Open Season Doctors

Yep, just give us a call when you're leaving the motorway, I'll talk you back to the house.

All right, see you.

-Who's that?

-Franklyn.

Oh, I'm looking forward to meeting him.

He's acting like it's Christmas over the stag night.

Am I going to get a look, or what?

-Promise me that you won't laugh.

-As if!

It's, er...it's very, erm, it's retro.

SHE SIGHS

I'm never going to get it right, am I?

A bride's look is for ever.

I want to look timeless in our photos.

-You look perfect when you're not trying so hard.

-SHE EXHALES

Maybe Mum'll have some ideas when I see her later.

When are you seeing her?

Tonight, I spoke to her at the salon

AND...we have decided that I'm going to move back home.

"We"? "Home"?

Yeah, just until the wedding day.

Can I help you, sir?

I want to speak to somebody about a racist incident at my home.

Right, OK, was it something that you've witnessed,

-or was it aimed at you?

-Aimed at me.

They know where I live, there's a whole gang of them.

Right, I see.

They hang round on the streets and the park

by the Millennium Estate

but it comes to something when you find them in your own garden.

Hm, yeah.

Do you want to tell me exactly what's happened?

There was one today, he looked right in my kitchen window.

Right up to the glass at my face.

Right to my face!

So, this happened about 3pm today?

But they've been strutting up and down for a long time,

like goose-stepping!

You know, always taunting me.

Can I get a description?

Always in grey, like it's a uniform,

they think they can intimidate you.

And fat!

Beady little eyes, you wouldn't trust them.

What about colour of hair and height?

I suppose, about...

You know?

OK, let me get this straight...

there's a gang of them, in grey

-and they strut around with...beady eyes...

-Hm-mm.

-..and they're about that big?

-You know them?

Mr Ballard, are we talking about pigeons here?

They've been bothering me for a long while now,

scaring off the other birds I put food out for

but today they went too far.

Did they?

And what did they do today?

My hearing's not what it was, but I tell you this,

that pigeon came up on to my windowsill

and made racist remarks at me.

What are you going to do?

That does not look like your normal choice of lunch, Doctor Carter.

The shop didn't have much of a selection.

Perhaps a little salad to go with it, or some fruit?

Oh.

-Is everything all right?

-I'm fine.

I will be, thanks.

Is it work making you feel like this, or the time of year?

I confess, I do not like February.

I am thankful it is the shortest month.

It does tend towards the grey.

Going home in the dark, to a quiet house.

It must seem very empty, now.

It's full of memories.

Perhaps a break in routine?

I mean, you could...

Well, I have...

Why don't you come to my house this evening. I have plenty of food

No that's...I've got....

Maybe we can both try to forget it is February.

How can I refuse such an offer? I look forward to it, Mrs Tembe.

Good.

There, good!

Oh, can I help you?

Oh, let's get you in out the cold!

Oh, are those for me?

What are you after?

-Nice to see you again, Mrs Malone.

-Ahem.

-Paula.

-Hi, Dad!

-Evening all.

Look at these, Mal, aren't they gorgeous?

-You making time with my bird?

-THEY LAUGH

Welcome home, love.

Run Cherry's case upstairs and you can pop these in a vase.

Actually stick these in some water first, you can sort a vase later.

HE MUMBLES

-Oh, it's nice to have you home, love.

-Oh!

...but it isn't actually illegal, is it, madam?

If you say that your neighbour isn't taking money for her "favours",

that means that she's not a prostitute, just...

well, just very, very friendly.

OK, thank you, thanks, bye-bye.

He came back and I was waiting for him!

-Right, so, this is...?

-Now you can see what I've put up with.

What will you do?

Do? Yes, that is a good one. GARY!

You see, we can't really hold pigeons.

It's more of a job for the RSPCA. Would you...?

Talk alone won't stop them.

I want to speak to PC Miles.

Well, I'm afraid PC Miles is not on duty this evening.

He knows me, HE'LL know what to do.

Will he? Er...

Don't worry, cos we know what to do as well.

So, just, you know, we'll sort it.

Leave it with us.

Thanks.

DOORBELL RINGS

Sorry I'm late.

Well, not at all. I had no idea what time your meeting would end.

I came via my wine merchant.

You did not have to do that!

-New World, South African, little frisky!

-Really?

I know you're not a great imbiber,

but this will go with any of your homeland delicacies.

Oh, you were expecting something traditional? Only...

Anything, anything will be fine.

Well, will it go well with chicken casserole and dumplings,

and treacle sponge pudding and custard?

The food of my childhood. You know the way to a man's heart.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, please, go through.

Oh, do you remember this holiday?

-You had a crush on that deckchair attendant.

-CHERRY LAUGHS

-And the pink lilo you wanted?

-Oh, yeah! It matched my cossie.

Oh, will you check the roast for us, love, it could use another baste.

-Ahead of you there, all done.

-Who wants a refresher?

-Top up, Jimmi?

-No, I'm fine, thanks.

I'm all right, thanks, Dad.

More "can apes" anyone?

Oh, well, when you bring the drinks back, love, no hurry.

Oh, look, this is a wedding album, isn't it?

Jimmi doesn't want to see that, you're not in any of those!

Yeah, but I want him to see you.

Oh, look, look, she just looked like me at that age, didn't she?

Ha, uncanny.

The curse of all daughters - ending up like their mothers!

THEY LAUGH

Brian, it's Rob. How are you, mate?

Yeah, no, fine.

Yeah, listen, I'm sorry to bother you at home

but I had someone in the station asking after you? Yeah.

Cedric Ballard?

Oh, yeah.

Because he's brought me in a racist pigeon for questioning.

No, I released it for lack of evidence!

HE LAUGHS

Oh, really?

When you say he usually doesn't go out after dark?

Oh, right.

OK, yeah, got it, yeah.

-Oh, you haven't!

-Did you think I wouldn't?

Oh, I can't believe you've gone to all this trouble.

I am losing my little girl.

Besides, if you're not going to do the full works, why bother?

Oh, this is just the sort of dinner party ambience that my nan...

My mother.

Yeah, she thought this was like, the height of sophistication,

this kind of '70s bistro thing.

Take no notice, Jimmi, it's a bit of family nonsense

but, it did give us an excuse to get the best china out.

Who got the best china out and the table extension from the loft?

If a thing's worth doing...

"And only one captain to a ship," I know.

But you're doing it for me, aren't I worth it?

So, I enter with a syringe and he starts screaming blue murder.

Hiding it didn't make any difference.

-It was not the syringe he was afraid of?

-No, my bow tie.

He hyperventilates, he runs straight into a plate glass window,

150 stitches, blames me.

What, for being properly dressed?

No, he said it aggravated his Mottephobia.

Fear of moths.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Your bowtie looked, to him, like a moth?

Well, he better not come to Botswana,

we have moths much bigger than that.

He wanted to claim on my medical insurance.

Sometimes I wish I could take the Mikado option

and cut my way through patient waiting lists.

You would be for ever hitting your headdress on the doorframe.

Thank you.

Please!

Have you ever been to Japan?

I have always admired their tea ceremony.

-Really?

-Oh, I am fascinated.

It is such a delicate ritual.

Every gesture is so precise, so graceful.

You know, one day we should promise ourselves -

tea in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

Kanpai!

Kanpai!

And here's to you bagging a doctor into the bargain.

-Mum!

-Joke.

So, Jimmi, when are you planning on making partner at the Mill?

Mum!

Aside from anything else,

we've been focusing on the wedding for the last six months.

Yeah, besides I want everything to be perfect this time round, so...

This time?

What you've been hitched before?

Erm...

What I meant was, actually,

after all the stuff that had gone wrong at the engagement party.

That's not what, "this time," implies to me.

Jim... Jimmi's been married before, I told you that, didn't I?

-SHOUTS:

-I've told you pigging kids before, clear off out!

Oh, evening, officer.

Evening, madam, sorry about that. Have you been having problems?

It used to be a respectable area.

Are you here about the bins?

Actually, no.

My neighbour...

If you leave the bins right by the kerb

then the binmen don't bother emptying them. It's their regulations.

-Yeah, I know.

-Yeah, but the bins just keep piling up, it'll be rats next!

I've had Mr Smedley from our Neighbourhood Watch back me on this.

-Right...

-Well, I say "Watch",

I mean, he's up and down here with a torch and Ping-Pong bat but...

-that's council cuts for you, isn't it?

-It is.

Do you have much contact with Mr Ballard, Mrs...?

MISS Stockton.

Valerie.

He's a bit weird, like harmless,

but he watches from the window with binoculars.

Does he have any trouble with kids?

I couldn't say, really.

He keeps to himself, we all do round here.

Anyway, I must dash or me moussaka will get a skin on it.

There's enough for two.

Er...I've eaten, thanks.

-Shame.

-Thanks.

An older woman? How much older..?

Erm...about 20 years.

I was a lot younger then, obviously, I know now that it was a mistake.

What is it they say about doctors? They get to bury their mistakes?

I know all about this, it wasn't a serious marriage.

I'm not sure I'd even call it a marriage.

It was more like an open relationship with added paperwork!

Yeah, it's in the past, it's got nothing to do with us,

or how we feel about each other.

Not sure I even really loved Amanda.

You didn't?

Not the way I did with Eva or...

Or...?

-Sorry, what?

-Or...?

Sarah.

Who's Sarah?

So, you loved Sarah?

That was perfect.

Sometimes, the simplicity of a meal can make it all the more enjoyable,

the whole experience of sitting down to eat.

Breaking bread with a friend, talking without ceremony.

I absolutely agree.

Is something wrong?

Er...it reminded me of Marina.

Oh, I see.

Nothing she loved more than a meal that wasn't fussed over.

The end of a relationship can leave us with moments unfinished.

With Marina, I thought I'd come home.

To have something so strong and then to lose it...

I've never been...so connected to someone.

Doctor Carter, what happened?

Let me clear these up.

Take that for you, there we go.

-You're sorry?

-Yes, I am.

I should have paid more attention to what you were telling me.

You thought I was, what? A timewaster?

A stupid old man?

No, neither.

I've spoken to PC Miles and he...

he told me about the fire,

he told me what happened to your daughter.

My Elizabeth?

-Would you like a cup of tea?

-No, I'm fine.

-It's no trouble.

It's OK.

-I thought about rice, you know. To see off the pigeons.

-Why?

Make them puff up like balloons - they explode!

That's why you can't throw them at weddings any more.

Pigeons going BOOM outside the church! That'd show them.

People don't like explosions.

I got skin grafts after that night,

they were lighter in colour...

..like my own skin was trying to help me.

-Help you do what?

-Be not so black.

-Did I make tea?

-No, you didn't, but that's OK. That's fine.

If there's anything else that I can help you with?

"Go home"?! What's this?

One of the letters the pigeons leave on the tree.

They're carrier pigeons, didn't I tell you?

No, you didn't, not about this.

-Have you got any more?

-A few.

After Amanda it was all rebound stuff.

I wanted to be in love with Sarah but it's not the same.

I have never loved anyone the way I've loved you, you must know that?

I know.

In tribute to the newest member of the Malone family.

Chicken.

-It looks great.

-Everything OK in here?

-Yes, fine.

We're just chatting.

So, this policewoman you were with, Eva, yes?

Cherry says she died?

-What?

-It's classified.

Eh?

Eva was working undercover.

So, there's a lot of stuff that didn't get reported.

Such as?

If there's anything else needs airing,

better we hear it now before we all become one big happy family,

don't you think?

Did you talk to him about his bins?

Yeah, I did.

There used to be a time where you could hang your washing out in confidence, but now...

pigeons. Disgusting.

He mentioned pigeons.

I think he gets a bit confused sometimes.

Oh, don't get me wrong, he's a nice old man, but...

doesn't always think.

And the smell sometimes!

Still, you know what it's like with them.

"Them"?

Men, living alone...

don't always have standards.

Did you know that he had a daughter?

Yeah? Well, I've never seen her visit.

And you won't...because she burnt to death.

Somebody threw a petrol bomb through the window.

-Because she was a different colour.

-Oh.

Mr Ballard went back in to try and try and save her.

Now he's scarred for life.

'And he thinks that he's surrounded by hatred.'

'Well, like I said, we keep to ourselves.'

So, you didn't write this then?

What is it?

Why would I write to somebody I live next door to?

And I won't find your fingerprints all over it?

He's a broken-hearted old man, Miss Stockton.

'I'm not a racist...

'but I don't like living by a pile of rubbish!'

'So why don't you be a good neighbour and help him...'

with his bins?

Then there won't be a bad smell round here any more.

And then I had to tell everyone that Eva was dead.

And when did you tell Cherry all this?

-Last August.

-Is that why you split up last year?

Well, it did make things awkward between us for a while, obviously.

And all that time Cherry was in danger?

It's nothing the police could've have anticipated.

No, hang on, let me get this straight. You put our daughter at risk!

Held hostage by a psychotic thug in her own home?!

It wasn't Jimmi's fault.

I know how this looks.

Do you?

Didn't you think Cherry had a right to know what she was getting into?

If she'd known the facts...

I'd still be with Jimmi.

You don't have to be loyal to him.

That's an appalling deceit you put her through.

He didn't know that she was undercover at first.

-We've all got a past, look at me and Scott.

-Another man who deceived you!

You wanted the truth.

So, hopefully, in time, you can see through all this and just see that he's a good man.

Look, I love Cherry.

My past has got nothing to do with my future with her.

I think the food could do with reheating.

Let me give you a hand.

No, thank you.

-No, no, no, I insist.

-No, really.

-No, really.

-Oh, if you insis...

-Oh, no, it's all right, it'll come out, don't worry -

and the downstairs loo, it's just over there.

What was that about?

Cherry?

You find the right bird? When?

Just now.

I don't think you'll be getting any more letters.

-They always comes back, Sergeant.

-No, I'm pretty convinced on this one.

I've had a word with your neighbour. She's going to help with your bins.

Help keep away vermin.

-Valerie Stockton? Help?

-Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Take care of yourself.

'Why leave it till now to tell us these things?'

-Because it's not important!

-No?

-And I knew how you'd react.

-You think?

-Let's just keep calm.

Everything you've said points towards the idea you're marrying a man who...

hasn't always made the best decisions.

-So, what you're saying is I'm the latest in a long line of dodgy choices?

-No.

Let's just keep calm.

Cherry, come on now, come on.

Come on, come on! COME ON!

-Well, then he did make the right dec...

-'OPEN THE DOOR!'

-What's that?

Could you get the...? COME ON!

'Please, Cherry, please, come on. It's been long enough!'

Now what?

That was delicious.

Good.

Now, I am sorry for speaking of this again, but...

No-one who saw you with Mrs Bonnaire

was in any doubt that she made you the happiest...

..man in England.

No-one is perfect.

Surely, to let one failing get in the way of happiness is,

is a problem worth defeating?

Well, perhaps...

Perhap...perhaps?

Did Winston Churchill say "perhaps" in his darkest hour?

If you only have one obstacle to overcome, is it not worth the fight?

It's not that kind of fight.

It's complicated.

If you are certain there is no-one else

that can make you feel like this, then you know what you have to do.

-Try lifting the door when you push it.

-It's the lock.

-Dad, it's stuck fast.

-I can't breathe!

-He's a bit of a panicky Pete, isn't he?

-Jimmi?

-The bulb's gone, it's dark, get me out!

-We're going to have to get something to prise it open with.

-He's not the luckiest of people, is he?

-I'll get me toolbox.

Jimmi, deep breaths - in through the nose, out through the mouth.

What's wrong?

Claustrophobia and OCD.

His dad treated him badly when he was a kid, he locked him in a cupboard.

-Of course he did. Has he got any redeeming qualities?

-Yes!

He's kind and he's caring.

But this! It's like all the baby birds and abandoned kittens

you brought home when you were little and who got saddled with the work.

-Jimmi, it's OK!

-Are you REALLY prepared to take this on?

I mean, how can he look after you? What kind of father will he make?

Were Gran and Granddad like this when they met Dad the first time?

-It's not the same.

-He was a punk rocker!

Did they try and talk you out of it? Did you listen to them?

You can't judge a book by its cover

and Jimmi's the exact opposite of your dad.

He looks all right, but...

Be realistic, Cherry, can't you see what your life will be like?

Now, are you sure that I cannot tempt you with more treacle pudding?

Oh, no, I am absolutely stuffed, I'd never want to leave.

Thanks again.

It was my pleasure.

The food was superb but, more importantly,

you rescued me from another evening of my own company.

Time for reflection is good for the soul

but making time to act on your thoughts is even better.

Chicken soup for the soul as well.

How can I repay you?

Just be happy, Doctor Carter...

and seize the day!

See you in the morning.

It's OK, Jimmi, we're nearly there.

That's it, it's OK, it's all over now. Can you get some water?

-Should we do something?

-I think you've done enough tonight.

I've only spoken out of concern, Cherry.

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't try and stop you making a terrible mistake?

The supportive kind?

I'm sorry but if you're planning on going ahead with this wedding

I don't want any part of it.

There you go.

No, thank you, Malcolm.

-I think it's best if we just go, don't you?

-Yeah, come on.

I'm not coming back.

-Why?

-Because I know where I need to be.

If you're asking me to choose between you and Jimmi, then Jimmi wins every time.

What? Choose what?

And I'm still getting married.

It'll break my heart if you're not there...

but whether you are or you're not, the wedding's going ahead.

It's Franklyn. Bit less of the "oldest", Jimmi boy!

The entertainment!

THEY CHEER

-Strippers?

-No, we're going to have some drinks and something to eat.

Can't have a drink to make it bearable,

I may be wearing proper shoes but I can't stand up in them

and if I take them off I can't get them on again!

And all these splendid men refuse to flirt with me because of my f...

SHE CHUCKLES

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd