Beginnings Doctors

Hello, love, it's Mum.

Just checking to see you got up all right.

No classes? Uni sounds good to me!

No, I'm sure you...

Yeah. All right, love. Let me know how you're getting on.

Bye. Bye.

BUS PULLS UP

Are you all right? Do you need some help? No. No, thank you. No.

Thank you.

SHE EXHALES

And breathe!

SHE INHALES

I am too positive to be doubtful and I believe in self-love.

Cometh the hour, cometh Valerie Pitman!

Ooo! Oh! Oh! I am so sorry, Mr Yang.

Did I get you? No, no, it's fine.

Are you sure? No damage done.

Well, here I am, reporting for duty.

Very excited. That's good to hear.

You're nice and early. Hm.

Come on through. I'll be there in a sec.

Too positive to be doubtful.

SHE EXHALES

I thought you were out at St Phil's. Yeah. I forgot this.

Kids get off all right?

Um...Shak had already left and Alia didn't want a lift.

And what's wrong with her feet?

Nothing, but I thought after Friday...

We just don't need to pussyfoot around them. Mm.

Are you sure you're all right? Yeah. Never better.

Honestly!

Look, it's done and we can just get on with getting back to normal.

See you later.

Bye.

Everyone, this is Valerie Pitman, our new admin support worker.

Hi, everyone.

I'm really looking forward to working alongside you.

Well, not right alongside all of you because that would be impossible.

They're a focused and dedicated bunch.

(Most of them.) Of course!

Megan Waller, recruitment consultant. Nice to have you here.

And this is you. Now, sorry everything's a bit rushed,

but we are rather busy, so I'm going to throw you in at the deep end.

Oh, don't worry about me.

I can tread water in a nightie while holding a plastic brick.

Hm! Great.

Megan, is it OK for you to show Valerie the ropes?

I was just going to make a few calls.

It won't take her long to get up to speed, I'm sure.

Of course. And we'll catch up a little bit later. Smashing!

Hey. What happened to school?

I couldn't concentrate. My head's all over the place.

About? Stuff.

Shak, I'm in the middle of a clinic.

Look, er...why don't you go home?

I've got the afternoon off and we'll talk later? I need to talk now, Mum.

PHONE RINGS

Ooo! Oh! Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't get you, did I?

No, my fault, I didn't see you.

It's my second potential spillage with a hot beverage today.

Not good on your first day, is it? Oh, sorry.

I hope I'm not spoiling it for you. Ooo, no!

I'm not keen on the photocopier, but otherwise...

Are you waiting to see Patrick? Yeah. He's on the phone, I think.

I had an interview this morning. I've just come for the feedback.

Oh, good. Oh, it's probably just I's and T's. Dots/crossings.

You can always hope.

Seems so much more important when you're desperate, doesn't it?

All you can think of to get out of a black hole - focus, focus.

Sorry, I'm babbling now.

Tough time? Kind of.

I recently got divorced and my daughter's just gone off to uni. Oh.

Break-ups are always horrible.

Where does the love go? Usually to the pub.

Or the rugby.

Or the casino.

Not that I minded at the end. Oh, I feel your pain.

OK. So I phoned school and said that you weren't feeling well.

So...?

I bet you're glad he didn't turn up.

Look, I...I can't say that I'm not pleased, but...

What about you?

You can say, you know, Shak. I won't be offended.

I just don't understand why he said he wanted to see us

if he wasn't going to show up.

Hey.

This is about him, not you. You know that, don't you?

Have you been stewing on this all weekend?

I didn't want to worry you.

You can always talk to me.

Well, I just didn't want to hear any of the excuses.

PHONE RINGS

Who's that?

It started Saturday.

My head's mashed, Mum. Oh, hey. Come here.

Still, PMA, as they say. Positive Mental Attitude.

Keep grasping those nettles. Indeed. Ouch!

THEY CHUCKLE Julie. Thanks for coming in.

Is that for me? Oh. Hm-hm. Great.

Oh, um...HR at St Phil's called.

Could you get back to them re your e-mail this morning?

And here's your post. Oh, thanks.

It was a no from The Orchard, I'm afraid. Oh, right.

I-I-I didn't think I was what they were looking for.

It's still early days. There are other avenues to explore.

Come on through.

So, what does he say in his messages?

Something about he couldn't get Dad to come.

And what's Alia say?

She doesn't know?

I started this. Oh, Shak.

I don't even know what to say to Zaroon.

Well, I'll support you whatever.

OK?

Now, do you want to see him?

Shak? It's not Shak, it's his mum.

Ruhma! Look, can you stop calling my son, OK?

Aamir made his decision and we just want to be left alone.

No, Ruhma, please, don't hang up. I'm sorry.

I don't know why he went all weird.

And they should suffer because of that?

They don't want anything to do with him.

Please, he may not want to know his kids,

but that doesn't mean the rest of the family don't.

We miss them. Zaroon, you're not listening. It's over. It's done.

Maybe for Aamir,

but I'm not going to give up on them that easily.

Not when I've just got to meet them.

I mean it. OK.

Cream cakes, if anyone's interested.

Oh, thank you.

On your first day. It's just to say thank you for making me feel so welcome.

Cream horn! It's my favourite! Help yourself.

Mm! Ooo! Megan.

Have you got a moment to talk through the next steps with Julie? Of course. Where we at?

Would you like one? Ooo! No, thanks. Carbs just love me.

How did it go? Well, he tried to get me another interview,

but I didn't have enough experience.

Not that I'd be any good at selling medical equipment.

I can't even sell myself. It's all an act, you know.

Fake it until you make it! Huh!

They wouldn't waste their time with you if they didn't see something in you.

Well, they say I'm right for admin stuff.

I did my exes' books for his business after my daughter came along.

That's positive. And what did you do before you had her?

I was a nurse back in the day. Right.

And you've not thought about retraining?

Nice if I had the time, but I need to work now.

Yeah. I understand.

So, Julie, I'm going to hand you over to Megan

and she's going to go through the onward strategy.

Go on through.

Are you coming? Me?

Thought it would be worthwhile.

It was just seeing Shak in that state. I-I had to do something!

Look, we were all hoping it would blow over.

Now's your chance to deal with it face-to-face.

But the flipping Icon bar? Why on earth did I say that?

Well, you probably feel safer on home territory.

It's like saying, "Oh, welcome to my world. Just come and find me!"

Well, who are you talking about - Zaroon or Aamir? Both of them.

All of them!

If it helps, I can be there.

We believe in you as a candidate and you must too.

And if you're confident, you're able. Does that make sense?

Of course. I concur.

So I was thinking, in order to achieve our goals, some courses.

I've got a list here that would definitely make our search more viable.

I feel so much better after that, don't you? Really?

Yes. Why? Don't you? You want me to pay to upgrade my office skills

just so I can apply for jobs?

Yeah. Well, surely it'll benefit you in the long run?

Weren't you listening? I-I can't afford this stuff.

It's extortionate!

Wow!

Right. Um...

OK, well, there must be some way around this.

I just need to earn so I can start putting my life back together.

I understand, I really do. Clearly you don't. None of you do!

KNOCK AT DOOR

Hi. Yeah?

Um...I was just thinking re Julie Babbitt and the training.

Is there nothing we can do to help regarding subsidy? Reduced rates?

Yeah. It's just that she's had a really tough time of late

and it would be great if we could give her a leg up, don't you think?

And what about everybody else?

Granted. But it is a bit of a catch 22 for her.

No cash means no training. No job means no cash.

And if we subsidise her,

we'll make the money back when she eventually gets a job.

If she ever gets a job. Why wouldn't she?

Well, she hasn't exactly got the greatest CV, has she?

You know, there's got to be some benefit in spending time on her.

But we're here to try and get people into work,

not to sell them things they can't afford.

Recruitment, yes, charity, no.

We all have to hit targets. Do we?

Maybe tone down the keenness.

Hi. Um...can I just have an orange juice, please?

Er...Mrs Tembe, practice manager.

Mrs Tembe. It's Valerie.

Ah, Miss Pitman! How lovely to hear from you! So, how are you?

Very, very well, thanks for asking. Good.

Now, what do I owe this pleasure?

Actually, I've moved in-house at Westmount.

Poached off the streets, as it were.

I'm in the office, recruiting.

Well, that is excellent news. Yes, it is, isn't it?

Yep, well, you see, I've got this special candidate.

Lovely woman, older. She's keen to get back in the marketplace.

Excellent admin skills.

Might need a bit of updating, but she was an ex nurse,

so she's got obvious medical knowledge.

Well, the fees are too high at Westmount for us to take on

anyone long-term.

That is the very reason we had to let you go!

It's so sad when someone gets forgotten.

And I was hoping that, in the lovely,

nurturing environment of the Mill, she might blossom.

Well, that is a lovely thing to hear. Well, it's true.

Everyone deserves that chance.

Well, knowing you as I do, if you are as passionate and honest

about this candidate, then I would trust your instinct.

Well, that's a very nice thing to say, Mrs Tembe.

KNOCK AT DOOR Oh, I am so sorry, I have to go.

But I am sure that we will speak again soon. Yeah. Come in!

Hello, Moira? Yes, it's Valerie Pitman.

Hey. Where are you? I'm sorry, I had an emergency call. I'm on my way.

Yeah, well, don't bother because he didn't turn up. Seriously?!

Have you tried ringing him?

No. I didn't get his number off Shak, did I?

Look, Heston, what if this is a set-up?

Get me out of the way, give Aamir chance to get to the kids?

Well, he had that chance last Friday and he didn't take it.

Yeah, maybe. Maybe plans have changed.

Well, have you tried ringing Shak and Alia? No.

No, I don't want to worry the kids. I...

Ruhma.

Assalaamu Alaikum.

Um...he's here.

Oh, hello. Can I help?

Blagdan Shevchuk. Meeting two o'clock.

Er...Dr Shevchuk, that's right.

Ooo, you're keen! Can I get you a coffee?

I don't like, no.

Well, if you'd like to take a seat, if you don't mind waiting?

Shevchuk. Am I saying that right? Yes, that is me.

Oh, no, I don't need you. No, I was just...I was just saying. Huh!

Ooo! You have a very impressive curriculum vitae.

Oh. Oh, no, no. I'm just saying it's very impressive.

No, we need to keep this. OK, good. Thanks.

Excuse me one moment.

Hi, Julie? Yes, hello, it's Valerie Pitman at Westmount.

No, please, I...

Look, I need you just to pop back for a few minutes.

I'll meet you outside the building. I...

I need to have a quick chat with you. On the QT.

It's really good to see you.

You look great. Yeah, you said.

What is it you want, Zaroon?

Aamir's a fool.

He's missing out and I don't know why.

Shak and Alia are amazing kids. They're a credit to you.

Made me realise how important family is.

And to see the pair of them,

it's like turning back the clock.

And the thought of losing that again...

..made me understand how great a pain it was

for my parents when you left.

One that they never got over.

Why did you do that to them?

So, it's a care staff position? Well, it's a start.

And perhaps you could put some cash aside,

think about retraining as a nurse.

See, I couldn't get my head around

the whole return-to-nursing course thing before,

so I did some digging.

Turns out you can extend it to six months instead of three,

which means you could keep working part-time.

Keep the money coming in.

Well, only if you want to. If it could work...

Also, at the care home, the interview is practical,

which means you can show off your skills

without all the chat and selling.

So, what do you think? Sounds great!

But why are you putting yourself out?

Because I wasn't listening earlier. None of us were.

Plus I think you deserve a break.

I know he drank a bit. Told you it was my fault, didn't they?

That it was nothing to do with their poor little boy.

What? You don't believe me?

Just because you didn't see or hear anything, Zaroon.

They saw my body, they saw my face.

Shak nearly died.

Aamir...Aamir nearly killed our boy.

It can't have been... What?

That bad?

Is that what you were going to say?

Do you want to see the X-ray of my boy's broken bone?

I just can't believe he would hurt him like that.

So when your family and mine wouldn't help, I had to leave.

And you're still choosing to stick your head in the sand.

Over my dead body will my kids have anything to do with you

and your family!

Take your hand off me.

I'm sorry. You OK? I'm fine.

Sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that.

I'm going to go, OK?

Please, don't go.

Not like this.

You will let me know how it goes, won't you?

On the hush-hush, of course. Why?

Because we don't have an arrangement with The Norbury to supply staff!

You just don't do this! On your own doorstep?

But she's got me an interview, looked into training.

Trying to pocket a bit of commission! No!

I knew somebody who might have an opening. You weren't interested!

You've been here for five minutes and you're trying to take

the food out of my mouth, out of my baby's mouth! No, I wasn't!

So, what's this, then? Was it really worth it? It?!

You're finished here! She's done more for me in the last few hours

than you lot have done in weeks!

I knew you couldn't hack it. Did you hear me?

And don't come crying back to me when this all falls apart!

Why would it? Yes, why would it?

You're not exactly current, are you?

Bit limited. I have skills I doubt you'll ever have.

Excuse me?

And if nurturing, caring for and giving time to my child

make me limited, then, yes, I am.

So this is selling yourself, then?

No, this is the truth.

My personal statement.

Flash clothes and money won't make you a good mother.

I don't regret for a minute what I gave up.

I hope you can say the same in 20 years' time.

How dare you.

You have no idea about my life. No, you're right, I don't.

I just made the lazy assumption that you were a stuck up, selfish cow,

just like you assumed that I was limited with no career prospects.

Well, I'm going to prove you wrong!

Oh.

I don't know where that came from. Sorry.

Don't apologise.

But you've just lost your job.

Got married few years ago.

Always knew we'd be together, even from kids.

I'm very happy for you.

You seem to have done well for yourself.

Been together long?

Zaroon...

that's my business.

We missed you.

I missed you.

You're like the big sister I never had.

And Ali is dead like you -

smart but funny.

I understand your concerns, but...

it would break my heart to never see him again.

This is their choice.

Maybe it's all too quick.

Maybe if we did this gradually.

No, I don't think so.

What if you were there?

No, it's not about me.

I might not have always done things the right way.

I can see that you care for them, but I have to protect them.

I know.

You know, if you care for them then surely the best thing

is to just leave them alone.

I can't see that.

They can only benefit from having their extended family around

to support them.

You can't rule us all out because of Aamir.

I can.

It's unfair on us and the kids.

Unfair? You want to talk to me about unfair?

I brought them up by myself.

Do you think I have been a bad mum?

No.

You're clearly a great mum.

Just trust me.

Me, Shak, Alia...

We've come a long way on our own.

And now...

..we've got someone special and we're happy and we are stable, so...

you have to respect my decision.

She's been poaching business right from under our noses.

Loss of commission, loss of course fees.

You cannot let her jeopardise the business like this.

Well, at least I found her something.

It's a sackable offence, Valerie.

Perhaps we shouldn't get so hung up

about one hard-to-place candidate.

That little job quest of yours ended up netting us some new business.

Courtesy of your contact, Mrs Tembe,

the Mill have sent in a new locum doctor.

Now, they've stopped coming to us for long-term contracts

but they're suddenly keen to use us for short-term cover.

Valerie, there are protocols and procedures that must be followed.

And any further deviation will result in disciplinary action.

But, for now, we'll put it down to first-day nerves.

Valerie, get a list of clients

and see if you can drum up some more trade.

It's been good to see you.

I'm glad you're happy.

Let's keep it like that.

Thank you, Zaroon.

But if they want to come see me again...

and come looking...

..I won't turn them away.

Is that it?

We'll see.

Seeing as you're not busy,

can you go through the paperwork with Dr Shevchuk?

Of course.

References, qualifications, health and safety stuff.

?40 an hour? Mm-mm.

When we charge that?

How else do you expect the company to make money?

PHONE RINGS

Hi, love.

How was your day off uni?

No, I've been busy.

I've been very busy, actually. I had an interview.

Can I ring you back later?

I've got to sort some stuff out.

I start tomorrow.

Yeah, later.

And just there, under your bank details, your signature.

And this one is to say that you're happy

to undertake the role you've been offered.

Oh, I happy.

Yeah, you need to sign to say that you're happy, that you agree.

Maybe you should read it first.

Do you know, I've never got my head round the huge difference

in the health care systems of different countries.

How does it compare in the Ukraine to here?

Of course.

And sympathetic care, is that still the same if you're diagnosed

with something say, like, cancer?

No, no.

How's it different?

Uh... Cancer diagnosis Ukraine.

Depending on particle cancer,

how it progress.

Right.

I'll just be a tick.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Have you got a moment? Sure.

It's about a candidate. Dr Shevchuk.

We are having some difficulties communication-wise.

And I can't seem to find any evidence

of his professional language assessment.

He's finding it hard to understand me

and I am struggling with him a bit, to be honest.

Yes, it's here.

He's passed.

Now, his bedside manner might leave a bit to be desired,

but his medical terminology is sound. Oh.

He might be a little bit difficult to understand in a consultation.

You could say that about a Scouse or Glaswegian medic.

It's all in the accent.

And St Phil's are happy,

so, if you can get me the rest of his paperwork,

he's starting in A tomorrow.

Oh, saw something you'd like. Uh?

A meteor.

No way. Way.

Just be yourself. You're going to be a great foster mum.

Yeah, well, is it fun mum, sensible mum?

I need some iodine. I was told that you'd have some.

Well, you can't just come in and steal stuff!

Well, you don't understand. I have to keep my side of the bargain.

I have to do what it tells me.

..three, four...

One, two, three, four...

OK, my love, I'm going to tell you how to give him mouth to mouth, OK?

When resources stretch to breaking point,