The Ties That Bind Doctors

Excuse me.

Which way is the university?

SIREN WAILS

-ROB:

-Yeah, I know. It rained in Norfolk as well.

But on the plus side, I do now know all the words to Goldfinger.

Rob, is Tyler about?

Sorry, Ayesha, but he's gone.

Right. Do you know what time he'll be back?

He's not coming back. He's left Letherbridge.

-What?

-He transferred out the station while I've been on holiday.

Did he not say goodbye to you either?

Why would he do that?

I don't know. I thought he was happy here.

He was one of the best partners I've ever had.

Is it cos we broke up?

Oh, come on, you must have some idea.

I thought you were solid.

Yeah, so did I, till I found out he'd paid off my mum.

Why didn't he just tell me she was back?

I don't know. When we came across her in A&E,

she was pretty far gone.

Maybe he just didn't want her gate-crashing your Christmas.

Christmas? She wasn't around at Christmas.

This was before Christmas. Did he not tell you?

No.

He said he was going to tell you.

Maybe I should have told you myself,

maybe I should have come to see you.

Wonder what else he hasn't told me.

You think you know someone.

Trunk, 40,000 muscles.

Poor eyesight, poor eyesight.

Can't jump.

What has happened?

40,000 muscles, poor eyesight, poor eyesight.

-Are you hurt?

-Can't jump.

-40,000 muscles.

-All right, come.

-Come with me.

-Large brains, slow pulse.

We will get you a doctor.

Dr Vere, can you come here, please?

What is your name?

Alfie Allsop. 12, 1...2,000.

56 Grafton Road, Spalding, PE42 3EA.

Er, Dr Vere.

Alfie? This is Dr Vere. He's going to look after you.

Hello, Alfie. I'm Sid.

Can you tell me what happened to you?

I can see that you hurt your hands. Did you fall over?

Yes.

-Sorry, is this light bothering you?

-Yes.

-Better?

-Mm.

How did you fall over, Alfie?

I was running.

OK. Was someone chasing you?

Why were you running, then?

To get my bag back from the man.

A man took your bag?

Yes. It's got all my stuff.

OK. Did I just hear you say to Mrs Tembe that you're from Spalding?

56 Grafton Road, Spalding, PE42 3EA.

-You're quite a long way from home, Alfie.

-Quite a long way.

Why are you in Letherbridge?

To go to university with Erin.

OK.

Keep calm, Erin. You're fine. Don't stress.

Cocoamoes. Cocoamoes.

SHE EXHALES

OK, OK. Good morning, Dragons.

Can you say Dragons?

I'm not sure. OK. Um...

OK. Er... Good morning.

My name is Erin Allsop, and I'm here today to present to you

my dairy-free, chocolate treat.

Treat? That makes it sound like a doggy snack.

OK.

Oh, come on. Try and eat something. Might make you feel better.

Or I might be sick.

Butterflies?

More like a flock of seagulls - evil, hungry seagulls.

Do you know, I bet your mum's feeling exactly the same.

It's a big day for her, too.

Well, there might be a lot of throwing up, then.

I'm just kidding.

You've got to remember that this is just the first step.

You don't have to move back in until you're ready, however long it takes.

I thought I was ready on holiday,

but it just seems so much more real now.

You still want to be with your mum?

I do...

but she's so helpless.

It just doesn't feel like her any more.

I don't know how to handle it.

Keep smiling and being yourself and, before you know it, she will feel

like your mum again and you'll wonder what you were ever scared of.

Fake it till you make it?

Exactly.

On that note, will you two get a shift on?

Cos we're going to be late and you said that you would knock off early.

Yeah, blame Ayesha.

Bags the bathroom.

No, no chance! You'll be in there forever! Oh...

Oi! What? Ayesha...what?

It's a long story. I'll tell you later.

How is he?

Physically, no harm done.

But he's very anxious and worried about his stuff.

-A mugger took his phone and bag.

-Oh, poor boy!

Could you contact the police and get them to send someone over?

He's stressed enough without a trip to the station.

Oh, and warn them that he's on the autistic spectrum.

Do we know why he's here?

-Oh, yeah, he's got a sister on campus.

-Ah.

She's studying a business degree.

He's given me her phone number,

her date of birth and timetable for the rest of the year.

I want to see Erin!

OK, Alfie. Don't worry.

-I'm going to ring her now, OK?

-Mm-hm.

-We'll give you a call when the results come back.

-OK, thank you.

-Thanks.

-Bye.

-Bye-bye.

Yeah, me again.

Look, if you're too chicken to talk,

at least text me your address so I can send you a cheque.

Yeah, he is a priority, so the police should contact you within an hour,

-and they will want to talk to you, too.

-Oh, Alfie. Are you all right?

What are you doing here?

The doctor said to wait.

No, I mean, why are you in Letherbridge?

You didn't come home.

-I got the train.

-On your own?

Don't fuss. I'm not a baby.

What about Mum?

Um, Alfie, you told me your mum knew where you were.

I left a note.

She can't have seen it. She would have called.

Are you mad at me?

I'm just upset that you're hurt. What happened?

-Can we go to your house now?

-No, I have to be on campus all day.

Maybe you should call your mum.

-No!

-That's exactly what I'll do, and then she'll come and fetch you.

I want to stay with you.

You can't. I'm here to study.

I'm sorry that I didn't come and see you at the weekend.

-KNOCK

-Dr Vere?

Oh, yeah. Excuse me.

Look, I break up at the end of March and we'll have four weeks together then, OK, Alfie?

Not OK.

-What do you think?

-Oh, wow! You look fantastic.

Thank you. I decided to take Rob's advice,

despite his dodgy credentials.

Don't let Rob hear you criticising his credentials!

I prepared a song for Mum.

Would you like to hear it?

Save it for your mum.

Oh.

Why do I suddenly feel underdressed?

Don't worry, nobody expects style from a member of the Constabulary.

-Oi!

-So what's the story with Ayesha?

She turned up at work, looking for Tyler.

What, and she kicked off?

She didn't get the chance. He wasn't there.

This is turning into a very dull story.

Hang on a minute, I haven't got to the punchline yet!

While we've been away, Tyler has transferred to another station.

Oh, they were so good together!

-KNOCK

-Come in.

Sorry to barge in out of the blue. Couldn't wait until tomorrow night.

No, it's a lovely surprise.

Valerie said you were busy, so feel free to chuck me out.

Well, I am, but...

Well, if you're free around two, we could have lunch?

I'd love that. Better not mention it to Valerie.

I think she's a bit upset with me.

Well, that would be my fault. She thinks I have stolen you away.

Not just stolen. Bewitched, captivated...

enchanted.

-KNOCK

-Emma, I...

Sorry. Sorry.

Oh!

Hello, love.

Um...

Why don't you crack those open and I'll go and stick the kettle on?

-It's just through here.

-OK. Ooh.

I like your hair.

Thank you. I like yours.

Sit down, then.

Have you written everything down for the police, like Erin asked you?

Finished.

Wow! Looks very detailed.

Everything that I can remember.

I've got a good memory. Elephants have good memories, too.

Cocoamoes!

Cocoamoes? You didn't get those from the cafeteria.

No, I made them for my business studies presentation.

It's my one chance to bag a big mentor.

-Eat your sandwich first!

-Too late.

-You sure this is all right?

-Yeah, of course.

-OK.

Alfie, I've got to go, all right?

But I'll be back as soon as I can, and

if the police arrive before I get here, then Dr Vere will help you.

And Mum should be here in a couple of hours.

Just promise me that you'll do everything he tells you.

Promise?

-I promise.

-OK.

-Thanks.

-Good luck.

See you later.

Would you like a biscuit?

Three's enough.

I don't know where you get the willpower from.

Karen can demolish a whole packet of Hobnobs in one sitting.

Nice shirt.

Bought it in a charity shop in Norfolk - 50p.

Adam went through every rail in the place, didn't you?

They had loads of good bargains.

Mind you, there was a lot of tat.

Karen bought a hideous scarf.

-It was not hideous.

-It so is! When she wore it out to dinner,

I swear, people in the restaurant were staring.

They were staring because you broke into Born This Way over dessert!

That was admiration. I'm talking about when we walked in.

Fortunately, the waiter recognised the crime against fashion and

confiscated the offending accessory.

What he means is, he hung it up with our coats.

-Sounds like fun.

-Very flat, Norfolk.

I thought it was going to be boring, but we had a blast.

-Rob and Karen took me to see a show.

-It was Oliver! in Norwich.

Oh, the sets were amazing! You should have seen them.

Oh. Where was this taken?

Cannon Hill Park.

Ten minutes after that, he fell in the lake.

How d'you manage that?

It was an accident.

He stood up in the boat.

Why am I not surprised?

I was demonstrating how gondoliers steer. It's harder than it looks.

You wouldn't happen to have any after photos, would you?

-I do, actually.

-Instead of helping me, she decided to grab the camera.

-Would you like to see Adam covered in pond weed?

-Yes!

No, you don't. It is not a good look.

-I would love to.

-No...

The album's in there. Please help yourselves.

-No, you can't!

-Eeee!

Call the police!

They have been called.

Tell them to hurry up!

-What is the matter?

-I want my bag back.

I am sure they will come as soon as they can.

Dr Vere, I need to get back to the Mill.

OK, yeah, sure. You go ahead, Mrs Tembe.

Well, Alfie, I hope you get your bag back.

Thank you, Mrs Tembe.

-Bye.

-Goodbye.

Do you like elephants?

Yeah, yeah, love 'em.

Good. You can be my doctor.

Think you've already got a doctor, Alfie.

-At home. You could be my doctor here.

-OK.

-Have you been to Erin's house?

-No, no.

She has three housemates -

er...two girls and a boy...and me, makes two boys.

Don't know if she'll have room for you, Alfie.

I can sleep on the sofa. Or in a tent.

Er... Good morning.

My name is Erin Allsop, and I'm here today to present to you

my business idea for Cocoamoes - dairy-free, chocolate bonbons.

Now, everyone should be able to enjoy chocolate,

but for some people....

PHONE RINGS

-Er...

-PHONE RINGS

Sorry, sorry, I have to... Sorry.

Hi, Mum. No, he's fine. He's...

He's at Campus Surgery. I don't know.

No, they're looking after him.

Look, I really can't talk right now. I'll speak to you...

I'll speak to you later, OK? Bye, bye.

Sorry. Sorry, family emergency.

Um... Er... Ah! Er...

Cocoamoes came about because...

some people can't eat chocolate -

for example, um, lactose intolerant...

and, um...

er...lactose intolerant, um...

vegan...

Oh. I'm sorry.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Erin, can we have a welcome party for me?

Not now, OK, Alfie.

Not now - tonight, silly.

I'm not here to party. I'm here to study.

-I can help you study.

-No, Alfie, you can't help me.

You're not helping! Understand?

You show up on the most important day of my course

and everything falls apart!

My presentation was a disaster

and I have been working on that for weeks!

And that is weeks of work ruined so...

So just do me a favour, Alfie -

just leave me alone until Mum gets here, all right, because you...

-Erin, Erin...

-..you are ruining my life!

HE STAMMERS

I didn't mean...

HE WAILS

-Alfie...

-Alfie, I didn't mean it, OK? I'm sorry...

It's fine. Alfie, shall we go and sit down?

Don't worry. Don't worry. It's fine. It's fine.

Alfie? Alfie? Alfie?

KNOCK

Come in.

Paper towels. Do you want me to put them away?

No, just leave them there. I'll take care of them.

I've got some more in reception.

-Do you want me to bring them through?

-Whatever.

Have I done something to upset you?

No.

Cos I know I have a knack of rubbing people up the wrong way.

So, if I have, I apologise.

Right, well, you haven't.

What about Lena?

What about her?

Have I rubbed Lena up the wrong way?

How should I know?

I was only asking. No need to bite my head off.

KNOCK

Alfie?

Erin would like to apologise. Can she come in?

No. She doesn't love me.

She loves you very much.

I ruined her life.

She didn't mean that.

Sometimes, when people are upset, they say hurtful things -

things that they really regret afterwards.

Your sister's very sorry for shouting at you.

She thinks I'm stupid.

That's not true.

She's clever, like her new friends. She doesn't want me around.

Do you know what I think? I think Erin loves having you around.

But when she's studying, she needs to focus on that.

University can be very challenging,

no matter how clever or confident you are.

When I was training to be a doctor, I was terrified.

-You were scared?

-Mm.

I'm still scared. I'm scared of making a mistake,

scared of not doing the best for my patients.

Your sister didn't shout at you

because she thinks you're not good enough.

She shouted because she thinks she's not good enough.

Because she made a mistake?

Sometimes, when you work really hard for something

and it goes wrong, it hurts.

It hurts.

I lost Erin's present.

Why? Was it in your bag?

The Elephant Book - I made it.

-Do you remember where you were attacked?

-No.

But you can describe it, though,

cos you wrote that really detailed description.

-Can I see?

-Why?

The person who took your bag was probably looking for something

they can sell, like your laptop.

They probably weren't after your book.

-He doesn't want my book?

-No.

And, with any luck, they've probably just dumped it

near where they took it.

Think I know where that is.

The woman from the Chronicle said the comic timing of my Bottom

was unmatched, and she'd seen it at the Globe.

You were wonderful.

Mum was shameless - she pushed her way through to the front row,

sat right next to the head.

Go, Jackie!

We're doing Julius Caesar this year. I want to play Cassius.

He is such a snake.

Would you like another cup of tea?

Er, no... Why don't we shoot off and give you two some time together?

You're not going anywhere until you've heard my song.

Not Goldfinger, please!

SHE GIGGLES

# Small pleasures, small pleasures Who could deny us these?

# Gin toddies, large measures No skimping, if you please! #

Come here.

HE SOBS

KNOCK

Come in.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Um, about earlier, I realise that must have been a shock.

I didn't even know you were bi.

Neither did I.

-How long have you been...?

-Not long.

But, Emma, she's married...

with kids.

Yes, but the kids are... They're grown.

So she's leaving him?

Er... Look...

We didn't plan this.

-You think you know people.

-KNOCK

You're busy, I won't hold you up.

-Hi, come in.

-Hi.

I'm sorry I made you make a mistake.

It wasn't your fault.

Whose fault was it?

No-one's. I just panicked.

Because you were scared?

KNOCK My bag!

Security found it close to where it was stolen. Here you go.

For you.

Alfie, you can't give me this.

He sleeps with it under his pillow.

-By the time that you're home, you'll want it back.

-Not going home.

May I?

Wow!

Oh! Ganesha - Hindu deity,

Lord of good fortune, remover of obstacles.

Sorry.

-What's this?

-Elephant dung.

Alfie blagged it off the elephant keeper at Sutton Vale Zoo.

-Nice!

-THEY CHUCKLE

Elephant Families?

Yeah, Alfie got really upset when we did this page.

We watched a documentary and his favourite elephant left the herd.

I cried.

They must have a good reason, though, to leave their families, no?

Herds sometimes split up because of social or environmental factors.

It says here that they still keep in contact.

Elephants use infrasound and seismic communication over long distances.

When they bellow,

the sound travels through the air and through the ground.

Elephants can detect the vibrations

with their trunks and with their feet.

-That's amazing.

-It is amazing.

Guess they're a bit like us, then, really, aren't they?

Just cos they can't see each other or be with each other

doesn't mean they forget their families.

MESSAGE TONE BEEPS

Good news?

My tutor... The Dragons have agreed to see me again after lunch.

Dragons?

Important businesspeople.

There's something I'd like you to do for me, Alfie,

that would make this visit really special.

Your song was beautiful.

Do you really think Mum liked it?

Of course she did. You even had Rob welling up.

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

So what time do you want picking up?

Er... Eightish?

Sure?

-Not too much?

-Nah. I'm not faking it any more.

Good lad.

See you at eight.

Thank you both for everything. I couldn't have done it without you.

I get the feeling he's going to be leaving us sooner rather than later.

You OK?

Yeah, I'm going to miss him.

Me too. But this is where he belongs -

at home with his mum. You made it possible.

We made it possible, Rob Hollins.

We're a team.

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for giving me

a second chance to present my business idea for Cocoamoes -

dairy-free chocolate bonbons.

They're really good!

Cocoamoes will be made using Fairtrade cocoa

from the Cote d'Ivoire

and coconut milk from Indonesia.

The recipe has been fine-tuned over several years

and extensively tested by a very special lactose-intolerant volunteer

-that has given it his seal of approval.

-Me!

As well as his invaluable input into the research and development,

my brother, Alfie, came up with the perfect name.

Cocoamoes!

Why did I have to walk in on you to find out what was going on?

Because it's private.

Private? This weekend away - you're going with Lena?

I might be.

Ayesha, just because you live under my roof

doesn't give you the right to judge me.

I'm not judging you. I actually thought we were mates.

-We are.

-So why didn't you tell me, then? Don't you trust me?

It's not like that.

Why is everyone lying to me?

I've never lied to you.

What, you just forgot to mention

that you're having an affair with a married woman?

Just like Tyler didn't tell me he's left town.

What? Where...

Where's he gone?

Here, you can keep your damn money.

Have you spoken to Rob?

You know what, Emma?

Maybe you should focus on sorting out your own life cos,

yet again, it's one giant mess.

I'm sick of dealing with the fallout.

You can't go out now, you've got an appointment with Heston.

An appointment you made without my consent.

Well, the bar we're going to tends to fill up quite quickly.

What bar? I thought we had agreed on the Icon!

What brings you into my neck of the woods?

-Nothing, really.

-Nothing?

Kindly explain to me what on earth you have dragged me to!

This is your last chance to tell the truth.