Primetime - A Year of Greater Love

This programme contains some strong language

'I am sorry, Emma. There are many other factors that need to be considered.

'Sharing genes is no guarantee.'

VOMITING

'You're all right, love, you're all right.'

You're all right. That's it.

-'Hi, this is Andi.

-Can't talk now, please leave a message.'

Well, we got him here at last. Third time lucky.

Are you OK?

There's no rush.

Take your time.

Is he...?

I mean, what sort of form is he in?

He's...grand.

Emma...

this is Neil Maguire.

You're so like Dad.

I'll just be across the hall.

Is there anything you need? Tea or coffee?

I'm cool.

You're a good-looking girl.

For a sister, like.

God, where do I start?

Why have you come looking for me?

Well, I wanted to meet you. To talk.

About what?

You know all the gory details anyway.

I know that the family who adopted you had problems,

that you ended up in a children's home.

And I know that Mum always regretted giving you up.

She's dead now, yeah?

Yeah. Breast cancer.

A few years ago now.

She did contact this place towards the end.

She really wanted to make her peace with you.

Maybe we can try now?

Listen, Emma.

This is all ancient history.

I left my details here when I was 18 and I waited and waited

and over 20-odd years later your mother, my mother, whatever,

tried to get in touch, but by that stage I wasn't interested any more.

You're here now.

Curiosity, maybe.

And you wouldn't let it go.

I was hoping I could maybe get you up to Belfast for a few days.

Why?

Why would I do that?

You've got another sister, Andi.

And I've a wee girl, Alice. She's nearly 11.

Ah, Jaysus.

I'm an uncle now as well, am I?

Have you got family, Neil, or...

No.

Never married.

No kids.

At least none I'll admit to.

Are you working?

Not at the moment, no.

You?

I'm a home help. Old people.

Andi's the successful one.

She has a design business, you know, doing up people's homes?

So, Andi didn't fancy it today?

No, she just couldn't get away.

But maybe, if you can, you'll come up to Belfast, please.

I mean, you can stay at mine and I'll pay for the train.

We'll see.

< Back again, come on!

Come on, Alice. Come on, Alice.

You're doing well.

Come on, Alice.

Come on, Alice. Good girl.

You were good today.

I was crap.

Alice!

I was.

You were not.

Damn, I've left your book in the car.

It's OK, I have something to read, Mummy.

That'll not last you four hours.

Is it raining outside?

No, I was swimming.

Fair play to you, love. I never learned.

Alice, Emma, how we doing?

Hiya, Doctor Lee.

You have forgotten my name again?

Um, Francis?

Very good. Like the football player.

Manchester City. Bit before your time, I know but...

You wanted a wee word?

Please.

I'll just be over here, OK, love?

She just seems a bit... Her energy levels are really low at the minute.

Her potassium levels before dialysis are a concern.

Is she managing OK with the supplements and tablets?

It's a bit of a scrap sometimes, but she's coping.

I can't emphasise enough the importance of diet.

If the potassium levels get out of hand,

we could have cardiac, heart issues and we don't want to go there.

Andi, my sister says she's happy to donate.

Yes, and she is top of our list.

We still have to do the tissue analysis.

I know what you said about her age and having children.

I know this is hard, Emma, but we have to be patient.

Family would be ideal.

But, for the meantime, Alice is priority and on call.

Another donor may be available at any time.

Now, I think another session of dialysis is unavoidable

but we'll monitor that for the moment.

Is she a bit more settled?

Well, at least I'm still in the running.

You'd expect one of her parents to work out.

I mean, me, as her mother.

I don't know how much longer we can keep this up.

Alice is shattered.

You are too, I'm sure.

It's all happened so fast too, it's...

What about the waiting list situation?

Did the doctor give you any timeframe?

He tells me whatever he needs to tell me.

Don't panic. Everything's under control.

Every time that phone goes, my heart is in my mouth.

I'm sorry. I'm really going to have to go.

I have to meet a client at eight.

Do you still need me to run Alice to school in the morning?

Please.

Andi.

Yeah?

I've been thinking again about finding the brother?

I have to look at all the options, you know that.

Emma, do we have to go through this all again, seriously?

Yes, but if he worked out, you wouldn't need to.

If you're still wanting to have kids

you could be putting that at risk and how could I ever forgive...

Emma, please.

If it comes to it, it's my call.

But you going after your man?

If he worked out.

Even if you could find him,

you've absolutely no idea what the hell you're getting yourself into.

Come on.

Is it possible you could tidy my bedroom today?

I'm tripping over things up there.

I'll sort that straight after lunch, Mrs Docherty.

PHONE RINGS

-Neil?

-Yeah.

Oh, thanks for getting back to me.

I'll come up on Friday, OK?

-Yeah. That'd be great.

-I'll get the ticket down here

and you can sort me out when I get up there.

Sure. Brilliant.

And you'll have Andi along?

I'll have to check with her but...

I don't need to tell you how feckin' weird all this is

but we'll just suck it and see, right?

Yeah.

What about the bedroom?

Coming now.

And is your brother aware of Alice's condition?

No. I'm going to speak to him while he's here.

But it's difficult.

What we would need to know, for example,

is if he's had any surgery or a blood transfusion in the past.

We'll get him in, we'll have a chat with one of our counsellors.

Does Alice know about him?

She knows he's coming.

You should have finished that at the hospital, love. It's bedtime.

I'm nearly done. I'll give you a hand.

Why didn't you tell me before about Uncle Neil?

Well, I didn't really know much about him myself.

Not until very recently.

How could Granny and Granddad just give him away?

They were very young, they weren't married,

things were a lot different then.

So, they could've taken him back after they got married.

They couldn't, darling. He was already adopted.

He'd been with another family for ages.

Is this about me? Is that why he's coming?

Sweetheart. Don't think like that.

I'd like to meet him. You would too, wouldn't you?

I need your help here, though.

I haven't told your auntie Andi about him.

Me and you, we'll get to know him

and see if, well, we'll take it from there, yeah?

Does Uncle Neil, does he feel like your brother?

I don't know, love. I don't know.

Dreaming?

Go to sleep, Geoff.

I'm trying.

You can just take yourself out of the frame, y'know?

The doctor's given you an out and everything.

Have you seen Alice lately?

Yes, but...

..we still might want a wee girl of our own some day.

Hmm?

'Nuff said.

Sweetheart, don't.

Alice is still here, now.

I can't not help her.

I know.

-Here he comes.

-Where?

How are you?

-This is Alice, my daughter.

-All right.

-Hello.

No Andi?

No, sorry. Friday's a busy day for her.

-I'm sorry, Neil.

-Look, I hope I'm not making a dick out of myself here.

Neil, it's fine. We'll maybe meet up with her later.

All right. Shall we go, then?

I didn't know you'd been here before.

Yeah, still got a few mates here.

-Where are they at?

-Dunno. I've just a number.

The place has changed from the last time you saw it, I'm sure.

-Yeah.

-What's Dublin like?

-It's all right.

I was meant to go on a school trip once.

Yes, that didn't happen. It clashed with something.

-I can't remember.

-You're not missing much.

Unless you've got a great, big bag of money with ya.

So, where's the young one got to?

She's probably up messing on the computer.

Is she OK?

She looks a bit peaky.

-She's had an infection.

-Yeah?

-It's not catching, is it?

-No.

No, it's not.

That's why she wasn't at school today, then, yeah?

Jesus.

See what I mean?

I can get you a copy if you want?

Nah.

You're all right.

Neil, erm, Andi's not going to be here.

What?

We've spoken about you but she's nervous.

Hang on a minute.

You're the one said, come up to Belfast, meet the pair of you,

have dinner, catch up and all this old craic.

Well, I would like to catch up.

There's things I would like to talk about.

But she doesn't want to meet me?

You told her I was coming up?

-Well, can me and you not...?

-This is bollocks.

There's nothing to stopping you and I spending a bit of time together,

getting to know each other.

Listen, love.

No harm to you, but this is...

..y'know...

40 years of nothing

and now all this brother and sister shite.

Yeah, I know, Neil.

-Cos it ain't going to happen.

-I don't expect anything.

I would just like us to talk.

Sorry. Can you smoke that outside?

-Where?

-Out the back. Sorry, it's just...

Do you fancy a drink?

-I can do you a beer or...

-I don't drink.

-Let's eat, if we're going to.

-Yeah, OK.

I was just going to order a takeaway if that's all right?

Whatever.

So, will you be around for my party next week, Uncle Neil?

I'm going to be 11.

Right.

Happy birthday.

Cheers.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

-How did you find out you were adopted?

-Alice!

-I'm only asking.

-Just knew.

Didn't your parents say anything? I mean, the people who adopted you.

I hardly knew them. I was in a children's home from about six.

You didn't tell me that.

Well.

Has she been spinning you some old yarn?

No, I just told her the basics.

Was it horrible being in a home?

I didn't really think about it at the time.

I was a bit older before I knew what was going on.

You weren't in the home that long though, were you?

Three years.

There were half a dozen delightful foster families after that.

-What was that like?

-Aw, now.

If I start getting into all that,

I think I'd have to be using words your mammy wouldn't approve of.

I don't mind. I know loads of bad words.

I'm knackered.

Just crash here, yeah?

Yeah. I'll need to bring you down a duvet.

It could have been so different, couldn't it?

-What do you mean?

-The whole thing.

If Mum and Dad had been married, they hadn't given you away

and we'd all grown up together.

You know, there was a time

when all they had to do was let me know they cared.

They did, Neil.

They did.

But they couldn't undo what had happened.

Nor can we.

Just let him be for the moment.

-Why?

-Keep your voice down.

Go down to the shop and get us a loaf of bread

and another pint of milk, OK?

-But I want to wake him.

-No, I'm going to.

Can you please just go and do the message for me?

Oh. Hang on.

I forgot to give you your vitamin D.

DOOR OPENS

DOOR SHUTS

-Oh. I was just going bring this into you.

-Sound.

Can you sort us out with that train fare? I'm going to head on.

I thought you were staying the weekend.

No, I don't think so.

Neil, please. At least stay and have breakfast.

-Alice is away to get us a loaf.

-I'm grand.

I'll swallow this and if you could sort us with the cash.

All right, you?

Hi, Auntie Andi.

Don't look so happy to see me. Jump in.

Just delivering a wee something to the house.

Big day coming up 'n all.

Listen, I don't know what the Euro thing is worth but...

How much have you there?

40 quid.

That'll do.

Might stay up tonight.

See if I can catch up with a few of these mates of mine.

Neil.

What?

Look. I'm heading on here.

What is it?

I'm really sorry about everything.

-Everything that's happened to you.

-Ach, listen.

It's history.

I know it's too little, but I really hope it's not too late.

-It's been really great to...

-Look, what's done is done, love.

Don't beat yourself up about it.

But it's been really great to meet you, to know that I have a brother.

Yeah.

And I need to ask you a question.

It's important. Really. And believe me, I...

KNOCK ON DOOR

I...

I'm sorry, just let me...

-Where's your keys?

-Mummy, I didn't tell her anything.

The sprints of her.

Andi.

-That's me.

-Erm...

-What?

-Can I give you a call later, it's just I'm...

Sure. I'm just dropping a wee pressie off for Alice.

I'm heading off.

-So, were you going to tell me, or...?

-I did.

I mean, I was going to, I just needed to...

Andi, sit down. Will you? Please.

So how long have you been here, Neil?

Came up last night.

I was hoping to get a chance to see you too.

You do, like, interior design and that?

I used to do a bit of painting and decorating and er...

Maybe there's you know, a job or something.

Well, you never know. So, you've had your wee chat then?

What?

Neil, I need to ask you something.

I really didn't want it to be like this.

What is it?

Alice, Alice is sick and she needs a kidney transplant.

It's just a test at this stage. I wanted you to take a test.

You're shitting me.

-It's just a test, Neil.

-Aw, man, man, man!

Alice is... Neil.

All this happy families crap

and you're after me for bleeding body bits!

It wasn't supposed to be like this. I...

Please.

Neil...

Neil, please.

Neil, I need your help. Alice...

How dare you!

How fuckin' dare you pull this on me...

Who are you?

I don't even know you.

-This is completely not how I...

-Don't!

Don't even think about it!

Either of yous.

Emma, what the hell were you thinking about?

-Andi, just go.

-Catch your breath, Emma.

Sure you didn't even have the bottle to ask him.

-God knows when you were going to.

-I was going to do it in my own time.

He was walking out the friggin' door.

I was in the middle of doing it when you arrived.

Oh, and you think I changed his mind?

Yes, well, it would have been easier if you'd just helped me.

Helped you?

Like I could do more to help you!

DOOR SLAMS

Shit.

Alice, please!

It's always me.

Me left holding Mum's hand

while that selfish wee cow was getting knocked up in college.

Me there, time and again,

picking up the pieces and getting them thrown back in my face.

I know, sweetheart, but you can't...

You can't really blame her for trying to...

He was damaged goods, Geoff. You want to have seen him.

She was taking her life in her hands even letting him in the house.

Ach, you can't say that.

Yes, I can.

And why the hell is she putting us through this?

It'll be me they come to for the transplant anyway.

PHONE RINGS

'It's Neil. I'm not here. Leave a message.'

PHONE BEEPS, SHE SIGHS

I can't wait to put the toppings on.

I know, they're going to be so nice.

I'm putting pepper and more cheese on.

THEY GIGGLE

How did you get yours like that?

PHONE RINGS

Mum, can I have another Coke?

'It's Neil. I'm not here. Leave a message.'

Could we maybe sort out the cake?

PHONE RINGS

Neil?

'Hello, Emma. It's Francis Lee here.

I'm sorry to trouble you, but I needed a quick chat.

Alice, I'm afraid, needs more haemodialysis.

'I think I'm going to have to bump her up

from two to three times a week.

'Her kidneys have deteriorated

'and she'll need another session to help stabilise her blood.

I'm wondering if we could start maybe tomorrow? Thursday?

Three times a week?

'Yes. I know it is tough for her. It's tough on you both.

But it's necessary. The usual time?

Yeah. Sorry, yes, of course. We'll see you tomorrow.

No, hang on! Hang on!

Say cheese.

ALL: Cheese!

Mummy, can I have a slice of cake later?

That's a lovely wee necklace Siobhan got you.

There's no point sulking about it. Dr Lee said...

I'm not.

I'm tired, I'm missing out on so much stuff and I'm scared...

Och, darling.

I wanted Auntie Andi and Uncle Geoff to be there.

I miss them.

I know, darling. It's daft not talking. I'll phone her tomorrow.

Don't you worry about the other stuff, OK?

You and me, we're a wee team, right?

Go on. I'll see you in two ticks.

KNOCK ON DOOR

What exactly is it you want?

It's... a test. Just...

Come in.

Did you stay in Belfast?

Yeah, friends. I told you.

Neil...

Listen, Emma.

Here's the deal, right?

I'll do it. The test.

But it'll cost you.

Five hundred quid sterling. Cash.

If it works out - the kidney's five grand.

What?!

Neil, there's no way...

I... I really don't have that kind of money.

Neither do I.

But I'm sure you or Andi could get it if you needed to.

Neil, please, you can't do this.

Yes, I can.

If you're not interested, I'm gone.

Makes no odds to me.

Can they do the test tomorrow?

I don't know. If they think there's money involved...

Don't worry about that.

I'll get my story straight.

Just whoever you need to call -

give them a buzz first thing.

OK?

So...

Are you still going to tell her?

I mean, it's a bit late in the day.

Listen.

Emma needs to know exactly who she's dealing with.

What?

Well, despite it all, you are actually his sister...

Oh, Geoff, what does that mean?

Catch a grip will you?

Yeah, well. He's gone now.

He's history.

I'm delighted.

We've been separated...

Well, all our lives.

How much?

No, I'm renting.

I'm only asking for five hundred.

And if I pay that, am I guaranteed the loan?

No. Forget it.

Ah, she's a great kid.

Fantastic.

It's incredible, to be able to help her.

If I can, like.

A few weeks ago, I had no family.

Of any kind.

And now I have two sisters and a niece.

And you know my background.

So you'll understand what it means to me.

How's you?

You still at the home help thing?

Yeah. I think they're losing patience with me though.

They should be giving you home help.

Well, here's the factory floor, and here's your superhero niece

having a well-earned rest.

Well, I think that's us done for today.

Is there more?

Not for Neil, no. We've put him through the mill today.

He will still need to see the transplant surgeon.

And it'll take maybe six weeks for the tissue typing checks

and cross-match checks,

but everything else looks pretty good.

Blood group, organ anatomy.

Nice simple tubes.

Not like yours, Emma.

So, we should know in about six weeks then?

Yeah. Six, maybe eight weeks. No more than that.

OK, and how much longer are you going to...?

Another couple of hours.

I'll head off then.

I'll call you later.

Yeah, sure.

Well, thank you, Mr Maguire.

Neil. Given all the circumstances, your making yourself available is...

...very much appreciated.

Yeah. Sure. Not a bother.

She's nuking an alien battle fleet on my computer.

What's up now?

Neil is taking the tests, but...

..but he wants money.

Five hundred now, and five grand if it works out.

Ah, for crying out loud!

Hang on, love. Go easy. >

I know it's early days, but how's it looking?

Geoff?

I'm only asking.

Well, it's like Andi.

They're just waiting on the tissue comparison thing.

But I haven't got that kind of money?

You need to tell him where to get off!

Quite apart from the fact it's completely immoral.

-I'm sure the hospital would take a wonderful view...

-It's only five hundred quid.

It's worth a punt. Well, isn't it?

I can do this.

Sorry, there's some stuff Emma needs to know.

Some delightful little nuggets of information regarding our dear "brother".

Violent assault, Emma. Three years.

He's only out about six months ago.

How do you know this?

And when he was 18, he was in some place called

St Patrick's in Dublin, for the same thing.

I got this from a completely reliable source.

I'm not making it up to justify myself.

You really do not want to touch this guy with a bargepole.

Sorry, Emma.

I just wanted to say.

The money. Don't worry about it.

What?

Seriously, I'm more than happy to sort that out.

I don't know what to say.

Just don't say anything to Andi, OK?

Five hundred?

I'll drop it round at lunchtime tomorrow.

If that is time enough.

Geoff, thank you.

So, when can you get it?

I'll have it in the afternoon.

Crash here again tonight, then. If that's cool with you?

Cool.

Here, don't be getting all humpy with me.

Do you think I owe you or something?

You're the one that didn't tell me why you were looking for me.

Why didn't you come straight out with it at the start?

-Because I thought...

-What?

Because I thought that if you met us...

Met Alice...

Would your answer have been any different?

No, but you'd have saved yourself a shit-load of grief.

Mammy?

Jaysus, are you OK?

Can I get you something?

Is there something you need? Ah!

Here! You're OK, yeah?

Take it easy. Yeah?

What are you doing?

The kid's in giblets.

-Are you all right, darling?

-My head's really sore.

-You should have woken me up.

-I tried to, Mummy, but then I just came down here to get a glass of water.

And I puked on the floor. Sorry.

You didn't eat enough last night. I told you...

Did you get a drink of something?

Uncle Neil got me one.

Look, take this.

Go on up to bed. I'll be up in two minutes.

She was in a bad way...

Now you care?

You'll get your money as soon as I have it, and then you can...

whatever.

Were you ever going to tell me about the prison thing?

Who told you about that?

Andi has a friend in the police.

I'll tell you what, love.

You're skating on very thin ice.

Apologies, firstly, for the long wait.

It's a nervous time.

You've both been very patient.

Everything checks out, Mrs McEvoy, Andi.

So, given Alice's condition I'd like to press ahead with surgery,

which could be inside a couple of days.

Are you happy to proceed?

Can I ask a question?

Sure.

When are the results due for Neil?

We could have them by the end of the week.

Emma, I can do this.

I know. I...

Can we wait to find out?

I mean without any danger to Alice, can we wait?

I wouldn't want any unnecessary delays but a few days.

-Emma, what are you doing?

-Please, love. Hang on...

What?

-I'd like to know.

-We can wait.

Andi. Andi, hang on!

Emma, what the hell are you playing at? Treating me like this.

Please, nothing has changed. It might not happen.

But if Neil can do it, he's only after the money.

Wouldn't that be the best, for all of us?

I need to go. I'll call you later, all right?

And where did she get the money?

Emma. >

Can you hear me? >

Coming!

Emma! >

Yes! I'm coming!

Mrs Docherty, I'm just...

Your phone was ringing on the kitchen table.

RINGING TONE

'Emma!'

I missed your call.

'Yes, your brother,'

-I haven't been able to get through to him. Is he around?

-'He's in Dublin.'

-'I could try and get a message through to him.'

-Can we get him up?

I think I have some good news.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

-'Neil?'

-Yeah?

'Could you come back up to Belfast?'

'Hello? Neil?'

So now you care?

D'you know I would like nothing more than to tell you to fuck right off?

I need your help. What can I say?

'You can say you've five grand waiting for me'

and the bleeding train fare.

I'll be up tonight.

-Did you find the new toothbrush?

-It's in here.

-You all right, sweetheart?

-Can I bring Caesar?

Of course you can. Come here.

I keep thinking a man's kidney's too big.

Auntie Andi's would fit better.

Listen, you. It's all going to be perfect.

And you know you've got the best doctors.

Everything's going to be great. KNOCK ON DOOR

See if you can fit Caesar in there.

-There you go.

-I'm so hungry, I could eat a battered frog.

SHE GIGGLES

So, how's Alice Dialysis? Are you excited?

Nervous.

Ah, yeah. I'm bricking myself.

Sorry.

Sweetheart, can you go up to my room and see if I left my phone up there?

Sure.

SHE PUTS A PACKAGE DOWN

That should take the edge off.

There's two-and-a-half there. It's all I could get for now.

I'll have the rest of it by the time you get out.

Does she know?

Of course not.

-Hey, sweetie.

-Hi, Mags.

-Hiya.

All settled? You must be excited?

It takes no time at all these days.

You'll be up and about, good as new, in, like, two days.

I'm still scared, though.

Och, there's no need to be.

I just wanted to come in to wish you well anyway, wee pet.

Where's Uncle Neil's room? He's going in first.

-Somewhere down the corridor.

-Where?

-I can go and have a look for you if you like?

-You're all right, Mags. I'll do it.

What do you want?

-I don't want to make a big fuss...

-Ah, for...

-But this is the rest of your blood money.

Andi?

-What are you doing?

-Just paying off your debts.

Did you put her up to this?

No, this is nothing to... Put that away.

That's the deal, isn't it?

Please put it away! Like if anybody sees...

Like I'm not freaked out enough. Would youse get out?

Neil...

Alice just wanted... We both wanted to wish you good luck.

There you go. Job done.

-Look, Neil, this is not...

-Emma!

I'm spare parts. That's it.

Jaysus.

Neil, that is not true.

We'll leave it at that.

See you.

-Yeah.

-You're all right, Emma. The surgeon just wanted to let you know

-that Alice is being moved down to Recovery now.

-Right.

Now Neil's already there.

He's a bit drowsy at the minute, but you can pop in later.

DOOR SHUTS

She's in good shape. I'm going to head over there now.

We should both go.

Come on, Andi.

Come on, sweetheart.

Moving on.

I don't think I can face them.

You are officially the only person that still has a problem with any of this.

See me?

I'm over the moon the way things have worked out.

I'd have happily given ten times that...

and you would too.

3.4. OK, we'll increase the Tac to 4 milligrams BD,

-and leave the MMF dose unchanged.

-You all right?

-D'you want to try and eat something?

-I'm not hungry.

You're doing great, Alice.

-You've got colour back in your cheek already.

-Thanks.

-And your uncle's up out of bed already too.

-Seriously?

-Mmm.

-He was in earlier, wasn't he?

-No.

I think he's checked out.

-Geoff...hang on.

-Come on.

-I need a minute, Geoff.

-Don't be daft.

Emma... Is Alice OK?

-We were just going up to see her.

-Do, please. She'd love that. I have to...

-What? What's up?

-Oh, no, Emma, no. It's OK.

-Neil's gone.

He did the right thing, Andi.

I...I need to go.

What d'you want?

-Neil, please come back to the hospital with me.

-You're all right. I've my ticket bought.

Don't be stupid. You've just had an operation.

I don't want to be here any more. I just want to go home.

-Just go, would ya? Agh! Jaysus.

-Neil, please...

-I'll wait with you till the train comes in.

-I just want to go home.

-Alice is... She's doing really well.

-I don't...

Good. I'm glad. I am. She's a good kid.

She is.

And she has a chance now...

..because of you.

I will never forgive myself for the way I've treated you.

I need to say sorry, again...

..and thank you.

Thank you so much.

Never mind "brother"...

..you are a good man.

I'm a bollocks.

You've no idea.

You're not.

You are not.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd