Positive Doctors

You know, it's probably just a bug, and the move.

5,000 miles will take it out of anyone.

I'll look you up something homeopathic.

I know you don't like doctors.

No, I just don't think they're always right.

Here.

You need specialist care.

Well, the doctor's referring me.

Well, the clinic said they'd get back to me

about the nursing job this week.

So when your referral comes through, I can be there.

You do enough already.

I promised Dad I'd look out for my little sister.

-Someone's got to keep you out of trouble.

-I know.

But I'm nearly out of my US meds anyways.

The doctor called and asked me to come in.

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

Skinny vanilla mocha.

-Why?

-Ssh!

Because that's what friends do?

(Are they friends now?)

-What was that?

-Huh?

Oh, nothing. Sweat-lodge humour. You wouldn't get it.

Cos what happens in the sweat lodge...

-Stays...

-..stays in the sweat lodge.

Ugh. Pleased to hear it.

-Did you hear that?

-Hear what?

Nothing.

BELLS PEAL IN DISTANCE

HE GROANS

HE EXHALES

Mm!

HE SIGHS

-Hello, how can I help?

-Er...Kimberly Marshall.

Oh! Yes.

I registered last week.

Dr Haskey called to say I should come in for my test results.

-Oh, are you all right?

-Yeah.

Um...do you want to....?

Just come through here, have a sit down in there.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Yeah?

There is something loose in the building.

-What kind of something?

-Well, I don't know.

Mrs Tembe's not here and I wasn't sure who I should tell.

Why don't you start by narrowing it down?

Well, I don't know what it is, or where it is.

All I know is I have been hearing things all morning.

Hearing things? But you haven't actually seen anything?

-No.

-Has anyone else?

-No.

-So you don't have any evidence of any kind?

No, but I am highly attuned to these things,

-beyond the range of normal perception.

-Yeah.

-I'm like a bat.

-Yeah.

You do remember we had something like this before, don't you?

You thought you could hear things and it turned out to be nothing.

No, but this time, I know it's something.

What if it's insects, or some other kind of animal?

With all our recent scandal - Emma's lesbian infidelity,

your unfortunate mishap with the man in the camping shop -

the last thing we want is rumours of an infestation.

HE SIGHS

Maybe it's just about your referral to the clinic.

He said it's about my results.

Oh, he'll be wanting to chat about them.

So, have you just moved here?

A couple of weeks ago, from San Francisco.

Oh, gosh! Culture shock.

Well, moved back, really. We grew up here, so...

My sister thinks it's just the move,

but I was struggling to get out of bed for weeks before that.

But that's Suze, she's always looking on the bright side.

Well, you've got family close by, that's...that's good.

Yeah. Suze is incredible. My rock.

And there's my son, Zack. Adoptive.

He's been at college here.

-Oh. How long?

-Just finished his degree and looking for work.

He had an interview this morning in the city centre.

Oh. My two are working now, Jack and Immie.

It's hard when they fly the nest, isn't it?

That's why we came over, to...to be closer to them.

Oh, hey, come on, you don't know anything yet.

And they're really good at managing it nowadays,

-with all the drugs and whatnot.

-No, I know. But I've never felt...

..wrong, like this, before.

And people still die.

You know, I've known people.

Fern, Zack's biological mom...

I mean, if this is how it starts, how am I going to tell him?

He's already lost one mom.

Ah. Excuse me.

SHE SIGHS

So thanks for coming in.

As you may have guessed, I have some news.

Obviously, last week, we discussed your symptoms,

your fatigue and weight loss, and we ran some tests.

And I referred you to the Watkin Clinic

for specialist HIV treatment and counselling.

And, um...I contacted them earlier about your tests

and, um...it seems your sister has also been in contact with them.

-Did she?

-Yeah, but don't worry,

they'll only give the results directly to you.

-She applied for a job there, she's a nurse.

-Oh, right. Um...

Normally, I would, um...

I would pass on all HIV-related material to them,

but this is a...this is a, um... an unusual circumstance.

Not necessarily in a bad way,

more in a way that might be a little bit...unexpected.

You see, one of the tests that we routinely did last week

was a HIV test, and...

yours came back negative.

-What?!

-Look, they did all the appropriate rechecks and...

you are HIV-negative.

No, I'm...I'm positive.

I have been for almost ten years.

I've heard of mistaken diagnoses before,

but never one of my patients.

It must be a shock.

What about the weight loss and the tiredness?

One of the fasting tests we did last week showed high blood sugar,

suggesting diabetes. And, um...there's, er...

Yeah, one of the anti-retroviral drugs you're on

increases the risk of diabetes.

I mean, of course, the clinic will want to talk you through

the best way to ease you off the ART treatments.

And in time, your blood sugar should level out.

What I'm trying to say is that you should make a full recovery.

-Ooh!

-Ms Marshall? Please, hold up!

You all right?

HE SIGHS Um...so the temp's here.

Um...what happened? Was it bad news?

No, far from it.

I think I underestimated the shock.

We can't let her go off in that state.

-I'll go.

-I should. She...

You've got a waiting room full of patients.

I'll just check she's all right

and if it's anything medical, I'll call you.

Oh, the traveller returns. Come on through.

PHONE RINGS

Yep?

-AYESHA:

-Just checking in to see how you're doing.

Yeah, I'm OK, I'm just, um...on the laptop.

Yeah? Better not leave me any dodgy browsing history.

No. Too busy looking at yours(!)

Well, can't be bad if it's got you out of bed, eh?

Yeah. Look, um...anyway, I've got to go,

so I'll talk to you later, OK?

Hi. Um...I got your number off the Letherbridge CFS site.

Can I speak to Jude, please?

Um...times and locations.

-And that's just this afternoon.

-Yeah.

-Coffee?

-With a dash of cyanide, please.

-Really? That bad?

No, no, just supporting a member of staff

-through a crisis in confidence. What could go wrong?

-Huh!

In today's dramatic instalment, she's wittering on about pests

and disturbing noises following her around the building.

Can't you just cut her loose?

Well, I would, but it just seems like I'm only thing between her

and a proper meltdown in professional confidence, so...

-Oh.

-DANIEL EXHALES

-There you go.

-Thanks.

-Mom!

-Hey, how was the interview?

I didn't get it, and I wouldn't have gone if I'd known you were sick.

I couldn't lie.

This is Karen from the surgery.

I just gave your mum a lift on my way home.

What is it?

Um...why don't we sit down?

-Incoming.

-Hm? Oh, yeah, yeah.

-Daniel?

-Yeah?

Have you done anything with my information?

Oh, er...it's OK, I've got Jimmi up to speed with the situation.

Yes, and while we have a moment,

we are delighted to present you with this certificate

in recognition of all of your hard work, diligence and discretion.

-Trusted Team Member!

-That, you are.

And it's something I've been wanting to do for a while.

-Oh.

-So finally, here it is, hot off the presses.

And after much deliberation with the other partners,

I am very pleased to tell you

that you have passed your confidentiality assessment

with flying colours, and are now free to use your own judgment.

-I don't know what to say.

-You don't have to say anything.

Yeah, but what about our...pest problem?

Oh. That'll work its way out eventually, I'm sure.

And hopefully, we won't have to get in the exterminators.

THEY CHUCKLE

Ooh! Huh!

So they think the fatigue and the weight loss

are all because of the drugs I've been on.

I just... I mean...

How can you be negative?

I don't know, baby.

I'm just so, so sorry.

Putting you through all this.

Ten years, your whole life on hold for me.

Growing up, thinking you might lose me, too.

It's not your fault. You weren't to know.

Somebody somewhere has made a mistake.

How, though? I mean, how can this happen?

Oh, it doesn't matter.

All that matters is God heard our prayers.

(And sent us a miracle.)

This morning, I...thought the worst.

And now I'm HIV negative!

This is just so amazing!

We should be celebrating!

And I should be going.

I haven't even thanked you properly. Please stay.

Cake! The bakers do awesome patisserie.

Oh, I can't refuse a celebration!

-THEY CHUCKLE

-On it!

-I'll dig out the tea set.

A celebration it is!

I am HIV negative! Ha!

I am HIV negative!

Cheers for coming, Jude. I know it's short notice.

No, no worries. I've been there, haven't I?

It's a bit of a shock when it starts out of the blue.

I mean, one minute, I was at work, shifting huge bits of machinery

-and then the next...

-Tell me about it.

-I'm supposed to be in the army.

-Right.

It's been ten years now.

It gets better...and worse.

-Sorry, have I caught you on a bad day?

-No, no, no.

No, today's pretty good, actually.

On a bad day, I can't get out of bed.

Or I could, but only to use the wheelchair.

You get used to it. You know, you make the most of the good days.

How do you cope?

Well...I've got my missus.

I mean, she...she does it all.

You know, she takes me everywhere.

-In sickness and in health, eh?

-Huh!

Yeah, she's my lifeline, Carys.

Her and support groups, you know, to meet people, off-load.

You married?

Me? No. No.

It's lucky I already was.

I mean, to take all this on is a big ask, isn't it?

But you've got to get a solid support system around you.

Oh! It's lovely!

Our dad's.

We used to have tea parties in 'Frisco in the garden.

His way of keeping our roots alive.

I had big plans for this garden, if I'd had the energy.

Flowering climbers, maybe a vegetable patch, spring bulbs.

Just wasn't sure I'd get to see it grow.

And now, all this new life.

And all those years lost,

feeling like I was under a life sentence.

Must be hard to process it all.

So, do you think it was a miracle?

Who knows?

I've never really had Suze's faith, not for lack of her trying, but...

No, I mean, um...you know, or a mistake?

There's no way to know now, is there?

No, of course.

I was wondering, I hope you don't mind me asking,

but how did you get diagnosed in the first place?

Oh, we don't need to rake all that up.

Suze, I don't mind.

Um...I guess I went a bit wild after Mom and Dad split up

and he took us out there,

embracing the gay scene and clubbing and drugs.

Um...and then one day, I woke up and realised I'd had flu for weeks.

I panicked, and luckily Suze was there for me.

She held my hand through the test and ever since.

Kept me on the straight and narrow. I live like a nun these days.

THEY CHUCKLE

I just did what sisters do.

Like I promised Dad.

Oh, you know, maybe you could...?

Oh, yeah, of course.

Obviously, you've never got tested again,

you know, since the first time?

No, I mean, there was a confirmation test, wasn't there?

I can still remember your face when you told me that was positive, too.

-Told you?

-Yeah, Suze worked at the clinic.

-I mean, even before all this.

-Oh, right.

Through the church originally, then qualified as a nurse

and then ended up heading her own department.

So when I got sick with... well, whatever it was,

of course, my first call's to my big sister.

Well, of course, you would.

After that, we never even thought to question it, did we?

Why would you? Mistakes happen.

-CUP SHATTERS

-Oh!

-Oh.

-No!

Come on, it's OK.

-It's not! It was Dad's!

-Mistakes happen.

-SHE SIGHS

-Sure.

You're very welcome. Happy to be of service.

Yeah. Bye.

You know, you should pin that up somewhere. Frame it, even.

Yeah, maybe. Hm.

It does mean a lot, to be a trusted member of the team,

to have my judgment valued.

Um...so...so, you don't think it's going to be a problem, then?

The infestation?

Oh. No, no.

I'm going to bring it up at the next partners' meeting.

I love this!

Where has Zack got to with that cake?

You know it wasn't your fault?

I dropped it.

I mean my diagnosis.

It was a mistake, wasn't it?

The tea will be cold before he gets back.

Maybe I'll just pour. We can always make more.

Unless you think it really was a miracle cure?

Sure. Why not?

Well, why? I mean, why me and why now?

You gave yourself to a higher power.

Praying for deliverance, righteous living.

So those tests that said I was positive, they weren't wrong?

No-one made a mistake?

Why ask me?

Because you saw the results, remember? I didn't.

Didn't you?

No. I was all over the place.

You just told me I was positive.

I don't know why I never thought about it before.

Why did you never show me the results?

Oh, Kim, I...

You said you couldn't lie.

You've got to lay it all out for people, make them see.

But some people think it doesn't exist, don't they?

Yeah, you see, and that's half the fight.

You've got to fight doctors to be heard.

You've got to show them you know your illness better than they do.

You've got to fight for your diagnosis,

cos you're going to need that to get your benefits.

I still haven't had everything that I'm owed

and the benefits people, they're always trying to catch you out,

making it out that you're on the skive.

I don't even know if it's CFS that I've got yet.

-No?

-No.

HE LAUGHS Well, it's all here.

Look, you've got to get your head around all this,

or nobody else will, all right?

And the doubters, they're not just out there, you know?

You're going to have so-called friends and family...

Anyone like that, the only way to deal with those

is just to cut ties, simple as.

It hurts way less in the long run, mate, believe me.

Ooh! Do you need a hand?

-Oh!

-It started in the queue in the baker's.

I can't stop.

You know, this is, like, the best day ever for Mom,

and here I am, just, er...

Oh, but you worry about her.

And it's been a weird day.

I mean, I had the job offer of a lifetime this morning.

Which I turned down cos I thought Mom was sick.

But she's fine now.

-Yeah.

-Come on, let's... let's get this on a plate, eh?

KAREN CHUCKLES

Kim, please!

-All this time.

-I'm sorry!

Letting me think I could die.

Take drugs that ended up making me ill!

-I didn't know it was the drugs!

-But you let me take them anyway!

(Oh, my God!)

That's why you're always going on

about your stupid homeopathic alternatives!

Why you always get between me and the "gung-ho" doctors!

Why you could never leave your job at the clinic

and why you applied for that crappy job at the clinic here!

The doctor told me you tried to get to my results before I did.

Oh, my caring, protective big sister(!)

All to keep up this lie!

Why?

Why would YOU do this to me?

To save you.

To save me?

You were out of control.

Out every night, to all kinds of places.

-You mean gay places?

-Taking drugs.

-You mean gay places?!

-All right, yes, to gay places!

It was all wrong! I had to do something!

So, when I came to you for help, you lied right from the start?

When you saw your chance to save me from my evil lesbian lifestyle?

So how many other "sinners" are there out there that you've "saved"?

Out there, thinking they're under the same life sentence?!

None.

Well, why not?

Were the rest not worth saving?

(Because they're not my sister.)

-And neither am I!

-Oh!

You lied! And you didn't save my life, you took ten years of it!

Mom? What the...?!

Lied about what?

There!

They're in the ceiling!

How could she do it - lie to me for years?

And to Zack, too.

He'll probably just wash his hands of us now and leave.

I mean, he's old enough now.

-And it's not like I'm his real mom.

-Anyone can see he loves you to bits.

He, um...

He got that job this morning.

Job of a lifetime, but he turned it down

because he'd rather stay with you.

No! No, he can't, he can't miss out because of me.

I don't...

I just... I don't...

This morning, I was so positive.

My illness, my chances.

My sister was my rock.

What...what am I supposed to do now?

I don't know.

It's, um...it's...it's not the same,

but a couple of years back, I had this condition

and it felt like my foundations were crumbling

and I didn't know what to do.

But then you realise, once you sort through all the mess and...

Well, it...it... it's kind of like a freedom.

You can do whatever you want.

And now you know you've got a future,

you've just got to decide what you're going to do with it.

Eclairs. Thought we could both do with a treat.

Yeah, nice one.

So, how's your day been?

Did you find what you were after online?

Maybe.

I spoke to this guy from the CFS support group.

Yeah? How'd that go?

Yeah, OK.

It was just good to chat to someone who gets it.

What I'm dealing with.

Why not?

Support groups can be good for chronic illness.

It makes you feel like you're not so alone with it.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Mind you, they can also be a bit...enabling.

Encourage people to... wallow, you know?

-Wallow?

-Yeah, in their condition, or whatever.

Instead of...helping them to get over it and get back on their feet,

they sometimes get dependent.

Right, OK.

What if they can't just get over it?

I mean, some of them can't, can they?

You can't just tell them to pull their finger out.

-No...

-Maybe they need help.

-And maybe they don't.

Look at all them on the Churchill,

milking their symptoms for whatever they can get.

-And you think that's me?

-No.

Just trying it on, sponging off the state?!

-I didn't say that!

-You didn't have to!

Oi! Come on, sit down, have your eclair.

Stuff your eclair! It's too hard to swallow.

Karl!

-How could you?!

-Zack, please, try to understand.

She was in trouble, running wild.

God only knows where she'd have ended up!

You mean, like she did, with my mom?!

No. No, no, please, baby boy!

-He's not a baby any more.

-Kim!

I want you to take that job.

-No.

-Zack...

Mom, it's in Beijing.

I never wanted you to feel held back.

And neither did your real mom.

You are my real mom!

You need to be out there living!

No-one is putting their life on hold for one more minute.

Which is why I'm coming with you.

Kim! No!

-You need me!

-No, I don't.

You're the needy one.

You need us, your church.

-I promised Dad.

-But you broke that promise.

I know you think you were doing the right thing, but you weren't.

-But I love you.

-Maybe.

But your idea of love is control.

A lock and a key.

Kim, please...don't hate me.

I can't.

If you hadn't lied, I would never have met Fern

at the support group and I wouldn't have Zack.

So I forgive you.

But I can't live with you any more.

It's a new day.

And you're always telling me to think positive.

So that's what I'm going to do for the rest of my life.

No, you're not just going to walk out,

we're going to sit down and talk it out!

You mean you talk and I listen.

-All I was saying is...

-I know what you're saying!

You don't want to start using a crutch if you don't need one!

Because there's nothing wrong with me, is there?

It's all in my head.

You thought you could talk me out of it.

Have a little word and I'd be fixed, just like you did with Mum!

No, I just think when you've grown up like this,

it's easy to fall back.

When the going gets tough, look for the easy way out.

I should know, I've done it nearly enough times myself!

You think I want to fall back on that?

Tenth floor, no money, everybody screaming at each other?!

-You trying to play mum!

-No.

That's hilarious!

You lot moaning like it was the end of the world when I joined,

and I'm joining the army for a peaceful life!

And I loved it.

Cos it was like family.

Proper family!

Having each other's back.

And you think I want to come back here for more of the same?

Karl...

Thanks for the support, Eesh(!)

I'm out of here.

-DANIEL:

-Yeah, yeah.

-LADDER CLANKS

What was that?

Oh! I know, she's got me hearing things now.

Anyway, I'll, er... I'll see you Monday.

I know that you are up here!

Come on!

Where are you?

Where...are...?

You thought I was going to scream, didn't you?

Well, you were wrong!

SQUEAK!

CREAKING

Argh!

SQUEAKING

Say hello to my little friend.

A Rattus norvegicus can pop up in the most unexpected places.

-You mean...?

-I could be sitting on there and...?

-Yes!

Ratty McSockface.

Just as I thought!

No, I cannot forget about it...!

Winifred, I really don't want to talk about it.

Can you just leave it alone?