House Call Doctors

DOG BARKS

DOG BARKS

BABY GURGLES

I can see from your eyes,

you're going to be a little real charmer, just like your daddy.

We'll have to keep an eye on that gambling gene, though, won't we?

-How is he?

-He's fine.

(SOFTLY) Hey!

Did he wake up again? I told you to wake me if he did.

No. He slept really well.

It seems trying to establish a routine really seems to be working.

-And we've been experimenting too.

-With what?

If I gently blow into his ear, he sort of hums.

We'll be playing a tune before the end of the month.

I thought I'd pop by the Mill today. They want me to bring Joe in.

I've got an appointment. Can you come after that?

-So you can do the proud father routine?

-Of course.

Of course. But it can't be too late. I'm meeting some childminders later.

What for?

-To redesign the garden(!)

-You're thinking of going back to work?

If I can get Joe used to the odd morning,

it won't be such a shock when I do.

You're not serious.

I just can't believe you. After everything we've been through, you come up with this.

I always said I'd go back to work as soon as he was born.

Not this soon, though!

And I thought you'd change your mind once the hormones kicked in!

You mean once I stopped being a rational human being?

I can't talk to you when you're like this. I'm going to be late.

Oh, run along.

Look, just cancel the interviews for now,

until we've had a chance to talk about it properly.

OK, we'll talk about it later. Once you've had a chance to calm down.

COUGHING

Julia's on the warpath.

She wants these Quality and Outcomes thingies, pronto.

She won't get mine until I've finished house calls.

-Good morning!

-Morning.

You really need to start building some bridges.

What's the point? I'm never going to get a job here, am I?

Wait for the AKT results to come in, they'll be suitably impressed.

-Yeah, maybe. Reckon I did pretty well.

-Well, there you go.

Right. "Hi, Mandy, how are you?

"Hi, Mandy, are you still speaking to me?"

-What's happened?

-I don't know.

I've really tried to make things work with her, but...

What is it with people around here? Why can't they be honest with themselves?

All right! It's not that easy. You can't force things to go well.

I didn't mean...

Don't get me wrong, Mandy's great,

but we don't really have a lot in common.

All that knitting stuff.

And her favourite programme's Glee.

Would you listen to yourself for a minute?

I thought the place was empty.

You're not going to give me any trouble, are you?

Do you hear me?

HARRY COUGHS

What?

What do you want?!

This thing?

Water.

Water.

Here.

Can't you do anything yourself?

(WEAKLY) You came!

"Being cared for by strangers in the first years of life can send levels of stress soaring.

"May suffer from behavioural problems, antisocial behaviour..."

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Yep?

St Phil's just rang to apologise.

-They've re-scheduled your meeting for ten.

-OK, thanks.

Oh, Karen. Can I have a word?

-How did you manage when your kids were young?

-Who says I did?!

What kind of childcare did you use?

All we could afford! Yours truly.

Oh. OK. So when did you go back to work?

When they went to school. Tell a lie, Immie was in pre-school for a bit.

-And you never thought of anything else?

-No.

Aw, you shouldn't be worrying about this stuff now.

-This is a special time!

-Yeah. OK.

-Yup.

-Yup.

It's been...so long.

It's good. You're really here.

Look, I don't know who you think I am, mate,

but I've no idea what you're on about, so...

DOORBELL RINGS

Now what?!

HARRY COUGHS

DOORBELL RINGS

Who is it?

Oh, hi.

No-one answered, so I assumed Harry was alone, sorry.

Dr Elaine Cassidy. The nurse came earlier, said he'd taken a turn for the worse.

You must be really worried. Harry.

Now, don't all crowd at once!

Aw, how's my gorgeous boy?

Hey, little Joe!

-Have you missed your daddy?

-He's been absolutely fine!

-Minima maxima sunt.

-He's a little young for Latin, Heston.

"The smallest things are most important."

Aw, I like that!

You look amazing.

And?

No...I mean, considering you've recently had a baby.

Back to normal in no time!

(And thanks, for everything.)

BABY CRIES

Is Julia around? I need to have a quick word.

You'll have to pick your moment, cos she's on one today.

-Joe will need feeding.

-He's fine. I need to catch up on a few things.

-What about Joe? I've got to go to St Phil's.

-We'll think of something!

-Wh...

-I'll have him, if you like.

Yeah?

Breathe in for me, Harry.

HARRY COUGHS

OK. Thank you. Take it easy.

I'm going to check your eyes, Harry.

HARRY WHIMPERS

OK. That's lovely. I'm just checking for anaemia.

It's common in your dad's condition.

Dad?

He doesn't tell me much.

Well, its nice to meet you at last. Harry's spoken a lot about you.

Is that right?

ZARA KNOCKS ON DOOR

Now, don't get too excited. It's just a little something.

For what?

The birth of my son?

Yeah, course, sorry. You don't need to thank me!

We were a little more intimately acquainted than I would have liked!

But you got us through.

This is just to say thanks.

Zara, it's beautiful.

You really shouldn't have.

I'm getting a bit emotional.

Well, don't, please. I get quite enough tears with Joe.

-The reports were due in this morning.

-It's all in hand.

I've just got couple of final touches.

So, I texted Mandy, and she hasn't even bothered to respond.

Maybe she's busy.

Maybe I should forget the whole thing.

Why don't you just admit it? You're afraid to be happy!

What?

Why are you assuming things are going to go wrong

before they've even started! How mad is that?

You're lecturing me on relationships?

At least I don't choose to be unhappy.

What are you on about?

I don't even know why Mandy wastes her time!

Thank you. Have you done?

Oh, and you know that eternal student thing? It's a cop-out.

The nurse was right -

the area around the catheter looks a bit sore.

-Does it feel tender?

-Mm-hm.

OK. I'll take a swab, get it checked for infection.

In the meantime, I'll give you some antibiotics.

-Have you taken a few hours off work?

-Yeah.

I suppose your line of work is pretty flexible.

He's very proud of you, you know. Says you're a financial whizz.

Really?

I struggle with ISAs, let alone anything else.

Perhaps I should give you a call? You could sort out my finances.

Whereabouts are you based?

Is it far from the city centre?

A bit, yeah. Yeah.

I've just got my scruffy clothes on today.

In case your dad needs a hand with anything?

He's said you're round at a moment's notice.

You do your best.

You'd be surprised at the people who don't.

I have patients with family who never visit.

-They don't seem to care, really.

-They'll have reasons.

Sure, but however complicated things get,

it's hard not to see the bigger picture.

What's that?

Life is short. You only get one chance.

I've just got to...

I won't be a minute.

I just need to wash my hands. Put that out! Now!

-Calm down.

-Do it!

Your dad's on oxygen in there. Do you know how dangerous that is?

-Yes.

-You could have killed him!

I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.

I'm a bit all over the place, actually.

I know, it must be upsetting.

Next time, take it outside, OK?

Your dad's been having regular visits from the district nurse,

but I think we need to look again at the care plan.

How do you mean?

Now his mesothelioma's so advanced,

he's going to need round-the-clock care.

A hospice would be the best option.

Hospice?

Hopefully, if we can step up the care plan...

and you're able to support him... what do you think?

I don't know. I'm going to need a bit of time to figure it out.

Sure. But you must understand, you can't take too long.

-He's very weak.

-Sure. Yeah.

OK. You appreciate what I'm saying?

Yeah. Yeah.

We should get back in there.

I even found myself singing Twinkle, Twinkle the other night.

Don't tell Daniel!

My lips are sealed!

-So what did you want to see me for?

-Well, whether it is feasible for me

to come back to work in the next few weeks.

Oh!

Well, um... It's your call, but are you sure?

It may sound crazy, but everything with Joe is perfect right now.

I don't want it to change. I don't want to start resenting him.

I need some balance back in my life.

If it's what you want. You've got months left of maternity leave left.

Yes, and I still want to take it, just in a different way.

If I come back sooner, part-time, I could extend my leave for longer.

Have the best of both worlds.

Ah, very clever!

It's entirely your decision, Zara.

If that's the way you want to work it, then fine.

So have you found yourself some suitable childcare?

-Not yet.

-Not going to be easy for a baby that young, is it?

I'm not going to leave Joe unless Daniel and I are 100% happy.

What does he think?

He's gone a bit Captain Caveman about it.

But he'll come round.

HARRY COUGHS VIOLENTLY

It's all right, Harry. OK, calm down. His pulse is weak.

-Can't you do something?

-Can you hold that?

-Do you know where his medication is?

-No, I don't, sorry.

I'll give him some Diamorphine to ease the pain.

You can let go. He'll calm down after I give him this.

Why's no-one helped him?

Haven't you?

Making friends?

Oh, Zara. I am so pleased for you.

-You've got him, and it all went well, especially since...

-Thanks.

-Mmm. Ooh, baby smell. Best smell in the world!

-Thanks, Karen.

Has he been behaving himself?

Just a few little grizzles. Probably been missing his mum.

Shouldn't he be in hospital?

What's important is you're here.

Yeah, but...I mean, look at him!

Didn't your father tell you his wishes?

The last time he was in hospital, he only just pulled through.

He made it absolutely clear the next time,

he wanted nature to take its course.

Maybe he didn't know what he was saying.

Harry?

We need you to tell John this is what you want.

How's he going to do that?

Stay.

-It's what he wants, John.

-Yeah.

In his own home, with the person he loves.

I can't do this! He don't deserve this.

Son.

I'm here.

You finally came.

He told us you visited all the time.

Made him feel better, I suppose.

We thought he had support, someone to cook...

I know. I've let him down.

I've let a lot of people down.

Here.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Harry?

He's gone.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-See you, little man!

Proud as punch!

I've finished that report for Julia,

so I thought I might take a long lunch.

Oh! Lucky for some.

Will you tell Karen that I'll be back for afternoon surgery?

What's going on there?

What?

Tell me.

Is there anything I can get for you?

Someone I should call?

Just remember you were there for him. He was at peace.

Got to make the most of it.

I'll have to do it. Phone the wife.

-Wife?

-I'm going to have to do it, go and see her.

I'll tell her I've got myself straight. She might listen. Let me see the kid.

You have a child?

Boy, Mikey. He's a good lad.

Harry never mentioned him.

No?

Or that you were married.

Um...

Excuse me, I need to get some water.

Mandy!

What are you doing here?

I've just come to apologise.

Look, forget it. I've got to go and get some lunch.

I know. I know.

That's why I brought this!

It all looks really nice, but I just...

I was an idiot and I'm really sorry.

But I have brought pate,

crusty bread with olives.

Lashings of ginger beer!

I never noticed that before.

No?

Any idea how it broke?

Probably just age.

Yeah.

I need something from my car.

It's just something I need to...

Who are you?

Does it really matter?

Not to Harry - that was something, at least. Let me through!

So you can phone the police?

If you do that, I won't get my family back.

We 'ave olives - both green and black -

and...we 'ave some stuffed peppers.

Lovely.

The chef's speciality.

We have pate from... from the shop.

All vegetarian?

Er, non.

But ze goosie was very happy.

I'm sorry. I forgot.

It doesn't matter.

Ginger beer?

Absolutely.

Yes, there you go.

OK, now, that is impressive.

Not the first time I've done that.

-So.

-So.

What the hell's the matter with you?

I need this chance. Do you understand?

Maybe you should have thought of that

-before you broke into a dying man's house!

-I didn't know.

You pretended to be his son!

What choice did I have?

We always have a choice.

You could let me walk through that door right now.

I can't. I can't let you ruin it for us.

So what are you going to do?

You can't hurt me and then call your wife and tell her you've changed.

Don't! Because you know nothing about me.

Why didn't you run away? When you heard me coming in?

I should have done.

And that glass of water. You got that for him.

I know.

You can choose to be better than this.

I'm going to walk through that door, and you're not going to stop me.

We had a right laugh at the hen do,

then you went all weird at the wedding, then it was clowning about,

painting plates, and then last night...

-Yeah, I know. I know.

-And it's not anything I'm doing, cos I've always been straight with you.

Not literally, I hope.

Oh! There you go again.

I just... I don't get it, Freya.

OK. Let's recap, shall we?

One, I'm an idiot.

Agreed.

Thank you.

Two, I know I'm wildly inconsistent.

But some people might find that fascinating and charming.

I know you don't.

Three, I got all uncomfortable and territorial last week,

because I couldn't handle you

getting all pally with my team-mates.

What did you expect me to do?

I never said that any of this was rational!

Four.

I really, really like you.

And I just hope you can put up with my crap,

because I want to carry on seeing you.

I've really blown it, haven't I?

No. I've got a numb bum.

Look, I know it was a silly idea, but I just...

No, actually, I think it was a really good idea.

Thank you for being honest with me.

So do you like me again?

Only if you show me your stuffed peppers.

Yes, hello. It's Dr Cassidy.

Can I make arrangements to pick up a deceased patient?

Yes, his name's Harry Henderson.

No. No, I'm alone.

DOOR CLOSES

-Oh, I wasn't expecting you back so early.

-Obviously.

-This is Susannah Davey.

-Hello. Nice to meet you.

-Hi. Where's Joe?

-He's asleep.

-It was lovely to meet you. We'll be in touch.

-Thanks a lot. Bye.

I thought you were going to wait?

If you'd just listen, I have actually planned this quite carefully.

A staggered return to work followed by extended part-time working.

Yeah. That could work in theory, I guess.

When we find someone who's wonderful with Joe, you'll see things differently.

Will I? What about his emotional well-being?

All the evidence suggests babies left too early develop problems.

Scaremongering. Research done by men who hate the idea of women having careers.

How can you be so dismissive? This is our son we're talking about!

I would stop right there if I were you!

Do you remember his due date?

-Of course I do!

-It's this week, Zara. This week.

-Do you think I don't know that?!

-Then why are you so desperate to leave him?!

Ooh, quick, close the door!

All right, all right, all right.

It's so cold!

You're freezing, aren't you?

No, I'm just putting this on to make me look more attractive.

It's working. Come here.

-Give it a minute.

-Ooh, that's nice.

Is that your handbrake or are you just pleased to see me?

Come on you, let's get you back to work.

Work! Yep!

Right! Come on.

You must see how selfish you're being! This is madness!

You have got a nerve, swanning back to work without a backward glance!

-You're not going to change my mind. Joe needs full-time parental care right now.

-Maybe you've got a point.

Mothers are more important than fathers.

-After all, it is a much more powerful bond.

-I wouldn't say that.

Really? So why don't you take a leave of absence for a few months?

Me?

No?

No, I didn't think so!

Daniel, I'm going to win.

Who you trying to kid? You've lost half my money.

-Choose another bag. That one is mine!

-Chill out, lady.

I lost.

What, all of it?

All of it.

Please don't take my handbag!

You cannot steal money from the surgery account.

You'll lose your job.

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