Mean Streets Doctors

-I made you a milky coffee.

-Hmm?

Yeah. Oh, thanks, love. Thanks.

Right. Let's synchronise watches.

On my mark, it's...

Right, it's 05.21 precisely.

Mark!

MILITARY MUSIC PLAYS

Right. Here's to Operation Sleeping Beauty.

PHONE RINGS

Hello? Hold the line, caller.

It's Danny Boy.

Receiving you, over.

Thank you. HQ out.

The troops are ready to take position.

Excellent.

On my signal...

..unleash hell.

THEY LAUGH

OK.

I've been waiting a long time for this.

On the count of three...

One, two...

OVER LOUD-HAILER: Right now, you 'orrible lot!

Keeping us up all night with your caterwauling.

Mr Frobisher, let 'em have it!

Now, come on! Just go in. Now!

PROTESTORS: # Morning has broken Like the first morning

# Blackbirds have spoken... #

TRUMPETS AND TAMBOURINES

-Where is he?

-He's legged it, Sarge.

-Are you sure?

Come on, then. Cut him off.

CAR ALARM BLARES

# ..the first morning... #

We are making a stand against the antisocial behaviour on this estate,

which the council and the police do nothing about.

Come on, sing, everybody!

I'll deal with you later.

-Oh...

-Coffee?

-Just tip the jar in.

-Bad night?

Bad week. I think there's too much going on around here.

I know what you mean.

Rob was up at the crack o' sparrows.

He tries to tiptoe, but he's got elephant feet.

Oh, thank you.

Sorry, I didn't ask how you are.

-I'm fine.

-Good. Morning. Morning.

You don't seem fine.

So what happened? Hey, Tash.

Let's talk somewhere else.

-Sergeant.

-Is Connie in? I'd like a word.

Um. May I ask what it's concerning?

What do you think? I ought to arrest her for breach of the peace.

I'll just see if she's in.

-Anything?

-Nothing, Sarge.

I'll see you back at the station.

Connie will see you now.

Oh, will she? That's very good of her.

Rhiannon was absolutely devastated.

She said it was worse because they'd spent 24 hours together.

They'd had a chance to bond.

I pushed for that.

Yeah, but it wasn't your decision to take the child away.

So when are they going to make a final decision?

Today.

I've made a statement to the CAFCASS guardian

to be read out at court.

-Then you've done everything you can.

-But it's not enough.

Oh, Emma, you've got to let it go.

It's up to the courts now.

Come on. Surgery's started.

If you'd only tipped me off about your operation

I could have postponed the protest.

Yeah, of which we've had numerous complaints.

Creating that amount of racket at 5.30 in the morning

-could be classed as a breach of the peace.

-Oh!

The only peace we were breaching was that of the criminal element.

Everybody else had been pre-warned.

Oh, go on, then. Drag me off in irons, if you must.

Bring out my inner suffragette.

Which flat were you raiding, anyway?

It's none of your business.

The last time you were sighted, you were on this landing here.

Now, you came... Ah!

Flat 106, I'll wager...

Savage! I think you've met my PA, Sergeant, Jean Savage.

Savage, check the database for flat 106.

Database? What database?

Connie, I am asking you very politely to back off.

I know you mean well but this has got to stop.

And who else is going to stand up for decent, ordinary people?

We are - the police, the social services!

Folk are terrified to put a foot outside their own property.

There's been a whole spate of muggings of elderly people.

Yes, I know, and we're investigating.

Yes, well, so am I.

Have you listened to anything I've said? There is a fine dividing line

between helping us with our enquiries, getting in the way,

and taking the law into your own hands.

Because of your "incident" this morning,

a suspect has evaded arrest.

What were you arresting him for?

Several counts of armed robbery with a sawn-off shot gun.

Oh! Anything on flat 106? Check the database!

Just that they've not washed their nets this side of the Millennium.

Now. Do we have a description of this suspect?

Yes, WE do. There is an E-FIT on the website.

Circulate it. We've got eyes everywhere, Sergeant.

Ooh, well, if that's our business concluded,

I'm afraid I'm going to have to be interviewed by the Gazette.

You said you'd cancelled it!

Don't worry, trust me. It'll be all right.

Till we meet again, Sergeant.

She promised me.

We had the windows put through after the last interview.

Who's this, this Kingpin?

Connie thinks he's one of the muggers.

-Anything concrete?

-No.

OK. Let me know when you do.

Sergeant, wait.

Will you help us?

With what?

With Connie. I'm really worried.

Oh, what a shocker. Why?

There's a downside to being so...visible.

She's made a lot of enemies.

She's not been sleeping and she's under a huge amount of stress.

We both are.

These are not nice people we're talking about.

I feel so disloyal telling you this

but this whole situation with the muggings,

she's obsessed with it.

Her blood pressure's up, she has migraines, dizzy spells.

-Who is her GP?

-Dr Carter, at the Mill.

Has she spoken to him?

Connie, go to a doctor of her own volition?

You must be joking!

If she was at death's door she wouldn't admit it.

Can you help? I'm desperate.

Come on, I've got an idea.

I'll drop you at the surgery on my way back to the station.

So that's 4.30pm next Monday, Mrs Chowdry.

Look forward to seeing you. Bye.

Have I not got any post?

No. Where've you been all morning?

Check-up.

-Sorry?

-A health check-up.

-What?

I had a health check-up, OK?

I don't appreciate having to broadcast it to all of reception.

Sorry. Oh, there's a box of doughnuts in the staffroom.

A patient left them as a thank you for Heston.

We saved you some.

Why would you do that?

I've just had a lecture on the dangers of sugar and saturated fat

and here you are throwing doughnuts at me.

-Thanks very much.

-No, I'm not!

Fine! Shove 'em up...

-Oh, good afternoon, Mrs Cottam.

-Good afternoon.

Jean Savage?

-Through here.

-Take a seat.

Cheers, thank you.

-Have a seat.

-Thank you.

So, how can I help?

I was fibbing when I asked to see you.

I'm not here about my own health. I'm fine, touch wood.

I'm here for a friend, Connie Templeton.

You may have heard of her.

Oh. How could I forget her?

The last time we met I was running for the local council.

She remonstrated with me about antisocial behaviour.

Sounds like Connie all right.

A formidable woman. I rather admire her.

Not as formidable as she'd like to think though.

And that's the problem.

Excuse me?

I need to speak to Steven Pacey, the CAFCASS guardian?

It's about a case that's in session today.

The session's already started.

Right. Do you think you could get a message to him?

It's Dr Emma Reid and if you could tell him

it's about Nicolas Cuthbert.

-It's urgent.

-Take a seat.

-Thank you.

How long has she been having these dizzy spells?

Weeks. But she's obstinate.

Puts it down to a change in the weather, change of life.

Change of life? She's 72 for goodness' sake.

There's no change left in either of us, except loose change.

And you think these death threats are coming from someone

-on the estate?

-I'm sure of it.

Connie's obsessed with tracking down the leader of one of the gangs

she thinks is responsible for the muggings.

These are seriously unpleasant people, Dr Carter.

And you've told Sergeant Hollins all this?

Most of it.

Well, he needs to know everything if you're serious about the threats.

I just keep thinking one day she'll walk out of the door

and never come back.

And I'll get a call to identify a body.

Well, I'm sure it won't come to that.

She's all I've got in the world.

I know how important her work is.

I can't ask her to make a choice.

So when did this crime-fighting start?

She was in the Eight Till Late one night donkeys' years ago.

Two lads with baseball bats tried to rob the till.

Everyone else just stood there, and Connie went after them

with her handbag. Saw them off the premises.

Well, you need to bring her to see me.

This stress is probably causing the high blood pressure.

She's obviously a tough cookie.

But that's exactly my problem.

She has a total aversion to doctors and orthodox medicine.

Basically I'd have to club her over the head

to get her through this door.

-What do you want me to do?

-Well, I have an idea.

But it would require you coming to the estate.

Oi!

You might well run! I shall be speaking to your parents!

Hi, Sergeant. Any luck finding your miscreant?

We've had a tip-off that he's gone to ground on the estate.

-We'll find him.

-MOBILE PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

-'Hello?'

-Savage! Where the deuce have you been?

'I rang HQ but there was no answer.'

Er...I had to nip out. For groceries.

'I've had intel from one of our contacts.'

Yes, go on!

'He claims to have

'valuable information about the whereabouts of Kingpin.'

I really think this is it, Connie.

Wow, who's the contact? I'm doing my rounds.

'I'll head straight over.'

No, no. He'll only disclose the information on safe ground

'so I've arranged for him to meet us at HQ...at 2.45.'

Right, fantastic. Good work, Savage!

Templeton out!

All right. Have you eaten?

I've got some lasagne here if you want it.

No, I can't.

I'm not allowed.

I am on a special diet.

What, real ale and cigarettes?

Come on, Al, what's wrong with you?

You've got a face like a bag of spanners.

And I heard you spat your dummy out at Karen earlier.

I had my annual health check-up this morning.

I thought you got on with your GP?

Yeah, usually I do.

But apparently my blood sugar is so alarmingly high

that I need to make drastic changes to my health and lifestyle.

He gave me the whole speech

all about what I should and shouldn't eat.

He even set me a task of walking 10,000 steps a day.

It'll be good to be healthier.

You'll have more energy.

Yeah.

Where are you going now?

I'm going to walk and buy myself a salad. I love salad!

Dr Reid?

Dr Reid?

I'm Steven Pacey, the CAFCASS children's guardian.

I was given your message.

Yes. Thank you for seeing me.

Well, it sounded urgent.

I can only spare a few minutes, I'm afraid. We have a short recess.

Right. A judgment hasn't been made already?

Not yet.

Good. Is there somewhere more private we could speak?

-Sure.

-Thank you.

Afternoon, Connie.

Doctor!

Don't be angry.

Jean asked me to come and have a chat with you.

-Oh, is that the time?

-Connie, no!

I understand you've been having dizzy spells.

Please, Con. Hear him out. For me.

His best interests are what we're all here to uphold, Dr Reid.

I am curious as to why you've come here in person.

Because I feel responsible.

I know I'm supposed to remain dispassionate and not get involved.

But I am involved.

I'm sorry, you must think me very unprofessional.

These cases don't get any easier.

I do understand how hard it is.

But the judge will look at the situation from every angle.

And he's read your statement.

But is that going to be enough?

How do you convey in words what I've seen?

Rhiannon give birth.

The first time she held him.

She loves that child.

And every hour they spend apart puts a strain on that bond.

Unfortunately, there remains a serious history of previous neglect

on the part of the mother, which can't be overlooked.

No, I know that.

But in my professional opinion and from what I've seen,

I believe he'd be safe with her.

Oh, look, I know I can't influence the judge.

None of us can.

I'm sorry.

I just couldn't leave those things unsaid.

-I have to get back.

-Yes, of course. Look...

-You will emphasise how strongly I feel, won't you?

-Of course.

Thank you, and thank you for your time.

Connie, your blood pressure is quite high.

Is it any wonder? Shanghai'd in my own parlour.

-Coerced into an intimate physical examination.

-Intimate?!

-Let's hope you never get piles.

-I did. I treated them myself.

With liquorice.

It's an opening medicine.

Look, you must come and see me at the surgery

so I can do some more tests.

Won't make any difference.

Jean tells me you've been getting threatening calls.

It goes with the territory.

No wonder you've got hypertension. I've spoken to Sergeant Hollins...

-Another do-gooder!

-Well, you're not Juliet Bravo.

And what do you suggest I do, Dr Carter?

Take up knitting? Huh?

Play bingo?!

This is my work!

When I retired, I could see my days stretching out

like so many tombstones.

My world shrinking. Evaporating.

This is what keeps mind and body alive. Stimulated!

That and irritation with this apathetic world

which instead of punishing wrongdoers just gives them

a few hours of community service and a ticking off.

Look, I understand your frustration.

In many ways, you and I are cut from the same cloth.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

What? You're sure it's him?!

Templeton out!

My prime suspect for the mugging has just been sighted nearby.

Where are you going? Let's call the police.

-There isn't time!

-I can't let you go on your own.

-There's been another mugging.

-When?

-Not 15 minutes ago, Mrs Griffiths had her purse stolen.

-Oh!

Call Sergeant Hollins!

-Dr Jimmi Clay!

-Mm.

-Mrs Hollins! Mrs Tembe!

Are you all right?

I was feeling a bit blue and I got to thinking

about Erasmus Darwin again and it hit me.

Since he has become my inspiration, I should go and visit him.

Isn't he dead?

I'm going to go to Lichfield.

I'm going to sit in his chair, I'm going to breathe in his air.

It'll do me good. It'll help blow the cobwebs away.

Like a pilgrimage?

Exactly! Like a non-religious pilgrimage.

You know, in medieval times pilgrims used to walk from Letherbridge

to Lichfield just to see the bones of St Chad.

You should come with me.

Hang on, hang on. You are going to walk all that way?

I didn't say walk.

Oh, Karen, yes, you are a genius.

10,000 steps. Two birds with one stone.

Walk?

Connie! Connie!

Shush!

MOBILE PHONE RINGS Gotcha!

Oh!

Whoever you are, your timing is pitiful.

Sergeant...?

-Oh, my God.

-What is it?

It's Jean.

She's been attacked.

-Where have you been?

-Oh, an errand. Why?

Jane Fairweather rang.

Nicolas is going home.

What? What did she say?

The court didn't grant the order. I couldn't find you, Emma.

I rang Rhiannon. She said that statement you wrote,

-it made a massive impact.

-So what happens now?

She's taking him round this evening.

Rhiannon wanted to know if you'd like to be there.

Oh, try stopping me!

Oh, Ruhma, that's fantastic. Oh, what a relief.

Yeah!

The ambulance should be here any minute.

Can she take Aspirin?

-Connie?

-Sorry?

Oh, yes, yes.

-Can you get me some water?

-Yes, yes...

Does your chest still hurt?

No. Bit better.

Thank you. You take that.

I'm so sorry, Jean.

Come on, Connie, she'll be OK.

What happened?

Jean called us to say that you were going to go

and make a citizen's arrest. So I got here as quick as I could.

And I found her lying down there.

Oh, thank you.

She'll be OK.

She's got very high blood pressure.

She's complaining of chest pains, dizziness,

shortness of breath. I've given her some Aspirin.

It's all my fault.

-Connie...

-No, you were both right, both of you.

She's stable now.

We're over the worst.

If I lose her...

I don't think it's going to come to that.

We will find out who did this, I promise you that.

And I'll keep you informed, OK?

Oh, and by the way, we caught the armed robber.

Jean sent the E-FIT to all your contacts

and somebody recognised him, tipped us off.

Thank you, Sergeant.

How long have you known each other?

Since school.

CONNIE SOBS

She means a lot to you, doesn't she?

Rhi? We've got a visitor.

Emma!

Thank you so much.

You have no idea what this means to us.

And I'm sorry for what I said at the hospital.

Don't be silly, it's already forgotten. No need to apologise.

Jane told us about what you wrote in the statement for the court.

It's the least I could do. Is Jane on her way?

Yeah, she'll be here any minute.

With our boy!

You are seriously walking to Lichfield?

I am, I've got a week's leave coming up.

-Haven't I, Mrs Tembe?

-Mm-hm.

I've just planned the route on the internet.

-I planned it.

-How far is it?

It's about 30-odd miles.

You are mad.

It's an opportunity, Karen. To reconnect with life,

to befriend my fellow man.

Your GP is going to be really pleased.

All that exercise and fresh air.

Are you sure you are going to be all right, Dr Haskey?

I was not aware that you were...well, a big walker?

Don't you worry, Mrs Tembe.

I will be like Dr David Banner in the Incredible Hulk.

I'll be righting wrongs on my journey to seek the truth.

You're winding us up.

I am not. I am not winding you up.

OK. I challenge you to do it without taking any buses or trains,

and no hitching.

And you've got to do it on £10 a day.

-Challenge accepted!

-Oh!

Ooh....Lichfield!

Oh...

Thank you.

How are you doing?

Well, I won't be running any marathons.

That was Sergeant Hollins.

They've caught them, Jean.

-Who?

-What do you mean, who? The scumbags who did this.

And while they were rounding them up, guess who else turned up?

Kingpin.

Sergeant Hollins made good on his promise, I'll give him that.

He's not a bad sort.

You've changed your tune.

So another case closed.

-My last, as it happens.

-Give over.

From now on, YOU'RE my priority.

And what will you do all day?

That Poirot box set?

It's still in its wrapping.

Well, it'll do while you're convalescing.

What about after that?

Well, I, er...

I did have something else in mind.

What are you doing?

Jean Savage...

..will you make me the happiest woman in the world?

Marry me?

And may the Lord drop a clog on me

if I ever put you in mortal danger again.

Well?

You'll have to hurry, I might never get up again.

Yes, of course I will, you daft apeth!

Come here.

My boy, my beautiful boy.

Thank you so much for bringing him back to us.

You know the actions I took yesterday,

I was just doing my job.

We know. We're just glad that he's back safe and sound.

Now you can be a family.

Right, well, we should leave you in peace.

I'll be in regular contact.

-If there's anything at all you need, please just ring me.

-We will.

Well, you two take care of yourselves and this little one.

Yeah, thank you for everything.

You're welcome.

This is your home, baby.

OK, I'll be in touch next week then.

-Thanks again.

-Bye.

-Bye.

I am so happy for them.

-Let's just hope it all works out.

-Oh, I'm sure it will.

-OK, see you soon.

-Bye.

The time has come

for the great adventure to begin.

You stupid...

I'm trying to keep you healthy and safe.

You think you know everything, you don't know anything. Get lost.

-Be quiet!

-I can't do this with you going on at me.

It's going to be OK.

Question is, Danny Boy, what are you prepared to do about it this time?