Denial Doctors

Mum, wait!

-Mum?

-Hi.

What are you doing here?

Can I come in?

Mum!

Good morning, ladies!

-Oh, Dr Carter.

-Morning, Heston.

You frightened the life out of me!

Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs Tembe.

You're very bright this morning.

-Did you have a good weekend?

-Lovely! And you?

-Quiet.

-Good, good, good. Excellent.

Dr Carter?

Mmm-hmm?

-Are you...?

-What?

You just seem...

Well, I don't know. Somewhat different.

Really?

I am sorry, Dr Carter. It is none of my business.

No, I'm fine.

Really. I am ABSOLUTELY fine. Thank you.

He's not, is he? There's something up with him.

That was my favourite picture of us.

I know.

Your dad always loved it.

Come on, Mum. Let's just get you home.

-No!

-You know what the doctor said about your blood pressure.

I can't leave it like this.

Well, we'll come back later and clear everything up. I promise.

Why are they doing this to me?

I don't know.

I mean, it's not that Heston and I don't love each other.

We DO. Probably too much.

God, don't you ever clean up?

It's fine.

I mean, in the end, I think we were probably too alike.

It was an impossible match.

Too "alike"?

Yeah. We'd never be able to live together. It was hopeless.

Right(!)

-It's much better THIS way.

-What way?

Having a bit of space between us. There's much less pressure.

-Leave it!

-I don't mind. Honestly.

-I'll do it.

-It'll be like old times. I can make you something nice for lunch.

I said leave it!

Do you know one thing I won't miss? Heston's cooking.

It was always so fancy.

You could never just have good, simple food.

Got on your nerves, did it?

SHE GASPS

What do you live on, Ian? There's nothing in here.

You need someone to look after you.

That was a hint, by the way.

Come on!

Have you got a girlfriend?

You can tell ME.

I'm your mother!

You've done it again. You can't help yourself.

-I don't know what you're talking about.

-You don't?

If I'm going to do lunch, I'd better get the shopping in.

'What happened?'

She just said she didn't feel the same way about me.

-Just like that?

-She didn't give a reason?

Nope. Anyway, I thought it was best you all knew.

You were so perfect for each other.

-Well...

-You really had no idea?

No.

-So she just ended it, just like that?

-But that doesn't sound like Marina.

Maybe there were hints and I didn't see them.

-What kind of hints?

-I don't know.

-Maybe she'll change her mind.

-I don't think so.

-People do.

-It's definitely over. One of those things, I'm afraid.

-So what are you going to do?

-Get on with work, I suppose.

No! What you are going to do is have a nice hot cup of tea.

Come.

I will make you a special pot.

Hey. Excuse me. Thank you.

Why aren't you at college?

You going in at all today?

Haven't decided yet.

-Typical!

-Mother!

If you're not going in, can you take your nan to the doctor?

-Why?

-Because she's not well.

There's nothing wrong with her!

-You all right?

-I'm not sure.

She's faking it. I can't believe you fall for this.

TEXT MESSAGE BEEPS

-Alice, please don't.

-She wants attention.

-I need to go into work.

-I'm not looking after her.

-Just for a couple of hours!

-She can look after herself.

Don't you care about anyone apart from yourself?

-WHISPERS:

-Why should I?

I don't know why you let her behave like that!

Don't start.

I suppose I'll have to go to the doctor's on my own.

You can't.

If your job is more important...

It's not. I'll take you.

I think it might be my heart.

Look, I said I'll take you! Just don't make a meal out of it.

These sudden changes in life are always distressing.

Yes.

You know, when Akono first left my house,

I did not know what to think,

but, as you say, it is just one of those things.

I'm afraid so.

But what WE have to do is get on with our lives.

Thank you, Mrs Tembe.

No, it is my pleasure, Dr Carter.

So, you are a bachelor again.

Footloose and fancy-free!

They were the dream couple.

Obviously not.

It doesn't add up.

-Why not?

-He's not telling us everything.

I think he probably was.

Can't believe they've split up.

IF they really have. It might not be final.

Depends what's happened.

Sounded final to me.

I wish they'd get back together.

I wouldn't hold your breath.

Look at him.

-Mind you, even if they do, it's probably too late.

-For what?

Well, there's not much time left, is there?

We've got to finalise everything. I mean, do I invite Marina?

Do I put her on a separate table?

-You thinking about the wedding?

-Yes.

-Wow!

-What?! It's important.

I'm sorry that I'm late.

What, is he in a mood with me?

No. It's nothing.

Cherry, could we talk...?

Freya! I haven't got time for this.

Oh! Dr Wilson. You're a bit late!

Sorry.

I'm sorry Alice missed her appointment with you.

I don't know how many times I reminded her. Teenagers!

If you could get her to reschedule.

Yeah, I'll try. Not that she ever listens to me.

OK, well, there don't seem to be any signs of haemorrhages, Mrs Frears.

I suspect that you just had is a bit of a panic attack.

-Drugs.

-What?

-They're all on drugs.

She's, er, talking about the people who desecrated the grave.

-Ah.

-They don't know what they're doing half the time!

Right, but getting upset about it isn't going to help your blood pressure.

Easy for you to say.

Mother!

OK, we could try to change your medication.

But the main thing is to try to avoid stress, OK?

How could you hit a man like Heston of all people?

He wouldn't hurt a fly. And he loved you.

Hope I didn't get too much.

You think I don't know what you do?

-It's not what you think.

-Isn't it?

Look, just shush!

No, I won't. Once you start, you can't stop.

I can't believe she just dumped him out of the blue like that.

Are you saying Dr Carter is lying?

No, no. I just think there's more to it.

Well, if there is, Dr Carter is too much of a gentleman to give away a lady's secrets.

Still...

But I must say, I have always had my doubts about Mrs Bonnaire.

She was never the right woman for Dr Carter.

Well, I think she was. I think we all did.

It's very sad.

I do not know why everyone thinks this is the end of the world.

Me neither.

It's not like Heston's the only one in the world that's going through a crisis.

I do not even think it is a crisis.

It might turn out to be for the best.

You think?

If she was the wrong person for him,

the sooner he moves on, the better.

You mean, find somebody else?

Provided she is the right person for him.

Well, it would certainly make my life easier.

So sorry to have wasted your time.

Not at all. Always better to be safe.

-And do get Alice to make another appointment.

-Yeah, but...

You go ahead, Mum. You'll be fine.

She will be all right, won't she?

-She should be.

-I never know with her.

Well, obviously, the less stress she's under,

-the better her chances of managing her blood pressure.

-It's not easy.

-No. I expect she's still getting over your father's death.

-We all are.

Do you have any idea what it's like to grow up in a house where your mother beats your father up?

-It wasn't ALL the time.

-He used to lie to me about his bruises...

as if I didn't know. And YOU used to lie to me about everything.

Did you think I was stupid? I couldn't see what was right in front of me?

-I never thought you were stupid.

-I hated my father for being so weak and dishonest.

Men are supposed to be strong.

How could I look up to a man who couldn't even stand up for himself?

He never even tried to stop you.

No matter how hard you hit him, he just let you do it.

You need to eat.

I thought it was his fault that you kept hitting him.

I actually felt sorry for you,

that you had to live with such a loser.

You'll feel better after some food.

Are you even LISTENING to me?

LOUD MUSIC

That's all I need(!)

I'll deal with it.

Like you did yesterday?

Mother, I said I'll deal with it, and I will. But you need some lunch.

-I have to go back and clean up the grave.

-After lunch.

SHOUTS: Alice! Will you turn that down!

-Drugs!

-What?

-It's the drugs she's on.

-She's not on drugs!

-That girl needs a father. If you'd worked at your marriage...

-I did, but he cheated on me all the time.

-You could have ignored him. He was your husband.

He was a liar and a cheat and the best thing I ever did was to kick him out.

You don't give up on a marriage at the first hurdle. Not if you care about your children.

It was you, wasn't it?

At the cemetery.

Do you have you any idea what this is doing to your nan?!

What it's doing to me?

Do you want her to die?

No.

-How can you be so vicious?

-Me?

You know how ill she is.

There are lots of ways of being vicious.

Why are you doing this?

It's not about her.

You're vandalizing her husband's grave! Of course it's about her!

Why, Alice? Why?

Your grandad loved you.

You've got everything so twisted up in your mind.

I'm not the one who's twisted.

And he didn't love me.

He did. He'd have done anything for you.

He was a pig!

Mum?

All I said was it would be easier if Heston had a partner.

-It's not that I don't care about him. I care about everyone.

-Of course you do.

-I feel sorry for him, but it's ruining all my plans.

-I'm sure we can work it out.

Every time I talk about it, it's like I'm the worst thing since sliced bread.

-It can't be as bad as that.

-It is.

-Let's have a look.

-It's hopeless!

-Nothing's ever hopeless.

Well, THIS is.

Fresh pair of eyes.

OK, all I can see we can do is move Mrs Henderson.

But that means putting her on a table with the Fenwicks.

-You can't do that. They'll be at each other's throats.

-Exactly.

So we're either going to have an overcrowded table or a table with an empty space.

How about we have a bit of lunch,

and then we can put our thinking caps on.

-Don't do this.

-What?

-I know what you're doing.

-I'm not doing anything.

-I'm not hungry.

But you said you wanted to come out.

This has got nothing to do with my blood sugar levels.

-I never said it did.

-This is your solution! "Have food and it'll go away."

-Some things just don't have a solution.

-Where are you going?

-I'm going to the loo.

-What do you want to eat?

-I don't care.

She's just hungry. Low blood sugar.

Hello, Kath. It's Dr Granger. I had a message your mother's not well.

She's had a bit of a shock. She's complaining that she's got a headache and she's short of breath.

It's probably nothing.

Any other symptoms?

She's also saying she's having heart palpitations,

but she could be making it up. She's done that before.

OK, look, I'm on house calls.

Why don't I pop over and see how she is?

-'Are you sure?'

-Yep. It's no problem.

-'Thanks a lot.'

-OK, bye.

That was the doctor.

He's going to come round and see you.

Mother?

It wouldn't kill you to say thanks once in a while(!)

Cherry!

Are you following me?

No.

Look, I know you think I betrayed your trust.

Yes.

Sorry.

But it really is just a big misunderstanding.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

If you'll let me explain myself.

I'm sorry, Freya, I've got more important things to worry about.

Well, later, then?

Maybe.

We all thought you were made for each other.

Mm! It's funny how things can look so different from the outside.

Well, they always do, don't they, when you don't know the whole story?

How many times do you see a couple and think, "What on earth have they got in common"?

And yet they're really happy and they stay together for ever.

Or the other way around.

I mean, you think things are perfect,

and then you find out it's all just one big lie.

I didn't mean you and Marina. I was talking about Mac and I.

Right.

I thought we had a good marriage until I found out what he was like.

But Marina's nothing like Mac, is she?

-Yeah, I'm going to make some tea. Anyone want some?

-Not for me, thanks.

Mum?

CAR ENGINE STARTS UP

Mum!

Was that Irene?

Yeah, sorry. She's not supposed to drive.

Do you know where she's going?

Yes, think so.

OK. I'll drive.

Oh, thanks.

Brian and his mum don't have to sit together.

-Brian doesn't go anywhere without his mother.

-He's 43. It's time he grew up!

It's a wedding reception, not family therapy!

So then why don't we split up the Jamesons?

-No!

-Why not?

-Because they're married.

-Only because he won't admit he's gay.

-It doesn't matter.

I think it might to her.

Anyway, they can't stand each other.

Mother!

All right. Then let's move Mrs Veysey.

-Mrs Veysey?!

-Well, she never knows where she is.

-She doesn't know who she is half the time.

-Which is why she can't be left on her own.

-Stop being negative.

-I knew you would take over.

-I'm only trying to help.

-You're taking control.

-Don't be ridiculous.

-This is MY wedding, not yours.

-I never said it wasn't.

It's all going wrong. You knew this would happen. You were just waiting for it.

-It is not.

-It is! It's a mess! The house is a mess! Everyone at work hates me.

Cherry, you're blowing this out of proportion.

-The whole wedding is ruined.

-Cherry!

This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life!

We had SOME good times.

Did we? I wouldn't know.

I blotted most of my childhood out of my mind...

-Don't exaggerate.

-..Apart from the really memorable bits!

Like the night you cracked Dad's head open. That I can't forget.

Ah, childhood memories!

The sight of you kicking my dad,

him cowering on the floor, blood all over his face...

-Don't do this.

-..You screaming how pathetic he was!

-Stop it.

And you wonder why I never have a girlfriend? After the things I saw you do to him?

-You're just saying all those things to hurt me.

-Am I? Well, that would make sense.

Because when it comes to hurting people, I had the perfect role model.

You couldn't leave it alone, could you?

You HAD to come back.

I was clearing it up.

Liar!

I was.

You're sick, girl. Do you know that?

I never meant to hurt you.

Why?

What did he EVER do to you?

You used to be such a sweet girl.

You don't understand.

It broke his heart when the drugs turned you against him.

I don't do drugs.

He loved you so much.

No, he didn't.

You killed him.

Do you know that?

All she ever wants to do is hurt people.

She says the most awful things.

Well, she may not mean to.

It could be a cry for help.

How can I help her if I don't know what the problem is?

You have no idea?

Not really.

Things haven't been easy.

Since your father passed away?

Since my husband left, really.

In what way?

Lots of things.

Sometimes you just have to ignore it, get on with life.

Why? Has she said something to you? She has, hasn't she?

You really need to speak to her.

I can't.

You could try.

Stop saying that!

Your grandad worshipped the ground you walked on.

You've no idea how much he loved you.

-Yeah, he loved me that much he used to touch me.

-What?!

He tried to rape me.

-She's lying!

-Take it easy, Mrs Frears.

-I'm not!

-She is!

And it wasn't just once.

-Tell her to stop.

-OK, try and calm down. Breathe slowly.

I had to fight him off.

Oh, you stupid girl!

He was just being playful.

With his hand up my skirt?!

He was a good man.

And he was hurting me!

He would never do anything like that.

That's not true.

He did the same thing to my friend Sarah.

Katherine, don't.

He attacked her.

-He did not!

-She showed me the bruises.

That stupid little girl always tried to make trouble.

No-one ever believed a word she said.

I did. And so did you.

-I did not!

-I heard you talking. You threatened to leave Dad if he did it again.

-Rubbish!

-But you didn't leave him, did you? And he DID do it again.

George might have had a roving eye...

It was more than a roving eye.

And maybe he was a little bit free with his hands,

but there was nothing wrong with him. He was a healthy, red-blooded man.

Why didn't you tell me?

This isn't really about the seating, is it?

So what is it?

Heston and Marina were the perfect couple.

If they can split up, just like that...

Is anyone safe?

I shouldn't worry too much about what happened to your friend Heston.

He's probably not telling you the whole story. People never do.

If it can happen to them then it can happen to me and Jimmi.

It could. Doesn't mean it will.

It's not just that, Mum. It's all this stuff with Freya.

I thought that she liked me as a friend,

and if I'm wrong about her, then I could be wrong about Jimmi.

Do you think you are?

I don't know. I don't know what to think any more.

I'm so wound up about this whole thing,

I don't know why I wanted to get married in the first place.

OK, look.

Weddings are ridiculously stressful. Always.

It's a wonder anyone survives them. But they're not the end of the world.

Seating plans can be sorted.

We'll give that to your dad.

Dad?!

I hate to admit it,

but he's a better organiser than I am.

Or you. Well, look at his shed.

And as for Freya, well...

..that happens to everyone at some point.

You?!

I WAS young once.

And quite a lot of people fancied me.

Hard as that is to believe.

You're not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?

Keep Freya at arm's length for a bit.

Tell you what, we'll sit HER next to this Marina

and kill two birds with one stone.

SHE LAUGHS

You never could stay cross for long.

Whatever else I did,

I never touched you.

I never, ever laid a finger on you.

And that makes it all right?

You've always been the most precious thing in my life.

I might as well have been abused.

I grew up with violence all around me.

All I remember of my childhood is blood and bruises.

Ian, that's just not true.

Why do you keep on denying this?

Do you think it's going to go away?

-Do you think next time everything's going to be fine?

-No, no...

You beat Dad up so bad once I thought he was going to die...

-Don't do this.

-..And when the ambulance came, I had to lie to them about what happened.

You don't understand. Listen!

I was ten!

You see?

Do you see what you've done to me?

I'm not going to be like you.

You should have warned me.

I didn't think he'd do anything to you.

Not to his own granddaughter.

But you knew what he was like.

He never touched ME. It was always my friends.

I knew he was a bit dirty.

He wasn't "dirty".

I didn't think he was sick.

If anyone's "sick", it's her.

-Mother!

-Maybe we should go.

He told me it was all her.

She was leading him on.

You knew what he was doing?

He wasn't "doing" anything.

Did YOU know?

I suspected.

-You did?!

-But I wasn't sure.

And you just let him do it.

I wanted to tell him to stop.

Why didn't you?

He wasn't an easy man to talk to.

-What's that supposed to mean?

-I didn't think it was really serious.

I had to lock the door to stop him coming into my bedroom at night.

There was nothing I could do. Your grandmother wasn't well.

-The only thing wrong with her is that her husband was a perv.

-I don't have to listen to this.

-Alice, please.

-Don't touch me!

-Let's get home, get your grandmother settled.

-Then we can get on with...

-I'm not coming home.

What?

I trusted you.

She'll be back.

She won't.

Where else is she going to get her drugs money?

She won't come back, will she?

I don't know.

-If she does, she'll never trust me.

-Can you blame her?

-There was NOTHING I could do! Nothing! What would you have done?

-You could have told him to stop.

He wouldn't have listened to me. He was a selfish, stubborn old man. And it would have killed my mother.

Your mother is a lot stronger than she lets on.

It's your daughter you need to think about.

It's too late.

This isn't one of those things that you can just ignore.

I can't.

For her sake, you need to try.

-You think I'm a terrible parent, don't you?

-It's not my place to judge.

You do.

It's not easy, you know.

People like you have no idea.

There's only one thing you need to worry about.

What?

Do you love Jimmi?

Yes.

Enough to marry him?

I think so.

Well, that's all that matters.

All the rest is just window dressing.

The best thing my father ever did was to leave you.

And I'm glad Heston had the sense to kick you out before you really got to him.

That's not what happened.

You just can't stop lying, can you?

I'm not lying.

Do you think I'd just let you stay here until you found another man to abuse?

That's not why I came here.

Good.

Then you can take your cases and go to a hotel...

because I don't want you here when I get back.

Ha!

£200 if we go next week.

-Next week?

-Why not?

I've got to book the tickets some time.

Karen's practically drooling at how fat I am.

Let her.

-You're beautiful to me.

-Blah blah blah!

-Is this supposed to be me?

-You're Island Girl. And don't forget these.

-It's supposed to be classic!

-That's one word for it, yes.

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