Episode 7

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0:00:31 > 0:00:34JENNIFER WORTH: 'For the women of Nonnatus House,

0:00:34 > 0:00:39'life was composed of countless tender disciplines.

0:00:39 > 0:00:43'For every word not spoken in the precious nightly silence,

0:00:43 > 0:00:47'prayers had to be offered, and rituals performed.

0:01:05 > 0:01:07'For every sweet hour stolen,

0:01:07 > 0:01:09'there was penance paid.

0:01:14 > 0:01:18'And even fleeting, golden moments

0:01:18 > 0:01:21'called for sacrifice and courage.

0:01:21 > 0:01:23'Nothing came entirely easily.

0:01:23 > 0:01:25'And, yet, all hardship was embraced,

0:01:25 > 0:01:28'because that was the way the wind blew.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30'That was the way that things were done.'

0:01:59 > 0:02:01Daisy!

0:02:01 > 0:02:04- For crying out loud, will you put a bit more into it?!- All right.

0:02:31 > 0:02:33Lou! Lou!

0:02:33 > 0:02:36Your mother ain't well! Get up on that path and help her!

0:02:48 > 0:02:50I'm sure you deserved it.

0:02:50 > 0:02:53LAUGHTER

0:02:53 > 0:02:55And a round of applause for the Beverley Sisters!

0:02:55 > 0:02:57Better late than never.

0:02:57 > 0:02:59We're not late. It's eight on the dot.

0:02:59 > 0:03:02If you spent less time lathering on the eye-black, Nurse Franklin,

0:03:02 > 0:03:04you'd have been down here five minutes ago

0:03:04 > 0:03:10and ready to start work at eight on the dot, like Sister Mary Cynthia.

0:03:10 > 0:03:12I'd be careful, if I were you, Nurse Mount.

0:03:12 > 0:03:13It may be October,

0:03:13 > 0:03:16but there's plenty of flies still looking for a home.

0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Morning!- Good morning, Master Turner.

0:03:19 > 0:03:22You're looking very spruce.

0:03:22 > 0:03:23New blazer?

0:03:23 > 0:03:26Yes, although it's still purple, unfortunately.

0:03:26 > 0:03:28So I see.

0:03:28 > 0:03:29Insulin?

0:03:29 > 0:03:32My mum asked me to drop it off. And she says can Sister Julienne

0:03:32 > 0:03:34call in at the practice after surgery hours?

0:03:34 > 0:03:37I'll tell her. She's already asked to see me in her office.

0:03:37 > 0:03:39Thank you.

0:03:39 > 0:03:42Sister. Your courage and your forbearance

0:03:42 > 0:03:48over the last few weeks has been admirable in every conceivable way.

0:03:48 > 0:03:51- You have my absolute respect. - Thank you.

0:03:51 > 0:03:55But I haven't done anything out of the ordinary. I just carried on.

0:03:55 > 0:03:58And it is for that very reason that I have wanted to send you

0:03:58 > 0:04:01to the Mother House ever since you were attacked.

0:04:01 > 0:04:04You deserve to spend time in prayer and reflection,

0:04:04 > 0:04:06but I haven't been able to spare you.

0:04:06 > 0:04:10We have no idea when Sister Evangelina will re-join us.

0:04:12 > 0:04:13Or even if.

0:04:13 > 0:04:17But she said she was going to the silent order for six months.

0:04:17 > 0:04:19And the six months is over,

0:04:19 > 0:04:22and we've scarcely heard a word from her.

0:04:22 > 0:04:25But why would she choose an enclosed life?

0:04:25 > 0:04:28Why would she choose to give up midwifery?

0:04:29 > 0:04:31It may not be a choice.

0:04:31 > 0:04:33She may've found a different calling.

0:04:37 > 0:04:41A new superfluity of apples abandoned upon our step!

0:04:41 > 0:04:44I think these are russets and like to be as hard as swedes.

0:04:44 > 0:04:48I'm quite sure that Mrs B can find something wonderful to do with them.

0:04:48 > 0:04:50Again?

0:04:50 > 0:04:56Again. Personally, I'm glad to be spared another marrow.

0:05:10 > 0:05:11LIFT DINGS

0:05:24 > 0:05:28MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO, WOMAN HUMS ALONG

0:05:35 > 0:05:37KNOCK ON DOOR

0:05:37 > 0:05:38Midwife calling!

0:05:38 > 0:05:40Mrs Matlin?

0:05:42 > 0:05:43Oh, get down!

0:05:43 > 0:05:46You could hurt yourself!

0:05:46 > 0:05:49I can't stop myself, nurse. Yesterday, it was cleaning.

0:05:49 > 0:05:51And when there was nothing left to clean, I started painting.

0:05:51 > 0:05:54Please let me finish - I've only got one more stroke with the brush.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56In which case, I shall do it.

0:05:56 > 0:05:57But it's not your job.

0:05:57 > 0:06:00My job is looking after you, and that involves

0:06:00 > 0:06:03stopping you falling, A, off this chair and, B, out of the window.

0:06:03 > 0:06:06Anyone falling would make a right mess, from eight floors up!

0:06:06 > 0:06:09It'd be like Tom and Jerry, where they fall off the roof

0:06:09 > 0:06:11and leave a cat-shaped hole in the pavement.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Or a mouse-shaped hole.- Hello.

0:06:14 > 0:06:15Hello, love.

0:06:15 > 0:06:16What's happening?

0:06:16 > 0:06:19Your wife is in the grip of what's known as the nesting instinct,

0:06:19 > 0:06:23- Mr Matlin. She needed a bit of a hand.- Thanks.

0:06:26 > 0:06:30I must say, this is one of the nicest flats I've been to.

0:06:30 > 0:06:33We had a wedding list. There was one in Woman's Own you could cut out.

0:06:33 > 0:06:35We got the lot except for the sherry glasses.

0:06:35 > 0:06:38Pretty much everything we wanted. Didn't we, Leslie?

0:06:47 > 0:06:49So...

0:06:49 > 0:06:51the contraceptive pill.

0:06:51 > 0:06:54Licensed for distribution within weeks.

0:06:54 > 0:06:57It's been talked about for so long, it's hardly a surprise.

0:06:57 > 0:07:01No. But it is a challenge.

0:07:01 > 0:07:04Well, of course it's a challenge, Sister.

0:07:04 > 0:07:06Antibiotics were a challenge once.

0:07:06 > 0:07:08Antibiotics were also a miracle.

0:07:08 > 0:07:11And you think the contraceptive pill isn't?

0:07:13 > 0:07:16It's a miracle with moral implications, Dr Turner.

0:07:18 > 0:07:22With other forms of contraception, you refer the patient

0:07:22 > 0:07:26to a family planning clinic, which you can't do unless they're married.

0:07:26 > 0:07:29Exactly. But with the pill,

0:07:29 > 0:07:32the Minister for Health has issued no such guidelines.

0:07:32 > 0:07:37- Yet.- And that's the most exciting thing. If I can prescribe it,

0:07:37 > 0:07:40single women will benefit, too.

0:07:40 > 0:07:41Quite.

0:07:41 > 0:07:44You know the statistics as well as I do.

0:07:44 > 0:07:4710% of babies in Poplar are born illegitimate.

0:07:47 > 0:07:50With all the heartache and stigma that implies.

0:07:52 > 0:07:54I don't doubt that you've looked at this

0:07:54 > 0:07:58from every conceivable medical and social angle.

0:07:58 > 0:08:03However, whilst there is nothing in Anglican teaching to forbid

0:08:03 > 0:08:08birth control, the church does take a view on matters of morality.

0:08:09 > 0:08:12As Mrs Turner, at least, will be aware.

0:08:14 > 0:08:16Well, of course.

0:08:17 > 0:08:18Have a lemon puff.

0:08:21 > 0:08:23Is there anything plainer?

0:08:25 > 0:08:29I have some arrowroot biscuits. I'll pop and fetch them.

0:08:32 > 0:08:34KNOCK ON DOOR, IT OPENS

0:08:34 > 0:08:37Tea is on the table, Sister.

0:08:37 > 0:08:40I shan't join you today.

0:08:40 > 0:08:43I feel I need to spend some quiet time in chapel.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Perhaps you'd say grace instead? - Of course.

0:09:07 > 0:09:09DOORBELL RINGS

0:09:17 > 0:09:19Everyone's out on their evening rounds.

0:09:19 > 0:09:22Apart from me, because I'm on call.

0:09:22 > 0:09:23Good.

0:09:26 > 0:09:27Ooh...

0:09:27 > 0:09:29Have you bought shares in Brylcreem?

0:09:29 > 0:09:32Funeral. People expect a certain level of grooming.

0:09:32 > 0:09:34Oh.

0:09:36 > 0:09:39So, that's Peggy May,

0:09:39 > 0:09:42Rose Willow, Golden Maid,

0:09:42 > 0:09:45Sweet Alice, and Dora Deane.

0:09:45 > 0:09:48Sounds like a line-up of chorus girls.

0:09:50 > 0:09:52It's all rather quaint, really.

0:09:52 > 0:09:55I don't know why Nurse Crane insisted we came down together.

0:09:55 > 0:09:57Oh, um, little girl?

0:09:59 > 0:10:01Do you know of a barge called the Molly Belle?

0:10:01 > 0:10:05Yes. It's where I live. It's up there.

0:10:05 > 0:10:09Is your mother's name Marguerite Blacker?

0:10:09 > 0:10:10Yeah, but they call her Daisy.

0:10:15 > 0:10:19You can always trust Trixie to have the latest records in.

0:10:19 > 0:10:21MUSIC STARTS

0:10:23 > 0:10:25# Hi, tiger

0:10:27 > 0:10:32# Teach me, tiger, how to kiss you

0:10:33 > 0:10:35# Wah wah wah wah wah

0:10:35 > 0:10:39# Show me, tiger, how to kiss you

0:10:40 > 0:10:43# Wah wah wah wah wah

0:10:43 > 0:10:51# Take my lips, they belong to you

0:10:51 > 0:10:58# But teach me first Teach me what to do

0:11:00 > 0:11:05# Touch me, tiger when I'm close to you

0:11:05 > 0:11:08# Wah wah wah wah wah

0:11:08 > 0:11:11# Tiger

0:11:13 > 0:11:17# Tiger

0:11:18 > 0:11:20# Tiger... #

0:11:21 > 0:11:25It is good of you to come. But I'm feeling much better now.

0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Not that much better. - Don't contradict your mother, Lou.

0:11:28 > 0:11:30They were good to her at the hospital,

0:11:30 > 0:11:32but they said she was all right to leave.

0:11:32 > 0:11:36I'm sorry. We've interrupted you during your meal.

0:11:36 > 0:11:39If you telephone this number at any time of the day or night,

0:11:39 > 0:11:42you can speak to a midwife about any aspect of your pregnancy.

0:11:42 > 0:11:44There's no need to make an appointment.

0:11:44 > 0:11:46Might not be 'ere that long.

0:11:46 > 0:11:50We're in with a chance of a cargo going up to Manchester.

0:11:50 > 0:11:51But thank you.

0:11:53 > 0:11:55Lou, take that piece of paper off the lady.

0:11:58 > 0:12:01Come on down, have a look at her.

0:12:01 > 0:12:03No harm in putting minds at rest.

0:12:11 > 0:12:14Dunno know why I took on so funny this morning.

0:12:14 > 0:12:17I was only working the lock, and I do it all the time,

0:12:17 > 0:12:20like me ma and me grandma did before me.

0:12:20 > 0:12:22Locks are women's work. Always have been.

0:12:22 > 0:12:24Like this.

0:12:24 > 0:12:27If this is women's work, you're rather good at it.

0:12:27 > 0:12:29Baby's heartbeat's wonderfully strong.

0:12:29 > 0:12:32Felt like a failure, being taken to the hospital.

0:12:32 > 0:12:34Having them do blood tests.

0:12:34 > 0:12:36I should be able to get the results tomorrow.

0:12:36 > 0:12:39And I can bring them here for you, or you could come by our clinic?

0:12:39 > 0:12:42There are things we can give you for your other children -

0:12:42 > 0:12:46free orange juice, and so forth, or rosehip syrup if you prefer.

0:12:46 > 0:12:49Rosehip? You can do a lot with rosehips.

0:12:49 > 0:12:51I make tea with them sometimes.

0:12:53 > 0:12:56You've been awfully good to me, but I really shouldn't keep you.

0:12:59 > 0:13:00RECORD CRACKLES

0:13:03 > 0:13:05Tom.

0:13:06 > 0:13:07People will be home soon.

0:13:09 > 0:13:10True.

0:13:15 > 0:13:16Oh, no.

0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Oh, Tom!- What?

0:13:19 > 0:13:23- The wall's covered in Brylcreem! From your head!- No!

0:13:25 > 0:13:27Oh, it's not coming off.

0:13:27 > 0:13:29Oh, I'm just making it more shiny.

0:13:29 > 0:13:32Well, you'll have to say you tripped up with the butter dish.

0:13:36 > 0:13:38Oh, Mr Hereward. What a nice surprise,

0:13:38 > 0:13:41you must've come to join us for Compline.

0:13:41 > 0:13:44Yes. I have. Indeed.

0:13:48 > 0:13:52Poor Mrs Blacker. It was like trying to get a bird to eat out of my hand.

0:13:52 > 0:13:54One false move, and she'd fly away.

0:13:54 > 0:13:57I wish it wasn't so hard to give help to the people that need it.

0:13:57 > 0:14:01And, you know, none of those children go to school.

0:14:01 > 0:14:03I checked while you were in the cabin.

0:14:03 > 0:14:05The eldest, Lou, is already 11

0:14:05 > 0:14:07and I'm not sure she can even read or write.

0:14:07 > 0:14:09The whole family's completely itinerant.

0:14:09 > 0:14:12Never in the same place for more than a week or so,

0:14:12 > 0:14:14they travel huge distances.

0:14:14 > 0:14:16There must be ways around that.

0:14:16 > 0:14:18Well, Mrs Blacker was quite surprised

0:14:18 > 0:14:21when I told her all the things she was entitled to.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24Trouble is, I'm not sure whether she wants to accept them.

0:14:29 > 0:14:34Barge people are a law unto themselves, they always were.

0:14:35 > 0:14:39They don't call them water gypsies for no reason. I...

0:14:41 > 0:14:44Good grief! Where did that stain on the wallpaper come from?

0:14:45 > 0:14:47What stain?

0:14:47 > 0:14:50Oh, dear. I do hope it isn't another patch of damp.

0:14:50 > 0:14:53Sister Julienne's worried the building's getting wet rot.

0:14:53 > 0:14:56Ooh, perhaps it's just an optical illusion.

0:14:56 > 0:14:58This isn't moisture.

0:14:58 > 0:14:59It's grease!

0:15:00 > 0:15:05I surmise a manifestation from another realm.

0:15:05 > 0:15:08Spirits have been known to talk through

0:15:08 > 0:15:11the approbation of strange substances.

0:15:11 > 0:15:15Whatever it is, it's strange enough.

0:15:15 > 0:15:17It smells rather masculine to me.

0:15:17 > 0:15:19Masculine?

0:15:19 > 0:15:23Though what it's doing six feet up the wall is anybody's guess!

0:15:23 > 0:15:27- Good morning, ladies. - ALL: Good morning, Sister.

0:15:27 > 0:15:30Nurse Crane will issue the morning's schedule after breakfast.

0:15:30 > 0:15:35But this evening, I would like you all to attend

0:15:35 > 0:15:38a special seminar here at Nonnatus House.

0:15:38 > 0:15:43I have an obligation this evening. I have it every week.

0:15:44 > 0:15:45Of course. I'm sorry.

0:15:46 > 0:15:51After a great deal of prayer and reflection, I have asked

0:15:51 > 0:15:54Dr Turner to come and talk to us about the new contraceptive pill,

0:15:54 > 0:15:57which will be available within the next few weeks.

0:15:57 > 0:15:59That's absolutely tremendous news!

0:15:59 > 0:16:03I've also invited Mr Hereward to join us,

0:16:03 > 0:16:06so he can give us a Christian perspective.

0:16:06 > 0:16:08It's a shame Sister Evangelina isn't here.

0:16:08 > 0:16:11She'd have had plenty to say about it all!

0:16:11 > 0:16:14Sister Evangelina has elected to be absent.

0:16:14 > 0:16:17We must proceed without her view.

0:16:22 > 0:16:24FRONT DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

0:16:26 > 0:16:30There were Worcesters today, and there were crab apples.

0:16:30 > 0:16:33The latter still with the tang of Epping Forest upon them.

0:16:33 > 0:16:38I'm sure no-one will object to us sharing our good fortune.

0:16:38 > 0:16:42Before you apply the term "good fortune" to this glut,

0:16:42 > 0:16:45I suggest you hear the opinion of my bowels!

0:16:47 > 0:16:49I sense this is a personal letter,

0:16:49 > 0:16:52since you intend to dispatch it yourself?

0:16:52 > 0:16:54Yes. It is.

0:16:54 > 0:16:56It is to Sister Evangelina.

0:16:58 > 0:17:01I did not think we should ever have to plead with her.

0:17:01 > 0:17:02Nor did I.

0:17:04 > 0:17:06But time has passed. And who knows what has passed

0:17:06 > 0:17:08between our Sister and the Lord?

0:17:08 > 0:17:11And who knows what addlement her mind has suffered,

0:17:11 > 0:17:14closeted in ostentatious silence?

0:17:16 > 0:17:22Evangelina is a woman built for noise and motion,

0:17:22 > 0:17:26designed to hear His voice above the din of living.

0:17:26 > 0:17:32- Sister, please...- You fear what will become of us if she does not return.

0:17:32 > 0:17:36I fear what will become of HER.

0:17:36 > 0:17:38As do I.

0:17:38 > 0:17:41And now, I am going to post my letter.

0:18:04 > 0:18:05Excellent!

0:18:07 > 0:18:11Oh! Very good.

0:18:15 > 0:18:17- There we are.- Thank you.

0:18:20 > 0:18:23You haven't gained anything in a month, Gina.

0:18:23 > 0:18:24Top of the milk for you,

0:18:24 > 0:18:26and make sure you help yourself to an extra potato.

0:18:26 > 0:18:29That being said, I'm not sure how much longer you've got left.

0:18:29 > 0:18:31There's still nothing doing, Nurse.

0:18:31 > 0:18:34I thought, if I came down here, it might stop me painting the bathroom.

0:18:34 > 0:18:35Or me husband.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Ah, is he getting restless, too? - Not so's you'd notice.

0:18:38 > 0:18:41It's like he don't even know there's a baby on the way.

0:18:46 > 0:18:49Thank you, Sister. I'm sorry to have kept you.

0:18:49 > 0:18:51Some blood results came back from the London.

0:18:51 > 0:18:53- One or two will need attention. - Thank you.

0:18:53 > 0:18:56Could you pop over to the side room, Sister?

0:18:56 > 0:18:59This week's unmarried mothers are ready to catch the bus

0:18:59 > 0:19:02- to the station. You just need to sign those final forms.- Of course.

0:19:08 > 0:19:11- Good afternoon. May I help you? - I had another dizzy do.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13The red-headed nurse said I could come here,

0:19:13 > 0:19:15but I only want to talk to her.

0:19:15 > 0:19:18Of course. Take a seat. And I'll fetch Nurse Mount.

0:19:20 > 0:19:22It was my husband made me come.

0:19:22 > 0:19:25I had a hard time having Jonah, it took me ages to pick up afterwards.

0:19:25 > 0:19:27These things do all get rather harder with age.

0:19:27 > 0:19:29Where was Jonah born?

0:19:29 > 0:19:31In a barge, like the others.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34I always liked the quiet, the being on me own...

0:19:34 > 0:19:35On your own?

0:19:35 > 0:19:37But maybe not this time.

0:19:37 > 0:19:40Well, we can look after you when you deliver.

0:19:40 > 0:19:42And keep an eye on your blood pressure, which is rather low.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45The London blood tests showed that you're also anaemic,

0:19:45 > 0:19:48so our rather lovely doctor can prescribe you iron pills.

0:19:48 > 0:19:50Will they cost much?

0:19:50 > 0:19:51Just the prescription fee.

0:19:51 > 0:19:55Only my Joe had to turn down a Birmingham cargo today,

0:19:55 > 0:19:56cos of me coming here.

0:19:58 > 0:19:59Where's Lou?

0:19:59 > 0:20:02Doing crepe paper handicrafts with the other children.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04And being quite the bossy-boots, from the look of things.

0:20:04 > 0:20:06She's like a second mum to my three lads.

0:20:06 > 0:20:09I call her my right hand.

0:20:09 > 0:20:11- Knock, knock! - Come in, Doctor.

0:20:11 > 0:20:14I was just telling Mrs Blacker what a sterling service we provide.

0:20:14 > 0:20:18No stone left unturned in pursuit of a happy outcome!

0:20:18 > 0:20:22Which means that we need to give you a bit of extra care, Mrs Blacker.

0:20:22 > 0:20:25- The nurse said about the iron pills.- Yes.

0:20:25 > 0:20:29And I'd also like to book you into our maternity home for bed rest.

0:20:33 > 0:20:35I do appreciate that it will be a wrench for you to be away

0:20:35 > 0:20:38from your children, Mrs Blacker.

0:20:38 > 0:20:41But you need to put your new baby - and yourself - first for a while.

0:20:41 > 0:20:44We do everything together. All of us.

0:20:44 > 0:20:46We're never apart.

0:20:46 > 0:20:48Your husband and children can visit every evening,

0:20:48 > 0:20:51between five and seven, longer at weekends.

0:20:52 > 0:20:54That sounds all right.

0:20:54 > 0:20:57And they'll have so much to tell you every day.

0:20:57 > 0:21:00The school has room for all four of them - Jonah and Barney will be

0:21:00 > 0:21:04in the same class and Lou can meet up with them every day at playtime.

0:21:05 > 0:21:07Do you want to go to school, or do you want to stop with Dad?

0:21:07 > 0:21:08School.

0:21:12 > 0:21:14All right.

0:21:14 > 0:21:18Very wise. So, if I could just get you to confirm that I've entered

0:21:18 > 0:21:21your name, address and birthdate correctly on the booking form,

0:21:21 > 0:21:24we're all shipshape and Bristol fashion.

0:21:24 > 0:21:26I haven't brought me glasses.

0:21:28 > 0:21:31Not to worry. I'll fine-tune the paperwork.

0:21:34 > 0:21:37MUSIC: By The Light Of The Silvery Moon by The Black and White Minstrels

0:21:37 > 0:21:40Sister Monica Joan, I really don't think Dr Turner wants to be

0:21:40 > 0:21:43competing with the Black and White Minstrels.

0:21:43 > 0:21:46The room required cleansing with glad acts,

0:21:46 > 0:21:51for it had been unsettled by the advent of strange medicine.

0:21:51 > 0:21:53What's happened to trouble you, Sister?

0:21:53 > 0:21:56The mark of it remains quite plain...

0:21:58 > 0:22:00..upon the wall.

0:22:02 > 0:22:05Put these back in the kitchen. They're for after the talk.

0:22:09 > 0:22:14- # By the silvery moon - The moon, the moon

0:22:14 > 0:22:19- # By the silvery moon - The moon, the moon

0:22:19 > 0:22:24# By the silvery moon... #

0:22:24 > 0:22:27In the United States, the pill was initially only approved

0:22:27 > 0:22:30as a treatment for menstrual disorders.

0:22:30 > 0:22:34But hundreds of thousands of American women are now taking it

0:22:34 > 0:22:39as a contraceptive and it has been declared to be 100% effective

0:22:39 > 0:22:41in preventing pregnancy.

0:22:41 > 0:22:45One of the best things about this method of contraception

0:22:45 > 0:22:48is that it's completely within the control of the woman.

0:22:48 > 0:22:51Some men aren't going to like that.

0:22:51 > 0:22:53Listen, I've spent quite enough afternoons

0:22:53 > 0:22:58in family planning clinics rolling sheaths onto a wooden...

0:22:58 > 0:23:00Excuse me, Sister, may I say penis?

0:23:00 > 0:23:02By all means.

0:23:02 > 0:23:06..wooden penis, trying to convince mothers of five or six children

0:23:06 > 0:23:09that barrier methods are the way ahead.

0:23:09 > 0:23:13Time and again, you get the same response. "My Eddie won't."

0:23:13 > 0:23:15"My Ted can't."

0:23:15 > 0:23:19"My Billy says, it's like going for a paddle with your socks on."

0:23:19 > 0:23:22SOME CHUCKLING, HE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

0:23:25 > 0:23:29There are so many things about sobriety that surprised me.

0:23:29 > 0:23:33Everybody's journey here seems to begin with such a bang.

0:23:33 > 0:23:38The torrents of tears, the phone calls in the dead of night.

0:23:38 > 0:23:40The wanting to die.

0:23:41 > 0:23:45My experience was no different.

0:23:45 > 0:23:48But what nobody tells you - or at least what nobody told me

0:23:48 > 0:23:53in almost a year of dragging myself here on the 49 bus -

0:23:53 > 0:23:58is that life without a drink can be so appallingly boring.

0:23:59 > 0:24:02The drag -

0:24:02 > 0:24:04the utter drag -

0:24:04 > 0:24:07of Horlicks every night.

0:24:07 > 0:24:10The tedium of barley water with your Sunday lunch.

0:24:10 > 0:24:13Oh, it used to be such fun to mix a drink, thinking,

0:24:13 > 0:24:16"What can I put in this Campari to make it a brighter colour,

0:24:16 > 0:24:18"give it more bite?"

0:24:18 > 0:24:21Oh, and I so loved the smell of maraschino cherries.

0:24:23 > 0:24:26I loved the lipstick red of them...

0:24:27 > 0:24:31..and the way other people smiled as I speared the...

0:24:31 > 0:24:34cherry on a cocktail stick.

0:24:34 > 0:24:37It was such a wonderfully frivolous thing.

0:24:37 > 0:24:41It meant that I was with friends. That I wasn't alone.

0:24:44 > 0:24:48I don't bother much with maraschino cherries any more,

0:24:48 > 0:24:52I don't even put them in my Horlicks, or my barley water -

0:24:52 > 0:24:54they taste revolting.

0:24:54 > 0:24:56THEY LAUGH

0:24:56 > 0:24:59I don't need them.

0:24:59 > 0:25:01I know that fun doesn't come in bottles now.

0:25:02 > 0:25:05I know the value of sobriety...

0:25:07 > 0:25:10..and I know what friendship really is, what it means.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15I always did, I just couldn't see it.

0:25:16 > 0:25:19I owe the 49 bus rather a lot, all things considered.

0:25:19 > 0:25:21THEY LAUGH

0:25:25 > 0:25:30And I owe you - all of you - even more.

0:25:31 > 0:25:32Thank you.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37Like any method of contraception,

0:25:37 > 0:25:40you have to use it religiously, or it doesn't work.

0:25:40 > 0:25:41And there are some groups of women

0:25:41 > 0:25:44who'll find taking daily medication difficult.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47Which could be a catastrophe, if they are single.

0:25:48 > 0:25:53I'm extremely concerned that we do nothing to promote...

0:25:53 > 0:25:58recreational intercourse and I'm sure Mr Hereward feels the same.

0:26:00 > 0:26:03Well, what are the government guidelines?

0:26:03 > 0:26:08Mr Hereward, shouldn't you be more concerned with church teachings

0:26:08 > 0:26:10than government guidelines?

0:26:10 > 0:26:13Well, I do think we have to be mindful of the Bible.

0:26:13 > 0:26:15When Paul wrote to the Corinthians,

0:26:15 > 0:26:17he said, "There is too much immorality among you.

0:26:17 > 0:26:22"Let each man keep to his own wife and each woman to her own husband."

0:26:22 > 0:26:24Well, how on earth can that be relevant?

0:26:24 > 0:26:26Contraception wasn't invented then.

0:26:26 > 0:26:29Times change, but the value of marriage remains constant.

0:26:29 > 0:26:34So, say there's a young woman, she's 19 or 20

0:26:34 > 0:26:38and she's in love with a boy - who's in love with her -

0:26:38 > 0:26:44and she knows and he knows that they can't keep fighting this desire

0:26:44 > 0:26:47that's drawing them together.

0:26:47 > 0:26:49Would you have them risk everything -

0:26:49 > 0:26:51their reputation, their peace of mind -

0:26:51 > 0:26:54because they simply can't help themselves?

0:26:54 > 0:26:57I'd be obliged to counsel self-restraint.

0:27:00 > 0:27:04And, with Mr Hereward's wise words, it's time we drew this to a close.

0:27:06 > 0:27:09Nurse Gilbert, I believe you're first on call.

0:27:09 > 0:27:13Tom, how could you sit there and lecture people on self-restraint

0:27:13 > 0:27:16in a room where your Brylcreem has made a mark on the wall

0:27:16 > 0:27:18as big as an elephant's face?

0:27:18 > 0:27:20I wasn't lecturing.

0:27:20 > 0:27:22Sister Julienne put me on the spot.

0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Well, you hadn't said a word till then!- Well, nobody asked me to.

0:27:25 > 0:27:30And I could hardly chip in, you were talking about medicine and menstr...

0:27:30 > 0:27:32Menstruation.

0:27:32 > 0:27:34Both subjects about which I know nothing.

0:27:34 > 0:27:36Well, maybe you should learn!

0:27:36 > 0:27:40If you're going to go around family planning meetings like some sort of...moral advisor.

0:27:42 > 0:27:44Barbara, are you saying you believe in sex before marriage?

0:27:44 > 0:27:49No, I'm saying I believe it happens -

0:27:49 > 0:27:52and I know how it happens.

0:27:52 > 0:27:56I'm sorry, it's Gina Matlin's first and she's gone into labour.

0:27:56 > 0:27:58She'll be fretting until someone arrives.

0:28:02 > 0:28:04Can I have a kiss?

0:28:05 > 0:28:06Just the one.

0:28:10 > 0:28:12Tiger.

0:28:24 > 0:28:27Oh, Gina...

0:28:27 > 0:28:30you've had a long night, but this is normal -

0:28:30 > 0:28:35especially with a first baby - and you are doing so well.

0:28:35 > 0:28:40No, I'm not. It hurts. It hurts so much and that gas is useless!

0:28:40 > 0:28:44Oh, it's not useless. It's run out.

0:28:44 > 0:28:45SHE SOBS

0:28:45 > 0:28:47Mr Matlin?

0:28:47 > 0:28:51- Mr Matlin! - I'm sorry, I fell asleep.

0:28:51 > 0:28:53And I'm sorry I had to wake you,

0:28:53 > 0:28:57but I need you to make a phone call for me.

0:28:57 > 0:28:59You lot behave yourselves, now.

0:29:01 > 0:29:04- And you.- Nurse Mount'll keep me in order, I reckon.

0:29:15 > 0:29:18I may not be on horseback, but consider me the cavalry.

0:29:18 > 0:29:21Gina, this baby's well on its way

0:29:21 > 0:29:24and we've brought more gas to get us through the home stretch.

0:29:24 > 0:29:27Shall I take over, you look done in.

0:29:32 > 0:29:34You yell your head off, if you fancy it, Gina.

0:29:34 > 0:29:36That's the last you'll be having

0:29:36 > 0:29:39- without some help. - CRIES OF PAIN

0:29:41 > 0:29:45- Am I the only one in here? - Yes, you're lucky.

0:29:45 > 0:29:49- We're unusually quiet at the moment. - Ceiling's so high.

0:29:49 > 0:29:52Makes me feel dizzy, even though I'm not.

0:29:53 > 0:29:56Your blood pressure's rather good today.

0:29:56 > 0:29:58Morning, Mrs Blacker.

0:29:58 > 0:30:00A doctor will be here to check you over shortly

0:30:00 > 0:30:04and I've come to ask if you want a soft or a hardboiled egg.

0:30:04 > 0:30:07I have bread in the mornings, usually.

0:30:07 > 0:30:10- Eggs are surprisingly rich in iron. - What's this?

0:30:10 > 0:30:13Nightdress, dressing gown and slippers.

0:30:13 > 0:30:17- I told you everything would be provided.- No. I mean - what's this?

0:30:17 > 0:30:20It says "Property of Kenilworth Row Maternity Home."

0:30:20 > 0:30:22We write that on everything.

0:30:25 > 0:30:28Baby's with us as far as his shoulders, Gina.

0:30:28 > 0:30:32If you can give me one more massive, brave push -

0:30:32 > 0:30:35you'll have him in your arms.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37SHE PANTS

0:30:38 > 0:30:40SHE GROANS

0:30:47 > 0:30:49BABY CRIES

0:30:54 > 0:30:58Oh, lass, you put the graft in and here's your reward!

0:30:58 > 0:31:03A little boy, Gina, and just wait till you see him.

0:31:05 > 0:31:07BABY CRIES

0:31:14 > 0:31:17You've got a little smasher there, you really have.

0:31:17 > 0:31:20Your husband will be grinning from ear to ear.

0:31:23 > 0:31:26I don't reckon Leslie wants any of this -

0:31:26 > 0:31:30the baby, or a wife.

0:31:30 > 0:31:32Gina, I'm sure that isn't true.

0:31:32 > 0:31:37We'd only been courting three months and we had to get married.

0:31:37 > 0:31:40It's not what either of us planned.

0:31:40 > 0:31:45I came round to it - I couldn't help it, once I felt him kicking...

0:31:46 > 0:31:49..but I don't think Leslie ever did.

0:31:55 > 0:31:57He's so soft.

0:31:59 > 0:32:05Leslie said we could call him Robert, if he was a boy, after his grandad.

0:32:07 > 0:32:11But I just don't think he really wanted him...

0:32:11 > 0:32:13or me.

0:32:13 > 0:32:16Except for in the way he shouldn't have.

0:32:17 > 0:32:20It's far too late to be crying about that now.

0:32:21 > 0:32:23THEY SIGH

0:32:23 > 0:32:25- Barley sugar?- Oh, yes, please!

0:32:27 > 0:32:30It's a rotten business, isn't it? Having to get married.

0:32:30 > 0:32:35Well, there's plenty make a decent fist of it...and plenty don't.

0:32:35 > 0:32:38Though, it's still better than what my mother went through

0:32:38 > 0:32:41when she had me out of wedlock.

0:32:41 > 0:32:43Oh, I don't mention it much.

0:32:44 > 0:32:47Suffice to say, it made its mark.

0:32:48 > 0:32:51During the war, all morals were tossed to the winds,

0:32:51 > 0:32:55but even so, when the opportunity of a weekend in Cleveleys with

0:32:55 > 0:32:59an Air Force sergeant presented itself, I nearly chickened out.

0:32:59 > 0:33:01NEARLY chickened out?

0:33:01 > 0:33:04I did the appropriate research

0:33:04 > 0:33:09and purchased a hygienic douche through the small advertisements.

0:33:09 > 0:33:11It was called the Omega Spray.

0:33:13 > 0:33:15It involved a certain amount of fiddle-faddle,

0:33:15 > 0:33:18but we managed well enough.

0:33:18 > 0:33:22I shall always have very fond memories of Cleveleys.

0:33:22 > 0:33:27Phyllis, what happened to him? The Air Force sergeant?

0:33:27 > 0:33:31- Killed, over Germany, in 1941.- Oh.

0:33:31 > 0:33:35It made me very glad we'd seized the moment.

0:33:39 > 0:33:41It's almost a full moon.

0:33:42 > 0:33:46Sister Monica Joan is convinced full moons are our busiest nights.

0:33:46 > 0:33:50I did a stint on psychiatric once - used to say the same thing there.

0:33:55 > 0:33:58I wish the Blacker children had got on better at school.

0:33:58 > 0:34:03When they visited Daisy, I heard them telling her the other children had been horrible.

0:34:03 > 0:34:05Lou doesn't want to go again.

0:34:05 > 0:34:09- Do they smell? - Lots of children smell.

0:34:09 > 0:34:12In any given vaccination queue, you can tell who's been rehoused

0:34:12 > 0:34:15somewhere with a bathroom and who hasn't.

0:34:15 > 0:34:19The Blacker children are never going to have a bathroom

0:34:19 > 0:34:21and their clothes are a problem, too.

0:34:21 > 0:34:25Pats, next time we both have the same night off...

0:34:26 > 0:34:29..I want to go to Gateways Club.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31Why?

0:34:31 > 0:34:33Because there are women like us there!

0:34:33 > 0:34:36We've discussed this!

0:34:36 > 0:34:39I don't want to be with "women like us", I just want to be with you.

0:34:39 > 0:34:44We can hold hands there. Dance there.

0:34:44 > 0:34:46Be in a crowd and be invisible.

0:34:47 > 0:34:49I'm sorry.

0:34:50 > 0:34:54- There you go, pass that down. Well done.- Ta.

0:34:56 > 0:34:58We'll rinse the lotion off your hair and just trim the ends

0:34:58 > 0:35:00before you change into some nice smart clothes.

0:35:00 > 0:35:03I don't want us to be late, they'll pick on us if we are.

0:35:03 > 0:35:05Miss Dawkins said you could come in at ten and go straight

0:35:05 > 0:35:08to Music and Movement. And no-one will pick on you,

0:35:08 > 0:35:11wearing those lovely fresh knickers and vests.

0:35:11 > 0:35:13Here we are!

0:35:13 > 0:35:17There's something for everyone, including ribbons for Lou's plaits.

0:35:23 > 0:35:27Perfect! The rest is clearly doing everything we hoped.

0:35:27 > 0:35:29I feel like it might happen today.

0:35:29 > 0:35:31According to your dates, you're not quite due.

0:35:31 > 0:35:34Let's see what Mother Nature has in store.

0:35:34 > 0:35:37- Mummy!- Look who I found coming up the stairs!- Come here!

0:35:37 > 0:35:38SHE LAUGHS

0:35:38 > 0:35:40What's this, then?

0:35:40 > 0:35:42What's happened?

0:35:42 > 0:35:45Well, nurse got them spruced up a bit.

0:35:45 > 0:35:47We thought you'd be pleased.

0:35:47 > 0:35:50Pleased that they look nothing like 'emselves?

0:35:50 > 0:35:51SHE SNIFFS

0:35:51 > 0:35:54Pleased that they smell of disinfectant?

0:35:54 > 0:35:58It's just delousing lotion. Rather a lovely fresh smell, I always think.

0:35:58 > 0:36:00My kids don't have lice!

0:36:00 > 0:36:03You get lice in schools and they never went there till yesterday!

0:36:03 > 0:36:06Sister Winifred insisted on it. She always says,

0:36:06 > 0:36:10"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

0:36:10 > 0:36:13And you dressed Lou up like a little girl. Ribbons and ankle socks?

0:36:13 > 0:36:15They're not going to last five minutes on the barge!

0:36:15 > 0:36:19Daisy, Lou just wanted to fit in, to be like everybody else.

0:36:19 > 0:36:21She's not like everybody else.

0:36:21 > 0:36:24She's a bargee, whether you like it or not.

0:36:24 > 0:36:27- We do things our way!- Well, Nurse just wanted what was best for 'em,

0:36:27 > 0:36:28just like I wanted what was best for you.

0:36:28 > 0:36:30I'll tell you what's best for me -

0:36:30 > 0:36:33my own bunk, my own food and not to have

0:36:33 > 0:36:36Property of Somebody Else written all over me in black bloody pen.

0:36:36 > 0:36:40Mrs Blacker, you said yourself you didn't want to have another baby without help.

0:36:40 > 0:36:44Yeah, there's help - and there's interference.

0:36:44 > 0:36:47- Fetch me my clothes, please. - Daisy...

0:36:47 > 0:36:50By which I mean my own clothes. The ones I came in wearing

0:36:50 > 0:36:53and which are good enough for me. I'm going home.

0:36:53 > 0:36:55- Mrs Blacker...- Fetch 'em!

0:36:57 > 0:36:59WIND HOWLS

0:37:15 > 0:37:17ON TV: 'It's better when you've got a gun in your hand.

0:37:17 > 0:37:19'What are you like without it?' GUNSHOT

0:37:19 > 0:37:24Autumn high tide, I reckon, straight out of Whitaker's Almanack.

0:37:24 > 0:37:26You ought to batten down the hatches.

0:37:26 > 0:37:28I'm sure there's no need for us to be alarmed.

0:37:28 > 0:37:30- PROGRAMME STOPS - Oh!

0:37:30 > 0:37:32TV CRACKLES

0:37:33 > 0:37:35It's blowing up a right storm out there, Sister.

0:37:39 > 0:37:40Oh!

0:37:42 > 0:37:44PHONE RINGS

0:37:44 > 0:37:45Nonnatus House, midwife speaking?

0:37:45 > 0:37:49Hello, can you send a midwife over to the maternity home?

0:37:49 > 0:37:53Mrs Mansoor's just arrived and we already have a lady who's had

0:37:53 > 0:37:55to go straight through to the delivery room.

0:37:55 > 0:37:57On my way, sweetie.

0:38:00 > 0:38:02There's just been a weather warning on the wireless -

0:38:02 > 0:38:04gale-force nine across London.

0:38:04 > 0:38:06That settles it. I'm not going anywhere

0:38:06 > 0:38:10until I've put on at least three layers of hair lacquer.

0:38:10 > 0:38:12PHONE RINGS

0:38:12 > 0:38:13Nonnatus House, midwife speaking?

0:38:20 > 0:38:21Dad!

0:38:21 > 0:38:26Stay down below, Lou, till this blows over.

0:38:26 > 0:38:28It's Mum, she isn't well.

0:38:28 > 0:38:33- Nurse! Nurse... - Oh, my goodness! Are you in labour?

0:38:33 > 0:38:35Either that or I've weed on my bleeding slippers.

0:38:40 > 0:38:44It's swaying. The whole block of flats is actually swaying.

0:38:44 > 0:38:45Is it?

0:38:47 > 0:38:50- You all right?- I dunno.

0:38:50 > 0:38:53I've got an headache and a pain here -

0:38:53 > 0:38:55under my ribs.

0:39:04 > 0:39:07Shall I clear off out? Get the kids from under your feet?

0:39:07 > 0:39:10You can't go walking up and down the towpath in this wind!

0:39:10 > 0:39:12I should be taking you back to that little hospital -

0:39:12 > 0:39:14- or even just fetch that nurse.- No!

0:39:14 > 0:39:17We had words, that nurse and me - bad words - and I meant 'em.

0:39:17 > 0:39:22- Daisy, tell me what to do! - You'll have to go and get a sheet

0:39:22 > 0:39:24and Lou can help me.

0:39:27 > 0:39:29Oh, hello, Mrs Mansoor!

0:39:29 > 0:39:32This is Mrs Wheatley!

0:39:32 > 0:39:34Nurse Franklin, Dr Turner's in the delivery room,

0:39:34 > 0:39:37we have a deep transverse arrest.

0:39:37 > 0:39:40Or maybe we should go straight to Della and Nahima.

0:39:40 > 0:39:44One way or another, I think you two will end up on first name terms!

0:39:44 > 0:39:45NAHIMA GROANS

0:39:45 > 0:39:48Oh, Nahima!

0:39:58 > 0:40:01- I can see flashing lights. - It's just the electrics.

0:40:01 > 0:40:03It keeps flickering with the storm.

0:40:03 > 0:40:07It's like spots or sparkles.

0:40:07 > 0:40:10I can see 'em even when I close me eyes.

0:40:19 > 0:40:21DAISY SCREAMS

0:40:25 > 0:40:28Let's see how things are lining up.

0:40:28 > 0:40:31With a bit of luck, you'll be able to start pushing soon.

0:40:31 > 0:40:33NAHIMA SCREAMS

0:40:33 > 0:40:36Hang on, Nahima! I'll be across in two ticks, I promise!

0:40:39 > 0:40:41Oh.

0:40:43 > 0:40:45SHE WHIMPERS

0:40:45 > 0:40:47It's just the lights in the flat.

0:40:49 > 0:40:50No.

0:40:53 > 0:40:55I can't see properly.

0:40:57 > 0:40:59I'm going to get help.

0:40:59 > 0:41:01BABY CRIES

0:41:15 > 0:41:18I need you to come and see my mum.

0:41:18 > 0:41:20Come in!

0:41:23 > 0:41:25I've got one cable running into the delivery room -

0:41:25 > 0:41:28there's a mother who still needs stitches -

0:41:28 > 0:41:31and we need a working light in the ward!

0:41:31 > 0:41:34Doctor, Mrs Mansoor's baby's crowning!

0:41:34 > 0:41:37Some people have parents who do ordinary jobs.

0:41:37 > 0:41:38Get cranking the handle.

0:41:45 > 0:41:47Sooner them than me!

0:41:57 > 0:41:59Midwife calling!

0:42:02 > 0:42:06This way, Nurse, and mind your head! We've got the water on already.

0:42:10 > 0:42:13Thank you.

0:42:13 > 0:42:18We heard her kicking off yelling and...well, we all know what that sort of racket means, don't we?

0:42:18 > 0:42:21She's calmed down a bit since she's had some company.

0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Hello, nurse. - Any objection to me popping by?

0:42:26 > 0:42:29- I can just leave you with your friends.- Bless you.

0:42:29 > 0:42:33And bless them, never met any of them before!

0:42:33 > 0:42:35Don't mean to say we ain't friends, though.

0:42:35 > 0:42:38We know the life - that means we know each other.

0:42:38 > 0:42:39Yes.

0:42:41 > 0:42:44Come on, then, let's clear out and make some room.

0:42:44 > 0:42:47We'll take the kids down the Golden Maid with their father.

0:42:47 > 0:42:51And what about this one? She looks old enough to come in handy.

0:42:51 > 0:42:56Take her with the other kids. Me and Nurse Mount can manage, can't we?

0:42:56 > 0:43:00Absolutely. And I'll take my lead from you.

0:43:00 > 0:43:04Calm down, take a deep breath and tell me what you mean.

0:43:05 > 0:43:08She, she says she can see flashing lights!

0:43:08 > 0:43:11Go back to Gina and wait with her.

0:43:11 > 0:43:15I'm telephoning for an ambulance and then I'll come straight to you.

0:43:16 > 0:43:20- I require an ambulance, please. Nelson Tower...- 'Yes.'

0:43:20 > 0:43:23Anchorage Estate...

0:43:23 > 0:43:26Flat number... LINE CRACKLES THEN CUTS OFF

0:43:26 > 0:43:29Oh. Hello?

0:43:30 > 0:43:32Hell's teeth!

0:43:36 > 0:43:37Good grief!

0:43:44 > 0:43:46Come on!

0:43:47 > 0:43:49SHE SIGHS

0:43:57 > 0:44:00And that's me excused physical jerks for the rest of the week.

0:44:00 > 0:44:03It's a good job you live on the 8th floor, young lady, not the 18th.

0:44:06 > 0:44:08Let's have a look at you, love.

0:44:15 > 0:44:17Leslie tells me you've had a headache

0:44:17 > 0:44:20and some visual disturbance.

0:44:20 > 0:44:23- Any nausea or vomiting? - I feel a bit sick.

0:44:28 > 0:44:30Right.

0:44:30 > 0:44:32I called an ambulance before I left

0:44:32 > 0:44:36and I'm of the view we should make use of it.

0:44:36 > 0:44:37All things considered,

0:44:37 > 0:44:40- I think you'll be better off in the hospital.- What about Robert?

0:44:40 > 0:44:43Robert can come, too.

0:44:45 > 0:44:50Leslie, while you've been with Gina, has she suffered from any twitching

0:44:50 > 0:44:53or shaking - anything that you might describe as a fit?

0:44:53 > 0:44:55No...I don't know.

0:44:57 > 0:44:59How ill is she, Nurse?

0:44:59 > 0:45:01There's a condition called pre-eclampsia,

0:45:01 > 0:45:02which can affect pregnant women.

0:45:02 > 0:45:06Once in a blue moon, it kicks in after Baby's been born.

0:45:07 > 0:45:09Will she die?

0:45:09 > 0:45:12There's plenty we can do to help her.

0:45:12 > 0:45:14But the ambulance won't have the complete address,

0:45:14 > 0:45:17I need you to go downstairs, wait outside and flag it down.

0:45:17 > 0:45:19No! I'm not going to leave her!

0:45:19 > 0:45:22- Leslie, we can't waste any time. - I'm not going to leave my wife.

0:45:22 > 0:45:26I don't want him to go! I don't want him to go.

0:45:26 > 0:45:27Don't leave me, Leslie.

0:45:32 > 0:45:35Right, Gina, you need a warm coat and something on your feet.

0:45:43 > 0:45:46That's the ticket, kids. One foot in front of the other.

0:45:48 > 0:45:50There you go.

0:45:51 > 0:45:53Almost there, sweetheart.

0:45:58 > 0:46:00GLASS SMASHES

0:46:00 > 0:46:02Still in one piece, kids?

0:46:02 > 0:46:04SHE RETCHES

0:46:05 > 0:46:07She's being sick!

0:46:09 > 0:46:13That's it. That's wonderful, Daisy.

0:46:18 > 0:46:20SHE RETCHES

0:46:23 > 0:46:25Come on, you lovebirds.

0:46:32 > 0:46:35Save your courting...

0:46:35 > 0:46:38Till we've got you safely in that ambulance.

0:46:45 > 0:46:48Baby's turning, Daisy, it knows just what to do.

0:46:48 > 0:46:50Like you do.

0:46:51 > 0:46:53SHE EXHALES SHARPLY

0:46:55 > 0:46:57That's perfect!

0:46:57 > 0:47:00SHE LAUGHS

0:47:00 > 0:47:03Can I hold it? Can I?

0:47:03 > 0:47:05Just hold on one moment.

0:47:05 > 0:47:08Sorry, little one. There we go.

0:47:08 > 0:47:11- BABY CRIES - Go on. You can pick her up now.

0:47:11 > 0:47:13- Her?- It's a little girl.

0:47:15 > 0:47:17BABY GURGLES

0:47:28 > 0:47:30Oh, don't cut it yet!

0:47:31 > 0:47:32In a minute, then.

0:47:37 > 0:47:41There's worse things than being completely part of someone,

0:47:41 > 0:47:44being part of something bigger.

0:47:45 > 0:47:48Even just for a little while.

0:47:56 > 0:47:58But we know where we belong, don't we?

0:48:12 > 0:48:14- Are you coming with us?- Yes. I shall be following behind,

0:48:14 > 0:48:16just to be on the safe side.

0:48:16 > 0:48:19But you don't need me - you've got him.

0:48:19 > 0:48:23You really have - and he knows how to take care of his family.

0:48:23 > 0:48:25Yes, I do.

0:48:25 > 0:48:27And I'm not going to leave her side.

0:48:27 > 0:48:30That's what we like to hear, isn't it? Good lad.

0:48:37 > 0:48:40Have you seen the state of the street outside?

0:48:40 > 0:48:41Is it still impassable?

0:48:41 > 0:48:43Suffice to say, if it hadn't have been

0:48:43 > 0:48:47for two extremely helpful firemen, I wouldn't be here at all.

0:48:47 > 0:48:49What's the situation with the maternity home?

0:48:49 > 0:48:53No telephone and no electricity.

0:48:53 > 0:48:56Of the three mothers who delivered overnight, Mrs Jones had forceps

0:48:56 > 0:48:59and was transferred to St Cuthbert's this morning.

0:48:59 > 0:49:02Mrs Wheatley and Mrs Mansoor and their babies were discharged,

0:49:02 > 0:49:04because their homes still have power.

0:49:04 > 0:49:06We'll add them to the morning's list.

0:49:06 > 0:49:09Meanwhile, we must visit all our due and overdue mothers -

0:49:09 > 0:49:12if there are any left - and make them aware that we're deprived

0:49:12 > 0:49:15of telephony until further notice.

0:49:15 > 0:49:17I saw your note about Gina Matlin.

0:49:17 > 0:49:20Post-natal pre-eclampsia is so very rare.

0:49:20 > 0:49:24When I left for London, she was poorly but stable

0:49:24 > 0:49:27and her husband was camped outside her room.

0:49:27 > 0:49:30So, all in all, there's every reason for optimism.

0:49:30 > 0:49:33- Mind your noggin on that! - Thank you, officer.

0:49:38 > 0:49:40What's happened, Fred?

0:49:40 > 0:49:43The railway signal blew down and took half the old wall with it.

0:49:43 > 0:49:46- It's come down like a stack of dominoes.- Was anyone hurt?

0:49:46 > 0:49:49We don't think there's anyone underneath it.

0:49:49 > 0:49:51Er, look, let's see if we can get you past and to your patients.

0:49:51 > 0:49:53- Bob... - WOMAN: All right, all right!

0:49:53 > 0:49:57It's a pile of rubble, not the pyramids of Egypt.

0:49:57 > 0:49:59Get a shovel and start clearing it.

0:49:59 > 0:50:03- Anyone would think there'd never been a war.- Sister!

0:50:05 > 0:50:08Morning, Sister Julienne. Sister Mary Cynthia.

0:50:08 > 0:50:12Meanwhile, I see Fred's been pillaging the dressing up box.

0:50:12 > 0:50:15Where's a real ARP warden, when you need one?

0:50:15 > 0:50:17Now, mind your step there!

0:50:17 > 0:50:19No, thank you, I can see where I'm going.

0:50:19 > 0:50:24Sister Evangelina, this really is a most extraordinary surprise.

0:50:24 > 0:50:28Well, it wouldn't have been, if anyone had answered the telephone this morning!

0:50:28 > 0:50:31The line was blown down in the gale.

0:50:31 > 0:50:33And what are you doing about it?

0:50:33 > 0:50:36I was just on my way to call in at the Post Office.

0:50:36 > 0:50:40What ever happened to "Never Surrender?"

0:50:40 > 0:50:42Excuse me! Excuse me!

0:50:42 > 0:50:46Do you suppose she's back for good, or just for a visit?

0:50:46 > 0:50:49We can only hope she intends to enlighten us.

0:50:55 > 0:50:56Thank you.

0:50:56 > 0:50:58That's that little problem ironed out.

0:50:58 > 0:51:01Their line is still up and running -

0:51:01 > 0:51:04the connection was protected by the railway bridge.

0:51:04 > 0:51:07So, I've requisitioned their phone for the duration.

0:51:08 > 0:51:12Fred, when you've finished saving the world,

0:51:12 > 0:51:16- I shall be requiring my bicycle. - Yes, Sister!

0:51:17 > 0:51:21I shall be easing myself back in. No midwifery duties for a while.

0:51:22 > 0:51:25I'll warm myself up on district work

0:51:25 > 0:51:29before you let me loose on precious cargo.

0:51:29 > 0:51:32It's so very, very good to have you back with us, Sister.

0:51:32 > 0:51:36Well, what with one thing and another, it was about time.

0:51:36 > 0:51:40There's only so much peace and quiet a soul can take.

0:51:40 > 0:51:42In the end, it's like giving a plant too much water.

0:51:42 > 0:51:44SHE SIGHS

0:51:44 > 0:51:46An autoclave can only sterilise things

0:51:46 > 0:51:48if they're properly cleaned beforehand.

0:51:48 > 0:51:51It is a machine, not a magician.

0:51:53 > 0:51:56Nevertheless, we still have power,

0:51:56 > 0:51:59which is a blessing from above, if there ever was one!

0:52:02 > 0:52:06"And, behold, I am with thee

0:52:06 > 0:52:10"and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest

0:52:10 > 0:52:14"and will bring thee again into this land..."

0:52:14 > 0:52:18"..for I will not leave."

0:52:18 > 0:52:20SHE LAUGHS

0:52:20 > 0:52:23The Book of Genesis instead of Keats, indeed.

0:52:23 > 0:52:27That gale must have blown some sense into you.

0:52:27 > 0:52:29(Go and see if there's any cake in the tin.)

0:52:29 > 0:52:32SHE LAUGHS

0:52:32 > 0:52:35JENNIFER WORTH: 'For some, the high winds altered very little.

0:52:35 > 0:52:38'The Blackers, with their healthy newborn,

0:52:38 > 0:52:42'left London and headed North along straight waterways

0:52:42 > 0:52:44'that hadn't changed in decades.'

0:52:44 > 0:52:48- Bye.- Aw, bye! Have a safe trip. - 'Sister Winifred arranged

0:52:48 > 0:52:52'for the children's lessons to be sent to them and marked by post.

0:52:52 > 0:52:53'It was something.

0:52:55 > 0:52:59'Meanwhile, Leslie Matlin grew in strength,

0:52:59 > 0:53:02'courage and love for his wife and child.

0:53:02 > 0:53:06'For not every happiness is chosen. Some, like the harvest,

0:53:06 > 0:53:08'simply have to be accepted.'

0:53:08 > 0:53:11Sister, I was looking for you.

0:53:11 > 0:53:13Another donation - five pounds of wormy apples -

0:53:13 > 0:53:16and I am sorry to say - a marrow.

0:53:17 > 0:53:20- I was hoping to ask you something. - Mm-hm.

0:53:20 > 0:53:23If it's about this contraceptive pill, all I've got to say is,

0:53:23 > 0:53:27it's typical of Dr Turner. One sniff of a novelty medication,

0:53:27 > 0:53:29he's off like a moggy with catmint.

0:53:29 > 0:53:32I spent a great deal of time in prayer about it.

0:53:33 > 0:53:36But, just now, the thing that worries me is you.

0:53:38 > 0:53:41Why? I've never felt better!

0:53:41 > 0:53:44I wish I could believe that. But it's not true, is it?

0:53:45 > 0:53:48- I take it you mean this?- Yes.

0:53:57 > 0:53:59I had a stroke.

0:54:01 > 0:54:04Two months after I left for the retreat.

0:54:05 > 0:54:07Why didn't you let us know?

0:54:07 > 0:54:10- We could've prayed for you, at the very least.- I know.

0:54:10 > 0:54:13But at the time, this was between me and Him.

0:54:14 > 0:54:18I was much worse than this, I couldn't move my arm at all.

0:54:18 > 0:54:21And you wouldn't have wanted to see me slurping my tea.

0:54:21 > 0:54:25- Was your mouth affected, too?- Yeah, mouth, speech - the full works.

0:54:25 > 0:54:29I got all that back within six weeks,

0:54:29 > 0:54:33even though, most of the time, I had nobody to practise with.

0:54:33 > 0:54:35But I knew what He meant by it.

0:54:35 > 0:54:39I'd gone to the silent order to learn to keep my peace

0:54:39 > 0:54:42and He showed me.

0:54:42 > 0:54:47Prayers aren't always answered the way one would hope, but...

0:54:47 > 0:54:50They are generally answered.

0:54:51 > 0:54:56And the answer He gave me was this -

0:54:56 > 0:55:00when things change, we have to find a different way.

0:55:01 > 0:55:06Now, whenever I do up a button, or a shoelace,

0:55:06 > 0:55:09I'm reminded of the need to keep learning.

0:55:10 > 0:55:14A reminder we all need, from time to time.

0:55:14 > 0:55:16Nothing stays the same.

0:55:16 > 0:55:20WE don't stay the same, ourselves.

0:55:20 > 0:55:24And all the time, the world keeps on spinning faster.

0:55:37 > 0:55:41# I love how your eyes close

0:55:41 > 0:55:46- # Whenever you kiss me - Ooh-ooh

0:55:46 > 0:55:50# And when I'm away from you

0:55:50 > 0:55:54# I love how you miss me

0:55:54 > 0:56:02- # I love the way you always treat me tenderly...- #

0:56:02 > 0:56:05JENNIFER WORTH: 'Sometimes, there's a brightness

0:56:05 > 0:56:07'and a richness in the moment.

0:56:08 > 0:56:12'A ripeness that simply says, "Taste this"

0:56:12 > 0:56:18'and calls us to partake without fear or any thought of punishment.

0:56:18 > 0:56:21'It is the fruit of our experience

0:56:21 > 0:56:26'and, in its heart, it bares the seed of all our hopes.'

0:56:26 > 0:56:30# ..without being told to

0:56:30 > 0:56:39# I love the way your touch is always heavenly

0:56:39 > 0:56:43- # But, darling, most of all I love how you love me...- #

0:56:43 > 0:56:48'Take the joy, take all it gives.

0:56:48 > 0:56:50'Life is sweet...

0:56:51 > 0:56:54'..and it is ours.

0:56:54 > 0:57:00'As is our right to love and relish every moment.'

0:57:00 > 0:57:03# ..and when I'm away from you... #

0:57:03 > 0:57:06They let her off the boat first because she's in the family way.

0:57:06 > 0:57:09- We want to organise a wedding. - I'd never had any dreams

0:57:09 > 0:57:13- of a wedding day. - I had - once upon a time.

0:57:13 > 0:57:16There must've been more than just one or two cases!

0:57:16 > 0:57:18I don't know how to put it right!

0:57:18 > 0:57:20I just think she's lonely...

0:57:20 > 0:57:21or heartbroken.

0:57:21 > 0:57:23When I see Tom and Barbara together now,

0:57:23 > 0:57:26I don't see what I might've had, I see what they have.

0:57:26 > 0:57:31Babies are a two-handed job. I do not handle newborns any more.

0:57:31 > 0:57:34# I love how you love me... #