Call the Midwife

Mature Jennifer: A place for everything and everything in its place, or so the proverb exhorts us.

But life does not always pay attention to our rules.

The world is inclined to shift and change according to its fancy or its will, turning habit on its head, offending the established order.

We survey the chaos of the landscape and despair.

How can this ever be rectified?

And what are we to do with the detritus?

[Chuckles] Blimey!

It's a big one.

Mm.

There'll be carrots morning, noon, and night.

[Chuckles] [Squeaking] Uh!

Scram, you so-and-so... [Mutters indistinctly] Good morning, ladies.

How does it feel to be guardian of the Rolodex?

Rather wonderful, though I do hope Nurse Crane is having a delightful Devonshire break.

Now, today I will be leading the early ambulation seminar at Saint Cuthbert's.

I shall be teaching our colleagues to encourage new mothers to be up and out of their beds soon after delivery.

Nurse Highland will be representing Nonnatus House.

So the advice is to no longer rest in bed for ten days.

That is correct.

It's a new way of thinking.

Sister Julienne has already given her approval.

Sister Catherine and Nurse Clifford, you'll be at the maternity home today.

May I ask, is there any news on the offending rubbish pile?

It's an outrage.

It is, but the binmen just want what's rightfully owed to them for their hard work.

55% I heard, leaving the whole of Poplar diseased in their wake.

Joyce: Sometimes people's only route to change is to withdraw labor.

I mean, it can't be an easy decision for these binmen to make.

We should remember how moved we were when our pay rise was finally awarded.

We don't generally see patients in this building, but we do maintain a clinical room, and the midwives have to cross that court a dozen times a day.

If I ruled the world, we'd have everyone walking through troughs of disinfectant, like they had to during foot and mouth.

It's too close to the school.

That's my first objection.

Well, it's also too close to the market and to shops where food is sold.

I'm just glad you're back on the Board of Health, so you can discuss our fears with the council.

It's certainly good timing, but how much it will help still remains to be seen.

Trixie: Thank you all for your questions and for taking such a keen interest in the principles of early ambulation after childbirth.

Now notebooks down, and everybody on their feet, please.

Come along, chaps.

Don't be bashful.

Nobody likes an embarrassed obstetrician.

Nurse Highland, would you take the lead walking anti-clockwise around the room, keeping up a nice, steady pace?

Never mind the furniture.

These exercises will be performed by new mothers in their homes and maternity wards, not in empty gymnasiums.

Now, as you progress, take note of the effect it's having on your bodies.

Any observations?

Uh, it's raising my heart rate.

[Thud, rattle] [Soft laughter] And giving me bruises on my shins.

Trixie: Now, before we move on to the leg and foot exercises, perhaps someone could provide us with a recap of the benefits of gentle exercise during the postpartum period.

Perhaps Nurse Highland can enlighten us.

Joyce: Uh, it promotes rapid resumption of normal bladder and bowel functions, plus better drainage and speedier involution of the uterus.

Also, fewer respiratory complications occur.

Mm.

Bernie Midgely, bun in the oven, just about done, and I'm not talking about these rum babas.

Bought you all a few treats from our bakery.

How kind!

I must confess, I have a soft spot for a rum baba.

I'd have put you down for a custard slice type.

Bruce?

What's wrong with you?

It's only a flight of stairs.

This case weighs a ton!

I'm in here for 10 days, and I don't want to end up wearing my knickers twice.

Oh.

All right.

All right, now.

Ooh!

This is number three now.

You can do this standing on your head.

Oh, that'd be a sight worth seeing.

Ha!

I will escort you to the ward.

Uh, I'm afraid smoking is not permitted there.

Threapwood: Following on from the somewhat equivocal success of the measles vaccination program, the next item on the agenda is the refuse workers' strike.

Turner?

If I could draw the committee's attention to the council policy of siting rubbish dumps in largely residential areas.

It is a serious risk to public health.

Threapwood: I, in turn, feel that the committee should draw this matter to the attention of Mrs. Buckle, who, in her current capacity as mayor, has a degree of jurisdiction over civic insurrection.

Violet: The workers have the right to strike for improved pay and conditions.

Mrs. Buckle, if there was a trade union for G.P.s, I would join it myself.

But with respect, the children at Saint Wilbur's have the right not to have a disease-ridden dump within yards of their school gate.

Dr. Turner, everyone wants this resolved as soon as possible.

A sentiment shared by the mother of the six-year-old twins with diarrhea and vomiting I was called out to this morning.

There are refuse disposal sites all over Tower Hamlets.

These cases are going to multiply and worsen, and other diseases will creep into the mix.

Let us see if our concern will prompt any action on the mayor's part.

Right.

Time to get you up onto the bed.

Oh, you're having a laugh.

Don't worry.

We'll give you a hand.

I reckon you'll need a crane.

All right.

Ohh.

I suppose we're both just trying to do our jobs.

And I suppose the sooner you do yours, the sooner I can do mine.

I just wish I could impress upon you how slowly the wheels of bureaucracy turn.

They say time and tide wait for no man, but neither does disease.

And meanwhile, the dustmen are driving a very hard bargain.

[Vehicle starts] Would you like a lift, Violet?

Oh, thank you.

I'd appreciate that.

Sister Monica Joan: Oh, come this way.

Mr. Buckle will assist you with deposition, if required.

[Empty cans and bottles clanking] Are there any rats?

I think not, but if there were, they are all God's creatures, and we must treat them as such.

Sister Monica Joan, come away!

You shriek as if a doodlebug had landed.

If a doodlebug had landed, you'd be dead.

And it's time for compline.

With this next contraction, I need you to push down again as hard as you can.

You know the drill.

Yeah.

[Groaning] Keep going.

Keep going, keep going.

Oh!

Wonderful work.

Wonderful.

Ohh!

[Baby crying] You have a little girl.

[Laughs] Bernie: It's OK. Two minutes past 8:00.

[Crying] She is the sweetest little thing.

Oh!

Ohh!

Oh, ho ho.

Hello.

[Baby fussing] Oh.

Sugar and spice and all things nice.

[Chuckles] Oh, I hope she improves before her father sees her.

[Chuckling] [Indistinct chatter] Ha ha.

You got the right idea, Tony.

I wouldn't mind a go of that.

There's rubbish on the war memorial.

Put it down, Reggie.

You haven't got your gloves on.

On the war memorial.

Absolute sacrilege.

[Bike rattles] Oh!

This is positively the final straw.

Get out!

Aah!

Aah!

Go.

Where on earth is Cyril's cat when he's needed?

In fairness, I did see him with a dead one in his mouth last night.

Yeah.

He's not going to kill many on his own.

We'll make a start on the morning list.

You go and sanitize your saddlebag.

I think you should check yours before you go sailing off.

He might have started a trend.

[Rats squeaking] It's a good job I popped by with those Meals on Wheels forms, Mr. Butler.

I was expecting a lively conversation about toad in the hole versus hotpot, not all this, having to get doctor.

Butler: I tried banging on the floor, but the neighbors didn't hear.

May I take a look in your eyes, please?

Hmm.

You have got a nasty infection of some kind.

There's no doubt about that, possibly because the rubbish outside is attracting vermin.

We've always had rats, but they used to keep themselves to themselves till now.

That rubbish dump is like a holiday camp for them.

Having the time of their lives and bringing all their relatives.

Ambulance now.

No need to worry about rats in the barracks anymore, Sister Julienne, because we're storing the bikes in here from now on.

And I have it on great authority the rats can't climb the stairs.

I shall be putting traps down regardless.

I hope they'll be of the humane variety.

I can assure you they will not.

We very much encourage you to take short walks to the nursery, go to the bathroom unassisted, and, above all else, avoid excessive rest in bed.

[Baby talk] [Instrumental music playing] Mrs. Midgely, why don't you walk baby to the nursery and settle her to sleep in there?

No.

It will disturb her.

Where are those nice nurses from yesterday?

Oh, off spreading their wings on house calls.

Don't even try making your way to that bike shed.

You need a machete to get through that rubbish.

Shall I just park up here?

No.

Give it here.

We're storing them inside while the rats are on the rampage.

Thank you.

[Indistinct chatter] [Baby crying] Have you checked baby's nappy?

Yes.

It's not that.

I've been through all this twice over.

I know you have.

And you're doing really well.

What about a little walk around?

It might do you and baby some good, you know, perhaps help to settle her.

I'm all right here.

I could come with you.

No.

Don't need you watching over me, criticizing me.

Honey, I wasn't criticizing.

I'm sorry if you thought I was.

I was just trying to help.

Of course you were.

And please don't call me "honey."

[Empty bottles and cans clanking] Hello, Nigel.

[Meow] Sorry.

That clearly didn't suit.

Oh, ladies, you are being diligent.

You can keep this up when you get home tomorrow.

Settle back in bed now.

It's feeding time.

I brought little Rebecca in first, as she seems quite peckish.

We'll fetch the others in a moment.

Can't you feed mine, Nurse?

I'm so tired.

I can't see any harm in you catching up with some rest.

[Babies fussing] You are lucky.

This I cannot ask of others.

Well, you do things differently, don't you?

I assured Nurse Crane we would complete all elements of the bronze and silver arrow badges before she returned from Devonshire, and I fear that we are going to fail her.

What's the stumbling block?

It's a section called "Know Your Area."

Turner: I've just telephoned Saint Cuthbert's to inquire about Albert Butler.

Veronica: That nice old man.

He died last night.

Weil's disease, which is spread by rats and in contaminated water.

Veronica: I wondered how long it would be before that rubbish dump claimed somebody's life.

The first fatality.

I'm worried it won't be the last.

Mom?

Mom?

What is it, Reggie?

I need more toilet paper.

Oh, love.

I heard you getting up in the night, but I didn't realize you were poorly.

Have you been sick as well?

It's the other end that's gone wrong.

I need to feed Nigel.

Well, never mind about Nigel.

I'm going to get you some flat pop and some Kaolin and morphine.

And more toilet paper.

Hmm.

I'm discharging myself with immediate effect.

Mrs. Midgely, this is most irregular.

I'll tell you what's irregular-- the amount of shut-eye I get in there.

I can hardly string an hour's sleep, there's that much going on.

Mrs. Midgely, what are you doing dressed?

Mrs. Midgely has announced her intention of returning home.

But that won't do at all.

Baby's barely two days old, and you need our care.

Meanwhile, I've got a nine-year-old and a six-year-old to care for and a bakery to run.

Now, I'm going to put a coat and a hat on my baby, and I'd like you to telephone my husband.

[Cat meowing] Nigel.

What ever's the matter, you poor little thing?

[Meow] Oh, that's handy.

Violet just called me to tell me to give him his pilchards.

Come on, Nigel.

Room service awaits.

Fred, I don't think he's very well.

[Meows] I'd stick with the good, old-fashioned tummy bug remedies until further notice, Violet.

I honestly don't think it's anything more sinister in Reggie's case.

Well, thank you for casting your eye over him all the same.

Well, I was passing.

With the news that somebody has died as a direct consequence of that monstrosity around the corner.

Which is itself a direct consequence of the binmen's strike.

I'm not a fool, Dr. Turner.

I do know that this debacle probably caused Reggie's gippy tum.

Because of my position, I've been trying to take a dispassionate view, but once people start dying or even getting knocked off their feet with the trots-- Dispassion gets a bit harder to maintain.

Enough is enough.

I'm taking up the cudgels.

[Sniffs] Hope I'm not developing an allergy to cats, Nigel.

We've been good friends until now.

That's right, little chap.

Sleep's the best medicine for you.

[Nigel meows] Rosalind.

Fred let me in.

I found Nigel ill on the street, and I didn't want to leave him on his own.

Ohh.

Hello, my friend.

What's the matter?

He keeps trembling, and I can't convince him to eat or drink anything.

He feels cold.

Mm-hmm.

You want to try some pilchards from a fork?

That special way you like them?

[Chuckles] [Meows] Thank you for looking after him.

I think it's you he wants.

Mm.

Today, rather than working in our usual sixes, we're joining forces as a team.

Ow!

I saw that, Abdul.

Those of you working towards your arrow badges, this part will involve going about the local area and noting places of interest and history in our community.

When we return, you will each report back three facts about the site that interested you most.

Are you ready?

Kids: Yeah!

Here comes Baloo, so we're all set.

I'm terribly sorry, pack, but there's been a change of plan.

Tonight's session will be in the hall...

Kids: Aw.

Higgins: as the refuse site makes it too dangerous for us to venture out in Poplar.

But the rubbish dump's exciting.

Kids: Yeah!

Precisely.

Instead, we will have to use the directories and map and our trusty A to Zed.

Kids: Aw.

[Dog barking nearby] Good night, Cyril.

Good night.

...first.

No, I did.

There's plenty to go around.

Higgins: This is no way to achieve your badges.

This is-- this is boring.

Just when you thought life couldn't get any more exciting--mm-- I found some mini Swiss rolls in the cupboard and rustled up some Horlicks.

Oh, gosh.

Thank you.

I've just realized I didn't eat anything this evening.

Maybe that's why your face is pale as paper.

She has big dark rings round her eyes as well.

I'm not liking this at all.

I must confess I've got a dreadful headache.

I'm fetching you some aspirin.

Joyce: You get some food and drink inside her.

I'm running a fever, aren't I?

Yes, sweetie, you are.

Come on, my friend.

Just try.

Please?

Just try?

In the morning, I'm going to take you to the vet.

I don't even know where the vet is because you were never sick before.

You were always full of life and adventure, marauding your way all over Poplar, coming home and telling me all about it-- what mice you killed, what walls you walked along.

We need to get you back on your feet.

I need to see you sitting on your step in the sunshine, waiting for me.

I need you to last till morning, so I can take you to the vet.

[Baby crying] Come on, come on.

She's not gonna wait for you.

Not that one.

That's one of the old ones.

Shh, shh, shh, shh.

If you wanted to be waited on hand, foot, and finger, you should have stayed at the maternity home.

Well, I told you they changed the rules.

I was run ragged doing exercises every five minutes.

Shh.

I've got to get the bread on and the boys to school.

Come on, lads.

[Baby crying] Ooh.

Don't leave me, Nigel.

Oh, no.

Poor little man.

Oh, my poor friend.

[Groaning] Ohh.

You shouldn't be out of bed, child.

I--I don't think I can get back there on my own.

Don't even try it.

I'm going to help you.

Rosalind: I tried taking my pulse earlier, but it really wasn't very reassuring.

It's time for you to be the patient now and let others look after you.

I think I know what this is, but I want it confirmed in hospital.

Hospital?

I'll come with you in the ambulance, if necessary.

The sooner we get you there, the better, I think.

Thank you, Fred.

It'll be nice knowing he's nearby.

I imagine you want to say a prayer.

I'll stand back.

And when you're finished, I'll cover him up.

I'm not generally sentimental about animals, but I'm going to miss his little face.

Ha ha!

We were strays together.

He had no one, and I had no one when we met.

He wasn't too keen on the flat being a church, and I wasn't too keen on the smell of pilchards, but-- [Laughter] but we made a home together.

I used to wonder what he would do if Lucille came back.

I suppose that's immaterial now.

She is never coming back.

I hoped for so long.

I prayed for even longer, even after she asked for a divorce.

I see.

I prayed because I didn't know what to say, whether I should fight on or just give in.

And in the end, it wasn't God that gave me the answer.

It was Nigel.

[Chuckles] How did he do that?

I'll tell you one day.

But I am going to get the divorce.

Fred: Hold up.

There's an ambulance pulling up at Nonnatus House.

Could there be something wrong with Sister Monica Joan?

Pick any flowers you want.

I'll report back.

[Bell rings] This way.

[Boys grunt] Midwife calling.

Good morning, Mrs. Midgely.

I was hoping I'd see you again.

Sister Catherine will take a look at baby, and I will cast my eye over you once you put that cigarette out.

This is my house.

We play by my rules.

Apart from when I'm examining you.

And while I do that, you have to play by mine.

And what about your nipples?

Are they sore?

Well, I would have said if they were, wouldn't I?

Joyce: It is my job to check, Mrs. Midgely.

Sore nipples can be very painful, and we wouldn't want you experiencing any unnecessary discomfort.

I said they're fine.

Umbilicus is clean and free from infection.

[Baby crying] Oh, dear, little one.

Perhaps getting out of this room and walking baby around the flat might do you both some good.

We don't need to walk around.

We need to rest.

It worked with the boys.

It will work with her.

Well, every baby's different.

And I have to say, I agree with Nurse Highland, you know.

Lying in bed all day won't do you any good.

She's a bad influence on you.

Give me my baby.

Get out.

Joyce: I haven't completed your examination, Mrs. Midgely.

Yes, you have.

Go.

[Baby crying] Shh.

Shh.

Er, excuse me, madam.

I'm from Thames Radio, London.

May I ask for your opinion on the dustmen's strike?

You certainly may.

I, along with many others, am living in a state of siege.

I cannot open my windows.

I am unable to have my milk delivered.

I'm spraying Eau de Cologne about as if it were tap water.

I am now about to walk to my work in a hard-pressed doctor's surgery because that eyesore prevents me from moving my car.

Perhaps while she's at the doctor's surgery, she may locate her backbone.

Pardon me?

This is merely a transient inconvenience.

What has become of the population's moral fiber?

Radio Thames, London.

Would you care to elaborate, madam?

Yes.

Yes, I would.

Should I write down that she threw us out in my notes?

It happens.

The usual phrase is, "Mother declined attention at this visit."

That's a polite way of putting it.

I thought she was very rude to you.

[Indistinct chatter nearby] [Coughs] It would appear that I can confirm the G.P.

's suspicion of Weil's disease.

The blood tests are also showing some compromised kidney function.

It's all right, Rosalind.

Now they know what it is, they can concentrate on bringing the fever down.

Doctor: Penicillin is the treatment of choice, intravenous in this case.

If we don't get the infection on the run in the next 24 hours, well, we're entering very difficult territory.

Trixie, will you pray with me?

Oh, sweetie, there are so many people so much better at that than me.

Please.

I can't get the words straight in my head.

You close your eyes and I'll close mine.

I'll bet she got full marks off the midwives.

I wouldn't know.

I sent them packing.

What for?

'Cause I can't stand that West India.

She thinks she's everybody, keeps telling me what to do.

Well, she's wasting her time there.

Yeah.

How about I bring you a cup of tea and a cream horn?

[Chuckles] That's the best medicine in the world.

Who needs the National Health?

[Baby talk] [Gasps and groans] How is Nurse Clifford?

She has Weil's disease.

She's obviously extremely poorly.

It's a matter of watch and wait and see if the penicillin works.

Joyce: Can I go to see her?

She must need a toothbrush and some nightclothes.

They asked me to leave.

She's considered to be critical.

Doctor, can-- can I see my notes?

Not just now.

I need to know if I'm getting worse.

I feel worse.

We're going to change your treatment to see if that'll turn things around.

Bruce?

Where's baby?

[Groans] Oh!

Oh!

[Moans] Maybe Nurse Clifford got it off of Nigel.

That cat had a rat in its mouth every time I saw him.

That was Mr. Midgely on the telephone.

His wife isn't feeling very well.

Nurse Highland, would you please add her to your rounds this morning?

Of course, Sister.

Would you like me to observe, Sister Julienne?

No, thank you, Sister.

You will be required at the maternity home today.

I wondered if I might please inquire about Nurse Clifford.

Rosalind's very ill, Cyril.

Are you able to tell me what it is that ails her?

Yes.

I know she's your friend, but I think it might be sensible for you to pay a visit to Dr. Turner.

[Baby crying] Your West Indian chum's back.

Oh, for crying out loud.

She's in a right state.

She says her leg's agony and she's burning up.

Mrs. Midgely, may I take a look at your leg, please?

No.

Bruce: Can't you get one of the other nurses?

No.

[Bernie groaning] Mrs. Midgely, I can see from here your calf is red and you're in a lot of pain.

I think you might be quite unwell.

I am unwell.

And shall I tell you why?

I haven't been right since you were ordering me out of my bed at that maternity home.

I never wanted a black person touching me then, and I sure as hell don't want one touching me now.

[Crying] Come on, Bernie.

I will ask Dr. Turner to visit as a matter of urgency, and arrange for another midwife to see to the baby.

[Coin drops, Joyce dials] [Inhales deeply, exhales] Yeah, Miss Higgins, this is Nurse Highland.

Please, can you send Dr. Turner to Bernadette Midgely as soon as possible?

I think she might have a deep vein thrombosis in her leg, and she refuses to let me examine her.

Refuses to let you examine her?

On what grounds?

For now, that does not matter.

Please just send him as soon as you can.

Reporter on radio: And now to the matter of the refuse strike in Tower Hamlets.

I'm standing next to the largest collection site in Poplar with Sister Monica Joan of the order of Saint Raymond Nonnatus.

Sister, what do you make of all this?

It's you!

Indeed.

'Tis I. I had-- Shh, shh, shh.

Sister Monica Joan on radio: I am of the view that the local population is demonstrating an absolute absence of backbone.

This tip is unsightly and malodorous, and it is inconvenient, but it can be endured just as we endured the Great War.

This is a minor chapter in our history.

It will pass, as all things do.

Reporter: Thank you, Sister.

I wonder, Sister, might I ask for a little of your time?

Time I have in abundance and in superfluity.

Take what you wish.

My only desire is that you use it well.

I'm sorry about your cat.

He was a good friend, and I'm sure he did not intend to go around spreading disease.

Any flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, jaundice, you come straight to the surgery.

Or telephone if it's out of hours.

But if a few days pass, you may well have escaped it.

What are the chances of recovery for those who do not escape it?

It very much depends upon their age, general condition, and how quickly they're treated.

Can it be fatal?

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Ugh.

It's like the whole of Poplar's become a dumping ground, somewhere where everything no one wants to think about gets chucked.

I ought to be able to sort this out, Fred.

Or the council should.

Maybe you can't.

Maybe they can't.

Maybe the answer is higher up there-- what you call it?

The food chain.

In the army, we used to call it the chain of command.

I may lack power, but I'm not short on humility.

Well, never too late to get a new perspective.

I'm taking this to the head of the GLC.

You're awake.

You've been asleep a long time.

Is that good or bad?

Let's see what this says.

I need to make a telephone call.

Turner: I'm not keen on this.

Mrs. Midgely, would you breathe in for me?

And out again.

Does that hurt?

Oh, I don't know.

It feels like everything hurts.

It's mostly my leg.

The pain in your leg seems to be caused by a blood clot.

I'm sending you straight to hospital in an ambulance.

This is all that flaming midwife's fault.

She never looked after me properly.

The trainee midwife, Sister Catherine?

No.

The West Indian.

Nurse Highland?

She's supposed to be qualified.

If I died, it would have been her fault.

Do you hear me?

Nonnatus House, Sister Julienne speaking.

Sister Julienne, I'm so sorry to be absent when we're already short-staffed.

Nurse Clifford, I'm just pleased that you're well enough to call.

I'm well enough to be discharged.

I'm sure I am.

My temperature and pulse are improving, but they say that I won't see the doctor again until the morning.

Ah.

You must not worry.

You're ill. You must think of nothing, nothing but rest and recovery.

From the Great War to the General Strike to the Blitz and the Big Freeze.

Now, what would you like to know about Poplar?

Kid: Oh!

Oh!

Is it true that the new block of flats was once a bomb site?

Yes.

And before that, it was a school.

No!

Were all the children all right?

They were, as were their teachers.

Luckily, the bomb came down during the night.

Kid: What would happen if the bomb came down in the day, though?

Did the children get let out of school?

Sister Monica Joan: No, child.

Lessons were conducted in the bomb shelter, as were doctors' surgeries and prayers with vicars.

Wow.

Wow.

[Kid speaking excitedly] Bernie Midgely says she intends to make a formal complaint against Joyce.

She insists that she failed to examine her properly and therefore missed the thrombosis.

Never.

Nurse Highland is one of the most assiduous, meticulous midwives I've ever known.

And meanwhile, Mrs. Midgely smokes, is on the heavy side, and has scarcely been out of bed since giving birth.

According to Joyce, Mrs. Midgely turned her away, refused to be examined, and that was why she called the surgery, asking for an urgent house call.

Ohh.

But Sister Catherine wasn't with her.

She was needed at the maternity home this morning.

It's going to be Joyce's word against Bernie Midgely's.

Oh, allegations are allegations.

[Knock on door, door opens] Cyril!

I brought you some grapes from me and Nigel.

Poor Nigel.

And all the way here, I kept thinking I should have brought you flowers.

Flowers?

There aren't many vitamins in flowers, but grapes are full of them.

And that is that, I'm afraid.

Haven't you got any other stories?

Higgins: Oh, cubs, Sister Monica Joan needs to go to her home now.

Sister Monica Joan: This is not the end, I hope.

You must relay what you have learned to your leaders.

They shall.

And I am willing to help.

[Kids speaking excitedly] I suspect Nigel's up in heaven now, eating pilchards to his heart's content.

I hope he is, because in departing this life, he left me a great gift.

I'm not saying it didn't make me cry.

I'm not even saying it was welcome to begin with... Hmm.

but then I knew I had to accept it because it was true.

What was true?

That I cannot be an island, that I am not made to be alone.

I could not have wept for him as I did if he had not become my everything, if he had not been all I had.

You aren't alone.

You have friends and a church, and you're married, Cyril.

Lucille has made a life over there.

And while I was waiting for her, I made a life over here.

She isn't coming back... and we have--we have decided to divorce.

Don't you have to commit adultery for that?

Not these days.

It can be done honorably and with decency.

It does not need to be anybody's fault.

I cannot know what the future holds, but I know I don't want to face it as a single man.

You can let go of my hand if you want to.

I don't want to.

Thank you.

Oh, one moment, sir, if you don't mind.

We've just been joined by Dr. Turner.

I've laid out the case for the removal of the rubbish from a civic point of view.

He now needs to understand the medical concerns from someone qualified.

[Exhales] I knew something was amiss.

She has a fever.

And even though she wouldn't let me examine her, the pain she described in her leg rang terrible alarm bells.

That was why I rang the surgery immediately.

I wish I had just called an ambulance now.

Do you think Mrs. Midgely's judgment might have been affected by her fever?

I think perhaps.

It might have been affected by something else.

Can you elaborate?

We need all the information we can gather.

Bernie Midgely is a character.

She makes people laugh.

And she made instant friends out of the other midwives.

And she did not treat me in the same way.

I saw something similar in her attitude towards certain patients.

I believe she objected to me because of the color of my skin.

Is that something you've experienced before?

I could laugh that you've even asked me that... or I could cry.

But I can only do what I always do and try to respond with dignity.

Yes, in training; yes, when I started on the wards; yes, when I'm working in the district or in the maternity home.

It is everywhere and in everything.

How do you survive it?

I survive it because it is not all there is, just as my skin is not all there is of me.

Nurse Highland, I'm going to make sure this matter is fully investigated on both sides.

OK, done.

Well, at least no one's going to mount a picket line against the Army.

Oh!

They'd have me to contend with if they as much as tried.

Thank you for joining forces.

I think we make a good team.

I was inches from death because of that woman's incompetence.

In our view, Nurse Highland has always been exceptionally competent.

I am here because I need to find out exactly what has happened.

What's happened is that you don't vet that lot properly.

They tip up here from God knows where.

You can't vouch for if they're properly qualified.

Nurse Highland was trained in England, like the majority of her compatriots.

What I feel we must ascertain is, Did she not even attempt to examine you?

Or did she leave and beg the doctor to make an urgent house call because you refused her care and she was concerned?

I know what she did, and I know what I'm going to do about it.

Just so you don't think this is some idle threat, I made sure I got the full name and the address of the Supervisor of Midwives.

This is a major complaint, and I'm going to make it properly.

[Horn honks] She's here.

Nurse Clifford is returned to us.

Higgins: Straight inside now.

I detect a nip in the air.

I've already put a hot water bottle in her bed.

I'm so relieved to be home.

You look infinitely better than when I saw you last.

There's a definite whiff of Eau de Saint Cuthbert's, though.

I think a bubble bath beckons.

[Laughs] Mrs. Midgely simply seemed to take a dislike to Nurse Highland for no obvious reason, or at least no obvious reason that one would care to put a name to.

Are you speaking of racial prejudice?

Yes, I am speaking of racial prejudice.

I didn't like it at the time, and I don't like it now, but I wasn't sure of Nurse Highland's point of view, what she perceived or how she felt about it.

I didn't want to make things worse by letting her know that I'd sensed it or seen it.

And that's not right, is it?

It's Mrs. Midgely's behavior that's not right.

But we can do better.

We will defend Nurse Highland with all our might and every tool at our disposal.

Let me help you with your wound.

Oh, thank you, Dr. Gary.

God bless you.

The mood down here is low.

Do you have any suggestions how to keep their spirits up, Sister?

Gin rummy.

[Sister Monica Joan chuckles] Well done, cubs!

[Applause] I smell of at least three different flowers, thanks to Trixie's bubble bath.

Definitely roses, mimosa, and geranium, probably something else as well.

Oh, jasmine maybe?

Hmm.

Joyce.

Hmm?

Do you want to talk about the complaint?

No, I do not want to talk about the complaint.

There's going to be weeks, even months, where we talk about nothing but the complaint and the trouble I am in.

Tell me about something else.

I'm going to go out with Cyril.

To church?

No, not to church.

We're going to go out somewhere else.

He's getting a divorce, and we're going start spending some more time together.

Don't.

Child, please don't.

I know it's unusual, and he's still married technically, but-- It has nothing to do with him being married or being divorced or even being a pastor, which I doubt makes anyone a very exciting boyfriend.

Joyce!

You are from different worlds.

The people who don't like him won't like you and vice versa.

And they won't be afraid of showing it or saying it.

It's going to be so hard, too hard, and I don't want that for you.

But what if it's something we want for ourselves?

I've said my piece.

Let me dry your hair.

Mature Jenny: Perhaps it is not what we do with our rubbish that matters but what we do with the things that we most treasure.

The time for cherishing is short, the time for mourning often longer.

Lessons bloom from the dirt, and the flowers must be nurtured.

A stem in careless hands can snap, and petals can be crushed, but the seed and the shoot have a power all their own.

Water them.

Shield them.

Respect them.

Then love can render the fragile indestructible.

Today is the big day.

You've been waiting for this for such a long time.

Nearly a year.

If you don't tell us the truth and let us help you, baby is not going to be all right, either.

Don't hurt my baby.

My peace of mind has so many enemies.

Is it permissible to say that?

I have been given a date for a disciplinary hearing.

How can I trust in a process that might be as prejudiced as the person who made the complaint?