Home Truth Doctors

PHONE VIBRATES

LANDLINE RINGS

'Kate?'

'I've tried to make him see sense but he won't listen.'

No, I know, well I don't think it's what he really wants either.

Kate?

How many more times?

This is nothing to do with Mum, OK?

I've got to go.

Mum?

What are you after?

I'm not going to find it in there.

How about you and me go on a massive bender this weekend? You in?

Er, yeah. I'm in.

-OK, seconds out.

-Ah!

-Giant polar bear...

-OK, OK.

-..or little baby swan?

That is a no-brainer! That would be the giant... No, hang on.

No, the little baby swan.

Because, because, because, the polar bear would attack the baby swan

and then the mother would defend the cygnet until her death.

-What?

-Yeah.

"Mummy, Mummy, watch me take on 1,500 pounds of raw killing machine!"

"That's it. Go on, son, bite him on his little pink nose."

Peck! Peck!

No, well, OK, the cygnet would roll around in the snow

and pretend to be dead.

Argh! "No, don't eat me, Mr Polar Bear, I'm tainted meat!" Ridiculous! MOBILE RINGS

Ooh!

What's larger than a violin but smaller than a double bass?

Cello?

Argh!

Ah! Hello!

Yeah. I'm still here.

It's my Aunt Sheila.

She died.

Are you free for lunch?

I wasn't suggesting anything covert.

I'd just like to go over my feedback.

Unless you've been through the whole process,

a little bit of patient feedback is of limited use.

Well, you were the one who wouldn't let me do the full 360.

Emma, I'm really busy today, can somebody else do it?

I supported you when everybody else was against you over this. I'd really appreciate...

Howard?

I'd like to get a moment, please.

'Scuse me.

Have you seen the butter, Mum?

She's not sure how long

they'll be able to hold the job open for you in New York.

The butter?

I mean, Letherbridge Educational Press is a nice little time-filler,

but, well,

it's hardly what you worked so hard to get a first from Stanford for.

Mum, please, any idea where it might be?

Go and get ready for work, Toby,

I'm more than capable of buttering my own toast.

This is not the life I envisaged for you.

I don't suppose Parkinson's was part of your master plan either.

One for you.

Oh.

Well,

at least I'll get a chance to talk to some people my own age.

No. It's not happening,

your whole life is bound up in this house.

Well, maybe I don't want it to be bound up anymore.

I'll sell it.

I know you don't mean that, Mum.

What's this really about?

Oh, Toby, you're going to be late for work.

-I'll tell them I'm working from home today.

-No!

No, Toby!

This shouldn't have happened to Sheila.

Let's just wait and hear what he has to say.

She had the same doctor for over 30 years.

So, you got a 66-year-old woman who loves cream cakes and fry-ups,

who hadn't exercised since the last time she jumped into a mosh pit at a Stones gig!

Yeah, easy, mate.

Sorry.

Mum!

I can't find...

I seem to...

I seem to have got a bit stuck.

DOOR CLOSES AND WHISTLING

Can I...

No, no, no, I'm fine.

Aren't you supposed to be at work?

Thank you, Rick.

Wait there, I can picture the scene,

it's the first time we see Clint

and he's riding into town on his donkey.

A mule. We're talking about The Man With No Name, not Mary and Joseph.

Dear Rick, when are you going to move in,

so my lovely boy can move home to his lovely wife?

Whatever the agency pays, I will better it.

Don't start that again, Lou.

Go easy on me.

You have nothing to fear but my honesty.

Apparently I'm covering Kevin's shift at the campus surgery this afternoon.

Look, if this is your way of avoiding me...?

Emma, it's not all about you.

Something personal came up for Al so I've let him and Jimmi go.

Oh, right. OK...

Well, we could do it after work, or tomorrow...?

You're not letting this go, are you?

I'll bring sandwiches.

Don't worry, it won't take that long.

Right.

It was nearly 3am in New York when she started calling this morning.

-I don't know how many more ways I can tell her.

-How about the truth way?

Was that you?

Tea bags in the fridge.

I know you're a bit of a daydreamer but that's too funny.

Well, keeps them fresh, I suppose.

Get a grip, Rick,

haven't you noticed what's happening?

Or is everything just a big joke to you?

-Well, what's going on in here?

-It's OK, Mum,

I was just telling Rick that you've been a bit absent-minded recently.

Still sharper than Calamity Jane with a flick knife though, hey?

It does seem to be getting a little worse.

Why didn't you say anything?

She shouldn't have to,

-you're paid to notice!

-Enough!

Oh, sorry!

Oh!

Oh, your work!

I'm going to take you to the doctors, OK?

Al?

Wasn't sure which one you'd prefer so...

She was... She was being treated for a chronic heart condition.

Just spoke to the doctor, he told me she knew she was sick.

What?

No, that's not true.

She would have told me that, she told me everything.

Apparently she insisted she didn't want any of the family to know.

Then what the hell was he doing about it?

You don't know that yet.

-Yes, I do.

-No, you don't.

-It's my mind, not yours! So yes, I do know!

-Please try to keep still for me.

-Just let the doctor get on with his job, will you?

Who's getting on with yours while you're here with me?

Why do you make it impossible for me to help you?

Your blood pressure's a little bit low.

And how does throwing your life away help me exactly?

It's a little trick teachers used at my primary school.

Right, now that I have your attention...

Low blood pressure is fairly common with Parkinson's

and probably what's causing the dizziness.

The dizziness is the least of my problems now I'm getting dementia too.

-She's exaggerating.

-I am not.

-Yes, you are!

OK, let's keep this really simple.

This means speak, this means stop.

What makes you think you've got dementia?

Everything, really.

Could you be a little bit more specific?

Erm...

Losing things, disorientation,

forgetting why I've come into a room.

My own name sometimes.

When did you first start noticing these incidents?

Well, if I knew that I wouldn't need to be here, would I?

-Only a few weeks. If it was that bad her carer would have picked up on it by now.

-Denial, he's in denial.

He's doing his best but he needs to be home with his wife.

-You think you know what's best for everyone but you don't!

-You have no idea!

-OK, stop right there, both of you!

-MOBILE PHONE RINGS

The thing is, he really doesn't understand that...

-Kate?

-No, work.

-Work! You must call back, straight away.

-No, I don't need to.

Yes! Please.

Take it outside.

It's not right,

a grown man stuck here caring for his mother.

So, please,

will you please tell him I need to go in a home.

That's a huge step, and we don't know that you have dementia yet.

Once you've seen the neurologist...

Dementia, senility, whatever it is,

my son is on the verge of a breakdown and if he doesn't go I will.

Sorry.

Erm...

I've, erm,

I've written something down for the captain to pass on to your parents.

I've tried to put it as gently as I can,

but, er, if you think it still sounds a bit too stark...

Dear Mum, your sister was found dead this morning by the cleaner.

No, I didn't know she had a cleaner either.

But then again, I didn't know she had a heart condition

so bad she could barely climb the stairs.

She kept all that a secret from us,

even from me,

the kid she said she always wished was hers.

I hope this doesn't spoil the cruise of a lifetime.

Watch out for those icebergs. All the best, Al.

How does that sound?

I was only here a few weeks ago.

I should have...

No, listen, you heard what Doctor Morgan said -

she had a team of specialists working with her. If she didn't want the surgery...

"It's my life, Al."

That's what she kept saying.

Why didn't I get it?

We always understood each other.

Let me do all the running around from now on, OK?

I'll call the undertakers next. If there's anyone that you want...

If she had her way,

we would be building a big bonfire in the back garden,

put her on top of it.

She always said if she was around in the Middle Ages, she'd have been burnt at the stake as a witch.

No black, she liked bright colours.

No hymns, she didn't buy into that holy mumbo jumbo.

No, she'll do death the way she did life.

Big.

Now,

what would she be rocking out to, if she was at her funeral?

You should receive an appointment letter in the next few days

but in the meantime this leaflet will help with any questions you may have.

See, it's no good telling me all this.

Oh dear, I need the loo.

OK, Mum. I'll take you.

I won't have my son taking me to the damn toilet!

Let me show you where it is.

Oh, thank you.

What's happening to her?

The brain often slows down as we get older, but if it is dementia then...

Then she'll need to be at home, where all her good memories are.

Well, it won't be easy but there's plenty we can do.

-We'll start with a home-care assessment.

-We don't need more help. We have Rick.

But you say he didn't notice the memory problems?

-If you're worried about the level of care he's giving...?

-Whatever my mother's told you,

everything's under control, OK?

Please, excuse my outburst back there.

I get so frustrated with my son sometimes.

Even when they're grown, they can still be trouble.

Well, I adore my son,

but parents, children,

they need to know when to cut the ties.

And romantic love, true romantic love,

is too precious to throw away

out of some misguided sense of family loyalty.

RECORD PLAYS

I was 13 when Sheila took me to see The Stones in Manchester.

The best night of my life.

Listen, Al, we really need to call the undertakers soon.

-I don't know about you but

-I

-am starving.

I am going to cook you one of Sheila's famous fry-ups,

and if that doesn't do you in,

then I'll do her famous chocolate chilli for pudding.

I've skimmed through your patient feedback.

Well, I have to say it's faultless.

Words and phrases like 'compassionate', 'caring',

'good listener' come up time after time.

It's obvious you have a connection with people.

You see what a good team we make.

With your cool-headed decision-making and my patient power...

Any primary care organisation would be lucky to have you.

So objectively, professionally,

it would be misguided not to recommend me for a permanent position.

I know you want to cut down on locums.

Well, I was thinking more, er,

what an excellent impression it would have on your CV.

Done.

It's just when you're here, working...

Did you think I was going to try and take you over the kitchen table?

If things were different, if Mum wasn't so...

It's all the deceit that's doing her in.

It's doing us all in.

Louise, Kate, me.

We need to know what's really going on.

What is going on, Tobe?

I've been going round and round trying to figure out a way of making it work.

I can't.

So what was I?

A bit of rough on the side?

Or was it more like an itch you had to scratch?

Something you needed to get out of your system.

No! No, no, no. Believe me, I've never felt anything like this before.

MOBILE RINGS

Then tell her.

If you're ashamed of me, of us,

then at least have the guts to admit it.

How could I be ashamed of anything that feels so...right?

But it's not about us. It can't be.

Ever since Dad died, Mum never once complained.

It was always me first.

Then I'll make it easier for you.

It's over.

We're over.

But I can't continue to work here anymore.

Wait.

If I don't speak to Louise now, I don't think I'll be able to.

Then don't.

Losing you would kill her.

I'll go.

Oh, Mum.

Mum, no, no, no! Don't move, don't move, wait!

-It's OK. Just a few bruises, I think.

-You might have broken something.

I'll call an ambulance.

No, no, no, no. I'm fine. Just give me a hand up.

I'll call the surgery.

So although the actual words that Mrs Tembe uses are "decisive" and "dynamic"

what she really means is stubborn and inflexible.

I mean, it's all in the subtext.

Do you remember how irked she was when you made us all use that cheap toilet paper

after one of Al's light-fingered escapades?

Alleged escapades.

And Zara's irony,

it just shines through when she calls you "forward-thinking".

I mean, it's a clear allusion to your paranoia about alien invasion and terrorist attacks.

Well, mock if you wish,

but people respect a manager who's prepared to make tough choices.

Yes, but the real kind of tough choice

is when you put your own needs to one side, for the greater good.

That's a different kind of courage.

Al, listen, the undertakers are going to be here soon.

She must've shown me how to do this at least a hundred times.

It's all gone wrong.

I'm sorry, Jimmi, it's a complete disaster.

No, no. It's fine. It won't take me long to clear this up.

No, it doesn't matter. This doesn't matter. That doesn't matter!

That doesn't matter. None of it matters.

Why did this happen?

I know she didn't take the best care of herself but...

her heart was so big.

You could feel it wrap around you,

this warmth, this...

this life.

I'm really sorry, mate.

It's nothing a couple of painkillers won't sort out

but no more attempting the stairs on your own, for a while, at least.

Have you read through this?

Er, oh, I'm not sure.

Now, those hurt my head just looking at them!

Oh, it's just a matter of breaking the code.

You were a head teacher, weren't you?

They, erm...

They give Rick something to do when I'm sleeping.

He has a wonderful penmanship, doesn't he?

Ah! Now that's more my sort of thing.

Ah, well, help yourself.

Toby gave me that but, you know, I can barely turn it on.

I've not played this one before.

If you can't blast, zap or completely obliterate it,

I usually get bored and give up.

Good to know I'm in such a safe pair of hands!

< We both know it's what she really wants!

< Stop kidding yourself, this is anything to do with Louise!

They are dear boys, they really are,

but sometimes I would like to smash their stupid heads together.

When are you going to stop using me, your mother, everyone else, as an excuse?

COUGHS

-BOTH:

-How is she?

Physically, no harm done.

She was showing me those crosswords you've been doing.

You're kidding! She works them all out,

I just fill in the gaps now her hands are too shaky to write.

Have you noticed any deterioration in her memory,

her ability to concentrate, stay focused?

That's the weird thing, every time it's just the two of us,

she still seems so sharp.

Things will calm down soon.

That nice calm, empty life you've been waiting for,

no want, no need, no Toby, just a devoted martyr son.

You know, if it's always like this around here,

I'd hardly blame her for faking it.

I think your mother might be exaggerating her memory loss.

No. She wouldn't do that.

Mum?

Did you forget it was you who works out the crosswords?

And all the things in the wrong places?

I've been worried sick about you!

Why would you do that?

Because I remember everything!

From the day you were born to the day you got married.

And now,

and today and yesterday,

and your frustration, your sadness,

trying to hide it, taking it all out on Rick,

because you're stuck here with me

when you should be out there with your love.

Mum, I am.

I am with my love.

He's right here.

You silly, sweet, stupid boy!

Why on earth didn't you tell me?!

Oh, what about poor Kate?

Oh, my God, the guilt.

I felt so in the way.

I told her it was over before I flew back.

That I didn't love her anymore.

-Then when I met Rick...

-But, Toby, you made a commitment. You married her.

All I know is Rick made me realise what real love is,

and I've been too much of an idiot to admit it, even to myself.

Do you know how dangerous it is to fake an illness?

You could have done yourself some real damage,

wrong drugs, wrong treatment.

I was just trying to help my son.

How was lying to each other ever going to help?

Has nobody ever lied to you?

Because they care too much to tell you the truth?

OK, I'll see you next week.

It seems I can't keep away after all.

Well, I have a lot of patients out this afternoon, so,

while I do still have a job...

I've been thinking about what you said,

about what a good team we make.

And I think you're right.

You fit in here, Emma.

How I feel about you shouldn't change that.

And...

I've been a little unfair.

So, what are you saying?

I'm asking you to stay.

Thank you, Howard.

You won't regret it, I promise.

What are you doing, Emma?

Let's keep it professional, shall we?

Did you think I'd be shocked, disappointed?

You know, for once, I didn't have a clue.

American university, the career, Kate,

all things I thought you wanted.

That I was helping you become your best self.

Believe me, Mum,

I've never felt more me, best and worst,

than when I'm with Rick.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Come here, you big idiot.

I bet you haven't worn this since your art school days.

There's nothing to this death lark, yeah?

All the living in-between, that was the tough part.

And if you do meet some choir of angels,

you tell them from me that God sucks.

But soul...

Soul's real.

I know that cos you taught me that.

You had soul in spades.

Listen, mate. Why don't you stay at mine tonight? We'll grab some beers, yeah?

No, no. I'll be all right.

OK, well I'll just wait until...

You've been such a good mate today, Jimmi. Thank you.

But go now, please.

OK.

Right. I want her in this.

Hi, Mum.

Oh, no reason. Does there need to be a reason?

"Like a child again

"Afraid of the dark

"Without a lullaby or prayer

"No music sweet or wild enough

"To soothe the jarring beat of my heart hurting

"Ready to burst for wanting

"A pair of loving arms to hold me tight

"Just one last time

"Before I turn out the light."

MUSIC: "Get It While You Can" by Janis Joplin

# But then who cares, baby

# Cos we may not be here tomorrow

SINGING ALONG: # And if anybody should come along

# They're gonna kill you...

# With love and...

# ..Affection

# You gotta get it while you can

# Yeah, yeah!

# You gotta get it while you can

# And get it while you can!

# Don't you turn your back on love... #

To you, Shei!

# No, no, no

# No, no, no, no, no, no! #

I have the journalistic instinct of a pear drop.

Evil editor on the warpath again.

If you don't buck up your ideas,

it'll be your heart and arteries paying the price.

And you are?

Molly Tinker, Letherbridge News.

It really is a police investigation.

As far as I'm concerned this echo scheme is a complete non-starter.

Feelings have no place in this scenario.

If I find you've been tampering with evidence...

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd