Next Door Doctors

-You were up early.

-Yeah. I couldn't sleep.

Look, I just didn't fancy a restaurant last night!

I thought a quiet night in was nicer.

Well, it is, if you don't have quiet nights in every night.

But I do because you're always working late.

It's just while we change over the new software.

Anyway, you can hardly talk, the hours you do.

Just cos I'm not going for some partnership!

What's so bad about that?

Nothing, but when you are a partner and I never see you,

remember this conversation.

I'm already doing that level of work now,

I just want the recognition for it.

It's just a couple of weeks, then it'll calm down.

PHONE RINGS

Are you working late tonight?

I don't know yet.

Right! Well, text me when you do.

Yeah, it's an acoustic, Karen, there's not going to be a switch.

Thank you. I know what it is, not whose it is.

Let me show you how it works.

Name this tune.

Not yours, then(!)

Facetious is not an attractive quality, Karen.

It's probably Jimmi's. Some kind of Buddhist Kumbaya nonsense.

Good morning!

Is it?

Oh. Is everything OK?

Sorry. Didn't sleep very well.

Oh. Well, you know what they say, bad start, good finish.

-Hopefully.

-Morning!

Hello, Hazel.

I'll be circulating a memo later.

The PCSO have told me there've been some more burglaries lately.

A lot of it opportune, with windows left open.

I thought we'd moved to a nice neighbourhood.

Oh, you have. We're just an informed one.

Prevention is better than cure.

Is Janet in? We've got a project later.

-Yeah. You should catch her if you go in now.

-Super!

-Nice to see you're off your crutches.

-Thank you.

Anyway, I'd better go. Meeting on student databases.

-You at Campus today?

-Yes. See you later.

-Morning!

-Oh, morning.

Tony said to pop in. He's chatting to Valerie.

-She made a beeline for him.

-Oh.

You know what she's like. A hello is never enough when you can have a chat.

You should have been here when she ran for local council.

On every doorstep!

I can't see her in the council.

Nor could anyone else. She didn't win.

I think she likes the attention.

She used to live with a guy. Ashley, I think it was.

Not her husband.

Living together's not exactly a new thing, Hazel.

I sometimes think Tony and I got married just so we had an excuse for a big holiday.

Do you think if we renewed our vows, I'd get him to take me on a round-the-world trip?

What, the two of you with backpacks?

I thought you were more the luxury spa type.

Oh! A spa sounds nice. I could do with a massage.

Do you not feel a bit silly?

Have you never had one?

No! And I've never been to a spa. They seem too glamorous.

Oh, no! Make-up-free, a towelling robe, sitting by a pool.

You get offers on sometimes. We could go for a day?

-Could we?

-Yeah, if you wanted.

Yes. Well, that might be...different.

Oh, are you still finishing early today? We can do those chairs.

Yeah. Going to be a heavy morning,

but finally taking some of those hours they owe me,

so probably after 3:00. I'll text you.

Oh, good.

Ooo! I forgot to ask Tony about his conference.

I saw him get back this morning, and now off again.

-His conference was last week.

-Oh, of course.

He must have been for a walk or something?

-The only exercise Tony does is football on the computer.

-Oh, well.

Doesn't bode well for the neighbourhood, does it, me seeing things?

He probably just left something in the car.

Yes, of course. Of course. Hm.

Well, I'll let you get on.

Hopefully he's not still chatting to Valerie, poor lamb!

Honestly, they both work at the Campus,

they must see each other all the time.

A-ha! Al said it'd be yours.

-What?

-That!

You know, cos you're doing this Kumbaya Buddhist therapy thing.

No. No. It's nice, though.

-How's Rob?

-He's all right.

-Yes!

-Ooo! Hide it!

-Huh?

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

-Sorry. Good morning.

-Morning!

-Morning!

-Is there any mail for me, Mrs Hollins?

-Ooo, yes, there's loads.

-There you go.

-Right. Thank you.

If anything else comes for me, please let me know.

-What'd you do that for?

-I don't know. I panicked.

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Just checking you've got your credit card with you.

-What for?

The good of my health(!) What do you think?

Oh, yes, of course. Well, I'm probably just going to look today, so...

Are you seriously telling me that you intend to walk into a shoe shop

and out again still wearing those?

What's wrong with these?

Oh, Emma!

It's SO much worse than I thought.

I don't really know what I want...

Lucky you've got me with you, then. Expertise!

People pay good money for personal shoppers. I'll even drive!

2:15.

SHE STRUMS A FEW NOTES

Ah! You're the best yet.

-Ha-ha! Really?

-Yeah. I'm glad you found it

because I've been trying to find who it belongs to.

Oh, no, it's not mine, I just found it here.

-Not Heston's?

-RUHMA CHUCKLES

Mrs Hollins...?

What are you doing with that?

Sorry, I just...I just found it.

I see. I just wanted to let you know

I will be out to lunch from 2:00 until 3:00.

-Right.

-Are you doing something nice?

I am meeting JJ at the Icon bar.

-Oh, lovely.

-Hm.

-Give him my best.

Yeah, I will. Ah-ah! Where are you going with that?

Um...well, it came this morning and, um...I couldn't read who it...

It is mine.

Er...

That's great. If you'd like to take a seat?

Ooo! Are you OK?

Oh, I will be after I sit down. Oh!

I wondered if this was a good time to get my blood pressure checked?

-Yep. Shouldn't be too long to wait.

-Good.

Are you sure you're OK?

Yeah, I'm...just a bit sore.

It'll be fine after a few minutes, it always is.

-What always is?

-Cramp.

Have you been overdoing it?

Oh. I've never been accused of that before.

I...I saw you out the other morning.

-You saw me?

-Mm. I couldn't sleep.

-It was inevitable.

-What was?

You know why I'm here all the time, don't you?

To sort your blood pressure out?

Let's not pretend, shall we, Valerie?

Sorry, I don't follow.

Are you free for lunch?

SHE STRUMS A FEW NOTES

KNOCK AT DOOR Come in.

-What's this?

-A surprise.

-It certainly is. Is it yours?

-Yes. I ordered it last night.

Spontaneous. I like it!

-I've always wanted to learn.

-Did karaoke inspire you?

Perhaps. Right, er...we had better go.

-Let's see.

-Ah.

HE CHUCKLES

Right. Perhaps we can learn together.

I thought I was the only one with surprises today.

-What is it?

-All in good time. Come on, I'm starving!

Oh. Right. OK.

I'm not sure how to start now.

Well...

Close your eyes and try to focus on one thing.

Come on, honestly. Close your eyes...and breathe.

HE BREATHES DEEPLY

Now, what do you see?

-Janet.

-Oh, that's good.

Anything else?

I'm lying to her.

-Why?

-I don't know how to...

Well, you know all about this kind of stuff,

the problems you can have with blood pressure.

Ah, right. I see.

Well, it happens to a lot of men.

And don't forget, you've not long since moved house.

The stress, blood pressure,

you know, that can have that effect.

But you can be intimate in other ways.

No! It isn't...

Oh! So, what's wrong with you, then?

I have peripheral vascular disease.

What did I tell you?

Well, it's certainly impressive.

I knew you'd like it.

Hello, it's Doctors Carmichael and Reid.

We're here for a personal shopping...

-What are you doing?!

-I'm just looking!

No, no, no. This is absolutely typical of you.

Going straight to practical and dowdy.

Now, these!

OPERA PLAYS

Italian. Handmade.

Couture, of course.

-Smell.

-Seriously?!

It's almost arousing.

Thank you.

You're pleased with your impulse buy, aren't you?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Now, I have been thinking about you and your new job.

I think the Kerbhouse is perfect for you.

No more shift work, you can plan your own hours.

About that...

What?

Oh, no! Is...is there a problem?

Actually, something else has come up.

A new opportunity, managing my own place. It sounds perfect.

Oh! That is good news.

Yeah. I've been letting it sink in. I feel a bit bad for Mac.

Well, he is a good man. I'm sure he will understand.

Yeah. I've been looking at it this morning.

Oh, it's in a beautiful spot!

Amazing countryside.

There's some orchards nearby,

and it's perfect for going out on the bike and exploring.

And...the weather.

-The weather?

-Sunshine.

I don't understand.

The bar, it's in Castellon, in Spain!

The worst is, I've brought it on myself. My lifestyle.

You mustn't say that.

I've got to have an operation!

-What?

-I thought you knew?

How would I know?

My notes?

Patient confidentiality, Tony.

I knew about the blood pressure thing,

but I didn't know anything about this disease.

Imagine blobs of fat in my arteries.

That's nice, isn't it(?) Huh!

Ironically, I found out trying to get fit.

But the pain!

When I saw you out the other day...

I keep thinking I can best it.

Or if I lose some more weight, I won't need to have the op.

But it's too late.

Janet thinks I'm lazy.

I am lazy. Huh!

And look where it's got me.

-So, when is it - the operation?

-Next Friday.

And you haven't told her?

I thought maybe I could stay in a hotel for a couple of nights.

Say I was at a stag do, it being the Friday.

But you must! She is your next of kin. What if something goes wrong?

-But what will she think?

-What will she think if you don't?

I thought you'd see what an opportunity this is.

It's...

Thank you.

It's just that it feels... Well, very sudden.

-Spontaneous.

-But to Castellon?

I know you think I am being selfish, but I thought we were happy?

You think I want to go on my own?

I want us to go!

-What?! Me to go to Spain?!

-Of course!

With your brains and my charm, we'd be la combinacion ganadora!

I do not understand.

A winning combination.

We can make this work.

Look what we did with the hospital catering.

-We had a project and we made it happen!

-But...

Imagine being in the sunshine all day.

Winifred, people regret what they don't do.

We're not going to get many opportunities like this.

It's not a case of waiting for the next one, this is it!

Are we going to take it?

No, no, don't intellectualise it, feel it!

Feel it in your body.

How your whole body feels more alert.

Now, listen, the backward tilt of your pelvis,

the thrusting forward of your chest,

the strength in your legs, giving you confidence, fire!

-Can you feel it?

-I'm not sure.

OK. Open your eyes.

The thing is, they don't feel...

Oh, don't worry about all of that, just look in the mirror

and walk tall!

Stunning!

I do, um...I do have a dress they'd go rather well with.

They look divine!

The thing is, I can't decide between these ones and the blue ones.

It's not a custody battle.

Would it be so reckless to buy two pairs?

I saw you were home, so I thought I'd just pop over.

-Oh. I was just going to grab a shower.

-Go on.

I'll get the kettle on and I'll fill you in when you're ready.

-Fill me in?

-Oh, something and nothing, I'm sure.

-I had a walk, saw Valerie.

-OK.

I don't think a woman like you needs to be too worried, but she has got form.

I'm sorry, Hazel, you've lost me.

I don't think having boyfriends is damning, do you?

What is it?

She jilted her fiance at the altar. Barry.

He came after Ashley.

-Sometimes, what she does hurts people.

-Even so, I...

Maybe Tony doesn't realise what she's like.

He has an innocent quality.

What's it got to do with Tony?

-I-I didn't want to...

-Hazel?

I'm sorry, Janet.

-I knew you wouldn't want to take them off!

-Hm!

You look amazing! Powerful.

Are you OK?

Trying to find your sea legs?

I feel great, actually.

If you say so, Captain.

-Yes, I do. I could walk for miles in these.

-Hm.

Oh!

-This is what's come in?

-Yeah.

-It was amazing.

-I know, but I...

Oh! Oh-ho! Somebody needs a red carpet to their office!

-Too much?

-Never! No photos, please.

They are fab! I wish I could get away with heels that high.

-Well, you can, if Emma can.

-I'm too tall.

Oh, don't be daft! What do you think the models wear?

Hey, we should have a night out!

-Somewhere as glam as the shoes?

-Oh, if you think you can find it.

Challenge accepted!

Actually, I might just, um...

Ooo!

Ew! Is that blood?

Oh.

I'm such a fool! I knew something was wrong!

You couldn't have known this.

All the signs were there.

Look, shall I make a start on the chairs and you have a shower?

Chairs?! Hazel, my husband's cheating on me!

I'd leave it to him now.

If he says he's working late, I'll...

FOOTSTEPS

-Is this a joke?!

-What?

I know! So before you start, Hazel saw you!

-What?

-Hazel?

Did you follow us?

Well, I was right to, wasn't I?

-I told you this could be misconstrued.

-Oh, did you?

Were you trying to think of ideas beyond working late, then?

-If you don't tell her...

-It's pretty obvious!

I'm having an operation.

That's what I was telling Valerie.

-Is this true?

-Yes!

It's for perfiff...

-Perfifferal...

-Peripheral vascular disease.

-Yeah.

-It sounds worse than it is.

You're having surgery? Is it your heart?

It's my legs. I've got fatty bits in my arteries.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-You've got enough on.

Tony, I want to know! Of course I do!

-When is the operation?

-Next Friday.

Next Friday. Well, look, I'll get the day off

and I can work from home during your recovery.

I wish you'd told me!

I was hoping I didn't need to. I thought if I could get fit...

But I thought you'd given up on us.

No! I was embarrassed.

You're going for partnerships and I'm...lardy legs.

I didn't marry you for your legs.

Good job.

I'm sorry you thought I was with Valerie.

But the photo Hazel took, she saw you together this morning.

Hazel?

You're breaking them in.

They're bleeding!

You just need to give it a bit more time.

How long? Until I faint?

I suppose you go through this all the time, do you?

Not for long.

Show me your feet.

No.

Zara...show me your feet.

Huh!

ZARA SIGHS

Oh! Don't they hurt?!

You get used to it.

What's so powerful about quitting?

Well, I make my own rules.

Don't tell me you're going to take them back?!

With blood in them? No.

I'm going to put them there,

and I'm going to admire them as a work of art.

I'll make you an offer.

Why were you following us?

Tony said he'd be at the surgery, and he's been sneaking around.

-I was going to the gym!

-You asked if there were signs.

-Well, if a man can't talk to his wife...

-I'm not cheating on Janet!

I can't change what I saw!

But you can admit you interpreted it wrongly!

-I was trying to be a friend!

-Oh, is that why you're here all the time?

-It's Tony, isn't it?!

-No! No! That's...

-You're always asking about him!

-You wanted to break us up?

You don't deserve her!

It's not Tony, is it?

Oh.

I'll go.

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Hazel?

-Leave me alone!

I never knew.

I don't know what you mean!

It's Janet, isn't it, that you've got feelings for?

Can't people have friendships any more?!

Yeah, but it's more than a friendship, isn't it?

I just feel that she deserves better!

There is nothing wrong with being attracted to women.

Don't be absurd!

Just because I haven't had a chap!

It's like my mother used to say, some people are meant to be alone.

Well, not if it makes them unhappy.

Did your mother know?

Well, we never really talked about personal things.

Well, I'm sure she would've wanted you to be happy.

You can't spend the rest of your life without friendships.

A relationship.

Who'd want me?

You mustn't think like that.

You really care about her, don't you?

What do you want me to say?

Well, you don't have to say anything.

But if you feel you need a big box of tissues and a good cry...

I don't.

So, what are you going to do - ignore them?

I care about this neighbourhood.

I was just trying to make them feel welcome.

And I'm sure you did.

And then it turned into something else.

What? No!

It's a terrible position to be in.

I'm not...!

I...

HAZEL SIGHS

I didn't mean for it to happen.

I've never needed anyone.

Never felt I was missing anything.

I've had a solid career.

I've helped lots of other couples.

I've looked after my parents, and that was enough.

And then Janet moved in and...

It was like...

I don't know, I was happy!

I had someone else to think about,

who didn't need me as a registrar or a nursemaid.

I couldn't wait to see her again,

kept seeing things that I knew would make her smile.

But I couldn't tell her.

How could I? I know she doesn't feel the same way.

Do you know what that's like?

Wanting to be with someone so much

and knowing it's not going to happen?!

How do I make those feelings go away?!

What...what do I do?!

I've hurt them both.

I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt them.

Or me. Not really.

She won't want to see me now, will she?

Well, she did want to come after you.

Did she?

But she is married, Hazel.

What would you know? You left a man at the altar.

Well... Hm!

First of all, that wasn't easy.

I had to let go.

For my sake.

But I love her.

I know.

I need to get on.

I've got to write a memo about the recent break-ins

and book a new meeting with the PCSO.

Hazel?

You can't punish yourself forever.

HAZEL SIGHS

I'll put the kettle on.

SHE SIGHS

SHE STRUMS A FEW NOTES

-You OK?

-Yeah, I just...

-I just...

-Not again!

Why are we in Maternity?

Because this one's a baby, Karen.

Ooo! Um...you didn't mention a baby.

It's just a job, Winifred.

You know it is more than just a job!

The Mill is very important to me.

I cannot leave them in the lurch!