The Sharp End Doctors

Mum? Mum, I'm off.

Come on. Come on.

I'm sorry.

Sorry, Todd. I'm sorry.

-You promised.

-DOORBELL

What kept you? I can't get another late. Come on.

I'm not going. Can you tell them?

Tell them...?

My mum. She's...not well.

Thought she was doing good these days.

It's not her back. She's...

-..she's got the flu.

-You'll have to get your mum to phone.

Todd?

She's really...

She's really unwell though.

-I'll try. But I'm telling you, they're going to freak.

-Tom!

Cheers, mate.

Mum, you don't need to rush off home.

There's been no definite diagnosis yet.

It could be a number of things.

But it could be dementia. I just need to find out.

You'd be the same.

It's just another illness.

There are some very good medications out there that can slow

the progress.

Heston says I could plateau for several years.

I know all that. But you need to stop talking like it's a done deal.

I just need to sort out the rest of my life.

So I've just got to go and get on with it.

All right, fine, if you're certain.

But don't get the train, I'll drive you. Yeah?

Oh, that'd be great. Thank you.

-Now?

-Yes, please.

I'm so sorry.

You said this time that was it. You'd stay clean for me.

I meant it!

You always mean it, Mum.

I'll put the kettle on, your tea's gone cold.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Mum?

Is there anything left?

In the flat?

It's a total drug-free zone.

New day and all that, eh?

I've got a good feeling.

No way could I let you down again.

Mrs Lewsey?

-KNOCKING

-Mrs Lewsey, are you there?

Look, this is Mrs Tembe from the Mill Health Centre.

We have tried to contact you three times, but...

We just want to make sure that you are all right.

I've got a great idea.

Hear me out. Vlogging.

-Vlogging?

-Yeah. Make your own video.

Say what you want to say, how you want to say it.

Upload it and then sit and watch it go viral.

Yeah, I do know what a vlog is.

I just don't think I'm a viral kind of person.

Have you seen that one with the woman who recreates famous

rock videos, but using just what she can find in the fridge?

A girl I went to school with,

she started one about black hairstyles.

Now she's all over the internet and she's getting paid.

She's not even half as smart as you.

Oh, come on, Sid. It's you, talking to a laptop.

How hard can it be?

She did Bat Out Of Hell using only a banana yogurt and a broccoli.

It's up to you.

If you don't want the Sid Vere message to reach millions...

Mill Health Centre. That's the doctor's, isn't it?

Dunno.

They sent some letters.

What letters?

Medication review, or something.

She said they've been three times.

Come on, Mum.

I don't always answer the door, do I? Could be anyone.

Look, I'm not feeling great, Todd.

Can you sort it?

I don't want anybody... You know. Asking questions.

-You're my...

-I'm your lifeline. Yeah, I know.

Don't worry, Mum.

KNOCK ON DOOR Come in.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Thanks. What do you want?

OK, so, I did a bit of research...and apparently

a video is worth 1.8 million words.

I think they got their maths wrong somewhere, but...

-I'd like to take you up on your offer.

-Hang on...

-We've both got

the afternoon off, so let's go back to yours and crack on with it, yeah?

First, there was no offer. I don't know anything about vlogging.

And second, I'm busy.

Er, how hard can it be, remember? And... I need you, Eesh.

You know what cool is.

Look, if I don't do it now I might not get another chance,

-and there's so much that needs to be said.

-You'll be fine!

If anyone can talk, it's you.

Please, Eesh, I don't want to mess it up.

I'll bring biscuits.

Come to Valerie's after morning surgery. And get proper biscuits.

Chocolate ones! HE LAUGHS

I don't understand.

I told you. She wouldn't take no for an answer.

Look, hurry up and get in that shower.

-She's going to be here in half an hour.

-Half an hour?!

Look, I let you lie as long as I could.

You want to impress her, don't you? You want to get her off your back?

Everything's going to be fine, love.

Oh!

What?

This is so unfair.

You've done really well since Dad died.

You've found yourself a future to look forward to.

And now this happens.

I've still got a future.

-Just not the one I planned.

-And you're all right with that?

Lately I've been trying to go with the flow.

Maybe you should try it sometime.

This place... I mean, it's so big. Big and empty.

You're four hours away.

How am I supposed to look after you when you're four hours away?

"This place" is my home.

And I want to stay here, surrounded by my friends, as long as I can.

Maybe you can help me with that?

And you can start by making me a nice ham sandwich and a cup of tea.

Yeah, coming up.

I'm so sorry about any mix-up.

I've been very busy and it slipped my mind.

-Can I get you a drink?

-Oh, no. No, thank you.

Mrs Lewsey,

are you all right talking to me in the presence of your son?

Of course. We don't have any secrets. Do we, love?

Well, I am here on behalf of The Mill Health Centre.

We have been trying to contact you

because your medication review is overdue.

We just want to help you in the best way we can.

And now I, er... I will need to ask you a few questions,

-if you don't mind?

-Of course!

How is your back injury? Are there any mobility problems?

I don't get out much. But I manage around the flat.

And I've got my Todd.

Well, we do a medication delivery service.

-Oh? Can you set that up for me?

-Yes. Yes, of course.

Once you have had your medication review with the doctor.

You are on some very powerful painkillers

and we just have to monitor it regularly.

Shall I make you an appointment now?

There's no rush, is there?

My diary's jam-packed at the moment.

Mum...

Next question, please.

While I do the washing-up, why don't you go and have a nap?

Ooh. What a good idea.

I'll see you later.

Well, your mother has been through a great deal.

Yeah.

Well, she seems very grateful for your help.

She's my mum. What else am I supposed to do?

You know that there is help for you if you need it, Todd.

You do not have to do this all on your own.

Especially while you are at school.

Hope you got everything you needed.

Aren't you supposed to be at school today?

Erm... Sixth form. Study leave. Yeah.

Actually, I should actually be revising right now, so...

Thanks again for coming. Right.

I'll see you soon. OK, bye.

Bye.

Old busybody, sticking her nose in. I showed her!

Yeah, you got rid of someone who could have helped you.

-Well done.

-PHONE RINGS

Hello.

Hey, man, what's up?

Cheers, man.

What's happened?

Come on, Todd. It's me you're talking to here.

My Dickens coursework.

Mrs Blake says there's no way I can have any more extensions.

So, hand it in by two o'clock

or I might as well just chuck it in the bin.

-Well, get yourself up there, then!

-No. You're going to need me.

You know you are.

I'll be fine.

I know I can do it.

What, like you said yesterday? And last week?

It's different today.

This time it's for you, Todd. Because...

..you should be at school, getting your exams,

getting on in the world.

Out with your mates. Not stuck here.

I'll get clean, get back to the doctors and sort myself out.

Look. No... No. I'll just hand it in on Monday.

They're just going to have to give me extra time.

You've worked really hard on that.

So either you take it to school...

or I will.

SHE STRAINS

Look, she has a severe chronic back injury.

Yes, she had a very bad car accident. Her partner was killed.

But if Mrs Lewsey is in so much pain,

why would she miss her medication review?

Well, we can't force people to come to the surgery.

-Look, you checked up on her?

-Mm.

Gave her the information? And she answered all the questions?

Yes... Yes, she did, but...

But there is also the matter of her son Todd.

He was on study leave today, but he cannot be there all the time.

OK, well, when you write your assessment, include your concerns.

Make sure that you don't jump to conclusions.

Of course not, Dr Reid.

But Todd is only 15. He said he was in sixth form.

Oh? Well, you know what teenagers are like.

But why would he lie?

-Thanks for the heads up, man.

-No problem, Nerdy McNerdy face.

PHONE BEEPS

Todd, where are you?

I thought you'd be back.

My skin is crawling. Todd...

How dare you lock me in, you little...

Cheeseburger o'clock. You up for it?

Nah, nah, man. I have to go.

So... OK.

I am thinking that a pop of colour would really help liven up

your ambiance.

Because you're a little bit...well, beige, at the moment.

I haggled for this in a souk in Morocco.

-What do you think?

-I actually think you're onto something, Valerie.

A bit more of a vibrant background.

-Oh, Ayesha...

-And then I can just hit them with my statistics

-and more personal stuff, can't I?

-Er, don't overdo the personal stuff. Or the stats.

Oh! And, Sid, don't sit down.

I think you should stand up, move around. Be more...dynamic.

-OK.

-I am not feeling the positive energy.

I think we need some music.

Right...

OK.... Ah...

Oh, perfect!

MUSIC: LA MACARENA BY LOS DEL RIO

Oh, Valerie. No. No, no, no.

It's like a bad hen do in Blackpool.

MUSIC STOPS How about...

MUSIC: JUST A RASCAL BY DIZZEE RASCAL

I think that might be a little bit too...upbeat for this.

Ooh, I know. You could rap the whole thing.

Yeah. Sidzee Rascal!

Maybe not. How about this one?

SOOTHING MUSIC

-Mm.

-Yeah?

Thank you, darling.

OK? Here goes.

Wish me luck.

Mum!

SOOTHING MUSIC

You see, we actually have a bit of a double whammy going on

in this country at the moment

of an ageing population and a skills shortage.

And it is people like Kumi here, that far from sucking

the system dry, they're actually helping sustain it.

Plugging the gaps, providing the skills.

And, without them, would we even have a system?

Does anyone really want to test out that theory?

Er, Mrs Lewsey? I... Her door was left...

Mrs Lewsey? Mrs Lewsey,

can you hear me?

What has happened?

Todd? Todd!?

She's taken an overdose.

An overdose? Of what?

Heroin. She overdosed on heroin.

I can hardly feel her pulse!

Have you called an ambulance?

Er... Hello?

Er, ambulance please.

Yes, this is Mrs Tembe from the Mill Health Centre.

I am at flat 312, Starling House, Southam Street.

Yeah, I am with a female patient.

Her name is...um... Mrs...Michelle Lewsey. She's 35.

Look, the patient is unconscious and unresponsive.

I think it may be a heroin overdose.

Please, just hurry!

Right, Todd. Todd, do not worry.

OK? I know this...this must be a big shock for you.

But the ambulance, the ambulance is on its way and...

and everything...everything is going to be all right.

She won't, though.

And I'm not shocked.

I'm used to it.

-What, this has happened before?

-I'm not going to save her this time.

Todd?

Todd, this is important.

How did you...how did you save her?

How?

With naloxone.

-It's an antidote.

-You have some here in the flat?

Where is it?

I can't do it. I can't do it any more.

Todd...

Todd, this is your mother.

Look, think how will you feel if you allow her to die.

Can't feel any worse than when I've saved her life

and she just went straight back to it.

Look, I know you do not want her to die.

So, Todd, where is it?

-I can't.

-Todd, you don't have to. I will do it.

Look, you do not have to carry this burden any more.

But we need to help your mother.

Todd, she loves you.

And you love her.

Todd!

Look at your mother.

Mum...

Todd, we need to hurry.

Drawer, drawer.

Drawer.

Todd!

Oh, it was so good to be back in my own bed.

I know that look. What have you been up to?

Just...please, hear me out.

Exhibit A. Clear labelling

on every cupboard and every drawer.

Now, I've not touched anything inside the cupboards.

Your stuff is safe. I've just labelled it a bit more clearly.

As I have done with every single one of your photographs... So now

you'll know who's who.

Um... Now, I've labelled up all your medication

so you'll know exactly when to take it.

What else have I done? Ooh, yeah, I enjoyed this.

I wrote you a script.

Someone comes knocking at the front door, unexpected like,

you read that out to them.

I've done a similar one for if you get a cold caller on the telephone.

Telephone? Telephone...Telephone... Yeah! Telephone directory!

So, this is all the friends' and family's telephone numbers,

and I've put a photograph next to them so you know who's who.

That's Francis, and you'll recognise that handsome chap.

-Oh.

-That's my telephone number and I've got a copy of this as well.

And it's going to remind me that I'm going to call you every night at...

-Eight o'clock.

-Eight o'clock.

Now, I checked all the smoke alarms,

all the carbon monoxide detectors....

Um... Oh, yeah, now.

I've drawn you up... a diet and exercise plan.

I know, I know. But they say that healthy eating

and keeping active with regular habits is good for you.

My habits are perfectly regular, thank you, Alasdair.

Everything is on this clever little device.

And you've got a GP's appointment tomorrow morning at 11:15.

-Oh, I could have done that myself!

-I've set an alarm for it.

I've also set an alarm for your coffee morning,

when the bins go out and basically all your favourite TV programmes.

Right... Ib, jib, jab, jib, ju... I think that that is it...

-Lovely, dear...

-..for in here!

If you walk this way, I've more wonders to show you.

You locked me in. And you didn't come back.

-You stole my money.

-I'll pay you back!

-With what?

Your compensation's long gone.

How did you manage it anyway?

I called Jason. We, er...

..through the letterbox. Oh, Todd.

You see? She'll do anything to get it.

-I'm going to stop. I promise!

-Save it, Mum.

Look, tell your mother how difficult this has been for you.

What's the point?

I love you, Todd! I'm listening.

Yeah. Until your next hit. That's all that you care about.

It's all that you want and it's all that you need.

I can barely get to school, and when I'm there I can't concentrate.

Cos the only person I can think about is you.

Are you OK? Have you OD'd again?

Are you too busy in the middle of the street hustling up some

-skanky guy for your next hit?

-Todd...

-Don't touch me!

All these lies, all these secrets. I can't do it any more.

My best friend doesn't even know the truth.

I bought that naloxone online with my own money

because you started taking risks and getting stupid with it.

I know. And you've looked after me.

Yeah, well, not any more. That's the last time I'm doing that.

How many times have you had to administer this?

Three, counting today.

She'd never even let me call an ambulance afterwards

cos she didn't want anyone to find out.

Then I lay awake all night wondering if she was going to die anyway.

I don't know how it got so bad.

I thought I could handle it.

I'll get help.

You'll help us, won't you?

It's too late for that. I'll be 16 in February.

I was saving up for rent for my own place.

That's what that stash was for.

-But you can't!

-With or without it, I'm leaving.

What will I do? Todd, you don't mean it. I'm your mum!

Don't you understand?

If she hadn't come today I would have let you die.

Just for all this to stop.

The colour coding for the keys and locks

simply comes down to green is go, red is stop.

Right. Shall we go through all that again?

No. Thank you. I've got it.

I quite enjoyed doing that. All the organising.

I think I get that side from Dad.

-Alasdair...

-Why, was it too much? I went too far, didn't I?

It's wonderful. And so thoughtful.

It's just what I need.

Oh, Mum...

Thank you. Now you know you can leave me safely.

On my own.

Yeah.

Tell him he can't leave!

I can't do it without him, I love him. Tell him, please!

He'll listen to you.

Mrs Lewsey, don't you realise what a tremendous burden you have placed

on your son?

I know all that, I know.

Todd was very clear. He cannot continue.

The surgery can... It can offer you help and support.

It can get you in touch with social services and...

the drug rehabilitation centre.

We can help with your physical symptoms. But...

Do you hear that, Todd? Everything's going to be fine.

I am so sorry, Todd. You must have felt so alone.

Todd, you're coming to the hospital?

I, er, I need to hit the road.

I'm calling you later, though, aren't I?

At eight o'clock.

I'll see myself out, yeah? Bye, Mum.

Bye, dear.

SHE SIGHS

I've been more tired.

Blood pressure's up, ankles are swollen.

And that could mean...?

Terminal failure.

I am doing this, with or without you.

Yeah, course you are. Cos all you care about is winning.

You are going to have to strap Darcy to your chest

and go to male bonding sessions with other young dads.

-I ain't wearing no papoose. Not for no-one.

-Yeah, we'll see.