Hungry Doctors

Ta-da!

Scrambled eggs and toast...and only a little bit burnt this time.

Oh, hold on, hold on.

There you go. Go for it!

Is that good?

No, thank you, darling.

Oh, hang on!

"Slinky Minx seeks Silver Fox."

Hmm?

That's how they got together - and now they're getting married! Look.

Slinky Minx - that's my friend Sally. She was single for ever.

Until she tried online dating.

And found her Silver Fox. So this is her dating...

That's her dating profile. Right there, on the invitation!

She's very blase.

Can't say that I blame her.

Loads of my friends have done online dating. They love it.

I suppose it is a practical solution.

-For the more mature person.

-Yeah, and fun, too.

As long as you go about it in the right way.

I could use some fun.

I have to tell you, I have been thinking recently about

diving back into the plunge pool of love.

Maybe this is a sign?

Maybe it is.

Just remember - not everyone online is as nice as you, though, Valerie.

Oh, I will.

I think I can handle myself.

No nursery today.

Swings later?

No.

Oh, that's nice.

What are you up to?

Do you think I look too "come hither" in this one?

Um... Morning!

Morning. Let me just have a look in my diary now, then.

I just...

Oh, for...

Oh, dear.

Well, it is a good excuse to treat yourself, Sister Carter.

Yeah. Yeah, because I could be one of those people.

You know, who spends a month's wages on a glorified sack.

-Look, I did not...

-It's fine.

I have spent ages scrolling through all my photos,

but none of them were quite right.

So I took these. For the dating site.

Why's it so dark?

-Where did you take it?

-Cleaner's cupboard.

I was aiming for the moody ambiance.

It's almost pitch black. Is that a mop in the background?

Oh. I thought I draped a scarf over that.

I did take these as well.

I've got a great one of you.

You know when we went to the pub by the river. Remember?

Oh.

It's a bit windswept. My hair is all ruffled up.

No, it's friendly. You look nice. I'll send it to you.

OK. Ooh, I've done some work on my profile, as well.

-Oh, good.

-It's so hard to stand out.

So, I decided to write it all in rhyme.

How did that go?

Hardly anything rhymes with Valerie!

Apart from calorie.

And salary.

So I decided to change that plan.

But here is a rough outline.

I'm not sure you need so much stuff in there about cats.

And so many favourite cakes?

Oh... It's so hard to cut myself down to size.

I have tried, honestly.

I am just so multi-faceted.

Do you want me to have a go?

I've got a gap between patients coming up.

I spy with my little eye,

something beginning...

Jamie.

Ian. Anita.

How's things?

They'd be better if you two stopped stalking us.

Come on, son...

Just happened to be passing, did you? You live miles away.

No. We drove over specially. Because you won't answer the phone.

Are you OK?

I saw you outside earlier. Lurking.

We were hoping to catch you and Cara.

We're only asking to spend some time with her.

Aren't we, darling? We miss you.

I've got an appointment. Come on, Cara. Let's go.

Why don't we look after her? Help you out a bit.

It's half term, isn't it?

We're good. Thank you.

Jamie. Please don't shut us out.

Do you need a lift?

"I am vibrant, bubbly,

"creative and caring with a wild heart. I love to laugh

"and am always up for an adventure - suggestions welcome!"

-Ooh, I say!

-What do you think?

Well, if I wasn't already married to Rob, I would date you.

I do sound kind of unique. But also real, too.

Valerie - you are unique. The sooner you realise that, the better.

-I'm going to upload myself as soon as I get a break.

-Good.

Hello, Jamie.

Hi.

Hello, Cara!

Dr Reid is ready for you, if you would like to go through.

-OK.

-We'll keep an eye on Cara.

Hi, nice to see you again. How do you do?

The HIV clinic are very concerned.

Your viral load is sky-high.

Jamie?

I thought...just a blip.

Right.

What about Cara?

Cara gets the best of everything!

Jamie, you're a good dad.

But you need to be a healthy one, too.

It's not even a year since you lost Kitty.

You're not on your own.

If something is wrong, then I can...

I can't afford it, OK!

Can't afford what?

Any of it!

The rent, the bills, the bus fares.

After I've bought Cara's food, there is nothing left.

What about your food?

Like I said...

Jamie, you are all that Cara has got.

So we have to sort this out.

In the meantime, maybe Kitty's parents

-could lend you some...

-No way...

They know I messed up,

they'll be straight on to their lawyers with a custody case.

They're Cara's grandparents. They're bound to...

They blame me for giving Kitty HIV!

And now, they think that I am going to "infect" Cara -

so they're set on taking her.

Jamie, sit down, please.

You've had a hard time.

But you're not sounding like yourself.

-And those are serious accusations.

-It's the truth!

Well, do they understand how HIV is transmitted?

A lot of people don't.

They don't listen.

Not to me.

Well, I'd be happy to talk to them, if you think it would help.

You know, give them a medical perspective.

Please. For Cara.

Here you go. Keep your strength up.

How's it going?

Well, no-one has liked me yet.

Well, give it time. Sometimes men are just slow starters.

Excuse me. I'm trying to enjoy a quiet lunch break here.

It's not easy with the budgie brigade chirping on.

I'm online dating.

Wow. Look out, internet.

It's logical. Practical.

You think that's what we are all looking for in passion,

isn't it Valerie? Practicality.

Well, it's fun as well.

I thought you would favour the scientific approach.

In life, maybe.

But love, by its very nature, is irrational and random.

It's flawed.

It's...it's human.

That is so romantic!

No, no, no, no.

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world,

"she walks into mine."

That's romance. That's what love is.

Some horribly messy accident of the fates.

Not, you know, a cross-matching of profiles. Swipe left, swipe right.

Ignore him, Valerie. He's just winding you up.

You stalking us again?

We know Cara loves this park.

We just hoped to see her.

I don't understand how it's come to this, Jamie.

I do. Only too well.

What can we do to make you trust us?

My doctor. At The Mill Health Centre.

She's offered to put you straight about HIV.

How there's no way I can infect Cara.

But we don't... You don't think that?

Will you see her? Dr Reid?

Of course.

Ian!

Jamie wants us to go and have a chat with his doctor.

No problem.

Why don't you push Cara on the swing first? She loves that.

How are you managing for cash, son?

Not cheap, life with a youngster.

-Little extra never went amiss.

-I'm fine, thanks.

Go on. Treat my gorgeous granddaughter.

Cara doesn't need your money!

Mrs Tembe.

Bald men - yes or no?

Well, I have not really given it much thought, Miss Pitman.

OK, then. Gut reaction? His name is Pete. He likes Dire Straits.

And he's bald.

Bald men have more testosterone, don't they?

-I'm sure I read that somewhere.

-He looks very nice.

Yep. They are all going to look nice.

They are all going to sound nice.

Because they're presenting a sanitised version of themselves.

But in reality, they're going to be like a...

..like a spider waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting fly.

Don't be an unsuspecting fly, Valerie.

The internet is a strange place.

Just be careful.

There you are. Here... Look...

If you would rather be on your own...?

No, no, no, thank you.

I was out of line, Mrs Tembe.

I'm sorry, I just, um...

I....

Look, is there... is there something troubling you?

Yeah.

£1,900 on one bag!

And I just can't get it out of my head.

I am sorry, I am not following.

Sorry. Heston and I, we met up

with some of his surgeon friends at the weekend.

And their very high-powered other halves.

-I see.

-Yeah.

And they were just dripping in bling!

I mean, nothing they were wearing costs less than I earn in a week.

Yes, I have encountered such people.

So have I! Normally it's fine.

But...

I just don't fit in that world.

Heston's world.

It is what is inside that matters. Dr Carter knows that.

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe.

HIV can only be transmitted through unprotected sex,

the sharing of needles,

blood transfusions

or between mother and baby in the womb.

So there is absolutely no risk to Cara.

Thank you, Doctor.

It all sounds so reasonable.

But Kitty did die.

Her heart just failed. And she was gone.

I'm sorry.

They said it was probably unrelated...to the HIV.

Anyway, that's not why we're here, is it?

Can you help us get through to Jamie?

We try so hard, but nothing works.

It's like he wants Cara to forget us!

Well, if you're offering your help and support,

it seems like you're doing all you can.

Well, not when Jamie turns us down flat!

Why is he punishing us?

I've known Jamie a long time.

And he doesn't strike me as the punishing kind.

Maybe he feels under pressure.

We've tried staying away. But he never answers our calls.

And when we do manage to see Cara, he accuses us of all sorts!

Apart from this morning, we haven't seen them for weeks.

And to be honest, Doctor, we were shocked.

The state of poor Jamie!

He's lost so much weight! Is his health going downhill?

The way he's behaving, it must be something serious.

And all those drugs he's on...

I can't discuss that.

But his mental state. You must have noticed it, too. I mean...

..he's so hostile and agitated.

Verging on paranoid.

He's been saying some terrible things. And little Cara...

I think it's safe to say that Jamie will always put Cara first -

no matter what.

I think we can all agree on that.

Thank you for seeing us today.

We appreciate you taking the time.

You're welcome. I'll let Jamie know that we've talked.

Tell him, if there's anything at all he needs us to do, we'll do it.

Of course.

Did Dr Carter actually use the words "smarten up"?

Well, he gave me £3,000 to buy a brand-new wardrobe!

Knowing Dr Carter, it was just a generous gift.

So, you think I'm being over-sensitive?

I've just always had to, you know, watch every penny with me and the kids.

Shak and Alia are a credit to you.

Thank you.

I always put a little bit aside every month, you know,

for their future.

Shak's birthday is coming up. I am going to surprise him

with enough cash to buy himself a new computer.

Well, you see?

How wonderful to offer a generous gift to someone you love.

Do you know, I think I have done a good job on this.

Thanks for the tea, Mrs Tembe.

Right.

Jamie, if you get too ill, social services will step in and then what?

Hmm?

Look, you don't have to be best friends with Ian and Anita.

But they're Cara's grandparents. They're a link to her mum.

OK. But I'm not seeing them unless you're there.

-That would be a disaster.

-Well, that's fine.

Give me a couple of weeks. Get myself sorted.

Come on, let's get it over with, shall we?

What about this afternoon, 4.30?

I'll bring everyone to The Mill?

There's Cara. It would be easier when she's back at nursery.

Well, that's all right. She can help out in reception.

Is that OK?

-OK.

-Great. All right, I'll see you later.

Bye.

Have you ever dated a bald man?

No.

-I've got a date!

-Oh.

Well, if being bald isn't a deal-breaker

and he's not a serial killer, then say yes?

-Already have.

-OK. Make sure you check him out first.

-I want you to be safe.

-Ms Pitman!

Course I will.

Why don't you just say it?

You blame me for Kitty's death!

Oh, please, not this again, Jamie.

I didn't give her HIV!

I loved her.

I looked after her best I could.

We looked after each other!

You're trying to be mum and dad to Cara. That's so hard.

But she's...

She's worth it. Whatever happens,

we won't let Cara down, Jamie.

Look, it's clear that Cara is the most important thing to all of you.

Surely that's something you can build on?

Can you give us a chance?

Maybe...

Jamie?

I feel a bit dizzy.

OK. Just relax, take a couple of breaths.

All right, easy does it.

Some more requisition forms.

Lovely, thanks.

You know, your financial resourcefulness should be commended.

Thank you.

But...?

But...

spending money on yourself is not just necessary,

it is good for you. Well, Dr Carmichael taught me that,

when she persuaded me to buy my home.

A home is not a bag.

No, no, of course not.

I am not saying that money can buy you happiness.

But it can buy you things and experiences.

And it can make life just that little bit easier

and more pleasurable.

Please, just think about it.

Just look at me?

OK, good.

Hey!

Daddy's going to ride in an ambulance. How cool is that?

And we are going to take you in our car.

Maybe we can race Daddy, see who gets there first.

Ian? Can I have a quick word?

-What's up?

-I saw you.

Saw me...?

Filming Jamie.

Well?

You must be joking!

You've just filmed a medical consultation without permission.

That's an invasion of privacy. It's also illegal.

So, if you prefer, I am more than happy to call the police.

All right!

It's all for Cara. We needed some evidence.

He's not fit to look after her.

How long has this been going on?

We can give her a good home. She'll want for nothing.

He's skinny, sick. He might even have AIDS!

Can you hear yourself?!

What other kind of "evidence" have you got?

I'm not telling you!

Jamie didn't exactly make it hard.

Our solicitor reckons we've got a strong case.

Is this the meeting that you and Anita had with me today?

He won't talk to us!

He didn't give us a choice!

You're disgusting!

Sorry, the paramedics are here.

Bye, darling, I'll see you soon.

Can we have a chat, please?

It's all right, Valerie will look after Cara.

If you'd like to follow me.

I know it must look bad.

Yes. It does.

We just wanted...

We should have had custody in the first place!

That's what we thought would happen.

Jamie is Cara's dad.

Her place is with him.

Jamie can't look after anybody!

If Katharine hadn't met him, she'd still be here now!

Whatever you say about HIV, we know she's in danger!

OK, listen to me. Cara is not in danger.

And she certainly doesn't need saving.

Except maybe from you two, and your misguided beliefs.

Really, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I understand that you love Cara.

But by trying to undermine Jamie, you've just given him

a cast-iron case against you.

You have gone out of your way to persecute a vulnerable single father

and pushed him over the edge.

He has given up his job because of you

and now he can't afford to feed himself.

Well done.

But we didn't... That's not what we wanted!

He brought it on himself.

You expect us to stand by and see another life wasted?

Let me be very clear with both of you.

So far today, you have broken every data protection law in the book -

not to mention abuse of trust or breach of confidentiality.

I don't think that would look very good on a custody application,

-do you?

-Is that a threat?

Because of your actions, Cara could end up in foster care.

And you may well be barred from seeing her at all.

What?

No - I couldn't bear it!

Then you need to work with Jamie, not against him.

I can't lose Cara! Not after Kitty.

And you can't, either!

Ian, please. Let it go, now.

Are you happy now?

Have you thought about bereavement counselling?

I think it could help you.

Nothing helps.

We'd better get to the hospital.

Are you going to tell Jamie?

Mrs Tembe. I've been thinking about what you said.

You see, you did it all yourself, didn't you?

You got a better job. Better wages.

And you bought yourself a better house.

-I did.

-Yeah, but none of that has changed for me.

But your marital status...

No, but my income, that is still modest.

Changing my spending ways would mean changing who I am.

-But surely...

-You've made me realise today how...how important

keeping my financial independence is to me.

So, thank you for that.

Right, goodnight.

Hi.

How are you feeling?

Better, thanks. I've had a huge dinner.

You're right. I've got to get myself sorted.

Jamie...

When Ian and Anita got here, we had a good chat.

They've offered to take Cara for the rest of the week.

They've been pretty great.

I've been an idiot. Sorry.

Jamie, the thing is,

you were right.

What do you mean?

Ian and Anita, they were trying to get custody of Cara.

They've been filming you, recording your conversations.

I knew it!

Well, look, they've admitted it. And it's over now.

Is it ever over with them?

To be honest, I think they were just blindsided by their grief.

They know what they've done is wrong.

They'd like a fresh start.

Huh, if you believe them.

And what now?

Well, that's your call.

But while you're getting better,

it might be an idea, for Cara's sake, to make use of them?

They do feel terrible.

So they should!

But...

I don't suppose they'd dare try anything now.

Not now you're on their case.

Maybe I'll use them.

Well, you take care of yourself. And I'll see you soon.

Oh, and remember, you are the most important thing in Cara's life.

I'm trying out that new bar, so don't wait up.

-Have fun!

-Have you heard from Baldie Pete?

Oh, I'll just check.

Ooh, I've got 67 messages!

Ooh! Have fun yourself!

-MEN'S VOICES:

-You have great style...

for a bag lady.

You know when someone just looks annoying?

Grey hair's a brave choice, but a stupid one.

Act your age, you're fooling nobody..

Sub-zero sex appeal...

Makes my flesh crawl...

Could've shown a little cleavage.

-Little piggy eyes.

-Sagging skin.

-Disgusting...

-Flabby...

Grinning like an idiot.

Middle-aged blokes sometimes use

ten-year-old photos on their profiles.

What, you mean he might be in his 60s?

And the rest.

Hi, Mum.

Have you met Dr Clay?

A Buddhist GP.

-Something wrong?

-Um...

Just doing my facial exercises. Prevents wrinkles.