White Noise Doctors

-Morning.

-Morning.

-You look happy about something.

-Me? No.

Well, things are OK, but that's about it.

Rob's settling back into work,

getting back to our old routine, really.

Going out for our tea tonight, just because we can.

Right, I'll, um...I'll make a cup of tea, and then bring 'em on!

Patient's in her early 50s,

her resting pulse is consistently mid to high 80s.

It's a bit concerning, but nothing too drastic.

But she's worried about it, which, you know, self-fulfilling prophecy.

It's not a priority, but if you...

She keeps banging on about that lovely Dr Vere and how lovely he is.

Did I tell you she thinks you're lovely?

Yeah. Sorry, um...yeah, I'll fit her in. Don't worry.

-OK.

-Cool.

Hm!

Gentlemen! Apologies. Traffic.

Ah! Believe me, after the last few days,

it's nice to spend the morning dealing with old pros.

You two get settled in, I'll organise some coffees.

White, no sugar. Black, no sugar?

-Yeah. Well remembered.

-Make yourselves comfortable.

And you're registered with us?

Yeah. I filled in loads of forms,

got this long, boring talk and a quick medical.

Ah. Oh, no, wait. Here, I've got you.

-Mac, not Mc.

-Yeah.

-And this is your first real appointment?

-Yeah.

-OK. Well, take a seat.

-Will it be long?

No, it shouldn't be.

What time are you due your break?

-BABY WAILS

-Um...

Did you hear that?

-Hear what?

-The way that baby's crying.

No.

I'm going to finish the stock-check.

-SHE CHUCKLES

-Sorry.

-For what?

-For...blocking your way.

Oh. Sorry.

THEY LAUGH

-Sorry, um...

-I, um... Sorry.

Er...Dr Vere, if you have a moment, may I see you in my office?

Yeah, 'course. Is now good?

-Oh, yes, yes. That would be wonderful. Thank you.

-OK.

-Look, um...

-SHE LAUGHS

-Stay put.

-OK.

It's taken us six months to get to trial,

so it would be a good idea to give your recall a thorough workout. OK?

-Fine by me.

-Yep.

-Excellent.

So here we are. The Crown versus Wakely.

Two derelicts out drinking all day come to blows over money,

one sustains severe brain damage.

Dr Clay, you were on duty at Letherbridge police station

-on the night of November 23rd last year?

-Yes.

Sergeant Hollins asked you to examine the accused at 22:37?

Yes. He was shown into the FME room and I assessed his injuries.

-Could you describe them?

-Lacerations to the head and to the hand.

-Could you specify where on the hand?

-On the knuckles.

I really want to single that out, so give it some weight,

make sure the jury really register it.

Were those lacerations consistent, in your expert view,

with the accused punching someone?

Yes. There were no signs of defensive injuries.

Did you check to see if the accused had been drinking alcohol?

Yeah, but it was obvious he had been, he was slurring his words,

there was a great deal of alcohol on his breath.

He slurred his words. He was speaking?

-A little, yeah.

-What did he say?

He said, "You should have seen the other guy".

He stopped talking when he realised Sergeant Hollins was in the room.

His tone struck me as rather triumphant, arrogant.

In fact, we looked at each other.

-I think it struck us the same, didn't it, Rob?

-We did.

-Please, stick to your own answers.

-OK.

Mary?

Is my appointment still on?

Sorry, yes, I'll be with you soon.

Um...is it for the baby?

No, it's for me.

I've been feeling a bit depressed.

-Since the baby was born?

-Yeah.

Aw.

Do you mind if I ask you a couple of quick questions?

-Why?

-It's something we do with all the new patients.

Makes it easier when you see the doctor for the first time.

So, apart from the depression, how are you coping?

Not great. That's why I'm here.

I mean, I'm on my own.

I moved to Letherbridge to get away from my druggie boyfriend.

Do you take drugs?

BABY WAILS

Ooh, dear. Do you want me to have a go?

Um... Yeah, sure.

Oh, come on, sausage.

What's going on with you?

Oh, dear, dear!

Come on, let's...

Oh, poor thing!

Basically, it's all good.

The sessions with Megan have been really helpful.

Shame they're over, really.

But, yeah, I'm happy with things here.

Wonderful. The partners will be pleased.

And the, er...the patients?

We can all see that you are much more confident and assured.

The sessions seem to be working.

It is a pleasure to see the new you.

And it reflects well on the practice.

So if you could send me an e-mail

with everything we have talked about, just so I have a record.

So, is this about Megan's trial period?

Indeed. I just want to discuss it with the partners.

I'm just canvassing some opinions,

just to see how well she is fitting in.

Huh! Yeah. I'll...I'll...

Hm.

So I recorded the defendant's physical injuries, as you can see before you.

Excellent. That'll do for now, Jimmi. Rob?

Sergeant Hollins, you were on patrol in west Letherbridge

-on the night of November 23rd.

-Correct.

You attended an incident outside The Bristol pub at 21:00.

Correct. The ambulance was already there before I arrived

and they were treating the suspect, David Cahill,

who was just about to be transported to hospital.

So I secured the scene, I began to ascertain what had happened,

and gather physical evidence.

What physical evidence?

Broken bottle. I think that will be exhibit RH1.

And after it had been tested, we found blood stains from the victim

and fingerprints from the suspect.

I also interviewed some of the witnesses.

Did the witnesses strike you as inebriated?

Yes, and I noted that in the witness statement, where it was appropriate.

Oh, I see what you're saying. Yes. There was, however, another witness.

Oh!

-Caroline Smith.

-Caroline Smith. Thank you.

Miss Smith, er...had not long been at The Bristol pub

and she had not been drinking alcohol.

She approached me and gave me a very detailed description of the perpetrator

and the direction which he left the scene.

According to your notes, she described him as drunk?

Yes, he was drunk, he'd fled the scene

and he had a Scottish accent.

Can I stop you there, Rob?

Welsh, not Scottish.

The accused has a strong Welsh accent.

-I said Welsh accent!

-You said Scottish, mate.

Sorry, I, er...I-I meant Welsh.

A mistake like that would be low-hanging fruit for the defence QC.

She'd make you look like a bumbling fool.

Someone's leaving do at the station last night?

Look, why don't we take a minute for you to look over your notes

and refresh your memory?

-Ooh, Sid?

-Yeah?

-Sorry, er...your next patient, the woman with the young baby?

-Yeah?

It's since we've had Marnie, and you know her mother was an addict?

It's...it's the way the baby cries, its sensitivity to the light.

I just wanted to tell you before you saw her...

Thanks. I'll, er...I'll keep an eye out for it. Thank you.

-Will I bring her through?

-Yeah, please.

-OK.

-Thank you.

What made you suspect the man you arrested

was, in fact, the man you were looking for?

Because he matched the description.

Blue jeans, green shirt.

That could cover scores of men in the area that night, yes?

And he had a pronounced Welsh accent.

And there was a Welsh rugby team playing in Letherbridge that night.

Can you confirm this?

No, I don't know.

You don't know?

-There was.

-So?

Is that relevant? If they were playing the Letherbridge Lions,

then their stadium is on the other side of town.

And visiting rugby fans never come to Letherbridge west.

The fans would have been in the stadium at the time of the assault.

This is the game you were unaware of 10 seconds ago, Sergeant?

Yes. But what I was aware of was the suspect,

because of his clothes and his accent.

And I was also aware of the bloodstain he had,

which I ascertained he couldn't have got from his own minor injuries.

OK.

Can I suggest something?

If she asks about what made you suspect the accused, she can muddy the waters...

-MUTED:

-..about the description, the accent, but not the bloodstains.

So lead on those, get that message across.

Let it have an impact on the jury.

Yes. Sorry.

Don't worry about it. This is why we're here.

Now, where did you apprehend the suspect?

Vine Road.

And you were on your own?

No, I had a colleague, PC Barnes.

-And you cautioned the accused?

-Yeah.

I asked him to explain how he got the bloodstains,

he refused to answer, tried to walk away, so I arrested him.

And PC Barnes was with you at this point?

No. I asked her to assist after I arrested him.

So, no-one can corroborate that you actually cautioned the accused?

No, but my memory of the arrest is very, very clear.

-You said you arrested him on Vine Road...

-Yes!

..when, in fact, you arrested him on Vine Terrace.

A full two miles from Vine Road.

Do you still insist your memory is very clear, Sergeant?

So your recollection of these events,

as you're presenting them in this court, is very far from clear.

It is, in fact, wrong.

I made a mistake.

But you are trying to trip me up.

I don't have to try very hard.

And now the defence makes a case the arrest was wrongful, and the accused walks free.

Look, Rob, this is what QCs do.

I know that. Don't you patronise me!

If there's one thing a barrister loves,

it's asking a question when they know the answer they'll get!

-MUTED:

-And it there's one thing a barrister hates, it's...

Are you sure you're OK? You look pale.

It's pretty warm in here.

Maybe, um...you could do with some fresh air, Rob.

ROB EXHALES

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

I must be coming down with something.

-I could always talk to Thomas and reschedule.

-No, let's do it.

Well, I have to get back, so...

Well, just go, then. I'll be fine.

I'll...I'll be fine.

Like you said, it's hot in there.

HE SIGHS

Excuse me.

-Are you medical staff?

-I'm the receptionist.

So, you're not medical?

No.

So, why were you asking me such personal questions?

Like I said, we sometimes can spot things

and then flag them up to the doctors.

Like...?

I'm not allowed to discuss other patients' cases.

-PHONE RINGS

-Try mine.

-BABY WAILS

-The Mill Health Centre.

Sid?

Oh. Um...yeah. Look, Karen, Mary was my patient, not her baby.

I gave her a prescription, and without going into detail, she didn't seem too bad.

Do you think she's got a drug problem?

There was nothing to indicate that, no.

I'm not going to randomly ask about a drug habit without reason.

-I gave you a reason!

-I'm going to need a little bit more than that.

-Well, did the baby cry?

-At one point, yeah.

-You didn't hear what I heard?

-No.

Then maybe I've got more experience of addicted babies.

Karen, look, I'm not going to discuss this with you right now, OK? Excuse me.

I was just coming to find you...Karen.

I've got a problem with my phone.

I'll speak to you later.

OK. Yeah. Good. Hm!

FLASHBACK: SCREAMING

'Look out!'

SCREAMING

Rob?

Rob?

Yeah, I'm just coming.

Give me a minute.

I need on.

I...am...just...about...done.

-PHONE RINGS

-Ooh! The Mill.

Er...one second.

Should you be doing that?

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

Er...Dr Vere. Your recommendation was very helpful.

I have spoken to the other partners

and we are all very keen to continue our relationship with Dr Sharma.

Hm! Good, good.

-Well, I, er...I just thought you should know.

-Thank you.

Hi. Um...this is the Mill Health Centre calling.

I was wondering if it would be possible to talk to a Dr Fayed

about, um...one of his former patients, Mary Macauley.

Hi! Um...Dr Fayed, this is the Mill Health Centre.

I wanted to chat about a former patient of yours, Mary Macauley.

She's with us now. And I was wondering,

can you remember, did she have any issues with drug-dependency?

Am I a doctor?

Oh, I'm ever so sorry, a patient's just looked in,

I'm going to have to call you back.

I then took the accused to Letherbridge station,

where he was questioned and later charged.

It was my opinion that his injuries merited being looked at

by the Forensic Medical Examiner.

It might be an idea, during these long pieces of evidence,

to glance at the jury.

It helps to engage them, helps the jury...

I will. But there's no jury to glance at here, is there?

And wait for me to ask and finish questions.

Again, it helps break up evidence and helps the jury keep hold of the timeline.

I'm not a newbie, and you wouldn't speak to me like this in court.

OK. Next question.

PHONE RINGS

SHE SIGHS

Yes?

All right. Well, put it through.

This is Mrs Tembe, practice manager. How can I...?

Very well.

Listen, um...I've got some news. Heh!

Don't tell Mrs Tembe that I told you, but...

they're thinking about keeping you on.

Oh.

Sid, I-I-I don't know if I'm going to stay.

Why?

Because I'm always going to be reminded of, you know, us.

PHONE RINGS

Um...sorry.

It's Mrs Tembe. I'll just kill it.

No, answer it.

Mrs Tembe? Listen, I'm just in the middle of something,

so, can you give me 10 minutes?

Is it important? All right, five minutes?

-SHE WHISPERS:

-Go.

Do you know what? Um...I'll be right with you. I'm coming. OK.

Er...you dealt with Mary Macauley earlier on today.

Yeah. It was a routine consultation.

Miss Macauley wants to make a complaint.

The complaint is not against you.

-Oh.

-It is against Mrs Hollins.

She was taking a lot of interest in that patient...

-Dr Vere?

-Um...

I-I just got a call from Miss Macauley's previous surgery.

They rang me about 20 minutes ago,

said that one of our doctors rang them about Mary.

You think this could have been Mrs Hollins?

Well, it could have been.

They said that she ended the call abruptly and didn't leave a name.

No, no, Karen wouldn't do that.

So there was no possibility of any forensic contamination

on the journey between Letherbridge station and Vine Road...

Vine Terrace. Wait!

I think I arrested somebody on Vine Road a few weeks after this case.

So, you're confusing the cases?

I think I am, yeah.

What the hell is wrong with you?!

How can this court be expected to take anything you say about the accused at face value

if you don't actually know which case is being tried?!

Rob, please, don't confuse cases.

If I was conducting the defence,

I'd use it to tear your evidence to shreds.

And I wouldn't let the jury forget it.

Look, maybe just today's a bad day, OK?

Let's pick this up another time.

We'll be in touch.

But let's be clear, you can't be complacent.

Yes, you've always been an excellent witness,

but people are relying on you to be on your game in this trial.

Me, my team, the victim's family,

the victim, future victims, if this man walks free.

If you've had a bad day, then you've had a bad day. Boo-hoo!

These people have had their lives turned upside down, maybe even ruined!

So if that's teaching you to suck eggs and sounds a bit patronising, so be it!

I want another go.

Please.

You spoke to Miss Macauley earlier?

Yes.

Well, Miss Macauley went home

and became increasingly upset about the conversation.

And after speaking to her, I am not happy either.

Miss Macauley would like to make a formal complaint.

She felt that you were intrusive

and crossed professional boundaries.

Would you like to explain yourself?

Mrs Hollins?

-You stuck your nose in where...

-I was concerned about the baby.

What? You think I'd hurt my own child?

I fostered a baby about the same age quite recently

and its mother was a drug addict

and it suffered from addiction.

And those babies, well, they behave a certain way.

And I saw that with your baby.

I ain't a junkie!

She's a nutter!

I spoke to Dr Vere, and to Miss Macauley's previous surgery.

And they are all satisfied that she does not have a drug problem.

And they all agree that the baby is perfectly healthy

and there is no cause for concern.

What are you going to do about her?

Miss Macauley is understandably angry.

But after speaking to her,

I can see that she's a reasonable person.

But she does have legitimate grounds for complaint.

And I am hoping that after hearing a little of your experience

with babies with addiction problems,

albeit a brief experience...

..if you admit that you were wrong

and you apologise,

I am hoping that Miss Macauley will agree to resolve this matter here.

Mrs Hollins?

Is she soft in the head or something?

Um...

..I was wrong. I'm sorry.

Well, Mrs Hollins realises that she has crossed a line.

And we, here at the Mill, sincerely apologise.

But how often have we heard of tragedies in the news

where the system has been...

Well, neglectful and not vigilant?

I think we have dealt with this before any real damage.

Do you not agree, Miss Macauley?

Thank you.

I will speak to you at a later...

There was no possibility of any contamination of forensic evidence

on the journey between Vine Terrace and Letherbridge station.

I had no contact with the victim.

Excellent.

Listen, Thomas, about earlier...

It doesn't matter, so long as there's no repeat.

There won't be.

Another performance like today, and, well,

the defence will think I've given them an early Christmas present.

Yeah, I get that.

Hm! Good.

Miss Macauley has agreed that the apology will be the end of it.

There will be no official complaint.

Maybe she qualifies for VPAS.

No, she does not!

I wish Ruhma was here. You would listen to her.

Sister Hanif is a qualified midwife, you are not.

As it is, I did not tell her that you spoke to Dr Vere about her.

That you attempted to prejudice her consultation.

That you accessed her private medical records

by misleading her previous surgery!

If I had...this would not have been the end of it.

She would have insisted that we sack you.

And knowing that you lied?

I do not think that we could have refused her!

You were wrong.

-I was...

-Mrs Hollins!

Look, perhaps it is something to do with this...

this little baby you have fostered.

Stirring up emotions and, er...memories.

Maybe the lack of...of memories you have of your own babies.

Was it hard to give her up?

It's not OK for me to be an amateur midwife,

but it's OK for you to be an amateur psychologist?!

Help me to understand

so that I can try to help you!

I know...

I...

That you're right and nobody else sees a problem,

but I know what I heard!

Am I going crazy?

No. No.

It is probably something to do with everything you are going through.

Perhaps the white noise in your head.

But you cannot go around thinking

that every crying baby is addicted.

-Hiya!

-Hi.

How was your day?

My day was...really good.

Great!

-Yours?

-Yeah, good, yeah.

So, where would you like to eat?

Home? I quite fancy putting my feet up.

Aw. I really fancy going out to eat.

OK.

Curry?

Look, you're not even treating me any more, we're just colleagues!

So, why can't we just date, like normal people?!

Because when I started counselling you, I made an ethical commitment.

Yeah, and I get that, but that's over!

-Yeah, it's not that simple.

-It is, if we want it to be.

-Well, people won't see it that way.

-Who cares?!

I do. It could cost me my job.

Look, people meet in all sorts of ways.

Look, I'll...I'll make it simple.

Forget our jobs, forget all the ethics.

If you feel nothing for me, if there isn't a little part of you

that just wants to...rip my clothes off, then...

..then just say it and that'll be the end of it.

Yeah. Yeah, of course I have feelings and desire...

Yeah, but it's more than that, right? It...it's deeper!

It's not just the L word.

What?

-Lust.

-THEY CHUCKLE

Fine. If that's the way you want it...

Sid?

Let's do it.

Tomorrow night. A normal date.

OK.

Cool.

Vince, a date-rape drug was found in your system.

If you didn't take it, then somebody must've given it to you.

-Ow!

-Sorry! Sorry!

-Ow!

-Sorry!

You're pulling my hair!

It...it's my cufflink. It's...

I can't do any of it without Rob.

He's just been brilliant.