Responsible Adult Doctors

My son's new life!

I'd be booking flights now if I was related.

Careful, or I'll have to print out all my photos of Joe.

No need. You can go home to the real thing.

I've got all that to look forward to, haven't I? Flying the nest.

Plenty of time. Just enjoy it while it lasts.

-Thanks for your advice yesterday.

-Hm?

-That patient, I followed up.

-Oh, progress?

A good outcome,

but it didn't cut much ice with Captain Bean-Counter

and his stopwatch.

Morning, morning. First day of official home visits!

-You'll be fine. Just keep it moving.

-Aye-aye, Cap'n!

SHE LAUGHS

THEY GIGGLE

Ah.

LAUGHTER

I, er...

I thought we could do something,

you know, make a day of it.

THEY LAUGH LOUDLY

Go on! Park your bum!

How about breakfast? Full English.

No, we're sorted!

PHONE RINGS

PHONE CONTINUES RINGING

So, how are you keeping?

Keeping what, dear?

-I mean...

-Got you!

Yes, you did.

I'm sorry, dear. You being new, I couldn't resist.

And I fell for it, like an eejit,

but I'm on a mission.

It's important that we check in,

especially with those who can't come to us, to make sure we're

managing your condition properly, and you're coping.

I feel fine, dear!

-Since they took me off the hard stuff.

-The chemo?

Yes, it's a relief it's all over, really.

I feel fit as a fiddle now!

And I can get on with things again.

Yeah. I see you're a bit of a silver surfer!

Or is it computer games you're into?

No, that's Ed's. My grandson.

He's living here while he's going to college,

-helping out around the place.

-Ah, that's good.

So, is there anything I can do for you?

No, happy as Larry, thank you, dear.

Well, I'm sure you're itching to get back to mowing down zombies.

But, that's a message from my boss, telling staff to make sure

we spend all the time they need with their patients.

How about I put the kettle on?

-Take a seat. Haven't seen you for a while.

-No.

-How are things?

-Well, er...

-And your son?

-Sorry?

-I seem to remember last time you were here that you were very

excited about him coming home from somewhere abroad.

Africa, yes, er...well, no. He had to go again.

-OK. So, what can we do for you today?

-Sleeping tablets.

Sorry, erm...well, I'm not, and...

-..and I'm finding it very hard.

-How long has this been going on?

12 days. About.

I'm...I'm losing track.

And did something in particular happen, 12 days ago,

to start the ball rolling?

No, er... I don't know.

It's just getting worse and worse, and I can't function.

I can't work!

It can be very hard, coping with insomnia.

We can write you a fit note for work, that's no problem.

But we do try not to give out sleeping tablets

as a first course of action...

without looking at the root causes, which are very often stress-related.

If we're going through a hard time,

whether it be from work, or relationships?

-Children leaving home?

-No! It's not.

I just need...

-I have to go.

-Mrs Franks!

The world always looks better after a good strong cup of tea,

as my Nana used to say.

Although she used to put a drop of whiskey in hers,

so that might have helped.

How are you getting on with your medication?

Well, it's all part of the process, isn't it?

It gets worse as time goes on.

To a point, but it's a very non-aggressive form you have,

so there might be a bit of headroom with the morphine dosage

if it's not doing the job anymore.

Well, I wouldn't say it's not doing the job, just...

not as well, since they changed it.

-Changed it?

-Yes, the shape.

After they went from cigars to flying saucers,

-they weren't as good!

-Oh!

Whose is all this?

You're not coming to watch the film?

You should see what Jackie Chan does with a table saw. He's mad.

I can imagine!

Only I'm a bit tied up at the moment.

The place is a complete pigsty.

There's orange juice all over the fridge, and as far as the laundry's

concerned, everyone's expecting me to play mum - including your mum!

All right, we'll all pitch in when the film's finished.

And, we're re-bonding. I thought that's what we all wanted?

Yes, I know that, but I didn't expect to be stuck in here all week

keeping the wheels on, while you're all cosied up in there...

having a laugh.

HE SIGHS

Oi!

-Oi! You can't hide him in there forever.

-He's not here!

Yeah, right!

-HE BANGS ON THE DOOR

-Come on out, little piggy!

I'll huff and I'll puff!

SHE CRIES

PHONE RINGS

DEAD LINE TONE

Have you heard from Niamh?

-Mrs Tembe's had a couple of calls saying she hasn't turned up.

-No.

Well, if she decides to call the mothership,

tell her to pull her finger out. She might listen to you.

We can't have doctors swanning off for hours.

Going to look good, eh?

What do you reckon on Poppy? Or Daisy?

-Can't go wrong with flowers.

-Yeah.

I was going to go and get my head down for a bit.

You shouldn't let it get to you.

Shouldn't let 'em live near normal people, should they?

It's out of order.

These will take the edge off.

And the chemist will be delivering directly to you from now on.

They'll bring you more before those run out.

Actually, they mentioned that Ed was in this morning.

Oh, yes, he drops in on his way to college to collect them.

And he lives with you full time, does he?

Yes. I know what you're thinking -

"Poor boy, living with some old battleaxe!

"How does he put up with it?"

But he gets something out of it, too.

There were problems, at home.

His mam wasn't around much, and he got a bit wild.

Boys will be boys, that kind of thing?

Yes, nothing too serious.

Just enough to catch the eye of the police, give him a scare.

But he's turned himself around now, with college.

And he helps you out a lot?

Oh yes, he's ever so good to me.

-With your medication?

-Yes, my eyesight's not what it was.

Puts them all into the dispenser for me.

Oh, we have lovely chats.

In some ways, he's an old head on young shoulders.

Actually, he's the only one bothered talking to me about "the end"

and how I feel about it.

Isn't that something?

DOORBELL RINGS

Hello, Mrs Franks? It's Dr Granger.

I've come by to see if everything is OK.

SHE SOBS

Come on, let's go through to the kitchen.

Ah, sweet.

Jack said you were holed up in here, doing washing. Can I do some?

-Be my guest.

-Cheers, Dad!

I was so happy...to have him home.

It was like...a second chance.

To be his mother again.

My David.

My son, the success.

The qualified architect, carving a career for himself.

Still got time to do his community work,

mentoring...young people.

Children.

His volunteer work in Africa.

And I was just...

..so glad to be part of his life again.

Helping him re-settle here.

Telling me stories of his great adventure.

He found himself a new girlfriend - Megan.

And I...

I found myself dreaming about grandchildren.

So, so stupid!

No.

Even Megan...she could...

she could see there was something.

Worried about her little girl.

So she went...

..and the police, they told her about his previous convictions.

The ones he'd already served time for

when he told me he was in Africa.

And I...still couldn't believe.

Even when he...

..the words, coming out of his mouth. It was like a dream.

But it was... It was everything else that was the dream.

And I...

I was just the last to see it.

She woke me up.

Been kicking like a maniac! Feel.

-Scumbag isn't even bothering to hide!

-Cal, what? Cal?!

I couldn't break it.

Even now.

Knowing what I wish I didn't.

I still can't see it.

How could I not see it?

If I had...

..someone, somewhere else

wouldn't be looking at a picture of their damaged child.

We do the best we can, don't we?

As parents, that's all we can do.

And hope that it's enough. Once they're adults...

How do I know it started then?

What if he did something earlier?

What I did to make him that way.

His father died when he was a baby.

There's no-one else to blame.

It was me who made him his first fancy dress outfit

out of fur and glitter.

Took him to scouts, every Thursday.

Held him until he fell asleep after he'd had a bad dream.

Whatever he did, he's my David.

-Where is he?!

-OK.

-Nan?

-Oh, Ed! Come in!

Got your shopping!

And those biscuits you like. My treat.

Oh, thank you, dear. This is my lovely new doctor.

Been taking ever such good care of me.

The power of tea and chat, mostly.

-Your grandmother's told me a lot about you.

-Yeah?

Oh, Ed, did you get my prescription?

The doctor wanted to look at the pack.

No...

I haven't got it ready yet.

I'll go and put the shopping away.

PHONE BEEPS

Just my hourly reminder to make more tea! Nothing important.

-Where is he?

-You need to leave.

-Eh?!

-I told you, he's not here!

-You're lying!

-Right now, or I call the police.

No! Please!

You are lying. Tell me where you're hiding him!

I'm not lying!

Get your hands off me! You don't touch me!

-Then you calm down.

-And don't tell me to calm down!

-You tell me where he is!

-I told...

I told him to get out.

There you go. Now leave!

I told him yesterday. I didn't want to see him again.

Yeah, right!

No! Please!

Yeah? I thought you never wanted to see him again?

Please! It's all I have.

He's my... He's my son!

I can't just stop!

What? Stop him...having his fun?

-I didn't know.

-I know you didn't.

-I didn't know.

-How could you not? You're his mother!

OK! This stops, right now. She is not responsible

-and people like you don't help.

-"People like me"?

-You don't even know me, or David.

-I don't need to!

People like me know people like him, yeah?

What they do, yeah?

And little kids, done nothing to no-one, getting hurt, over and over,

while Mum just turns the telly up louder in the other room!

So you don't tell me what I know!

Cal?

I'm not having it!

Oh, I'm as dry as a camel's armpit.

Yay! Stick the kettle on, Dad.

I know where I'd like to stick it,

but I'm a bit busy right now.

Dad! Come on! We're supposed to be spending some, you know, family time.

Fam...fam...family time?

I have, haven't I? Have I? Yes. I have.

All morning I've been running around after three oversized kids while

you've been in here, watching some bloke break furniture in Chinese.

I've made arrests that have been more fun than this.

So...

I am now going for some "me time".

Come on, Dad.

Have I missed something?

He thinks he's been saddled with all the dirty work.

What dirty work?

What's it mean? The...?

Oh.

"They tried to get me. I got them first."

That a philosophy of life, is it?

Looked good in the catalogue!

She's doing pretty well, your grandmother. All things considered.

The pain she's in.

It's a bit of a mystery, that. The medication suddenly not working.

The weird thing is, they don't look like what was prescribed.

In fact, I'd lay good money on them being supermarket vitamins.

You having some?

She thinks the world of you, you know.

-I'm sure you think the same of her.

-Yeah.

It rang, dear. Howard.

What's going on?

-Cal?

-Leave me alone!

You have to talk to me. Tell me what's going on.

I said leave me alone! For good!

It's over!

What? No! We need you.

I don't want you! I don't want to be anywhere near you

-or the baby! Just leave me alone!

-No, Cal!

-What is it?

-Come on.

-Should I call an ambulance?

No, it could just be Braxton Hicks or a twinge.

Let's get you sitting down. You OK?

-I'm fine, you go on.

-Sure?

All right. Just slowly breathe, slowly, that's it.

Oh, he did all this while we were...?

Slobbing out. Yeah.

And he did all the laundry.

Well, nearly all of it.

He's even done my smalls.

I thought blokes hated all that sort of stuff?

They do usually. I think he's just...trying.

Right, then.

She never said!

She shouldn't have to! They're her pills!

They're supposed to keep her from unnecessary pain.

You never said. You never complain, Gran.

Could you not see?

Gran... Gran, I'm sorry.

Just please say something. You know I'd never...

I hate the thought of anyone suffering, yeah?

-Least of all you.

-Shame you didn't let that stop you.

-I couldn't see a way out!

-You could have told someone.

I couldn't. I thought they were my mates first off.

By the time I realised that they were only after Nan's pills,

they were just on me. At college, waiting outside the chemist.

Always on my back.

Saying they'd do me over if I didn't.

I didn't know what else to do, Nan.

Who's in this gang of morons, anyway?

It's not really a gang, just lads.

Well, whoever they are, they have your grandmother's medication,

so perhaps it's time we involved the police.

-I'm old, dear.

-That doesn't mean...

I get easily confused, especially with my eyesight.

So it's not going to surprise anyone if I manage to mix up my pills.

So, there's nothing to tell the police, is there?

And I certainly couldn't testify to anything.

The truth is, I'm lucky to have him here.

I'd say you're the lucky one.

Do you know how serious this is?

-These are dangerous drugs.

-I know. I know they are.

What if your mates come back looking for more?

No, no. They won't. Nan, I promise.

I've told them, it's enough. The end.

If he says it's finished, then it's finished.

Yeah. It's game over.

-Zo?

-She's not here.

I thought there'd be something.

Some sign of what he was.

Yeah.

Something I missed.

But it could be anyone's bedroom.

Mine.

She was right. To go.

They're better off...away.

No, she had pains. She's in the kitchen, with the doctor.

-She needs you.

-No. She doesn't.

You know...

..a lot of...them...

..were hurt themselves. Damaged.

It leaves its mark, doesn't it? It's like a stain

on everything you touch.

Maybe my dad...

"Sins of the father," they say, don't they?

I can't risk it.

That has to mean something.

That you'd do anything to protect your child.

You'll be a good father.

I'm sorry.

KNOCK ON DOOR

We're off out, if you fancy it?

No, you're all right, thanks.

Oh! Go on, it'll be a laugh!

He doesn't even want to go!

Ow! How are you supposed to hold this thing?

Shut up! Come on. We're going.

Even got me fisherman's socks on.

You don't have any fisherman's socks.

No, but you have. Had.

And look, we've made a picnic.

Pork pies, sarnies, flask of tea.

-You don't like fishing.

-Got maggots.

Go on, you have them.

Come on. Get your tackle.

It's not your fault, you know, any of it.

That was the last one!

You scarfed that whole pie!

Could get used to this.

Yeah? But why would you want to?

What?! You can get to like something, can't you?

-We going to catch anything this time?

-Well, you never know.

But that's the beauty of it.

I am working on it though.

Hi.

No. No, I just called to see what you two are up to.

I'll be back next week to check on her, so I'll see you then.

Yeah. Thanks for looking out for her. And me.

Stay out of trouble, yeah?

PHONE RINGS

Whereas I have an acute case of...

Howard!

'Totally irresponsible!'

No, no-one's wimping out, you got me? We're doing it.

Clock's already ticking.

It's a lovely day and there's a big wide world out there

if you'd just take a look occasionally.

They're chalk and cheese, they'd never be friends.

They live in different towns, they go to different schools...

Are you saying what I think you're saying?

No! Yes.

I want you to hack into their group.

Right, I've got everything we need.

So, let's get this party started!