Mother Knows Best Doctors

He has your father's nose.

I know.

A handsome nose.

When are you bringing him to Nigeria?

Oh, when he's two.

Bring him sooner now. Your father's waiting to see him.

BABY CRIES

Think that means he doesn't want to!

Of course he wants to.

He has to see where he comes from. See our village.

It's OK.

SHE SINGS

Niamh. It's Oliver speaking... No, come on!

Niamh! It's Oliver. Just a quick call.

You left rather suddenly the other day.

I'm guessing something came up at work...

No, that's rubbish.

Er... Niamh. Listen, are you free tonight?

If you are then I think we should meet up, talk about us.

Talk about us - honestly!

Um...OK.

Niamh. It's Oliver. Listen.

Whatever plans you've got tonight, cancel them.

I'm taking you out for dinner and I'm not taking no for an answer.

Let me try.

I'm all right.

Why don't you feed him?

Because he's got set times.

A child knows when he is hungry.

Yeah... Can you... Can you speak up, please?

Dr Carter is with a patient at the moment,

but I can recommend another GP.

Dr Haskey...

Well, there is no need to be rude, Mr Simms! Well, if you would

like to leave a message for Dr Carter...

Lawrence Okotu-me?

Okotum-ay. Lawrence Okotum-ay.

My apologies. Okotum-ay.

Sorry, you've got...

Why don't you go to the bathroom?

I will take the boy in.

Shush. Grandma is here now.

BABY QUIETENS

Well, you do seem to have the golden touch.

Yes, well, I have four sons.

Can you tell me where the...

Yeah, it's just down there.

Mrs Okotume?

We are coming.

You can never find a breast pad when you need one.

I really thought I put some in here, but... You don't by any chance...

Sorry, my breastfeeding days are well and truly over.

Yeah, part of me can't wait until they've stopped either,

but then part of me...

Well, it's going to have to stop when I go back to work, isn't it?

That's why I'm feeding him at set times,

but she wants him to feed on demand.

Oh, his grandmother. She's staying with us for a month.

I mean, it should be at set times, right?

It really comes down to personal choice.

Exactly, but she thinks I'm being over-protective

because I'm not doing what she wants,

but when she leaves, everything's going to be messed up.

Parents always think they know best.

Tell me about it. Oh, here.

This is him.

Oh, I've already seen him, in reception.

Screaming his lungs out?

Well, I'd better get back. Patients to see.

Sure.

They do have their uses, you know.

You've got a babysitter on tap for the next few weeks.

If I were you, I'd make the most of it.

Well, he does have a bit of a cold, but it's not serious.

Continue with the paracetamol.

I said this to the mother, but she would not listen.

These youngsters, they make so much fuss over nothing.

I see his immunisations are up-to-date,

so is there anything else I can help you with?

No. That is it.

I am sorry to have wasted your valuable time.

Oh, no, not at all.

It's better to be safe rather than sorry, Mrs Okotume.

-KNOCKING

-Come in.

-Mrs Okotume.

-Oh, have you finished already?

There's nothing to worry about.

We just need to continue with the paracetamol.

And that's going to be fine on top of what they give him?

On top of what who give him?

The clinic. This afternoon.

When he gets circumcised.

Let's give it a go.

PHONE RINGS

Niamh. Listen... Whatever plans...

'Hi, it's Niamh's phone. I'm not around right now,

'so please leave a message and I'll get back to you.'

BEEP

Oh, um, Niamh, it's me. Oliver....

The amount of paracetamol Lawrence is taking won't affect

the anaesthetic or the pain relief that the clinic will give him,

but do tell them what he's taking.

Of course we will.

And you think it's OK, Doctor? Lawrence being circumcised?

The clinic you're going to specialises in this procedure,

so you're in safe hands.

Which is what I keep telling her.

Can I ask why you've decided to have Lawrence circumcised now?

He's four months old.

Kids are usually circumcised when they're much younger.

Because my son did not think to do it.

Chukka and I discussed it. It...

But now that I'm here, Doctor, it is happening.

My grandson will be circumcised, as is our tradition.

It is a low-risk procedure.

You've got nothing to worry about, Mrs Okotume.

Mrs Tembe! Thank you for dealing with Mr Simms.

He's not the easiest of patients.

His language was quite colourful, to say the least.

Well, I put that down to him coming to terms with his diagnosis.

It is unfortunate,

but there is no need to lash out at the people who are trying to help.

Yes, of course. Um, right, I'm off for the afternoon.

See you tomorrow.

Have an enjoyable afternoon.

Mrs Tembe, have you seen Al? He's not in Room 1.

Yes, he's in Dr Granger's room.

-Great.

-Ah, ah, ah - but he is with a patient at the moment.

-Oh. OK. I'll catch him later.

-Hm-mm.

Maybe she just forgot.

That was the reason we were taking him to the GP in the first place.

Don't get yourself all wound up about it.

It's done now, so relax.

He's getting circumcised, Chukka!

Yeah, I know, but the doctor said it was all OK,

and we're going to the clinic you chose.

He's going to be fine, babe.

I am, aren't I?

And I didn't go to some fancy clinic, neither.

All I got was an old rabbi with a shaky hand.

Aren't we going to be late?

Oh, there's loads of time.

Stop messing about. I'll take the baby in the car.

-You should apologise.

-What?!

You embarrassed her. Questioning her like that in front of the doctor.

Because she didn't do what she was meant to!

Yeah, I know, but you two need to get on, or she'll be on the phone

to Dad about how I've made a poor choice of wife

and why they should have never gone back to Nigeria.

Please, babe?

PHONE RINGTONE

'Niahm, it's me, Oliver. Um...I've been trying to reach you all weekend.

'Please give me another chance.

'You're the best thing that's happened to me in such a long time,

'so whatever it is you want me to do, I'll do it, I promise!

'I... I just...'

SHE CUTS MESSAGE OFF

Ellen, I'm sorry if I upset you.

Yeah? So let's do this!

Why you had to marry someone raised up in this country!

-I

-was raised in this country.

Yes, but I raised you traditionally. You know how to behave.

Al?

There she was, hanging on my every word.

She was like putty in my hands.

Even insisted on paying the bill.

I'd let her pay, then I would've gone home alone,

because desperation is a real turn-off.

Yeah, right. Anyway, get a cab back to mine...

Yeah - I don't want to hear all the gory details.

That's the thing. There aren't any.

So, get a cab back to mine, I tell her to put some music on,

she only goes and picks A Tribe Called Quest.

Turns out she totally digs old school hip-hop! Who knew?

We spent all night talking about music and life.

It was surreal.

-And then...

-Yeah, mate, I'm made up for you, but I'm going to read this.

-Is that full?

-Yep.

I have had the morning from hell.

Oh, tell me about it.

If I have to deal with another self-diagnosis from the good old internet...

Right, well, try dealing with a kid

who's about to be circumcised with a mum who's got cold feet,

on top of that, an overbearing mother-in-law who obviously wears the trousers.

-Was that the child from reception?

-Yep.

You win.

Not bad, eh?

Mrs Okotume?

Okotum-ay.

What's wrong?

I'm going to wait out here, babe.

He doesn't need all of us in there looking at his tackle, does he?

Is he OK?

He's fine. Such a fuss about nothing!

I wasn't sure whether to wait for the allotted time

or expect to be accommodated.

Well, you're in luck, actually. I've had a cancellation.

-So, how are you?

-Oh, I'm raring to go.

Actually, I've been thinking long and hard about the problem,

and I think the best way is to deal with it head-on.

I must say, I'm rather disappointed - I was expecting a chaise longue.

Ah, well, I'm assured by my patients that the chair's quite comfortable.

Actually, seeing as we have some time, would you like a cup of tea?

-Oh, splendid.

-Right.

Oh, he won't remember anything about it.

Go on.

What?

Offer to help her out.

What's the point? She's not going to like me whatever I do.

She will. Just make a bit more of an effort.

Go on.

Would you like any help, Ellen?

I am making moi-moi, but I can't find any ingredients.

Well, what do you need?

You don't know how to make moi-moi?

No. My mum didn't teach me how to cook Nigerian.

Chukka would only eat my food when he was growing up.

Yeah, well, things change. So what do you need?

Black-eyed beans, red onions, ground crayfish, tomato puree...

-We've got baked beans and tomato puree.

-Eh?

So, anything exciting happened recently?

I've just bought a place, as it happens.

Right. Been a bit of a stressful time, then, has it?

No, not really.

I was already a tenant so it's quite straightforward.

Oh, that's lucky. So you've found time to relax?

Do things you enjoy?

I like the old amateur dramatics.

What about holidays?

Nothing planned. I think I might go to Tuscany for a few weeks.

Nice. I'm planning on going away too, actually.

Anywhere in particular?

Well, nowhere as exciting as Tuscany. I was thinking of Ireland.

Lovely.

Yeah. Nothing's been decided yet, though.

I thought I'd ask Niamh if she had any recommendations.

Good idea.

Is she at work today, do you know?

She should be.

Rice and stew is such a simple dish.

Once you taste mine, you will want to make it at least once a week.

Are you watching?

Yes.

You need to learn how to make traditional food.

Keep him satisfied here

and he will keep from straying here. Hm?

Babe, can I have another beer?

Haven't you had enough?

Ah, it's low alcohol!

Chukka, get in here!

What is it?

-What's wrong?

-He's bleeding!

It is nothing. We just need to change the dressing.

I think we should take him to the doctors. There shouldn't be this much blood!

I have done this many times.

If you would just stop making a...

I don't care if I'm making a fuss.

You coming?

All they will do is change the dressing.

Babe...

Just forget it!

So, what's it like working with her?

She's very congenial, goes out of her way for patients,

who seem to like her.

Do you think she has a future at the Mill?

Hard to tell this early in a young doctor's career.

Why all the questions about Niamh? Do I take it you're interested?

Oh. She's someone I'd like to get to know better, that's all.

I'm sorry - this is neither the time nor the place.

Shall we make a start?

I need to see Dr Tyler.

He is with a patient at the moment.

No, please, it's urgent. It's my baby.

I am sure he will not be too long.

Look at him.

Please help me.

Look, I will see what I can do.

So, having seen all these so-called experts, I'm none the wiser.

I've never experienced such incompetency in my entire life.

What exactly are the symptoms you've been experiencing?

Some memory loss, really.

And what sort of memory loss are we talking about?

Is it words or actions you don't remember?

Actions, mostly.

Can you give me some examples?

From the first incident, if possible.

Yes, it sort of started a few months ago.

Sort of things - objects - not being where they should be.

Could you be more specific?

Yeah, for example, an umbrella stand would be in one place at night,

somewhere else in the morning, um...I'd fall asleep

without a blanket and then wake up with a blanket on me,

that sort of thing.

Noises in the attic.

I was convinced that I had intruders or ghosts even.

So I changed the locks, got a CCTV system.

But, when I played the recording back,

um, I sort of saw that I was the culprit.

There I was laying the table for two with my best cutlery,

so obviously I was expecting someone fairly important.

-OK.

-Why was there so much blood?

It's just something that happens - the wound doesn't heal.

-It simply keeps on bleeding.

-So the clinic messed up?

No, it's a minor thing.

You know, she thought - my mother-in-law -

she thought that I was over-reacting.

She made me feel like...

If I'd listened to her, he'd still be bleeding, wouldn't he?

Look, I can understand you're upset, but this isn't anyone's fault.

You did the right thing bringing him here.

-And you're sure he doesn't need to go to the hospital?

-Yeah.

Just keep that dressing on and make sure you check it every couple of hours, OK?

Excuse me, my wife should be here. Mrs Okotume.

Yes, she is with Dr Tyler.

If you'd like to take a seat.

Is he all right? My boy?

Well, I'm sure Dr Tyler will explain everything once he has finished.

-Look, my son could be...

-Chukka. I beg, do as the woman says and sit down.

Is he all right?

Yes. No thanks to you.

There was a persistent bleed which I've stopped.

It's a minor complication that can happen

when you circumcise using forceps.

So this is no-one's fault?

It's all her fault!

Going on and on at us to get it done.

It is our tradition.

Well, it's not mine!

Dr Tyler, if you...

Look, Joy...

Don't! All you care about is what your family in Nigeria think.

Well, fine.

If you love them so much, you might as well go and live there

and I'll decide what's best for my son.

It's time for his feed. Where can I...

You can use Dr Tyler's room. Go with her.

Thanks.

Joy!

She will calm down. Maybe we should go home.

I'm not going anywhere. Not until I speak to her.

I'd like to clarify a few things with you if that's all right?

Yes, of course.

Is it fair to say that the moving of these household objects

first occurred at about the time as you deciding to buy

the property from Julia?

Yes, I suppose it did.

And am I right in saying that you ruled out a brain tumour

prior to ruling out early onset dementia?

Yes. That's correct.

How often do these incidents happen?

Ah, it's sort of hard to say. Once, twice a week, I think.

And only at night?

No, sometimes during the day.

Oh, right, I see where this is going.

You think because I'm not in control that I might be mentally ill.

I can assure you, that is not the case.

OK. You've made your point.

I'm sorry. I came, didn't I?

-Babe...

-I mean it, Chukka.

I am sick and tired of you putting her first.

You know she won't be here for long.

And when she goes back to Nigeria she'll still be giving orders.

So you don't get us. Not any more.

What do you mean, I don't get you?

Me and Lawrence. We're going to stay with my sister.

It's pretty obvious you're not that invested in this marriage anyway.

Come on, Joy! You know I love you!

But not as much as you love your mother.

KNOCKING Yes?

-How are we doing?

-Fine. Thanks.

Look, your mother-in-law was doing what she clearly thought was right.

What you need to do is sit down and talk.

Sort it out.

Not just for your sakes, but for that little one, as well. OK?

Have you considered psychosis at all?

Certainly not!

If you were suffering from psychosis then you'd be unaware of it.

The only reason you know that it was you laying the table

is because you recorded it.

And you say you've been hearing things, which is another symptom.

I believe you're experiencing some form of depression.

Depression and psychosis can sometimes be connected.

I am the most optimistic person that I know.

Have you had any trouble sleeping?

No, not really.

No loss of appetite?

What do you think?

And you've had no suicidal thoughts?

I think I've probably taken up enough of your time.

Yes, perhaps we should leave it there for today.

Don't worry - the first session tends to be difficult,

but it does get easier.

So, same time next week?

So, I am the wicked person here?

No-one's saying that, Mrs Okotume.

If things had gone well, we would not be sitting here.

There would be no problem.

I don't know about that.

Mrs Okotume, Joy tried to respect your ways, even though

they went against everything she really felt.

She's not saying that you forced her into it...

I am! That's exactly what I'm saying!

-Eh!

-Joy.

Go on. Side with her!

Look, I'm not siding with her, but you're wrong.

I forced you to do it.

I let the pressure of wanting to please you and Dad get to me.

What pressure?

You play us off one another. Amechi's a doctor.

Junior's wife's a lawyer.

I thought you'd be pleased because Joy's from Nigeria but no,

she's "too westernised."

I dunno, if I'm such

a disappointment, then maybe you should just go.

You are casting out your own mother? Your own flesh and blood?

No, but this is my family,

and I'm going to do whatever it takes to make it work.

All I have done is try to do my best for you.

And that's what I'm trying to do for our son and my marriage.

So, I must go this minute?

No. You can stay the rest of your holiday, but I'm in charge.

If you can't live with that, then you'll have to go somewhere else.

PHONE RINGS

Oliver, hi.

'You're there!'

Yes. How are you?

Yeah, great. How are you? Did you get my message?

I did. I'm really sorry I didn't get back to you,

but it's been a bit manic here.

That's fine. So, er, what do you think?

I don't know, Oliver. I think we're very different.

No, we're not, Niamh. We're great together.

We're like...

I just don't see a future.

Oh, don't say that.

'Oliver...'

Just don't make any rash decisions, OK?

Not before I've had a chance to prove to you that I'm right.

Let me take you out tomorrow night.

I don't know.

Please?

I've got to go. I've got a patient.

OK, yeah, go, go.

But tomorrow night, yes?

I know the perfect place for us to talk.

OK. Give me the address.

Say "Dadda." Say "Dadda."

He's too young, silly.

Not if he's a genius. Which he will be, of course.

-Just like his dad, then?

-Hm-mm.

I think I will go and take a nap.

I think Lawrence might like a nap, too, with his grandmother.

Thank you.

Here we go.

-Oh, hey.

-Hi.

I was just...

Did you go out at lunchtime?

I brought food for Emma cos she needed cheering up.

Her Auntie Barbara's driving her up the wall, so...

Oh, I thought...

I thought you were avoiding me.

Seriously? I thought you were avoiding me.

Look, I need to say I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

I was just trying to impress you.

I was just trying to impress you too!

How's about we try it again? Something simple.

Just me, you, pub?

Sounds great.

How about tomorrow night?

Perfect.

I can't wait.

You're back!

I realised how much I missed you.

I've got a date with her, Dr Donoghue.

Can I go?

No, the police surgeon's on his way.

You certainly always make me feel thirsty. What are you going to have?

This is like the seventh circle of hell!

Nah, this is prime pulling ground, mate.

Get out, get out, get out!