Seven Years Doctors

Excuse me, do you have a light?

I don't smoke.

All right.

SHE SIGHS

Oh, no!

SHE SIGHS

SHE SIGHS

-Good morning.

-Morning.

Guys, could we talk later?

-Is there a problem, Dr Clay?

-If it's Valerie, I've spoken to her.

No, it's not Valerie.

-We could meet in my office at noon?

-OK.

I've got a conference call at 11.30 with Professor Mathias.

THE Eleanor Mathias. I've been asked to contribute to a paper.

Compounded Economic Benefits of Health and Wellbeing.

-But I'll try.

-Thank you.

Jimmi won't say anything.

Won't he? I mean, he is a partner,

so surely he'll have to tell the others, won't he?

Why, though? Surely he knows that she just wanted to blot everything out for a bit.

It doesn't matter whether she tried to...you know, or not.

I mean, isn't it about what she needs now?

Yeah, and that's our support, it's not about getting all official.

-And she did sleep through, so that's...

-Hm!

Good. You're dressed.

How are you feeling?

Yeah, fine. I'm off to work.

Are you, er...sure?

Look, Sid, let's not make a big deal about this, all right?

I don't need a duvet day.

Last night, I was stupid, but today, I'm fine.

Yeah, well, fine's good, but work can wait.

Self-care day. No ifs, no buts.

Yeah. We're, er...worried about you.

Look, it's not that I don't appreciate your help,

and I know that last night was...

Scary?

I'm truly sorry.

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

I mean, I've left a message for Jimmi

and as far as I'm concerned, it's done.

OK. But Ayesha hasn't slept, though.

That doesn't matter. I've got the morning off, so here's the deal.

-How about the new juice menu at the Icon?

-Juice?

It gives us a few hours to breathe.

That's really what you want to do?

-You going to join us, Sid?

-Oh, no, I can't.

I've only got half an hour to finish that delegate profile.

But it will do you some good to chill out, though.

Hm. Before I go to The Mill.

If you say so, but there's no rushing.

That make-up's not fooling anyone.

Hm! Do I have a choice?

-No.

-No.

OK.

AYESHA EXHALES

Miss Pitman, I have scheduled in a partners' meeting at 12 noon.

I've had to change around a few appointments.

Will you be needing someone to take the notes?

No. No, I will be taking notes myself.

The subject is of a delicate nature.

But I do need you to make sure that I am not interrupted.

No interruptions. You can rely on me.

Mm. You were right.

This is the perfect way to give ourselves a boost.

Promise you'll never do that to me again.

-Ayesha...

-I thought you were dead.

-I looked at you lying there and...

-I'm sorry.

Do you get how much you freaked us out?

I just wanted to switch off for a bit, that's all.

Do you understand?

-Have you spoken to Jimmi?

-No, not yet.

-He'll phone you.

-Yeah, but...

If he's going to say anything, he'll speak to you first.

Who's that?

It can't be. Um...Jimmi won't say anything.

Yeah, well, I can't be sure.

Are you all right?

She's the spit of someone I used to hang out with.

We went to the Isle of Wight Festival years ago. I mean, like, years.

-Doppelganger?

-Yeah, got to be.

But, I mean, what if she is your friend? Don't you want to find out?

Nice try. You're stuck with me, lady.

I'm fine, honestly.

And, you know, she might be your friend.

You know you want to. Go on!

If you don't go because you're baby-sitting me,

I'm just going to feel guilty.

I'm fine. I'll just sit here and wait for Jimmi to call.

Tell me what you'll do if I don't come back.

I will sit here like a good girl and drink my juice with chia seeds.

And then I will slowly amble over to The Mill.

Go on, go!

-Are you sure?

-Yes, absolutely.

OK.

SHE SIGHS

-EMMA ON VOICEMAIL:

-Jimmi?

I know you think you have to, but talk to me first, will you,

before you say anything to the partners?

Please, call me.

BLEEP

Jimmi? Look, I self-prescribed, all right?

We all do it from time to time.

I know what a fatal dose is and this wasn't one.

So you really don't have to make this official.

You don't have to tell anybody.

Please?

Martha?

Martha!

Would you look at you!

Check the hair! Wow, that's changed!

That really suits you.

We thought you were dead.

Forgive me.

I wound it up as quickly as I could, but I had to be courteous.

Eleanor has left Harvard and she wants ME...

Tell me later. Jimmi's got something he wants to say.

Oh. Yes, of course.

-Hm!

-Please continue, Dr Clay.

Um...right. Well, Emma's going through a very difficult period.

Yeah. She's certainly got more than her fair share.

I don't really...

No, I don't really want to go into details.

You are not going to tell us what is happening?

All I want to say is that she's very fragile at the moment.

No, that's not good enough, is it?

Seriously?

If Emma needs additional support, then surely we need to know why.

Is, er...Jimmi with a patient?

Not at the moment. I thought you were off sick?

Oh, he's not in his room.

And he's not in the staffroom either.

Right. Well, then...

..where is everybody?

Valerie?

I'm sorry, but they asked not to be interrupted.

Who?

Is Jimmi with Mrs Tembe?

Look, I can't let you disturb them, I'm sorry.

Are Daniel and Zara in there?

-No, no, no! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! No, I just... I...

-Valerie!

Miss Pitman!

I'm so sorry! I tried, but I couldn't stop her.

Did Valerie say anything to you about...?

Valerie didn't need to tell me anything.

Jimmi, I, um...I left messages for you.

Yeah, I listened to them. Listen, Emma, come and sit.

Dr Clay has been explaining that you...

What? That I hit a new low?

-That last night...

-Last night, you, er...

broke your Pinot Noir record,

which is why I thought you were going to be taking it easy today.

Pinot Noir?

Yes. It, um...it gives me a bad headache.

So, this is a hangover?

-Yes.

-PHONE RINGS

Yes?!

Miss Pitman, I cannot speak to him now!

Jimmi's concerned about your wellbeing, Emma.

And we have a professional,

as well as a personal duty to offer support.

-I appreciate that, I do.

-Good. Good.

Because we really do care about you.

Thank you.

I have been doing a lot of reading recently.

-Now, what is it that RD Laing says?

-Not Laing, not now.

RD Laing says that insanity

is a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.

You think I...I'm insane?!

-No, we absolutely don't. Zara!

-No, I wasn't saying that,

I was just saying it in a sort of, um...

you don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps, kind of a way!

Do you know what, I'm...I'm so sorry I interrupted your meeting.

You'll be able to speak about me a lot more freely when I'm not here.

Dr Reid, please...!

When you saw me, you smiled.

Of course I did! I was glad to see you.

You smiled like the last time we saw each other was the other week.

It's OK if you're mad at me. It's fine.

No, nothing's fine.

No word for years and then, "Oh, hey, Ayesh, nice to see you.

"By the way, there's a load of ace gin places in Birmingham,

"let's go get twisted"?!

-I don't drink any more.

-Where have you been?!

Look, do you know where Tony is?

-Why today?

-What?

Why are you back today?

Because I got strong enough.

Can you tell me where he is?

It's a herbal infusion. I thought it might help.

-Zara didn't mean it the way it sounded.

-Didn't she?

No. She's, um...she's trying mindfulness,

but, er...obviously, it's early days.

Did you come in here to talk to me about Zara?

No. I, er...I came to see if you were OK.

And even if you're not OK, you will be OK because some things in life can't be fixed.

-They have to be carried with you.

-Where did you learn that? Thailand?

No, from my own personal experience.

Look, Emma, why don't you just come back in with us?

Why? So they can carry on judging me?

No-one's judging you. Everyone just wants to support you.

Wow!

So this is his new firm?

He's working for himself now, but he's doing all right.

I couldn't believe his old place. All the drivers have got uniforms.

Fancy reception, coffee machine and everything.

Yeah, well, Tony's doing his best.

Does he do mate's rates?

Yeah, when I need a cab.

We've stayed in touch.

Oh.

That's good.

Hey, do you remember how chuffed he was when they gave him these?

-You kept his old business card.

-Yeah.

Hi.

I couldn't find you. Not at the old flat.

The cab office.

I walked miles.

I wouldn't have found you now if it wasn't for Ayesha.

What did you think he'd do?

Of course she thought you were saying she's gone mad.

I feel awful.

Well, it's all right. Nothing changes overnight.

-I'm trying to be mindful. I managed it quite well yesterday.

-Not today.

-Emma, come and take a seat.

-No, no. I'm fine. Really.

Well, not fine. Clearly.

-I really didn't mean to upset you.

-It's all right, Zara.

Why don't you tell us how you're feeling?

To be honest,

I'm not entirely sure.

All I do know is that everything I touch falls apart.

-Well, that's not true, is it?

-Isn't it?

I failed as a mother.

A wife.

I can't hold down a relationship.

And after this last year,

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm even a good doctor.

That is utter rubbish!

I mean, the needle thing - it could have happened to any one of us.

But it didn't, though, Zara, did it?

It happened to me.

Another disaster in a whole line of them.

You are only human, Dr Reid.

-And none of us are in a position to judge you.

-We all make mistakes.

What we have to do is support each other through them.

I have thought about going.

Have you?

Just disappear.

Start over.

What about professional support?

No.

-What?

-No, Daniel's right.

What you need is support from someone here.

Someone who can be with you whenever you need them.

Someone who is committed to getting you back on track.

Maybe that someone is me.

Maybe it's me.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Tony.

I'm coming in.

Tony.

You look well.

You don't look all murdered and cut up and lying in a ditch, like...

You don't look dead.

Not like I've pictured you every day for the last seven years.

-Look, I had to go.

-Is that right?

I had to.

I was desperate.

-I was having a breakdown.

-Well, if you say so, yeah.

I want to explain.

-Well, this should be good. Go ahead.

-I couldn't hold it together.

I felt like I was dying.

-You never said goodbye to your baby girl.

-Tony...

I don't want her in here.

There's nothing for her here.

-You need to talk.

-Why?

I was better off ten minutes ago when she was still dead.

Why didn't you tell them about the pills?

Um, well, we've all been in dark places and we've all had

friends that have pulled us back in,

so maybe I don't always feel like I've been there to support you.

You, Jimmi Clay, are not one of my painful regrets.

So, what now?

Well, I'll just have to keep everything crossed that Zara

doesn't want to hug me.

You're going to give her a chance?

-Yeah, why not?

-Just not hugging.

-SHE CHUCKLES

Look, I had to be selfish.

-But I'm not that person now.

-Did you phone a helpline, did you?

Eventually.

Don't you even think about it.

-Does she know?

-Yes, "she" knows.

But does she care? No. So you turned to someone else. So what?

She doesn't know, does she?

I'd like to see her.

Look, I don't care if you two have been together.

I'm OK with it.

Look, all I want is to see Molly.

Can I?

Tony?

You need to talk.

You both have things you need to say.

I can't do this for you.

Hi, Jimmi. It's me.

I just wondered if you'd spoken to Emma yet.

Is she OK?

Look,

she doesn't even need to know who I am.

However you want to play it.

I'll wait. I'll wait as long as you want.

If you want me to prove myself, I'll prove myself.

It's your call.

Tony...

Just say something, please.

-How could you just go like that?

-Because I thought I was toxic.

To you and to Molly.

I genuinely believed I was doing the best thing for you and for her.

The nicer you were,

the worse I felt.

I was filthy.

Useless.

Does she like to dance? I bet she loves to dance.

Tony, for God's sake!

What?

Martha...they found a heart murmur.

I'm so sorry.

Molly had surgery, but there were complications.

Intractable heart failure.

She didn't make it.

You can't see her because Molly died four years ago.

She didn't.

-She didn't!

-She did.

You think you left a healthy baby, but you didn't.

And did you even care? You just bogged off.

And do you...? Do you think about me? Nah.

And I'm not OK either. You ask Ayesha. You ask her about my heart.

You need to calm down.

You ask her about why I have to leave off the fags.

Because of heart disease!

That's why!

See, me and Molly, our hearts were broken before you left us!

I am peaceful, I am strong.

-Though the dark may seem so long.

-What's she doing now?

-Though the dark may seem so long...

-Martha.

I can't feel bad any more. I can't!

More hippy-dippy tripe! Here we go! Huh?

Molly...

I missed you.

Always.

I just... I just felt like my brains were...melting.

-That's how you felt?

-Don't fall for it!

Did you ever see her miserable?

Madhouse Martha, that was her. Always the life and soul.

Always up for a laugh.

People in pain can put on the best show.

She went where she wanted, she did what she wanted.

As long as Martha was happy and Tony's the drip that never said no!

-You were too good.

-I was a pillock!

So don't come back here with your phoney chanting and your

crocodile tears! Get up and get out! I don't want to look at you!

-I'm sorry.

-Blah, blah, blah, blah! Words are easy!

-It's what you do that counts.

-I hated myself.

-Good!

-I should have seen it.

-It wasn't you, Ayesha.

It was her. So tell her to go. Do one. Get out!

I don't want you here! She's the one that should have di...

Aspirin. Where is it? I'm calling an ambulance.

Argh!

All right, there? I knew you'd call me back.

Want to know how you're spending your lunch break?

-You got a minute?

-If you are lucky.

-You just listen and then say yes, OK?

-I'm listening.

Bike, sandwiches, and a bottle of pop.

You and me ride flat out for 20 minutes and see where the

-road takes us.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

Mrs Tembe? May I come in?

I am sorry. I have to go. I will call you back.

-Yeah, course. If I don't pick up, just leave a message.

-Goodbye.

-Come in.

-The answer better be...

24 hour, to be signed for. Obviously urgent.

Thank you.

Can you give them a minute?

Be quick.

Thanks.

Look, I wish I could have been who I was trying to be.

So do I.

-Please, Tony...

-What do you want from me?

-I just need a bit of time.

-I hate time.

-Tony...

I don't need you to break any more hearts. Just go away, Martha.

-Another minute!

-She doesn't need another minute.

Could have another seven years, I'd still hate you.

And, Martha?

-This time, don't come back!

-He doesn't mean it.

He does.

She used to say, "Is Mummy at the festival?"

And Tony would dance with her and say, "Yeah, she is."

Molly did love to dance.

Drop you back in to town?

No.

I'm obviously best on my own.

I'll see you though, yeah?

Yeah.

'You have one message.'

'Hello, it turns out that lunch today will be impossible.

'I will speak to you soon. I am sorry.'

-Ready for the course?

-As I'll ever be.

-So, how are things with you today?

-Me?

-Yeah, you do know that I know, don't you?

-Yeah.

Be weird if you didn't know, seeing as you all live together.

So, did Daniel and Zara get the full story?

No, I didn't think they needed to. Besides, she's got us looking out

-for her.

-She's got a bigger safety net than she knows.

-Yeah, and now she's got Zara too.

-Zara?

-Mm.

Ayesha. What can I do to make your afternoon stress-free?

-Tell me Emma's still here.

-Um...

-Is she in the staffroom?

Um...

-What's going on?

-There is a tete-a-tete situation going on.

-Move.

-No. Really, please don't go in there.

-What's the matter?

You are SO not right.

Right, do you want to go in my room and we can discuss it in

there together?

I want to do this.

Because I respect you.

Frankly, I don't have lots of friends because

few people seem worth the effort.

-But I think you are.

-I'm sorry?

You're worth the effort.

Am I?

I know what you're made of and I want to be there for you,

Emma, and get you back to being the woman we both know you can be.

Oh, I see.

You think I'm some sort of project.

Yes.

No, not if your definition of project is something trendy and

offensive, but if you think of it as something meaningful

and worthwhile, then yes.

So, I have a plan.

Now, don't dismiss this out of hand because frankly, it's marvellous.

-There's this conference...

-A conference?!

Well, yes, but that's not important at all. The conference part.

It's the journey.

Something that will afford us the space and the time to

reconnect with ourselves.

We can plan our route, the stopping-off points,

and the sights we want to see along the way.

So, what you're suggesting is some sort of road trip?

-To where?

-Winchester.

No, er, Worcester.

Oh, Walsall? I can't remember. Anyway, don't worry about that.

I'm going to pin down all the details, make all the plans,

all the arrangements, book the hotel, the restaurants, and plan the scenic route.

Well, I...suppose...

Come on. It's going to be cathartic and renewing.

For both of us.

What do you say?

Emma?

-Can I do the playlist?

-Fantastic! This is going to be great.

-You have no idea how great this is going to be.

-Hmm.

I thought you were supposed to be on a course.

-It doesn't start till later.

-It'll make you a better doctor.

Don't say that like there's lots of room for improvement.

There's always room for improvement.

I'm Sid.

Janet.

Er... When you're awake, we need to have a chat.

That sounds ominous.