Striking Out Doctors

No, don't worry, I will get on to them.

Yeah. Have you got a number?

Oh, hang on a minute, I...

You haven't got a pen, have you?

Cheers.

Right, go on. 496...

0784.

Right, I'll give them a call and then I will get back to you. OK? Ta-ra.

-Problem?

-Dry rot.

-Dry rot?

Yeah, except her house was built in the '60s.

Which means that some lowlife was trying to con her out of two grand.

-My Auntie Ag.

-Oh.

Yes?

-SHE PANTS

-I need you to find me somewhere to live.

I've got everything I need...

And money.

SHE WHEEZES

DOORBELL RINGS

-Hey!

-Noddy!

-Hello, my little angel.

Oh, look at you.

-Come in.

-Thanks for doing this at such short notice.

I've got the interview today

and Chloe's school said we can look around tomorrow.

We may even get to see some new houses.

Doesn't pay to rent, long term, does it?

I've got a present for you in the kitchen.

And do you know what day it is?

It's Thursday today.

And the year?

Sorry, we have to ask these questions.

When you think somebody's off their rocker?

We don't usually get people coming in with thousands of pounds in cash.

12,850. I won the 50 at the bingo.

2011.

You know it's not safe to carry that amount of money around.

-It's safer than leaving it under t'bed.

-Really?

Anywhere they can get at it.

Who's they?

Hey, that's brilliant.

-Isn't that brilliant?

-It's wonderful, darling.

All right, bye, sweetheart.

I'll see you later, OK?

I'll see you out.

It's a fresh start, you know, for the three of us.

New job, new place to live.

Just what we need, I think.

Well, you haven't got the job yet.

Now, I have a very important meeting tomorrow.

OK, and I appreciate you putting yourself out.

I need to meet Heston tonight to prep, so I want you back by six.

Yeah, of course. But...thanks, Mum.

OK. Bye.

-I don't want the police involved.

-Are you sure?

Well, I know me own mind. Well, didn't he tell you?

But your daughters are manhandling you.

Oh, one of them gripped me by the wrist, that's all.

You don't get that by somebody just grabbing ya.

-You do if it's for long enough.

-You don't want to press charges.

It's not as though they're hitting me.

No? What would you call it?

-Bullying. It's just bullying.

-Just?

I'll call social services. They can take you into emergency care.

And you'll not tell me daughters where I am?

Look, what about me money?

You'll be safe there. And so will your money.

-Yeah, and what about the house?

-Whose name is it in?

-Mine.

-Well, then, there's nothing they can do, is there?

And no, we won't tell them where you are.

Hmm.

What do you think?

-Elaine?

-What's that?

-Well, the Advent calendar.

-Right, yeah.

Christmas isn't really my thing.

Ooh! Could you do one for me?

-Elaine?

-What?

Of course. Yeah, Yeah.

Ooh. Advent calendar.

Yes, I was beginning to think no-one celebrated Christmas round here.

Of course we do. Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah...

Three parties, eh?

Hmm, well, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Our Christmas parties have got a habit of not ending too well.

So who exactly did decide that an old lady

needed £2,000 worth of dry rot treatment?

Yeah, well, make sure that you do.

-How can I help you?

-It's my mother.

She hasn't been gone long,

just since this morning, but she never goes out on her own.

We pick up her pension on a Wednesday.

It's probably nothing, but Pamela, my sister, thought I should ask.

-OK, what's her name?

-Mary. Mary Roberts.

Mary Roberts.

You are going to need to call social services.

-Why, what's happened?

-Nothing. If you call them, they'll tell you.

Has something happened to Mum? Do you know where she is?

What will I tell Pamela?

-All I'm going to say is call social...

-Of course.

Social services.

Pamela, it's me.

Here goes.

-Oh!

-Noddy!

What's happened to mine?

All right, come on, then. Let's see yours.

Oh, sweetie, that's beautiful.

That is amazing. Look at that.

Wow!

I got it round the corner. £10.

-What?

-The Advent calendar.

That is what you were looking at, wasn't it?

Uh, no. I was wondering who came up with the idea

of smoked salmon and cream cheese.

With smoking salmon in the first place? Or creaming cheese?

Please, don't ever let this place get boring.

Ten quid? They saw you coming.

Shows how much you know. 24 luxury chocolates in there.

Mmm?

# I do the duck Quack, quack, quack, quack... #

There you go.

-Two sugars in that?

-Just like you asked for.

Money safe?

-Yeah, got it locked away.

-Yeah, they'll look after you here.

So, what you doing here?

Oh, I thought I'd come and check on ya. See if you were OK.

You got no crime to fight?

-There's always crime to fight.

-But you're worried about me?

Your daughter's been to see me.

-Which one?

-Jennifer.

You haven't told her where I am?

No, but I thought that you might want to.

-Why?

-Because she seemed worried.

What about Pamela?

-Yeah, Jennifer called her.

-Oh, she's not worried then?

I don't know about Pamela, but Jennifer did seem upset.

I thought you might consider giving her a call,

or at least letting me do it.

You don't have to say where you are, just that you're OK.

They're the ones that should feel guilty, not me.

Am I the only one round here with an ounce of Christmas spirit?

I would love to put up Christmas decorations with you

all over the Mill. I just don't have the time.

-What about half an hour?

-I'm prepping for this meeting tonight with Julia.

All right then, 15 minutes. We could just do in here.

-I mean this PCT business is...

-Oh, fine then.

-It's not that I don't want to...

-I might as well go out on my rounds.

-PCT...

-Look, can you stop going on about this PCT?

When Julia and I meet, it shouldn't take long.

How about we put up Christmas decorations

when I come home tonight?

No-one has more Christmas spirit than I do, Chi-Chi.

I have sparkly baubles...

-Is that him?

-Yeah.

You had our mother put in care.

Sergeant Hollins, pleased to meet you.

Pamela Roberts. You had her put in care.

No, social services did.

-Based on what you said.

-No.

-What did you say?

I told her it's not your fault. Mum's safe?

-Yes, she is.

-Well, presumably she'll get in touch when she's ready.

-I'm so sorry, Sergeant.

-Stop being such a doormat.

I can understand that you're concerned

about your mother's wellbeing.

Wellbeing?

Let her stay there.

Let her rot. Tell her that from me.

I'm sorry.

Are you OK?

-Pamela's waiting.

-Let her wait.

Come on, sit down. You're seeing a doctor. That's it. Just wait there.

OK.

Mmm...

Oh...

My...

Nice?

Scrumptious. Where did you get it from?

Cup of hot, sweet tea. Perfect.

I haven't eaten anything this morning.

Is there nothing else you want to tell me?

Sergeant Hollins said you and your sister had argued.

-Argued? No.

-That's what he said.

I feel much better now, thank you.

Still, I'd like to examine you, if that's OK?

What about Pammy?

It's you we're worried about. It won't take long.

You won't tell anyone?

No, not unless you want me to.

Come on.

Have you eaten them all?

They are just so good.

You're not going to say anything, are you?

-Are they really that good?

-Yes.

-Yes.

For the last time, there is no dry rot.

No, I won't hold.

Miss Roberts? Hello? Miss Roberts, hang on.

Hello? Jenny?

Hello?

Mmm, you're right, they're gorgeous.

-Mmm, told you.

-This is wrong.

Then how can it taste so right? Go on.

No-one expects an Advent calendar to last for more than a day.

I think Marina does.

What are you doing?

Saving one for Jimmi.

Oh, come on.

-Ta-da!

-Ooh, did you do that?

-Wow, that's fantastic.

-I am so impressed.

-Hey do you want a chocolate?

-Is it OK?

-I don't know, is it?

Well, no-one expects an Advent calendar

to last for more than one day, do they? There you go.

Ooh!

You want me to go and see her, but you won't tell me why?

-I can't.

-Oh, get off. What, because of confidentiality?

-Yeah.

-Not if you suspect a crime's been committed.

-Well, I don't. Not by her.

-Well, by who, then?

Look, all I can say is, if you want to know what's going on,

you need to talk to her. And then let me know how you get on.

Mmm, these are really good.

-Aren't they?

-Mmm.

-She's so excited about moving near you.

-I know.

-I'm so pleased it all worked out.

-Yeah, me too. And for you too.

Yes, yes...things are fine.

You know, if you leave this here,

you know what's going to happen to it.

Maybe you should put it up at yours.

Mmm, that's a brilliant idea. Yeah.

KNOCK AT DOOR

What do you want?

I want to make sure that your sister is OK.

-Why shouldn't she be?

-I'm fine, thank you, Sergeant.

-Can I come in?

-No.

Are you sure you're all right?

-What do you think's wrong?

-I'm fine.

Now maybe you can tell us where our mother is.

I'd like to come in and talk to you alone.

-Sergeant Hollins...

-OK.

You're the one who told me to stand up for myself.

Thank you.

-They're good, aren't they?

-Mmm... Really good.

Hi, Marina. How are you?

Absolutely exhausted. I don't know about you,

-but I'm really looking forward to Christmas.

-Yeah, me too.

You seemed upset. When you leaving the police station.

After you'd seen Doctor Clay? The police surgeon?

-Did he say something?

-No.

No, he's not allowed to.

You need to tell me yourself.

Look, this isn't going to go away unless you make it.

We do have a domestic violence unit.

Jennifer, just tell me what you told the doctor.

I can't.

Then I can't help you.

You can't help me unless I help myself.

Thank you, Sergeant.

The Sergeant's leaving.

Maybe next time he'll think twice before jumping to conclusions.

-You know where I am.

-You know where our mother is, and you're still not telling us.

Well, she doesn't want you there and I wonder why?

-What are you implying?

-What do you think?

-I don't know. Why don't you just come out and say it?

-Please...

I think you're abusing your sister.

-How dare you!

-Stop it right now, both of you.

You're right. I can't go on like this.

What are you doing?

Jennifer, stop it!

She did this to you?

What?

Your mother?

OK...

-I hope it snows for real.

-Me, too.

-How did you really get that bruise?

-I told you.

Yeah. Somebody gripping it.

That's right.

Are you sure you don't want to press charges?

Against me own daughters?

-What do you think they would do?

-What?

If they were being abused?

You said you wouldn't tell them.

And you said it was them that should feel guilty.

I'm not coming home, if that's why you're here.

You didn't get that bruise by being gripped at all, did you?

You got it hitting Jennifer.

-I beg your pardon.

-How dare you?

Wh... I did no such thing. Tell 'em! I did no such thing.

Jennifer?

You did, Mum. You know you did.

-Sorry.

-Will you please stop being sorry?

-I'm ashamed.

-You should be.

Of you. Of both of you.

We'll sort this out at home.

'Elp me up, Jennifer!

We haven't come to take you home, Mum.

Well, I can't stop here now, after what you said. Me bags are packed.

I won't press charges.

W-What?

I won't press charges

as long as you stay here, but we don't want you back.

But...I'll sell the house.

You'll finish up with nothing!

-I'll come and see you tomorrow, Mum.

-I won't.

Is Jimmi still working?

Yeah, he said he needed another half an hour.

Why are you still here? You're usually the first to leave.

I am not. Rob's picking me up.

-Good night.

-Bye.

-See you.

-Bye.

And if anyone so much as touches this one...

I'm setting up a choir.

-Good for you.

-Wonderful.

And you're all going to be in it. Singing carols.

A tour of hospitals and old people's homes.

-We can't, I'm afraid.

-Pre-natal.

Pre-natal what?

I am a health visitor, you know.

-Yoga. Every single night. That's why we have to rush.

-Yep. See you.

See you tomorrow.

I like singing.

I'm sure that Mrs Tembe will want to.

Good.

Um, I may look like Patsy Cline, but I sound like Louis Armstrong.

Cherry, don't wait, I need half an hour.

-Jimmi's got a great voice.

-What?

-Yeah. Beautiful voice.

-Marina's setting up a choir for Christmas.

Right, great, er...no, though.

Oh, I think you owe me, don't you? All of you.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

-Hello, Mum.

-Where are you?

You're supposed to be here.

You were right. About that job.

Patrick, it's after six o' clock.

About me not getting the job.

Are you drunk?

I'm getting there.

You need to get back now. Heston's waiting. So is Chloe.

Where are you?

-Some bar.

-Well, leave it and come home.

-No.

-No.

-Why not?

Hey, just give me a minute, all right?

Are you with someone?

Yeah.

-No, no, I just can't leave her.

-Yes, you can.

All right, then, I don't want to.

Don't be a fool, Patrick.

Mum, you have no idea what Sally's like, do you?

-She's still Chloe's mother.

-She might as well be mine.

-And what's that supposed to mean?

-Sian treats me like I matter.

What, and Sally doesn't? I don't?

Well, you knew I wasn't going to get the job, didn't you?

-What?

-It was a foregone conclusion wasn't it, Mum?

-That's not what I said.

-You know what? Sian believes in me.

Get back here now, Patrick, and look after your daughter.

I can't.

I'm drunk.

Fine. Then I'm telling Sally.

Mum?

Oh...

SHE SIGHS

One second, all right?

Hi, it's Julia.

Look, I don't know quite how to tell you this. I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry but I just, I can't make it, Heston.

What... You'll just...

-MOBILE RINGS

-Just have to do it on your own, won't you?

Patrick is stuck in a meeting and Julia can't leave Chloe.

Not a single Christmas decoration?

But the good news, now I'm working from home,

is I can practise my carol singing.

# Good King Wenceslas looked out

# On the feast of... #

-I thought you'd be angry.

-I am.

But not with you.

Oh, sorry I'm late, something came up.

We've got all the time in the world.

-Eh?

-I've got something for you.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, yeah, that's really lovely. Mmm.

Hello? Yeah, damn right you will.

and I'll phone the bank in the morning to make sure you have.

You should be ashamed, treating an old lady like that.

Auntie Ag.

-Someone trying to take advantage of her.

-Of Auntie Ag?

She's not as tough as she makes out.

-All right?

-Yeah. Just don't get old.

-I'll shoot you first.

You see? That's what you've got to look forward to.

I thought you'd cleaned under here.

-I have.

-Then what's this?

What's this if you cleaned under here?

Sorry.

If you say sorry one more time...

Pammy...you're hurting me.

Right then, little miss, it's bath time.

I'll have one when Daddy gets back.

Daddy's staying out late.

-I thought you were going out.

-Well, there's been a change of plan.

-But I thought...

-Chloe, it is not up for discussion. Bath time.

I'm sorry, sweetie. Sorry.

Sorry.

Hey, look on the bright side.

-I get to read you a story.

-I wanted to show Daddy our snowflake.

-I know.

-What if you bring it when you come for Christmas?

Then Mummy and Daddy can see it.

Look on the bright side, Noddy.

OK, little cherub.

Come on then. Good girl.

Oh...

Look, Patrick isn't back yet. I can't leave Chloe on her own.

Everything we need is on your laptop.

They're beautiful.

That's you and that's Daddy.

So, Daddy's an angel, is he?

She's let everybody down, not just me.

You can't dump that here.

When you get this, you need to call me straight away. Understand?

And get back here as soon as you can before this gets any worse.

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