Creature Comfort Doctors

Well?

He's going to be OK.

I can't believe he's going to be OK.

GROWLING

But he's strong enough for them to start the procedure.

We did it. We got him here.

If it wasn't for you saving him in the car...

You have to tell Sarah.

No, she'll just try and stop it.

Even if she does...

..you have to tell her, anyway.

It's only right.

I'm going home.

You can't. They'll arrest you.

I know. like I said...

..it's the right thing to do.

Can you tell everyone there's a meeting at lunchtime. No exceptions.

-Right.

-I won't be coming.

Why not?

I won't be back from house calls.

And no family history of asthma, hay fever, eczema?

No. Why?

Well, I'm not sure, but you may have suffered from a minor asthma attack.

But I'm not asthmatic.

You can develop it at any time.

Having the flu can trigger it.

So, what do I do?

Well, we need to book you in for some tests

of your respiratory function and a chest X-ray.

-Do you smoke?

-No.

-Have you noticed becoming more sensitive to pollen?

-No.

Do you have any pets?

A cat.

Right, well can it be kept outside?

No, I live in a flat.

Well, you're either going to have to keep the place free

from pet hairs or...

Or what?

Well, if it is asthma, you'll either have to start using an inhaler

-or...

-Get rid of the cat?

If you say so.

It's him or me?

So, how are you feeling?

Bored.

-What did the cardiologist say?

-Reduce my stress levels.

So what are you going to do?

Go to Italy.

Recharge the batteries?

Something like that, and I owe Ruhma a holiday.

What happens when you get back?

What do you mean?

When Anthony picks up where he left off.

And where's that exactly?

Why didn't you just tell me?

You can't let these little things build up.

I know. It was very foolish of me.

No, it's not. Because they're not that little, are they?

He's always referring to your age,

making you anxious about taking a holiday,

making you do the HGV truck driver medicals.

Then there's the student mental health initiative.

That's right. He did give them to Sid and Ayesha.

Yeah, but they are better suited to it.

I mean, you said yourself they'd done that kind of thing before.

That's true, too. Maybe he's right about my age. Look at me.

-That's cos he's made you so anxious.

-You can't prove that.

He's got an agenda.

Behind all the PR speak and the corporate strategy,

he picks away at people. He undermines them.

Why are you changing your mind? You said as much yourself.

-You told me it was all in my head.

-I didn't. I just wanted to be sure.

HESTON SIGHS

I've come for an inhaler.

The doctor said that if I'm going to keep my cat I'd need one.

-I didn't know you had a cat.

-Yes.

What kind?

He's a grey Maine Coon.

Ooh, nice.

Geoffrey's a tabby.

Geoffrey. My cat.

"For I shall consider my Cat Jeoffry."

Is yours called Geoffrey, too?

No.

The poem.

Do you know it?

No, I don't.

My favourite cat poem is An Unusual Cat Poem by Wendy Cope.

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

"My cat is dead. But I have decided not to make a big tragedy of it."

Are you OK?

SCREAMING

He's OK. He's OK. He's OK. Harry's OK.

I'm here to tell you he's OK.

He's OK.

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry and I know you'll never forgive me,

but I've written the details down of where he is

and if you leave now,

you can make it before the treatment finishes.

Is this supposed to make you feel better about yourself?

Let you off the hook?

That's not why I'm here.

Good.

Because it's not going to work.

When Harry dies,

I'm going to make sure it's not just abduction

that you're charged with!

It's going to be manslaughter!

I understand,

but he's not dead.

He could live.

And whatever you think of me,

you should be there.

Go. Go.

Go!

SHE SOBS

Jane did everything for me. She took me in.

Took you in?

I was lost.

-Wandering.

-And then you found someone who enjoyed long walks?

-Yes.

-And now you're looking for someone else?

I'm not sure. Maybe it's too soon.

Right, I'm calling in at the solicitor's

on my way over to the Mill.

Honestly, the amount of paperwork that man needs

just to conduct a simple house sale!

Please send all of my patients to Doctor Vere in my absence.

Giles has come in for an inhaler.

You said I might need one, if I was to keep the cat.

What I said was,

if, when the test results come back,

it turns out that you do have asthma,

then you may need an inhaler.

You told him to give his cat away?

I was simply warning you that ignoring potential triggers

could be serious.

Just...

-give the cat away?

-Bodmin.

Well, maybe you could find someone to look after Bodmin

until the test results come back.

But who would do that?

I don't know. Maybe someone who likes...

..cats.

Oh, no. Sorry, I couldn't. Geoffrey would never allow it.

Well, someone else then.

Thank you. Goodbye, Valerie.

Goodbye, Giles, and good luck.

You must feel awful.

No.

Telling him to get rid of his dead wife's cat.

What are you doing here?

What else was I going to do?

You need to go to the police station.

I know. I will.

How's the little boy?

He's OK, we think.

And how are you?

I'm OK, I think.

-Oh, Niamh...

-Just let Anthony know?

-Yep.

It looks like Harry might be responding to the treatment.

Might be?

We hope so.

You hope so?

You kidnapped my patient out of hospital.

You recklessly took him abroad for unproven treatments,

but we shouldn't be concerned

because Doctor Donoghue has hope.

Well, I hope so, too, for your sake.

Doctor Donoghue?

I'll take that for you.

Hi.

I'm Giles. We spoke on the phone.

So why can't you take care of, erm...?

-Bodmin.

-Why can't you take care of Bodmin any more?

My GP thinks I'm developing asthma.

And there's no-one else to help?

Sadly, no. My wife died.

I'm sorry.

It's fine. It was some time ago.

So, how many cats do you have?

Ten. Fifteen. It depends how many have been deserted.

And you find new homes for them?

We vet potential owners.

That's funny, the humans being vetted.

And the cats get doctored.

Which practice was it?

Sorry?

Where the GP told you to get rid of your cat?

Well, just as a temporary thing.

Cast an animal aside rather than risk a human coughing.

The doctor thought we'd be better off not taking any chances.

And what's the name of this doctor?

Carmichael. Why?

Carmichael.

Of course it is.

Where are you going?

If I could just explain.

Explain taking a little boy abroad for treatment

against the wishes of his mother?

Treatment he's already responding to.

That's not the point.

Saving Harry's life isn't the point?

That's not the way the story's playing out.

The story?

The one you've been telling on TV

and on the radio and in newspapers,

giving interviews about?

What did you expect?

To be treated fairly.

We try to treat everyone fairly, no matter what they've done.

I did what I thought was right.

I've no doubts.

Any thoughts as to what you might do next?

Move away? Fresh start?

You do know you can't work here any more?

It's all about the practice now.

Our reputation.

Saying your goodbyes and waiting for the police to come.

All right.

-Goodbye, then.

-Goodbye.

Oh, and when the police do come,

would you mind leaving by the back door?

Are you all right?

Right, if we could please...

-I'll come and see you later.

-Yeah.

No, I do not think I can totally blame Mr Harker.

What about leaving your picture off the practice publicity?

That was my vanity.

'No, it wasn't. He questioned your professionalism.'

You heard him question my professionalism?

I heard about it afterwards.

Dr Clay, that is hearsay?

Come on, Mrs Tembe, he pushed you out.

Look, I have a new job.

You didn't need another job.

You had a job here and you were great at it.

More responsibility, more money.

OK, so you have no doubts at all?

Look. Even if I did...

..there is nothing we can do.

So you do have doubts, then?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Hang on. Mrs Tembe?

I am sorry, Dr Clay, we are very busy. I have to go.

Oh, come on, Mrs Tembe...

Come in.

Hey.

SHE SOBS

How is he?

Sleeping.

Mummy.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yes!

What did Anthony say?

That you're to leave

with immediate effect.

Yeah, I know. I'm just going to get some...

I tried to fight your corner.

I said that you had done the right thing.

But you were on your own?

PHONE RINGS

-I'll leave you to it.

-No, Emma...

Hi, Ben.

Sarah's here.

-She's in with Harry now.

-I'm sorry.

It's OK. You did the right thing by telling her.

The blood tests are looking really good.

That's great.

The doctors are confident.

That's fantastic.

When am I going to see you? Are you coming back?

No, Ben. I'm not allowed to.

The police are coming.

-What?

-Yeah, they're on their way.

It's fine. It's all right.

Even if I could go, Sarah's there now, so...

Sarah will understand.

No, she won't.

You didn't see her face when Harry spoke to her.

Ben, erm, look...

I love you.

I have to go.

Niamh?

Where is she?

Oh, Ren, Valerie. Valerie, Ren.

Ah, and this must be Bodmin. Aw.

Come to confront the charlatan who cast him out.

Ah, Dr Carmichael's not here at the moment

and, strictly speaking, pets aren't allowed.

CAT MEOWS

It had to be you.

-Excuse me?

-You don't remember.

Remember what? Who are you?

"A change in lifestyle or the risk of toxoplasmosis."

That's what you said to me.

Well, here I am and I'm fine.

Of course there's a risk of allergy.

What if he develops an allergy to me?

Would he have to get rid of me as well?

That is hardly the point.

But the choice is his.

Mr Bloom, I understand your attachment to your cat,

but if it is the cause of your asthma attacks,

then you are going to have to decide whether you can live with it.

And if he does want to?

I can only point out the risk.

If you can't live without the cat, then keep it.

There you are. Done.

You can keep it.

You can keep your dead wife's cat. Yay!

I don't want to.

-What?

-Why?

Because since Jane died I can hardly look at him.

Oh, he's beautiful. Aren't you?

CAT GROWLS

Oh, he's growling at you.

Don't be ridiculous.

Well, if no-one else is going to look after him.

Oh, excuse... I mean, you can't just take...

Aren't you going to stop her?

You heard him. He doesn't want the cat.

Yea, but what about the cat lady?

She looks like she'd enjoy long walks.

-What are you talking about?

-Ticks all the boxes?

-That's true.

-She could be the one.

She is rather like Jane.

Why don't you go after her?

Maybe Dr Carmichael could give you a lift.

What?

Go and get her.

Is this it?

Not exactly, no.

Good news. He's meant to tell you that, not me.

We've had a call from Harry's mother.

She's withdrawing her complaint.

-When?

-Just.

It's been decided that a prosecution is not in the public interest.

You were two minutes away from being arrested.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

SHE SOBS

I haven't looked at another woman since my wife died.

Well, maybe your receptionist.

Valerie?

But it passed.

So, this isn't about...

..the cat.

It's about the cat lady?

No, it is about him.

It is about her as well.

And now you feel guilty?

I don't know why.

It's not like he wants to be with me, anyway.

Because you're seeing someone new.

Who hates me.

She didn't say that.

Anyway, the amount of time she spends with cats,

I should probably avoid her.

Probably.

But then, if we avoided everything that was bad for us,

what kind of a life would that be?

Initial blood tests show that Harry is responding to treatment.

-How do you know that?

-I spoke to Ben.

-When?

Just now.

Sarah's over there as well.

I've put all the contact details, the specialist in charge,

and the treatment I gave in an e-mail.

You gave him a carotid sinus massage?

I had to. He would have died.

So you've finally convinced yourself that you can be a doctor.

Except, of course, now you can't be a doctor.

Even if you did get off in court,

the GMC is going to hang you out to dry.

It's not going to court.

Sarah's withdrawn the complaint, so...

What are you going to do?

I don't know.

Since she's withdrawn it,

you could stay.

No.

Even if I wanted to, I'm leaving with immediate effect, aren't I?

Isn't that what Anthony said?

Yeah.

Yes, that's what he said.

So, there's nothing anyone could have done anyway.

He'll be happier with you.

How convenient.

He hates me.

We don't get on.

Like people.

I prefer cats. They don't let you down.

Of course they don't.

They keep coming back as long as you feed them.

Is there anything else I should know before you go?

I think it's because he reminds me of Jane.

And I don't know, maybe I remind him that she's gone.

I haven't been out with another woman since my wife died.

About Bodmin?

Right, yes, of course, I see.

He can swim.

Really?

I know.

He gets in the pond and swims for the fish.

"For he can swim for life.

"For he can creep.

"For he can tread to all the measures upon the music."

-You know it?

-Yes.

Do you have no children who could take him?

We never had any, no.

I'm just creating a profile.

Lifestyle, home environment, likes, dislikes?

I love long walks.

For Bodmin.

Does he get on with other cats?

Does he prefer indoors or out?

Do you have a record of inoculation?

I do. Jane made sure he had all his shots.

He was devoted to her.

Now every time I look at him, I see her.

I like you. I'd like to see you again.

What if it is asthma?

What if contact with me starts you wheezing?

Then I'll wheeze.

For me, but not for him?

What if I came to visit? Would that be OK?

That depends on him.

Niamh?

Wait.

I have to catch a plane and I looked for you.

I was in with Jimmi.

Look, it's not Anthony's decision.

-Al...

-Apparently, it's a matter for the partners.

Please, just listen...

If you wanted to, you could go and work at another practice.

It's not about Anthony.

I'm not going to be a doctor any more.

You're running away.

That's not what I'm doing.

Stay.

No.

No, I have to go.

OK.

Whoa!

Are you not even going to say goodbye?

No.

You're going to leave it like this?

Absolutely.

No, "So long, take care, see you soon"?

No.

No,

"Adieu, farewell...

"I'll miss you."

None of that from me.

No, "You've changed my life"?

No.

No...

"It's been amazing knowing you."

We'll meet again?

I love you.

But you're not going to hear me say that.

PHONE RINGS

You'd better get that.

I better had.

PHONE RINGS

Niamh, hi, it's me.

I know, I can't wait.

I'm going to be on the next flight.

Give me a call when you get the message,

or I'll call you back later.

Bye.

Are you sure he'll be there to collect me from the airport?

I can't wait to see you.

Both of you, everyone.

Bye, Mum.

Jimmi, still here?

Yeah. It's not like there was a leaving do with drinks or anything.

Not that you would have been there.

Me? No.

You can't be a manager and a mate.

You can treat people with decency, though.

Always.

Is something on your mind, Dr Clay?

Well, I spoke to Heston...

..and then I spoke to Rhuma

and then I spoke to Mrs Tembe.

You'd have been better off at the meeting.

Maybe.

Maybe I could have told you that you can't sack anyone

until the partners tell you to.

I didn't sack Doctor Donoghue.

Not the impression you gave at the meeting, was it?

The meeting you weren't at.

You honestly think that Al and Emma and Karen are just going to

allow you to treat their friend like a pariah, do you?

-Do you think I am?

-I've always said if anybody doesn't feel aligned...

-"Aligned"?

-..with the way we work...

Really?

Are you going to get rid of me?

Of course not.

Unless, of course, you felt you wanted to move on.

Further your career elsewhere.

Always the gentleman.

I try.

What are all those toys out there? Your garden's full of them.

That's none of your business!

She is actually evil.

-Really?

-Oh, yes. You can see it in her eyes.

Until Anthony goes, I'm not coming back to work.

So, it's up to you, Jimmi.

You're not going anywhere!

You can't keep me prisoner.

I think you've made yourself a prisoner.