The Food of Love Doctors

# See the stone set in your eyes

# See the thorn twist in your side

# I'll wait for you... #

-What's all this?

-This is breakfast, blue irises, and my heart.

-Is it the 14th already?

-Well, seeing as you had to dash off so early,

I thought the least we could do was have breakfast together.

Breakfast?! I've already had breakfast at my breakfast meeting.

The clue's in the name.

OK. Why don't you have a little coffee with me?

I haven't got time to do that now. The meeting went appallingly.

I've got to phone some idiot from Letherbridge Health before I

can even start to see patients.

Could you just clear this off the desk, please?

Why?! We never celebrate Valentine's Day!

Silly me, I thought, make a change for once, might me nice.

Oh, don't be so...

Could you get the door, please?

-See you later?

-I'm on a half day, so probably not.

-Oh...

Brilliant(!)

Did you pick all this? Cos it looks like you got it out of a bin!

No, I'm sorry. We're full.

There are other organic veg companies in Letherbridge, you know.

-Same time next week.

-No, we don't have any room at all. Sorry.

Honestly, what part of "we're full" is tricky for people?

-As if we're going to have space tonight. Why don't people think?

-Because they're idiots?

We could have filled this place five times over. It's a shame, really.

Have you seen the state of this veg? We've got to change companies.

-We can't afford it. You know that.

-Don't have a go, Wend.

I am worked to the bone as it is.

Why do you always think I'm having a go? I know how hard you work.

I do too. I've said we should have some help.

-We can't afford it.

-If we have more covers...

I'd have to break my back cooking for even more philistines,

who wouldn't appreciate good food if it fell in their laps!

-Hey, what's got into you?

-You know how I feel about today.

They won't even be looking at the food.

They're too busy mentally undressing each other.

-Well, at least we're full.

-Stuff this!

-Where are you going?

-Doctor's.

I need more pills.

I'll see you later.

Thank you.

-Oh, they are beautiful.

-They're for Emma.

Waste of money, if you ask me.

Oh, I take it your singles holiday did not go very well.

-Well, I thought I was my usual cheery self.

-Oh!

-Did you cop off?

-Ayesha! What if the patients hear you?

Not on your life!

No, I just spent the whole time alone, curled up with my e-reader.

Oh, bad luck.

Well, perhaps you need some inspirational reading from our

light romantic novels.

No, thanks. But I will take this one. Red Hot Cuban Nights.

How did that get here?

No idea, but it's just what I need after my dry holiday.

-Nurse Lee, are you responsible for that book?

-Don't look at me!

-So, are these all for Valentine's then?

-Ladies!

I can hear you talking about copping off from the other side of reception!

Can you just tone down all this Valentine's nonsense?

-Blimey!

-Perhaps this was not such a good idea.

Wow!

This lady is going to need an osteopath!

With an egg whisk.

It's the forced romance and the obligation to do something

-slushy that I object to.

-Tell me about it.

We're snowed under tonight and you would not believe the amount

of plastic tat and pink litter that Wendy's been buying.

You decorated the restaurant so tastefully.

That's why Daniel and I keep coming.

That and the fabulous food, of course. Honestly.

Valentine's just sometimes makes me feel physically sick.

Yeah, no wonder I'm depressed.

Of course.

Sorry.

How have you been getting on?

Well, I don't think the pills are having any effect any more.

-What makes you say that?

-Well, I can't focus. I can't cook.

I can't taste, which is the worst part.

I don't even enjoy cooking any more and that's never happened.

I was wondering if you could increase my dose, maybe?

-You're already on the maximum does.

-Yeah.

We could try changing your medication, but ultimately,

you may just end up back where you started.

I still think that you should consider seeing a counsellor.

You know how I feel about all that stuff.

Talking about my feelings and crying about how my mam never loved

me - it's just not for me.

-If you try it, you might find...

-Thanks, but no thanks.

OK. Well, have you considered taking some time off work, maybe?

No, it's just me and Wendy. She's front of house, I'm chef.

If I take time off, we close and we can't afford to do that.

If you carry on like this,

then you're heading for a breakdown and you'll be closing anyway.

So, you need to get outdoors,

away from being cooped up in that kitchen all hours.

Have you considered meditation?

-Mindfulness practice?

-That doesn't sound like my bag.

Why don't you just go and do something that will make you

happy today, right now?

Yes! That! Whatever just popped into your head!

-Emma, that gigantic waste of money is for you.

-Oh! Really?

Who are they from?

I don't know yet.

-Well?

-Anonymous.

-Oh, you had me fooled.

There was me thinking she'd been hanging out with Lena all

this time and she's had a new man on the go.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Well, it can't be anyone here.

-Morning.

-Hiya. Well, it's not Al, Sid or Daniel.

Jimmi? All the way from Thailand?

-Heston get you anything nice?

-Oh, yeah.

He went to town, got cards, chocolate, flowers,

and a revisit to that restaurant with the Icelandic chef.

-Surprised you're going back there after what happened last time.

-Yeah.

Well, after losing lunchtime reservations the other day, I couldn't say no.

Anyway, they do a very good fish finger sandwich.

Dr Vere, I've got some very urgent correspondence for you.

Are you not going to open it?

What's it say?

-"Still waiting?"

-What? No name, cryptic signature or anything?

-No, that's it.

-Ayesha.

-No way!

-A patient?

Please.

-Who then?

-I don't know, Ruhma, OK?

All right. Keep your hair on. But let me know when you do.

No, I'm sorry. Bye.

-Phone hasn't stopped ringing.

-Yeah.

-How'd it go?

-Good.

Well, I finished in here, so I carried on with the prep work in the kitchen.

It doesn't matter now. I'm taking the day off. Doctor's orders.

-Zara told you to...

-Do the one thing that'll make me feel good today.

So I am doing.

-Pete, don't be ridiculous.

-I'm not being. Zara said it would help.

But this is our busiest day of the year!

I need you to get it together and go and cook.

We can take the day off tomorrow. Together.

-But you have to work today!

-No, I don't.

Pete...

-Don't do that!

-Don't what?

You've been sober for years! Don't!

-It's done. Fancy a glass?

-You can't do this to me.

-It's too late.

Right. Fine. I'm off out.

-Where?

-Out!

Just don't go anywhere!

Happy Valentine's Day.

She shouldn't be long now.

-Zara?

-Wendy, hello.

What did you say to Peter?

I... I really can't discuss that with you.

I'll tell you what I think, shall I?

I think you said he should do whatever makes him feel good.

So I have to pick up the pieces yet again!

-Why don't we discuss this in my room?

-I'm fine here!

-Is everything all right, Dr Carmichael?

-Yes! Thank you.

-If you could just please keep your voice down.

-What about me?

I'm not depressed like he is, but I might as well be.

Dealing with his moods, all the while trying to keep the business afloat!

I can't take much more of this! I really can't!

The worse he gets, the worse my life gets!

And there's no end in sight, is there?

-I really can't...

-You have no idea what you've done!

You're not making any sense.

Unless I do something, nothing's going to change.

OK, why don't we go to my room? We can talk about this.

No, I have to go.

That's it. I have to go.

What was that all about?

-Just relationship troubles.

-Perfect day for it.

No, it's REALLY not.

Oh, my goodness!

Righty-ho, let's get our quiz on.

Right, I have downloaded, but not perused, a series of ridiculously

difficult questions, going to test our brains to the very limit.

I think I'm going out for lunch with Emma.

Oh, I'm sorry, I don't think I can make it now. Something's come up.

-Something to do with those flowers this morning?

-Um...

Maybe.

Details later!

-Right, I'm in. Ask away.

-Sid's here now.

-Hi, Sid.

Hi. Sorry. Last patient overran.

OK, Sid and Ayesha, team A. Me and Heston will be team B.

Bethany, would you like to be quizmaster for us?

-Oh, if you like.

-Hang on.

You don't want to hang around with us, doing some boring quiz, do you?

Why not? Could be fun.

-OK. Well, if it's not, you don't have to.

-No.

-Right, sealed envelope. And this for the scores.

-OK.

Right. OK.

Question one.

-You're going to the gym? Now?

-Yeah.

-You'll be back later though?

-I'm on a half day, I told you earlier.

-No, you didn't.

-I did. You must have been too busy to listen.

-OK.

-Look, I've got something really important I need to ask you.

-What?

What do you do when something you've said backfires badly?

-Usually apologise.

-What if it contravenes patient confidentiality?

-What do you mean?

-This morning, I said something to a patient.

The next thing, his wife is in reception, shouting at me for getting involved.

Well, then, you have to accept that maybe she's got a reason to be annoyed with you.

Don't walk away from me. We're talking. What is wrong with you today?

You might remember that I tried to do something really lovely for you this morning.

Yes. And I was busy.

-I'm going to the gym.

-No, wait.

I behaved like a spoilt brat. Again.

Yeah, you did.

Well, thank you for your help(!)

And at the end of round four, Sid and Ayesha have five points.

And Al and Heston have 34 points.

Outstanding.

-Are you sure you didn't read those questions?

-Absolutely not.

We do seem to be doing disproportionately well.

When you're hot, you're hot.

Come on, we can pull this back. Next round, please, Bethany.

I love your optimism.

-Right, round five. This is the pop music round.

-Ha!

You are going down, suckers!

Name the first track on every Beatles album,

in chronological order.

Are you joking?

PHONE RINGS

What do you want?

Peter, hi. It's Zara. Dr Carmichael.

Is everything OK?

'Yeah, yeah. Fine.'

Are you sure?

I'm totally and utterly fine.

Peter, have you been drinking?

'One or two, maybe.'

You know what? I do feel better.

-Peter! Is Wendy there?

-Wendy's gone.

What do you mean gone?

She was ranting and raving about having had enough, or something,

and then she said she was going

and she wasn't coming back.

OK, stay right where you are. I'm on my way.

Sid and Ayesha, 15 points.

At least we didn't get zero.

Al and Heston, 165.

Wow! We did 11 times better than you. That's a rout.

-You totally knew the answers.

-And you totally didn't!

Remember, it's supposed to be a little bit of fun.

-I've got to do some paperwork.

-Do you need me for anything?

-No.

No, I don't. I'll see you when surgery starts. OK?

Aysh...

Old buddy, old pal.

If you're finding this a bit too tricky,

you shouldn't worry cos I've still got time to replace you.

Aw! That's very sweet.

But you can forget it, pal. I don't care if we go down in flames.

This was my idea.

And I'm going to play, no matter what.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-'Peter?

'Peter, are you in there?

'Peter, it's Zara. Can you open the door?'

Hey, Zara.

Peter! What are you doing?

What you told me to do.

I never said that you should... How much have you had to drink?

More than my recommended number of units, that's for sure.

Now, look, tell me something, and this is very important,

what exactly did Wendy say before she left?

-I don't remember.

-Try!

She said she'd had enough of me, the restaurant, of it all.

She said she was going and she wasn't coming back.

-OK. Where might she have gone?

-I don't know.

Home, maybe?

OK, we are going to sort all of this out.

-How?

-I'm working on that bit.

For now, why don't you brew yourself a nice, strong, black coffee.

Oh, great idea. You're a good doctor, you know that?

Not today, I'm not.

Pick up, pick up.

-'Daniel Granger. Leave a message.'

-ANSWERPHONE BEEP

OK. Hi, it's me. I am sorry. I am so sorry.

What you did this morning was absolutely lovely and I am an idiot.

As usual. But look, I need your help.

I need you to come as soon as you get this message to

the Neverland Bistro because I am here and Peter is here and he

is drunk and I think that Wendy has left him and it's all my fault,

so... Oh, Daniel. Please!

That last one was really depressed.

Yeah, she is.

-All because she broke up with her husband?

-Well, yeah.

I mean, that's the thing about relationships.

I mean, sometimes, if you fall in love with the wrong person,

it can really mess your life up.

-So sometimes, it's better not to get involved. You know?

-I don't get it.

OK. Well, let's say you fell in love with someone who was older than you.

-Like Heston old?

-Yeah, or even just Daniel old.

-Like he's my type(!)

-Just hypothetically.

I mean, you'd both have very different things that you

want from life, so even if you really fell for that person,

or if they fell for you, it could still be a disaster.

And lead to depression or illness, or who knows what.

That could be awful, yeah.

So it's probably best just to date people your own age,

-don't you think?

-Of course.

You're right.

I'm so glad I'm working with you.

Yeah. Me too.

Mind you, my mum has a mate who's been going out with

a guy 15 years younger than her for ages and they're dead happy.

So, you never know, do you?

-I'll get the next patient.

-OK.

Wendy! Wait!

-What are you doing here?

-Please, don't leave, not like this.

-Did he send you?

-No.

Look, I made a stupid call, giving him that advice this morning.

I had no idea how bad things had got. I can't do this any more, Zara.

I love him like mad, but I can't carry him and the

-business at the same time.

-Please don't give up.

-Not today, of all days. Please, let me help put things right.

-How?

I could get you both some support.

-He won't take it, will he? So it's useless!

-OK.

Daniel is at the restaurant right now.

He's going to sober him up and talk him round, I just know it!

Please, Wendy. Give him another chance.

The one thing I've learned lately about relationships is that

they only work if you put yourself in their shoes sometimes.

Women want to know how you feel. They genuinely want to know.

-That's how they operate.

-Really?

-Yeah, it's good to talk.

I know that you're not keen on it, but..

My life got so much better when I started opening up.

And when I started seeing a counsellor, of course.

-You see a counsellor?

-Well, not any more.

But when I did, he really helped me sort my problems out.

I mean, I could organise you seeing one,

-if you fancy that?

-The way things are going...

More coffee?

Did you thank him in kind at lunchtime then?

In the first place, I don't know what you're talking about.

-And in the second place...

-You're wearing a different blouse

-from this morning, Dr Reid.

-No further comment, your honour.

-Bet you don't.

-SHE CHUCKLES

I'm right near the end!

-Oh, the bit where he...

-Exactly.

-And then she puts it...

-On his...

Yeah. And then he asks her to do it again!

Only harder.

I think I need a cold shower.

More like a power hose.

See you later.

-Thank you for another great day, Sid.

-You're welcome.

-Listen, Bethany, er...

-Yeah?

-Nothing. I'll see you tomorrow.

-You will.

-See you.

-Yeah.

-Night-night.

Starter for ten,

which GP needs to grow a spine and sort out this adolescent crush?

-Would that be Dr Sid Vere?

-Correct. Now, you get a bonus round.

What's the GMC's position on GP-intern fraternisation?

Al, I haven't done anything.

And you don't want to. Come on, nip that bud.

What's going on?

-Thank you for coming back.

-I came here to talk. That's all.

-I know.

What about tonight? Are we opening? Because we can't be ready.

-Oh, but you are ready, aren't you, Pete?

-Absolutely. Chef?

-Good evening, madam. How are you tonight?

-Confused.

Well, Pete showed me how to make a top class bruschetta.

Please, have a seat.

And I'm making you both my famous spaghetti bolognese.

Also contacted all this evening's reservations and put them

back an hour.

So, that just leaves lots of time for you two to talk.

And don't worry, it's non-alcoholic.

-Oh, Bethany.

-Yeah?

Did you send me a card today? You know, like a Valentine's?

-I don't think so.

-Well, did you or didn't you?

I'd have to see the card first.

"Still waiting?"

What does THAT mean?

You tell me.

-I didn't send this.

-Didn't you?

Trust me, there's no way I'd choose a card like this.

It wasn't me.

Urgh! Smells of lavender.

It's probably some old patient who's still waiting for

a new hip or something.

And I can't even write like that. Look, I'll show you.

No, no, no, it's fine. I believe you.

I'm really sorry. I hope you don't think I've crossed a line or...

I don't mind, honest.

Thanks. Cos I mean, if you had sent a card, I wouldn't mind.

-I'd be flattered...

-What?

-Yeah, course.

-Oh!

That's good.

Cos I thought you were looking at me different today.

And I wasn't sure until now.

Well, I didn't send you that card

because I'd already got you this one.

Ah.

HORN TOOTS

See you tomorrow.

Pardon me.

Looks like someone blew the final round again.

Never mind. Consolation prize is a pint on me. Come on.

I always thought if I told you my doubts and fears,

-you'd think I was weak or stupid or something.

-You're my husband.

-How could I?

-I'm also your business partner and it's not fair to you.

You're my husband first.

But if the business folds because I can't cope...

Then we'll work it out together.

You have to stop trying to be superman all the time.

I never thought you were weak. I just wanted you to get help.

-I'm sorry.

-I know you are.

I am too.

Does that mean you'll stay?

Things have to change. I can't go through this again.

We need to be a team. We need to talk.

-You need to talk.

-I will.

-Not just to me.

-I'm going to see somebody.

I've discussed it with Daniel.

I'll work it out. I promise.

Please. Wend...

Stay.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Now I know something's changed, if you're saying that!

-Are things going well out here?

-Early days, but we're getting there.

Good. Well, this should put a dampener on things.

This is my signature dish. Spaghetti a la Granger.

Please enjoy and be gentle with me.

Mm! That's lovely!

-Pete?

-Is that chorizo?

-Well spotted.

-You can taste again. Now that's a good sign.

-Oh, it is. Do you fancy a job?

If you can cook like this, you can work in my kitchen any time.

Well, that's very kind of you, but no, thank you.

-Talking of which, we're going to be busy very soon, so...

-You're right.

-We'd better...

-Why don't we stay and help, just for a bit?

-You don't need to do that.

-I think it's the least we can do, after today.

-What do you think?

-Why not?

So, why don't you enjoy your food and enjoy the peace while you

can and we are going to just go and check everything's under control.

Don't worry about that!

-Why did you volunteer us for this?

-I felt bad, that's all.

-Oh, no! This needs stirring!

-OK. OK, all right, fine. I've got it.

-You carry on chopping.

-OK, chopping. Chopping. OK.

-Hey?

-How does Nigella do this? I am sweating like a pig.

You look fantastic.

Do you know what?

This is probably the most romantic Valentine's Day we've ever had.

-Apart from Jo.

-Yeah.

Romance is fine?

Romance, fine.

Good.

-Aw!

-God! Are you OK?

I was looking for that.

Must have hurt.

Quite liked it, actually.

Might take it home with me.

You know what? Here's...

Here's to us.

I love you, Dr Carmichael.

Of course you do.

You lucky man!

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

GIGGLING That's it. I am booking tickets to Cuba tomorrow.

Shall I take it that you enjoyed the book?

Oh, certainly did help distract me from all the romance going on

-around here.

-Yes, well, that is why I have buried myself in work.

I do not object to the day, but it can become very wearing.

Mm. Do you know?

I couldn't help noticing that Daniel took the afternoon off just

before Zara did a disappearing act.

Bet they're having some Cuban delights!

Dr Carmichael had a personal situation that she had to

-take care of.

-Personal situation. Is that a euphemism?

SHE GIGGLES

Oh! When am I going to find my Mr Right?

Yes, well, hope springs eternal, Miss Pitman.

My spring is not eternal, I can tell you!

Maybe you and I should try dating.

What?

-Me and you?

-Yeah. Speed dating, singles nights, that sort of thing.

Well, I have already tried singles night. It is interesting, but...

Well, that's all settled then.

I will check out the best nightspots and singles bars and you keep Friday free.

No.

-It's a plan.

-You really don't have to.

-No, it's an absolute pleasure.

Red Hot Letherbridge Nights, here we come!

Miss Pitman... No, you really don't... Miss Pit...

Eurgh!

-What do you think?

-Another assault upon my faith.

It's a trellis for my new clematis.

Well, thank you all for coming.

We think this is an important opportunity and I hope you

feel that it will be worth your time.

Interesting facts, news stories from the last 12 months,

all the Oscar winners since 1927, etc, etc.

Is Heston getting one of these, or is it just for us thickos?