Born Again Doctors

Do you think I should take my book?

You're not off to lie on a beach, Josie!

I am aware of that, Mum.

Um...

Ooh! Ooh.

Hoo!

He's been jumping about like crazy today.

JOSIE EXHALES

Do you think I should take my iPod?

I don't know.

I was remembering earlier how I used to love

dancing around on your feet to that Kinks song. Do you remember?

Hm-hm!

You made me do it every day for a while. Huh! Exhausting!

You've an amazing knack of turning happy memories into complaints.

Oh, don't be so oversensitive.

I think I will take my iPod.

Music relaxes me.

This idea that you'll have time to relax is an absolute joke!

What about my massage oil and my pillow? Mum?

Oh! I don't need to be involved in every little decision, Josie.

You chose to have this baby on your own,

so now it's time that you started making decisions by yourself!

Sorry to have bothered you.

It was so wonderful to see you at church on Sunday.

What did you think of the sermon?

It was interesting.

And will we be seeing you next week?

Maybe, you never know.

Well, next week is the first day of the Advent.

Reverend Marchant likes to do a special service.

All I know about the Advent is chocolate calendars,

and that's cos Al normally eats them all in the first week.

-Yes, well, that is typical of Dr Haskey.

-Hm-hm.

For me, the season is about keeping a focus on the lead-up to Christmas.

It can be a very frenzied time

and too much emphasis on material possessions.

I think it is a time for...for slowing down and reflecting.

I think it helps to read up on the various Scriptures for the season.

I could point them out for you, if you like?

Well, it is up to you. Well, we don't have to...

Well, you know where I am, if you, er... Well, I'm here.

-OK. Um...I'd better get back.

-Right.

I washed this for you.

I used that hippy fabric conditioner that you like the smell of so much.

You're taking too much.

I can't win with you, can I?

What does that mean?

Is it really too much to suck up your disappointment and support me?

-Ooh!

-What's the matter?

-Oh!

I think it's a contraction.

Oh! Maybe one of those other things, um...Braxton Hicks.

Mum, I told you, my back's been killing me all day. Um...

I've had a few twinges, but this...

I think we need to get to the hospital.

-It might be a false alarm.

-Yeah, well, it might be,

but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

-But they do say not to come in straightaway...

-For goodness' sake, Mum,

just grab my bag and go and start the car, all right?

I'm making the decisions on my own, just like you wanted.

-Maybe we can make a lunchtime walk a regular thing.

-Maybe.

So, you finally going to admit you like me, then?

You're all right, I suppose, for a copper.

HE LAUGHS

You're not too bad yourself, for a Brummie.

Oh!

Come here.

I've got a surprise for you.

Oh, you shouldn't have. What is it, diamonds or a puppy?

I know you've been worried about your mum...

What?

I've found her.

Is she OK?

Yeah. I mean, she's alive.

Look, it wasn't easy to track her down, you know, I...

What do you think you're playing at?

You had no right!

Hey, I...I thought that's what you wanted.

I know you don't always see eye to eye...

You don't know the first thing about me and my mum and it's none of your bloody business!

-And you're feeling all right otherwise?

-Yeah. Well, I think so.

It's not too late to have a caesarean, you know.

Not this again, Mum, please.

At your age, you can't be too careful!

I'm only 40. Everything does still work down there.

They call it a geriatric pregnancy for a reason, love.

You're filling her head with this idealistic nonsense

about it all being lovely and amazing,

but the reality is quite different.

Mrs Maray, there is nothing to suggest

Josie's going to have anything but a very natural, healthy birth.

We really look after our mums here,

and the majority of natural births occur without any complications.

I think it's best to go into this with a really nice, relaxed attitude.

You don't know what's going to happen. Anything could go wrong!

Trust me, Jo, please!

You're doing my head in, Mum. Just...wait outside.

-Mrs Maray, are you all right?

-No, I'm not all right.

Disaster is just around the corner

and you're acting like everything's fine!

Um...please don't go very far.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

Sorry to disturb you.

Not to worry. How can I help you?

I was hoping I could have the day off on Friday.

What, this Friday?

No. No, I am afraid that is not possible.

Oh.

Well, as you know, we are very busy. Flu season!

No, I cannot spare you at such short notice.

Right.

If you had given me a little more warning,

I might have been able to work something out.

Miss Pitman!

She's just been a total nightmare lately.

Well, thankfully, it's not affected your blood pressure.

Let's have a look at where the head's at, shall we?

She's got more negative as the months have rolled on.

Every time we're meant to go to an antenatal class,

she finds some excuse why she can't come.

And the one time she does, she feels sick and has to leave.

JOSIE CHUCKLES

JOSIE SIGHS

I've wanted this baby for so long.

I assumed she'd be happy for me.

I'm sure she is.

She's been through it herself, Josie.

She just wants everything to go smoothly.

It's natural for mums to worry.

Has she always been so, er...anxious?

Mm. She goes through phases.

Never as bad as this, though.

Well, I can try and talk to her, if you want?

Thanks, but, um...you've seen how irrational she is.

It'll just make things worse.

Right. Well, the head's engaged, so that's good.

I just want to listen to his heart, OK?

Miss Pitman!

I have been looking for you everywhere.

-Sorry.

-No, there is no need to apologise.

I just wanted to know what had upset you so.

Flu season.

I'm sorry?

Everything is reminding me of how I felt this time last year.

Christmas songs in all the shops,

a sharp rise in cough medicine adverts on television,

everyone coming in for their jabs.

I've been trying to ignore it, but I keep having these cancer flashbacks.

Friday is the anniversary of my diagnosis.

And it's also the day I've got to go for my regular checkup.

Oh! It...it's a bad omen, I know it is.

I'm sure there is no reason to fear the worst.

Everything will be fine.

And, of course, you have to take Friday off. We will manage.

Thank you.

I can't believe he went behind my back like that.

Well, now you know she's OK, you can draw a line under it.

What do you mean, draw a line?

Well, I hope you're not thinking of going to see her?

Because if you are, I think that's a really bad idea.

You would say that.

I just think she's put you through enough, that's all.

Would you want Chris to give up on you?

If I'd let him down as many times as Bren has let you down,

then, yes, I hope he would.

-It's not that simple.

-I know.

But, please, don't make any hasty decisions.

You've been really happy since you've been with Tyler.

Don't let her spoil that.

So, what, some bloke I've known a couple of weeks

is supposed to be more important to me than my mum now, is that what you're saying?

No, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm just saying that you should put yourself first for once.

Isn't your mum your mum, and that's it?

But, Ayesha, she's damaging you.

And you deserve to live a life without having her weigh you down.

He sounds pretty cosy to me, Josie.

I don't think he's quite ready to come out yet.

So, I'm, er...I'm not in labour?

Yeah, you are, but it's early days.

Until the contractions last up to a minute

and are five minutes apart, you're a long way to kick-off.

So go home and time yourself, OK?

Well, can't I just stay here?

I'm afraid not.

Hey, look, I know it's tricky,

but try not to let whatever's going on with your mum stress you out.

It's not good for you and it is definitely not good for the baby.

Are you feeling any better?

Look, I have been thinking,

instead of seeing Friday as a day full of dread,

you should embrace it.

You should rename it Survivor's Anniversary Day.

Wear it like a badge of honour.

I don't know.

Perhaps this time, you should take strength from it.

Especially considering everything you had to go through last year.

It can even become an annual celebration.

We could have a party!

It is high time I invited everyone round for a drink to see my new home.

And I know they will want to celebrate your good health.

It is the perfect excuse!

What do you say?

It's a very kind offer. I'm just not sure I'm in the mood for a party.

Yes, well, I understand.

But, you know, sometimes there is nothing better

than a group of people getting together to give you that lift.

You could even think of a theme for the whole evening.

RELAXING INSTRUMENTAL

I'm telling you, I don't trust that midwife!

Sending you home like that!

You didn't even want me to go to hospital

and now you're angry because they sent me back!

Can you just chill out, Mum? I'm trying to relax.

Well, I'm not stopping you!

Yeah, you are, actually.

You're running around like a maniac ever since we've got back.

If you're trying to encourage the baby to come out

with this awful music, it won't work.

It sounds like that stuff they play in hotel lifts.

Right. I can't do this any more. Um...

I know...I know we've had our moments in the past,

but I really thought this pregnancy would bring us closer together.

I know my life hasn't turned out the way you dreamed it would, but

can you please stop making me feel like

a total failure before I've even begun?!

-No, I...

-You undermine everything I do!

And if you didn't want to be my birthing partner, why didn't you just tell me?

-But I...

-Just...just tell me.

Do you think I'll be a rubbish mum?

-Is that what this is all about?

-I'm...

I...

JOSIE SIGHS

Please leave.

What?

It's obvious that you have no interest in being any part of this,

-so, why don't you just go?

-Jo...

The best thing...for me and my son right now

is not to have you anywhere near us.

What are you standing there like a lemon for? Just...get out!

JOSIE SIGHS

-Remember to get an appointment with Dr Haskey.

-Will do.

-Hi.

-Hi.

I don't want another lecture.

It did go in, what you said before.

Good.

Listen, I've been thinking, do you know how Tyler found Bren?

I didn't ask, I was so angry. Why?

You do realise she's probably been in trouble with the police?

AYESHA SIGHS

I was so out of order with Tyler earlier.

He was only doing what he thought was good for me,

-and I really laid into him for it.

-That's understandable.

Nothing pushes somebody's buttons like their mother.

Maybe you should go and see him, hm? See what he has to say.

SHE SIGHS

Oh! Ooh!

Ah!

Ooh! Ah!

Ah!

OK. So, um...I will see you both in a couple of weeks, yeah?

-Lovely. Thank you.

-OK, then, take care.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye.

PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

-Ruhma, it's...it's Josie.

-Hey, Josie.

-Oh, it's...it's all kicking off.

They're...they're coming thick and fast.

OK, great. How regular are they?

Um...last one was for a minute.

Four minutes after the one before.

It could have been four and a half. I...

I've lost count with the pain.

OK. Well, it sounds like it's time to come in.

There's no-one to drive me!

Why? Where's your mum?

I told her to go.

-I'm frightened!

-You're not far from the hospital.

I could call you a cab, or arrange for an ambulance.

I'll call a...I'll call a cab.

OK. Well, you do that now. I'll be here ready and waiting.

Josie, remember, long, deep breaths.

Steady and relaxed. Find your rhythm. Yes?

-OK.

-OK.

SHE EXHALES

Oh!

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

-Next week's rota for you.

-Ah, right. Thank you.

Um...did you really mean it

when you said about throwing a party in my honour?

Yes. Yes, of course.

No bucks fizz or prosecco, real champagne.

Well, I'm sure I could purchase a bottle.

-Better make it four. Karen likes a drink.

-Right.

Ooh, and could we have vol-au-vents? We could make them into bow shapes,

just like the cancer-awareness ribbon.

Well, we can certainly have some snacks.

-So, we are agreed?

-Yes.

Thanks, Mrs Tembe.

SHE GROANS

OK?

Hey, that was a good 'un!

65 seconds.

Go, girl.

Am I allowed to walk around?

"Allowed" is not really in my vocab, Josie.

-You just do whatever feels right, yes?

-OK.

Good.

That's it, take it easy.

That makes a change.

Can't do a thing right as far as Mum's concerned.

She thinks I'll be a rubbish mum.

I'm sure that is not true.

She basically said as much.

Josie, do you know anything about your own birth?

How do you mean?

You know, what it was like for your mum?

No, she, er...

She never talked about when I was a baby and...

I tried asking my dad but he, erm,

he didn't say much.

He swanned off to live in Spain when I was two.

So, she basically raised you by herself?

Yeah.

Yeah.

At least by having this baby on my own from the start...

..I don't have to worry about the father abandoning us.

Jo?

You all right?

We should talk, love.

I'm sorry.

SHE SNIFFS

Oh!

Oh, Josie, Josie!

SHE GASPS WITH PAIN

Tyler.

Don't worry. I'm not here to bite your head off again.

Good.

I know you were only trying to help, but it came as a shock.

I know. I should have asked.

Yeah, you should have.

Where'd you find her?

I've got an old friend who's a liaison officer,

so they filled me in on a bunch of convictions she'd picked up.

You know, low-level dealing, theft.

I've got some CCTV pictures on file.

Has she been inside?

Not yet, no. She's been lucky.

You don't need to know the rest, you know.

You've opened this can of worms. You can't pick and choose

what you tell me now.

She's working out of a flat across town.

What do you mean "working out of"?

She's a prostitute?

If you want to go and see her, I'll come with you.

Can I see the photos?

I could lose my job, you know?

Who's going to know?

Please.

'I want him out now.'

I know, I know. Just be patient.

I went back to yours and you weren't there.

The overnight bag had gone. I was so worried that

something bad had happened.

Why didn't you call me?

I didn't see the point.

And if you've come out of a sense of duty, then just forget it.

I-I-I do want to be with you, love,

but this is very difficult for me.

Difficult for you?!

I'm the one in labour, for God's sake!

You're unbelievable!

OK, OK, shh.

I'm sorry. I thought I could, but...

It's OK. Shh.

All right.

I'm scared.

I can't do this on my own.

You're not on your own, OK?

KNOCK AT DOOR

Come in.

You're doing a brilliant job, OK, Josie? So, nice, deep breaths out.

Let's go, come on.

That's it.

I can't face her right now.

This is as close as I can get.

Come on.

When I was...

When I had Josie...

I'm guessing that it wasn't an easy birth.

And, Josie being pregnant,

it's brought it all back to the surface for you.

I want to be there for her more than anything.

I've just felt this...

..overwhelming fear since she got pregnant and

it's just got worse and worse when the delivery date got closer.

They...

they...

ripped her out of me.

They didn't explain anything and before I knew it,

the forceps were out and I was...

I felt so violated.

There was so much blood.

I didn't even know if she was alive, they just took her away.

That's...that's awful. I can't...

When we finally went home, I...

..I couldn't bond with her.

My husband did a lot of the nursing in those first few months.

He got fed up with it finally and left.

I was a total failure.

Oh, I still am. I mean, look at me,

sitting here when Josie is...

Oh, she will be all right, won't she?

Everything is going to be fine.

Mrs Maray, have you heard of post-traumatic stress disorder?

-What soldiers get?

-Yeah.

It can be caused by all sorts of experiences, so...

A traumatic labour, for instance.

It was 40 years ago.

Yeah, well, trauma has a habit of lingering about,

especially if it hasn't been dealt with.

But there is help available.

There are specialist midwives,

group therapy, people you can talk to.

Do you think you'd be interested in that?

Josie is going to make an amazing mum.

Please tell her that I never doubted it for a second.

Why don't you tell her yourself?

Thanks.

Yeah, where do you live?

Just tell me your name and I can help you. I can take you home.

I don't...

Just tell me your name.

-Everything OK?

-Yeah, we're good. Thank you, Doctor.

You're doing a brilliant job.

All right, Josie, whenever you're ready.

You can do it, love.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Yeah?

It is past seven, Dr Clay! What are you still doing here?

I could ask you the same thing.

Have you got a moment?

Yeah.

What's up?

I am questioning whether I have done the right thing with Miss Pitman.

Well, she seems pretty excited about the party.

Yes, and that is what I am worried about.

She was so miserable earlier on, I wanted to raise her spirits

and let her feel more optimistic.

But what if she does get bad news on Friday?

Well, they did catch it early,

so she's fairly unlikely to see a recurrence.

But it was wrong of me to raise her hopes in that way.

You've made Valerie feel positive and supported and that's important.

Yeah, I suppose so. Thank you, Dr Clay.

You know, she is stronger than she thinks.

You really believe that?

Why, yes. Yes, of course.

You know, ever since Miss Pitman has been diagnosed,

I've been praying for her.

Why don't you pray with me?

Dear Lord, I ask in faith that you continue

to heal our colleague, Miss Pitman.

That you renew her day by day,

you restore her hope

and dry her tears.

And together, we will be her strength when she is weak.

Lord, we place our trust in you.

We need a treat.

You know, something to blow away the midweek blues.

So, what do you do?

I work for MI5.

Yeah, my official title is International Woman of Mystery.

What's wrong with your liver?

It doesn't belong. My body's rejecting it.

It's his first Nativity.

We're not going to care if he gets cast as one of the sheep.

Our son is not a sheep!