Pramface Doctors

LULLABY PLAYS

Miss Fisher?

It is, isn't it?

Hello, Mrs Tembe.

I have not seen you at church for quite some time.

-I had no idea you had a baby! Boy or girl?

-A girl.

Wonderful. A new life.

Are you enjoying being a mother?

Yeah. Yeah.

So, when are you going to have her christened?

I hadn't really thought that far.

Oh. Well, I imagine you are very busy.

I should be getting her home actually. It's getting cold.,

Yes, of course. Well, I need to get to work.

I look forward to seeing you at church.

We are going to make a big fuss of her.

Goodbye.

Here he is. The wanderer returns!

How was your Mexican adventure?

It was fantastic! It's such a beautiful country.

Dr Vere, you look very well.

Very refreshed and revitalised.

I am! Ready for anything you can throw at me.

But first...

I have presents for everyone. Fair-trade chocolate!

Oh, dear.

While you were away, I instituted a ban on sugary foods.

No cakes, no biscuits,

no fizzy drinks, no chocolate.

Sorry.

No, no, do not apologise, you were not to know.

I just thought we should do something about obesity.

If we are asking our patients to eat healthily,

we need to set an example, so...

You're not going to chuck them out, are you?

Oh, I know! You could give them to a food bank.

-A donation.

-Great minds think alike.

Now, if you get hungry, there is plenty of fruit.

Welcome back!

Mrs Tembe is on one of her crusades.

Don't worry, though, I can sort you out.

I can get you what you want, yeah?

Peruvian, Colombian, Swiss.

I can get it for you, but it is going to cost.

What are you talking about?

Chocolate!

I am the official chocolate dealer.

I know you think you can go cold turkey.

But give it one day and you'll be desperate for a fix.

No. I think it's a good idea, actually.

I think I might stick to it.

I quite fancy a banana.

What's that?

That's just Mrs Tembe's list of dead patients.

You stop noticing it after a while.

Yeah, that's exactly what I reckoned.

Well, Tony, thank you, mate. I owe you one. Cheers. Bye.

-Who's Tony?

-Just a mate from work in Birmingham.

Barney was living on his patch,

so I thought I'd ask him if he knew any more about his record.

Nicking, mostly.

-You've been checking up on him?

-Why not? Forewarned is forearmed.

We've got his file. His whole life story's in there.

Every time he blows his nose, somebody writes a report.

The more we know, the more we can help him.

I reckon he's been sent here because he needs a strong male role model.

Someone who can teach him right from wrong.

-I want to do a good job.

-You will.

Anyway, I better go. What time's he arriving?

Ten thirty, they said.

Sorry I couldn't get time off. Will you be all right?

Yeah, he's just a lad. I was all right with Jack, wasn't I?

Course. I'll be back as soon as I can. Bye.

Hey! Welcome back, Dr Sidney!

What are you doing?

It's this death wall thing.

Don't let Mrs Tembe hear you call it that.

What? The Wall of Death?

-That's motorcycling.

-You know what I mean!

There's 20 names on here, and four of them, including Evelyn Robinson,

I was the last doctor they saw before they died.

No-one else has got four.

You and Heston have got three each.

So what?

My three... William Keane died of a heart attack, aged 94.

Abi Stone was a drug overdose in Ibiza,

-and Sadiq Ahmed was hit by a car.

-Yes, but...

Just because you were the last doctor to see them before they died

doesn't mean that you're responsible for their death.

Most of those people hadn't seen a doctor in years.

Stop worrying about it.

Hey, Sid. How's the jet-lag?

OK, thanks.

-Have you got a mother-and-baby thing today?

-No, why?

Someone has left a pram out on the patio.

Was there a baby in it?

Er, no. No, I think I'd have noticed a baby.

So there's just a pram on its own?

Maybe the mum forgot it.

New mums, all those hormones...

I'll just go and check it out.

Come on.

Valerie, you haven't seen anyone come in with a baby, have you?

Oh! Where did you find her?

She was in the toilets.

Nobody with a baby is seeing any of the doctors.

You're assuming the mother's a patient. What if she isn't?

I am very worried about the mother.

What if she is unconscious?

What if she has collapsed somewhere in the building?

I'll go outside and look for her.

Thank you. We need to call the police.

What do you want to do with her?

I can't take her, I've got a diabetes clinic.

I know. Perhaps...

Oh, no, I can't.

I'm not very good with babies, I've never even changed a nappy.

Ah, Dr Reid!

Oh, hello! Where did she come from?

We don't know, poor little thing. Mrs Tembe found her.

Look, we need someone to look after her.

Yes, well, I'm busy doing reports.

And everyone else is busy with patients.

You are the only one doing paperwork.

I would not ask otherwise.

All right.

All the outside stuff, I'll bring it round.

OK. I'll be in my office.

BABY CRIES OUT

"This is Mia.

"Born 22.7.2016.

"Please look after her. Please don't try to find me."

Rob, hi. It's me. Barney hasn't turned up yet.

I've tried calling social services, but...

DOORBELL RINGS

Oh, hang on, that's probably him! I'll call you later, bye!

Hi, Barney!

Come in.

I'm Karen, Karen Hollins, you can call me Karen.

And, um... My husband is at work, but he'll be joining us later.

It's Rob. OK.

Did you have a good journey?

It was all right.

What have you got there?

My stuff.

Have you not got a suitcase?

No.

Oh. Are you hungry?

-I'm all right.

-OK.

Well, let's give you the grand tour! Follow me.

How is she?

Well, the note says that she is three months old.

I've had a look at her.

She seems well-nourished, well-cared for.

No sign of any bruises or injuries.

Good. That means we can focus on finding the mum.

The date of birth will be helpful. I'll check with St Phil's.

If she was born there, they can give me details of the mother.

There was also this. This bag.

-We did not look in it. We thought we should wait for you.

-Thank you.

Let's see if we can find a name and address.

LULLABY PLAYS

Maybe not.

Wait!

I recognise this!

I was walking through the park this morning.

There was a young mother with her baby.

I did not recognise her because she was bundled up from the cold.

Did you see the mother?

I know her. Carly Fisher.

She used to attend my church.

This is your room.

It's nice, it gets the sun in the morning.

The bathroom and loo are just next door.

OK.

I guess you want to settle in. Just come down when you're ready.

I suppose it was too much to ask that she'd come back here.

I've put a description out.

What else do you know about her?

She came to my church for a while.

She was very shy.

I'm sorry, I don't even know where she lives.

She didn't have the baby at St Phil's.

We're checking other hospitals -

that is assuming that she had the baby in a hospital.

She might not have done.

I don't even think she told anyone at church that she was pregnant.

Perhaps she was ashamed, but no-one would have judged her.

If she's religious, she could be at church?

I do not even know if she goes to church any more.

Worth a try, though.

Come on!

Miss Fisher?

You've found Mia, haven't you? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

It's OK.

-How is she?

-Safe and well.

I know, it was a terrible thing to do.

Am I under arrest?

No, no, you're not.

We just want to make sure that you're OK.

And have a little chat.

I'm Sergeant Hollins, and Mrs Tembe you know.

-I just want her to be safe.

-Is she not safe with you?

I left her, didn't I?

Did you mean to leave her?

I didn't know how, though. Where do you leave a baby?

In a supermarket? On a bus?

I thought about leaving her here.

That's what people used to do in the olden days, didn't they?

But I couldn't.

It was cold, and no-one was here.

I was afraid that no-one would find her for hours.

I followed you. I thought that'd be the safest place.

You obviously care about your baby.

I'm no good.

I'm a useless mum.

No.

No, you are not.

Anyone can see that she is well-cared for, she is thriving.

I don't love her.

I never wanted her, she was never planned.

Where's the father?

He walked out as soon as I told him I was pregnant.

Said it was nothing to do with him.

Do you have parents, family nearby?

No. Dad was never around.

Mum's met someone else, she moved to Dubai.

I did tell her.

She said if I kept it I'd be on my own, and don't expect her to help.

You know, midwives and health visitors,

everyone said, "You're going to be a great mum!".

And I really hoped I would.

I kept telling myself I'm going to love her when she's born,

or when I take her home,

or when we get into a routine.

But nothing changed.

Have you talked to anyone else about this?

No, how can I? People would think I was a monster.

But I do not.

But it's not normal.

Mothers love their babies, and I don't.

I should've just got her adopted.

And you have considered this before?

But then I think, what if I give her up, then wish I hadn't?

Giving up a baby for adoption is a huge decision.

Have you got a friend that you could talk to?

There's Nat. Natalie.

She's lovely.

Why don't you give Natalie a call?

And, Miss Fisher...

no-one else has the right to judge you.

Whatever you do, it should be your decision.

Why don't we go to the surgery?

You can see that Mia is doing very well.

You can talk to the doctor.

Then we can make sure that you're all right.

Come on.

DOOR OPENS

Hiya! Did you sleep all right?

Yeah. Can I make a cup of tea?

Yeah, course you can, I was just making one.

-I'll make us a pot, then.

-Oh, good!

Look, there's tea. Here's the teapot.

I know you have to warm it first.

Milk...

-Do you have a jug?

-Oh, I say!

OK. So, there are no right or wrong answers.

Whatever you tell me is confidential.

So, in your own words, honestly, tell me how you feel.

About Mia?

About life in general.

-Look, I'm not mental.

-No-one's saying you are.

But you're doing a psychological assessment.

I mean, that's what this is, right?

It's as much for your safety as much as it is for anything else.

Right.

Well, I don't feel the way other mothers feel,

so I guess I must be...

Did you think I have post-natal depression?

Do you feel depressed?

No.

I don't think so.

Everyone said it was going to be hard, especially on my own.

Everyone said it was going to be boring.

But other mothers, they enjoy some of it.

Most of it.

I don't.

It feels like work.

It just feels like I'm going to be in prison for the next 18 years.

I don't know what I want to do, but I don't want to be a mum.

Not yet.

Mrs Tembe, could I have a word, please?

-Yes. Yes, of course.

-Look, it's about this death wall.

It is not a death wall!

It is a Patient Death Notification Board.

I just thought it was a good idea to introduce one here.

It's about Evelyn Robinson, isn't it?

-She died in my consulting room, and this is to remind me.

-No.

No, it is not.

One of the other doctors made an unfortunate mistake.

They were seeing a patient whose spouse had recently passed away

and they asked how the spouse was.

Of course, it caused great distress,

and I did not want it happening again. That is all.

Oh, I see. I thought...

No. I know.

And it is not about Evelyn Robinson,

and it is not about you.

-What were you thinking of?

-I know.

You should've said something - you know I'd help. All of us will.

My mum will have more time once she's off night shift.

I can take Mia sometimes, look after her and Jasmine, give you a break.

-Yeah.

-So everything's going to be all right, right?

Miss Fisher. Hello.

This is my friend, Natalie.

Hiya. I've got a baby girl too, Jasmine, same age as Mia.

So me and Carly are mums together. Our babies are like sisters.

That is nice to hear.

The social worker is here.

Miss Claire Norman.

-She would like to talk to you.

-There's no need.

I don't want to give Mia up. I should never have left her.

I want to keep her, I want to give it another try.

Good.

But, even if that is what you have decided,

you still need to talk to her.

But I've seen the doctor, I'm all right.

All the same.

You left your baby unattended.

They just need to make sure that you can take care of her.

If you want to keep Mia, then you have to speak to Claire.

I know her, I've worked with her.

She's lovely. You can talk to her about anything.

OK, but I really want to see Mia. Can I see her?

POLICE RADIO CHATTER

7244, receiving. I'll be with you in a minute.

Excuse me, I've got to go. Mrs Tembe will look after you.

Thank you. You've all been really kind.

Right, come!

BABY GURGLES

KNOCK ON DOOR

Hi.

Dr Reid, this is Miss Carly Fisher, Mia's mother.

-And Miss Taylor.

-I'm Natalie.

-Hi.

Carly, it's very nice to meet you. I'm Dr Reid.

-Is she OK?

-Yes, she's great.

She's had a feed, and a change.

She's charmed everybody, hasn't she, Mrs Tembe?

I guess you think I'm a terrible mum, then.

No, I don't. None of us do.

Would you like to go and hold her?

Yeah.

Go on, Carly.

Carly?

What's wrong?

I can't. I can't, I'm sorry.

She's here!

Where's Mia?

The doctor's looking after her. We were worried about you!

I'm all right. I'm not going to do anything silly, am I?

Of course not. I'm glad you're feeling better.

It's good in a way, because it's helped me decide.

I'm going to give Mia up.

I'm going to get her adopted.

What?! But we decided, remember?

No - I wasn't sure, but now I am.

Why don't we go in for a cup of tea?

OK, what kind of music do you like?

You won't know it.

I might, try me!

-B-town?

-What?!

-The band's from Birmingham. I'll show you.

-Oh!

MUSIC PLAYS

Oh, wow!

I like it, it's catchy.

Go on, have it. I'm not supposed to be eating them.

-Why?

-It's a health thing, at work.

-Sounds dry.

-Yeah, but it's got to be done.

No! Don't tempt me!

You should have had a proper lunch, not filling up on snacks.

I couldn't eat earlier.

I never can when I'm waiting to move house.

-Was there a mix-up?

-Yeah.

Social services thought my foster parents were bringing me here.

Foster parents thought it was social services,

and in the end they just put me in a taxi.

-Does that happen often?

-Yeah.

Oh, that's not on.

It's hard enough moving house, without them faffing round.

You get used to it.

Mum never wanted me.

She kept me and she brought me up.

Because she thought it was the right thing to do.

Only it was not the right thing?

I mean, she weren't all bad.

There was always food and clothes and that, but...

She didn't love me.

I mean, she gave up everything.

Dad dumped her, she lost her job, all because of me.

And she wished she hadn't.

-Is that why you want to give up Mia?

-Yeah.

I'm doing the same thing as Mum, making the same mistakes.

That's not fair on Mia.

It's not enough just to look after someone.

If you can't love them, you should give them away to someone who can.

That doctor, Emma... She hardly knows Mia and she can love her.

And you, Nat.

You're so good with her, and I'm just not. I just can't.

-You can. You'll learn to.

-No.

I need to give her up now before I mess her up.

I'll take her for the first half of the week, and then you...

Nat, please. You're not listening, OK?

I need to do what's best for her and for me.

But what about everything we planned? Play dates, sleepovers.

Taking them to nursery, then school.

That's what you planned, Nat. That's what you wanted.

When I first got pregnant, I thought it's the end of the world.

People round the estate calling me stupid, pramface.

But then I had Jasmine, and it is so lovely being a mum, Carly.

How can you not see that?

It's lovely for you.

So you never wanted any of this?

You never wanted us to be mums together?

I really tried. I wish I was a mum like you.

Fine. All right.

I'm going to go.

What music do you like? I can find it on here.

David Bowie. I can't believe he's gone. And Prince!

At least we've still got Madonna.

All old stuff, then?

Hey! I like Adele, as well.

Yeah. Adele's all right.

Sam Smith. He's cute!

He sings like a girl!

He does not. He's sung at the Oscars.

When you've done that, you can take the mickey!

Right, I better get started on tea.

-Can I help?

-You don't have to.

I'd like to. I can do veg.

OK then. Thank you very much.

They have found a foster placement for Mia.

She will be well looked after.

If you change your mind, if you want Mia back...

I'm not going to change my mind.

-Can I say goodbye to her?

-Of course.

Bye-bye, Mia.

Social services will check on you,

just to make sure you are all right.

We have a duty of care to you, as well as to Mia.

This is going to be a big adjustment.

I'm going to be OK. I told Claire, I'm cool being by myself.

Really, I am. I don't mind being alone.

-And you are sure?

-Yes.

Yes, I'm sure. I know I've done right by Mia.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I'll see you at church.

DOOR SLAMS

-Hello!

-Hiya, we're in here!

Rob, this is Barney. Barney, this is Rob.

Hi, Barney. Pleased to meet you, mate.

You settled in OK?

Yeah, we've been getting on like a house on fire.

We've been listening to music, and we've cooked tea.

-You've managed OK?

-Yeah, why wouldn't I?

-Right then, I'll get showered.

-OK.

-Do you want to take care of that?

-Yes.

Carly gave up Mia and she was doing a good job.

Then there's parents out there, terrible parents,

who shouldn't be let anywhere near their kids,

but they fight tooth and nail to keep them.

-Like Rhiannon, you mean?

-Or my mum.

-Look, I'm off home. See you in a bit.

-Bye.

Dr Reid, you said you wanted the day off tomorrow for the anniversary.

Yes, if possible.

Yes, of course you must take the time.

-Thanks, Mrs Tembe.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

So, Barney. Where did you learn to cook?

-One of my foster mums. She's a chef.

-Ah, good!

Actually, I won a cooking competition. Super Chef.

So, you know what? We do have something in common, eh, son?

I'm not your son.

So how was work today?

-Rob's a copper.

-I know.

He's not going to arrest you!

I hope not.

Actually, today I've been dealing with

a 17-year-old scally who admitted to 63..

63 burglaries!

He had a bad start in life, but do you know what?

He seems to be messing up every single chance he's been given.

He's on a rocky road, in my opinion.

All the way to prison.

-Can I leave the table, please?

-Course you can.

-Yeah.

-You could make him feel welcome.

-I'm saying that for his own good.

No, you're lecturing him, and he's putting his back up.

He's a nice lad - give him a chance.

Sure he is. Well, you two seem to be getting on famously.

Isn't that the idea?

Do you know what?

-First thing tomorrow, I'm going to buy him a suitcase.

-Why?

Because he hasn't got any luggage. He's got all his stuff in binbags.

Do you know, they didn't bring him here, they stuck him in a taxi.

No wonder he's been in trouble.

Then you come home and you treat him like a criminal.

He is a criminal.

Technically he is a criminal.

He needs tough love.

He needs discipline.

-Boundaries.

-No.

He needs somebody to treat him like a human being for a change.

The Angel Bellamy, sat on a cloud.

Getting all concerned about your administrative cock-up.

What?! I did not make an administrative...

I don't want him. I want you!

Shall I close the door?

-Um, no!

-It will not take long.

No, Mrs Tembe...!

How's that going to help Emma?

What should I do? Help me, please.