In Every Home a Heartache: Part Two Doctors

INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO

Emma!

I'll see you at SARC?

Give them a chance to settle in, get to know their liaison officer.

-Yeah.

-Jimmi.

I just heard. How are you?

Honestly?

Pretty awful.

What happened?

She was carrying him, and...

she tripped and fell.

It must have been one hell of a fall if it was enough to...

He hit his head on the corner of a coffee table.

I can't get the sound of her crying out of my head.

Anyway, it's not me that's important.

What's important now is Nicolas and the procedure.

-So I need to get my notes down while they're still fresh.

-Emma, listen.

You are important, especially after what you've been through.

Normally, Jimmi, I would be patronised by that.

This'll just stir things up.

That's all I'm saying. Why don't we go and grab a coffee or something?

What, so you can see if I'm falling to pieces?

No. So you can off-load.

Might help.

If you mention one word about Howard or the baby...

..coffee's going to end up in your lap.

Is that really the correct time?

Yeah. It just mooooves reeeally slooooowly.

It's psychological!

Stop staring at it, and it'll move quicker

and then we can all enjoy iftar.

I've been hallucinating about food all day.

I looked at my friends and all I saw were walking Curly Wurlys.

That's an improvement.

Then I looked at your mates,

and all I saw were doughnuts.

I don't think I was hallucinating.

Why are you even doing it?

I wasn't going to be the only one left out.

Never stopped you before.

Remember, Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal,

and abstention from sinful thoughts.

Right you are,

-Mullah Carter.

-MUM CHUCKLES

CARTER'S STOMACH RUMBLES

THEY LAUGH

Sorry.

I'm DC Debbie Carroll, your family liaison officer.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Are we being arrested?

No.

Absolutely not.

We want to go home.

I understand that.

But I'm afraid it won't be possible,

not tonight.

If anyone tries to speak to you, refer them to me.

I'll make sure you both have my number.

So what happens now?

You'll have to formally identify Nicholas's body.

HE LAUGHS BITTERLY

You know it's him.

Do you think another baby's died at our house, is that what you think?

It's just a legal formality.

There'll be a number of these... procedures to go through.

They'll seem pointless, stupid. I totally understand.

But they have to be done.

They mark how important Nicolas and his life were.

And how seriously we take his death.

He's not dead,

he...he can't be dead.

I was just... I was feeding him.

I was playing with him today, and he smiled at me.

No, somebody has made an awful mistake.

-SHE BREAKS DOWN

-Baby, don't, don't, please.

SHE WAILS

-ECHOING WHISPERING VOICE

-(Come to the fridge...)

Open the fridge.

Eat the food.

Go on. I won't tell.

No, I'm just checking there are enough for later on.

We could both have a little something. No-one would know.

But we would.

Every religion has a test.

40 days and 40 nights.

The devil sends temptations.

Go on.

Did the devil send you?

No. Mum sent me.

To get her phone.

But if it means we don't have to listen to your stomach rumbling,

you get a free pass.

HE SIGHS

Thanks.

Death of a baby.

That's about as bad as it gets.

Especially if it turns out not to be an accident.

No-one is suggesting that it wasn't an accident.

Just thinking out loud.

The mother has a history, yes?

Yes, of parental neglect,

due to her circumstances at the time.

She has since turned her life around.

Mmm.

Sorry.

You've prejudged her.

I did say if.

But you were thinking it.

I won't be the only one.

This case is going to come under a lot of scrutiny.

Yeah, well, I was at the scene, and from what I saw,

it happened the way Rhiannon says it did.

Jimmi, you don't have kids, you don't understand.

Accidents happen with babies all the time.

Look, don't be offended by this...

Ah, now I know I'm going to be offended.

Do you think there's a danger...

..that you're prejudging this...

yourself, just seeing an accident

because that's what you want it to be?

No-one is suggesting it wasn't an accident.

You ARE very close to the family.

It's understandable things could be a bit raw.

Maybe you should go home,

take a look at it all again in the morning.

-Maybe things will be clearer.

-Things are clear.

I have to go to the SARC.

SHE DIALS A NUMBER

Jane, it's Emma Reid.

Has nobody told you?

SHE SIGHS

Right, listen, Jane, there's been an accident.

Nicolas Cuthbert.

He's dead.

My baby!

-I just want my baby! Please.

-Babe, will you just sit down?

-Just get off me! I just want my baby.

-Do something, please!

Rhiannon?

Come on. Look at me.

-Look at me.

-No... Just leave me alone.

Come on, come on. Look at me.

No. Please leave me alone.

Just let me see him and leave me alone.

They can't leave you alone, I'm sorry.

Did he suffer?

Please tell me he didn't suffer.

Why don't you all just get out, and leave us on our own?

We just want to be on our own for a bit, please.

Look, come on, you know me.

Will you let me stay with you?

-If you are going to stay, then you mustn't discuss...

-Yes, I know.

He's right.

I can't talk about what's happened.

Just don't treat us like suspects.

Of course I won't.

Nothing matters any more.

Nothing's going to bring him back.

How are they?

Not great.

You know everyone's going to have 20/20 hindsight about this.

It looks like a genuine accident.

I hope you're right.

-Hi, Miss Fairweather.

-Hi.

I called Jane and asked if, erm...

-I just came to help.

-Yeah.

What happened?

I was first on the scene, but it was too late.

She says that she was carrying the baby,

and tripped on one of his toys, slipped, fell.

In the kitchen, I spotted an empty vodka bottle,

and empty beer bottles.

No, no, no, hang on a minute.

She was breast-feeding, there is no way she would have been drinking.

And the vodka bottle could have been there for months.

Most people bin their empties.

I'm just saying what I saw.

None of us know whether they were drinking or not,

which is why I want to get blood samples as soon as possible.

They trust you. Do you mind?

And so you want me to betray that trust?

No, I want you to help me and possibly her.

We can't pretend her history isn't damning.

I mean...

she's had trouble with drink and drugs, as we know.

And we all knew that there were risk factors.

We were monitoring the family very closely.

Was there anything that caused concern?

No. No, everything was really positive.

She'd bonded with the baby. The baby was doing well.

Hang on a minute.

I'm worried that we're rushing to a judgment here.

I'm not rushing to anything,

I'm just trying to get the facts straight.

Should I go and ask for the blood samples?

Are you serious?

That woman is desolate, she's...

grieving,

extremely vulnerable.

And...you want to make her feel like a suspect as well?

If she feels like that, that really is unfortunate.

But if they agree, then let's do it.

Do I need to get another FME?

DOOR UNLOCKS

What's going on?

What's she doing here?

We're just talking through the next steps.

Didn't want to do it in front of Rhiannon. Nothing to worry about.

If it's about us, then I want to hear.

OK.

We need to take statements from both of you.

I've already told you, I was in the kitchen.

We need to get it down on paper.

Now, you don't have to do this,

but we would also like to get blood samples from both of you.

We haven't touched drugs.

Touched any drink?

Yeah. I had a bad day at work, I might have had a couple of beers.

-But Rhiannon, she didn't touch anything.

-That's good.

The blood samples will prove that.

Like I say, you don't have to do it,

but it could help to protect her.

Paul, it would be me that would do it.

She shouldn't be the FME.

She's too close to it.

I've told her about the blood tests.

Rhiannon, are you giving your consent?

Can you roll up your sleeve, please?

Oh, Emma...

..you do know it was an accident, don't you?

-ROB:

-Dr Reid?

Can I have a word when you've finished?

Won't be long.

What did I say?

You shouldn't be trying to answer a question like that!

She needed reassurance.

You don't know that it was an accident. None of us do.

You say things like that

and you will end up explaining yourself in court.

Now you've taken the blood test,

take a break. OK?

Look! You've done a full shift before you went to the house.

I'll get Jimmi to fill in.

I don't need one, I'm fine.

Take a break.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Well, we'll never know if you've got a bag of crisps in your office.

I've been fasting exactly the same as all of you.

He's just winding you up.

Yeah, so grow up.

Oh, we're nearly there! I haven't been this excited since yesterday.

PHONE RINGS

-Do you want that?

-Sorry.

-Hey, Emma.

-Ruhma. Hi.

Look...

..has anyone spoken to you about baby Nicolas?

No, why?

Emma?

(Excuse me.)

I can't go into details.

It looks like it was an accident.

Ruhma, baby Nicholas is dead.

An accident?

I'm...

I'm shocked.

I know. We all are.

Look, I need to know something.

Is there anything that you... should have flagged up,

or if you had any concerns that we didn't know about?

No. No, no. No. I would have told you.

How are they?

Devastated.

Is there anything I can do to help?

No.

No, I don't think so.

I'll let you know if there is.

OK.

-Thanks, Emma.

-OK.

Bye-bye.

-ALL:

-Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,

five, four, three, two, one.

-Yes! Come on, let's get some food!

-I can't wait!

Anything I can do to help?

No. No, it's work.

Fill your boots!

Oh, I'd kill for a burger, but these'll hit the spot.

Gimme my date!

You eat like a pig.

Children, please.

Open up, piggy!

Behave yourselves.

You can laugh.

Now I'm eating your grub as well as my own!

Ooh!

So what does Emma say about this?

Well, Emma has had a very long, and difficult shift.

She's close to the family.

She'll be knackered. And because she's FME AND their GP,

I just don't think it's fair to ask her

-to assess whether they're fit to give a statement.

-Nice spin.

She knows I'm asking you.

But off the record, I've just stopped her saying

something to Rhiannon that she really shouldn't have.

I know we all hope that Rhiannon is telling the truth

and no-one's to blame for anything.

I still need to get their statements as soon as they're ready.

Procedure, that's all.

-Grab those.

-Eurgh. Can't stand olives.

Well, they're for your mum and me.

Olives aren't halal.

Not during Ramadan, anyway.

Oh, I didn't know that.

He's winding you up. Mum loves those ones.

-Which is why I got them.

-Nice.

Mum always used to have a plate of olives to herself after iftar.

On you go, then. She'll be choking for them.

Rhiannon.

Why not me? Why did it have to be my baby?

Just give her a sedative or something.

No, I don't want a sedative! I want him back.

-You need something to calm you down, love.

-No, I don't!

I can give you a sleeping pill later.

-This isn't helping.

-It's a natural response to what's happened.

None of this is helping her! Look at her.

-What about you?

-What about me?

It's your loss, too.

-This isn't about me.

-Of course it is.

Why are you just sitting there?

There's different ways of dealing with this.

There's no right or wrong way.

You both have to find your own way to deal with it.

I am devastated, all right?

I'm worried... Please will you just give her a sedative or something!

I can't bear her crying like this.

Maybe we should take a breather.

I'm really sorry, Paul, but we do still need a blood test from you.

If you agree.

It's OK?

It is a disgrace, the way you lot are treating us.

BASS BEAT THUMPS

MRS TEMBE SIGHS

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Mrs Tembe?

Dr Reid!

I want to flag up something for you.

A patient of mine has died.

Nicolas Cuthbert.

Oh, that is awful.

Yes.

I wondered if you could make sure

that, well, the other members of staff who need to know are told.

Yes. Yes, of course.

How are the parents?

Devastated.

Well, if there's anything I can do to help?

Like what?

Well...I could get you some time off.

Or I could arrange for you to see someone.

Dr Reid?

I'm not a basket case.

Of course not. I was just speaking out of professional courtesy, and...

..well, and as a friend.

Look, I know that I've had to deal with things in the past, but...

..you know, I AM a professional.

Why do people think...

Yes, of course...

Dr Reid?

You know, I really think there's something in this fasting.

I was sceptical at first.

But I think it does have health benefits.

I hate having a doctor in the family.

I'm still starving.

I'm going to go and get some more.

Oi, don't scoff all the food!

Did he just say family?

Yeah.

I think he did.

I'm not sure she's in any condition to make a coherent statement.

OK. What about him?

I can't see why not.

I don't know that separating them at this point is the best thing,

medically, but I don't see a reason why he can't.

OK.

Rhiannon's asking for a sedative.

If our worst fears...

If my worst fears about this turn out to be true,

then we're going to get slaughtered.

Anything and everything said or done that led to the baby

being in that house is going to be questioned.

But I don't think that we were wrong.

No, we were.

Because Nicolas is dead.

What I thought's on the record.

But, Emma, I'm afraid you're going to have to justify

absolutely everything you've said and done.

You need to make sure you get your point across

that you made your decision based on the best information that you had

and you took your responsibilities

-to weigh up the pros and cons very seriously.

-Yes, I know, but...

Look, we shouldn't even be talking about this.

You need to look out for yourself.

Are you sure?

Yes, she wants something.

Tell 'em that you want summat.

Come on, love, will you just tell him?

It'll take some of the pain away, I promise.

Yeah, please.

I don't think the sedative that you're after is what's needed.

Are you joking? Look at the state of her!

With her history, it could do more harm than good.

So I'm happy to give you a sleeping tablet.

Does what we want not count for anything?

It's a medical decision.

Were you there when she changed her mind about the sedative?

Yeah.

Why do you ask that?

Did she make up her own mind or did he push her into it?

I can't be sure.

He was whispering to her.

Do you think he might be pressuring her?

He's not mentioned the baby or his own loss.

I don't know, maybe he's just being a bloke.

We do tend to park our own grief

while we look out for our loved ones, don't we?

It'll hit him later.

Probably.

It's just struck me as well

that she won't be able to make a reliable statement

-now she's had a sleeping tablet. Sorry.

-Mm, yeah.

We need to speak to Emma and Jane

while I work out what happens next.

Good to see the men clearing up.

We're all modern men now.

I'm used to doing this for myself.

So what's wrong?

One minute you're starving, next minute you're not eating.

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

What?

My phone call was...

..one of my babies. He died.

I'm so sorry, Mum. That's terrible.

Yeah.

But there's nothing I could have done. So...

Compared to that, mine's nothing.

-SHE CHUCKLES

-Nice try. Come on, spill.

Right now, I need to know that this baby is OK.

It's those girls who've been giving me a hard time.

They've been posting more stuff.

I can deal with it.

What I think about them, I shouldn't say it during Ramadan.

Yeah, well, don't let that stop you.

They're just jealous cows.

SHE CHUCKLES

Are you standing up for yourself?

-Yeah!

-Good.

There's still loads of food.

-So we thought...

-Let's set the alarm to get up at one.

Midnight feast. Just like at boarding school.

What? You never said it was a boarding school thing.

Man!

Can I get you anything?

Actually, Rhiannon could do with some water.

Would you like some water?

We need a lawyer.

Why?

They know I'd never hurt Nicolas.

I don't like the way they keep disappearing out of the room

so that we don't know what they're talking about.

And taking blood tests...

We know that they're talking about your past.

We're in the system now.

You need someone looking out for you.

-Dr Reid...

-No, Dr Reid can't do anything.

A lawyer.

You know I'm right.

-ROB:

-I'm going to be speaking to the coroner soon.

And he's bound to ask if there's anything suspicious. Anybody?

You're just looking for something to be suspicious about!

Come on, kids have accidents all the time.

You know...?

I've lost count of the amount of times

that Chris rolled off the sofa.

And one summer, I nearly left him in a hot car.

But you didn't, did you? Because you're a responsible person.

And in those accidents,

very few of the children actually suffer any BAD injuries,

let alone die.

She fought to keep him.

She convinced us that she loved him, and that she could take care of him.

Maybe she convinced us to ignore the evidence

that she was always capable of dangerous neglect,

under certain circumstances.

And those circumstances were when she was drinking and taking drugs.

There's no sign of any drugs

and, all right, yes, there was alcohol at the house, but...

..I believe that she's sober and that the blood tests will prove it.

Jimmi?

I never met them before today.

So I don't have any knowledge of their...history in detail.

Look, no-one's saying this.

From what I saw on your record of the baby's injuries...

..it's a bit severe for just dropping a baby.

I'm not a pathologist, but...

..I'm having a real problem accepting this is just an accident.

You didn't see the injuries.

I did.

And I agree with Jimmi.

You put Nicholas into a hot bath?

No.

A warm bath.

Were you running a temperature?

No, I wasn't.

What are you getting at?

You never back down, do you?

Back down? What are you talking about? Why should I?

-Zara.

-No, I'm sorry. What do you mean?

-WEEPING:

-I want to go home.

Just a few more questions.

I said I want to go home!