An Uneasy Harmony Doctors

VIOLIN MUSIC

VIOLIN CONTINUES

I found it hard enough going for milk, let alone playing music.

Sorry, it is a bit early.

Just need to get some practice in for tonight.

Only you'd get me to a classical concert.

I'm looking forward to seeing you play...hearing you.

Did you say Sarah was seeing an older guy?

There's a smart bloke outside,

looks like he'd afford more than a dodgy pizza.

-What does he look like?

-Like he's got a bit of money.

-He'd have to with Sarah's tastes.

-That's harsh!

-Well, he does.

Expensive-looking coat.

Must be keen, he was looking very intense.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, he looked really out of place.

I can't imagine he's ever worn jeans in his life.

-You OK?

-Yeah. A bit nervous.

-You'll be great.

-I hope so.

Look, I just need to look over some of these pieces I'm doing, so...

Yeah, I've got some reading I need to do anyway.

MUSIC: "Viens Mallika" (The Flower Duet)

I now wake up thinking about PCT strategy.

I'll be dreaming about it soon.

If you hear me saying "Julia" in my sleep,

rest assured it's only paperwork.

I'm not exactly looking forward to my day either.

I've got a really tough Teenage Mother Support Group later.

Oh, you'll be fine! If you see me drowning in PCT,

please throw me a lifebelt.

Can we talk about something else? Something nice,

like our first Christmas together?

We could really do the place up.

And there's always the option of Tuscany.

I was going to ask you, Heston,

I'd like Ian to spend Christmas with us.

-If you don't mind.

-No, of course not.

-The more the merrier. Best be going!

-Mmm.

See you later.

Today is our 20-week scan.

Seeing the baby early is going be like an early Christmas present.

Aw. So you'll find out if it's a boy or a girl?

-Yes.

-No.

You still want to know?

Of course I do. Since when did I say I'd changed my mind?

Life has fewer and fewer mysteries, but this can still be one of them.

There's nothing mysterious about childbirth, Daniel.

As far as I'm concerned, I'd like the facts.

So, how are you feeling after yesterday? Still a bit weepy?

COIN CLINKS IN BOWL

Thanks for keeping me company.

It's all right. I've never seen you nervous before.

-It's dentists with me.

-Laura!

It's so good to see you. I was wondering if I had the right place.

-Do you know him?

-Hasn't she told you about me?

Aren't you going to say hello?

I just wanted to see how you are, how your studies are going.

We could always talk about music.

Yeah, we'd spend hours together, listening to music, a glass of wine.

-What...you act like you don't know me!

-Laura?

Who is he? Why can't you tell me?

What's wrong? You're not in trouble, are you?

You have no right to be here. How did you even know...?

You're on the internet.

The concert? I thought, "I can't be wrong this time."

Laura Blackwell? If you'd like to go through.

Laura?

I need to be with her.

-This is Miss Blackwell's appointment.

-Then I should be with her.

Are you her father, Mr Blackwell?

It doesn't matter who I am. I've come to see her.

I don't think this a good time.

This is a joke!

I can assure you it isn't.

What kind of doctor would you be if everything was kept a mystery?

As you keep saying, you're not ill.

So this has nothing to do with your health.

And not knowing will make me feel good, will it?

If we find out if it's a boy or girl,

we might get ideas about what they'll be like.

Pick a name that doesn't suit them. I don't want that.

We won't. I just want to know.

-What, no surprises?

-None.

Some people just don't like surprises.

What are you studying?

-Music.

-I saw a Rachmaninoff concert here recently.

-Wasn't it wonderful?

-Oh, you saw it, too?

It made me feel so...alive.

Hmm. So what's the problem?

It's my shoulder.

I'm worried it's playing the violin that's causing me so much pain.

Are you her father?

So she hasn't told you about me?

-You're not close, then?

-It has nothing to do with you.

-Don't get involved in things you don't understand.

-I'll find out.

-Really?

-I think you should go.

I wouldn't mind one of those.

-Any progress with the herbal tea?

-Still ghastly.

What?

You wouldn't cope very well with childbirth, would you?

Course not, darling.

What's wrong?

-Nothing, just want some caffeine.

-This is about the scan, isn't it?

I cannot believe you are being so childish.

-Me? You're the one who's throwing her toys out the pram.

-What?

Is this how it'll be? Is this the pattern we can expect as parents?

-What are you talking about?

-We discuss something privately,

we agree, then you come to a completely different conclusion.

-I hardly sprang this on you.

-Really? Let's not forget you're pregnant,

so your feelings are more important. I just need to know,

is this how it's going to be? Mummy knows best?

You are being ridiculous.

This is about today. I don't want to leave it to nature.

I'm glad I'll have more than a towel and some hot water

-to support me in labour.

-A scan isn't the same.

This is about choices!

And I have made mine.

Right, it looks like there's a lot of tension there.

I think your muscles are going into spasm

-every time you play.

-I do tend to play at full pelt.

Mm-hm. Right. I'll give you some anti-inflammatories,

but we really have to look at this long-term,

and consider how often you practise.

No. I've got a concert tonight.

I have to play. It's my protection.

From what?

I didn't mean it like that.

Erm... I've not been sleeping well, the pain...

I just mean it helps me relax.

Doesn't sound very relaxing.

Do you think it's serious?

No, but it could be.

A lot of musicians suffer from this sort of problem.

I don't think physiotherapy will do it,

so I'll refer you to an Orthopaedic Surgeon at St Phil's.

He needs to know that I have to play.

I'm not me if I don't. Do you understand?

Of course, which is why we should do all we can

to make sure you can play without pain.

VOICEMAIL: 'Please speak after the beep.'

Oh, hello, darling. It's me.

Ian's just rung, and...

well, he says he wants to spend Christmas with his dad, so...

Oh, well.

Just needed to hear a friendly voice, that's all - yours.

I'm just not in the right frame of mind for this support group, and...

they're so going to know it.

Erm, look, just give us a ring, yeah?

Troops...me...need rallying.

Can you give us a call, yeah? You, love.

You'll get a letter before long. In the meantime, be careful.

The medication will help this evening,

but take it easy.

-He's gone.

-Thanks, Doctor Carter. I'll try.

-If you can, it will help.

-I've got to go to my seminar.

But maybe we can meet later? Go into town,

I can get my prescription and we could get lunch?

-But what about...?

-It's fine.

-You ran away!

-It's nothing!

I'm going to be late. See you later.

Did she say anything?

-Try and encourage her to play less.

-I will, if she'll listen.

But she's never mentioned her dad before, if it's him.

We're mates, but she tends to keep private.

I seem to tell her everything.

I've never seen her like that before. She was scared.

I'm sure she'll tell you in her own time.

If you, erm, need anything...

don't hesitate to call.

Sorry to bother you. I'm trying to make a surprise visit.

Um, Laura Blackwell.

Do you know her? Ah, she'll go mad at me for embarrassing her.

HE CHUCKLES

Someone has a spring in her step. What did I miss?

Well, have you just sold a house? Because we have.

We can FINALLY move on!

You sold it?! That dull little house?

Who on earth bought it?

Er, I don't know, what sort of people would buy a dull little house?

Dull little people?

Did they have matching jumpers and start discussing

what to do with the garden?

Dull little people? You don't think anyone interesting would move in?

Hardly! I can just see them - matching cagoules hanging up.

-I'm right, aren't I?

-I'm going to, erm, make a phone call.

It's true what they say - moving house, so much to do!

People are so strange.

Yeah, they are.

Ready?

I am.

The question is, are you?

Good luck.

Is it too soon for another coffee?

Storing them up so you won't fall asleep tonight?

I'm mixing caffeine and classical music. It'll be crazy!

Thanks.

For this afternoon. I appreciated it.

And for not asking questions.

Well, anytime you want to answer them, let me know.

You can tell me anything.

There's nothing to talk about.

But he's your dad. Unless you like older men, too?

That's an awful thing to say.

Then help me out.

I...I care about you.

It's, it's not what you think.

It's...

Look, why don't you relax before tonight? I'll get the kettle on.

I brought you a gift.

Remember the first time we listened to it?

I've been waiting so long.

It was always so hard to part you two.

VIOLIN PLAYS

Hey! Relaxing doesn't mean more playing!

You need to take it easy.

Laura? Only messing.

Laura?

-Laura!

-DOORKNOB RATTLES

Please!

Hello, can I speak to Doctor Carter, please?

It's urgent.

It's ridiculous! That machine clearly had the same mindset as you.

The baby turned around, obviously felt like I did. It was fate.

Inconclusive? You wouldn't accept an inconclusive X-ray for a broken leg.

It's hardly the same. You didn't get the information you wanted

cos our baby didn't want you to have it. It was meant to be.

This is too important to leave to chance. I want a private scan.

We've discussed this. We should accept the results.

YOU need to accept with a baby you can't control everything.

Please, don't book a scan.

Let's let the baby reveal itself to us when it's ready.

This is your baby, and it's healthy.

Please enjoy it.

I know. You're right.

I have started picturing it.

Giving it a bath in our bathroom,

turning the spare room into a nursery.

But I still think I have a right to know

whether it's a son or daughter I'm going to be taking home.

-VIOLIN CONTINUES

-See? I don't know what to do.

Laura! It's Doctor Carter.

-Can you hear me?

-Leave us alone! >

That's him! Look, open the door!

I don't think this shouting is going to help, OK?

Laura?

Laura?

-Laura! Are you all right?

-How did you get in there?

-Just leave this to me.

-Stop wasting our time and leave! >

You were at the surgery earlier.

Look, leave us alone! >

I will if I can speak to Laura, but I haven't heard a word.

I can look after my own daughter. >

VIOLIN FALTERS, RESUMES

'Please speak after the beep.'

Hi. It's me again.

Didn't you get any of my messages?

It's just really hard running a support group

when you don't have any support yourself.

I just really needed you today, Heston.

OK.

Mr Blackwell, you give me no choice.

If you are holding your daughter against her will,

I'm going to have to call the police.

Why on earth would you do that?

Because I haven't heard a word from your daughter,

and this morning it was clear she didn't want to see you.

-Are you all right?

-You can see she's fine.

-Do you want your father to go?

-I won't fall for that.

-This isn't a game.

-I want some time with her.

-No.

Do you know how hard it's been? Trying to find you?

-There's a reason for that.

-I think you'd better go.

I wonder where you've been.

I remember you saying that some hours ago, yet here I am.

-I called the police.

-Why?

-You broke in! You must have!

A young lady let me in. She probably wishes her dad would visit.

-He was here waiting for me.

-Yes I was, after years of waiting.

-Why are you doing this?

-You really should leave, Mr Blackwell.

-We loved music. You can hear that when you play. Laura...

-No!

-Leave her alone!

-Get off me!

I'm her father! I'll always find her.

I'll always be there.

MICHAEL CHOKES

THUD, TWANG

RADIO: "Blue Christmas" by Elvis

Let's go through that again.

You may feel worse tonight when the shock wears off.

That's natural, the mind tends to relive things.

-You might want to talk to someone.

-It's nothing compared to...

If I can do anything...

-You already have.

-I'm not going to disappear.

If ever you need me or... Just ask?

The police will want to speak to you both.

They're aware your father broke his restraining order

and they need a statement from me.

-I'm so sorry.

-This is not an inconvenience.

I don't want you staying away from the surgery

out of a misplaced sense of guilt or embarrassment.

Could we have a word on our own?

When you said...

music was your protection,

you meant from your father?

He was the one who thought I should play.

So when I did, I knew I was safe for a while.

Yet playing is how he found me again.

Don't feel you have to deal with this on your own.

He always used to...use music.

With this and a dodgy shoulder, maybe you're right.

I need something else.

You do realise the gift of music is yours, not your father's?

Thanks.

Well, this is definitely beyond repair.

Such craftsmanship.

Time for a new one, I think.

A new beginning?

I hope so.

PHONE RINGS

-Hello.

-Hello. I really wanted to hear your voice, too.

Then why didn't you call?

I'm sorry. I've had a hard day as well, believe me.

Hmm. So bad you couldn't spare two minutes?

I can't go into it now.

So why bother calling me, then?

Look...I'm sorry.

We'll talk about it when you get home.

Well, that's the unfortunate thing.

What do you mean?

I haven't done as much work on this PCT stuff...

Heston... I've made a really nice dinner.

-Have you?

-'Yes.'

'And I've had a very bad day too, you know.'

It's ready to go, it'll be ruined!

You see, the thing is, the PCT...

I wish you'd let me know sooner, that's all.

So you've come out of hiding, then?

-It's hardly hiding if you can see me.

-Did you phone the estate agent?

-What?

-You said you had to make a call.

Do you not remember? I just presumed...

Yeah, yeah. You know what it's like.

And did you explain to the estate agent

why you had to escape from the staff room?

I saw your face, even if Zara didn't.

-What? When she practically called me a dull little person?

-Exactly.

But you didn't seem very upset.

Why is that?

It's nothing.

-Karen!

-Come on. Tell your Auntie Karen.

OK.

Daniel has bought our house.

As a surprise for Zara.

Ohh! Oh! Oh!

Oh, it will be a surprise.

He is a dead man walking!

Ooh, lovely.

SHE OPENS A DRAWER

Am I in the doghouse?

I thought you'd be hours.

I'm sorry about today.

And I'm sorry about Ian.

It's all done and dusted.

Events prevented me from calling you.

I wanted to. Look, I thought I'd do some work after supper.

It would be a shame to spoil all your efforts,

which smell wonderful.

Well, the aroma's all that's left, I'm afraid.

The bin got the benefit.

No.

I'm really sorry, but look...

I'd had such a hard day

and I so wanted to see you, and...

I do have a little bit of a temper sometimes.

You are a passionate woman.

Don't ever change.

-How's a bowl of pasta sound?

-Like heaven.

You two thought about moving,

what with the baby, having a bigger garden, that sort of thing?

What, do you mean the suburbs?

Yeah. More of a family house.

Why does a baby have to mean boring?

Isn't it vital babies have stimulation?

No, I just thought you might like more space, that's all.

I can assure you

hell will have icicles before I consider moving near a place

with neat little rows of pansies.

That is just not me, is it?

I'd have thought you'd know me better by now, Karen.

I need you to find me somewhere to live.

I've got everything I need.

And...money.

-Nardee!

-Hello, my little angel.

Well, look at you.

-You'll not tell me daughters where I am?

-No, we won't tell them.

Mmm.

Oh...

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