In Pursuit Doctors

'Though I didn't know it then, I was about to discover that being a teenager

'was a privilege only the unfortunate few could ever really understand.'

It's me. Again.

I'll be over after the exam.

Starts at half three, but Winters is doing a revision class so going in for that now.

Make sure you text me when you're done. I love you.

# Looking back on the track, Gonna do it my way

# Looking back... #

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello?

-Mrs Tembe, it's Martin Cardle here.

-Hello, Mr Cardle. How are you?

I've had a call from Bridget at the church.

-There was a break-in last night.

-Oh, my goodness. Was anyone hurt?

No, just some minor damage. Vandalism.

The insurance people are there now. Anyway, long story short,

I'm going to have to postpone today's meeting.

-Would you be able to call around let everyone know?

-Well, perhaps...

-INTERFERENCE ON PHONE

-Hello?

-Hello?

-Can you hear me?

-INTERFERENCE STOPS

-I can now.

-Perhaps I could host the meeting in my house.

-At yours?

It is my day off.

-It would be an honour. I'll bake!

-Well...

I've got a few things to sort out for Youth Week...

I tell you what, can I leave it to you to let everyone know?

-And perhaps we can push it back a few hours to give people enough time?

-How does half past two sound?

-That would work.

-Well, I'd better start preparing.

I'll see you then. Thank you.

My pleasure. And Mr Cardle...

I just want to say my prayers are with William.

God bless you.

Goodbye.

Oh, no. Not today.

-Luke...

-Mr Cardle...

-I thought you were at the hospital.

-How did you get in?

-Spare key.

I thought I'd drop off a few more DVDs for him.

You also thought it would be OK to break into my house?

-We finished early.

-How come? You OK?

I have to leave in ten minutes, so Luke will have to go. Drink that.

No. Tomorrow is too late. I need someone by half past two.

No. Three o'clock is AFTER half past two.

I do not care who it is. Just send someone. Anyone. Thank you.

-I brought you Dexter.

-I thought you were revising?

-Do you want this?

-No.

-Did you finish West Wing?

-Not yet.

Some kids broke into the church last night. That's why he's in a mood.

Kelly Roach is pregnant again.

She's not going to know who the father is until it comes out black or white!

-What's the matter?

-That's what I heard.

Remember when I married Kelly Roach in infants?

I could stay here forever.

-What are you doing?

-Did they take it out?

-What?

-Where is it?

-Nowhere. What?

Will, you're freaking me out now.

-The doctors think that it would be better if I stayed at home from now on.

-What? Why?

They just do.

-So you'll have treatment at home?

-No.

I don't get it. Why would they tell you now to stay at home when you've already started the block?

-I haven't.

-Haven't what?

What are you talking about?

They said any more chemo or radiotherapy would be toxic. I've had too much.

But you've already started the block.

-You have already started?

-No. I didn't.

They never put the new line in.

What happens now?

-You OK?

-I need to go to school.

-Luke?

-I'm fine.

Do you know they've stopped his treatment? I'm talking to you.

-You can't let them do this.

-I know you're upset

but we must put our faith in the Lord and be strong.

-This is your idea?

-What?

Is this what you think this is? Atoning for his sins?

We're all sinners.

Just some more than most.

I have accepted Will and so will Jesus Christ.

Hate the sin not the sinner. Is that what you're trying to say?

-Don't do this.

-No, don't YOU do this. You're his dad.

This is sick. I'm going to be sick.

-You don't understand.

-Yes, I do. And I ain't going to let it happen.

-You take the...

-I need to see a doctor.

-Do you have an appointment?

-No.

One second. Haven Lane? I've never heard of it.

-Is there anyone there you can ask?

-Can I see a doctor?

Are you registered with us?

-No.

-You'll need to be registered.

No, not you. I'll get you a form...

-Cherry, have you seen my address book?

-No.

BONE SHATTERS

-Yes?

-I... I'm here for the washing machine.

-I telephoned for a plumber.

-I AM the plumber.

Hello. Shall I?

Ugh! It's not just your van that needs cleaning.

As I say, it's not something I can discuss.

But if he's not getting treatment, he's just getting iller. Can't you talk to me?

The team at the Royal Orthopaedic are among the best in the country.

Yeah, real life-savers.

-What happened?

-Ewing's Sarcoma.

Bone cancer.

-The day before his 13th birthday.

-To your finger.

I caught it in a door.

I don't think it's broken but we should get it X-rayed to make sure.

Look. I understand what you're going through...

It's not about me.

If you like, I can refer you to someone to talk to.

I was too young to remember when my grandparents... Whatever.

My dad's mum...

I kept on thinking she was going to jump out of the coffin at the funeral

and shout, "Surprise!" and everyone was going to laugh.

-It must be very difficult.

-I sort of wish I had that belief now.

But I don't.

I don't believe in anything.

I am one among 6.5 billion people on this planet, which spins at 67,000 miles per hour

around a sun at the centre of the solar system,

just one of many in the Milky Way.

We are utterly insignificant.

Sorry.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Doctor Carter, can I borrow you?

-I'm with a patient.

-Yeah. I know.

The temp is still lost and I've got no idea where she is and I've got patients waiting. I'm sorry.

I'll just be a minute.

-What are you making there?

-Scones.

Could I offer you some advice?

-No.

-Right. Well, your seal is fine. No blockage in the soap dispenser.

It's probably a loose connecting pipe.

I am less concerned with what the problem is, more concerned that you fix it

as soon as possible.

It's all going to have to come out.

You expect me to believe that you are going to pull out that washing machine by yourself?

Your arms will snap.

I'm deceptively strong for a woman.

A plumber? Please. Why.

Well, I was never very good at school.

Mother said I needed a vocation.

What you need is a good shower, a change of clothes and an elegant cut and blow dry.

You know, my job doesn't make me any less of woman but your attitude makes you much less of a lady.

When you say woman, are you...

-I'm not a lesbian, if that's what you're asking.

-I noticed you are not wearing a wedding ring.

I'm single. Just single.

And have you ever thought why that might be?

I'm actually supposed to be meeting someone today.

I only took this job because it was on my way home and I need the money.

But not this much.

Where are you going?

Hold on a minute. You should not be so sensitive about this.

Hey! I have paid you to do a job and I expect you to finish it.

I have committee members arriving in half an hour.

Good morning, Mrs Foster.

Please. Wait.

I apologise.

I am sorry.

Honestly, I have no idea.

Jump in a taxi.

Yes, we'll pay it out of petty cash.

See you shortly.

Cherry, you may have observed I am a GP,

-not a satellite navigation system.

-What am I supposed to do?

You know we're stretched, Karen's with Jack, Mrs Tembe's at her church group. I'm not a receptionist.

-And neither am I.

-Heston.

I found it in the kitchen.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-Sorry about that. I was going to find you someone to talk to?

-I need to go. Sorry.

We have to meet in the afternoon

because he works nights at the factory and Mother puts the chain on at nine.

I can't let him see me looking like this.

I haven't been on a date since Timothy Westbrook in 1989.

Then I choked on a Milky Way.

This man, you are due to meet,

-you have never actually...met?

-Yes.

No.

On the internet.

This is our first date-date.

-Am I really that embarrassing?

-Of course not.

-Do you think I'm ugly?

You are a beautiful, articulate and sensitive young woman.

That being said, there is never a second chance to make a good first impression.

Why don't you come back inside and clean yourself up?

-I want my DVDs back.

-What are you doing?

You refused treatment. They didn't say it would be too toxic.

They offered you a new block and you refused.

Why? Just tell me why.

I don't want to do it any more.

You're lying.

I've never been a teenager.

I've only ever been a kid. I just want to feel normal for a bit.

This is such crap. Why are you being so irrational?

Luke, it's not irrational. I've thought about nothing else for the past three years.

Do you know what it's like to be scared of everything?

Scared of dying. Scared of there being nothing after, scared of there being something after.

Scared of being in a coffin? This isn't irrational, not to me.

I want to do normal things. I can't do that with more chemotherapy.

Then what?

Whatever happens is going to happen. We know it's terminal,

so why does it have to destroy me, us, any more than it already has?

-This is what I want.

-What about me?

You're not even meant to be here.

You've got an exam.

I want to be here.

You need to get a life.

I'm not so sure about this.

Come. Let me see.

Oh. Oh, perfect! You are not going to need these any more.

I'm not sure it's really...me?

When was the last time you we courting, precisely. Trust me.

This is class.

What about your washing machine? You won't find a plumber before half two.

I can always close the door. Now go, before you are late. I still have preparations to make.

Go, go, go, go!

We'll both be 16 in a few months.

We can go on holiday somewhere.

New York? Greece? Benidorm?

-With what?

-I've got money saved.

Benidorm was a joke by the way.

Who's going to give you insurance?

-We're 15.

-Yeah?

We're only 15.

-So?

-So we can't vote.

We can't smoke.

We can't do anything.

You can't make this decision on your own.

What are you talking about?

We're not 16. We're still kids, therefore it should be

the parents' decision whether to consent or withhold medical treatment.

Where are you going?

-I'm going to sue your dad.

-What are you talking about? Don't be stupid.

It's neglect. We're still kids. You can't make this decision. I'm not going to let you.

PLUGHOLE GURGLES

Oh!

It's not as simple as that.

-Why don't we have a chat in my room?

-I don't want to come through. Get your hands off, paedo.

Have you heard of Gillick Competence?

-No.

-It's a term in medical law to describe

when a child can give consent for his own treatment, without parental guidance or even knowledge.

So?

William is 15.

-As I know him...

-So he IS your patient.

He's a very mature and intelligence young man.

He would be classed as Gillick Competent. It's very unlikely

Social Services would step in...

But he's confused. I can fight that.

We can go to court.

His dad thinks God is going to save him.

We can argue that, can't we?

Luke, why are you doing this?

Is it really in William's best interests?

Yes, it is. That's my point.

A person is going to die because nobody is doing anything.

My boyfriend is going to die.

How is that even allowed?

DOORBELL RINGS

Oh! What happened?

He said that I wasn't what he was expecting.

You are obviously better off without him.

With your new air of sophistication, you can court a finer class of gentleman.

I wish you all the luck in the world. You may keep the garments.

I look like Hyacinth Bucket's illegitimate love child.

You look a thousand times better than you did earlier.

So why do I feel a million times worse?

DOORBELL RINGS

Why don't you wait in the kitchen, just for a moment?

-I need to speak to Martin Cardle. Is he here?

-No. Who are you?

He's meant to be here. For a meeting. They said at the church he'd be here.

Mr Cardle phoned about 20 minutes ago. There is an emergency with his son.

-What emergency?

-I do not know.

Can I help?

POLICE RADIO: 'Bravo bravo, 53 calling.'

-You did this! This is your fault!

-It's OK. He's not here. Just calm down.

-Where is he?

-We don't know. He wouldn't answer my calls.

-I came home and he'd gone.

-Gone where?

I was hoping you'd be able to tell me.

I know he was offered more treatment.

You think God's going to save him but he's not.

Where did you get this from?

Luke. I know you're hurting.

-Doing this because you think it's for the best.

-Don't patronise me.

Luke, these notes are from the GP.

The oncologist provides the doctor with an outline, an overview.

Nothing more. They're incomplete.

But he still refused more treatment.

Luke.

Will was given the option for another course of chemotherapy

but it was only ever going to buy him months, not years.

Months of vomiting and losing his hair all over again. He doesn't want that.

But at least he'd still be here.

Will was diagnosed late.

It happens with young people's cancers.

The doctors aren't looking for it. They don't expect it. Is it fair?

No.

Does my heart break every time I think about it? Yes.

But it's what he wants.

I love him more than anything on this earth but I can't force him into a life he doesn't want to live.

Why didn't he tell me? Talk to me?

Perhaps he tried?

I don't want him to go.

I don't want him to go either. All I know is that Will was diagnosed at an age when your body is changing.

Your social life is everything

and you're still trying to figure out who on earth you are.

He just wants a bit of normality to experience all of those things.

-Mr Cardle?

-Doctor Carter.

-Thanks for coming.

-Any news?

-Nothing.

-Luke, do you have any ideas where William might be? Any at all?

-All done.

-Oh! You have taken your clothes out of the bin.

The connecting pipe. As I thought.

-So what now?

-Nothing. It's fixed.

-Thank you very much.

OVEN TIMER BEEPS

-Oh.

-Self-raising.

You didn't use self-raising flour.

-I tried to tell you earlier.

-You did?

Perhaps I'm not completely useless as a woman either?

DOORBELL RINGS

You are very welcome to join us.

Do you think you look like a normal teenager now?

Does he realise I can see him from here?

-Who?

-Slap-head Carter.

Your dad's waiting at home with the cast of CSI.

We're all pretty freaked out.

Sorry I broke your Empire State Building.

-What am I looking at?

-Open the e-mail.

You're going to New York? When?

New Year. New Year's Eve. I booked you a ticket too,

if you want to come.

I knew you'd find me here.

Most normal teenagers spend their days running away from this place.

You've still got 15 minutes to make it.

You really think I'm going to go in for an exam now?

You have got two choices. You could dye your hair black,

become an emo and start listening to Fall Out Boy or you could go in there...

-What about me?

-I heard Kelly Roach is looking?

I'm serious.

All this running around, threatening to sue my dad,

which I'm totally going to remind you about every day, by the way, has it helped?

I haven't even revised.

Then go and get a C. Go and be completely mediocre and normal and crap. Just go and be it.

Tell me this is significant.

I need to know that we are.

-You need to stop reading those books.

-Please?

-What do you think?

You've made my life everything I want it to be.

You've made me happy.

So are we going to New York then?

I'll think about it and I'll tell you tonight?

It's from your dad.

Cherry, it's Heston.

I've been looking through my diary and it seems I've overlooked something because it says

give the lovely Miss Malone a call and apologise for being a boring old fart.

And thank her for being a wonderful colleague

and a wonderful friend.

'Will's condition deteriorated and he died seven weeks later.

'We never did make it to New York.

'But during those final weeks,

'he lived and died as a teenager,

'a fleeting privilege he would cherish

'and one I finally understood.'

# And some day it may happen that a victim must be found... #

You don't have any evidence to connect

Mr Kellor to the murder of Lauren Porter, do you?

-Who have I got today then?

-Doctor Tyler.

-Him what done it?

-You picked up the pillow and shoved it on his face.

-Tell her she's lying!

-That's enough!

I am more than aware of what my job is.

Then you should be doing it better!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]