Known Impediment Doctors

"I might not be there with you

"to read my speech on this,

"your most special day...

"..but I wanted to say to Connor,

"If you can...

"If you can love my daughter

"as I have...loved her mother,

"with...

"with...

"honesty and commitment...

"Respect and adoration..."

Why's this so hard?

Stress.

Your dad would be so proud of you.

Come here.

Everything's going to be fine.

Yeah.

Ah! What happened?

Fell down some stairs. Slipped a disk.

Where was he?

St Alexander's Primary.

Oh! Them poor kids.

The end of innocence.

Christmas is far too commercialised for my liking.

It should be a spiritual time, not an excuse to spend money.

Presents, stamps,

wrapping paper, Sellotape.

Mrs Tembe, have you ever seen A Christmas Carol?

Yes, I have.

And I am not Scrooge, if that's what you are inferring.

So we can't persuade you to join us at the Icon for Christmas lunch?

Three courses for a tenner, as many crackers as you can pull?

Thank you, but no. I have a packed lunch.

Good morning. How may I help you?

I have an...appointment with Dr Carter.

All right. Please, take a seat.

PHONE RINGS

The Mill Health Centre. How may I help you?

One moment.

(Dr Tyler, it is your mother.)

I'm out. Or better still - dead.

Hello, I am so sorry. He is unavailable at the moment.

Would you care to leave a message?

Mary gave...

the ch...

the child a biscuit.

Have a seat.

There's been a marked reduction in fluency since last week.

Are you still doing the exercises?

I...I'm saying it in my head first,

picturing the words,

and breathing out as I speak.

And you feel well? No other symptoms?

I could give you some sedatives.

Have you thought any more about the DAF machine we discussed earlier?

Actually, that would be...great.

Don't worry. Most brides feel jittery on their big day.

It's perfectly normal.

I thought you were off today?

Sorry, not sure I got the memo

saying I had to run my diary past you.

Jas has invited us to Christmas lunch at the Icon.

Mmm! Warm white wine,

chewy cold turkey and an hour of shop talk. No, thanks!

-Have you ever seen him smile?

-Mm. Week ago last Thursday, I think.

Give my best to your mum, thank her for the invite.

-Tell her I wouldn't miss it for the world.

-See you at the hotel.

Connor's a very lucky man.

Mrs Tembe, when you have a minute,

would you find the number for the nearest DAF suppliers?

Of course, Dr Carter.

Christmas starts now!

Tell me again why I'm coming.

Because it's Christmas and this is what people do.

They spend quality time with work colleagues and spread the goodwill.

Ho, ho, ho(!)

PHONE RINGS

Well, hello.

'Hey.'

For what do I owe the pleasure?

Well, I remembered you saying you were off this afternoon.

I've got a couple of hours free, if you fancy meeting up.

An excellent suggestion. Where do you fancy?

How about a walk in the park?

Now when you say a walk, you don't mean a five-mile sprint?

Very funny.

'Count me in.'

Great. I'll text you the address.

Awaiting orders, Major.

LAUGHTER

-Why did Santa's helper see the doctor?

-I don't know.

Cos he had low "elf" esteem!

Oh! Wait, OK.

What athlete is warmest in winter?

A long jumper!

-Kev?

-I'll pass, thanks.

Me, me, me!

Yes! I know it's mental at my age, but I just love Christmas.

-The shopping. The presents.

-The drinking.

Every year, we used to have a Christmas Eve party.

My dad used to dress up as the Christmas wizard

and give presents to me and all my mates. It was well embarrassing.

That's expensive!

We were press-ganged into volunteering at homeless shelters.

My mum used to wind me up with the mistletoe,

threatened to kiss all my mates.

Aw, diddums.

-Eh?

-Want to hear a real Christmas story?

How about the one where the mum gets laid off and the kid doesn't get any presents?

-You?

-Cried all through Boxing Day, poor old cow.

Now that's what I call a proper Christmas!

Excuse me.

Wow.

Downer or what?

He's got stuff going on.

Don't we all?

If the waitress comes, I'll have the full works.

BELL RINGS

You're stressed.

Really? You should be a doctor, you're a natural(!)

Dads are supposed to be there,

teach you how to swim, ride a bike,

do equations, talk you through your first hot date.

I didn't have any of that,

which must mean I don't have a dad.

Have a nice lunch.

I'm sorry, I tried everyone I know. It's just too short notice.

DAF? What does that stand for?

Delayed Auditory Feedback. You wear an earpiece,

it plays your speech back with a slight delay. It seems to work.

If it's a matter of someone going to get it, I can. There's time.

-Yeah, but the nearest is in Swansea.

-Thanks for trying.

Heston. How lovely to see you.

You too. You look wonderful.

Thank you.

I was hoping to help Rachael with William's speech.

I've offered to read it. Take the pressure off her, but...

Dad asked me. I promised.

I know, I know. You're so like your dad.

Once you set your mind on something...

-Did you ever meet him, Doctor?

-Mm.

-Great guy.

Funny, generous. Never judged anyone.

-We were at St Phil's together.

-Back in the Dark Ages!

Now, my only daughter is about to get married.

-I think that calls for some champagne, don't you?

-Oh, yes.

Heston?

Sweetheart. You OK?

Fine.

You just...

You seem miles away.

No, I...I'm fine.

Not having second thoughts?

No!

As if.

You're not being indiscreet.

He behaved badly. At least now we know why.

Just cos his dad's suddenly come into his life,

he doesn't have to do it. He does have a choice.

-How long's he got, do you know?

-Pretty sick, by all accounts.

Poor Kev.

Just before Christmas.

Do you think we should talk to him?

Absolutely not. He'd go ballistic.

This is just between us, OK?

Go on. Go.

It's bad luck.

You're not pregnant?

-No.

-Because I wouldn't mind.

Seriously. Whatever you want.

I...I know.

Hey.

Next time we see each other, it'll be at the altar.

We'll be Mr and Mrs Evans.

Weird, eh?

You make me so happy, Rach.

Luckiest day of my life, the day I met you.

It was for me, too.

See you in church.

To young love.

How long have they been together?

Three years.

I wasn't sure at first, but he makes Rachael so happy

and William adored him.

You must miss him.

More than I can say.

You know Rachael's stammer started the day he died?

Grief affects people in all sorts of ways.

She always was Daddy's girl

but William being a surgeon, a life-saver - he was her hero.

Course, there's a price to pay for that.

Long hours. On call most weekends.

A man like that, you have to share him with the rest of the world.

Can't have been easy.

When we got the diagnosis,

I thought he'd be terrified, guilty at not spending more time with us.

He was euphoric.

This was to be his last great adventure...

SHE SOBS

How can I carry on without him, Heston?

No-one is going to forget William.

No...

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

I'm...

I'm not sure I can do this on my own.

-You are coming, aren't you? To the hotel?

-Of course.

It was so nice to see you at the funeral, Heston,

-after all this time.

-You too.

MUSIC PLAYS THROUGH HEADPHONES

Hey. How are you?

Gina?

SHE MOUTHS WITH MUSIC

-Gina!

-Oh!

It's all right, I have that effect on woman.

-I'm so sorry, I...

-Don't worry. Made my day.

PHONE RINGS

The car company. Hello?

Please don't say there's a problem with the cars.

Everything all right?

-Would you like me to go through the speech with you again?

-No, I'd...

I'd...

I'd like you to leave.

Sorry?

Exploiting... people's grief like that.

Today of all days... Unbelievable!

What?

Get her...down to the garden where no-one can see?

Oh, no, that's not what you think!

You're all the...the same!

-Any opportunity!

-Darling?

What's the matter? Heston?

I think she saw...

Oh, no. Rachael!

Hey, you missed a really nice dinner.

Jas told me not to say anything

but if you were thinking of doing that stem cell donation,

I've got a mate that did it for her cousin

-and she said it is really, really easy.

-Sorry?

Yeah, just a couple of trips to the hospital,

they take the stem cells, Bob's your uncle.

Mandy. Could you see to Mrs Grafton's dressing?

It's come off and she can't bend down to redo it.

-That is the last time I tell you anything.

-Sorry?

I told you about him in confidence

and now, what, the whole surgery knows?

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

From now on, you keep your nose out of my business.

Both of you!

-I was trying to help.

-I thought I said...

How can you stand by and watch Kev ignore a dying man?

It's nothing to do with us.

What if he does die? Do you think he'll be OK?

He won't, he'll be a mess

-and it'll be us that has to pick up the pieces.

-It's a private matter.

He is not thinking straight.

Look, no-one else can make this decision but Kevin.

It's probably best if you stay clear of him for the time being.

-Jas...

-That wasn't a suggestion.

Sweetheart?

Go back to your...boyfriend!

Darling...

Leave me...alone!

This is silly. Please.

We're friends, that's all.

Oh, but now D-dad's out the way...

Rachael, how could I love anyone after your father?

He was my world.

I'm frightened, Mum.

It's wedding day butterflies.

No... I'm scared.

Scared of...

What?

Scared that me and Connor won't be as happy as you and Dad.

Oh, sweetheart.

Of course you will be.

You already are.

He's a delightful young man and he adores you.

You have nothing to worry about.

Nothing at all.

Now, come on.

Am I forgiven?

My best friend Cleo got married last year and moved to London.

My other bestie, Gary, they're trying for a baby

so he's not as around as much he used to be.

The last thing I want to be is one of those sad singles

sitting around waiting for the phone to ring,

so I just...keep myself busy,

get things done.

You like living on your own?

Yeah. Do what I want, when I want.

Don't have to answer to anyone.

I leave the house clean and tidy, it's clean and tidy when I get back.

Yeah, I've lived with people before

and sometimes it can drive you nuts.

And now?

Just me.

No-one special, then?

There was,

but I'm over that now.

Good for you.

Life's too short to dwell on past mistakes.

You've got to keep moving forward.

It's all out there for us, Howard. we just haven't found it yet.

"If you can love my daughter

"as much as I have loved her mother...

"with..."

Rrgh!

Honesty!

Honesty, honesty.

What about you? Why did you leave?

Pretty much the same reason.

I'd gone about as far as I could go

and I fancied doing something else rather than strategies and logistics.

-You're glad you did?

-Every day.

Isn't it all budgets and paperwork?

Yeah, but I like all that. I'm in charge.

It's my own little fiefdom.

Little bit of banter. Empty inbox. I keep the ship afloat.

So what's a bad day?

Erm...

More than one doctor on sick leave.

Any e-mails berating the fact that

we haven't sanctioned a boob job or a gastric band.

Somebody crying in my office.

What? If it was up to me, seriously

anybody that needed to lose more than five stone

should be forced to join up to the Mill Health Centre Boot Camp.

-In fact, you could be my first customer.

-Careful!

If you're nice, I might just let you run it.

I'd have you begging for mercy.

I bet you would.

We're not far from my place.

Oh, really?

How about a glass of wine?

Warm us up?

Go on, then.

Tea?

Sorry, I'm a bit distracted.

Oh?

I'm helping a young bride with speech therapy

and I think I put my foot in it

Not like you.

She thinks I'm after her mum.

-And are you?

-No!

What else?

Well, they want me to go to the wedding reception, but...

Oh, Heston, you're being too sensitive.

She's probably just worried about the wedding.

Once they're hitched, she'll be so loved-up

she wouldn't notice if Elvis walked into the room.

Who is it, anyway?

Rachael Templeman.

Not William Templeman's daughter? The Paediatric Burns guy?

You knew him?

Not really, but I did spend a rather lovely couple of hours

in his company talking through some boring PCT procurement.

Total flirt.

Very good at his job.

Absolutely.

Mind you, I wouldn't want to be married to him, though.

A man with that much charisma is far too attractive to the opposite sex.

Do you think they knew?

The family.

About what?

The affairs.

Sins of the fathers, eh?

It's not always fathers.

No, true.

Oh, Heston, you have a wedding to go to.

You should be at home, rifling through your bow-tie collection.

Oh, yeah, Rachael. It's Dr Carter.

I know you're busy getting ready - could we meet and have a quick chat?

It is important.

KNOCKING

Come in.

You missed the Christmas dinner, so I thought you might like this.

Thank you. What do you want, Mandy?

-Am I that obvious?

-Hmm.

It's Kevin.

What about him?

He needs someone to talk to.

Oh?

Look, you might think this is none of my business...

but Cherry told me a bit about you and your dad.

Nice of her.

Oh, Jimmi, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't serious.

She told me how hard it was, for you and him.

How you had a lot of stuff to deal with,

Kevin's going through something similar

And you want me to wade into his life, uninvited,

-and tell him how to deal with things?

-He's in a serious mess

Thanks for the mince pie, Mandy.

Jimmi, please.

Can you tell Mrs Tembe I'm ready for my next patient, please?

Thank you.

I'm sorry about earlier. I was out of order.

No, that's not why I wanted to speak to you.

You were a lot more fluent than when you were practising

your dad's speech.

It seems to exacerbate things.

Well...it means... It means a lot.

William was a great man.

Some people thought so. His colleagues.

The families of the kids he saved

But he wasn't perfect.

And I think you know that, too?

Yes

Talk to your mum.

Be honest.

And let it go.

I couldn't, it would break her heart.

More than knowing you can't confide in her?

PHONE RINGING

Good afternoon. The Mill Health Centre. How may I help...?

Oh, well, hello!

Yes, let me see. One moment, please.

Dr Tyler, it is your mother again.

I'm not here.

I am so sorry, he is very busy.

Yes, would you care to leave a message?

It's none of your business. Or mine.

Darling! What are you doing still not dressed?

I need to-to talk to you.

What about?

It's about Daddy

What about him?

I was 14...

and we had the afternoon off school because the boiler wasn't working.

I thought I'd surprise Dad in his office, but...

..w-when I walked in...

..he was with someone.

When I challenged him, he said that

an affair didn't mean he didn't love us.

And you've kept this to yourself, all these years?

Oh, my love.

How could I tell you?

Daddy was wrong to make you keep that secret.

He was protecting you.

By making you lie?

It would've ruined everything. You were...

You were so perfect.

Oh, sweetheart.

All that stuff in his speech about...

..honesty, and commitment.

If a couple as perfect as you and Dad lie, then...

..then what hope is there for me and Connor?

But, darling, he didn't lie.

He told me. Always.

Daddy loved women, and they loved him back.

An affair doesn't mean a marriage is a sham.

Daddy and I adored each other.

You knew?

All that mattered was that he loved us -

and he did, more than life.

Oh, you must have felt so lonely!

I am so sorry.

I'm scared, Mum

Don't be.

Connor says that he loves me, but...

but how can I trust him?

Because Connor isn't William, and you're not me.

History doesn't have to repeat itself.

Now, come on, sweetheart, dry your eyes.

This is your wedding day.

We have to let go of the past.

Both of us.

Oh...

Ooh, I love you so much.

Dr Carter! Thank you so much for coming.

I wouldn't have missed it. How was the ceremony?

Oh, I don't think I've ever seen her look more beautiful.

-Congratulations.

-Thanks.

And it's just what you said - her stammer, nerves.

Once she started saying her vows, you hardly noticed.

I'm glad.

I am one lucky man!

-Champagne?

-Oh, yeah!

Hey. You got a sec?

I might not be here to read my speech...

on this, your most special day...

..but I wanted to say to Connor, if you can love my daughter

as much as I have loved her mother,

with honesty and commitment,

respect and adoration,

then happiness and contentment will be yours.

-What's up?

-Grab a seat.

I'm fine, thanks.

OK, um...

Look, you can tell me to keep my nose out...

-You're joking!

-What?

Whatever Jas has said to you...

No, no, it wasn't Jas, and it doesn't matter where it came from,

you just don't have to be on your own with this, OK?

I know what you're going through.

I don't think you do.

Look, my dad made me so angry.

More angry than I've ever been in my life.

Wait, Kevin. I don't know the ins and outs

-of your relationship with your dad...

-No you don't.

..or how much he was there for you.

But in my experience, I know this -

if you keep hold of the pain, and stay resentful, then they win.

You have to let it go. Break the chain of neglect.

Love the people that love you. Look forward, not back.

That what you wanted to say?

Yeah.

Great. Have a nice night.

Hi, Mum. It's me.

It is rewarding work. In the true spirit of Christmas,

Ah-ah-ah! Secret Santa?

As in "identity unknown".

Quite a conundrum.

Yes.

Yes, it is quite a conundrum indeed.

My availability.

Just in case you need to know.

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