Through a Glass Darkly Doctors

I hate going to church

You're not going to church.

All my mates get to check out the sales,

while I'm stuck listening to people moan about their families.

-That's not what we do.

-Yeah, right.

Well, you never know, you might actually learn something.

About truth, responsibility,

actually coming home when you say you will....

OK, OK.

-So, Mr Jetsetter, don't keep me in suspenders.

-Sorry?

The city that never sleeps, the big "you know what"

-- what you bring me back?

-I didn't go.

-What?

All right, Kev? Good trip, mate?

Girls, gadgets and the Guggenheim?

I didn't go. I was ill, OK?

Oh, you poor sausage. No wonder you've got such a long face.

What was the matter?

It's called Christmas.

Hi, Kevin. Did you have a nice time?

New York is so romantic this time of year, isn't it?

Have a good Christmas?

Yeah. Could of done with a few more of Santa's little helpers,

but you can't have everything...

Hello, Miss Alton. And Happy New Year to you.

And to you, Mrs Tembe. This is my daughter, Kim.

Ah, hello.

Hi.

She's been grounded, she's not happy.

-Teenagers, eh?

-Do you want help with the chairs?

-That would be lovely, thank you.

-Kim, I'm...

-PHONE RINGS

-I'm so sorry. Hang on, I'll just take this.

Hello?

Ow! Eh!

-You all right?

-Yes, yes, I am fine. Thank you.

Let me.

Need all the brownie points I can get.

So, what have you done to upset your mother?

-Missed my curfew.

-Your curfew?

Yeah. She'd tag me if she could.

Don't be too hard on her. Sometimes mothers worry

when their children are out late at night.

You call nine o'clock late?

Well, yes, that does seem a little early.

But perhaps she had no idea what you were up to.

I was practising. I'm in a band.

Oh, a band.

You know, when I was your age,

I was also in a band. A church band.

It meant everything to me.

Sometimes I missed my curfew.

I'm so sorry, Mrs Tembe, we're going to have to go.

What?

They can't find the keys to the stockroom at work

and I'm the only person they can find who's got a spare pair.

I'm going home then.

No you're not. You're coming with me.

And don't make a scene, all right.

Perhaps she could stay with me.

We have been getting to know each other.

No, that's very kind. No, we'll...

Great. Mum's boring work or church hall.

My life is just so great.

Really, she will be fine.

OK. Be good, I won't be long. All right?

I think this is plenty, if we put a few more here?

Hey! So, how did it go with our American cousins?

Did the boys take Manhattan?

He didn't go. He was poorly.

Thanks, Karen.

Never mind. It's an over-rated hellhole, anyway.

Is this it?

Yes. What were you expecting?

Dunno. A load of saddos, I suppose.

Can I help you?

I'm sorry, am I too late?

Not at all. Please, join us, Mr...?

Adrian. My name is Adrian.

Can we go somewhere a bit more private?

Here's OK.

I just came to tell you Dad had the transplant.

We won't get the all clear for a few more weeks but after that...

You don't you get it, do you? I don't give a monkey's.

-Kevin...

-It's all behind me now.

I've got patients to see, so...

..goodbye.

I'm about to do something that scares the...

Well, it's not going to be easy.

You see, my ex and I, we split up ten years ago.

"Acrimonious divorce."

I wanted to keep seeing my little girl, but she didn't want me to.

Thought it best we live our lives separately.

All I had was this little photograph that

I used to carry with me everywhere.

Not the same as seeing her grow up, though.

Your ex sounds like a right cow.

Kim, please!

Sorry. Sorry.

I've got the chance to get in contact with her again.

I'm a different person to who I was back then.

I've done a lot of work on myself.

I want to be a father before it's too late.

I just don't know if I've got the courage to tell her who I am.

And that's why I'm here today.

That is very honest of you, Mr... Adrian.

And we both hope that, God willing,

things will turn out for the best for you and your daughter.

Don't we, Kim?

Would you like a cup of tea?

-Yes, please.

-Right.

Oh, sweetheart! Come on, give me your hand.

Let's do Incy Wincy Spider.

# Incy Wincy Spider

# Climbed up the spout... #

-Chris, this is Kirsty.

-Hello, Kirsty.

She's a little bit afraid of having her jab.

Aww. You know what?

I don't really like going to the doctor's either.

So, shall we have a little bit of fun?

-WOMAN: What's that?

-Where's that come from?

Can I see something in your ear?

You've got one as well! And...

-..in your other ear.

-WOMAN: What's that?

Shall we go and have a little treasure hunt and see how many of these we can find?

-WOMAN: Yeah!

-Yeah?

-Bye-bye!

Thank you for coming to see me, Mr Thomas.

Don't you ever give up?

Kim, could you give me a hand with the biscuits?

Yeah, sure.

I'm starving!

I'm more of a ginger snap person myself.

How about you?

Anything, as long as it's chocolate.

Well, that sounds good to me.

Here, I'll do this packet for you.

Thanks.

You know, I think you should just go for it.

Sorry?

Your daughter. Just go and see her.

Yeah? You think so?

Yeah, course.

She'll just be pleased to have her dad back.

I know I would be.

Your dad doesn't live with you?

Not since I was little.

Maybe you should get in touch with him?

No chance. My dad's dead.

-Dad would like to see you.

-No way.

-He wants to say thank you in person.

-Dream on.

You're a chip off the old block, do you know that?

He knows what it cost you to do what you did.

He knows nothing and neither do you.

He's our father, Kevin.

No, he's a selfish, manipulative old man

who left me and my mum high and dry.

You're being unfair. He didn't totally abandon you.

Time's up.

What about the money he gave your mum?

What money?

Was everything all right?

Yes. Panic over. Thank you. Kim behaved herself?

-She has been as good as gold.

-Good. Where is she?

-She was here a moment ago.

-I can't see her.

She can't have gone far.

I'll just check the loo. Could you check the kitchen?

I'm sure she will be back...

PHONE RINGS

That'll be Mum again, mad at me for going AWOL.

We can go back if you like.

I don't want to get you into trouble.

No, it's all right. I'm already grounded anyway.

-What did you do?

-Usual teenage stuff.

Mum a bit hard on you, is she?

I'm all she's got.

So, when are you going to see your daughter?

I'm not sure.

I'd like to get her a present first.

Good idea.

-Do you think so?

-Yeah.

I don't know what she'd like, though.

-I can help you with that.

-Can you?

Yeah. Music, clothes, make-up, more clothes...

Music?

Yeah. I know what she'd really like.

Yeah, what's that?

One of them smartphones. Bet all her mates have got one.

And where would I get one of those?

Are you kidding me? Come on.

When did you last see her?

She was putting out some biscuits and...

What?

It is probably nothing.

No, go on.

She was talking to someone else in the group.

Who? Carla? Jan?

-No, he was new.

-He?

-I had not seen him here before.

-Who was he? What was his name?

I'm not sure that I can say.

We do not know that this man had anything to do with this.

Was his name Darren, Darren Crompton?

No. No, his name was not Darren.

Was he tall? Blonde, curly hair, blue eyes?

Nice big smile?

Right, I'm calling the police.

MUSIC: "She Makes Me Wanna" by JLS

It's amazing what they can do now, isn't it?

I mean the internet and everything.

Er, yeah.

I can't work out which tariff to go for.

Just make sure it gives you millions of free texts.

Oh, right.

I don't think you actually get millions.

No. No, of course.

Have you seen a case you like?

I quite like that one. So, that's the one I'd go for.

Right, well we'll have that then, eh?

Hang on a minute. She might be vegetarian!

I doubt it.

Take that as well, please.

PHONE RINGS

And we'll go for that first tariff.

KIM ENDS CALL

Thank you.

Here, this is for you.

What? I only helped you pick one. It's for your daughter, isn't it?

Yes.

Right, the police have told me to go home and wait for Kim there.

So they think it will be all right?

-I should never have left her.

-I am sure she can be trusted.

What about him?

Maybe it was a coincidence. I did not see her leave with Adrian.

No, no, no. He's far too clever for that.

You know this man?

He's Kim's father and he's been in prison for the last ten years.

Kim!

-Kim.

-I'm phoning Mum.

Kim, before you do,

please just listen to me for a moment.

Everything I said this morning was true.

My dad died when I was three. He was sick.

My mum wouldn't lie to me.

Rachel was probably just doing what she thought was for the best.

Who are you?

Look.

That doesn't prove anything.

Look on the back.

That's your birthday, isn't it?

You're not my dad. You can't be.

Can we just go somewhere and talk?

Please?

HE BREATHES SLOWLY

How did you do that?

Sworn to secrecy.

Emma, have you seen him do that?

-Sorry?

-He's just levitated! It was brilliant.

-Save it, Karen. Don't.

-His party piece.

Some party piece. He's really good.

-You think so?

-Yeah!

Do you remember Chris the Conjuror?

Mum, please don't.

I entered him for this talent contest when he was seven,

-cos I thought it would be fun.

-She made me do it.

It was like "Birmingham's Got Talent." They loved him.

-They hated me.

-They adored you.

She made a botch job of my costume.

Do you remember Hugo?

She tried to make me take a rabbit out of a hat.

It was really funny.

Yeah, it was hilarious. The rabbit escaped and ran all over the stage.

-The whole audience laughed at me.

-Yeah, but in a good way.

No, in a, "What's that little idiot doing on the stage?" way.

Mum, they called me "Bugs" at school for weeks.

You're exaggerating.

All mums like to show off their kids, don't they?

You should see some of the things I made Jack and Immie do

when they were little, it's...

Forgive me for asking, but...

..what did he do?

I can't say.

Oh, dear. Did he hurt you?

No, no. No, not me.

Then who?

A 13-year-old girl.

He raped a 13-year-old girl.

Why did Mum lie to me and say you were dead?

I did something I'm not proud of.

-An affair?

-No.

Where have you been staying all this time?

I was down South for a while.

With another family? Or have they kicked you out too?

No. No, there was never another family.

It's always just been you.

Then why haven't you got in contact before?

I didn't want to rock the boat - upset you...

..or your mother.

How did you know where we were today?

I came to your house this morning.

I was going to knock on the door, but I just couldn't do it.

And then you came out.

And I followed you, but I wasn't going to say anything.

But then I saw that your mum had left the hall.

That was pretty sneaky.

I didn't know if I'd get another chance to see you alone.

Here.

Peace offering.

I don't think Mum would like it.

Well, it can be our secret.

I've got a lot of birthdays to catch up on, haven't I?

Thanks.

PHONE RINGS

I really should call Mum.

Just a few more minutes, please?

KIM ENDS CALL

OK.

She lived next door.

Loved animals.

Next door?

Oh, no. No, no, no. We moved.

The first chance I got, we got out of there.

I didn't think he'd track us down here.

But I thought people like him

were supposed to be on some sort of register?

Yeah. Doesn't seem to be helping the police right now, though, does it?

People like him are...

..they're evil...

..and they're clever...

..and manipulative.

And now he's come back for Kim. Oh, God.

RACHEL SOBS

HE PLAYS SLOW TUNE ON GUITAR

Can't believe you play. I do too.

Yeah, I know.

How?

I've seen you on YouTube.

Well, I know your name and...

..I've tried to keep up with what you were doing,

watch you growing up from a distance.

Don't tell Mum. She hates me being on there.

"You never know who's looking at you..."

THEY LAUGH

Well, she's just being sensible.

That's so cool.

It's not that hard.

-Come on, I'll teach you. Come on.

-Yeah?

Here, it's easy. Sit yourself down.

OK, start with a C.

And then...

That's it. There you go.

Keep on the C. Now move to F.

That's it. Just keep it there.

-Am I doing all right?

-You're doing great.

OK this is an easy one. All right? Ready?

KAREN GASPS

You're so good!

Years of practice.

-Pub?

-Yeah.

Do you know he can do magic? He could put Paul Daniels to shame.

I'm sure Debbie's quaking in her boots.

Do you do shows and stuff?

No, just bits down at the youth club where I volunteer.

It's nothing special, it's only street magic stuff.

Nothing special? Go on, show Al what you can do.

No, thanks. Unless Gandalf here can magic up steak pie and chips

from thin air, I'm out of here.

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Mill Health Centre?

Yeah.

What's the name?

Darling, are you all right?

Has he touched you? Quick, get inside!

I haven't done anything... Rachel!

Mum! You've got to let him in.

-Get away!

-Listen to me...

-Where have you been?

-Nowhere!

-Rachel?

Look, has he done anything to you at all?

-Has he touched you?

-No!

-Perhaps you should calm down.

-Don't tell me to calm down!

We just had some pizza and he showed me his guitar.

-You've been to his house!

-Yeah, he loves music too!

I'll have to take out a restraining order.

What? Mum, why did you lie to me?

I want my dad to come in.

I want to talk to my dad!

Please, Kim! Kim!

There's something you have to know first.

Just let me explain to her. Rachel!

KAREN LAUGHS

Thought you said it was easy!

-It is!

-Not for butterfingers here.

All right, we'll just take it slowly, one step at a time.

OK, OK, OK.

You should do shows, you would make a fortune.

No. "Birmingham's Got Talent" was enough for me.

I would be your manager. Just quality gigs. We'd be a dream team.

I'm sure we would. But what about the sick and needy children of Letherbridge?

-Oh, we'd just get someone else in.

-Are you saying I'm expendable?

Let's put your plans for world domination on hold for the moment.

Is she going to get it this time?

CHRIS CHEERS

Is it true?

What've you been saying?

I told her the truth.

Everything. Which is more than you did.

I didn't know how you'd react.

I wanted you to see the person I've become.

You're disgusting.

I'm sorry for what I did. I...

I couldn't stop myself.

I was sick.

That's no excuse.

I tried to get better. I got treatment inside.

I volunteered for therapy,

for medication, anything.

Anything that would... That would help me change.

You must have ruined her life.

I know and I'm sorry.

If there was anything I could do

that would change that, I would.

How could you come anywhere near me?

I wanted to spend some time with you before you found out.

Just a few hours with your dad.

Just a normal bloke who loves you and cares for you.

And always will.

Yeah, well, you're never going to see him again.

We'll move if we have to.

You know I would never hurt you...

-Don't come near me.

-It is all right.

You believe me, don't you, Mrs Tembe?

About what?

I'm a different man!

Look, I can't change, but I can control it.

I really would like to believe that.

You took me to your house.

I wanted to spend some time with you and be a proper dad.

Do you not understand, you'll never be a "proper dad."

Tell them, Mrs Tembe. Tell them. You heard me this morning.

You thought... You thought I was being honest.

That's what she thought before you lied about your name

and run off with my daughter under false pretences.

I can't get my head around this!

Will you talk to Kim?

Help her to see that people can change?

I cannot promise anything.

We're all God's children, aren't we?

You believe in forgiveness and a second chance, don't you, Mrs Tembe?

Well, yes.

Every day Mrs Tembe, every day I live with this.

In here.

I want to help you.

Really, I would.

But what I did is just unforgivable.

This is a nice surprise. How are you feeling?

Fine.

Good. Can I get you something to drink?

No. Thanks.

What's up, love?

I saw Nadia today.

Has something happened? Is there a problem with the treatment?

-I thought you didn't care about him?

-Well, I don't but he's your father.

So everyone keeps saying.

What's she been telling you?

You told me Mo never gave us any money.

Nadia says he did.

POLICE OFFICER SPEAKS ON RADIO

He has been arrested.

No, he hasn't, more's the pity.

They're taking him in for questioning.

At least we can be thankful that nothing...

..happened.

I was such an idiot,

thinking I could keep her from knowing the truth.

You were only doing your best.

How come I didn't see it in him?

I lived with him for five years!

Well, one thing's for sure.

She's never going to see him again.

Mum?

Yes. Well, no.

I mean, there is some truth in what she says.

What does that mean?

-I thought it was for the best.

-What was?

-He did help us out a bit.

-What?

I didn't want to upset you.

What did he do? How much did he give you?

Just a bit, now and then.

For Christmas, birthday presents that sort of thing.

My red bike, was that from him?

And the chemistry set I loved as a kid - did he pay for that as well?

I don't know. I can't remember.

You swore to me two weeks ago he never gave us a thing.

-I know.

-What else?

-There's nothing else.

-No, I don't believe you.

When was the last time he gave you money?

-It doesn't matter.

-It does to me!

-All right.

Remember when you ran into trouble at medical school?

You told me some old church fund helped us out.

No, love.

It was your father.

New year resolutions.

Oh. I didn't make any.

I'm disappointed.

You're exactly the kind of person who buys into this nonsense.

And I don't think you're behaving very well.

Really? How am I behaving?

I don't feel very...

SHE VOMITS

I suppose we better confirm that you've got enough time

to take on this commitment.

How I organise my time is my business.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd