Shells Doctors

Daniel?

How are you feeling?

Still here.

Of course you are. You don't

get away that easily!

You can leave us.

What's the matter,

can't cope with the competition?

Oh, here. Here, here.

Slowly.

You gave us a shock.

Joe?

He's fine. He's with Freddie's mum.

Do you remember what happened?

Some kids outside.

You went out there

and one of them...

Shh. It's OK.

No, it's not. I'm sorry.

It's over.

I promise I'm not going to testify.

Even if we have to leave

Letherbridge, so be it.

I never expected anyone

to get hurt, especially you.

I know.

I know.

Careful.

It hurts.

I told you, didn't I?

That's what happens... No, love.

I can't leave him!

What if someone takes him?

They won't. I promise.

He'll get cold.

Put the blanket on him.

Come on, Dr Haskey will

be wondering where you are.

You don't want to keep him

waiting, do you?

No.

Good boy.

Do you think he knows

about the new Ultima Man?

He might do, knowing Dr Haskey.

Oh, Heston.

Hi, Ruhma. Thanks for doing this.

Er, as I said, we picked Alice

up for aggressive begging.

She's a bit of a tough nut to crack

so she hasn't really said much,

but even I can tell

that she's pregnant.

I thought it best that she get

checked out before we lock her up.

Yeah, has she seen a doctor?

Well, she's been on the streets for

a couple of years so probably not.

OK.

Thanks.

Hey, Alice. Er, I'm Ruhma.

I'm a midwife here.

I just want to check that

you and the baby are OK.

Is that all right?

Yeah? Do you want to bring your bag?

There is a new one, coming out soon.

It's called Inter-Galactic...

Inter-Dimensional Man -

he can fly through black holes.

A kid at school, Tyler,

he's already got it.

Well, he's a very lucky chap.

Oh, you're quite hot, aren't you?

His temperature was fine

this morning.

Even so, it's 38.2.

How can it change

so much in a few hours?

Let's see. Elliot, mate,

will you lie down for us?

I just thought it was

the blueberries.

He ate an entire value pack before

I got back from work yesterday.

Do you think it's something else?

Oh, well, we'll see. Come here.

If you put your arms by your side.

I'm just going to press down

on your tummy and you let me know

if it hurts by saying the word

"Ow" really loud. OK?

Ow!

There?

Not there, but lower down.

It moves.

Yesterday it was lower down

and today it's more in his side.

Any nausea?

He was sick last night, but it was

just blueberries. That's why

I thought that's what it was.

Well, that or stress.

He's still finding school

really difficult.

As am I. I mean, not school, but my

job, having to take time off and...

I thought we were making

improvements

on the school situation?

I thought that you and I

had an agreement that we were

just going to be our own men.

We weren't going to worry

about things so much?

I tried that. Now I've joined

the Animal Lovers Club.

Yeah, his teacher suggested it.

He really needs to get out there

and participate.

Oh, fair enough.

They've got this initiation thing -

the Animal Lovers Club,

not the teachers - and he has to

look after a snail for a week.

Seriously, a snail?

Well, that shouldn't be

too taxing, should it?

He's a giant one called John.

And today's the last day

of looking after him.

And tonight I get to... Ow!

Oh, that's really tender, isn't it?

Right, I think we're looking

at an appendicitis here.

And that means, erm, we have to

get you to hospital, mate.

No.

How is he?

He's not ready to talk,

if that's what you're here for.

No. Actually, I wanted to see you.

To say again how sorry we are.

Really?

If only Daniel had waited for us.

You're blaming him!

I cannot believe that you didn't

tell us the danger that he

was in, that we were in.

Correction - that you put us in!

I nearly lost my partner and my son

and it would have been your fault

and nobody else's.

And just so we're clear,

I cannot believe that you have not

removed my name formally

from the witness lists.

You realise then

Braydon Jennings will be released.

That is just not

my problem any more.

It won't stop there.

The gang still know who you are,

you'll be in danger regardless.

Testifying is the only chance

we have left

of getting these guys put away.

Then you'll have

to find another way.

I understand how stressful

this is for you.

Do you even have a family?

No.

I'm divorced and I don't have

kids, but I can sympath...

I'll be right there the whole time,

it'll be just like an adventure.

The doctors there are lovely.

They'll really take care of you.

What about John?

He can stay in the car.

He can't!

He won't even know.

He's in his own little world.

No! Something will happen to him.

Nothing's going to happen to him,

I've already told you.

I have called the hospital

and they are expecting you.

I'm not going.

Elliot.

I promised I'd look after him

till four o'clock. If I don't,

I won't be able to join the club!

They'll understand.

They won't!

Alicia Margoyle didn't get in

cos her mum left John

at school so they could go skiing.

Everyone said she was a loser!

I think this is a slightly

different situation.

No, it's not.

I want to be in the club.

They'll let you.

They won't!

Dude.

Any club which would not let you

be a member is not worth joining,

I promise you.

Excuse me.

I might have a suggestion.

Is that a friend of yours?

I'm just looking after it.

That's a shame. I could see

something really developing

between the two of you.

Ha.

Um, I wondered if you could

keep me posted about Elliot.

Ooh, look at him!

Oh, he's a big one, isn't he?

It's a Giant African Land Snail.

Apparently.

My uncle used to keep snails -

not for consumption.

Although I did try once...

That would be a mouthful.

You'd need a ton of garlic butter.

Shh. He might be sensitive.

It's a snail!

No, Uncle Walter said

they all have real personalities.

After the incident,

he got to know them all properly.

And it has been scientifically

proven that just watching them

can be very relaxing.

Scientifically?

Yeah.

All I know is there's a lot more

to snails than people

give them credit for.

Er, she's going to need a scan,

but there's no point moving her,

cos it'll be a while

before they get to her.

Yeah.

You did good bringing her in.

Great.

Yeah.

How are you anyway?

Yeah, er, good.

I suppose you have to wait,

don't you?

Yeah, I have to, yeah.

We ought to get a cuppa, really.

Yeah. Yeah, good idea.

Shall we?

Mm.

Yeah.

Ah. You were right,

they were closing down.

They let me take my pick.

Wonderful!

But...

..these are all children's books!

Yeah, well, we haven't got any

and they were free.

Yeah, no. It's fine.

Fine.

Morning.

Ah, Dr Haskey.

I hear that you have a, er...

A mollusc in your consulting room.

It's only temporary.

Are you sure it is hygienic?

Yeah, of course it is.

It's in a, like, a tank thing.

Yeah, well, I hope it does not

become a distraction.

It won't.

Mr Valenti, let's do this.

Cheers.

There you go.

Thanks.

Did Heston mention the other night?

The men's group?

Hmm.

Yeah. Yeah, that he took you along.

Yeah.

Actually, it was an eye-opener.

I thought you'd been to one

of those before?

I've walked

out on one before.

Uh-huh.

But this time, you know,

I stayed and properly went

through the whole process.

It's surprising what

a difference it makes,

getting it all off your chest.

Heston didn't say anything

about me, did he?

Er... Ah-ha, no, no.

You see, what's said in the room...

Yeah. Of course.

Mm.

Yeah.

It's good to have that arena though.

Well, it's what the guy said,

you know.

You need a safe place to open up.

Yeah. Cos, it's about

being honest, isn't it?

Yeah.

Did they mention that, that night?

Ah, you see...

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. You can't tell me.

I don't want to know anyway.

It's important to have

groups like that, I know.

It's just a bit frustrating

sometimes, Rob.

Because men have people

they can talk to, but for some

unknown reason, at home, they keep

certain things to themselves.

You know, important things.

And it would be better

if they were just honest about them.

Because why do you keep secrets

from people that you love?

You know, two heads are

always better than one?

Well, they are if

they work together.

Yes!

Because if you work together,

you can solve things.

I'm not... I'm not talking about

you, obviously, I'm just...

I'm talking in general.

Mm. People should

trust each other more.

Yes!

Yes.

Sorry.

It's all right.

Yeah.

Well, that's...that's...

That's absolutely fine.

Yeah.

Shall we, er...?

Yeah.

I'll be right with you.

All right.

Zara! What...?

How's Daniel?

How are you?

Fine.

Well, not fine.

Daniel's resting so I thought I'd

just come and catch up on some work.

Surely work can wait?

Well, if it makes you feel better?

Nothing makes me feel better.

I just would prefer some

semblance of normality.

If there's anything

I can do to help...

Thank you. I'll let you know.

And look, just so everyone's aware,

I certainly won't be

testifying now, so...

..there'll be no further

updates on that score.

Hello.

Only me again.

I've bought something special

for our friend.

My uncle used to say

they love these.

OK, only a bit.

We don't want to interfere

with his regular diet.

Oh. Is he sleeping?

Or...?

OK. That's not a good sign.

Is he even in there?

John?

No, he wouldn't

leave his shell.

Erm, call your uncle.

No, I can't. He passed away

a while ago.

Oh.

I mean, I did pick him up a minute

ago, but it wasn't for long.

Well, maybe he's hibernating?

Snails do hibernate.

Anyone in there?

Come in, Mrs Tembe.

You could tell it was me?

You paused...respectfully.

Er, Dr Carter said

that that you were here.

I just wondered if you

needed anything?

Thank you.

No.

Right.

Well, if you change your mind,

you know where I am.

I suppose you've heard that I've

changed my mind about testifying?

And you disapprove?

I have no opinion.

You don't think it's irresponsible?

If it were the other way round,

I certainly would.

You were trying to protect your

family. I understand.

At the expense of

how many other families?

Whatever you do, I am sure you are

doing it for all the right reasons.

And your family has been through

a terrible time.

It's not over.

You're talking like it's over,

but it's not.

They even threatened me here.

What, here?!

Look, I didn't want

to mention it,

but the gang left a message for me

at reception with three skulls

on it.

And it wasn't clear what it

was at the time, but I think now,

it's fairly obvious.

Dr Carmichael,

you should have said something.

I could have organised

extra security.

We're not safe anywhere.

So, I have told Daniel

that maybe we could leave.

Move nearer my father.

Obviously, I don't want

to cause any problems for

the practice, but, at the moment,

that's the only option I can see.

There is no need to apologise.

Whether you stay or go,

we are all here to support you.

No. No.

I'm at a loss,

I don't know what to tell you.

There were no symptoms until this.

Can I just bring him in, please?

I thought that vets were supposed

to care for all living creatures?

Yeah, I know he's an invertebrate

but, come on, the dude's got...

He's got a name!

Look, I understand

it's not your speciality

but how about you just give me your

opinion as a veterinary surgeon!

OK.

That's good - calcium.

Milk. What else?

He's been with me.

What else can I tell you?

I'm not shouting,

this is just how I speak!

An exotic pet supplier?

OK, can you...can you come

up with any recommen...?

Actually, I found something

exotic in the shopping centre.

I think we've found something.

Thanks for not being any help

at all. Hit me.

Um, actually,

I have had some results.

And it seems that temperature

could easily be a factor.

Do you think we should call Elliot

and his mum, just to check?

Valerie, in case you've forgotten,

Elliot is about to have emergency

surgery. You really think that Tina

needs to be interrupted with this?

Well, there is something else that

could determine if he

is hibernating or not.

What?

If you can see

inside the shell.

OK.

I'm going in.

OK, yeah, I can see

some of the way.

That means he's shrivelled.

Yeah?

That also means he's dead.

I'm sorry. I...

Me too.

No point wasting it.

Oh, I couldn't!

You don't want it, do you?

No.

Oh, it's so sad! Poor John.

I'm sadder for Elliot. I'm not

looking forward to telling him.

Well, do you have to? Couldn't you

leave it until after the operation?

He's had the operation. Plus there's

the "initiation".

Initiation?

A club. He has to prove he's

a competent animal lover.

Oh.

Still, if John had a pre-existing

condition, that shouldn't count,

should it?

It shouldn't count, full stop!

He shouldn't have to prove anything.

Don't tell him.

What?

Just buy another one.

I mean, you will probably be

able to find one that's identical.

Isn't that fraud?

If we can spare him

any unnecessary pain...

We spare him pain by telling him

it doesn't matter!

A snail has just died.

So, you're going to deliver a dead

snail to a boy in a hospital bed?

Well, I'm not going to lie to him.

Yeah, the snail died,

but it's just a snail.

To link it to Elliot's social

standing is just ridiculous,

isn't it?

I mean, it's absurd to expect

a young mind like his to conform.

He is an individual.

He will always be an individual.

And if anybody has got a problem

with that, then tough!

In the end, I think

he'll find he's better off.

All of this just shows

how money changes things.

It ruins and it

unbalances relationships.

It depends how you use it.

It's just a means to an end.

It's also a method of

manipulation, isn't it?

It's about control, which my

ex-husband was very good at.

Which is why I'm

suggesting equal access.

What's mine is yours.

But what do I contribute?

Look, can't you see the inequity?

Well, it's irrelevant.

No, not to me it isn't!

Look, this is exactly what

I'm talking about, Heston!

OK, it matters to you,

it doesn't matter to me.

What are we going to do?

I don't want to be

penny-pinching in my own house.

No, of course not. No, I...I agree.

OK, we open a joint account.

Thank you!

But limited to ordinary expenses.

I don't want to change who I am,

and I definitely do not want

the kids to change.

From now on, we make

financial decisions together.

Together.

Right.

Shak thinks he's got away

with this by avoiding me

but, oh, wait till

I get hold of him.

No, that's my fault.

I told him not to tell you.

And I've always told him

never to lie to me.

But somehow he has got you

to take the responsibility.

Oh!

Slacking off?

What are you doing here?

Ah, well, I'm drowning in paperwork.

So, I thought maybe you could

save me by letting me

take you out for lunch.

I'm eating my lunch.

All 137 calories of it.

Cake?

Mmm. It's a reasonable likeness.

Valerie helped me pick it.

Oh, it must be right then!

I just thought you

should have the option.

Or at least Elliot should.

You think I'm too involved.

Aren't you?

I have my principles.

And since when did you

suddenly stop being so pious?

You're pushing me

towards snail fraud.

That's what this is - snail fraud.

I'm just trying to keep

some perspective.

You know, this morning,

Elliot refused to go to hospital,

risking his life because

he was worried about being rejected

by a group of rabbit-hugging idiots.

Where's his perspective?

Fair point.

It is a fair point.

It's unfortunate that I'm

the only one who appreciates it.

Hmm. A lone voice.

With the emphasis on "lone".

So it's better to be wrong, is it?

As long as you're not

alone in your wrongness!

Some kind of mob mentality.

Let's grab a pitchfork and go

and burn down the professor's

castle in our wrongness!

Oh, I'm not saying anything.

I'm just thinking about the kid

and what he must be going through.

Obviously you've got

first-hand experience, so...

..how does that feel?

Always being lonely but being right?

Well, it works out

all right in the end, doesn't it?

That's all right then.

You want Elliot to choose

between conformity and principle.

Only you could put it that way!

Thank you.

It wasn't a compliment.

Mmm. I like this.

We used to bring

Jack and Immie here.

Did we?

Yeah.

I bet you think I've got

ulterior motives.

No. What motives?

I have.

I just think we should...

..talk more.

Get things out in the open.

OK.

I want to try again.

What?

Fostering.

Forget what I said before.

I was in a bad place.

And...maybe the option's

still there.

You're ready?

I'm getting better.

And I really want

to make things up to you.

Not a reason for fostering.

Well, you said...

..being a parent and fostering

is the most important

thing that we can do.

So let's go and see Jane.

See if she'll do a reassessment.

I mean, she might say no, but...

She might say yes.

John!

Calm down!

You've just had an operation.

How are you feeling?

Good. A doctor put some holes in me

and sewed them up again.

Oh, I'm glad he did the second part.

He keeps trying

to see the incisions.

You bought him some sweetcorn!

No, that wasn't me.

That was Valerie, our receptionist.

Oh, how nice.

You must say thanks for us.

Yeah, I will do. Actually,

there is a kind of a decision

that we need to make...

He's grown!

Has he?

He's got an extra ridge.

Everything's perfect!

Elliot, the doctor's trying to talk.

First, guess what happened?

What?

He's not going to be able

to read them like that!

"Good luck for your operation."

"How big is your scar?"

I don't know how big.

When the teacher told his class what

was happening, they all sent him

messages on Mates-Rec.

I've got friends! And Tyler's going

to lend me Inter-Dimensional Man.

You can read it too.

Yeah, I'd like that. Thank you.

Um, you said there was

something about a decision?

Yeah, yeah, it probably isn't

important at this...at this point.

It's nothing to do

with his operation?

No, no, nothing at all.

I was wondering if maybe you'd like

me to take John into school for you.

That would be fantastic! Seriously.

Nah, it's all part of the service.

No, much more.

He could have...

He might have...

Hey, hey. It's all right.

You're a good man.

One of a kind.

Wait till you see,

he's got an inter-dimensional

button on his wrist.

Then zoom -

straight into a black hole!

Thank you, kind sir.

Are you going to call Jane?

Oh, she's going to think we're mad!

She probably does already.

What?

Hello.

Erm, I've got Carlene Lonsdale

here. Sorry to bother you.

Erm... If you want,

I can send her away.

No, that's all right.

Send her through.

Do you want to go through?

Carlene.

I heard what happened

to your partner. Is he OK?

He's recovering.

In fact, that was just him

on the phone,

saying that he might be

going to come home tonight.

Oh, that's brilliant!

Obviously,

I was going to contact you.

I'm the last person

you'd be thinking of.

But you're all right?

I've had to rethink

a few things, Carlene.

They nearly killed him.

They tried to kill him.

And they took my boy.

You're not going to testify.

I'm sorry.

I am sorry.

If there is anything else

I could do for you, for Austin...

It's...

It's OK.

You've done a lot for us already.

And if I'd have known this would

happen...

You couldn't have known.

Call me...

..if you need anything.

You're one of those that's

slipped through the cracks.

And that's what VPAS is all about.

Don't get me wrong,

if Sierra was in danger,

I would have probably done

something similar.

What do you mean, similar?

A bit less stupid. And macho.

But it's not suitable

for work though, is it?

It's not for patients.

It's for pulling.

How long have you been

watching the school gates?

If you're telling me I shouldn't be

here, you are wasting your breath.