Miss Bates Doctors

I made pancakes.

Thought you'd need to keep your energy up.

I wonder why maple syrup's so expensive?

I mean, they say money doesn't grow on trees,

but maple syrup actually does, doesn't it?

Think it's because it's from Canada?

-How was last night?

-Mmm.

All those photographs of pop stars falling out of nightclubs

at one o'clock in the morning.

You don't see classical musicians doing that, do you?

Dropping their oboes and flashing their knickers.

-What are you talking about?

-Nothing. I'm just...

Maybe it's not...such a good idea

to stay out on a school night, that's all.

I'm not saying you can't.

Just that a lot of people applied for your scholarship.

-Sorry, I don't want to nag.

-So don't.

-I just want you to do well.

-So do I!

Well, good! I never thought you wouldn't...

DOORBELL RINGS Someone else for breakfast?

She's in the kitchen.

Thanks, Miss Bates.

We've got coffee here, you know.

-Not like this.

-Thanks, Amy.

Is it OK if we go upstairs and talk about homework, Miss Bates?

Yeah, I suppose so.

That's just rude.

-What do you think?

-I don't trust it.

Really?

Well, it's all right for you, but I am here on the front line.

Ah. So you feel exposed?

I feel exposed, yeah.

And Mrs O'Connell just pressed the "grumpy" button.

Twice.

I, er... I was actually talking about the new rear desk?

Even though I was really nice to her.

You know I once saw her shoplifting? I didn't say anything.

Also I don't think that machine's working properly.

Because last week, I saw loads of people press the "positive" button.

-But when we went to check the results, not so much.

-Oh.

Mrs Tembe, what do you reckon?

Mrs Tembe?

The new rear desk?

Oh, er... Yes, it is fine.

I've got my eye on you.

POP MUSIC PLAYS

Phil still hasn't called me back.

Did you bring him up here?

-Because that teddy bear would scare anyone.

-Oi!

Don't worry about Phil. He's not all that.

I thought he was nice.

Mmm, so did I, until I heard all the stories.

What stories?

Trust me, you don't want to know.

Anyway, Vince has another friend who'd be great for you.

-What's he like?

-Gorgeous, apparently.

Do you want me to set something up?

-Great.

-TEXT ALERT

-We're meeting them for lunch.

-Today?

Just... maybe don't show him this.

Give it back! THEY LAUGH

'Is it your favourite?'

'No way! My aunt bought it.

'If I brought a bloke back here... Can you imagine?' LAUGHTER

Fill me up.

-I warn you, it's the strong stuff.

-Good.

-OK...

-Two words, Martha Bates.

-Oh...

Martha Bates. You know, I call her Waffles.

Because that's what she does, she waffles on and on,

and often about her breakfast.

And by the time she's got to the point,

she's got her hand on the door handle like she's Columbo.

I love Columbo. I'm going to call her that.

IN COLUMBO'S VOICE: Oh, er, just one more thing,

my wife...

Get out!

-Hey.

-Oh, hi, I was hoping to see you.

-Mm-hm?

Are you going to see Paul and Rhiannon later?

Yeah, popping in. Anything you need to update me on?

No, nothing special, just let me know how it goes.

-Will do. See you.

-See you.

Oh!

Mrs Tembe.

She is pushing herself too hard.

It's understandable, of course.

It's not just that. She's got problems at home.

-Family?

-No, neighbours. The whole street is, like, students now.

Next door, it's party central,

music blaring, people coming and going at all hours.

-Well, she needs to go round there and give them what for.

-She's tried.

Maybe that's why she wanted to move.

I thought it was just because her house was...

compact.

So maybe now she's had a raise, she could afford to move?

Yeah, well, good luck with that, because you know Mrs Tembe.

She's too economical to splash out on a new house.

We'll see.

So Jane had a rehearsal and...

Well, she can take the cello on the bus. I mean, it's just not ideal,

because sometimes they cancel the bus, then you've got to get off

in the middle of the journey and get on another bus...

-I'm sorry, Martha.

-..get another ticket...

The path links are down at St Phil's.

Anyway, she was the best, she played beautifully.

I mean, know I'm biased, but, oh, I cried!

Pretended I wasn't crying, obviously.

I mean, Jane's the same, she's the same when we're watching a film.

I remember when we watched Bambi.

It was like... Like Niagara Falls! Not that I've been.

Now it's frozen.

Niagara Falls?

No, sorry the computer. Look, I, er...

I can't access your results until it's sorted out.

It's probably nothing. The rash has gone anyway.

Could you come back later?

-Today?

-Well, I hope so.

Look, I don't want to mess you about,

so I'll tell you what, why don't I give you a ring

-as soon as I know something?

-Yeah, OK.

-All right, thanks, Martha.

I mean, that's the trouble with computers...

Yeah, um, Martha, I'm sorry, but I have another patient to see.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Now, Rhiannon's just upstairs, changing him.

-Mm-hm.

It's his fourth change this morning.

Tell you what, that baby has more changes than Lady Gaga.

You've got a little of something on your back.

BABY GURGLES

Oh... Yeah, I know. I was just going to change, actually.

Yeah. I'll make the tea.

-You know where the cups are, yeah?

-Mm-hm.

POP MUSIC PLAYS

Sorry, Miss Bates. We couldn't do it upstairs,

-because her creepy teddy bear keeps watching me.

-Stop it!

Where have these come from?

It's a friend's birthday. We're going out for lunch.

-Oh, haven't you got class?

-No.

-What about practice?

-Can't I enjoy myself for once?

It's the middle of the day.

And, well, you've been going out a lot recently.

Will you STOP going on at me! You're not my mum.

Don't worry. I'll look after her.

I think she finds it hard because we've been in halls all year

and she's stuck here.

No offence.

He's asleep.

What, now?

If he wants to sleep, I can't stop him.

Ruhma wants to examine him.

Hey - it's fine.

So, er, how are you both coping?

-Um, yeah... Everyone says that we need to find a routine.

-Mmm?

Yeah, well. It's early days. I wouldn't beat yourself up about it.

Really?

Yeah, you can drive yourself crazy worrying about all this stuff.

-Best thing? Just roll with it.

-Hmm.

Maybe he changed his mind.

No way.

-I showed him your photo. He thinks you're hot.

-Really?

Oh, yeah.

He's not weird, is he?

See for yourself.

-Told you.

-Y'all right?

-Hey!

-Hi.

-Hi.

Is it made of trees or isn't it?

-I'm sorry, what?

-Maple syrup!

I haven't really thought about it.

-It doesn't taste very...woody.

-No, hmm.

Martha!

-Hello.

-I wasn't expecting to see you.

Well, you said to come back, so...

I said I'd call when your results were in.

But I'm sorry, they aren't yet.

Oh. Um, sorry.

Oh, it's not your fault. I hope you didn't come in specially.

No, no. I was, um... I was just passing.

-Right. Well, um, I'll call you when they're in.

-OK.

Sorry. Sorry to be a bother.

-Now I feel like I've kicked a puppy.

-The thing about puppies

is that they can be really annoying, running in between your feet

and constantly checking whether their test results are back.

Oh, don't be mean to Martha.

You do know she gave up everything to bring up Jane?

Yes, well, that's because she's her daughter.

-No, she's her niece.

-What?!

Oh, you really don't know?

Well, you see, there was a fire

and both Jane's parents died, and Jane was only three.

I mean, can you imagine? An orphan.

So Martha took her in.

She's never mentioned anything.

Well, she probably didn't want to be a bother...

He doesn't know she's a friend of his girlfriend,

so when he gets undressed,

she throws all of his clothes out the window!

All he's got left to wear is this Darth Vader mask!

So he puts it on and makes a run for it.

-Oh, yeah. And I filmed it!

-No!

Here it is.

WOLF-WHISTLE ON PHONE THEY LAUGH

So, how are you feeling

after family court and all the visits?

It's fine.

-Well, it's not fine, but I get why they have to do it.

-Right.

Anyway, it's different now, isn't it?

Nicky's our little man.

-Are you back to work?

-Mm.

We need the cash.

Getting up in the night?

-We take it in turns, yeah.

-BABY CRIES

It's not easy, I know, balancing.

I'm just trying to do my best for him.

I tried to feed him,

but I think he might need another bottle, as well.

Right, I'll get that, then.

Do you want me to take him?

Oh, yeah, please. Thank you.

Hello.

Oh, he's lovely.

He's pretty special.

So, how's the breast feeding?

It's OK.

I can't quite work out how much he's drinking

and sometimes he just will not hang on.

As long as you're getting a number of wet and dirty nappies.

Oh, yeah.

Hello.

I think Nicolas has got a slight tongue tie.

-Shh.

-A what?

It's the strip of skin under his tongue

and if it's a bit shorter than it should be

and it can affect the way he latches on.

So what do we do?

It's a minor operation, Rhiannon.

What? No, he's too little!

What's going on?

Ruhma says Nicolas needs an operation.

You're joking.

It's a very simple procedure. It's very common.

One snip, it's all done.

It'll make a difference to the way he feeds.

So, will it hurt him?

Is he going to be able to talk proper?

No, it's very safe and it's very quick.

And you can give him a feed after and he won't even notice.

Will you? Oh, dear!

-OK. So what do we, then?

-I can make an appointment for you.

Let's go.

Busted.

Hello, girls.

How was the birthday party?

-Great.

-Lovely.

Well, I've got some nice chops for later. They were reduced.

-I think I'm going to be staying at Amy's.

-Oh, OK.

Well, let me know.

The date says today, but they should be OK.

You're so embarrassing!

Sorry, Miss Bates. I don't know what's come over her.

Maybe if you didn't try so hard.

Excuse me?

It comes over as a little desperate.

Just a thought.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Oh, Dr Reid.

KNOCK AT DOOR Come in.

Mrs Tembe, we have been thinking

about your noisy neighbour situation.

There is no need for you to concern yourself with...

And we've come up with some possible solutions.

I think that these are all in your budget.

My budget?

Now that you've got a bigger salary, you can afford it.

You owe it to yourself to look after yourself properly.

I cannot possibly move now. I am far too busy.

You can't go on living like this.

There's no need for you to have to put up

with the neighbours from hell.

There are people living in much worse circumstances than me.

There are families with no heating, no water.

I can think of much more beneficial things to do with my money,

helping people, for example.

Just think about it.

No.

I have no time to think about it.

I don't know how you've stuck it for so long.

She used to be OK.

But she still treats me like I'm a little girl.

We're not little girls any more.

No.

Listen, I'm going to go upstairs with Vince.

Upstairs?

You'll be fine with Frank, won't you?

-Yeah.

-Course you will.

Frank's lovely.

I thought you didn't know him.

Hey.

Hey, Valerie.

Had something sticky on it.

People who don't wash their hands, honestly.

Ruhma, how was the visit?

Oh, good.

They're suffering with a bit of sleep deprivation,

but no more than any new parents.

It's good to know they're getting on well with it.

-Yeah, they've been through a lot.

-They have.

And they deserve this chance.

Excuse me, ladies, would you mind lowering your voices?

People are trying to work here.

Sorry, Valerie.

Inside voice, Miss Reid, please.

-SHE CHUCKLES

-Wish Valerie had an inside voice.

-Don't.

-Come on.

No.

I said no!

Thanks for coming back, Martha. I'm sorry to have messed you about.

It's OK.

The intranet's up now, so I've been able

to access the results of your blood tests.

Probably a lot of fuss about nothing.

Well, as you know, we tested for more common conditions

and I'm happy to say that all those results have come back negative.

We took a further sample and sent it for an autoimmune screen.

That test has come back positive.

Martha, you have a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus.

Sorry?

Lupus. It's an autoimmune disease.

It's when the body's immune system starts to attack its own tissues.

-I just felt a bit tired and achy, that's all.

-I know.

The symptoms can vary from person to person.

So the rash you had, that can sometimes be a symptom.

So, what's the cure?

There isn't one, not yet.

But it's manageable.

So, I'm going to refer you to a rheumatologist...

Martha, wait.

Please wait, Martha...

-I just met him.

-So? What's the problem?

I don't want to sleep with him.

It's not a big deal, is it?

You slept with Phil.

I liked Phil.

And he never called me back, so maybe I shouldn't have.

Right.

It's just a bit awkward.

Awkward?

We were having a good time and now...

I haven't done anything wrong.

Of course not. Look, you know I'm your friend.

I'm just trying to bring you out of yourself.

I know. I appreciate it.

I just don't get why you're being like this.

Frank likes you.

Now I'm going to look like an idiot.

What? Why? Did you say something to him?

No.

Just that you were up for some fun.

Come on, stop being like your aunt.

-My aunt?

-Like a more boring Miss Havisham.

I mean, come on. When was the last time she had sex?

You don't want to be like that.

-I'm going.

-Jane...

Get off me.

Are you OK?

You didn't let me finish before.

Look.

Lupus is a serious condition, yes.

No, there isn't a cure yet,

but it's treatable, manageable.

We just have to find the right medication.

But we need to do it soon.

What's the point?

Don't you want to feel better?

I know what people think of me.

I'm so boring.

People's eyes just glaze over.

I don't blame them.

I can't bear the sound of my voice either,

but I just can't help it.

I just have to fill the silence.

And there have been so many silences.

Oh, now, come on, don't be so hard on yourself.

Let's think about the things you've achieved.

You've brought up Jane on your own.

I mean, that must have been hard.

It was wonderful. I love her, I so love her.

But, you know...

I lost my life.

I lost my friends.

And now she's growing up and I'm old, and I'm losing her.

You are not old.

I used to read to her.

We'd go to galleries and shows.

She was my best friend.

And now she's growing up and she doesn't want to know me.

She sounds like a typical teenager to me.

No. It's me. It's me.

She can't stand me nagging

and I don't blame her.

I don't like the sound of me either.

You know what...

I think you and Jane just don't know how

to relate to each other as adults.

I think your relationship's got stuck

and it needs something to pull it out of the mud.

Maybe you having this illness will bring you closer together.

-Do you think so?

-It's possible.

But whatever happens, things are going to change for you.

I'm going to refer you to a consultant at St Phil's

and then I want you to make an appointment

to come and see me next week where

-we'll go through everything, all right?

-Yeah, OK.

-Good.

And talk to Jane, Martha.

You're going to need her support.

You wanted to see me, Dr Carmichael?

I just wanted to say that

I've had positive comments from all of the staff.

The rear counter is working very well.

Well...

I'm glad you think so.

I must say, it's marvellous to be able to get on with some paperwork

without being waylaid by patients.

-So, well done.

-Thank you.

And I wanted to apologise for how I handled things earlier.

No, it really is not necessary.

It is.

Well, thank you.

Of course, I have no right to tell you how to live.

But I do want to understand why it is so abhorrent to you

that you live in a house where you are comfortable.

I am perfectly comfortable.

All right, there might be a noise issue at the moment.

But it is going to be the summer soon,

and the new students, they may not be so...boisterous.

Or perhaps they'll be worse.

Or maybe the students who are there now will stay for the summer

and have barbecues

with a sound system.

Mrs Tembe, I respect that you are a charitable and generous person.

Thank you.

But while being prudent with money is to be commended,

feeling guilty about occasionally spending money on oneself

is really just another version of not valuing oneself.

-Don't you agree?

-Yes, but...

I see that you have a new wardrobe.

-Of course, it was necessary.

-I approve.

It's very fitting to your new role

and a house is just as important.

Yes, I understand...

Of course there are people who are not as lucky as you or I,

and it is our responsibility to take care of them,

but not at the expense of ourselves.

I know...

On an aeroplane, what does the safety announcement tell you

to do first in an emergency?

Put your own mask on first.

And then take care of others.

As practice manager,

it's your responsibility to look after yourself

so that you're in the best position

to look after your staff and your patients.

Yes, and that is what I do.

Living like this, pretending that there isn't a problem

is irresponsible.

Irresponsible?

We count on you, Mrs Tembe,

to do your job at the best of your abilities.

Not to be stumbling through the day, exhausted and running.

"Stumbling through the day?"

Well, yes. I didn't mean that's what's happening.

I'm saying that's what could happen...

Mrs Tembe...

DOOR OPENS

Jane?

I thought you were staying at Amy's.

I changed my mind.

We probably won't be hanging out any more, so...

Are you happy now?

Are you happy?

What sort of question's that?

I just think...

weren't things so much nicer

when we weren't shouting at each other all the time?

You never shout. You never do anything...

SHE SHOUTS

Aunt Martha, are you OK?

It's just been a bit of a day, that's all.

You don't have to tell me what happened, I won't ask.

I don't enjoy nagging any more than you do.

Nothing happened.

I mean, it almost did, but...

Amy wanted to set me up with one of her boyfriend's mates.

Phil?

Frank.

He was a creep and I thought Amy was looking out for me,

but I was wrong.

Good.

Sorry, I mean, it's good that you realised.

You're a clever girl.

Not really. If I was, then maybe I wouldn't have...

DOORBELL RINGS

-What do you want?

-I am so sorry.

-Really.

-I was selfish.

-I behaved so badly.

-You used me.

I didn't mean to. I just...

I liked Vince and I thought he wouldn't want to be with me

if you gave Frank the cold shoulder.

-And you still want to be with him?

-I know. It's rubbish.

You're my best friend.

If you want me to dump him, I will.

You don't have to do that.

I will. I want to fix this.

We'll go out and find new boyfriends.

Will you forgive me?

Excuse me.

Jane's your best friend, right?

Of course.

Well, she's my best friend, too.

Well, that doesn't...

Don't interrupt.

Best friends don't stop their friends doing things they love.

Do you have any idea what a talented musician Jane is?

-I...

-No, you don't!

Best friends don't go around making snide remarks about their

friend's appearance all the time, and most of all,

best friends don't go around pimping out their friends

to all their boyfriend's mates.

-Which is what you've been doing, isn't it?

-Ah...

Now, I talk a lot but I'm also a really good listener.

Miss Bates, I don't know where you got these...

You're boring me now.

-You said pimp!

-I know.

Was it bad?

It was great.

Right, shall we go and have those chops, then?

Open some more wine?

What happened to you today?

It can wait.

Thank you, Mrs Tembe.

You presume to know better than I do how I should live my life?

That's not what I said. I'm trying to help...

Does it make you feel better seeing people throwing their money around?

Of course not. I don't throw money around.

How many pairs of shoes do you have?

That's none of your business!

And, yet, you feel that it is your right to know my business.

I don't...

Because you are always right

and I am incapable of doing my job.

I didn't say that.

I am incapable of deciding where I should live

and what is right for me.

Well, let me tell you this,

I am very capable.

I am the first in and I am the last out.

I am here sometimes till 11 o'clock at night

and it is not because of those animals who live next door to me.

It is because of the dedication I have to the people who

work in this building.

WHISPERS: Mrs Tembe.

We don't want no dirty money. No to Ngotse.

These processes, they can harm people?

We create jobs. We build schools, we build surgeries.

THEY SHOUT AND BOO

He's just donated 60 million quid to build this place

and endow its research.

So, you don't mind that the money to do that comes from ruining

other peoples' lives?