Baby Chain Doctors

If you'd just like to come through.

What do you think you're doing?

I'm coming in with you. I don't need hand-holding.

I want to know what she says.

You're like a shadow I can't shake off.

Mum's not feeling very well.

I can speak for myself. I was just saying.

In what way are you not feeling well?

She's tired all the time.

It's not all the time.

I just feel a bit more tired than normal.

Mrs Larkin... It's not Mrs,

and it's Diane.

Diane, are you happy to discuss your medical details

in front of your daughter?

Of course she is.

I've got a right to be here.

It's my baby she's carrying.

A few more hours under the duvet wouldn't have gone amiss.

I knew you would.

Would what?

Listen to the late-night broadcast of HMS Pinafore.

It did not finish until very late, but it was superb.

It wasn't that, I'm afraid.

Mrs Tembe, I came in this morning with some food shopping.

You wouldn't happen to know where it is?

No, but I will ask around for you.

Mr Gree...Grennock?

Hi, Adam Grundy. I'm here to see the nurse.

If you would like to, erm, take a seat.

What are you doing here?

Hello.

I've got patients all day.

Oh, no. It's OK. I'm here to see the nurse.

It's about my bite.

Oh... Which one?

All right. Save it for the nurse.

Why didn't you answer my calls last night?

Dead battery.

What about the landline?

Well, I must've been in the bath.

I thought you had the hump with me. Why would I have the hump with you?

I don't know. You're the one who rushed off yesterday - you tell me.

Look, erm,

I'll try and see you at the end of surgery, all right?

Nice to see you again, Adam.

Howard. Howard Bellamy.

Of course. Hello.

I'm the practice manager here.

I expect Emma's told you all about me.

No.

But it's OK.

It's probably a good thing

when people don't talk about their boss, right?

Erm, Adam Grundy.

Nice to meet you again.

Any sickness or dizziness?

No.

No swelling. That's good.

I've always had thin ankles.

So, what is it, then? What's wrong with her?

That's perfect.

You can get up now.

Everything seems to be normal.

Seems? What's that supposed to mean?

I can't find anything wrong with your mum,

and the baby's a little wriggler,

so he or she seems to be doing fine,

but I'd like you to see the nurse for a blood test.

What for?

You might be a little anaemic,

bit it's nothing to worry about.

What harm can that do the baby?

It's actually more about the draining effect

it can have on your mother,

but being eight months pregnant at your mum's age,

it's understandable she's a little tired.

"That age" being a very youthful 50, might I add.

So, can you tell her she needs to stop working?

What do you do?

I'm a hairdresser, and I'm not giving it up.

You're eight months pregnant.

It's the only income I have.

And it's not as if I'm rushed off my feet.

It's irresponsible.

Well, your hair could do with a few tonals.

I can't believe you're drumming up work.

Mate's rates.

I'm slack this afternoon, so if you're passing...

Thank you, Doctor.

Bye. Bye.

So, you and Emma are a couple?

Is there anyone here that doesn't know about us?

No. We're a nosey lot.

So, have you got any idea what bit you?

I didn't see it.

It must have got up my shorts.

It hurts like hell.

Any other reaction...?

Difficulty swallowing? Or feeling sick?

No.

Well, it looks like a horsefly bite to me.

And I think it's infected. That's why it's so inflamed.

You didn't want Emma to take a look at it?

Well, it's hardly sexy.

You know, you ought to count your lucky stars

it didn't bite any higher.

I'll be fine, as long as we don't have to amputate.

THUNDER RUMBLES

I hate rushing my lunch.

If you closed the shop, you wouldn't have to.

Don't start that again.

I've registered at a local mother and toddlers group.

Already?

The good ones have a waiting list.

But I might not want to go.

You won't have to.

It'll be me.

Yeah, course it will.

You'll have done your bit.

Mother, when are you going to stop wearing those stupid shoes?

I wore heels with you and your brother.

You were a lot younger then.

Would you stop having little digs.

You're eight months pregnant - wear flatties.

What does it matter what you look like?

It matters to me.

I know in your eyes I might be past it,

but I still like to look nice.

And when I agreed to have this baby,

it didn't give you a right to tell me what to do, or wear.

I know that,

and I know I nag,

but I worry.

And if I have to keep on at you to be sensible, then I will.

It's only until after the baby's born.

And then you won't give me a second thought.

Now who's picking holes?

You're like your dad - controlling.

Not Dad again.

Oh, no, mustn't talk about him, must we?

Don't be like this, Mum.

Me and Steve, we'll always,

always be grateful to you for doing this.

You know that.

Shall I get your slippers?

SHE SIGHS

Has he gone?

Who?

You know exactly who I mean.

He's gone to the loo.

Said I had cold hands.

I'll tell you what, you've got a good one there.

He's really lovely.

Charmed you too, has he?

Just a bit. And why not? He's a lovely bloke.

Yes, well, he'd be the first to agree with you.

What? Don't look at me like that!

He's just so...

so... Nice?

Yes, that's it! Nice.

Mr Nice Guy.

He's always saying, "Oh, why don't you do this?"

Or, "Why don't we do that?"

It's all said with the same condescending smile

and incessant cheerful banter.

Wow...

Somebody needs to take a chill pill.

Oh, no-no, he wouldn't approve of pills.

Uh-uh. The body is a temple.

Well, you've got to admit,

it is a pretty impressive one.

Should be - he spends most of his life

prancing around in front of the mirror.

So, what, you're finishing with him?

No, why?

But...

But like you said,

he's a nice guy.

See you later.

Flexibility is the obvious benefit,

but there are so many other beneficial factors.

Hypertension, for example.

A study showed that after three months of practising the Savasana,

it decreased blood pressure.

What is the Savasana?

The corpse pose.

So, pretending to be dead

can make you feel better?

Surely that defeats the aim of the whole exercise?

Well, admittedly it could use a better name.

And who would want to put their feet behind their head?

It is very unhygienic.

No, I will stick with walking, thank you.

It's about time you had a charm failure.

Oh, you know, just softening her up for next time.

Well, I take it you're finished?

For now. Good.

Where do you want to go for lunch?

How are your bites? Massive.

But you still haven't answered my question.

I'm only going to lunch with you because I need to eat.

And I'm only inviting you because I've left my wallet at home

and can't afford to pay.

SHE GIGGLES

KNOCK ON DOOR Yeah?

I'm just nipping out for lunch.

You all right?

It's as dark as a tomb in here.

There's a much bigger light outside, you know?

I think I'd rather stay inside.

They forecast rain.

Right.

I hope you're not too put out by Karen's return.

No, I'm glad she's back.

It's a bit odd being on my own in that house.

Well, being on your own can make you think too much.

That's not healthy.

Well, there's no danger of thinking too much with Karen around.

Sounds perfect.

Hiya!

Took me up on my offer, I see.

How could I refuse?

A wash and a trim, please, if you can fit me in.

No problem. You in a rush?

No, half day.

In that case, sit yourself down over here,

while I go and pop the kettle on.

Now, if you're busy, I can always come back another time.

Oh, no, Mrs Bateman don't mind.

Besides, I said I'd do your hair, and I want to.

You're a VIP.

Isn't she, babe?

All right, Mrs Bateman. I'll be with you in a mo.

I thought I'd packed an apple in my lunch box.

Another senior moment.

Well, at least it wasn't the soap.

I wouldn't mind, but it's one of many.

The other day I mislaid my keys.

Well, I spent an hour looking for my jacket

until I saw it in my purse.

Your jacket?

There you go, you see?

I mean my dry-cleaning ticket.

We're getting old.

I don't like it, Emma.

Yes, but it doesn't mean we can't have some fun while we do it.

Enjoy your lunch.

Oh, I intend to.

Lovely thick hair you've got.

It must be handy for your daughter having a mum who's a hairdresser.

Oh, she doesn't get her hair done by me.

She goes to a posh place near where she works.

She's just started her maternity leave.

She wants to keep an eye on me and the bump.

Oh! It must be nice being fussed over.

It's a huge thing...

what you're doing for her and her husband.

Life-changing.

It must've been an incredibly hard decision to make.

Yeah, it was, but I wanted to do it.

I haven't read Kara's file - can she not have babies?

She'd miscarry in the late stages.

Five babies she lost,

and there was a funeral for every one of them.

You know what?

I think you should have lowlights,

it would set your face off a treat.

Hmm...

I think I'll stick to a trim.

DIANE LAUGHS

The doctor warned her off from falling pregnant again.

So, after a lot of tears and what have you,

she and Steve decided to look for a surrogate.

That's when I stepped in.

Keeps it in the family.

The IVF took first time?

I know! I was shocked.

I thought I'd be too old.

You must've seen it in my notes, I'm perimenopausal,

but a doc at the clinic said it didn't matter.

It's the age of the donor they went on.

And bingo!

First time.

PHONE RINGS Sorry excuse me.

Diane, can I use your loo?

Oh, Mrs Bateman's in the customers' one.

Irritable bowel, poor love.

Use mine, upstairs, second on the left.

Thanks, appreciate it.

Niamh?

Sorry, I got the wrong door.

It's for the baby.

It's beautiful.

I only got the best.

Did Kara help you furnish it?

No.

She never comes in here.

It was Lee's bedroom.

My son.

Oh, right.

He died when he was 12.

A lorry lost its load on the bypass.

Lee was on his bike...

He didn't stand a chance.

I'm so sorry.

Kara kept telling me to clear his stuff out,

but I couldn't.

For 11 years, it stayed just the way he'd left it.

And now it's ready for my baby.

I can't give this baby to Kara. I can't.

Diane.

It's natural that you've formed a bond with the baby.

You're carrying it, and you're going to be its grandmother.

It's a boy.

And I don't want to be its grandmother.

I want to be his mum.

But you're not.

You're having the baby for your daughter

and son-in-law.

Have you spoken to Kara about this?

I always wanted more kids,

but my husband only wanted the two.

I never intended...

I was only doing it for them,

but as time's gone on...

..and it's grown inside me...

..he's become mine.

You need to speak to Kara as soon as possible.

I will, when the time's right.

You're already in your eighth month.

We'll never get your hair done at this rate.

Come on, lady, let's be having you.

Oh, I'm stuffed.

Oh, erm, Adam, this is one of my colleagues, Zara.

Hi. Hi.

Someone's punching above their weight.

Look, I've got some calls to make,

so I'll catch you later.

OK. I'll call you.

Oh, are you off?

Finally.

Before you go, can you recommend any yoga classes

cos I'd really like to give it a go? Or hot yoga?

Bikram, hot yoga... Yeah.

To be honest with you, I'm into anything that gets people into yoga

and gets away from that image of draughty village halls.

Bikram is a refinement, if you like,

based on body temperature...

Nurse Marquez, are you aware you should be over at the Campus?

How could I charge him for a short back and sides?

He only had about six strands of hair.

Hi, Mum. You OK?

Yeah! Thanks, love. Oh, hello again.

Steve and I have been having a chat.

And we want you to move in with us.

No way! I'm happy as I am.

Only until after the baby is born.

What, and then you throw me out?

Everything I say, you jump on.

Because you're always trying to tell me what to do,

like I haven't got a mind of my own.

Kara, I'm busy. Now, just leave it, all right?

Come back tomorrow.

Look at you. You're tired. ..Will you tell her she's tired?

Might be an idea to shut up shop early today.

See? Your own doctor thinks you shouldn't be working.

I'm only saying it because I care.

Oh, you care now,

but before I was pregnant, I was lucky if I saw you once a month.

Give us a break.

I work full-time. And what about weekends?

Oh, no, sorry. You spend that with your father and his dippy wife.

You don't even know her.

That's it. Defend her, like you always do.

His wife's pregnant with their second child.

It's all right for men. They can just start all over again.

You are so bitter. Maybe I have a reason to be.

Sorry.

Is this her hormones? I think you should go and see how she is.

I didn't know you'd...

When did you do this?

A couple of months ago.

Kara?

I'm sorry if I upset you.

I didn't mean to. You know what I'm like.

I'm keeping this baby.

Please... don't say things like that, Mum.

I'm sorry,

but it's best you know now.

You don't know what you're saying.

You're tired. You need some rest.

You're not listening to me.

I said I'm keeping it, and I mean it.

You've been planning this the whole time.

I didn't mean to do this.

I wanted to have a child for you,

I wanted you to be happy, but I...

I'm your daughter...

..and you want to take away my baby?

No...

Mum.

No.

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

Hello?

Excuse me.

Sorry. Sorry. You just dropped this.

You don't understand, Kara.

But why, Mum? Why?

After everything I've been through. Please don't blame me...

Sorry, but Mrs Bateman is... Tell her that she can't keep my baby.

I'm sorry, but I can't get involved.

Do you have something to do with this? Of course not.

Stop trying to find someone to blame.

I'm the one who made this decision.

Me.

Your pathetic mother.

Oh, yeah. You said it.

I'm going to go and tell Steve.

And we'll both be back later.

Are you OK?

Oh, I was about to bring this to you.

Oh, thank you. That's very kind.

I sneaked a sugar into it.

It'll be amphetamines if you're not smiling by tomorrow.

Do you believe in the spirit world?

No. I've never been religious.

I think we all run on electricity and hormones, not a soul or...

That's not what I meant.

You getting all spiritual on me, Heston? No.

Well, be careful. If Mrs Tembe catches you in that mood,

she'll be prescribing Sunday service.

And who would want to be taken away from a weekend at home?

Diane?

Are you OK?

I'm bleeding.

INAUDIBLE

KNOCK ON DOOR

Why am I still bleeding?

You're here now, they're monitoring you and the baby,

so try not to worry.

I'm scared.

The baby can pick up on how you feel,

so try and send him big, powerful, positive messages.

If you hadn't have been there at the shop,

I'd have panicked.

You think I don't?

The trick is not to show it.

You must think I'm awful,

doing this to my daughter.

It's not my place to judge.

I'm calling him David.

It was Lee's middle name.

Diane...

you and your body are going through a lot.

You don't have to make any decisions now.

Why don't you give it some more thought,

before you decide what you want to do?

I've had eight months to think about it.

There's no doubt in my mind.

I'm never giving up this baby.

The happiest times of my life was when they were little.

You can never replace your son.

I know.

And I wouldn't want to.

Have you thought about what this could do to your daughter?

I know what it'll do.

It'll break her heart.

And I wish I could...

Next of kin. The hospital called her.

Mum.

I KNEW you weren't well.

I've had a word with the doctor.

He said the baby will be fine, as long as you take it easy.

And will I be fine?

Come on, Mum.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

We've both been under a lot of strain,

and we both said things earlier that we didn't mean.

I've had a chat with Steve,

and we'd like to pay for you to go on holiday somewhere nice

once the baby's born.

Have a proper break, somewhere hot - you'd like that, wouldn't you?

Stop treating me like a child.

I meant every word I said.

You haven't even thought this through.

You're too old to look after a baby.

I'm fit and healthy,

and there's nothing you can say that'll change my mind.

Your mum needs to rest.

It's MY baby.

I'm sorry, love...

but there wouldn't be a baby if it wasn't for me.

I'm the one giving it life.

You know you won't be allowed to keep him.

Biologically, he's mine and Steve's.

We'll take you to court.

They'll take him away from you.

Do you really want to go through all of that?

You need to talk about this another time.

I'll do what I have to do.

David is my baby.

Why?

I feel...

like I felt when I had the miscarriages.

It's like...

I knew it was happening,

but I couldn't stop it.

Why is she doing this to me?

I'm sure she didn't set out to hurt you.

It just that her own feelings for the baby have taken over.

It's selfish.

She'll never be allowed to keep him.

The woman who gives birth is always treated as the legal mother,

even if she's not genetically related.

No.

That can't be right.

Why don't you give your mother some time?

She might change her mind,

or you might be able to find some compromise.

She's got no right to keep him.

He's mine.

Mum?

Mum...

Please don't keep my baby.

You can find another surrogate.

But I'll never be able to have another baby.

If you go through with this...

..I will hate you for the rest of my life.

I'll have David to love.

And he'll love me back in a way you never have.

I'll tell the court you're round the bend.

How it took you years to get over Lee's death.

MONITOR BEEPS The only way you coped was by popping pills

and drinking a bottle of wine a night.

And you still go on about him.

Kara, you need to go now. OK? You're stressing out your mother.

Your precious Lee. You smothered him.

If he was still alive today, he'd have left home years ago.

SHE SCREAMS I will fight you, Mother.

I will fight you every step of the way.

And I'll have Dad by my side,

like he's always been.

Out. Now. I'm losing him.

It's my punishment for wanting to keep him.

You're in the right place.

OK? And you've done this before.

You're good at it.

DIANE SCREAMS Hang in there, all right?

I can't lose him. I know.

Get a grip, man.

That's good. So, just...

Look over there. Straight out. Look straight out.

That's good.

Hi.

Phew... Hot yoga.

I had two very eager recruits,

so I hope you don't mind, if we...

Emma?

Em? What?

I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd mind.

Me... No, I don't mind. Why should I mind?

Oh, I knew you wouldn't.

Did you now?

You know what?

Actually, I do mind. But you said...

Yeah, well, forget what I said.

I'm sorry!

Oh, go on, then.

OK.

Fantastic. Let's pick it up.

Feet together,

relax those shoulders...

..and arms forward.

Come on, Em. Get your kit off and join in.

The heat in here makes your muscles dead supple.

That's great control, Karen.

OK. Now, both down into downward dog.

Because you're not listening to me, Mrs Tembe.

I don't stand a chance.

Throwing me out of house and home, at my age.

It's the doctors as well, Alice.

I know what they're trying to do. Don't you worry!

He only wants the best for you.

Who in their right mind is going to employ

an ex-offender that they know absolutely nothing about...?

Your criminal record should have no bearing...

Yeah, but it does!