The Stranger Doctors

Not here.

Not here. No.

What the hell do you think you're playing at?!

-Have you got any toast on the go?

-You're supposed to be on the go.

Has it somehow escaped your attention

that you've got an important exam this morning?

Get dressed.

What're you doing?

Checking that you've got everything. Someone has to.

I'm not a kid, you know.

That's a matter of dispute, young lady.

25 missed calls?!

-What?

-They have got to be kidding

Brilliant. Brilliant.

-What?

-A power cut or something. They've changed the venue of my exam to Wolverhampton.

-Have they changed the time?

-No. No, no, that would be too easy.

Had your breakfast?

I'm not hungry.

(Where are you?)

You need to eat something. We can't have you fainting with starvation in front of the doctor.

I'll have some toast later. Has there been any post?

Just a gas bill.

Nothing else?

I'll make you something to eat.

No. You need to open the shop. I'll be fine.

Go on.

I'll call in later.

Have you forgotten something?

-Call me. Let me know what she says.

-Hmm?

The doctor.

Of course. Bye.

No, I can't because I've got clinic. Go on, Ange,

she's practically your goddaughter...

Because he's at work.

I know it's short notice, that's why it's an emergency!

Have you got any plans for this morning?

All right! I was only asking.

No, no, I understand that,

but I'm saying could you not postpone your MOT?

I mean, you're only driving around for a couple of hours,

only a tiny bit illegal.

Right. Fine.

-Any luck?

-They've all left, they're probably halfway there by now.

PHONE RINGS

Daniel, I just could use a favour. Immie needs a lift

to her exam, she's running late and I've got to be at The Campus in ten.

'Sorry I'm running late myself. Why don't you ask Zara?

'She's only shopping today.'

Zara?!

PHONE RINGS

Yes?

Hi, Zara, how are you? How's Little Joe?

What do you want?

Funny you should mention that, I am after a teeny favour.

Well I say I, but it's not...

-Karen, I haven't got all day.

-Right.

Immie's due at a media studies exam this morning and she needs a lift.

I was wondering if you would do it?

I can't cos I can't get out of work. Rob's on a stake-out.

Why are you asking me?

Daniel said you were only shopping today.

Only shopping?

Hang on a minute. You've asked everybody else, haven't you?

'I'm your last resort.'

No, no, no. It's not like that at all.

D'you think I'm radioactive? Is that it?

No, of course not.

It's...

Well, it's just that I know how you hate having

your time encroached upon.

So, now you're saying I'm selfish. Is that what you're saying?

-I wouldn't dream of saying that. It's not your fault that everybody thinks you are.

-What?

I rather admire the way you don't go on about being

a Good Samaritan all the time.

-What?

-Anyway, you must be very busy.

-I don't won't to keep you.

-Hang on. Fine.

Oh no. I couldn't possibly...

I'll pick up Immie in half an hour.

Fab, thanks. Did I mention the exam's in Wolverhampton?

-What! Karen...

-See you later. Bye.

Karen!

Good morning. And how are you on this fine summer's day?

You look like the cat that got the cream.

Cream. Charisma. Cute. I think I've got it all.

Oh... Is this annoying mood to do with a certain Michaela?

-It might be.

-Go on then. Dish the dirt.

-Kevin, have you got a moment?

-Sure. Why?

-Administration fees. I'd like your input.

-Me?

Anyone else in the room called Kevin?

What did Howard want with Kevin?

Boring admin stuff.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

So, what's the verdict?

-Not too favourable on the old MS front?

-I'm sorry.

It does look as though this period of remission has come to an end.

To be honest, I'm not surprised.

-Things haven't been going my way lately.

-Why?

Trying to find my father.

He left my mum when I was a baby.

I suppose he felt he was too young to cope with a family.

Who knows?

Has he ever been in touch since?

That's where the mystery comes in.

Oh, yes?

These have been arriving over the past two months.

I think he might have sent them.

-Gosh. How can you tell what's written?

-It's difficult.

The style's certainly cryptic.

How do you know they're from your father?

You can just make out the signature. "Geoff."

That's his middle name.

Well, good luck with your search.

I don't really think I can be bothered any more.

I've been at it these past months. Nothing.

And now the letters have stopped coming.

Well, you never know. I must be going.

I'll have a word with your consultant.

Try not to worry.

I'll let myself out.

You're late!

Tough. What on earth is that?

-Mum, I probably won't even need it.

-Best be prepared.

Mind the baby.

-Mind the baby!

-Sorry, Joe.

What else have you got there? Binoculars? A folding chair?

-Ironing board?

-Oh, you're so funny.

You're welcome. "And thank you, Zara,

-"for going out of your way with the kind offer of a lift."

-Thanks.

Here.

Someone tell your mother we live in an age of sat-nav.

Mum, will you stop fussing. I'll see you later. All right?

Good luck, love. You will drive carefully, won't you?

No.

-So? Are you all set?

-Not really.

-Why's that?

Because I'm pretty sure I'm going to mess this up big time.

Don't think I've done the right preparation.

You might as well be taking me to a firing squad.

If it's such a waste of my time, why am I bothering.

Your choice. HORN BLARES

Happy here...

Happy...

Happy...

HE SOBS

-Thank you.

-Take care, love.

Who are you? What d'you want?

I'm sorry. I don't mean to frighten you.

What's your name?

Happy here.

-Here happy?

-Happy here? What does that mean?

Dad, is that you?

What happened to you?

Who has a sat-nav that talks Chinese?

It's the first time it's ever done that.

Great idea of yours.

Taking a short cut you've never used before.

OK, Miss Gratitude, I was trying to make up for lost time.

Lost is the word. I'm going to be so late for this exam.

If we ever get there.

-I didn't think you were that bothered.

-I never said that.

-Doesn't matter anyway. It's only media studies.

-What?

If you want to work in a theme park it might stand you in good stead.

I only hope when Joe's your age his educational choices show

a little more gravitas.

-For your information, media studies is not a slacker's subject any more.

-Oh please.

Internet. iPads. iPods. Androids. Apps. Tip of the iceberg.

Communications are getting more pervasive every day,

-can you imagine what it'll be like when Joe's growing up?

-I'd rather not.

Yeah, well, you should cos his generation are going to be

targeted like never before.

One retina scan is going to give corporations enough

biological history to catalogue his personal preferences and tastes.

He'll have his own chip implant,

capable of uploading a constant stream of advertising.

That's pure science fiction.

These technologies are being developed as we speak. They'll soon be ready to roll.

It's all about information and dissemination.

Hey, Joe, welcome to your brave new world.

Geoff?

Is that your name?

Geoff.

What's this?

It's all right. I won't try to steal it.

Geoff. Did you write this?

Different.

Different? What's different?

Flowers. Used to be yellow.

-The wall?

-Yellow flowers.

That's right. We used to have tulip patterned wallpaper.

But that was years ago.

I'm Paula.

You're my dad, aren't you?

Everywhere you go, you can't escape media messages.

Think about all the posters and logos we've seen on our way here.

-Imogen.

-And that's just the obvious stuff.

-Imogen!

-Joe's generation are going to face a barrage of subliminal messages...

Imogen, you've got about 60 seconds to get to your exam.

Oh, right.

PHONE BEEPS

Really not a good time, Mum.

Yes, we're here. Mum says thank you. Yeah, of course I'll try my best.

Listen, I've really got to go. Yes, I know how to relax!

Will you just stop...?

How am I going to get home?

Call me. I'll pick you up.

Thanks. That's really kind.

There must be some decent shops round here.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

And there he was, stood in the garden, barefoot,

wearing nothing but a dressing gown.

You say you've never seen this man before in your life?

-That's right.

-How do you know it's your father?

Well, he's the same age as Dad would be, and he's got the same name.

-You know his name?

-Not the full name.

He seems to get very easily confused.

And his feet are badly cut.

That's why I thought you could take a look at him.

From what you're saying, it sounds like it's a matter for the police or the social services.

-He's not dangerous!

-I'm sure he's not.

But it's probably best if he is seen by someone who can properly assess and identify him.

And what about his feet? I don't know what do to.

I can't leave the house.

Hi.

I thought these might help to restore Geoff

to some semblance of dignity.

He looks about the same size as Bill.

Good. There. Is that better?

Thank you.

-Who's that for? Is it for Paula?

-He won't seem to part with it.

Would you like another drink, Dad?

I'm not sure that's a good idea to call him.

Why not? After all, who else could he be?

There's got to be some way of proving it.

The only sure way would be a DNA test.

Yes. OK. Go ahead. Do it.

We need to establish his identity first.

But we know that already.

I don't think it's entirely accidental,

Geoff turning up like this.

From what he's been saying, it's obvious he's familiar with the house.

You've been here before, haven't you?

-Happy here.

-You see?

I'm sorry, Paula. I don't mean to sound dismissive,

but that's hardly conclusive proof that Geoff is your father.

I can't carry out a DNA test on a complete stranger.

It would be unethical.

I know I acted unethically.

She's my aunt. I should have backed away.

But when you can see that someone's suffering...

Let me get this straight. You say you lied about her medical history?

I know, I should have stopped to think but...

Bull in a china shop.

Kev, I'm really sorry I've let you down.

OK, if I could go back in time...

The partners got it right, you know. Promoting you, not me.

When it came down to it, I didn't show any judgment.

You wouldn't have done that.

Are you done? You've done this on purpose, haven't you?

Sabotaging the drugs trial. Trying to wreck my career.

-That's not...

-From day one, all it's ever been about is the competition.

Pretending to be my friend but behind my back

-you've been trying to ruin my prospects.

-No. Absolutely not. That's not what...

This isn't about you, it's about me.

The only other person I was thinking about on that trial was my aunt.

Oh, yeah, that's right. You don't give a stuff!

If Kevin has a problem, just ignore him.

Let him sort it out for himself like he's always done.

-Kev...

-No, you can't just hug this out and make it all right.

-You've cocked this up for me, you knew it was important.

-Listen...

Get out. Out!

So, once he'd got his feet under the table,

how long before he started dropping hints that he was your father?

It wasn't like that. Why are you being so sceptical?

Because I'm concerned you're being taken for a ride.

First he writes letters to get you hooked. Then he turns up to reel you in.

It's not just the letters. He knows the house.

He's described the pattern of our bedroom curtains. He's not been upstairs.

So, how would he know something like that?

Because you've posted pictures of the house on that damn website.

I doubt if Geoff's looked at the internet in a long while.

Course, because he's so frail, so confused.

This is what conmen do, Paula.

They create a credible image.

I seriously doubt he's a conman.

I think he might be suffering from dementia.

You see? He's come back to the one place he remembers most.

That proves he's my dad.

-I still think it's too soon to get your hopes up.

-Precisely.

You see what effect he's having on her?

Sooner or later, there'll be a demand for money. For your own sake,

I think it's best if you ask him to leave.

-Now who's being ridiculous?!

-Trust me.

-That man is not your father.

-You don't know that!

Why can't you just be happy for me?!

Excuse me, please.

Ever considered the possibility that Paula might be right - Geoff might be her father?

-That's just not possible.

-Why?

Because...her father died three months ago.

Why didn't I listen to you in the first place?

Do you really want an answer to that?

What's going to happen to Patti? And what about the other lupus patients?

-Freya...

-What will happen to their treatment?

This is such a train wreck.

Stop beating yourself up!

I can't help it. I've been completely and utterly stupid.

You'll get no argument there.

Thank you(!)

It's not like you were acting for personal gain.

You did what you did out of love.

I'm not really sure that'll wash in my defence.

Don't be so pessimistic. There might be a way of dealing with this.

-How?

-One thing, it'll probably be in your favour that you've come forward

and admitted what you've done.

Maybe. Maybe not if the drug trial gets suspended.

It could be restarted.

Maybe they could take Patti out

and put one of Kevin's patients in her place?

It's not as simple as that, Mand.

Then I'm out of ideas.

I don't believe you. It's not true.

I don't think Bill would lie about a thing like this.

I made enquiries. Your father died in a London hospital.

Pancreatic cancer.

He's buried in Wandsworth Cemetery.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-Because you always believed

that he might come back into your life one day.

I couldn't kill that dream.

So, all this time, you've been watching me making a fool of myself?

-Searching for a dead man!

-That's not what Bill was saying.

Don't you defend him. You had no right.

The time wasn't right. You were ill.

I was looking after your welfare.

-I know, it is...you.

-What?

-Get away from me.

What is this?

What's going on?

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in!

Sorry, you're busy. I can come back later.

No, no, no. I've got a moment.

Well, any time before Christmas would be useful.

Right.

What's on your mind? Come on.

Spit it out.

It's all right, Geoff, sit down.

For Geoff's sake, you should tell us if you know something about him.

What's his connection to you?

His name's Geoff Hodson.

How do you know that?

Bill!

What does this mean?

Bill!

The way he's looking at you.

What do you mean to him?

Oh, tell me!

He was my lover.

How did it go?

That bad, eh?

I nailed it.

Congratulations!

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't easy. But I was all fired up

-and I reckon that was down to you.

-Really?

Yeah, you getting ratty made me get my arguments straight in my head.

Glad to have been of service.

Seriously, I owe you one.

In that case, this calls for a celebration.

Let's have some lunch. But on one condition.

What's that?

Seeing as I'm "only shopping" today,

you can look after Joe for a couple of hours.

The least I deserve out of this is a pair of shoes.

-OK.

-And spare him your thoughts on his consumerist future.

-Fine.

-Right, lunch!

-ENGINE STARTS

-Is that it?

Isn't that enough?

So, when Freya's activities become public, what happens next?

Well, I can't say for certain

but I imagine that's it for the drugs trial.

It could be discredited. For the initial phase at least.

-I see.

-And...

Oh, go on.

If it does move on, it's more than likely the hospital would choose to go with another practice.

-Any more cheerful outcomes?

-Sorry.

-I can't believe this.

Do you have any idea what damage this could do

to the reputation of the practice?

What was she thinking? Has she not heard of following basic protocols?

To be fair, Freya's normally quite conscientious.

I suppose she just saw an opportunity for helping her aunt out and she...

That's not good enough. Would you treat a relative

knowing it was unethical and distort the medical history?

And, on top of that, be so rampantly stupid

to think you could get away with it? Of course not.

I'll tell you this. If she in any way represents a new breed of doctor

they're churning out of medical school then heaven help the NHS.

-Don't you think...?

-What?

She's become a liability.

When was this taken?

You don't exactly look like a young man here.

Ten years ago.

Where did this relationship take place?

Happy...here.

Thank you. We'll be over shortly.

It wasn't an affair in any meaningful sense.

I had needs. It was just physical.

And that makes it better?

HE wanted to take it further. That's when I ended it.

It was YOU that I wanted. Not him. I could never love a man.

Can you discuss this later?

Geoff, I'm going to take you to the police, is that OK?

Why did you have to write those idiotic letters?

Why did you have to come back and spoil everything?

That's enough. Can't you see he's upset?

Don't you see? As far as I'm concerned, he's just a mistake from the past.

I really do love you.

I believe you.

But you're not the man I thought I married.

-Please just go.

-Paula, just try...

I can't look at you right now.

Is he going to be all right?

I think so. The police should be able to find out where he lives.

And you'll let me know if he gets home safe and sound?

Of course. How about you? Will you be all right?

Happy...here.

-No, you can't sack her.

-Why not?

She's still a registrar, she's not actually employed by the practice.

-Well, she can't stay here.

-So, what are you proposing?

She can continue her training at another practice.

Once I've informed the partners of her misconduct,

I'm sure they'll agree with me. I don't want her here.

Unless, of course, you have some objection?

Today's the day that the... hits the fan.

I'm not going to lie to you, Freya. This is bad for the practice

and YOU personally.

If you know something about my patient, you need to tell me.

Dr Cassidy!

This is your career that's on the line -

everything you've ever worked for.

I warned the wrong people.

Clear!

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