Waiting Doctors

Morning. Traffic outside Joe's nursery was terrible.

Why people insist on driving when they only live round the corner...

You know what they say - you are not stuck in traffic, you ARE traffic.

Five minutes, then send the first one in, please.

Of course.

Walter Brannigan for Dr Carmichael.

Oh, I am sorry, Mr Brannigan...

Walter.

Dr Carmichael is not in this morning but Dr Granger will be...

Is she in this afternoon?

Yes, but like I said, Dr Granger...

I'll wait.

You will have a long wait.

If you insist on seeing Dr Carmichael,

may I suggest you come back this afternoon?

You got a problem with me sitting here?

No, I just don't want you to waste your time.

It's my time, I'll do what I want with it.

Morning.

Was it something I said?

Oh, sorry, Heston.

Listen, have you heard anything from Catriona?

Catriona Shailes? No, not since the appointment.

How did she seem to you?

Depressed.

She's on the list for CBT and I prescribed some

anti-depressants. I'm sure she'll be on the mend in no time.

If you'd like to go through.

Nowt wrong with him.

Tenner says he's after a sick note.

It is such a beautiful day outside, Mr Brannigan.

Walter.

Would you not prefer to be enjoying the fresh air, a walk perhaps?

You sound like my wife. She was always going on about me

-going for a walk with her.

-A sensible woman.

Walking is good for the heart, the lungs and the spirit.

If it's that good for you, how come she's dead?

I am so sorry.

Don't be. Least now she's not giving me earache every five minutes.

And I get to watch what I want on telly.

Not that I've got anything better to do.

There is always something to do if you try hard enough.

-A hobby, perhaps.

-Don't talk to me about hobbies.

Hobbies enrich us, they make us more rounded, more... interesting.

You should try it.

What, like gardening? All that bending over, with MY knees?

I'd rather be bored.

The devil makes work for idle hands.

The church, for example,

always looking for people with time on their hands,

and there is a wonderful sense of community at St Bernadette's.

All those busybodies, poking their noses in where they're not wanted,

trying to convert you.

No, thank you.

Sorry, we're short-staffed already, with Niamh

and Al on holiday, we can't lose you as well.

You all right? You're not ill, are you?

No. Just need a change of scenery.

You're off to Paris on Friday, that's a change of scenery.

Paris is definitely off. And far too close to home for my liking.

Sorry, no can do. Next week, maybe?

I can't wait till next week.

-VOICE MAIL:

-'You have one message.'

-WOMAN:

-'Sorry, I didn't know who else to call...

'I don't know what to do! I think it was them.

'They were right in front of me.

-SHE SOBS

-'Sorry, I'm fine. Forget I called.'

Our patients do not want to smell your food

while they are feeling unwell.

Anyone object?

Well, then.

Unless you're the one with the problem?

It does not matter to me one way or the other.

So, what they do at this church of yours?

Apart from voluntary work?

We run a... a food bank, there is a cafe, and we have...

bridge nights and dinner dances.

Dancing? All hot and sweaty in a suit

and tie? Can't see the point in that much.

Each to their own.

Lemongrass and ginger, if that's what you're trying to figure out?

If you want some, just say so. I'm not a mind-reader.

No, thank you.

There's plenty.

Can't seem to get out the habit of cooking for two.

You do not want to share your food with a church 'busybody'.

Oh, I see.

Someone criticises your church and it's toys out the pram.

I assure you it is no such thing!

Besides, I am going out for lunch.

You can do that any time.

Unless you're saying you've got a better offer?

Oh, I see. I'm not trying to compete with your husband.

You go out and enjoy your fancy lunch.

More Thai chicken for me.

You didn't have to come over.

Yeah, well, I was worried, you sounded terrified.

I was being stupid. It probably wasn't even them.

Mind plays tricks on you when you're not getting any sleep.

Maybe try cutting back on the caffeine.

I don't WANT to sleep.

-You need rest.

-I said I don't want to!

You try sleeping when all you get's nightmares!

SHE SIGHS

How long have you been awake for?

Dunno. Couple of days? Might've nodded off for a bit yesterday.

Right... I'm making you another appointment.

-Why?

-You're not well, Catriona.

I think you need to go back to the doctor.

Why? What else can he do?

I don't know, but it's worth exploring your options.

What options? Anti-depressants won't kick in for a couple of weeks.

I got a letter from the CBT people telling me

I might have to wait 12 weeks for an appointment!

What you going to do? Chuck a few million at the NHS to speed

it all up for me?

Yes. You would be doing me an enormous favour, Dr Carter.

I appreciate it is short notice...

No, that is fine, I am sure you are very busy.

DIAL TONE

Yes, Dr Tyler, today. I am sorry to hear that

but perhaps a lunch would...

No, no, no. Fine, fine.

DIAL TONE

Yes, Mr Bellamy.

No reason. No, no, no, I'm not after anything.

Cannot two colleagues just break some bread..?

No, that is fine.

Yes, goodbye,

SHE SIGHS

I won't sleep.

Yeah, well, just try and close your eyes for a bit.

Have you thought about going back to the police?

What for? Bloke I saw made it clear he wasn't interested.

Yeah, I saw him yesterday. But they're not all like that.

I'll come with ya, we'll speak to Rob Hollins.

I know him, he'll take you seriously.

-No.

-It'll be different, I promise.

It might even be good for you, doing something positive,

stopping those girls from hurting anyone else.

What's the point? It's not like they'll go to prison or anything.

I talk to the police, they get a rap over the knuckles,

then come looking to finish what they started.

You don't know that.

The only time I leave the house in a week,

and I can't go to the corner shop without seeing them.

What if they're local?

Every time I leave the house, every time I need a pint of milk,

I am terrified of seeing them!

How am I meant to live like that?

OK, OK...

Look, it's your choice.

Whatever you want, I am right behind you.

Please try and get some sleep.

Whenever I nod off,

I start seeing it. I feel my teeth jarring as my head hits the floor!

No. Hey, if you have a nightmare, I am right here.

You won't leave me?

No, I'm not going anywhere. Come on.

There you are.

SHE SIGHS

You've got a visitor.

A patient?

No, a friend of yours. Poppy, is it?

You need to get rid of her... Please, Karen.

I'm not doing your dirty work, if you don't want to see her,

you get rid of her yourself.

Whoa... Have you any idea how serious this is?

-What's the matter, no-one can see us.

-My colleague has already seen us!

What are you doing, coming to my work. You're 15, Poppy!

-Nearly 16...

-You think that makes any difference?

I've slept with a 15-year-old. I could lose my job over this!

It's not like you forced me, I knew what I was doing.

-And I'd do it again...

-No! That's not going to happen.

I don't see why it's such a big deal.

We're both consenting adults.

That's just it, you're not an adult.

You're underage - whether you wanted to do it or not,

it's still statutory rape.

OK, well, if someone asks, I'll say it wasn't.

Legally you're too young to know the difference.

I could go to prison over this.

Don't be ridiculous, you won't go to prison.

Can't you get it through your head?

I broke the law!

OK. I get it.

We'll just have to make sure no-one finds out, then.

So... Where you going for this fancy lunch of yours?

I assure you, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.

I'm not daft, I know you only said it

so you didn't have to eat with me.

See, I don't understand why some people can't be honest.

I don't want to do something, I just say I don't want to do it.

You wouldn't catch me coming out with some tosh about

going out for lunch.

Come on you, get your coat, you've pulled!

The hotel's in your name, so that's OK,

they won't need to see my passport.

You don't seriously think we're still going to Paris?

But I was looking forward to it...

Why didn't you tell me how old you were?

Why did YOU tell me you work in the music industry?

Because I thought it sounded cool.

If you're going to lie about having a cool job,

make it proper cool, not like 'dad cool'.

OK, so I'm a vain,

pathetic idiot who wanted to sound cooler than he is.

But your lie could put me in prison.

I'm sorry Poppy, but this ends now.

You'll thank me in the long run.

I'm a doctor, I'm in a position of trust. If I have a

relationship with an underage girl, then I'm violating that trust.

But I thought you liked me?

You're a really sweet girl.

Any guy your age would be happy to have you as a girlfriend.

I don't want anyone my age. I want you!

I'm sorry, that's not going to happen.

No more texts, no more presents, no more coming to see me.

Do you understand?

Mmm... Beats a shop-bought sarnie any day.

You know, you couldn't have timed it better.

Why? You feeling low?

No, not at all, but I have never been so glad to get away from the surgery.

That man has been sitting there all morning, irritating the

patients. He could have seen Dr Granger 100 times but oh, no!

He wanted to see Dr Carmichael.

You'd think he had better things to do.

So you would think, but he is not interested in anything.

Except complaining. And all that he enjoys doing!

I had to pretend I had lunch plans to avoid having lunch with him!

He invited you for lunch?

No, I am sure he did not really mean it. Thank you.

He fancies you.

Not at all, he is just lonely, that is all.

And I am not surprised -

he cannot have many friends with an attitude like that.

Maybe he just wanted some company.

Do not give me that look.

I'm just surprised, that's all.

A lonely fella, just wants some company, asks you for lunch

and you lied.

It's not like you at all.

I resent your accusation, Mrs Hollins.

And I hope you're not trying to insinuate that I have somehow

behaved in an inappropriate manner.

If you have, I will wish you good day.

And I will spend the rest of my lunch break with a true friend.

Someone who is not so quick to judge.

SHE GROANS

-Sh, you're OK, you're OK.

-Oh!

You're OK, it was just a dream.

Do you remember what it was about?

Same as always - it's like the build-up to the attack only

it's not, cos I know what's coming and I can't stop it!

It's even worse when I'm awake.

-You still getting flashbacks?

-They're getting worse.

It's like I'm back there, she's hitting me,

and I'm on the floor. I can feel the grit

grazing my scalp like it's real, it's actually happening.

And it keeps happening, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Sh... First step to dealing with them is

to find out what's triggering them.

Are they more likely to come at a certain place or time?

They come any time.

Worse when I've had a drink maybe, more vivid.

There's a lot of empties in the kitchen for one person.

The first glass helps. Stops me thinking about it.

What about the second glass?

OK. So, we identify the triggers.

Cut out the ones we can and the ones that you can't,

find a way to manage them.

Some people find that writing things down works.

Works out how they feel inside.

Thank you. For everything you've done.

I really appreciate it.

I wish I could do more.

You coming here, sitting here,

talking to me - you don't have to do any of that.

It means a lot.

I just want to get you back to normal.

That night in the club, you seemed so carefree.

Happy. I just want to get you back to that.

I can't, I'm sorry.

It's not just my imagination though, is it?

There's something there - that night in the club, we both felt it.

Yeah, I know. But you're a patient now.

It wouldn't be right.

Even if I'm not here, you've got my number.

If you ever need anything, if you've just had a flashback or just

need someone to scream at, call me, yeah.

Thank you.

I'm just going to nip to the shop and get us some milk.

Sorry. Must look dead immature, crying like this.

You know I'm 16 in, like, a couple of weeks?

I know.

So if we'd met after my birthday, would it still be illegal then?

Poppy...

It's OK, I get it.

If the circumstances were different, if we'd met

when you were older, then I'd been proud to take you to Paris.

Poppy...

You're not going to say anything, are you?

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

HE COUGHS LOUDLY

HE COUGHS

Mr Brannigan.

Walter.

'Sense of community', you said.

Some sense of community - there's nobody here!

It is the middle of the day.

I see, so community's just for weekends and evenings, is it?

What shall we do, then?

I choose to sit in peaceful contemplation.

I suggest you do the same or go find something else to fill your time.

Keep your hair on.

If you're always this welcoming,

it's no wonder church attendance has dropped.

What happened to all you religious freaks trying to convert everybody?

For your information, we religious freaks have absolutely no

interest in forcibly recruiting anyone.

Least of all objectionable time wasters who have no

consideration for other people's peace and solitude.

The church is not a drop-in centre for the bored. It is for believers.

So if you do not mind, perhaps you could stop following me

and leave me to pray in peace!

Oh, well, I won't waste any more of your time, then.

Remember me?

You'd've thought you'd learned your lesson after last time.

Oh, you want to teach me a lesson? Like you taught Catriona?

That's the name of the girl you hit - Catriona.

What's the matter, do you prefer it when they're nameless?

Do I look like I give one?

You've made her life a misery, and you don't even care!

Oh, serves her right!

What, because she's gay? What is your problem?

Sorry I called you a liar.

Apology accepted.

Tell me to mind me own business.

But you seem a bit different, lately.

You don't have to talk about it,

but whatever it is, don't let it change you.

Cos you're like the most helpful, generous person I've ever met.

Sticking my nose in, 'helping' where help is not wanted?

No, I have no desire to be a busybody.

You're not a busybody.

Sounds like this bloke needs help.

Why else would he spend all morning in a doctors' surgery?

He has just been here, actually.

He wanted to find what the church had to offer.

There you go!

I told him the church was just for believers.

I do not think that! The church is for everyone.

And yet I sent him away.

Seems to me like he's just a miserable,

lonely old bloke who doesn't want to be lonely any more.

And grumpy. Very, very grumpy.

Maybe that's it, maybe that's why he needs help.

He wants to find friends,

but he's such a grumpy old sod, he doesn't know how to do it.

Haven't you got the message?

There was this kid that lived round the corner from me,

he used to spit on my PE bag because I was mixed race.

I must have been about 15, 16?

Same age as Catriona's daughter.

Eugh, she's got a daughter?

I could never understand why he picked on me for something

I had no control over?

It's like having a go at her cos she's got blonde hair.

Or him cos he's a bit on the short side.

So what you're saying is being queer is like being short?

No! I am not saying that.

We do not get to choose what we are.

But we do get to choose what we do.

That's more important than the stuff we're born with.

OK, goodbye.

Is Dr Carmichael ready to see me?

Or are you going to make me wait again?

You are first in the queue.

Before you go? I would like to give you this.

"Invitation"? Invitation to what?

My church is holding a charity dinner.

I have helped to organise it and I would be honoured

if you would agree to be my plus one.

There will be a nine course taster menu of Scandinavian food,

and as you like cooking, I thought you'd be interested.

Suppose we'll be on a table with loads of churchy types.

You have my assurance nobody will want to convert you.

I'm not good with dill, I'm not eating any dill.

No-one is going to try to make you eat dill.

Hmm, see you there then!

7:30, on the dot.

Won't your partner mind you having dinner with some

strange bloke?

I am sure she will understand, Walter.

So what about your school? Were you bullied?

What do you think?

I think that being the odd one out makes you a target.

No matter how tough you are.

All you want when you're a kid's to fit in, be like everyone else.

Easier said than done for some of us.

Maybe me and you aren't so different after all.

What's that thing they say,

about looking for the similarities instead of differences?

Yeah, even you and Catriona - bet you've got more in common

than you realise.

How do you mean?

You've grown up in the same area, probably went through

the same schools, probably even got drunk at the same pubs.

Who you fall in love with

really doesn't make you that different.

You compare me to that freak? What she is, it's disgusting.

It goes against nature and perverts like that aren't welcome round here.

It might do you well to remember that yourself.

Thanks for the chat.

-What was I thinking?

-More like what were you drinking?

Four glasses of red was all it took to forget your missus.

I met a woman in a bar last night.

-And?

-I took her home and slept with her.

No way!

Well, they take a few weeks before they start working.

I need something now, I need something to tide me over.

Are you looking for yourself or is it for your mother?