Life Story Doctors

HE CLEARS THROAT

-Be brave.

-Dad...

-We'll keep fighting.

-Dad, listen...

-We're never giving up.

-Just be quiet. Please.

-You can't keep going on like this.

-I'm never giving up.

-Maybe you should.

-What?

I want you to bring something in for me.

-What?

-What do you think?

If I can't get out then at least I can get out of it.

I'm searching day and night for that one missing piece of evidence.

-That isn't going to happen.

-It is.

Everyone keeps saying I should just say I did it.

-Who? Who keeps saying it?

-Everyone. Her.

I've seen her on telly talking about victims and families, justice.

Don't let it get to you. You're not guilty.

Never feel guilty for something you didn't do.

-You just don't get it, do you?

-What?

What is it?

I did it.

No, you didn't.

Even though sometimes it might feel like you did,

like it will be easier to give up, confess to things you didn't do.

-I need you to be strong.

-Then bring me something in, all right?

Help me deal with what I've got going on in my head.

If you're too worried about doing it yourself then get somebody else to.

-Call the number.

-What number?

That number.

MUSIC: "String Quartet in C Major" by Bach.

-Honestly, it was so romantic.

-Really? A sci-fi conference?

Oh, a woman collapsed, started choking

and Al performed an emergency...cricothyroidotomy.

He would have performed a tracheotomy

but the obstruction was in the wrong place.

-He performed a crike? Really?

-A "crike"? Seriously?

-Why not? It's a nightmare to say.

-Yeah. Crike.

Anyway, he saved her life.

We're going on our first proper date tomorrow night.

I thought you already had a boyfriend?

-Yeah. No. It's...

-Morning.

-Hi.

-Did she tell you about yesterday?

-Yeah, it sounds like an episode of Star Trek.

-It was.

Uhuru and Spock. SHE GIGGLES

Well, I'd better get on.

-Yeah, me too.

-OK.

So, diazepam. Two months' supply.

Hopefully we can wean you off this altogether.

You're doing a very good job of that yourself so far,

six months since we last saw you.

So, how is Richard?

How would you be,

thinking you're going to spend the next 20 years in prison?

You want to know how he is? He asked me to smuggle drugs in for him.

Oh, dear.

That's what they've reduced him to.

-Who?

-Everyone. Chipping away.

He's sunk so low.

-You're not going to, obviously?

-Obviously.

He confessed to me today. He told me he did it.

But he's always said he was innocent.

He has. Because he is.

He's just saying what people want him to say.

Five years later and they're still persecuting him.

And you know who I mean. I know you're her doctor too.

-See you at four.

-Two.

-What?

-Teacher training.

Oh, yeah.

What? This afternoon?

Would it not be best to do it when the surgery is closed?

Yes, I suppose that is true. As soon as possible.

Goodbye, Mr Bellamy.

-I'll see you when I see you.

-Before the start of afternoon surgery?

-Long before.

-And what if somebody asks where you have gone?

Who would be so impudent?

-Heston, could I have a quick word?

-I'll see you anon.

Don't ask me. I only work here.

'Five years ago this week,

'Richard Chapel was convicted of murdering Lisa.

'Yet still he refuses to accept responsibility.'

"Loving daughter and mother."

Excuse me. I am a GP.

Now, that may not be relevant to you

but I don't like to keep my patients waiting.

So if I don't see Dr Lacey in the next five minutes, I'm leaving.

Please, don't.

So, that's it.

Good news.

The test results show no sign of dementia.

-So you don't know what it is?

-No, but we're narrowing down.

To what?

We don't know. Physically, we can't find anything wrong.

What are you implying?

I can't say for sure, but some kind of psychological reaction perhaps?

A psychological reaction?

That's the best that neuropsychiatry can come up with?

A psychological reaction to what?

-If you've been suffering great stress.

-I haven't.

-Work related?

-No.

-Health? Money?

-Ditto.

-Your home life?

-I'm a happily single man.

Ah, which can be a cross to bear itself.

Which I carry on a broad back.

You're not especially worried about any of the things I've mentioned?

Indeed not.

Have you considered the possibility that it could be depression?

-Depression?

-Yes.

Depression? Me? HE LAUGHS

Really?

You have hounded and harried and done everything in your power

to destroy a young man who's done nothing wrong.

Because of you my son's a wreck.

Because of your son my daughter's dead.

-For the last time, he didn't do it.

-He was convicted by a jury.

It wouldn't be the first time a jury got it wrong.

They didn't get it wrong.

And I'll keep on at him until he admits it.

No. He's innocent. Leave him alone.

Well, that's not going to happen. I'm never giving up.

-Not if it kills me.

-He didn't do anything.

One day you'll see that I was right.

SHE COUGHS AND WHEEZES

-A psychiatrist referring me to a psychologist?

-Indeed.

You don't know what's wrong with me

so you fob me off on someone who isn't even a doctor.

Psychotherapy is outside my expertise.

-I'm not depressed.

-Laughing one minute, shouting the next?

-I'm not shouting.

-You're raising your voice.

You know the symptoms as well as I do.

-Have you been feeling sad or hopeless?

-No.

-Suffering from low self esteem?

-What do you think?

-Have you been feeling guilty?

-About what?

-Irritable?

-Not before I came here.

-Do you find it hard to make decisions?

Oh, now, let me think.

Change of appetite? Disturbed sleep? Lack of libido?

I remain as I've always been -

rotund, rested and occasionally aroused.

As far as decision making goes, let me tell you one thing -

I will not be seeing a psychologist!

-He deserves to know.

-Just phone him?

-That's not fair.

-I think that he probably already knows.

-Really? How?

Well, he's very perceptive and knowledgeable and considerate.

-And you're still going on about that list?

-To know what I'm up against.

Oh, in that case, don't forget thoughtful, attentive and kind.

Like a dagger to my heart.

Three daggers to my heart. How can I compete with that?

I don't know. How about by being funny, clever and original?

-And lovable. Never forget lovable.

-And sexy.

-Sexy?

Can I have a doctor's note to that effect?

THEY GIGGLE

-Oh, sorry.

-Oh, don't be. I have to go.

-Dr MacPherson?

-I'll see you.

Mr Bellamy has found someone to clean the carpet

-so you will have a room this afternoon.

-Good.

And home for baby-sitting duties.

Perhaps you should have played golf instead,

if you do not want to be there.

-Children pick up on these things.

-SHE WHEEZES

-Can I help?

-No. It's fine, I've got it.

-Can you tell Zara I can't pick Joe up?

-Of course.

Dr Carmichael, there has been an emergency.

SHE WHEEZES

I said get your hands off me!

Maybe you'd be better if you wait in reception?

Take a seat. OK.

Two short breaths. You know the drill.

-Have you been smoking?

-Would you blame me if I were?

-Have you been using your inhaler?

-I haven't needed to.

-Oh, Pam. We've spoken about that.

-SHE WHEEZES

Deep breaths. That's better.

-When did the asthma flare up?

-Today.

When he turned up.

What did he want?

I thought he was going to say

-what I've been waiting five years to hear.

-What did he say?

He told me to stop victimising his son.

Inhaler.

Pam, you've got to stop smoking. Start looking after yourself.

And how am I supposed to do that with him sitting out there?

SHE WHEEZES

Deep breaths.

A psychologist?

Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?

-What exactly did the consultant say?

-It's what he didn't say.

They can't treat an undiagnosed brain condition

so they palm you off with talking therapy.

-So he gave you no diagnosis at all?

-Nothing that made any sense.

-Nothing?

-He thinks I'm depressed.

-Depressed?

-Exactly.

-Are you're not relieved?

-What?

-Of all the things it could have been.

-I'm not depressed.

-But it makes complete sense...

-I am not depressed.

-Do you want to go and get some lunch?

-Not in the mood.

-I'll bring you something.

-I'm not hungry.

-Smoked salmon sandwich. If you must.

-OK. I'll be back in a bit.

Well, please take a seat.

I'm sure your grandmother will not be too long.

Dr Granger is a very good doctor.

He was convicted. A jury heard the evidence.

-Just leave my son alone.

-And again, Pam.

Wasn't what your son did enough? He killed my only child.

For the last time, Richard didn't kill her.

He did. You know he did. SHE WHEEZES

All right, all right.

It is very clever. It arranges everything. See?

The only thing it cannot tell me is exactly what is happening.

Mr Chapel? Are you all right?

This is Blair, Mrs Durrant's grandson.

-Grandson?

-Yes. One of the neighbours brought him here.

Can you tell him how she is?

She's fine. She's going to be fine.

-Oh, that is good news. Is that not good news?

-Yes.

Blair, is there anything you would like to say to Mr Chapel?

Thanks for helping my grandma.

It is a lovely age. They do not say much sometimes,

but when they do it is worth listening.

-Mr Chapel?

-Whoa, steady!

KNOCK ON DOOR Come in.

Smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Oh, there's nothing worse than cheap smoked salmon.

Ah, you see. Everything is fine.

-Please get yourself straight to the chemist. OK?

-OK.

-And no smoking. Pam?

-How's he been?

-He has been extremely helpful.

-Come on.

-And if there's anything I can do...

-Yeah, you can put that up.

What a lovely young man.

I cannot imagine anyone thinking anything else.

-What do you mean?

-Mr Chapel.

Blair thanked him for helping his grandmother

and he walked out without saying a word.

-He did not look right.

-What exactly did Blair say?

-That is all he said.

-And David just left?

No. Actually. He left after what I said.

And what did you say?

Just something about children of Blair's age.

That sometimes they do not say very much

but when they do we should probably listen.

OK, can I have Mr Chapel's address, please?

-But why? What is wrong?

-Quickly, please.

Quickly!

-So, this morning was a wash-out?

-Completely.

-You got nothing out of it at all?

-He referred me.

-Referred you?

To a psychologist. Any psychologist. No recommendation.

-Well, how about Oliver Clarke?

-What?

-If you're going to see someone?

I'm not seeing someone.

-Heston, a week ago you thought you had dementia.

-So?

Two days ago you trusted me with your living will.

I remember. I haven't lost my mind entirely.

Of course you haven't. But is there any harm in going to see somebody?

Isn't it better to have a condition that can be treated?

-If you were my patient, I'd refer you.

-Goodbye, Kevin.

What are you going to do next?.

Put your fingers in your ears? Go "la, la, la"?

-Don't be so impertinent!

-One minute you think you have dementia,

the next there's nothing wrong with you.

I'm saying I don't have depression.

Then speak to Oliver about it. You know him. You trust him.

-I'll...

-Thank you, Kevin. From now on I will be buying my own lunch.

-Hi.

-Oh, I'm sorry, I was told to use it while Daniel was out.

Jimmi's room's still being cleaned.

Yeah, I heard. Just looking for Daniel's phone.

I've been trying to get through to him.

I haven't seen it. His jacket's still here.

Looks like he left in a hurry.

-Yes, that's what Mrs Tembe said. No. Not here.

-Jacket pocket?

No?

I should take this, then.

In case he's not coming back.

-I'll see you later.

-Zara...

Look, what I did to you is unforgivable.

Not as far as I'm concerned.

You were having a hard time.

I behaved appallingly.

You're very kind.

It's not as if men don't throw themselves at me all the time.

I can hardly judge someone

-for throwing themselves at Daniel, can I?

-I suppose so.

Seriously, don't beat yourself up about it.

We've moved on, we're over it.

I have. I think.

But I feel I owe you an explanation.

KNOCKING AT DOOR

David?

KNOCKING AT DOOR

David, please, let me in, it's Dr Granger.

Hello?

-KNOCKING AT DOOR

-David!

When I was dancing...

..I liked myself again.

Possibly for the first time in years.

And I felt that other people liked me too.

Erm, I took that too far.

Way too far.

I just don't want to go back to hating myself.

You don't have to.

Something's got to change.

You're not going to go off and have a baby, are you?

No.

Locum-ing...

I don't want to do it any more.

Because of the situation?

Because of me?

No.

Then why?

Well, all right, yes,

but not how you think.

You know, it all just fizzled out with Ben.

And the partnership in Lichfield, the same.

I suppose if I'd really wanted them,

I'd have fought for them.

That's what you would've done.

For my partner, my career? Yes.

But I just let them go.

And maybe I didn't want either of them.

I didn't want anything.

And then you called - and I'm glad you did.

But not because of the job,

but because of you.

I've always admired you

and liked you.

I know I have a funny way of showing it.

I never wanted to...

ruin what you had.

I suppose I just...

I suppose I just, for a moment, wanted to be you.

SHE SCOFFS

You're not going to put yourself up for partner or anything, are you?

Because then I might just have to kill you.

No!

But, erm...

I have spoken to Howard

and he said that I could leave today.

Toni...

It's time to do my own thing.

To do what exactly?

I'm going to dance.

Really?

No.

THEY LAUGH

No.

Erm, I have signed up

to do a course in psychotherapy.

You're going to be a therapist?

Well, yeah, I thought therapy,

and then I thought... why not psychotherapy?

That was always my favourite at med school.

Look...

I have always...

liked you too.

Where are the pills?

David, where are the pills?

I couldn't even do that properly.

You keep telling yourself they didn't do it. It wasn't them.

That's not the way you brought them up, how could it be?

They were just in the wrong place

at the wrong time.

Richard's an only child too.

You think Richard really did do it?

You take it out on other people.

People you love, your wife.

Maybe it's her fault.

Of course she knows it's not.

It's no-one's fault but his.

There's nothing we could have done.

But you keep going on.

And eventually she leaves.

So, now...

he's got no-one.

Except me.

And, erm, vice versa?

Exactly.

What else could I do but believe him?

Even when he confessed?

You hear what you want to hear.

-Doesn't mean you have to blame yourself.

-No?

-No.

Maybe I should have listened.

Well, you can sill listen now.

It's not too late to do the right thing.

You OK?

Yeah.

I'm afraid I've got to go.

Back to work.

Erm, baby-sitting duties, actually.

Lucky you.

Yeah.

Great, I'll see you next week. >

Hey. You should have phoned.

Oh...

But I love that you didn't.

That you just came round. I love your...spontaneity.

What's wrong?

-Oliver, it isn't you, it's...

-DOOR OPENS

-Sorry. I've got a meeting with a colleague.

-I'll go.

-No, no, no. Please, don't. I'll be as quick as I can.

-OK.

I should have phoned.

Did you bring them?

No.

Then why bother coming back?

Thanks for that. I'll get back to you.

Have I done something wrong?

-No.

-Been too clingy?

No.

What, then? Too much too soon?

Well, if you put it like that...

Niamh, I don't have time for games.

I see people lying to each other all the time.

Have you met someone else?

What?!

You've been a bit...distant lately.

-Well?

-PHONE RINGS

Aren't you going to get that.

-Only if you promise not to leave.

-Oliver...

Just tell me the truth. Are you seeing someone else?

No.

Answer your phone!

OK. Then we'll talk, OK?

Yeah, OK.

Oliver Clarke.

Yes, hello, of course. How are you?

Very well, thank you. Very well indeed.

Obviously, the situation's delicate, that's why I thought of you.

So, any chance you could help?

Of course. And as soon as possible.

We'll get going straightaway. Talk it through.

Not let things get any worse than they already are.

What is the golden rule?

Never talk about ex-boyfriends.

Never sleep with him on the first date!

You take one step closer...

-What's in the flask?

-Acid.

I don't think my parents really understood me.

Must have been so hard for them, having a genius as a child.

Oh, come, on Haskey.

you're a sarcastic git -

don't dish it out if you can't take it!