Episode 6 Call the Midwife

MATURE JENNY: Who can forget the return to work and school

after the summer?

Immaculate shoes, the pristine pencil case,

the promise that this year, homework would be done on time,

in absolutely perfect writing.

Oh, for goodness' sake!

Sorry! Sorry!

Mum, stop fussing.

Are you all right?

-I'm fine!

-You sure?

-I said I'm fine!

-OK.

The prospect of a fresh start is always an exciting one.

A clean sheet, an open book.

The chance to start again.

SINGING

Are we nearly there yet?

I think it's just around the next corner.

You said that ages ago!

Yeah, well, it's a big place, this London.

How do we know we're not living in the Catholic bit?

Look, stuff like that doesn't matter here.

People in London live mixed up all together.

-Oh, there, there, there it is! There!

-Hey, look! Look!

HE CHUCKLES

I mean, it's just like the photo! It's perfect.

All stocked up and ready to go.

Kids, grab your bags!

This place opening up again?

It certainly is.

Terry Davidson, proprietor.

-This is the missus, Pearl.

-Hello.

We've just taken over the lease.

Fred Buckle. Pleased to meet you.

Is that an Irish accent I'm hearing?

Northern Irish. Is that a problem?

Well, not for me.

As long as you sell the Sporting Life,

me and you are going to be the best of chums!

Right.

Close your eyes and open your hands.

I love it.

I had it made before we left.

I thought you could put it up above the door.

Is there anything you haven't thought of?

Food. I think we passed a chipper a few streets back.

All right, well, I'll nip out and get some.

You make a start on the shop. The kids can help.

The first session, I call "the three Ps."

Puberty, periods, and pongs.

Personal hygiene.

All the girls in the class are over 16,

so they've been through most of it,

but you'd be surprised how little they know about their own bodies.

Mind you, I thought that babies came out through the belly button

when I was little!

The first day of midwifery training must have been an eye-opener!

THEY CHUCKLE

It's good of the youth club to run the classes.

But... I can't help thinking

a girl should be taught these things by her mother.

Not every parent is up to the job.

They prefer to leave the embarrassment to us.

Oh...

Don't be nervous, just follow my lead.

Right, I think we're all set.

Oh, hang on.

The girls always want to know about these.

Tampons?

For unmarried girls?

Come on.

RADIO: # It ain't right to wanna keep on dancing

# There won't be any time left for romancing

# Come outside

# Come outside

# There's a lovely moon out there... #

SCREECH OF BRAKES AND SHATTERING GLASS

Sorry I'm late.

My mum forgot to sign my permission slip.

Thank you.

But whatever you call your monthlies,

there's no need for them to interfere with your daily life,

especially with modern sanitary protection.

You're probably familiar with this style of sanitary belt -

it's standard issue.

Unlike the old days, pads are disposable,

and you can buy them at any chemist in all sizes.

But there are also other options.

Tampons are worn internally,

and come with a little cardboard applicator

so you can get them in just the right position.

Or you can just wear something like this.

Well, yes.

But you can't go swimming in a sanitary belt,

or wear it under your swimsuit on the beach on a sunny day.

There are very few days one can wear a swimsuit on the beach in England.

Yes.

So it's very annoying

if you happen to be on your period on the one day the sun is shining.

Anyway, pass them round. See what you think.

Elizabeth, you first.

You might try to be a bit more positive.

Sorry.

But you know my views.

I sent him out for chips an hour ago!

He'll have gone to see a man about a dog.

Hmm...

Excuse me?

We're making enquiries about a Mr Terence Davidson.

I'm his wife.

I thought I heard rustling!

I am instructed to pack for the hospital.

Standard provisions would be a nightgown and toiletry bag.

But what about nourishment?

Keats may feed my brain, but what about my belly?

Sister Monica Joan.

Provisions for the hospital.

The operation isn't until next week.

I suggest...we revisit your preparations in the morning.

So how was that, then? Do anything interesting?

Only table tennis.

Oh.

It's late, Elizabeth. Let's get you home.

Today, is it?

Fred Buckle. I met your husband the day you arrived.

I've been looking in the papers for a notice.

There wasn't one. No-one round here knew Terry.

I would come. I still could. I could nip home and get changed.

Thank you, but it's a family funeral only.

I've been in your shoes.

If there's anything that you need, anything at all, just ask.

Thank you, Mr Buckle, I know you mean well,

but you needn't concern yourself with my troubles.

I can manage perfectly well on my own.

Come on, kids. Good day, Mr Buckle.

Oh! Is today the big day?

The planets are not well aligned.

Oh. Oh, dear.

Thank you, Nurse Hereward,

but we'd like to accomplish this with as little fuss as possible.

Come along, Sister Monica Joan.

Good luck at the hospital.

What sort of business do you have, Mrs Davidson?

It's a newsagent.

I find it hard to leave during business hours.

I can't afford to lose the trade.

Oh, is there no-one who can help you? Your husband?

He was killed in a car accident.

Just after we arrived.

I'm sorry.

Do you have any family in England?

No.

But me and Terry, we stood on our own feet.

And that's what I'm going to keep doing.

And I am going to get a midwife to visit you at home, Mrs Davidson.

With luck, someone should come out to you this evening.

Very well.

But you must tell her if you're struggling.

I'm not struggling, thank you.

I'm very capable.

There. Sister Winifred and I have drawn up a rota,

so one of us will visit every day.

You won't be on your own.

Sometimes, solitude is the best society.

Whoo! Ooh! Giddy-up, giddy-up!

LAUGHTER

Oh! You young men can take me round the block any day of the week!

There's not many fellas take my missus for a ride,

-and lives to tell the tale!

-Oh!

MAUDIE LAUGHS

Oh, sorry, Sister.

Albie Valentine.

And this is my missus, Maudie.

She'd never normally be fruity in front of a nun,

but she didn't see you there.

She's blind as an old bat!

I'm in to get me cataract done.

Ripe as a French fig, and ready for slicing!

I'm Mrs Shelagh Turner, and this is Sister Monica Joan.

Order of Saint Raymond Nonnatus.

Then there's no need to stand on ceremony, Albie.

Nonnatons - they've seen it all!

Oh, yeah, your lot delivered all of ours.

If you don't remember Maudie's face, you might remember the other half!

THEY LAUGH

I imagine your wife wants to get settled.

Plenty time to catch up later.

Now, where's that handsome young man?

He needs to get me into bed!

THEY LAUGH

Hello?

Shop?

You'll need to be quick.

I'm cashing up.

Aren't you a little young to be a shop keeper?

I'm the man round here now.

Well, before you ring up for the night,

may I trouble you for a bag of flying saucers?

My daddy says these taste like communion wafers.

I agree. But my husband can't get enough of them.

But then, he is a vicar, so that might explain things.

Mrs Davidson? Nurse Hereward, midwife.

I believe you're expecting me.

The egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus.

And, if it meets a male seed, or sperm...

GIGGLING

..then the two cells unite, and a baby begins to grow.

Any questions? Yep.

My sister says that if a lady goes for a wee after doing it,

then it washes out the man's seed, and the lady won't fall for a baby.

Mmm. Not true.

If you look here, you can see the urinary tract and the vagina

are completely separate.

Nurse Anderson?

Please copy the picture on the board,

and label the body parts with their anatomically correct names.

There. Wasn't too bad, was it?

If they were to ask me those questions,

I wouldn't know where to look.

You look 'em right in the eye, and you give it to 'em straight.

Better that than they go round

with their heads stuffed full of nonsense.

Ah...come on, girls, knuckle down.

If your others were both nine-pounders,

it's no surprise this one's a good size, too.

Oh!

Active, as well.

You must be getting kicked to bits.

I haven't really been paying attention.

No.

I can only imagine how difficult it's been.

Is the flat good enough? I've scrubbed it top to bottom.

Just don't judge me on me curtains.

That window looks onto a brick wall, and that one's got bars.

It's fine for a home delivery.

And spotless.

Though you might want to get rid of these boxes -

they don't leave much space.

They're Terry's things.

I'm so sorry. I...

I didn't think.

I don't know what to do with them.

I could help you go through them.

Or... Or just sit with you while you do it.

Well, that's not part of your job.

When I'm not being a midwife, I'm the wife of a curate.

Helping people through life's vile moments is very much in my remit.

Please. I'd like to help.

Thanks, girls. Don't dally - we ran a bit over.

See you next time.

Interesting labelling.

I'm fairly sure that "tuppence" isn't an anatomical term!

THEY CHUCKLE

Elizabeth?

Sorry! Just coming.

There you are! I was stood outside getting worried. Come on, let's go.

What on earth...

Er...it's just an exercise we do,

so the girls know what's what down below.

For the health and relationship class?

The what?

You signed a form for Elizabeth to attend.

I... I saw the slip myself.

I certainly did not!

Why would I want her exposed to this...filth?

Why do you ruin everything?!

You haven't heard the last of this.

I'm so sorry. I spent longer with my last lady than I should.

Whoa! Why don't you just sit down for two minutes.

When we were in Birmingham, I had time to do our housework.

But now your shirt pile's getting out of hand.

So leave them. I never used to iron my shirts before.

I just used to put my jacket on, and let the creases fall out themselves.

Yes, and when you were single, that was endearing.

But now, people will just think I'm a terrible wife.

You are a perfect wife.

I don't know about that, but I'm trying.

SHE CHUCKLES

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...

Six kids I've got, Sister.

Albie would have had more, but I had to put a stop to it in the end.

Well, nature intervened.

I stood up one day to put on the kettle,

and me insides fell into me knickers.

MAUDIE CHUCKLES

Course, you'd be no stranger to that kind of thing.

Please!

I will have peace to say the offices of the day.

If you say so!

Our Father, who art in heaven...

I've just taken a call from the council.

There's been a complaint about the class

at last night's youth club from a Mrs Walker, mother of Elizabeth.

Well, Sister...

The allegation that shocks me the most is that Nurse Anderson

encouraged the girls to produce drawings of an...indelicate nature.

Oh, my days!

The drawing was my idea, Sister, and was purely anatomical.

That may well be the case,

but I'm afraid all further classes will be cancelled...

..pending investigation.

That's it?

There's nothing we can do?

I suggest a visit to Mrs Walker, with a fulsome apology.

Her kiddies are about the same age as my two when I was widowed.

I was away with the war.

It was friends and neighbours that held my family together.

Mrs Davidson's got none of that.

I popped into the shop the other day,

but I could hardly get a word out of her.

She's a proud woman.

HE RINGS THE BIKE BELL

Right, that's you back in action.

Thanks, Fred.

And, er...

-Tell Mrs Davidson I was asking after her.

-Will do.

Mrs Davidson will get there.

We all do...in the end.

Let's get you along to theatre.

No! I have changed my mind!

Go on, off with you! Give me some peace!

It's you who assaults my ears with your incessant chatter!

Try to be calm, Sister.

It will make things easier.

Pray for me.

And for my immortal soul.

You're in good hands, Sister.

We can only apologise.

If we had known your daughter had forged her permission slip...

My daughter is not at fault here.

It is you.

Exposing unmarried girls to things they've no business knowing!

Mrs Walker...

it's my experience

that the more information a young woman has, the better.

My experience, that precocious knowledge destroys lives.

I have seen it! Even in my own family.

My sister ruined. So, no!

I will not withdraw my complaint.

In fact, I will not rest until your classes are banned

from every youth club in the borough!

Elizabeth, show the nurses out.

I'm so sorry.

I never meant to cause any trouble.

Don't worry, it's not your fault.

How else am I supposed to learn anything?

I used to be allowed to go to the library

until she found me reading a paperback romance.

The youth club was the last thing I could go to by myself.

She doesn't trust me to go anywhere!

Elizabeth, your mother mentioned something about her sister.

Auntie Lily.

What do you know about her?

Nothing...

..except her name.

Elizabeth, I thought you were showing the nurses out.

SHE GASPS SOFTLY

I'm alive!

I'm alive!

I have walked through the valley of ether!

And come out the other side.

But you must lie very quietly to allow things to settle.

The nurse has put sandbags on either side of your head

to remind you not to turn.

Do you think you can manage to be still?

I shall meditate on stories of miraculous deliverance.

What an excellent idea.

But first, perhaps...a little sleep.

I can sleep when I'm dead.

SHE CHUCKLES

But for now...

..I am alive!

SHE CHUCKLES

I am alive!

Mrs Davidson, forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn,

but...have you given any thought to going back to Ireland?

There's no future for us there.

Terry made me see that.

Though I'd never have made the move without him.

He made me brave.

He always had a plan.

"Let's have another baby!"

"Lease the shop!" "Move to England!"

Look at us now!

Hundreds of miles from home, and not a penny in the bank,

and him nowhere to be seen.

And I'm not brave!

Not any more!

And I hate him for it.

For leaving me here.

God forgive me, but I do!

And I hate that I hate him.

-Because I've loved him all my life!

-Oh!

SHE SOBS

SOFT WHIMPERING

Oh!

Oh!

Ohh!

Hush now.

All is well.

I can't move!

We are hemmed in by our sheets.

We must lie in our trenches until our wounds are healed.

This isn't a trench, it's a coffin.

I'm under the earth, buried in blackness.

That's the eye patch!

I fancy we look quite Napoleonic.

I don't like it! Nurse!

Nurse!

Summon your inner strength, Mrs Valentine!

You are the mistress of your vision.

Custodia Occulorum.

Custard? What's custard got to do with it?

No! Not custard!

Custody.

Take custody of your mind's eye.

Instruct it to show you something wonderful.

The night ablaze with the shimmering Aurora Borealis.

Or the might of the majestic Zambezi

as it drops like a curtain at Victoria Falls.

Now. What can you see?

Custard.

Lots and lots of custard.

Ha! So do I!

Oh, it looks delicious!

Oh, I spoke to St Cuthbert's.

Sister Monica Joan had a good night.

-Oh, that's wonderful.

-And I have other news.

Following several letters of support from parents,

the council have decided that you may resume

your health and relationship classes.

Thank goodness.

It was very unfair that one parent could prevent the education

of so many girls.

You've changed your tune.

Not entirely.

But I've been given food for thought.

I have assured the relevant authorities

that you will redouble our efforts to ensure that all participants

have appropriate parental permission.

Absolutely. Thank you.

CHILDREN PLAY AND SHOUT

Gracious, what a racket!

I hope that sweetie is not intended for Sister Monica Joan.

She is prone, so at risk of choking.

No, no!

Like a Roman, I have become adept at the art of recumbent dining.

All the same.

Righto!

I don't know how they all slipped past the ward sister.

There are strict rules on the number of visitors.

Now, I thought I might read to you.

Where's your book of Keats?

'Ere, anybody fancy a game of rummy? I've got me cards.

Yes!

Why don't we start with Ode on a Grecian Urn?

SHE SIGHS

Welcome back.

Thank you.

I've got everyone's permission slip.

I'm not taking any chances.

Oh, here you all are!

Well, you should all be ashamed of yourselves! Shame! Shame!

Shame on you, and shame on your parents!

Mrs Walker, that is enough.

Wait until the filth turns your minds,

then your mothers will be sorry!

Girls.

Into the cafe and close the door.

They're children! They're innocent children!

If you continue to harass my class, I will be forced to call the police.

I'll call them myself. It's you who's...peddling filth!

Now, you listen, and you listen good.

You need to drop this.

What, am I to stand by while you corrupt their young minds?!

Well, I know how it ends! I've seen with my own eyes!

Mrs Walker! What happened to your sister?

I can't...

If I don't understand, I can't help.

It's too late.

As soon as she did it, it was too late.

Did what?

Up an alley with the boys.

And once she started, she couldn't stop.

Climbing out the window in the middle of the night,

at it like a sewer rat until she was ruined.

I can still hear her crying when they took her away.

Where did she go?

Reform school.

I never saw her again.

Not once in all these years?

I told you what she was like.

Even if I could find her, why would I want to?

Because she's your family.

Da-da-da!

I must say, that was a very invigorating recital.

As you know, I'm extremely partial to Spanish guitar music.

I thought the guitarist was rather partial to you.

He kept looking your way!

Indeed! The poor chap had a lazy eye.

Oh, Phyllis!

THEY LAUGH

Is that smoke coming from Mrs Davidson's shop?

The family live above!

Hello?!

-Hello!

-The flat's at the back, they won't hear!

Go and phone the fire brigade, Barbara!

GLASS SMASHES

Fire, please.

And an ambulance.

Hello? Hello, up there!

BANGS ON DOOR

Mrs Davidson!

Mummy? Mummy!

There's someone at the door.

BANGING ON DOOR

How did they get in?

Did we not lock the shop?

BANGING CONTINUES

Go away!

Or I'll call the police!

Fire! Fire!

Get the children - we can lower them down through the window.

But there's barely six inches between the glass and the wall.

It looks alarming, but I think we should take our chances.

Cover the children. Wrap them up well.

Keep your nose and your mouth covered!

Here you are, here's yours.

This is for you.

I'll lead the way, and you bring up the rear.

Here we go! Now, keep low!

Right, head down, head down.

-Down, down, down!

-Don't breathe too hard.

COUGHING

Phyllis!

Phyllis! This way, this way! Come to me!

Come to me!

That's it, that's it! Mind the ladder, Phyllis.

Go on, lad. Run to Barbara.

Phyllis!

Help! Help!

My friend, she's inside! Please help!

Help! Please help her!

I think she's trapped!

Phyllis! I thought you were...

-COUGHING:

-It'll take more than a little thing like a...

fire to finish me off.

Oh! I was so scared for you!

Oh!

Where is everyone?

Is any medical attention required?

Yes, by you!

I think you're in shock, and you've inhaled a lot of smoke.

Ooh, oh, bother.

-Excuse me?

-Yes?

This lady needs help.

-All right, love.

-Thank you.

-Where have you been, Barbara?

-I'll explain in a minute.

But we have some guests for the night.

I'm afraid you'll all have to bunk in together in our room.

Why don't you pop into the sitting room while I make a fresh bed?

Thank you.

You'll need my help.

I'll get some blankets.

-BOTH:

-# Oh, Lord, abide with me...

-#

SISTER MONICA JOAN LAUGHS

You choose next.

Oh. The one you taught me. My new favourite!

Well, you start, then.

Ahem...

# You are my sunshine... #

Yeah. # You are my...

-BOTH:

-#...sunshine My only sunshine

# You make me happy when skies are grey... #

Ah...The children are finally asleep.

I am never letting you out of my sight again.

-You could have been...

-I was never in any danger.

Phyllis was the hero of the hour.

Excuse me? I'm sorry to interrupt,

but my waters have just broken.

I'm having pains.

You are blessed with your family.

My people were cold fish.

It ain't all fun and games.

The kids bring me their troubles, and I wear 'em.

And Albie looks cheery enough, but...

he never got over us losing our youngest in the war.

Some days, he takes to his bed,

and all I can do is hold him till he stops bawling.

Didn't you ever want a fella?

Jason held a fleeting appeal.

But Odysseus was my one true love.

Local boy, was he?

He felt so to me.

But you chose the church.

I chose a life of service and study.

And the freedom to pursue both.

For me...

..marriage would have been a jail.

SCREAMING

That's it, Pearl. Keep going. Keep going!

Rest. Rest now.

Rest.

Rest for a moment.

You're doing wonderfully. Wonderfully!

PEARL SIGHS

Last two times...

..Terry was outside the door...

..driving the midwife mad with questions.

I keep looking over to see if he's there.

Oh, Pearl.

PEARL SOBS

Oh! Here we go again.

That's the way.

That's the way! Let's meet baby.

Breathe, breathe, breathe! Slowly! Slowly! Slowly!

That's it, that's it! Here comes baby.

That's it! That's it!

Oh! Oh, look!

-BABY CRIES

-Hello!

Oh, well done!

What is it?

It's a little girl.

Oh, Terry was sure it was a boy.

Wrong again!

SHE CHUCKLES

Hello!

She's perfect.

Yes, she is.

PEARL GROANS

I'm just going to have a little listen.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

Ah, perfect timing!

I came to check on you, but I see I've been overtaken by events.

-How are mother and baby?

-Pearl did wonderfully.

Then I'll leave you to it. I imagine you both need some sleep.

Actually, doctor, if you wouldn't mind staying a little longer,

we're not quite out of the woods yet.

Pearl, did anyone suggest to you that you might be expecting twins?

Ohh...

I can't do this any more.

I'm too tired.

I know you're exhausted, but your body knows what to do.

We'll just sit here together quietly until it's time.

Oh, sorry to wake you.

Baby number two is on the way.

I've come for more hot water.

Let me do that - I'm sure you've got more important things to do.

It won't be long now, and you can have your wife back.

PEARL GRUNTS

That's lovely, Pearl!

I can see baby's head!

Keep that push going as long as you can.

That's it. That's it, now breathe gently.

Breathe...that's it.

And the head is born!

The baby's in its waters!

Ooh!

Hello! Where have you been hiding?

Now, a nice gentle push from you, Pearl.

That's it, that's it.

That's it!

Oh!

BARBARA CHUCKLES

Baby is here!

Well done!

Oh, hello!

Oh, well done!

Oh!

BABY CRIES

You have one of each.

A little boy.

Well done!

You were right.

Whatever she did, she's still my sister.

And she shouldn't be out there with me not knowing where she is.

So...how do you plan to find her?

My mother was never done threatening me with that reform school.

I thought if I contacted them,

they might have some idea where Lily went after she left.

It was a place called Larkhill.

Was it...over the river in Bermondsey?

Yes, I think so.

Do you know it?

Maybe.

But...if it is the same place, it was never a reform school.

It... It was a mental asylum.

Lily?

Still love to dance?

Mrs Walker?

This is your sister.

Lily was admitted in 1938 when she was 15.

The diagnosis at the time was moral insanity.

Her family felt she was exhibiting inappropriate sexual behaviour.

And the doctors here just took their word for it?

Lily was pregnant when she was admitted.

Er...no, that's not possible.

The child was adopted.

Lily still talks about him.

She was put in here for one mistake?

Why is she still here?

As I say,

Miss Ellingham never really got over giving up her child for adoption.

If she wasn't mentally disturbed when she was admitted, she is now?

"Though seen of none save him whose strenuous tongue

"Can burst Joy's grape against his palate fine... "

That Keats fellah don't half write some codswallop!

You want to read a proper writer like Gwendolyn de la Riche.

Oh...I don't think I'm familiar with her.

Course you are!

Caribbean Kisses?

Doctor's Delight?

I'm afraid I'm drawing a blank.

Call yourself educated women!

That's you?

That's right.

I'm your sister.

Maureen?

Mo?

Mo.

Where's your ribbon?

I stopped wearing ribbons a long time ago.

Oh, Lil.

They never told me you were here.

Or about your baby.

Not even when I was old enough to understand.

I'm sorry.

I might have been able to help you.

You were always a good little girl.

SHE SNIFFS You've got a niece.

Elizabeth.

That's my little girl.

Well, not so little now.

She's a lovely girl.

I always thought she took after you more than me.

Although there's a touch of my husband in there as well.

You're lucky.

Baby.

Husband.

He left.

We weren't...

..compatible.

He wanted us to...be close.

So did I, I wanted nothing more, but...I couldn't.

And Mum always said girls who like it...

..end up in trouble.

Sorry, ladies.

I'm afraid that's visiting over.

Oh!

Don't go.

We'll come back.

Now I know where you are.

Come on.

BABIES GURGLE

Is it...

Is it really bad?

The fire damage?

Yes.

I'm afraid it is.

I could lose my children.

I have no home, I have no means of making a living.

Oh, Pearl.

What a waste of two lives.

Lily Ellingham was damned because she did.

Her sister was damned because she didn't.

I'm sorry I doubted you.

And the classes.

Thank you.

But...I'm not sure the classes would have saved either of the sisters.

Perhaps not.

But with a little knowledge, they might have made different choices.

Right, now, hold still while I pop your new glasses on you.

It may take a while for your eyes to adjust.

Can you see?

Oh!

It's a miracle!

SHE CHUCKLES

It's a miracle worthy of the name!

Isn't it?

Oh! SHE LAUGHS

Do they know what caused the fire?

They think it was a cigarette.

The flat is mainly smoke damage, which is bad enough,

but the shop needs gutting.

The insurance will cover it, won't it?

I'm afraid Mr and Mrs Davidson

hadn't got around to sorting out insurance.

-Eh?

-She had so little before, but...

now she's lost her shop, and her children are in care

until she can get a roof over her head.

I can do something.

I'll have a word with the fellas at the CDC.

We'll see her right.

I thought we could look out some bits for the Davidson babies.

Everything their mother had will smell of smoke.

Now we just need to find some new clothes for Alistair and Hazel.

That's in hand. I made an emergency appeal to the Cubs

to ask their mothers for any appropriate hand-me-downs.

Early results are very promising.

Goodness! What a haul!

There's a lot of competition between the sixes.

Parakeets are currently leading the league of donations.

Surprise, surprise!

Oh, Tommy Parker, their sixer -

a charming boy, but devoid of scruples.

I saw his little sister going off to school this morning

in shoes but no socks!

BARBARA CHUCKLES

# What should I write?

# What can I say?

# How can I tell you how much I miss you?

# The weather here has been as nice as it can be

# Although it doesn't really matter much to me

# For all the fun I'll have while you're so far away

# It might as well rain until September

# I don't need sunny skies for things I have to do... #

Come on. Let's get you three home.

# ..home the whole day long and think of you

# As far as I'm concerned, each day's a rainy day

# Oh, it might as well rain until September. #

"And there, under a Caribbean sun that was as hot as the fire

"burning in his loins, Sebastian took her in his arms...

"and kissed her...

"..thoroughly."

SHE EXHALES

Oh!

I missed you two so much!

I'll never go away again, I promise.

Shall we go inside and see what the lads have done?

Oh, Mr Buckle. It looks better than it ever did!

Wait till you see inside.

Are those for Aunt Lily?

We hated carbolic when we were kids.

Can't stand thinking of her using it every day.

Here, you can put a little note in.

Tell her what you're up to.

But I'm...not up to anything, am I?

Library's open tomorrow...

if you want to go?

Oh, the twins are adorable.

Just wait till you see how much they've grown.

I don't know what Mrs Davidson's thinking.

She's got enough on her hands without having to entertain people.

She's determined to thank everyone, and I think we should let her.

Ooh!

Is it me, or is it chilly in here?

You've still not shaken off that cold.

SHE SIGHS

How about I fetch you some tea and toast?

Thank you. That would be a treat.

SHE COUGHS

Sorry, would you prefer Marmite...?

Come down the stall if you fancy a natter.

Or a free bag of plums.

I may take you up on that offer.

You know, at the beginning, I hated calling you Sister.

Too formal.

But now if feels like the most normal thing in the world.

Because you are like a sister to me.

And you to me.

Come on, then, old girl.

Let's get you home where you belong.

Go safely.

I wonder who you'll have for company

when you come back to get the other eye done.

I doubt she'll be as amusing as Mrs Valentine and her brood.

You've seen both sides.

Which is best?

Well, neither, and both.

We do not choose.

We are chosen.

Caribbean Kisses?

A souvenir from a friend.

You may take it if you wish.

I can put it in the maternity home.

It will be appreciated there.

Though obviously, I'll have to skim it first

to check that it's suitable.

KNOCK AT DOOR

SHE SIGHS

Tom! Why didn't you wake me!

Because you're not well. You've been burning up all day.

But I can't miss Mrs Davidson's party. I... Oh!

Although my head is splitting.

You've been doing too much, and this is the result.

You are on bed rest until I say so.

I've even hired a nurse to make sure you stay put this evening.

She'll be right up.

I may be late.

After the party, I need to drop in on old Mr Hennick on the way home.

I come bearing honey and lemon.

I don't need to be supervised!

I told Mr Hereward to take all the time he needs.

You really don't have to stay.

And you shouldn't miss the thank you party.

Knowing that family are back home is all the thanks I need.

And you do look peaky.

And hot and clammy, too.

-Excuse us!

-Sorry!

Mr Buckle, would I be chancing my arm if I asked one more favour?

I think my husband would be happy to have it on the door.

And maybe one day T Davidson Junior will want the shop.

I thought Alistair was next in line to run the family business?

Change of plan. He's going to be an astronaut.

And if Terry has a son of his own, then it'll all work out perfect.

Yeah, maybe.

How is she?

Fever, headache, and now a rash.

Restricted to her arms last time I checked.

I'm fine.

-Barbara?

-Mmm?

Can you try and bend your neck?

Oh!

I can't.

I don't want to pre-empt a diagnosis,

but there's definitely an element of septicaemia.

-I should call an ambulance.

-Yes.

I think I'm rather unwell.

Not to worry.

The hospital will get you fixed up in no time.

SHE SIGHS

SHE HUMS "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE"

How's the patient? Do you have everything you need?

Yes, thank you. I believe I do.

MATURE JENNY: Some pages take longer to turn than others.

It doesn't matter if the spotless sheet follows a blotted one,

or if the preceding lines are blurred with tears.

What went before is erased,

or embraced,

as we begin another chapter.

Tom!

Am I needed somewhere?

I'm afraid I have to take you to the hospital.

HE SIGHS

Do they need a chaplain urgently? Barbara's not well.

It's Barbara who needs you.

-What?

-Get in. We're going straight there.

She's young and strong. She's a fighter, is our Barbara.

He's being pulled in all directions at the moment,

with the clinic, his surgery, and Wadelock House.

There's a local boy in there, same age as Tim.

He troubles me.

I like to pray with other people. It's how I was brought up.

I would gladly let the good Lord take me,

if he would spare her.