The Value of Nothing Doctors

So, do you think you would do it again any time soon?

Do what?

Have drinks with the gang at The Icon.

I don't know. It was a spontaneous thing.

Oh, that's a shame.

You seem really relaxed, and I thought it was a good thing.

-I feel very relaxed.

-Good.

Even with your hospital appointment?

It's just a formality.

Yeah, all the same, I wish I could go with you.

I'll be fine. They're just going to tick a few boxes.

The Viper thing has passed, and what doesn't kill you...

Yeah, well, it didn't this time.

I want you to promise me that's the end of it.

I want a living husband, not a dead hero.

Nothing's going to happen.

Anyway, I've reached the same dead end as the police.

End of story.

-I promise.

-I really mean it.

Right, I'd better get off. There was a load of roadworks on the way

to the detention centre last time. I don't want to be late.

They are lucky to have you. As am I.

Mm. Text me after your appointment.

-Mm-hm.

-OK, see you. Thank you for lunch.

Yeah, this is Will Hurran.

They have? And...?

No, no.

No, no way... How could they? No, this is just...

No, no, I can't believe it. It's disgusting.

Yeah, all right, thanks for letting me know.

Jimmi?

When are you scheduled to leave?

She's booked on a flight the day after tomorrow.

Right.

So, when did the back pain start?

THEY SPEAK FRENCH

-Two days ago.

-Two days, yeah.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

It's not medical related.

My O-level French is very rusty, but did she say "pousser"?

-To push?

-Yeah, she was talking about her push present.

Sorry, her what?

THEY SPEAK FRENCH

It's the gift she expects to be given

by her partner for pushing out the baby.

Never heard of that before?

No, never... Seriously?!

It's all a bit shallow and materialistic, if you ask me.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

Is there anything you need to do?

Could I have a look at the baby?

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

Thank you.

It's like, this isn't a detention centre, you know?

Just some bad hotel she's being forced to suffer.

It can't be easy, you know, when you're pregnant.

No, don't get me wrong. It's only,

her whole outlook has been, "What's in it for me?" since I met her.

Hello, yeah, it's Dr Heston Carter.

I have an appointment with you this afternoon,

but I'm afraid I have to cancel.

No. I'll be in touch to reschedule.

Yeah, thanks. Bye.

Everything's fine with the baby,

and with your back problem, that's not uncommon when you're pregnant.

So, what I'd say is, try and rest, and get a pillow

to place in the small of your back for some support.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

THEY SPEAK FRENCH

Sorry, what's...?

She wants to know if she's OK to travel.

Erm, yeah, I think so.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

You're finished?

Yeah, unless, Meriem, you have some questions?

I don't think so.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

Hey, Sara, she's going to be removed.

I can well sympathise, but until that moment,

we're all here at the bidding of Miss High and Mighty.

Yeah.

Time for a coffee before you go?

-Oh, I'd love one, thanks.

-Come on.

Dr Carter? Wave to the camera!

DOOR BUZZES

I can't believe you're here!

Hello, Liam.

It's good to see you.

How long has it been?

A few years.

Well, you look well.

Actually, you've saved me a job.

I've been meaning to come and see you, now I've moved back.

-Really?

-Yeah.

But you found me first. Clever man.

Why did you want to see me?

To thank you in person.

Come on, come through.

So there are going to be no consequences for what he did?

Yeah, exactly.

Mr Touchy-Feely Pervert Consultant isn't going to be disciplined.

I can't believe it - I don't want to.

I sacrificed everything. I've become a whistle-blower, and for what?

-Yeah, OK...

-He's just allowed to carry on with his life,

throwing his weight around without question, and he's going to

be able to get at the people who spoke out against him.

Right, let's grab a table. Come on.

It's just going to carry on, isn't it?

With so many of the people I work with,

their fears over the future override everything.

They're desperate for help, and look to you.

That uncertainty, you know, when you're pregnant -

it's a horrible combination.

At least I didn't have to translate bad news.

-When that happens...

-Shoot the messenger? That's tough.

It goes with the job.

-What do you mean?

-Well...

Hi, Ashley.

Frankly, I'm looking for a job elsewhere.

-Oh.

-I want to help them, but...

it grinds you down far quicker than I would have thought.

-Yeah, of course.

-MERIEM SHOUTS IN FRENCH

-OK, that didn't go too well.

-No.

Look, you're right.

Everything you've said is right - it's wrong, it's unfair.

But look on the bright side - it brought you here.

We've managed to spend some quality family time together.

That shouldn't be the only good that's come out of this.

-For now.

-What do you mean?

You've got to think of this in the long term -

think marathon, not sprint. This is a disciplinary system.

Yeah, one that's declared him immune.

Yeah, but hold on a second - this guy had no prior complaints

against him, there's one eye witness testimony,

and that's a trainee nurse at the end of a long shift.

Thanks for reminding me.

It was never going to end the man's career.

So this has all just been a waste of time?

He's never going to get what he deserves?

I'll tell you what, why don't you just take his side.

Would you stop fighting me?

Look, what you saw is now on record, OK?

If there's another accusation, that's it, it's game over.

You've probably stopped it happening again.

Or he's just going to be more careful from now on.

It's not enough.

I get that. What more do you want?

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

It's OK. I speak English. I was born here.

OK, I'm sorry. My name's Ruhma. I've just been with Meriem.

She told me. Everything's OK with the baby, she said.

Yeah, it's absolutely fine, which...

I sort of get the impression it wasn't the same for both of you.

What?

I saw you talking to her...

-It's OK, I'm not from Home Office or anything.

-Sh...

She's going to be gone in a couple of days, and...

and I don't know where it leaves me. And with the baby...

Yeah, yeah it's hard.

It's been that way since before Immigration caught up with her.

-What do you mean?

-She...

She doesn't think I earn enough to support us.

There's something in her attitude, I...

Sorry, you don't need to hear all this.

No, but if you would like to talk...

Lapsang still your preferred tipple?

Well remembered.

Help yourself.

I hope you know how grateful I was that you took me on back then.

I was, erm...

I was going through a difficult time.

Did I help at all?

2013 was a low point, yeah.

But, you know, I thought I knew everything

and could be told nothing.

Challenge of youth. We all go through it.

I should have listened to you, though.

You know, I got myself into a lot of trouble.

You came out of it rather well.

Well, it was your help that set me back on the right track.

You, erm...

You gave me faith in human nature.

And so, here I am.

I only did what I thought was best.

Oh, and you did.

More than you know.

That is...

Yeah, you would have thought they'd taken some kind of action,

consultant or not.

Jimmi reckons it's the best I could have hoped for.

-I agree it doesn't seem much.

-Much?!

It's nothing - it's not even a slap on the wrist!

What it is is an organisation aiding a pervert abusing his power.

Organisation?

I've had to change me whole life, I've gambled everything,

and I've lost, and his - his life is just no different.

Not entirely. Like Jimmi said...

Why is it always the cheats that get away with it?

Not always.

You're doing all right.

Me? Wait, ho...?

Why am I the bad guy?

Just another NHS man, higher up the ladder than a gnat's backside,

leading a double life - only wanting me on your terms, your timetable.

Where did this come from?!

The moment you decided to pass yourself off as something you're not

to your friends and your family.

And that makes me as bad as that consultant?

You use your position to hide and get your own way.

Well, go on, then, threaten me, use your position to shut me up.

Will, I'm not like that, and please don't shout.

I have to shout because I'm not being heard!

So now she's being removed, what happens?

She's pregnant and unmarried, and going back to Algeria,

to a family that's probably going to disown her.

You don't want to follow her?

HE CHUCKLES

I earn less than minimum wage in a barber's shop.

I rely on tips.

Anyway, she wants to be here.

Me going there won't make it any easier.

I wonder sometimes...

..did she get pregnant because she thought it would

-increase her chance of staying?

-So it wasn't planned?

You know the system, it doesn't really work like that.

Can't she apply for visas, maybe come back as your wife?

-If you want to marry...?

-Yeah, definitely. But...

..whatever I try, it's not good enough for her.

-Yeah?

-I feel like...

..was she just using me to stay, and it backfired?

Yeah, she's got a strong mind on her.

I got a glimpse of that with the "push present" thing.

Well...

Do you know, I've been a midwife for many years,

and I'd never heard of that until today?

She's picked it up off some American reality show.

What's it called, I've Got More Money Than Sense?

HE CHUCKLES

I get that you want to buy something for the baby.

She's got visions of diamond bracelets and designer shoes.

Look at me.

I'd give her everything if I could.

I'm going to be a father, whatever happens.

And do you want to be, or do you feel obliged to be?

I don't know how she really feels about me.

She knows I'd follow her to Algeria if I could afford it.

Better there with her than nowhere, but...

..I don't know if she wants me.

How much money have you got on you?

I'd forgotten how varied African art can be.

It's a vast continent.

People think Africa is all elephants and famine much of the time.

Very blinkered.

Very astute of you to seize the opportunity.

Again, all down to you.

Your appreciation of the finer things.

You made me see their worth.

Don't get me wrong - it's not a case of knowing

the price of everything and the value of nothing.

-Oh, I would never think that.

-Well, you might have, once.

If you hadn't been so hell-bent on breaking me.

Breaking you?

Bad choice - remaking me in your own image.

If you hadn't, I'd still have my nose to the medical grindstone.

And then where would you be?

I'm glad it worked out for you.

Yeah.

You never know, going through life,

which will be the good experiences, and which ones the bad.

I agree.

I could have settled, you know, held you as my example

and accepted my lot -

some backwater practice, paddling along,

thinking myself a big fish.

I wouldn't call...

Same cronies, nothing, nothing to disturb that

safe, sedate course through life.

And I wouldn't have questioned any of it.

MERIEM SPEAKS FRENCH

She wants to know why you're back.

I met Walid, and he gave me your push present.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

This is a deeply symbolic British custom, for when your waters break.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

And it represents every penny that Walid can give to you.

If it was a rich man, he would give you a boat,

a poor man, a duck,

from every man, all that he has for his wife and child.

That's brilliant.

SHE SPEAKS FRENCH

What are these? I've not seen anything quite like this.

-They're grave markers.

-Uh-huh.

-Like headstones.

-Right.

Highly sought after, but you have to be careful.

Why is that?

Well, grave robbing, for a start.

And, er, best kept outdoors.

Most have been treated chemically for export,

but you get the occasional nasty creeping out of the woodwork...

A bit more than woodworm, I expect.

Correct, yeah.

And with climate change, they can survive our winter, sometimes.

Risky business.

I'm very careful, but these are worth the risk.

They'll go to the highest bidders.

I might keep a couple as memento mori, perhaps.

So, let me get this straight -

you came back from The Icon and you started a fight with Ben

over exactly the same thing you talked to me about?

It wasn't a fight. I was just a handy kicking post.

-You're part of the problem.

-Problem? How is he a part of the problem?

He's somebody else pretending to be something he's not.

-Not to you.

-Yeah, or to me.

Yeah, but if you weren't family, you'd be none the wiser.

-So what do you want?

-I want no more lies,

I want no more sneaking around.

-Is this about you feeling like a fraud?

-Because of me?

I can't stand going out with someone who isn't out.

It's not me, it's just, it's weird.

So that's it between us?

Look, you've had some bad news, OK?

And, understandably, it's hit you hard.

But is this really any time for a kneejerk reaction?

I can't go on like this. I can't be who I am.

You've got no sense of self-worth.

Maybe you're right. Maybe I shouldn't hide.

No, hang on a second...

And I shouldn't make you hide with me. Maybe I should be more open.

Well, yeah. Yeah, you should. Starting today. Now.

-Will, this is not your choice.

-No, it's mine.

-All right. I'll do it.

-No, you should wait.

You're still working this through.

And you, you don't need to be pressurising him.

But he's not. It's my decision.

He's going to have to do it sooner or later.

Not because of some reaction to what you're going through.

It's OK, I'm going to do it.

I'll tell everyone today.

-Seriously?

-What am I waiting for?

I know what you're saying, Jimmi. But what can they do?

OK, Will's right - my colleagues need to know who I am.

That right there - that is my kind of man.

Good luck. And you text me when you've done it, yeah?

-You're not staying?

-Well, I can't, can I? I've got work.

Don't worry, you'll be brilliant. Knock 'em dead.

-You'll be there, won't you?

-Yeah, of course.

This is, er...

This is where the real business happens.

You have a fascinating collection.

And these are mine.

Shaman ceremonial masks from all over the world, not just Africa.

Not for sale.

Well, it was really nice of you to visit, Heston.

Have a chance to catch up, but...

No rest for the wicked? I understand.

We must do it again some time.

Perhaps.

I go on a lot of buying trips.

We move in very different circles.

We do.

Better to stick with what you know.

My safe backwater, nothing nasty in the woodwork?

Where you can see what's around every corner.

It must be more of a challenge as we get older,

moving away from our well-padded comfort zone.

-I don't see it as that.

-Which you now share with...

..Ruhma, is it?

And...

Alia, and...

don't tell me...Shakib.

You HAVE done your homework.

How are Shakib's prospects these days?

A medical career in his future?

The son you always wanted?

Shak is very much his own man.

Resistant to being forced into the shape of your mini-me?

No, I know all too well what that's like.

He would disagree with you, in much stronger language than mine.

Really?

Maybe I'll bump into him some time.

We could swap notes.

Was she...?

Walid, she wants a husband, not a safe harbour.

-Seriously?

-Yeah. She's been hiding her fears,

not because of the removal, but because she really thought

you didn't want to be with her any more.

-You need to talk to each other.

-About our future together.

-About everything.

-We will.

A rubber duck - my life hanging on a rubber duck!

You know, the value we place on each other is bigger than any gift.

Don't lose sight of that, and don't let her, either.

PHONE RINGS

That might be her.

I owe you so much. Thank you.

Mon plaisir.

-Go on, go on, go on!

-Meriem?

I know I could be a little bit overbearing...

You taught me a lesson.

You can't blame me for you taking the wrong path.

Wrong! Have you not been listening to me?

I've been thanking you for showing me what I wasn't.

-A doctor?

-A plodder.

A sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on for the sick.

You see, I live a very comfortable life, run a successful company.

The only reason I could still be angry with you

is that you're still insisting on acting like you know best.

I would never...

Yes, you would, sure you would. Given half the chance, you'd make

it your moral duty to try and talk me out of the choices I've made.

Why would I, after all that you've told me?

I know what I've told you.

Let me be very clear so that there's no mistakes in the future -

any - ANY - further interest in my business

will have consequences for the both of us.

You make it sound like a threat.

Things in the woodwork, Heston.

Now do you understand, eh? Yeah?

Or do you want me to spell it out for you?

Because, I mean, I'd hate for any of this to come back around

-and bite you.

-HESTON GROANS

What are you doing?

-What's the matter?

-It's an Angina attack.

Oh, no. All right, well, let's get you comfortable.

-Heston?

-Get the spray from the car!

-Spray!

-OK, OK, OK.

Here! Here, here, here.

Look. Can you do it? Heston?

Are you OK?

Are you all right?

I don't really know what to say.

-Great.

-Wow! Well done, you.

AL STAMMERS

Are you serious?

Totally. I'm gay.

I mean, have you seriously called an emergency meeting

just to make a trivial, personal announcement?

Hold on...

I have forgone going to a craft show at my son's school

this afternoon because I thought this was something important,

-like our livelihoods on the line.

-It IS important.

It's a really big deal.

Well, for you, it is.

And, to be honest, the way you and Will have been

looking at each other, it's hardly surprising.

-You knew?

-Let's call it an educated guess.

Yeah, I guessed too,

even given the conspicuous absence of any rainbow flags.

And you didn't say anything?

Well, it's your right to tell us, it's not really our right to ask.

Come on, if we go now, we can still see Joe's bit.

Good meeting, and congratulations.

Oh, don't listen to any of them.

Come here. That was very brave of you.

When Immie came out to me

- I mean, it was just a phase -

but, you know, it was proper ground-under-the-feet stuff for me.

-So well done to you.

-Thanks.

And if they give you any trouble...

Well, that took courage. How do you feel?

Weird. Bit of an anti-climax after telling Mum.

-What did you expect?

-I don't know.

Do you think Zara's going to dock my pay?

Maybe for wasting time, not for being gay.

HE SIGHS

Don't be a hero.

I won't, I'm going straight home to rest.

-Are you sure you're OK to drive?

-Yeah.

And sorry I gave you a fright.

-You didn't.

-I feel quite embarrassed.

-But I can take it from here.

-You've had a warning.

No, I'm fine. Honestly.

No, listen to me...

..this is over, all right.

I looked up to you once. Look at you now.

You see, you're at an age where things can quickly go wrong.

Do we understand each other?

This is my name on here, and he's using the Mill as a contact!

We're just so different. You turn everything into a party.

Did I do the right thing?

Only you can answer that.

Do you actually want me to do this?

No-one's ever come out to me before. This is going to be a first.

-Move, you idiot!

-He's not happy!