Milk Doctors

Love?

-Morning. Mm-hm.

-What time is it?

What...? What...is that?!

SHE EXHALES

-Oh, good morning.

-Hey.

Thank you.

All right. Enough of that.

I didn't do anything.

Well, I have taken the day off.

-Have you?

-Not just that.

I have a surprise for you.

-This gets better. Come here.

-However...

-However?

There is one condition.

Hm.

It was just for a second, but I saw you holding her

and I thought I'd lost my mind again.

Oh, I can't believe I've slept in. It's nearly nine o'clock!

If only I could say the same for this little one.

Aw! Was she awake? Why didn't you get me up?

It's all right. I couldn't sleep, anyway.

She piped down as soon as I picked her up.

She just lay there, looking into my eyes, didn't you?

-Aw!

-Ah, it takes you back.

I bet.

-Sorry.

-No! No.

I want you to remember, and then you can remind me.

-Ooo!

-Hm-hm.

-WHISPERS:

-Hello. Hello, sweetheart.

No. No, I mean it!

Under no circumstances whatsoever

are we to mention your impending...departure.

Does that mean you definitely won't reconsider?

-We have been through this.

-Winifred...?

There is nothing more to say on the matter!

I want today to be perfect.

No tears, no sad faces.

No mention of four o'clock.

That is when you have to leave, yes?

So, are we agreed?

Right, now that is settled, you can have your surprise.

-So, how can I help?

-I need you to go and see my neighbour.

-I beg your pardon?

-It's urgent.

This is her address. Kate Donovan.

Will you? Go and see her?

Hold on, let's just back up a second.

So, you're here on behalf of someone else?

She's not safe. She's old, right? She's got...

I don't know, mental problems.

Stands on the step all day, shouting nonsense.

She does mad stuff.

Got the police out to us once, saying that we were the nuisance.

If someone doesn't do something soon, I dread to think what will hap...

So, what, you've got an elderly neighbour who's a nuisance?

Are you not listening? She needs to be in a home or something,

where they can keep an eye on her.

She's not safe to be there on her own. Anything could happen!

-Like what?

-She could fall, set fire to the house.

I don't know, do I?

I've tried talking to her, but she just screams at me that she's fine.

-Right.

-So, what are you going to do about it?

OK, so I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment.

Let's suppose that she's actually fine.

Do you think she sounds fine?

I don't know. You haven't really given me much to go on.

I mean, it may well be that she's a nuisance to you,

but that doesn't mean that she's in danger.

Have you spoken to the police?

Nah. I mean, what if it's nothing?

She'd kill me, and I might get in trouble, wasting police time.

Don't you care?!

-It's not about me caring.

-It's your job to look after people!

I don't know if she's one of our patients.

What does it matter? She lives two streets away!

-Of course it matters.

-Check, then. Do it now! Check!

How dare you come in here telling me what to do?

I've got a waiting room full of actual patients,

and YOU are wasting MY time.

So I want you to leave.

Now.

Useless.

DOOR OPENS

DOOR SLAMS

-KAREN CHUCKLES

-Look at you!

-Why are you sitting in the dark?

-No, don't open them! Don't...!

BABY WAILS Close them! Oh!

Aw! What's the matter?

I don't know, but when I opened them earlier, she screamed her head off.

-Another bottle?

-No, no, no.

-A nappy?

-No. Here, you have a go.

Oh, dear, dear!

Come on, you little thing.

Oh, what's the matter?

-BABY SNEEZES

-Oopsie! Oopsie!

Oh, dear. Were Jack and Immie like this?

Well, they cried, yeah, but not like this!

Aw!

Come on, let's have another go. Nothing to be frightened of.

-Don't. Don't.

-Come on, a little look.

BABY WAILS No!

It's...it's light. It's definitely daylight.

Aw! Look at you!

You're like a tiny little vampire, aren't you?

"You don't you care."

You have no idea, mate.

-That's the first sign of madness, you know.

-Don't you start.

Oh, and there was I, going to offer to make you a coffee.

Sorry. I just had this guy march in here this morning,

shouting the odds and demanding I visit an elderly neighbour of his,

who, I don't know if she's a patient of ours, do you?

-Well, have you looked?

-Like I've had the chance!

I mean, I'm late for home visits, plus I've got a meeting at four.

To be honest, it didn't sound as if there was anything medically wrong with her.

Ah. Kate Donovan. I thought the name sounded familiar.

She registered a while back. I was the one to see her.

She was quite memorable.

Treated the whole thing like it was a police interview,

kept saying, "No comment".

Why does he want you to check on her?

I don't know, that's just it. It's not clear.

Sounded like he just wants me to green-light her going into a home

so that he can get her off his back,

which I don't have the authority to do and I wouldn't do it, anyway.

-Look, sorry, I really must go.

-Hang on a minute.

She hasn't been to the surgery in over two years.

No next of kin, has social issues.

She might be eligible for VPAS.

Come on, Daniel, she's only around the corner.

Can't you just pop in? Please?

Thank you.

Oh, Winifred!

I don't believe it!

No, no. We have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves.

BABY WAILS

Thanks ever so much for coming. She's been like this for ages.

-It's all right. Hey, Rob.

-Hi.

Let's have a little look at her, shall we?

Aw! Honestly, she's cried nonstop for, what...?

-Two and a half hours?

-Listen, that is all perfectly normal.

The light sensitivity, the crying, the vomiting.

-Hey. Ssh-ssh-ssh!

-How long is she going to be like this?

Well, she's only just started the withdrawal, so...

How long will that last?

Well, it's hard to say, Rob. It could be weeks, it could be months.

Hey, hey, hey!

DOG BARKS IN THE DISTANCE

-Well, this is a lovely surprise.

-I was just passing.

-No sign.

-See what I mean? Told you.

Have you tried around the back?

Nah, this doesn't look right. Look!

Why would you leave a pan on the hob?

Well, it's not lit, is it?

To be honest, the whole place looks a bit dishevelled.

Looks like she was in the middle of things.

Loaf of bread, pan out ready, and then something happened.

-All right, Sherlock(!)

-Well, how would you explain it, then?

I don't know. Could be any number of things.

But I know she won't be happy if she comes back

and finds us peering through her window.

Aw! It's like origami.

-RUHMA CHUCKLES

-Do they teach you that in your training?

They should do. My mum taught me.

Hopefully, it will calm her.

Make her feel more secure and less anxious.

It might make her sleep better, as well.

It stops their reflexes from waking them up.

We need some more milk. Cow's milk. Put it on the shopping list.

-Thank you.

-What's her weight like?

It's OK. She's small, but we'd expect that.

Every time we give her a bottle, she just throws it back up again.

That's his third top today.

OK. Well, why don't you try little and often

and make a note of what she's had, so we can keep an eye on it?

Aw! She's so tiny!

I can't bear watching her go through this.

I mean, it's just not fair!

Is she going to be damaged by this?

Well, not necessarily.

I know some research suggests that babies with NAS

go on to develop problems later, but...

What problems, specifically?

Well, um...learning difficulties, behavioural problems.

Sometimes, the development and progress, it's a lot slower.

Look, it's impossible to tell whether the problems

are directly due to the addiction,

or, you know, other factors as she's growing up.

The most important thing is that we do the best that we can for her.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

-We can't change her past,

but we can try and help her future.

That's right.

You look very shell-shocked.

We're all right, aren't we?

It's lack of sleep, more than anything else.

We can't put her down for a second.

She screams the house down.

Well, you might have use for this little present I've bought, then.

You see? This way, you get the use of your hands back.

Aw!

-WHISPERS:

-Oh, look what we've got!

I know, you can give me a leg up.

-Don't be so stupid.

-We need to get in there!

Anything could have happened and you're standing around, wasting time!

Fine. Break your neck, if you want to.

Why didn't you try that in the first place?

After you.

Oh, no! Is that what I think it is?

Aw! These are properly rare!

That's just what my Gary's face looked like when he first saw it.

-Impressive, isn't it?

-It certainly is.

I've got to get a shot of this.

Winifred, let me take one of you with it.

Two beauties together.

I could take one with you both in it, if you like?

-That would be lovely. Thank you.

-Yes.

-Could you, er...could you take one with my phone, too, please?

-Of course!

Oh, that's a lovely one!

Oh, I am sorry, I was not ready.

I'm so sorry, I couldn't resist. You looked so romantic!

Here, look, I'll take a couple more. That's it. Yes. Oh, yes!

Maybe one with the bike in, as well. A little bit more of the bike.

That's beautiful! Oh, good! OK?

-Thanks.

-Thank you.

Oh! Oh, that is lovely. Thank you.

Not at all.

-Well, have a lovely day, won't you?

-Yes.

Wow!

Oh!

-And this one, 1931.

-Is it?

I-Is she dead?

Kate? Can you hear me? It's Dr Granger from the Mill.

Get your hands off me!

I'm sorry, it's just that we were concerned about you.

If you're that concerned, you can help me up.

I've been lying here for hours!

OK. How did you get down here in the first place?

I just fancied it.

I'd been hankering after an alternative view(!)

-Right.

-I fell, didn't I?

I slipped on something and hit the deck, couldn't get up.

Oh! After a few hours, I had a brainwave

and pulled the duvet down to keep me warm.

And who are you, a nurse?

No, Kate, it's me, Ben, from next door.

I know. I'm joking.

You've not got a cig, have you? I could murder a smoke.

OK. Look, can you just lie still for me, please?

I need to check that you haven't broken anything.

-Are you in pain, Kate?

-No, I just can't get up!

And it's Mrs Donovan to you!

OK, all right.

BABY WAILS

Karen?

Not again!

Come here, get your arms up.

Oh!

Ewwww!

Do you know, the washing's out of control.

That's the last muslin. We're low on nappies.

I'm going to pop this load on and then I'm going to go to the shops.

-Are you going to be all right?

-Yeah.

BABY WAILS

You've lost him for ever now.

-I'm sorry?

-You'll never get him out of here.

Bike mad, just like my Gary.

But you find yourself getting swept along with it, don't you?

I never have imagined I'd end up working here, but, well,

life takes you by surprise, doesn't it?

Yes.

Yes, it does indeed.

Er...is, er...Gary your husband?

Was. He died 18 months ago.

He had a brain haemorrhage. It was very quick.

-Oh, I am so sorry.

-Thanks, love. As I said, it was quick.

We hadn't been together that long. Only two years married.

It was him who got me into bikes. Me! Huh!

Oh, sorry, I'm going on.

No, no, not at all!

It was just, you know, seeing you two, you know,

well, it took me back.

Have you been together long?

No. Er...no, not at all.

You look very happy.

Thank you. I am so sorry about your husband.

Oh, don't be. Don't be, don't be.

That's why I started volunteering.

I mean, seeing people like him enjoying the bikes,

well, it makes me closer to my Gary.

I can almost hear him spouting the names of obscure races in my ear.

THEY LAUGH

Well, anyway, you'd better drag him away,

or you'll never see the rest of the museum.

-Right.

-Nice to meet you, lovey.

And you, too.

Look, this is the one I was telling you about.

Well, the good news is, you haven't broken anything.

Is that it, then?

Well, I'm just a little bit concerned.

You had quite a fall and you were there for some time.

I wondered if I might be able to examine you properly?

-Take your blood pressure, just to be sure?

-Don't fuss!

-Can I do anything?

-No!

-Cup of tea?

What a good idea.

Would that be OK, Mrs Donovan, if Ben made some tea

-while I carried out the checks? It won't take long, I promise.

-Oh, all right.

BABY WAILS

Oh, Marnie!

Come on!

Oh, no! Oh, dear!

Oh! OK. All right.

Oh!

ROB SIGHS

Ssh-ssh-ssh-ssh! Come on, you can't cry for that long.

# Every breath you take

# Every move you make

# Every bond you break Every step you take

# I'll be watching you. #

Winifred? Come on.

-Let's have a photo.

-What?

-Come on.

-THEY CHUCKLE

-Let me see.

Oh, now, that is not too bad.

THEY CHUCKLE

-Well, your blood pressure is quite low.

-So?

So, I'd like to do some more tests to check on your heart.

How about I make an appointment for you to come and see me at the Mill?

-Can you get there?

-I don't think so.

-Well, I could come and see you.

-I don't do doctors.

-What if you get ill?

-I'm all right on my own.

But you are registered at the Mill?

-Oh, that was Shelly.

-Shelly?

I think that was her name.

I had a fall on some ice outside the library. Years ago now.

And when I came home, this Shelly, a nurse, I think she was,

she came around a few times to change dressings and what-have-you.

-Mm-hm.

-She was one of them, you know, interfering,

going on about I needed to do this and needed to do that.

She got me the forms for the doctors,

sat with me while I did them.

I only went to shut her up. I don't need doctors!

Do you have any other support?

Told you, I don't need no-one!

Nothing from the care services, from Social Services?

Where have you been? They've cut it all, love.

It don't exist no more. Do you not read the papers?

Don't want it, anyway.

Someone coming around, talking to me like I'm stupid.

Pouring out my cornflakes and going through my drawers.

I'm fine!

-If you really want to help me...

-Yeah?

You can go and see where me laddo is with that brew.

And find me fags! I'm gasping here.

Ben?

I went to the shops.

Good man.

Go on, then, say it, "I told you so".

I told you so.

What next, then?

Um...well, she is vulnerable,

so there are some support services that I can kick into action.

There's also practical services that I access, too.

Pest control, being one of them.

It's good that you raised the alarm.

What? It's exactly what you wanted, isn't it?

Yeah, but it's not that easy, though, is it?

Well, I'm not saying it's easy, but there is some support out there.

She won't have it. You know what she's like.

Kate doesn't like being helped.

BABY WAILS

Oh, I'm so sorry! I had to go all the way to the supermarket

because they didn't have the right-sized nappies.

-Come on, let me take over.

-No, it's OK, I've got a rhythm going.

-I don't mind!

-It's fine. Just make me a cup of tea, will you?

OK. Oh!

-What?

-Milk.

I told you to put it on the list!

BABY CONTINUES CRYING

You took your time. Picking it, were you?

I was just having a look at your garden, actually.

-Why?

-Wondered if you wanted me to clear it for you.

-Wouldn't take me long.

-No. You're all right.

Is that everything, then? Because I've got stuff to be getting on with.

I'm not being funny, but I don't like people in my house.

Mrs Donovan, it seems to me that you could do with a little bit of help.

We all need support from time to time.

No, not me!

Do you have any friends or family nearby?

Don't need 'em, don't want 'em.

There was our Dora. I only put up with her because I had to.

Drove each other half mad, we did.

But she's been gone ten years now.

-Who was Dora?

-Are you not listening?

They don't listen, do they?

My sister, Dora! Dead now!

Long dead now.

I am listening, Mrs Donovan.

I think you could do with a bit of support, and I want to help you get it.

You're not listening, are you?

Because I've already said I don't want it!

I don't like other people. I don't want them.

I'm all right on my own, and I'd like you to go now, please!

How come you're always on that step, then?

What's he saying?

Most mornings, I see you on that front step.

For someone who doesn't like other people,

you spend quite a lot of time and effort attracting their attention.

Hey, Winifred? I need your help.

Oh, yes?

I can't decide. Which one do you like best?

Er...well, they are both lovely.

Yeah, but which one would you take away as a memento

from this... magical motorcycle experience?

Well, I, er...

-I think this one.

-Yeah?

It is somehow...more you.

-We have to be leaving soon.

-Yeah.

Thank you.

-What is this?

-Now we both have one.

Right, let's make a break for it

before your new stalker friend comes back.

THEY CHUCKLE

Oh, that is lovely. Thank you. Have you got the same?

I'm not some sad little old lady standing on the doorstep

waiting for you to take pity on me!

I just like winding people up.

-Why?

-What do you mean, why?

-Well, why do you like winding people up?

-Because...

Because at least then I get some sort of reaction.

Even if they shout back at me, or swear at me.

Someone actually notices me for once.

You have no idea how miserable we become.

Like a non-person, a ghost.

That's what's going to finish me off, I tell you.

I noticed you weren't there.

Why don't you let me do the garden?

We could do it together, if you like?

-Come on, you can see how desperate he is.

-No!

Please, Mrs Donovan.

I just want to help.

Why? You don't know anything about me!

I could get that window sorted for you,

get you some shopping in?

And if you'll let me come and see you again,

I can do some blood tests

and have you referred for an assessment for care services.

I won't be railroaded!

No-one's railroading you. It's completely up to you.

Nothing will happen unless you agree to it first. I promise.

Well, if you're that desperate.

-And I can come again?

-Will it shut you up?

Well, I can't guarantee that. SHE CHUCKLES

But I'll call you later to arrange for an appointment, OK?

And I'll give you a knock,

see if you want anything from the shops, Mrs Donovan.

Oh, give over! It's Kate.

No-one calls me Mrs Donovan. I was having you on.

Now, excuse me a minute...

..while I just pop to the bathroom.

And don't nick anything, will you?

-Thanks, Ben.

-Nah. Thank you.

She's right, though, social-care support is pretty diminished.

And there's no guarantee that Kate would accept what she was offered, anyway.

Yeah, I know. It was the same with my nan,

and she had family to help her.

-Pretty terrifying, isn't it, being old and on your own?

-Yeah.

When people can do the basics,

they just fall through the gaps, don't you think?

I mean, you're on the front line, you must see this all the time.

Yeah, I suppose so.

I'll look out for Kate, fill in the gaps.

BABY WAILS

WAILING ECHOES

-I've got to go.

-What's the matter?

-I can't!

-What's the matter?

-I can't!

Hey, hey, hey! I haven't got her! Ooo!

Why are you doing that?

What's the matter with you?

JJ SIGHS

Time flies when you're having fun.

Mm.

Winifred...

I don't know what to say.

These...

These last few months have been some of the best of my life.

-I honestly...

-Let me say something. I, er...

You are a wonderful man.

-Right back at you.

-Please, just let me finish.

This day has made me realise how special you are.

-JJ...

-Come here!

-No.

No. Just, er...

You won't change your mind?

There is nothing I can do to make you change yours?

So...

..there it is.

Goodbye, John James.

I'll see you, Winifred.

Te amo.

-I'll call the police!

-And tell them what,

an admirer gave you a rose?

BABY WAILS

What is going on?!

You have been jumpy since the moment we sat down in here!

We touched on confidence last time.

-How long's that been a problem?

-A lifetime.