen?

I feel... so dirty.

If it carries on like this, I'm going to have to give up me job.

Love, if you want to give up your job, you give up your job, but it ain't gonna fix the problem.

Only a doctor can do that.

And you need to make an appointment.

No, it's too embarrassing.

Oh!

Oh... [Chuckles] Molly, love.

You're getting more and more of these pains.

So, summat ain't right.

Don't fuss, Ed.

It will pass.

I'll have an 'ot bath.

I have to admit, I am concerned.

Christopher gets upset so easily, and he's refusing to eat.

And as you know, he is so very... fragile.

This chemotherapy is one of the toughest things you can put a 2-year-old through.

He seemed to cope so well with the last cycle.

Do you think we need to speak to the consultant?

He's decided to conduct a treatment review, and, obviously, as Christopher's guardians in this country, he's asked for you both to attend.

May I?

I can bathe his eyes, and then I'll take him to the nursery so you can get some sleep.

You've had a busy day.

Thank you, Sister.

I do feel shattered.

I don't remember it being so bad the last time.

I see he has a friend already.

Oh, yeah.

Well, that teddy is Kenny all over.

And all that fuss this morning, and he hasn't even been in to see Colin, now he's actually here.

Aww.

Well done, little one.

I'm sure he'll come tomorrow.

Maybe.

That's no way to live, though, is it?

Never knowing what's what.

Would you like to come to a social work conference in York?

What an offer.

[Chuckles] Well, not the conference itself, but it's on a Friday, and I thought that maybe if you could get the weekend off, we could... Y-York is a city I've always wanted to see, and I would like to see it with you.

Cyril... are you asking me to go away with you for the weekend?

Yes, I am.

A whole weekend?

In a hotel?

Yes.

Oh, my goodness.

If you don't want to, I understand.

No, no, no... I would love to.

[Colin whimpering] Sister Catherine: Night, night.

Ooh.

Morning, Miss Higgins.

Good morning, Sister Catherine.

[Babies crying] Sounds like someone's ready for breakfast.

Thank you.

[Babies crying loudly] Ooh!

How long have you been getting these pains?

Oh, I don't know, Doctor.

It comes and goes.

But last night, it's like being stabbed or something.

It's been at least since Christmas.

Well, I suppose it has.

I thought it was just 30 years of lifting pots of spuds.

But it ain't, is it, Doctor?

No, Mrs Robbins, I don't think it is.

I could feel something inside that was harder than I would expect it to be.

You mean a lump, don't you?

It could be any number of things, Mrs Robbins.

I know it's difficult, but, please, try not to jump to any conclusions.

Tell me, do you have any other symptoms?

For example, any urinary problems?

Have you ever experienced incontinence?

Yes.

Mrs Shields?

[Water running] Is baby Colin with you?

No, why?

He isn't in the nursery.

Mrs Shields!

Mrs Shields!

Where's my baby?

Where's my baby?!

Where is he?!

Where's my baby?

Oh, God, where is he?

[Sobs] Oh, God.

[Gasps] Oh... Oh!

[Sobbing] I am going to give you an injection of pethidine.

It will help with the pain.

Thank you, Doctor.

And I'm sending you to St.

Cuthbert's for an abdominal X-ray.

It will help us to understand what we're dealing with.

They should be able to see you quite quickly.

Oh, that's good, innit, love?

Do you think it's cancer, Dr Turner?

Just tell me, if you do.

I honestly don't know, Mrs Robbins.

That's why it's important that we get you to the hospital.

I checked on both babies at about 10 to 7, just before I took the morning tea to the wards.

You said the doors were locked?

The external doors, yes.

Double locked until Miss Higgins opens up for the day staff.

And, even then, you can't get in that back door without a key.

Except, Sister Catherine, it appears you can.

I was so close by, DI Holbrook.

How could I have heard or seen nothing?

I must have missed it by a few moments.

And now, baby Colin is gone.

I am so, so sorry that this has happened, Mrs Shields.

We will do everything we can to help find him.

Mrs Shields?

Let me help you.

Sweet tea is good for shock.

Oh.

[Sobbing] Oh.

Oh, Mrs Shields.

Dr Turner.

DI John Holbrook.

I'm in charge of the investigation.

I expect you want to speak to me.

If you wouldn't mind.

Please.

Uh, it seems that the back door has been forced this morning, probably after Miss Higgins arrived and opened the bottom lock.

I thought the building was secure.

DI Holbrook... a newborn baby is so incredibly vulnerable.

We'll find him.

We've got officers searching the area already.

I'll need to access your files of all the female patients who recently lost a baby or had to give one up.

You think a woman's responsible?

It's usually the way with baby-snatch cases.

I've received the test results for the swab that we took from baby Colin's eyes.

Anything significant?

[Sighs] I'm afraid so.

Colin's eye infection is caused by the chickenpox virus.

That in itself is a serious condition for newborns, but when it infects the eyes like this, it has to be treated very quickly.

That's easily done in a medical setting, but... without treatment, a baby can become blind.

This mother must have it.

She just doesn't have any symptoms yet.

Well, we'll have to care for her at home to protect the other babies.

But I cannot overstate how serious this can be for a newborn.

We'll put out an appeal across the board right away.

We might have a few journalists hanging around, I'm afraid.

Anything that helps is fine by me.

Marjorie: Oh, love.

Where's Lisa?

I thought you'd bring her.

She's with Kenny, love.

What?

No, everyone's trying to get a hold of Kenny.

Where are they?

I don't know.

He took her early doors, like you arranged.

I didn't arrange that.

I haven't even seen Kenny.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, Mum, it's him.

It's him.

It's Kenny.

He's taken them both.

[Pounding on door] Mr Shields!

It's the police!

[Crash] Check the other room.

He's got nappies, bottle, formula milk.

He's cleared out.

But, why did he do it?

His own children?

Because he wants to punish his wife for leaving him.

Holbrook: We believe that both children may be with their father... It's begun!

...Mr Kenneth Shields.

The younger of the two children, a day-old baby by the name of Colin, has a medical condition that requires urgent... Sister Catherine.

Holbrook: ...attention.

We appeal to Mr Shields and to the pub... [TV shuts off] How are you, lass?

Better, thank you.

I will be ready for our evening offices and work in the morning.

How you doing?

Try not to scratch them, love.

[Letterbox clanging] It's alright.

It's just the post.

It's from Kenny.

Mrs Robbins?

Oh, hello, Nurse Highland.

I didn't expect to see you here.

You're usually at Nonnatus House.

It's only temporary.

I've been seconded to work under Mr Parry in gynaecology.

He has your X-rays now, so he's ready to see you.

Oh... Right.

Good luck, love.

You can come too, Mr Robbins.

Oh.

[Christopher crying] Oh, Patrick, look at him.

Dr Turner.

Mrs Turner.

Thank you for coming.

The team from Great Ormond Street have just seen Christopher.

This shouldn't take too long.

What do you mean, Dr Grant?

I would have thought there was quite a lot to discuss.

No, no.

Don't worry, Mrs Turner.

We're not giving up on Christopher.

But we are going to stop his treatment for a while.

Christopher is too weak to continue for now.

I want to say, 'Physiologically or psychologically?

', but it's both, isn't it?

At least for the time being.

The treatment is wearing him out.

And, at this age, it's going to affect him developmentally.

[Christopher wailing] This little boy is a long way from home.

[Christopher crying] [Lisa laughing] [Lisa giggles] Kenny: I told you to stay indoors.

[Colin crying] It's alright, mate.

I'm here.

It's alright.

[Colin continues crying] It's alright.

Hey.

Hey.

It's alright.

Hey.

Lisa: Where's Mummy?

Lisa, I said to stay in bed until I got back.

You've got to be a big girl now and do what you're told.

[Colin crying] Mummy.

But we're playing the game where we're hiding from Mummy, remember?

And when the game's finished, we'll all be together again, yeah?

Yeah?

[Colin crying] Hey.

You're alright.

You're alright.

[Colin crying harder] I see the rash came out.

Just a bit itchy.

The worst bit is thinking about what the chickenpox could be doing to Colin.

And Lisa ain't had it either.

You know.

What if they're both sick?

I don't suppose you got much sleep.

I feel like I didn't get any at all.

I must have gone off for a bit, because I was sure that I heard... that I heard the baby crying and Lisa running in through the front door.

I-I thought for this lovely minute that he'd brought them back, you know, that he'd proved his point, but... no.

I have something that might help, Mrs Shields.

Dr Turner has prescribed you a sedative.

Oh.

I wish I could do more.

I wish I'd been able to stop him yesterday.

But a few hours of sleep and some calamine lotion for the rash... I can give you that.

[Hospital phones ringing] Here you are, Mrs Robbins.

We'll get you all set up before your surgery in the morning.

Thank you, Nurse.

Size of that tumour, Ed.

Oh... Mr Parry didn't say 'tumour', Mol.

He said 'mass'.

That's true, Mrs Robbins.

We won't know what it is until it's been removed.

Why don't you make a list of things your husband can bring from home?

Oh, that's a good idea, love.

Er... Right, well, you want a toothbrush... er... slippers... It's been a long time since we had a night apart, though.

[Colin crying loudly] Lisa: I want Mummy.

[Car engine starting] She's sleeping now.

Oh, that's good.

Thank you, Sister.

[Phone ringing] Hello?

[Busy signal] Hello?

Kenny: Hello, Pam?

Kenny, listen to me.

You've got to bring them back.

The baby's not well.

He needs a doctor.

I've got the nurse here, if you don't believe me.

It's one of the sisters.

Now, she isn't going to lie, is she?

Mr Shields, this is Sister Catherine speaking, from Nonnatus House.

Marjorie: He's on the phone!

Baby Colin has chickenpox and an infection in his eyes.

It could... [Kenny hangs up] [Sister Catherine hangs up] Was that Kenny?

I was so sure we'd done the right thing by bringing him here.

But, did we?

If you hadn't, Christopher wouldn't have survived.

I thought if we just gave him enough love and care... Your care has been exemplary, Mrs Turner.

And perhaps, in time, Christopher could settle, but... He doesn't have time.

The thing is, even if we could get Christopher to Hong Kong for this break-in treatment, we have no idea what Esther's life is like at the moment.

Will she even be in a position to look after him and keep him safe from his father?

Let me speak with Sister Julienne and arrange a long-distance call with Sister Hilda.

And then we can find out what she knows.

Mm-hmm.

[General chatter] Um, Rosalind Clifford.

I'm here for an appointment.

We always do an internal examination at first appointment... [Speculum adjusting] ...just to make sure that everything's healthy before prescribing.

Yes, of course, Doctor.

That does make sense.

Are you sexually active already, Miss Clifford?

Uh... no, not as such.

Not yet.

But I want to be prepared.

Gosh, sounds like I'm in the Girl Guides.

I think it's very sensible.

You might find a little bleeding later, but that's completely normal.

Everything seems absolutely in order.

[Whimpering] Hello, sweetheart.

What's your name?

[Gunning engine] They're going to take you through now, Mrs Robbins.

[Chatter] Doctor!

How's the baby?

Let the doctor through, please!

A bit of good news, at last.

It's a start, but we have to get them both.

Can you tell us just a few words?

Surgeon: Retractor.

[Air passing through tube] Now, there seems to be some calcification here.

I'll just have to... Kellys.

Oh, my goodness.

I certainly wasn't expecting to see this.

Um, diathermy.

Oh, dear.

Chickenpox.

Just came out this morning.

She's got a bit of a temperature, and... well, she's absolutely exhausted.

But, apart from that, there don't seem to be any physical effects, thank goodness.

I'll pop back later.

If you have any problems in the meantime, please call.

Thank you, Doctor.

I don't think I'll ever be able to let her out of my sight again.

Has she said anything about... No, just that Colin was crying, and Daddy had a blue car.

I mean, God knows where he got that from.

Pam: Oh, my God.

He left his own child alone in a strange place.

I mean, anything could have happened.

How can a man like that keep a sick baby safe?

Reporter: Sister, Sister!

[All yelling at once] Local radio, please.

Just a few words.

Sister!

Excuse me.

Sister, are you the midwife?

Uh, yes.

Sister Catherine, Nonnatus House.

What would you say to Kenny Shields, Sister?

I would just say... [On radio] ...please, get Colin to a doctor.

Every day without treatment puts him more at risk.

[Colin crying] Kenny: Please eat.

[Colin continues crying] I wanted to tell you right away.

My call with Sister Hilda really was quite positive.

Oh!

What did she say?

Esther Tang is well and has secured employment as a domestic with the British Army.

Baby Beryl seems to be thriving.

Oh!

That is good news.

It is.

But there is news that may be even more significant.

Christopher's father, the Cormorant, has been arrested.

He's on trial for drug dealing and racketeering.

My goodness!

A conviction would mean a substantial time in prison.

If he is convicted.

If he isn't, he'll feel like he's invincible.

He could be more cruel and ruthless than ever.

How could we send Christopher back to that?

Ah, Nurse Highland.

Come and see what I've removed from Mrs Robbins.

I don't expect you'll ever come across another.

Was it a tumour?

No.

This came from Mrs Robbins?

Yes.

It's called a lithopedion, from the Greek 'lithos', meaning stone.

And 'pedion', child.

It means a stone baby?

Yes.

Look, you can see the limbs quite clearly, and there are even contours of facial features.

An umbilical cord?

Yes.

It's incredibly rare.

A foetus develops outside the uterus, never viable, as you know.

Usually, they die quite quickly and are absorbed back into the body.

Yes.

But here, the foetus has survived until it was too big to be reabsorbed.

So, the mother's body has calcified it to prevent sepsis, effectively turning the foetus into stone.

I'd say it was about four months' gestation, wouldn't you?

Yes.

Mrs Robbins must have carried it for more than 30 years.

I think it might be Kenny Shields.

Hello?

This is Sister Catherine speaking.

Is that you, Mr Shields?

I'll call the police.

How can I help?

Is Colin with you?

Tell me about his eyes.

They're all crusted up and sore.

He's got spots on his arm.

He needs a doctor, Mr Shields.

Are you near a hospital?

I can't go to hospital.

They'll take him off me, and I won't see him again.

I've already given up my little girl.

[Colin crying] I'm not a bad person, Sister.

I love my kids.

[Crying] I only done it 'cause she was gonna take him away from me.

She was cutting me out.

I love this little fella.

Sister Catherine: I'm sure you do, Mr Shields.

So, you have to put him first.

Colin could become very sick indeed.

He could even lose his sight.

You can bring him here to Nonnatus House, or if you tell me where you are, I can send an ambulance.

I'm not giving him up.

Come on, Sister.

My money's gonna run out.

What else can I do?

You can bathe the eyes with saline.

You can keep him hydrated.

You can make sure everything is really, really clean, but it won't cure it.

He has to... [Phone line beeping] Mr Shields?

Kenny, please!

You'll need a bit of rest and recuperation after all this, Mrs Robbins, but the symptoms will be gone.

The pain and the incontinence were just the lithopedion pressing on the organs.

So strange to think I was pregnant.

I didn't even know.

I mean, I was never pregnant.

And I wanted to be, so much.

I never even had a miscarriage.

And all the time, there was a baby there.

I can't help thinking about... what it would have been like... if it hadn't died.

I think it's probably best not to dwell on that, Mrs Robbins.

I'll see you again tomorrow.

Ah, there you are, Parry.

Ah.

The lithopedion man.

I have some students here.

Is the monster available to view?

Parry: Oh, yes, of course.

Monster?

No.

No, no, no.

It doesn't mean what you think.

It's a medical term.

It's outdated, and they shouldn't be using it.

Oh... Did you see it?

Did you say my--?

Yes.

What did it look like?

Like a baby.

Oh!

[Crying] [Continues crying] That looks interesting, Sister.

It's just a simple congee rice porridge.

I thought it might tempt Christopher to eat.

Something familiar and easy to digest.

I'll take it to him this evening.

With your permission, of course.

You have it.

You have been a great friend and support to Christopher in his illness.

No one could have done more.

I feel I could have, Sister.

See, I'm the one with the language, with the knowledge of his culture.

I feel there's so much more I could have done if I'd have spent more time with him.

But you have had other duties, Sister Veronica.

Yes.

[Colin whimpering] Come on.

Come on, now.

Come on.

[Crying] Come on.

[Colin crying] Oi.

Oi, get away.

[Dog barking] Sorry.

He's friendly.

[Colin wailing] Come on, Rufus.

Come on, Rufus.

Come on.

[Rufus barks] [Colin crying] Yes, I will.

Thank you.

Yes, goodbye.

[Hangs up phone] I've been speaking to Great Ormond Street.

Christopher's chemotherapy medication is in powder form and is portable.

It could be administered at the British Army Hospital in Hong Kong.

Great Ormond Street would liaise with Major Burr.

So, if Christopher goes, he wouldn't come back?

It's the best solution, Sheila.

For Christopher.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

[Sighs] Pam?

Pam!

Shh!

Mum, Lisa's sleeping.

There's been a sighting in Epping Forest.

Poor Mrs Robbins was very distressed.

I'm not surprised.

It was disgraceful language to use.

This whole thing seems such a cruel twist of fate.

And she wanted a baby so much.

Her body clung to this one child for all these years to keep it safe, because she could not bear to lose it.

I'll freshen the pot.

Mary Hopkin: A child isn't born With a prejudiced mind He only learns what he sees Or what is taught to him Think about your children Mother, help all mankind Don't let the weight of hate Weigh the world down Here we are in this world together We were meant to live with each other Tell the child the truth, it's your own son And everybody'll know about freedom Think about the children Think, think And then love one another You've got a long way to go And you gotta get there fast It's a shame it ever had to be But we can change the past Think about your children Mother, save all mankind Don't let the weight of hate weigh the world down... I have something to tell you.

And I've got something to tell you.

Alright.

Um... You go first.

I booked a hotel for York.

I hope you like it.

I know I will.

I'll be with you.

It's very central, near the Minster.

It has a lovely restaurant that does a dinner dance on Saturday night.

Well, that sounds perfect.

I'm glad you think so.

[Giggles] And I got the last two rooms with views of the river.

Two rooms?

What?

Two rooms?

Cyril!

Sorry?

I don't understand.

It's been more than a year, and you're almost divorced.

And when you ask a woman, not a girl, Cyril-- an independent, modern woman, who loves you-- to go away for the weekend, and then you book two rooms, how do you think that's going to make her feel?

I didn't want to assume.

Assume, Cyril!

Assume!

If you don't start assuming soon, I think I'm going to blow up.

[Laughs] [Colin whimpering] I'm a bit at sixes and sevens, I'm afraid, Sister Veronica.

I'm not surprised, Mrs Robbins.

You've had a very difficult time.

It's churned up a few old feelings for us, hasn't it, love?

They called it a 'monster'.

I don't care what they meant.

That's what they said.

But that was our baby, the only one we'll ever have.

Yes, Mrs Robbins, it was.

And they took it away to look at it and talk about it and pass it round, and Lord knows what.

And it's like it belongs to everyone else except us.

We don't even know where it is.

Well, Mrs Robbins, I don't like the sound of that at all.

I think I'm going to have to make some telephone calls.

[Pen clicking] [Knocking] Midwife calling.

Another cup of tea, gents?

I'll get you one too, Sister.

They're still searching in Epping Forest.

They could be there for days.

[Phone ringing] [Footsteps running, door opening] Kenny?

Why did you have to go off and leave me?

Why'd you go do that?

Kenny: It wasn't supposed to turn out like this.

Kenny, where's Colin?

We were so happy when Lisa was born, remember?

[Sighing] Yes, Kenny, we were... We were really happy.

Yeah, we were.

We had a lot of really good times.

I thought we were a happy little family.

Kenny, is Colin with you?

Our little mate.

He's been with me longer than he ever was with you, hasn't he?

Is he alright?

No, Pam.

I don't think he is.

Wh-What do you mean, Kenny?

What's wrong with him?

Mr Shields, this is Sister Catherine.

Can you describe Colin's condition, please?

Is he breathing?

Yeah.

He doesn't cry anymore.

[Ice cream van music playing] Mr Shields, where are you?

I heard the ice cream van.

Mr Shields!

King Street.

Mrs Shields, stay here, please!

Kenny: I'm sorry, mate.

[Handcuffs tightening] [Gasping] Oh!

[Pam crying] [Sniffing] [Sobbing] [Colin crying] Shh, shh, shh.

It's okay.

[Laugh-crying] The lithopedion, the 'stone baby', has been preserved in the archives of King's College Medical School.

Have they labelled it a 'monster'?

Absolutely not.

Can we see it?

Well, that isn't usually advised when the foetus has died, Mrs Robbins.

It might be terribly upsetting.

[Chuckles] It's terribly upsetting anyway, Sister Veronica.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

We'd like to go.

Then I'm sure that can be arranged.

The hospital reports that baby Colin is out of danger.

He has responded well to antibiotics, his hydration has returned to normal, and in the past few days, he's even managed to put on a little weight.

Oh, that is good news.

And his eyesight, will it be normal?

I'm afraid it's too early to say.

But his response to treatment has to be a good sign.

And your role in his recovery, Sister, is something to be commended.

I'm relieved we're not looking at a charge of manslaughter.

Felt touch-and-go for a bit there, if I'm honest with you.

If we meet again, I hope it's in happier circumstances.

It certainly won't be because another baby's gone missing from this place, I can promise you that.

Holbrook: Shall we?

You wanted to see me, Sister?

Yes.

I have had news from Sister Hilda.

The Cormorant has been convicted of drug dealing and racketeering and has been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.

So, Christopher will be safe?

Yes.

Patrick and I will make the arrangements for his travel back to Hong Kong.

I see.

Sister, we can't go with him.

We have three children at home who are going to miss Christopher very much.

Would you take him?

I-I know you have a special bond.

Do I have your permission, Sister Julienne?

Not only do you have my permission, Sister Veronica... you have my blessing.

Oh.

[Chuckles] It's just here.

Quite a place.

Whenever you're ready.

Oh.

It don't look like a monster to me.

No, love.

Me neither.

[Crying softly] We always knew that Christopher was only staying here for a little while.

And if he can be in hospital near his mummy, we think he'll get better more quickly.

That's the most important thing, isn't it?

Mm-hmm.

May?

When I'm older, can we go to Hong Kong to find him?

Yes.

[Chuckles] Another ounce!

Well done, Colin.

And well done, Mum.

[Pam laughs] Oh.

Pam... [Metal clanging] Marjorie: Shall I call the police?

No, it's alright.

[Chatter of workers, clanging] You're not supposed to be here.

I know.

I heard they bailed you.

Why'd you do it?

I never tried to stop you seeing them.

I'm only going to bloody Stevenage.

It's not the moon.

I don't know.

I thought that when Colin was born, it would make it alright again.

I was only going to take him overnight to show you what it felt like, then the police... and the papers... I was scared, I suppose.

It just got out of hand.

For God's sake, Kenny.

You really going, then?

Yes.

Kenny, I'm really going.

[Pam sniffs] I'm not going to stop you from seeing your children, Kenny.

But for now, it's got to be with me, alright?

And with a social worker.

I've put your suitcase in the car, Sister.

Thank you, Dr Turner.

Sister Julienne: Goodbye.

Goodbye, dear Christopher.

And get well.

We made you a book of pictures so you'll remember us, Christopher.

And this is one of Teddy's toy cars.

Oh, yes, and Tim sent you this from Edinburgh.

Oh, I'd rather like that.

Bye-bye, Christopher.

I'll see you when I'm big.

Mature Jennifer, voiceover: Often, after loss, there is no full return of joy.

Reunions can be bitter-sweet, haunted by the thought of what there was or might have been.

And yet, there will be light.

We will find other places for our love to go and settle, like a bird alighting on a branch.

We are not entrusted with everything forever.

Sometimes, all the love we have is not enough.

Yet surrender can be another way of giving.

Not merely loss, but a letting go and setting something free.

The separation hurts us, even as it heals them.

But what can we do?

We can do this: We can open our hands, watch them fly from our protection, spread their wings, and become a tiny speck against the sky.

We cannot cry, nor do we need to, because we bear their fragile footprints on our hearts.

[Car engine starting] Even children learn this in the end.

Good afternoon, Miss Higgins.

Master Timothy Turner.

Or should that be 'Doctor'?

Did you hear?

We're moving back to Poplar.

My street.

May I suggest we turn our attention to the matter of St.

Raymond's feast day?

I'm not sure she's any nearer to deciding.

Whether to accept the new rules or close Nonnatus House?

You do have to wonder what it all bodes.