iCARE Doctors

SCANNER BLEEPS

CLOCK TICKS LOUDLY

It looks comfy.

You'll be like a pea on a drum.

Well, all being well it won't be for too long.

Just say something, please!

Don't sugar-coat it!

Dr Haskey, I wouldn't dream of doing that with somebody in your position,

but everything seems to be more than acceptable.

A-OK, in fact.

No, it can't be.

Please, take a look for yourself.

Everything's well within limits.

No swelling, no growths or lesions.

There is literally nothing abnormal there.

-You're reading it wrong.

-Excuse me?

The pain is too severe. There has to be something.

-Surely, the fact that there isn't is reassuring?

-Reassuring?!

My head is literally splitting,

and you've got no answers for me at all, have you?

I would take this as the good news that it is.

At the very least, this has ruled out a large number of possibilities.

Well, thanks ever so much for your expertise.

-Welcome back!

-Thank you.

-Did you have a lovely time?

-We did.

Looking forward to hearing all about it.

Excuse me, I've got to dash.

You're back?

Yes, we are. How's the foot?

Oh, getting there. I'll be out of this boot soon.

So, did Joe enjoy it?

And Isabelle.

Oh, they must have had a great time.

They did. We all did, actually.

Did you miss us?

Against my better nature.

Oh, the holiday really did do you some good!

Don't push it.

Did you take lots of pictures?

Oh, too many.

Can't wait! I hope you wore lots of sun tan lotion?

Er, yes.

You can never be too careful.

Melanoma can get anybody,

even somebody with genes as strong as yours.

Is there any of that sort of thing in your family?

Not as far as I'm aware.

Good!

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Mill Health Centre.

DOORBELL RINGS

Here we go.

You ready?

Yeah. Absolutely.

Let me ask him.

Luke...

Please. You've been through enough. Just rest up, yeah?

OK.

Come in.

Just checking in.

Oh, hello. That is very good of you.

Not at all.

So...

Did the wheels fall off?

No! No, everything has been going very well.

Really?

No problems with the vulnerable patient scheme?

Oh, there were one or two teething problems at the start,

but we tackled them head on

and actually, everything is going very well.

Better than could be expected.

No other dramas?

Or fall-outs, or tantrums?

How's Dr Sharma getting on?

-I bet she's having a tough time settling in.

-On the contrary!

She has fitted in as if she has been here all the time.

You know, she is very self-sufficient.

In fact, you could pop in and see Dr Vere.

Ah!

Is he having another wobble?

Oh no, no. Nothing like that.

No, no, no.

Dr Vere is making great strides with his emergency medicine,

and I am sure he will be keen to share his progress with you.

So, er... Well!

-How was your holiday?

-It was great.

-Good!

It's good to be back.

I'd better crack on, otherwise it'll seem like you don't need me at all!

Oh, no!

-Heston!

-Tina.

Good to see you. How are you feeling?

A bit weary,

but I might still be up for a spot of go-karting later on.

How have you been keeping?

I'm fine, thank you. Do you mind if I just...?

By all means. You've seen it all before.

Oh, it's stunning.

I needed to book my holiday like, yesterday.

What happened there?

Why's your mouth hanging open like that?

Well, Joe took it. Bless him.

Not your best look.

That one needs to be deleted.

Now this...

What's bugging you?

I just want some peace and quiet.

So you came in here? Sure you don't want some attention?

-There he is! How are you?

-Good!

Was it as good as I've heard?

That is Chuck. The diving instructor.

SOUNDS BECOME ECHOES

This is what I like. Men who aren't afraid to express themselves.

-He reminds me of someone.

-Emotional intelligence.

Hot tub salesman?

What hot tub salesman?!

Yeah, he really did get my bubbles going!

The staff room is supposed to be a place of peace and quiet!

This inane chatter's driven me to distraction. No wonder I'm not well.

Oh, I'm so bored with all this now.

I hate Luke having to see all this.

It's no way for him to remember me.

He'll have plenty of good memories.

I looked after my dad, and the last few weeks are ugly.

It's bound to leave a mark.

Well, palliative care has come on a long way since then.

Not far enough, in my opinion.

It took me years to think of the good memories with my dad.

But they came back, didn't they?

Eventually, but the damage is already done.

I'd sooner send Luke away, but it'd do more harm than good.

I don't think he'd want that either.

Rock and a hard place.

No child should have to do this with their parent.

We should be able to avoid all this, shouldn't we?

In a civilised society?

The nurses have been gone quite a while.

Luke sent them home. I didn't need them.

Oh!

That's enough chatting, you need to rest.

KNOCK ON DOOR

You all right?

No.

How did it go?

Not brilliant.

Oh no, what is it?

What it is is none of your business, Ayesha.

Al, come on.

I can't believe this is happening to me!

I'm so sorry.

What did they say?

They didn't find anything.

What?

I went all that way to see their so-called expert,

and nothing!

They didn't find anything?

Nothing!

That's good news! I thought it was something serious!

It IS serious!

Nobody... Nobody knows what's going on!

So there's nothing wrong with your brain?

According to this expert.

Maybe it's psychological.

All right, yeah! I hadn't thought about that, had I?!

All right, sarky pants!

Why don't you go and see your favourite Doctor Megan,

get her take...

Could you close the door behind you, please?

Is she all right?

-Yes, she's resting.

-Right.

Heston, um...?

How, do you feel about...

Er, doesn't matter. It's nothing.

No, no, no. Go on.

It's nothing. You want one?

No, I'm fine.

Did you talk to the consultants at the hospital?

Yeah, they were great, actually.

Handed all responsibilities over to me.

Made bringing her home much easier.

Good, because it's not always that straightforward.

They're saying it'll be a week, two tops, before she...goes.

Where are the nurses?

Don't need them.

I insisted.

They'll come and refill her driver morning and night, it's fine.

There's no shame in them being here.

They're very good at what they do.

The whole point of getting her out of hospital was, well,

so it didn't feel like a hospital, and I've got this.

-Really.

-It's very difficult for someone to handle on their own.

Seems only right it's this way at the end.

This isn't normally how it's done.

Trust me, she's looked after me just as much as I have her.

You sure you don't want a cuppa before you go?

No, I've got a few more house visits,

but anything you need, anything at all, give me a ring.

Er, there is something actually.

Will you help Mum die, please?

Heston, say something.

Luke...

I can't do that.

Why not? GPs do it all the time.

-They don't, actually.

-They do, it's just not talked about.

Luke, I can't do it.

For many reasons.

You mean your career?

There's a woman in there,

did nothing but kindness for everyone she's ever met.

Now she's suffering, in agony.

You don't think she's earned a little kindness herself?

Is the pain management not working?

-Look at her, Heston! That's not what she wants!

-Luke!

Listen to me. What you're asking is illegal.

You think I care about the law when my mum is like this?

You have to let things take their course.

That's what the palliative care is for.

All that does is draw out the inevitable.

Nobody would know it's you.

We have the pills already.

You just need to administer them.

Properly, so she goes peacefully.

You have to give me those pills, Luke.

No.

Valerie, who have I got next, please?

Isn't it on your screen?

Probably, but I can't look at that screen without the feeling

that my eyes are getting poked into my skull with spikes.

Mr Boulter. You want to get that sorted.

You could always change your mind.

I've told you before. I'm desperate, not delusional.

It might surprise you.

Belladonna.

Beautiful lady.

Also known as deadly nightshade!

Yeah, but it's just a little tiny bit. The way it works is...

Oh, I know how it works! Or how it's supposed to work.

Well, it's your headache.

Yes, it is. Not in a million months of Sundays.

Mr Boulter, do you want to...?

Back in the swing of things?

More than I thought I would be, to be honest.

I'm still waiting for the axe to fall, though.

Oh? In what way?

Well, Mrs Tembe says everything has been fine since we've been gone

but I was expecting...

Everything to be on fire?

Give it a couple of days.

I'd imagine Mrs Tembe has swept a fair pile of things

under the carpet.

The main thing is that you have a wonderful tan.

Why are you being so nice to me?

Can't I just be nice?

What do you want?

OK. Have you noticed anything odd about Valerie?

All right, all right, odder?

Um, not particularly. She seems like her usual Tigger-ish self.

No, there's definitely something up with her.

-Whatever it is, let it go.

-Happily.

-How about you saying something?

-No.

No way! I am not making that mistake again!

I'll end up seeming like the Wicked Witch Of The West.

If you want to get involved that's your choice,

but anything to do with Valerie is your department!

Who put me in charge of managing the crazies?

Get out!

Out?!

Just upped the levels slightly.

Ouch!

Oh, I really am being a bit of a nuisance, aren't I?

I do apologise for my shocking hosting skills today.

Well, it's not the worst party I've been to...

LUKE LAUGHS UNEASILY

But I wouldn't worry about it.

Oh, I'm not.

The only thing I worry about is him.

Mum.

Heston's going to help us.

Oh, Heston!

You're a good man.

I think Luke has given you the wrong impression.

No, I've not! You can, and nobody...

Luke. Heston?

Tina, I can't help you with what you want.

And you wouldn't be the Heston I knew if you could.

No, I wouldn't.

It's all about choice, Heston.

And I respect yours fully.

I just wish I had a choice.

Well, looks like I'm going to be here for a bit longer, then.

All right.

Thank you, Heston. You've been very good to me over the years.

My pleasure, Tina.

You are a very rare soul indeed.

Oh!

Mum?

Mum, are you OK?

Yeah. Sorry.

Go, go.

Luke.

Yeah, sure.

Hi. Do you have a couple of minutes?

Of course. Take a seat.

How can I help?

Nope.

Nope, can't do it.

Al?!

-Al?

-Everything OK?

Well?

What choice do I have?

I don't think you appreciate the toll this would have on you.

This is an opportunity to show love.

All I'm doing is paying back a fraction of the kindness

she's given me over the years.

She didn't give you all those years for you to end up in prison!

Well, you're the only one who'll know.

I'd have to tell the police!

Your mum wants you to be happy.

Am I right?

Yes.

She doesn't want you to end up behind bars.

No.

I can't.

I can't. Why does it have to be like this?

Make the most of your time with her.

Say the things you haven't said, repeat the good things you have.

And try and find some peace in that.

Yeah, you're right.

Hang on...

Here you go.

Thank you, Heston.

Really.

I just wasn't expecting it to be like this.

I guess it's just a different kind of peace for her, isn't it?

I'll phone the hospice and get the nurses back.

OK.

I'll see you soon.

Keep me informed.

I'll just say goodbye to your mum.

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Yup?

-Can I quickly ask you a question about VPAS?

I'm getting in a right tizz with them.

No problem - just the person I wanted to speak to.

Oh, don't I feel special?

So, tell me how it went with Dr Anderson at the Granger Clinic

while we were away.

It was all right, but he wasn't a patch on you. Honestly.

Different planet.

-Oh, what happened?

-Oh, nothing happened.

It was fine - he was quite competent, actually,

but he just didn't have your spirit, your intelligence.

What is your IQ? It must be right up there.

Er, I think it's above average.

He also didn't have your drive.

You know, the "Granger Go-Get-'Em"!

You barely stop.

That must be a mighty metabolism keeping you on your feet?

I'm sorry, what?

And the height must help.

With what?

With everything!

What are you, 6'2"?

Valerie?

Yes, Daniel?

What's going on?

I am just taking an interest in my work colleagues.

It's a new thing I'm trying. Helps improve rapport.

OK, rapport.

Well, just as long as rapport doesn't find its way back

to gossiping. Remember?

-Hm.

-So why don't you start less personally and work your way up?

That's a very good tip, Daniel!

See, that's what makes you the man you are!

Good... Good catch-up.

SHE GASPS You all right?

What can I do? What hurts?

Everything.

Has Heston gone?

Yeah.

Sit down.

Sorry it didn't go according to plan.

I want to go now, but not if it's going to be giving somebody

a nightmare for the rest of their life.

There really isn't any point if we don't have a choice.

Hey, shh.

Shh.

I feel like I'm letting you down!

You're not letting me down.

You're not letting anybody down.

I'd hate for my last act to be replacing my misery

with anybody else's.

Let alone my beautiful son.

Shh.

Everything's going to be all right.

Come on.

-What were you reading?

-Er...

Hospice booklet.

What to expect, that kind of thing.

Riveting.

Mum.

Are you ready?

Are you?

Yes, I understand, but we could really do with the nurses there.

The family would appreciate your support.

Thank you very much.

-HE CRIES Heston!

-OK.

-She's...

-OK, OK.

-Oh, Heston, she won't...

Ambulance, please. Thank you.

Yeah, it's Dr Heston Carter, Mill Health Centre....

HE HUMS ONE NOTE

KNOCKING

-You all right?

-Yeah, fine.

You don't look fine.

Yeah, well, maybe that's because I've done everything

that every crank said that I was supposed to do

and yet, I still feel like that bloke from Scanners

whose head explodes.

You need to give it more time.

I've done everything.

Drank lots of water. I got early nights. I've even got a scan done.

-Nothing. Nada. Niet!

-You know what it is.

-I don't!

-Yeah, you do.

I told you ages ago, you said no.

It's Occam's razor, mate. It's grief.

You're like this broken record.

This is not a psychosomatic response! Look at me!

It's just grief, mate. I'm sorry, but it just is.

I don't like it.

I don't like not being able to fix it.

Yep. Yeah, I know that one.

People'll tell you it gets easier. It doesn't.

You just get better at dealing with it.

I'm here, though. As long as it takes.

Cheers.

Suck it up.

-Suck it up.

-And breathe.

And breathe.

And go and apologise to Megan

cos you don't need to insult what she does.

And apologise.

-See ya.

-See ya.

Yeah, simple choice, really, but then it didn't happen.

-I don't regret trying.

-You didn't tell her I'd call the police,

-did you?

-No.

-And now she's going to die in hospital,

which is exactly what she didn't want.

-This could have all been avoided.

-Yeah! You could have helped us!

I thought I was!

I can't...I can't remember a single good memory of us.

Is that normal?

What happens now?

I call the police.

Oh, Mum.

I'm so sorry.

Will they let me see her first? You know, be with her now?

I don't know. I'll ask them.

You'd do that? Despite what I've done?

Tina Graley, advanced stage breast cancer, suspected drug overdose,

pulse is weak and erratic, breathing shallow.

Daniel! Hang on.

I just want to let you know I am seeing my specialist on Monday.

Good.

So, I might be needing to ask you a very important question

if all goes well.

You could ask me now.

What, and spoil the surprise?

Hello, my name is Sid.

Don't worry, we'll have you out in no time, OK?

-No, not now.

-Oh, come on.

You know you want to, really.

I don't want her to know.

-But she's your mum.

-So?

She hates me.