21/11/2016 EastEnders

Morning. Louise has made us all a lovely breakfast.

Why, is it someone's birthday or something?

No, but it's a big day.

Why?

Dad's got his special doctor's appointment.

What's special about that?

Well, you know what we spoke about, Denny? How poorly Phil is?

Sharon, he don't need to hear all this.

They're seeing if Dad can get a new liver.

One that works better.

Why can't he just have one?

Ain't as simple as that, mate.

And if they don't give it to him, is he going to die?

Well, that's why they're doing tests, darling. To make him better.

Now, go on. You head upstairs and go and get ready for school, yeah?

Good boy.

I'll get to the Arches. Open up.

Hope today goes all right.

You've got to eat.

Why? It's just another test, and I've done a million of them.

It's more important than that, Phil.

SHARON SIGHS

LEE GROANS WHITNEY GIGGLES

What you doing up so early?

I'm too excited to sleep.

SINGSONG: Look what Jack dropped off!

LEE GROANS WHITNEY GIGGLES

No more Mick murdering Adele in the shower,

and no more of Linda's charcoal fry-ups.

Mm. That's gratitude(!)

No, but seriously,

I'll never be able to repay your family for what they've done for us.

But this is our own actual place we're talking about.

I know. I can't wait.

I might pop out and get your mum some flowers.

She's still really down about the whole stolen-money-jar thing.

What sort of scumbag steals off charity, eh?

MUSIC POUNDS THROUGH WALL

You know, there is one more advantage to having our own flat.

No more paper-thin walls.

I'd best... I'd best get ready for work.

Time's getting on.

Dad. Dad, just slow down a little bit, yeah?

Just stop fussing.

-Dad!

-Easy!

I ain't one of your dodgy T-shirts. Now, get your hands off me.

Charming as ever.

If he gets any more yellow, he'll turn into a minion.

Dad, Kush was only trying to help.

Yeah, and I'm trying to get five minutes alone

so I can clear my head. All right?

Hey, are you walking in?

Yeah. She is. Now, go to school, all right?

I'll see you at home later.

Is everything all right?

Same thing when my mum had her tests.

How d'you mean?

They reckon shutting us out is the answer.

Half the time, they're more scared than we are.

But they won't let you know that. Not in a million years.

Sometimes, you've got to let them know.

Show them that we can actually help.

Hi, can I get a coffee to go, please? Three sugars.

Cheers. Ta. Thank you.

-Hey.

-Hi.

I, erm... I tried coming over at the weekend, but no-one was about.

How's Amy after last week?

She's OK, which is more than I can say for Jack.

He's still angry, then?

About that, OK? About... About forgetting her.

I just... I got so carried away, making her nativity costume,

that before I knew what the time was...

It's never happening again. Never.

Anyway, I finally got round to finishing her a new costume, so...

RONNIE LAUGHS

Sorry, just the idea of you sewing.

Yeah, I know, it's ridiculous. It's ridiculous.

Look at my plasters, please.

It's hardly a professional job, but I'm hoping she'll like it.

I'm sure she'll love it.

All right, look, I better get going,

cos Donna's had me up since 5am sorting a delivery.

So you didn't catch up with Phil this morning, then -

his appointment and everything?

-No. Fingers crossed, yeah?

-Yeah.

-All right?

-All right.

You ready? Mm-hm.

Where you guys off to?

Well, Jack's taking me to see a house, isn't he?

In the middle of nowhere.

Is this the one you're buying?

Yeah, we'll see... Come on then, you. Whoa!

-What are you doing here?

-Supporting Dad.

No, you ain't.

I don't need that school breathing down my neck and all.

You do realise we're going to get a phone call now.

So? This is a bit more important than double maths.

-Louise...

-Sorry for the delay. Come on in.

Thank you.

This is Louise, Phil's daughter.

She's on an inset day.

-I hope that's OK.

-Of course.

Family support is a crucial part of getting through the process.

So, er, what happens now?

You've managed to abstain from alcohol for over six months,

which is great. All that counselling you've attended,

it'll be very important for you in the future.

I have no worries referring you for assessment.

-To get on the transplant list?

-Yes.

And, hopefully, after the period of abstinence,

your liver function will have improved.

We've got your bloods back. They need to be put into the app.

Why don't you grab a coffee?

Soon as the results are in, we can go from there.

I knew you'd like it.

Who said anything about me liking it?

She's not denying it, mate. That's always a good sign.

Are you planning on being this annoying the whole time?

Because me and Matthew can get a cab back.

-I told you she'd like it.

-Yeah.

-Yeah!

-RONNIE CHUCKLES

-Come on.

I'm ever so grateful, Patrick, you lending a hand.

I could always do with the exercise, Dot.

I was beginning to think I'd never get that back room cleared.

It feels like the end...

making a start.

-What's the matter?

-Mm?

Your face has dropped

like them curtains of mine what you promised to fix.

It's Vincent. Got word from Claudette.

Apparently, she's nice and settled up in Liverpool.

Oh, good for her.

You ain't having second thoughts?

I'm just surprised, that's all.

I just didn't expect her to move on so soon.

That's your pride speaking, Patrick.

Oh, I'm sorry, cos it's all my fault.

You know, for trying to bring you together.

I mean, you knew from the start that it weren't right,

only instead of carrying on,

dilly-dallying and lying to yourself, you ended it.

And that ain't an easy thing to do.

But you did it.

Yeah, well, maybe you're right.

Course I am. And that's all that needs saying on the matter.

-Yeah.

-What's in this?

-Dot, Dot, Dot.

-What?

Did you get round to making that appointment?

What appointment?

For your eyes.

Where would I find the time?

Anyway, there ain't nothing wrong with my eyes.

They're fine, thank you very much.

Watch your step.

-Right, it's four bedrooms.

-Yep.

Two en suite, so forget that morning bathroom queue.

I mean, and that kitchen, Ron - it's massive.

I mean, the space.

This whole area is surrounded by open fields.

Ricky and Amy - they're going to go crazy for it.

Well, what about the schools?

Yeah, no, I checked the internet. There's a few in the area.

They all come highly recommended.

The place has even got its own steam train.

Can you imagine Ricky's face?

And Amy's riding school's only half a mile down the road.

-Are you sure this is definitely in our price range?

-Yeah!

Well?

Well, what? What? What do you want me to say?

Yes, OK, it's... It's nice.

Nice? Ron, it's perfect!

Yes, but it still doesn't change the fact

that we can't just uproot the kids.

What about Roxy? What about Phil?

It's hardly the other side of the world, is it?

We can visit them. Ron, come on, look.

Just think about this for a second.

This should be our next step.

You didn't see them, Ron.

At the school gates - the parents.

That stabbing, it's really scared a lot of people.

I mean, this is the size of a football pitch.

RONNIE GIGGLES MATTHEW SCREAMS

We have the results back from your blood test.

And?

They show your UKELD score is currently at 56,

which means, your liver...

It hasn't shown signs of recovery.

But the transplant? He still qualifies for the list?

Yes. Once the rest of the tests and procedures have been completed

and are satisfactory.

However, I'm afraid your mortality rate has also increased.

On average, one in four patients with this UKELD score

will not survive the next 12 months.

I'm sorry.

Once he's on the list, they'll move him up, yeah?

-To the top?

-I'm afraid it won't work like that.

There will be patients more ill ahead of us.

Finding a suitable blood group and donor,

it could take months, even years...

Years?! But, you just said that...

Given the UKELD, I want to refer you

to the specialist liver transplant unit at The Royal Free.

It's vital we remain positive.

Is that it?

Phil, please.

I think I get the gist.

Thank you.

-Phil.

-Dad!

Oh, I thought it was your day off.

I think I might've left my phone charger here.

Actually, Johnny did find one. I'll go and grab it.

-Abi.

-All right?

You all set for the big audition, then?

Yeah, erm... Consider me the better-looking Denzel Washington.

Tell me something, how is life with your grandma?

Oh, Sudoku marathons, Earl Grey tea shots, you name it.

I'm only kidding, I'm really enjoying it.

Plus, I am pleased to report I am no longer the family klutz.

What do you mean?

She's always clipping things. Even yesterday,

I stopped her setting her cardie alight on the stove.

Look, maybe you can do me a favour.

Look, I get it, OK? I do.

You think I pictured myself leaving this place?

I'm a city boy, Ron. Runs in me veins.

PHONE VIBRATES Oh.

Hmm. That Whitney again?

Yeah. Said I'd show her the boiler stuff and all that.

Look, can we pick this up later?

Take that.

-See you in a bit.

-See you in a bit.

SHOUTING OUTSIDE

'Dad, Dad...'

'Phil, please...'

'Dad, you need to come home.'

'How do you know...'

what I need, eh?

And anyway, why aren't you out celebrating?

The will's sorted out, remember?

The sooner I'm dead, the sooner you're quids in, right?

Whoa, Whit!

Shut up.

I mean, I'm probably not the best judge of this, but wow!

Well, it's nice to know I can still excite one of the Carter boys, eh?

I was only messing.

It's all right, just forget it.

Look, it's been a while, since me and Lee have... You know.

I just thought that when people get married,

you can't keep your hands off each other, and...

Well, I guess not.

Maybe it's the move?

I know he grunts about like a caveman,

but Lee is the sensitive one of the family.

It's hardly going to be you, is it? He loves you.

More than anything.

And now I know why.

LAUGHING: Shut up!

No, but seriously. Do you really think moving's the problem?

Tell you what.

How about we transform this mess into a proper little love palace?

-OK.

-Let's go.

What is it with you lot, eh?

You keep telling me what I need to be doing all the time.

Well, I don't want to hear it any more. I don't want to hear it.

I'm not here to dish out advice, Phil, OK?

I'm just here to listen.

They reckon I'm going to get put on a list for a transplant.

Only, the chances are, I ain't going to live long enough to get one.

Oh, Phil...

All that talk.

Them banging on about progress, how well I was doing.

I even began to believe it meself.

FRONT DOOR CLOSES

There's nothing in the cupboards, so we should head out and do a shop.

What for?

For dinner tonight,

unless you want to serve beans on mouldy toast.

I thought we could do that gravy that Dad liked.

-That Jamie Oliver one.

-Louise...

-I can Google the recipe, Sharon.

-Look, just stop!

Don't you think we need to talk about what the doctor said?

What is there to talk about?

The rate Phil's going, he might not even see past Christmas.

Do you really think now is the time

to start organising a big get-together?

I heard him, Sharon. I just...

Dad can't die.

He can't.

Sweetheart, come here, come here.

It's OK.

The whole time I was...

I was sat there,

I just kept picturing the bloke I met in hospital. Tony.

He's only 34. His liver's...

His liver's much worse than mine, but his is genetic, though.

Never had a chance.

Then I thought about that kid.

The one who got stabbed.

In Dennis' year at school.

How is any of that fair, eh?

One minute, you're having a kickabout with your mates,

and the next...

At least this is me.

I did this to meself didn't I?

And the warnings... I didn't listen, I just threw it all away, but...

But them? What did they do?

And why didn't they get a fair go?

The guilt, it always comes out.

Especially when it's the kids. The ones we should be protecting.

What's that?

You thinking of moving?

No.

That's nothing.

Well, take it from me.

Life don't hang around while you make your mind up.

You don't want to be sitting here, 20 years from now,

full of regret.

Please don't give up, Phil.

If anyone is strong enough to beat this, it's you.

I bet you wish you didn't skip double maths now, huh?

Louise, I know how hard it is losing a parent.

It's the hardest thing you'll ever go through.

I promise, though, I swear to you - you do cope.

You know, eventually, you... You find your own way.

-I won't. I know I won't.

-Louise, you will.

-No.

The results - they are bad, OK. I'm not pretending they ain't.

But, in that room, the doctor said positivity.

That's what she said we needed.

And one in four...

..ain't the end.

So we can give up, and let it take Dad.

Or...

we do what we can.

Together.

And we show Dad that we are here for him.

Whatever he needs.

I'm going to go for a lie down.

Well?

-DOOR CLOSES

-Ron?

-Hey!

-Hey.

Oh, Amy's not back from her friend's yet.

OK, good, cos I want an honest opinion

-before I give her this, all right?

-OK.

Oh! Roxy, it's lovely.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Look, I even stuck these little horses on for her,

which took forever.

She's really going to love it.

I just want her to know that I'm never going to let her down again.

You OK?

Ronnie?

There's something I've got to tell you.

You know the house that me and Jack went to see earlier?

Yeah, what about it?

Well we're not going to rent it out any more,

we're going to live in it.

We haven't sorted anything out yet, but, you know, that's the plan.

Wow!

Wow, that's, erm...

What does Amy think about all this?

We haven't told her yet.

Well, she's not going to like it.

I mean, Matthew and Ricky leaving her.

And I'm going to need time,

cos I'm going to need to find a place of my own.

I mean, me and Amy, we can't exactly share a room, can we?

Roxy.

Amy.

She's coming too.

Hello, Patrick.

Oh, Dot! Hey.

Abi let me in.

Thought I'd finally get round to fixing these.

Oh, you didn't need to.

If I'm honest, I only did it for the free Bourbons!

-Well, I'm ever so grateful.

-Yeah.

Just as I remember - you wouldn't have Friday free, would you?

I have a favour to ask.

Oh, I shall have to consult me diary, won't I?

But I should think so.

Say about 1:30pm?

What is it for?

I, erm...

I went ahead and made it for you.

What?

That appointment. For your eyes.

Well, you can just unmake it, then, can't you?

I didn't give you permission to go meddling in my private affairs.

Look, Abi told me about the stove.

So what happens next, eh?

Abi's in bed, and the whole place goes up in flames?

Because you are too stubborn to face your own fears.

It was just an accident. Me potatoes were boiling over,

I leaned across, I singed my cardigan.

Dot, Dot.

I'm there for you, just as you are for me.

Please, please, please.

Take this appointment.

Why would you do this to me?

I'm doing it for Amy. For the kids.

Do you think I'm going to let you

just snatch my daughter away from me?

No. No-one's saying that.

I apologised, didn't I? I apologised for forgetting Amy.

What, is this Jack's sick way of trying to get back at me, is it?

No. We're trying to do right by the kids.

Roxy, this house is beautiful.

Plus, it's safe.

This area, I hardly recognise it any more - the crime...

I mean, that poor little Eddie boy.

Amy, Ricky, Matthew - they all deserve the best chance possible.

I know you believe that too.

Imagine what we'd be like at their age, how excited we'd be.

It's not just Amy.

What am I supposed to do on my own?

Do you really think I'd consider leaving

if I didn't think that you could handle it?

What you've been through these past few months,

you're the strongest person I know.

No, I'm not.

Look, it's not that far to visit.

You can come and stay any time for as long as you want.

Is this really what you want?

It's not going to change anything, I promise.

KNOCK AT DOOR GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING

Hey.

Ta-da!

I just wanted you to have something nice to come back to.

Oh, Whit! I haven't got that to worry about, have I?

Oh, Lee! What you doing?

Come on, time for me to make an effort!

Over the threshold we go.

What are you doing?

Right, here we go.

Welcome home, Mrs Carter.

WHITNEY SHRIEKS BOTH LAUGH

Babe?

What's the matter?

Nothing, it's just been a tough day at work.

Proper knackered me out.

Let's do it another night, eh?

Where is everyone?

Mum's in the living room and Louise is down the shops.

What you got there?

Footie stickers.

I used to have those when I was a kid.

Till Mum banned them.

What happened?

Grant, and a box of matches.

We never did like sharing things, even back then.

-Here, you missed one...

-Don't!

That's for Eddie.

That kid from school?

We used to swap the ones we needed at lunchtime.

Jamie Vardy. Eddie needed him to finish Leicester.

I said I wanted six stickers to swap. Eddie kicked off.

Said it weren't fair.

So, I didn't let him have it.

DOOR CLOSES

You all right, Louise? You staying for food?

I over-ordered by a mile on the Chinese.

Thanks, but I can't. I'm off to the shops.

Me and Sharon are cooking.

So you think it'll be OK?

Mm. Definitely. I think it's a lovely idea.

Why don't I head over in a bit?

Thanks, Ronnie.

She just wanted to ask a favour for Phil.

How'd his appointment go?

Not so good.

His liver shows no signs of recovery.

I'm sorry.

It got me thinking, though,

and I reckon...

I reckon we should just go for it.

-You sure?

-Yeah, I'm positive.

We need to work out a battle plan for Rox.

No, it's already done.

And?

I honestly think... she knows it's for the best.

Sorry, how is this OK, again?

If that was my daughter they were stealing away...

I know Ronnie.

Walford is her home.

Nah. Nah, she ain't going anywhere.

CHATTER FROM KITCHEN

Hope you're hungry.

About earlier.

All the will and that, you know...

My head was all over the place.

It's fine.

Hey. I'm not too late, am I?

No, perfect timing.

-For what?

-Our little surprise.

Well, Louise came round with an idea. And...

Well, I'll let her explain it to you.

I thought that Dad could do with something to look forward to,

something positive.

So I asked Ronnie if you could give her away at her wedding.

That's a lovely idea, ain't it, Phil?

-I can't.

-What do you mean?

I'm not going to be there at her wedding, am I?

But it's all arranged. You need to...

Can everyone stop telling me what I need? All right?

None of you have got a clue what this is like.

I'm done, all right? I'm done. I'm done dragging it out.

And I'll take the consequences, all right?

There's plenty of people more deserving than me out there.

Now, I'm going to call the doctors, and I'm going to tell them

I am not having a transplant.