22/07/2014 EastEnders

-How long's that been there?

-Is it a problem?

No. I'd better forward these on to Bobby.

This is weird. Come here, have a listen to this.

Denise, call me as soon as you pick up this message.

I've got something very, very important to tell you.

When was that?

About half an hour before we got that call to turn back round.

I wonder what all that's about?

PHONE RINGS

-Two guesses who that is.

-Yeah, I'll get my coffee.

-Can you see me?

-Yes, I can see you.

My name is Femi-onoko-bruuhruh-clook-coco.

Thank you. I got your text.

It'd better be good cos I ain't been to bed yet.

What time is it over there?

It's just after three in the afternoon.

I wish it was afternoon here, mate.

-Then all of this would be over.

-What would?

Take all the cactus in Mexico. Turn all that cactus into tequila.

Pour that tequila down my throat.

Then dance till dawn, Salsa, Samba, Rumba, Conga.

All the ones that end in A basically,

one or two end in O. Bolero.

Feel peckish. Have a full English. Go back for seconds.

Realise that the second one was a mistake. Feel sick.

Want to lie down. Want to die.

So, Denise, anything you've got to tell me,

it can no way make me feel worse than what I feel right about now.

Believe me. So, go on! Fire away.

It's Patrick.

What about Patrick?

All we know is he's had a stroke and they're doing tests

so it's just fingers crossed.

Don't even think about it.

No, not you. What time are you back from the wholesaler's?

All right then.

All right, I'll see you later. Love you an' all.

-I tell you, if the stroke don't get him, the MRSA will.

-£1.80.

-What did you just say?

-That's a bit much, ain't it?

No, listen, I've spent half me life in the General.

It's like my second home.

I know how it was back then and I know how it is.

They give the cleaning contract to the lowest possible bidder

-and then wonder why the place is so filthy.

-Poor Denise.

Poor Patrick, you mean. Can't talk or barely move a finger.

One side of his face is all saggy.

It's always the women who end up as the carers, ain't it?

I thought he had a son.

Yeah. Kat knows all about that, don't you, Kat?

So, is Anthony coming down?

Certainly gave that impression last night.

But when I tried to phone him again this morning,

it just went straight to voicemail so I don't know what's going on.

Well, so how are you feeling now?

Oh, Kim, I'm that knackered, I don't know.

But the doctors were hopeful?

-They gave him something called...

-Thrombolysis.

"Thrombolysis"? ..but it didn't make much difference

so it's just a question of wait and see now.

Do they have any idea what brought it on?

Cora reckoned he'd been stressed out.

Stressed? What's he got to be stressed about?

Look, you text me the minute you get back from the hospital, all right?

-Course.

-And tell Pops that Kimmie loves him.

I will. Right, you go and get some sleep now.

Do you really think I'm going to get any sleep now?

Anyway, look, darling, I gotta go.

Cos Ian wants to get on the computer.

All right then. Well, love you, Sis.

Love you too, darling.

SHE SIGHS

Sorry about that, otherwise she'd have been on that thingy all day.

Look, we can't hang around for Anthony. We'd better just go.

How about I go and see him on my own?

What?

It's like you said - you're knackered.

Give you a chance to catch up on some sleep.

Ian, there is no way I'm not going to go and see Patrick.

He's the closest thing I've got to a dad.

How could I not? Now come on.

All ready for you. Ah, right money!

Thank you.

So did you go with him in the ambulance?

-Why would I do that?

-Well, hold his hand, maybe?

I'd have gotten in the way.

I bet Mrs Branning was upset. What with Mr Branning and everything.

They've caught it early. That's the main thing.

You're an expert now, are you?

Well, I have been a hospital social worker.

This has really got to you, hasn't it, Cora?

I need to get back to work.

I'll see you at Fat Blasters.

And who's going to be washing that up?

Them pills must be kicking in.

Maybe you could pick Dennis up from school yourself today.

Not till I'm ready.

And certainly not with my hair like this.

What's wrong with your hair?

Trust you. I'm not even going to have this conversation.

Right, I'll take Dennis straight to swimming then, yeah?

Linda. Why don't you save all this backwards and forwards

and just move in?

Oh, take no notice. You get used to it.

Before you ask, I've ditched the pills.

Really? And how are you and Dennis getting on?

-Yeah, we're much better.

-Good!

Right, listen, you can say no if you want to,

but I'm going to this Fat Blasters meeting later on...

-You're not fat.

-Oh, that's nothing to do with it.

Just a bunch of women moaning about men.

It'll help get you out of yourself.

I'm sorry, Linda, but my hair's a mess.

-I'm really not...

-You look great.

Oh, don't do a Phil on me. I know what it looks like.

Nobody will even notice. They're all very, you know, supportive.

-Well, I'll see, OK?

-Community Centre, 4.00.

-Be great if you did come.

-Bye.

-Bye.

That's a tenner, please, darling.

Kat, you seen Bianca?

Yeah, she's in the cafe.

Cheers. See you later.

That's her now. Just gone into the cafe.

Life is short, boy. Cram it all in while you can.

While there's still time.

Gets it all from me, of course.

The boyish charm, the sexual charisma, matinee idol good looks.

He'll have to learn to cope with it, like I did.

What's the matter, lad? Not jealous of him, are you?

That would be - how shall I put it? -

a bit perverse, wouldn't it?

It's just Tiff's doing my head in

about this stupid dress for the leavers' do. Any ideas?

-She's 11 years old, Whit.

-Going on 25.

So what's wrong with the dress she's got now?

Oh, don't, I've already had that conversation.

-Well, take no notice of her, Whit. I'll sort her out later.

-OK.

-Hair's looking lovely today.

-You frightened me.

Not a speck of dandruff.

Got some good stuff for athlete's foot indoors. Wart remover?

-Maybe a bit of acne cream?

-Lee, did you want something?

Yeah. Another chance?

What do you think that voicemail was all about?

I don't know, maybe he was already feeling ill

and wanted to let you know.

Yeah, but who goes about leaving voicemails when they're having a stroke?

I'll never get used to coming to this place.

Gives me the creeps.

Ian...

What?

Patrick.

Patrick? What you doing?

Excuse me!

Excuse me, why has this man been left

all by himself in the middle of a corridor?

That's a bargain for 20 quid, that.

Can you take over for us?

-No-one was sure if you were coming.

-For my own dad?

-Nice suit.

-Nice bump.

If you're looking for Denise, you're too late.

Her and Ian left for the hospital a half hour ago.

Guess I'd better get there then.

-How are you feeling?

-Weird. Really weird.

-You want to talk?

-I haven't got time.

It's not like he's going anywhere, is it?

You are outrageous.

-Blimey.

-What?

I'll tell you when we get inside.

-So?

-1-0. Straight in the back of the net.

Honestly, I astonish myself sometimes.

Now, this is the old me, this is the unhealthy me.

This is the two-sugars-in-me-tea me.

This is the exercise-is-for-idiots me.

-Now, does she look happy?

-No.

But neither would I if I got run over by a steam roller.

Talk amongst yourselves. I'll be a couple of minutes, all right.

Oh, and I tell you, Linda, he looked a proper gentleman.

Does a proper gentleman go and have it away with your own daughter?

-What?

-It's true, I'm telling you.

So how's she going to feel about seeing him again?

Well, I don't know.

-You not joining us, Cora?

-I'm all right.

I think Patrick's stroke has really got to her.

Not as much as it's got to him.

She was really off with me when I asked about him earlier.

There's no love lost there, is there?

He chucked her out of his house, didn't he?

I think that's a bit unfair.

Or maybe it's all been brought home to her.

I mean, none of us are getting any younger.

You speak for yourself.

I started going backwards when I hit 70.

-Right, are we all here?

-Sharon said she might come.

Oh, well, Linda, it's five past. If she comes, she comes.

Now, who's going to be brave

and be the first person to step on my scales?

Come on. Don't be like that.

We're all here to support each other. There's no judgment.

-Cora, what about you?

-No chance.

-Linda?

-Oh, hang on a sec.

I thought people came here to lose weight, not put it on.

TV CHATTERS

MOBILE CHIMES

So when are they due?

Middle of next month.

-Good luck. You'll need it with twins.

-Yeah.

Our youngest is two and a half and still a right handful.

All right, here's the challenge - your toddler versus my toddler

and the parent that's still sane at the end is the winner.

-People do get better, you know.

-Your mum didn't.

Maybe she wasn't much of a fighter, but Patrick is.

He'll pull through. You'll see.

Thing is I've already spoken to the A & E consultant on the phone.

-And?

-He wasn't very encouraging.

What am I going to do, Kat?

It's not like I didn't realise

something like this would happen one day, but...

still doesn't prepare you for it.

I'd better go.

Will I see you again?

Well, obviously I can't take him with me now. So probably, yeah.

-We can have a proper catch-up.

-That would be good.

So how's Zoe?

-It's all right, you don't have to.

-Don't I?

Sometimes it feels like my whole life is ruled by guilt.

That means you care. That's why you're a doctor.

I should start a support group. Guiltydoctors.org.

It's really good to see you, Anthony.

You too.

-Send my love to your dad, yeah?

-I will.

Tasty. I'd keep him warm at night.

What did I say?

When we get back home, I'm writing a letter to the boss of this place.

You heard what the nurse said.

They were just waiting for a bed for him.

Whose side are you on?

The point is, he didn't come to any harm.

-And where the hell is Anthony?

-I know you're angry, all right.

But don't take it out on everybody else.

And since when did you turn into Mr Reasonable?

Do you know what, we could be here like this for hours.

We could always go and come back later?

I mean, I have got the restaurant to open

and it's not as if we're doing any good here, is it?

Yeah...maybe.

Kim sends you her love. And I love you too.

All right.

-What?

-Look.

You don't have to book a table here.

-Just turn up and it should be fine.

-It's just I wanted somewhere quiet.

Like a nice little place in the corner, away from the door.

-Oh, yeah? Who's the lucky lady?

-None of your business.

Oh, come on, you might as well tell me.

I'm going to see anyway.

All right. It's Whitney.

Listen, Lee, if you muck her about...

I really, really like her.

Come on, you think I'd go to all this trouble if I didn't?

-OK.

-All right then. I'll see you later.

Oh, and a nice bottle of bubbly on ice if you can?

What sort of place do you think this is?

-Like this.

-Like your mum?

No, the other one.

Tiffany, the one I was named after.

Yeah, well, she was an adult. You're a child.

PHONE RINGS

Hello.

You're a dark horse, ain't ya?

Sorry? What?

-Don't act like you don't know.

-What?

Er, you and Lee and your romantic dinner for two!

How did he talk you round?

I felt sorry for him.

I didn't think he wanted to take me out to dinner.

Oh, yeah. Here at the restaurant. He asked to book a table.

Are you joking?

No. He seems desperate to make it up to you, Whit.

Thought it was going to be a pie in the pub or something.

Think again. Best knickers for you tonight.

Say again? What was that?

I think he said "Denise". Did you hear him say Denise?

I dunno.

You're in hospital, Patrick. I'm sorry, darling. You've had a stroke.

But you're going to be all right. Do you hear me?

PATRICK GROANS

Yeah, that's right! That was definitely Denise.

And look who's here as well. See?

Come on, Patrick. You must recognise him.

No.

Yeah, yeah, you do, you do. Look harder.

You're putting him under an awful lot of pressure. Just leave him.

It can't be doing him any good.

Oh, Anthony, thank God you're here.

I got the first flight that I could. How's he doing?

Dad?

Yeah, he's only just come round. He's been trying to talk.

He did that before. I think he's trying to smile.

-Dad?

-Paul?

OK...

I think we'll just leave you to it for a few minutes, yeah?

Right, so you all know what you're doing?

All right. You've got your food plans.

Anyone that didn't pay your subs, I'll be chasing you up.

I'll see next week.

Right, who's for the pub? Cora?

Yeah, I could do with a drink.

-How about you, Pam?

-Don't see why not.

Can I just remind you

if you are going to the pub, you've got targets to meet.

You're doing really well. Don't throw it all away.

What about you, Linda?

No, I've got some things to do. Mick'll look after you.

-Please?

-No.

Tiffany, you're 11 years old, babe.

Yeah, and I've seen pictures of you when you were 11.

What's the big rush?

You've got plenty of time to think about boys and that.

-Who said anything about boys?

-So why do you want to dress like that?

Cos everyone else will.

Put the dress on so I can pin you in it, please.

No way.

Tiff, your nan is going into hospital on Monday

and you're sitting there behaving like a spoilt little brat.

-So put this dress on right now!

-Make me.

Hey, hey! What's the problem?

You deal with it, because I can't.

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

-Who is it?

-Only me.

Are you on your own?

-Yeah, why?

-Good.

No arguments. I'm going to sort your barnet out.

But first, stick the kettle on, and tell me everything you know

about Kat, her daughter and, um I forget his name - Patrick's son...

It's all right Anthony's still here.

He's just outside with Ian.

He's going to be back in a minute.

-Cheers.

-He thinks I'm Paul.

He's just confused.

Is your dad still alive?

No. He died a long time ago.

Lucky you.

Sorry. That was a terrible thing to say.

Thing is, I didn't even know him till I was 30.

I know he is my dad. I know I call him Dad.

But I don't think of him as Dad.

Dads bring up their kids. That's what they do. It's their job.

I know what everyone says. "Patrick? Couldn't ask for a nicer guy."

Well, maybe.

But the fact is he walked out on my mother when I was just a baby.

She was the one that brought us up.

She's the one that juggled three jobs

and still managed somehow to get us to school on time.

Where was Patrick? Patrick wasn't there.

But you really couldn't meet a nicer bloke.

I shouldn't be dumping all this on you.

Not something I'd ever allow myself to say out loud as a rule.

I'm not judging you.

Then there's the kids. Family life is hectic enough.

You can't have forgotten what that's like.

Oh, sorry. I did know.

-And I haven't even mentioned it.

-It's OK.

-Here I am, rambling on about my own life...

-It's fine.

OK.

People say things when they're stressed

that they wouldn't normally say.

I know that better than most.

So...the kids?

I don't want to go on about it, but my eldest, Euan, has problems.

It's already put a severe strain on our marriage.

And now this on top. What would you do?

I can't...

No, I want to know. What would you do?

I hear what you're saying. OK? But the thing is, he's family.

And family's important. I mean, that's how I was brought up.

I can appreciate how it'd be hard for you...

You think I should take him back to Scotland?

I think you'd hate yourself if you didn't.

-Aren't you getting changed?

-I already have.

Oh. Sorry.

Just don't want to give him any ideas, that's all.

DOORBELL DINGS

Part of me wants to go and part of me can't forget.

Are we talking about Lucy now?

Everything. Does that sound stupid?

If you're not ready, you're not ready.

Right, that's it. I've sorted that out.

I've told Tiff if she don't wear that then she's not going.

DOORBELL DINGS

Do you want me to take care of him?

I could tell him you're helping Tiff with her dress, if you like?

Yeah.

What's the problem?

Oh, come here.

It's Lee, isn't it?

Um, sorry, she's not feeling too good

and she promised Tiff she'd help her with her party dress.

That's all right, I get the message.

It's never easy...

-Well?

-I can't pretend he wasn't upset.

I'm going to start to feel sorry for him at this rate.

What have I done?

THEY CHATTER

I don't know why I bother.

He's in the best possible place, I suppose.

Patrick is? So what was that earlier about MRSA?

I love the NHS. I owe them my life.

That's why I can't bear to see it go downhill.

-People are living longer.

-Sorry? What are you saying?

"More's the pity"? Bad for business, is it?

It's a victim of its own success, Mo.

Before the NHS, Patrick would probably be dead by now.

But as it is, he's not, he's alive. Which is good.

But they'll always be playing catch-up.

Why are we sitting out here? I'm cold.

Cora wanted to smoke.

Part of her fitness regime, no doubt.

Where is she then?

To Patrick, eh?

Patrick.

I thought you was going out.

-So will you be going to see him at all?

-Will you?

Well, he's more your friend than he is mine.

Yeah, yeah...but there's history.

So what happened to the hot date?

-Lee?

-I bet you're loving this, ain't you?

That ain't fair.

Well, I definitely would if you was in my shoes.

-Look, thing about Whit...

-Don't, Johnny, please, mate.

-She's had some bad luck with guys...

-Like I don't know about that already.

She's my mate and she's scared. Take it easy with her.

Yeah, well, it's a bit late for that now, innit?

It's too late.

You keep saying that but he only left two minutes ago.

-You can go after him, you know?

-No, I'll look an idiot.

I'll tell you what being an idiot is -

letting your pride get in the way of what you really want.

You like him, don't you? Well, don't you?

Well, go after him!

Or at least phone him.

Oh, I knew I should never've let Carol talk me out of it.

That's not what she said.

She said, you ask for support and she give it you!

Oh, I've had enough of this.

B, that is my phone. What are you doing?

-Are you busy tomorrow night?

-B, seriously now.

Well, you are now.

-You can't do things like that!

-Well, I just did.

You've put three kisses!

And the problem with that is?

What do you say?

-Thank you.

-I can't hear you. Little bit louder.

-Don't push it.

What?

I wish she'd make up her mind.

Whitney. She wants to meet me tomorrow instead.

HE LAUGHS

You've been gone a long time.

-Ian said you'd gone for a walk.

-Where is he?

He's getting us something to eat. He said you were upset.

Anyway, I've spoken to the nurse.

And, well, she said he's going to be confused for a while.

It'll take time.

Yeah, I know.

I'm not going to be able to do this, Denise.

Do what?

Look after him. Ian knows my reasons.

So who is?

I appreciate it'll cause some financial problems.

So I've brought you a cheque.

Please don't look at me like that.

Sorry, I understand you're upset,

but you haven't thought this through.

-Since your phone call last night, I've thought of nothing else.

-But he's your dad.

And more of one to you than he ever was to me.

I'm sorry. I know what you're thinking.

I'm thinking the same thing.

Anthony!

Hey. Sorry, Anthony had to go.

It's, um...a medical emergency.

One of his patients up in Scotland.

But he's ever so sorry, you know. He'll be back soon.

Sends his love. So, I'm going to look after you.

Yeah. For as long as it takes. All right?

PATRICK GROANS

Linda, did you bring a hair dryer or do you need to use mine?

I'm in here, Sharon.

I'm looking for grips. Where do you keep 'em?

What are you doing? You won't find nothing in there.