A House is Not a Home Doctors

Why, Shaz? Why do this to us?

What will people say?

You ever stop to think about us? You're a disgrace.

You're in BIG trouble, Shaz.

SHE GASPS

All right? Looked like you were having a bit of a 'mare.

What's it to you?

I was worried...that's all.

You were shouting.

Was I?

Yeah, seemed like you were scared of something or...someone?

Couldn't help noticing that you're pregnant.

You're a genius, you are(!)

It's not the safest way of life for you and a little 'un.

Didn't exactly have a choice.

Life on the streets, it's brutal.

Look, if you ever need to speak to anyone, or share any worries...

With you?

You can trust me.

Got a secret boyfriend sending you naughty lyrics?

Shut up.

No, Iqbal!

So jumpy! What are you up to?

Have you ever heard of privacy?

You can trust me!

Hard enough just looking after myself

but it must be worse with a baby growing inside you.

I feel for you.

How many months pregnant are you?

Five? Six months?

Not sure. About seven?

Should be doing regular check-ups. It's not just you

you've got to think of.

There's the baby.

Shaz? You all right?

We were chatting.

You mean you were hassling her.

No, mate, I'm just being friendly.

What was he saying to you, Shaz?

He was asking questions.

Did they send you?

Who's "they"? Is Shaz in some kind of trouble?

-You ask stupid questions!

-OK!

What've you doing? You can't just...

Oi, no harm done. Just let him go, Dave.

You were right about him yesterday, he can't be trusted.

Homeless people don't go around interrogating each other

in the middle of the night.

Look, if it's cash you're after...

I'm not a thief.

Here we go.

What's your game?

Please, look, I didn't mean any harm...

What is going on? Truth now!

All right, all right, I'm a journalist.

I'm just trying to interview homeless people.

Get a real understanding of the issues involved.

You're posing as being homeless?

Scum. Trying to use Shaz to further your career?

Pick on the most vulnerable-looking girl just

so you can get your name in print?

No, it's not like that!

Go on, get out of here and don't come back.

Hop it, now!

You need to be more careful, Shaz. He's a hack!

'To think, some of you thought I wouldn't last!'

-HE TUTS

-'Goodnight, suckers!'

Talk about landing on your feet!

He's lucky it's just for the challenge and not long term.

-What do you mean?

-They closed down Burr House yesterday.

So there's going to be a lot of homeless people back on the street.

I saw a few people huddled in sleeping bags on my way in.

One had a really bad cough. Thought about trying to get him to come into the surgery.

With no address, it's hard to follow up with any treatment.

Maybe we should start holding a special lunchtime surgery.

That's a great idea!

We could tend to all the usual illnesses that homeless people

suffer from - skin conditions, infections,

difficulty maintaining a healthy diet...

No, well, lunchtime surgery is the best way of keeping them separate.

What? I'm just being honest. It's the smell.

It's not their fault!

I know, but we have to think of our regular patients.

What about tomorrow?

-I'm on police duty.

-I'm happy to run it.

And me! I can find out where the people from Burr House might have ended up

and arrange first come, first served posters.

That'd be great. Thanks, both of you.

I'd better get on.

Cool.

Good morning, Ronnie, it's me. How are you?

Good, good.

Listen, I'm just checking to make sure that we are on for tonight?

Yeah?

Oh...excuse me, mate.

I had a rather sizable fried breakfast this morning.

It's come back to say hello.

Yeah, and remember, nothing on social media. OK, bye.

Oh!

Antacids.

Poo bags, double thick, extra large. No, thank you.

Bingo.

See if I can find us somewhere to sleep tonight.

Want me to come with?

Nah.

Go to the library, keep yourself warm, read some mags or something.

I'll see you back here at about 4.30.

Where are you going?

My mate at the cafe.

See if I can pull a favour.

He mentioned we might be able to stay in his storeroom tonight.

You be all right?

Of course I will.

Hopefully I'll get us fixed up.

Fancy some lunch? My treat.

You don't give up, do you?

Ah!

Shaz!

Probably just the baby kicking.

Some kick!

Looked like it hurt. What've you got in there,

a Lionel Messi or something?

At least let me get you a hot drink and some chips?

You've got well more chips.

Give that...!

Hungry all the time these days.

You are eating for two.

Look, Shaz, Dave's wrong. I'm not the bad guy in this.

Look, if you don't tell us your experiences,

then how are we ever going to change things?

Homelessness in the 21st century?

In one of the richest countries in the world? It's a disgrace.

So you want to change the world?

Yeah.

Why me, though, Tommy?

A young pregnant woman on the streets?

You care about me now?

Of course I do!

What do you want me to say?

OK, erm...

How did you end up on your own?

I'm not on my own. I've got Dave.

Is he the dad?

What about your family? Do they know?

I will protect your identity. I promise. OK, no pictures.

Just the facts and your words.

OK?

What about Social, have they been helping?

Shaz...

I don't want everyone knowing my business.

You've been exposed to danger. OK? Fallen through the net.

Where is our future if we're able to treat people like this?

Burr House has closed down, there's no safety nets,

there's no beds, no money, no help from the powers that be.

They don't care about us.

Yeah, it ain't right, that's for sure.

Take this.

Take it.

Come on, Auntie Shaila. You know you'll enjoy yourself.

I've got a great teacher lined up for the dance class.

HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE

£2 entrance fee

and the lunch is included.

Meera Auntie is making her samosas, even though

we know they're not as nice as yours.

It won't be the same without you.

Dad died when we were little,

so my uncles, Mansoor and Tariq, took over

the dad role. And more recently, my brother Iqbal.

He's changed.

Thinks he's the man of the family now.

Do you mind if I continue to record this?

My uncles...

..they're quite strict, religious men, old-fashioned.

But they're high-powered.

One's a magistrate, the other's a councillor.

Always banging on about their standing in the community.

They trained Iqbal to be like them.

I had to leave.

Look at you, you are such a pathetic little victim, aren't you?

You're a poor little Asian cow.

And you got kicked out of your cosy little home, did you?

Get lost.

Listen, she is spinning you a line, mate.

Just leave us alone, Nic!

I am looking out for you!

Tommy, she is taking you for a ride.

She's a stuck-up little princess, that's what you are.

And she's feeding you a pack of lies.

Who rattled your cage?

You make me sick. You got all these people running around after you.

We are having a private conversation. Can you just leave?!

I got to admire your style, though, Shaz,

really, because you have got blokes wrapped around your little

finger, which is amazing, really, considering your tastes.

-Shut up!

-Do you know what, Tommy? Cos I don't want to break your heart

or anything like that, but our Shaz here,

well, you bat for the other team, don't you, love?

She's not really into blokes.

Which does beg the question, how the hell did you get pregnant?

Eh? Was it a turkey baster?!

-Wait, Shaz!

-Oh, my goodness me!

I'm really sorry, bruv, it's just not appropriate.

My ladies won't feel comfortable.

Why? Bollywood is my passion. I love Bollywood - the action,

the romance, the singing girls, the dancing, the glitter...

I said no.

Look, I'm here for the music, for the culture...

All right, if you're such a big fan, who's your favourite actor?

Just as I thought, clueless!

No, no... Not clueless, sir, just deliberating.

It's not an easy question to answer, is it?

My instinct is to go for Shah Rukh Khan.

He's the current king of Bollywood, isn't he?

But you can't say the phrase "King Of Bollywood"

without also saying the name Amitabh Bachchan. I mean,

he's the real king, isn't he?

With that voice, so rich and deep like gold.

-I'd go with Amitabh.

-PHONE RINGS

Angie?

HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE

You seem slightly stressed, my friend.

The projector's packed in. Now, will you just please leave?

What if I were to tell you that I am a whiz with technology?

As well as being the king of Bollywood?

Yeah, I'll fix your projector.

Or would you rather disappoint all your lovely ladies?

All right, mate. Come in...but no funny business.

No funny business.

She was friendly when I first ended up on the streets.

Made the stupid mistake of telling her things

I should've kept to myself.

Now she just uses it to have a go at me whenever she wants.

That's because, erm, she's an idiot.

I can't help you.

But you started to tell me stuff.

I've changed my mind.

Please!

Why are you so interested?

It's an important story.

I've got to figure this one out on my own, Tommy.

Truth is, Shaz, I want a job.

I'm just an apprentice at the local paper

and they don't think I'm up to scratch.

All right?

They're going to sack me unless I come up with better stories.

My story for your job?

Is this what this is all really about?

It's not about that! I do care what happens to you.

I was being blackmailed.

I thought my brother would help me but instead, he snitched on me.

I had to get out of there, fast.

Who was blackmailing you?

Some local bad boy had seen me

in town, going into a couple of gay bars.

I'd met someone and he took a picture of us kissing.

'He kept sending me texts, asking for money.

'And when my brother found out, he told my whole family.'

Uncle Mansoor and Tariq are on the warpath.

It's best you go straightaway.

-Why have you told them?

-I had to! £1,000?

We haven't got that kind of money, Shaz.

And even if we did, when would it stop, eh?

They're going to decide what to do with the blackmailer,

sort things out. But you've got to go.

They'll say you dishonoured them.

Amma, what does it matter what they think?

Why do you always worry about their honour?

What about my life?

You're an idiot, Shaz. What you do affects us all.

You should be standing up for me!

I'm giving you an easy way out.

I don't agree with your way of life

but I don't want to see you coming to any harm.

It's best you get out of town and don't ever come back.

Iqbal!

I'm giving her an escape and I'll deal with the fallout,

but that's it.

Let her go, Amma. They'll be here any minute.

Sorry, Shaz. Your brother sounds like a...

He's a lousy coward!

Yeah.

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-Hey, you want to go to the movies?

Let's go to the movies.

Bruv, I don't know what you just did, but you've earned your keep.

Watch the film with us and then join us for the dance class and lunch.

Thank you. You're eating after the film?

No, we're eating after the dance class. Is that a problem?

-OK, erm...

-No dancing, no delicious desi cuisine.

You're a difficult man to please, Pradeep.

BOLLYWOOD MUSIC

So, you weren't pregnant when you left home?

No.

And Dave is the father?

If it wasn't for Dave, I wouldn't have survived on the streets.

He took me under his wing. I don't know why...

Ahh!

-Ahh!

-What is it?

Shaz? Oh, my God! Hold on, Shaz.

I'm calling an ambulance now.

BOLLYWOOD MUSIC

Wah, wah! You've definitely got the moves, bruv!

What is she saying?

I don't know. But they look pretty serious.

I need Dave.

No, stay put. How are you feeling?

Not great.

Is Shazia Amin your full name?

Yeah. This is Tommy.

-Hi.

-Hi, I brought her in as soon as she started throwing up.

Right, well, you did well. And you've not eaten anything odd?

No.

We need to access your antenatal notes

and we can't find anything on the system.

I ain't registered.

OK, where's your GP surgery?

Shaz, you look quite far gone.

What we're trying to work out is if you've gone into labour.

Have you had any antenatal check-ups?

I know I'm about seven months gone but...

Ah!

All right, just take it easy

and breathe...

That's it. OK.

Dr McCormack needs to ask you some questions

and hopefully your blood test results will come back.

I should go and find Dave and tell him where you are.

He'll be worried sick.

Ta.

You'll be all right.

-She's in the best place.

-Thanks.

Shaz, is there anyone else I could ring for you?

-Maybe your mum?

-No!

OK.

Let's have a little listen to this lovely baby of yours.

Cam! You seen Shaz?

-No.

-You sure? She was supposed to meet me here.

What about that creep, Tommy? He was hanging around last night.

-You seen him?

-No.

-HEARTBEAT

-Is that my baby?

Yeah. And that heartbeat is very healthy and regular.

So what's wrong with me?

Well, the doctor thinks it might be appendicitis.

What does that mean?

It means that you might have to have an emergency operation.

An operation?!

Shaz, the surgeons might have to remove your appendix

but you are in good hands here.

You and the baby are going to be absolutely safe.

I didn't even want this stupid baby.

It's not the baby's fault that you are ill.

Are you sure there's no-one I can phone for you?

There's no-one.

My mum doesn't even know I'm pregnant. She'd go ballistic.

I've got to say, you've really livened up my day.

And I'm sorry about earlier, it's just I didn't believe it

-when you said you loved Bollywood.

-I have had the most amazing time.

The movie, the dancing, the food is so delicious.

-Thank you. Thanks.

-With moves like yours,

you could pull some honeys on this dance floor.

Move over, Amitabh Bachchan. Al is in da house!

Thank you, I might practise them at home in my bedroom mirror!

Thank you, but, please, no more. If I eat any more, I will just burst.

Thank you.

Thanks, bruv. You're welcome here any time.

Oh, Shaz, that's terrible. I didn't realise you were homeless.

I was given my marching orders. Didn't have much choice.

Well, I'm sure you did it for the right reasons.

We have to protect ourselves.

Having a baby wasn't part of the plan.

Believe it or not,

you're not the only woman to have an unplanned pregnancy.

'I needed a quick way to earn some cash

'and so I used the only thing I had.'

That's difficult.

I thought of going back to my mum, even after what Iqbal said,

but I can't now.

When I realised I was pregnant, I was too far gone to do anything.

You're absolutely certain she couldn't support you?

I'm dead to them now. It'd be crazy to go back.

They'd punish me or send me somewhere to be "cured".

And the neighbours, they'd gang up on us. There'd be gossip

and abuse and my mum would get cut off.

I know what our community can be like. People sometimes do

the strangest things.

Too right.

So I can't go home and I don't want this stupid baby.

I can't even look after myself!

Hey! Let's concentrate on getting you better.

Then think about the future later.

You won't tell anyone, will you?

Of course not.

If my uncles find me, then I'm going to be dead.

Shaz, my job is to look after you and the baby, that is all.

Thing is, there are spies everywhere.

You know what our lot are like.

Always ready to snitch on us, deciding who's good,

who's bad, who's immoral, who needs putting in their place.

Got to the point where I couldn't trust anyone,

not even my own brother!

Just calm down. Calm down.

I shouldn't have spoken to you.

Dave told me to keep my trap shut. Shouldn't have even

spoken to that journo. Me and my big...

-Ahh!

-OK, OK...

You mustn't tell anyone!

I'm going to go and talk to someone about some pain relief

and I'm not going to be long, OK?

Ronnie! Curry vindaloo, I really need to use your facilities.

You can take all your smelly, filthy rubbish out of my house!

Babe! Babe! There's no need for this!

Come on, babe, sweetcakes, honeybun.

-Honeybun? Don't honeybun me, you rat!

-I really need the loo.

-Not now, Al.

-But you said I could stay! What's going on?

Go and leech off your new girlfriend instead!

Ah, mate, you didn't?

-I've had it!

-Sorry, Al, change of plan.

Not again! At least let me just use your...

Oh, no!

Cam? Have you seen Dave?

-What you doing here, creep?

-That's what I'm trying to tell you...

-What you done with Shaz? Where is she?

-That's what I'm...

-Dave, he'll rip your throat out.

-Listen to me!

Why? I don't know you!

Don't trust... Following, following Shaz everywhere, you perv.

I haven't done anything! I'm coming from the hospital and...

Hospital? What've you done?

You dumb idiot! Listen to me!

What's going on here?

That's what you get from helping people.

What'd I do?

Glad that one's over. Come on, let's go.

Home time.

All sorted. Night, Lucy.

ALARM BEEPS

I'm sorry, I know it's difficult.

Please, please...

I will talk to her again.

OK?

No, I'm going to be home late and I will talk to her in the morning.

Shak, that is enough. Just leave her alone.

HE GIGGLES

Good evening, friends.

Another exhilarating day and a few miles closer to Lichfield.

Today, you will be impressed to hear,

I amazed with my encyclopaedic knowledge of Spaghetti easterns.

I wowed the ladies with some dance moves.

All in all, you could say that today,

a new king of Bollywood was crowned. And his reward?

Oh, yeah!

'I'm warm and dry again tonight.

'Ready for another good night's kip.'

Damn!

If this is where he went into the canal,

let's hope that CCTV works.

Come on, Clay, play the game. Best guess.

I doubt he's been dead more than 12 hours.

I used to dream about having a baby.