Baby Steps Doctors

HE SIGHS

-Morning.

-Afternoon.

-HE CHUCKLES

Sorry. Morning breath.

Course.

Um. Listen...

-My arm. I kind of need it.

-Sorry. Yeah. Sure.

And...um...I also need to...you know... For about an hour now.

-So...

-Right! Yeah.

Hey, have you seen my...

..pants?

SHE PANTS

SHE YELPS

WHISPERS: OK. OK.

-I could murder a brew.

-Might be a mug in the sink. Maybe a bag.

Kettle's over there.

-Bit of a late one last night, wasn't it?

-What time did we finish?

-I mean, what time did we get in?

-The SU bar shut at three.

Then you spent like an hour looking for a place that sold hummus.

It must have been like 4:30am when we got back here.

That's why my head feels like a soft-boiled egg.

Why aren't YOU hungover?

-Och, I just...

-You barely drank, did you? I remember now.

-Something to do with sports?

-Sports sciences, yeah.

There's an oxymoron.

Yeah. I guess. Hey, do you want to get some breakfast?

It's three in the afternoon.

Right. Uh, well, we could...

Listen, um...

-Lew.

-Lew. It was really great to...meet you. But, but this...

-Oh, yeah. Yeah, I get it.

-I mean, you're not really my...

No. Course not.

But, you know, we had fun, right?

Yeah. Yeah.

But I should get on.

And you've probably got sports that you need to, uh, science?

So...I should probably get your number, right?

I'm sure I'll see you round campus.

Yeah. Yeah, I guess.

Right. Well...

See you.

-KNOCKING AT DOOR

-Oh, seriously, man, I am not...

Hey. Er, is this yours?

We really appreciate this.

It's nothing.

No, no. It's your time, and I know that's valuable to you.

I'm just here for Reece. Whatever I can do to help.

Glad to hear it. So, how have you been?

Fine.

You do know I'm a detective, don't you?

OK. Yeah.

I have been...a little...cautious.

-Silly stuff.

-Tell me.

Everything, from a weird note at work,

to a hooded man walking behind me - I'm just second-guessing everything.

It's reflex.

It's paranoia.

In my business, I'd rather be overly cautious than overly confident.

In my business, I'd rather just be right.

Still, I'm just saying - don't dismiss your instincts.

That's it. Sleep.

Lots of sleep.

Sleep is great.

All the cool kids sleep.

Shhhh!

Sorry. I asked your neighbours, but...

-What did you say?

-I just asked if anyone had lost anything.

I didn't want to go into detail in case anyone lied.

There is a big difference between this,

and finding a lost wallet in a pub!

Yeah, but it's not lost. Someone left it.

Maybe someone left it for you. Maybe it's yours. I mean...

I get it's white, but...

It's not mine!

-Oh, no. No. Please don't.

-BABY FARTS

Oh, would you do something?!

-Whoa!

-Oh, man.

Quick! Put it in the garden or something.

-That stinks.

-What? No. We're going to clean it up.

You OK?

I'm fine.

You sure?

Please. I just...I need...

It's OK, OK. I've got you. I've got you.

-No, I'm fine.

-It's OK, I'm a doctor.

The surgery's this way. Just... Take my hand.

Is she there yet?

Nope. I'm going to give her five minutes more.

I'm not wasting my afternoon on this.

I'm trying to help these people. The least they can do is be punctual.

Well, maybe you've done your service to women already.

Maybe she now feels SO confident, that she can stand you up.

Maybe.

Or...maybe she wants to make a special effort. Really impress you.

-Make an entrance.

-She's half an hour late!

What's she going to do, she going to rock up in fancy dress?

-I'll get back to you...

-Al...?

-Hi!

-Al?

-Gwen.

-You look just like your photo.

Oh, thank you very much. You look...

-Like a time-travelling dominatrix?

-Yeah, well...

If you were a time-traveller, you wouldn't be 33 minutes late.

Do you want a drink?

Have you been fainting at all, before now?

Any dizziness, ear infection...?

No. Nothing like that.

Sorry. Here you go. Oh, you poor thing.

You look as white as a sheet.

I'm fine.

When was the last time you ate something?

I...erm... Must have been yesterday.

Oh, no wonder you're keeling over. Will I check in the fridge?

-Have you got a history of diabetes? Or anaemia?

-No.

I'd still like to check your blood pressure anyway, if that's OK.

So, do you want to take your coat off?

I still feel cold.

OK. Erm... if you can just roll your sleeve up.

Have you got any allergies? Are you a veggie?

No. I really don't want to be a bother.

No, no, no problem. Two ticks.

I have to remain as impartial as I can,

I'm afraid, so I'm going to pass you over to my glamorous assistant.

Hello, Zara.

Over to you, Hollins. Good luck.

Thank you, Sir.

OK. Right, I'll just go over a few of the basics.

This is an ID parade.

But, instead of having the real people stood up in front of you,

or in a row, we take a short video of them.

A bit like YouTube for crooks, really.

Sounds easy enough.

If they've got any distinguishing marks, we have to blur them out.

Like tattoos or scars.

And I have to advise you that the person you saw

might not even be in this selection.

-OK.

-So take your time.

There is no need to rush, and definitely do not force an answer.

You are not obliged to ID any of these people.

So, only if you're sure.

Of course.

-Ready?

-When you are.

There you go, little man.

All sorted.

I am never having kids.

I think you did all right. The kid seems to think so.

The kid peed on the chopping board.

Hey, we should get him some, like, mushy banana or something.

I'm going to have to bleach everything. Right.

Before all this happens again, we need to get rid of him.

Well, we're not keeping him, are we?

No. I know. Just...try not to make him sound like an old sofa.

Lew! We need to call someone.

The police?

But not here.

The guys that own the flat wouldn't want them here. OK?

Between you and me, there is money and other stuff that passes

through here and I am happy turning a blind eye if it means cheap rent.

I brought the baby into a hideout?!

No.

All I'm saying is that the guys take their gardening

very seriously.

What if we took the baby outside and then we called the police then?

Or social services? We should call them.

No. Not the police, not social services.

Look, whoever did this was obviously confused or desperate, and

if those guys get involved, then...

Well, things get serious, don't they?

Probably a lot more scary for whoever we're trying to help.

Fine.

So who else is there?

We need someone that we can speak to in confidence.

-Like a lawyer?

-A lawyer, a priest. I don't know.

This is my first time with a stolen baby.

-We didn't steal it!

-Can you prove that? This is why we need advice.

Do you know anyone who can help us?

-You're not in a rush to get anywhere, are you?

-What? No, no.

Are you due back in work?

I'm on ma...leave.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Sorry, got distracted by the phone. Um, you are in luck.

We have got chicken and stuffing, or cheese and pickle.

Cheese is fine. How much do I owe you?

Oh, no, you're all right. And I've got some chocolate for you, as well.

Do you have any children, Magda?

Ah, yes! Dr Clay. Brilliant. Sorry, there's no-one at the desk.

I need your help!

Sorry, hope I'm not interrupting.

-I wasn't going to...

-It's really...

Sorry. Ladies first, please.

Just saying, I very nearly didn't come.

Really?

Well, you must have backed out of a few, surely.

Who has time to meet every stranger who pokes at them

through the computer?

Yeah, well, to be honest, I almost walked out of this one.

There you go. What were you saying?

When?

Before.

I can't remember!

I like your...I like your earrings.

Thanks. Not sure they'd suit you, though. You'd look better in hoops.

I make my own jewellery. This is from my Clockwork Orange range.

There's a range? Ultra-violence and jewellery.

I'm not sure that's quite what Anthony Burgess

and Kubrick had in mind.

Yeah. Well. I like retro visions of the future.

How people thought the world was going to go.

Steampunk, that sort of thing. And I like making stuff, so...

I like making things, too! I'm actually a bit of an inventor.

I created an app. Took a really complicated set of algorithms and...

I'm just going to bore you to death, aren't I?

Er...

If you like steampunk, you must like Bioshock?

If you say so.

I wasn't that keen on the first one, all the underwater stuff.

But the second one... the world-building in those games

is, you know, second to none.

Have you had a chance to play those games?

Can't say I have. I don't care for games.

They're for kids.

OK. Can I have the next one again, please?

Do you have much success with these?

I mean, is this the sort of thing the whole trial can hinge on?

I can't really talk about that.

I'm only here to press the button, sorry.

Of course.

You know, at any time,

if you want to take a quick break, to rest your eyes...

No, no, I'm fine.

-OK, the previous one again, please.

-Yep.

Him.

CBT's going fine, yeah.

I don't drink when I'm on my meds, which you'd think would be

hard on campus, but it's actually not that difficult.

People just assume there's vodka in whatever you're drinking anyway.

Yeah, it's going well.

-Honestly?

-Yeah. What, you don't believe me?

No, I believe you. It's just that, you know, you have to be prepared

and you have to be honest.

And as soon as you start to struggle,

-you have to come and see me.

-Yeah, Of course. Sure. I'm here now.

OK. Is there anything else?

Anything else you wanted to talk about?

Yeah. So... Um, you know we have

that doctor-patient confidentiality, right?

So, that means I can tell you stuff without

getting into trouble for it, right?

It's a bit more sophisticated than that. I mean, you can't just...

I've got this baby.

She chose number five? Good.

How'd it go?

Not as easy as I'd hoped.

Still, I'm glad you were thorough.

An eyewitness testimony can make or break a case.

And the trouble is, some people aren't that observant.

Some people are idiots, you mean.

I guess, yeah, that's what I mean.

Are you this plain-spoken with your patients?

This is me being polite.

Still, it's not just people being idiots, you know.

Some people are just too scared to come forward.

So, we really appreciate everything you've done for us today.

-Like I said, I'm just here for Reece.

-Right.

Well, I don't want to keep you, but, if there's...if there's anything,

anything at all...

Happy hunting, Detective.

Oh, that's put the colour back in your cheeks.

Here. Have one of these nutty things.

Thanks.

So, apart from this, what have you been doing today?

Can I wait for my friend in here?

It's getting a bit nippy out.

You do realise we've got a lift? Are you with Lew?

That's it.

Aww. Hello! Look at you!

Aren't you gorgeous?! What's his name?

-Tony?

-Tony? Oh...you don't get kids called that nowadays, do you?

Yeah.

Oh, but he's got your eyes.

-I should go.

-Are you sure? Dr Clay want...

I need to go now. Please.

There is as much art in that medium

as one would find in classical literature.

The architectural design, the storytelling... In a word,

craftsmanship.

And, to dismiss it as being just for kids...well, I'm sorry, but no.

I take it you like video games, then?

It's a hill I am prepared to die on.

Well, it's your round. Get them in before you keel over.

Before you tell me that comic books are for kids as well.

I can see why you're up for online dating.

Well, there is something to be said for not wanting to grow up.

I can have my dressing up box.

You can have Superman or Super Mario.

Well, I can drink to that.

I'd much rather be a big kid, than have a kid of my own.

So, let's raise a glass to freedom!

I have a six-year-old son.

If I'd called the police, then whoever this is gets treated

like a criminal. And I don't want that.

She could just be having a bad day. I have bad days,

and I wouldn't want anyone calling the cops on me.

It's not that simple. You can't make a judgment call like that.

Think about it.

You're scared or messed up enough to abandon a baby.

What are you going to do if the police come for you?

I mean, I bet whoever did this is sick and unwell.

They should be seeing you. Maybe she's a patient already?

The blanket.

This Magda, has she left?

Yeah. And in a hurry, as well.

-Is this him?

-Yeah.

-That's baby Tony.

-What?

Right. I'd better go and try and find her.

-Well, you'd better be quick, because she...

-I'll go.

Oi!

What's going on?

There's...

No! It's the corner of Ivy Close and Huntsfield. Please hurry.

Wait! Look, please. We just want to help.

-Just leave me alone.

-It's all right.

I can't do it. Don't make me.

It's OK. I don't want to make you do anything.

-I just want to check you're all right.

-Just leave me alone.

Is there anyone I could call for you?

No.

What can we do?

I can't have him. I thought I could cope but...I can't.

I should love him, shouldn't I?

But I can't even feed him. I'm leaking all over myself...

..and I can't get him to take any of it.

It's like he hates me already.

I don't want to make his life worse.

I don't want what's wrong with me... to get it into him, somehow.

HORN HONKS

I get what it's like. When you can't feel any of the love,

when you need help,

that it just seems like the whole world is angry with you...

Why can't I get it right?

You have to come back with us. Because I can help you.

I can check over the baby at the same time.

I didn't do any of this to hurt him. I promise.

So come back to the surgery.

I'm not saying it's the same, but...

HORN HONKS

Look... I'm bipolar. And sometimes it feels like no-one understands.

There's times when I couldn't say what I was feeling,

and having constant battles with myself,

before I even got to what anyone else thinks of me.

I could help you get the support you need, Magda.

He's right, you know. He can.

I took that step.

I went to see Dr Clay. There's no overnight success.

And it will never go away. But...

I'M making progress. Baby steps.

It will get easier. But first I had to ask for help.

I know it takes a lot to ask, but...

Please.

Hello?

-Hello.

-Hello.

-You haven't eaten?

-Oh, I thought we could just get

-a takeaway again.

-Afraid of my cooking, are you?

-I just thought we could slob out together.

-You? Slob?

-I can slob!

-Jolly Raja slob?

-Oh, yes, please.

-Movie or box-set?

-Movie. Nothing with any detectives.

Or gangsters.

Or swearing.

-Police! Police! Move!

-What's going on?!

-Oi, what are you doing?

-Get off me! I didn't do nothing!

-Braydon Jennings, I am arresting you for the murder of Reece Lonsdale.

-Get off me!

No violence of any type.

You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention

when questioned something that you later rely on in court.

Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?

Just something nice and gentle and relaxing, please.

Right. Get him up, get him out.

Well, I should probably get going.

Got reports to do tonight and all sorts of horror tomorrow.

-Are you a teacher?

-Worse. A GP.

So if you catch something tonight, it's probably from me.

-Guess what I am.

-Bored?

I'm a GP, too! Where are you based?

Wherever they need me. I'm a locum.

-You?

-Just up the road at The Mill Health Centre.

How do you...how do you find it?

It manages to be both the best job in the world and the worst one.

But worth it, right?

Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Doesn't stop me from complaining, though.

Me neither. It never fails to surprise me

how stupid people are.

Oh, unbelievably stupid. The things people come in with.

It's never boring, is it?

What's the thing that winds you up the most?

Well...

Sorry, guys, I'm going to have to shoot off,

-but I don't think they're going to be long.

-Right, take care.

-Night-night.

-How's it going?

The doc checked the baby over.

He's just leaving him with me for a bit while he speaks to Mum.

You didn't have to wait around, you know. I can take it from here.

I made it this far, I might as well see how it ends.

I take it all that stuff you said was true, then? About bipolar.

You didn't just say it to help her.

-No. It's true.

-That why you didn't drink much last night?

Yeah. It never really did me much good anyway, but now I'm on meds,

I really shouldn't mix, you know.

So is this you...? What...what do you call it? Are you up?

-Are you manic?

-This is me getting by.

-This is me doing OK.

-Right.

I'm sorry if I was a bit harsh with you this morning.

That's all right. I don't want to be anyone's charity case.

You think she'll be OK?

You have to hope, don't you?

I was trying everything.

I don't know why I didn't feel right with him.

I thought maybe it was because his dad had left,

but...it felt deeper than that.

I don't know.

That's OK. Very often, that's how postnatal depression works.

It's a lot to cope with on your own.

I want to love him.

Well, I can speak to your regular GP

and explain what's happened, and she can recommend you for a referral.

But what happens now?

Well, this is the hard bit.

Erm...for your sake,

and for the baby's, I have to let social services know.

-I knew it.

-It's just so we can put a support network in place

and we can offer you all the help that you need.

I'm really sorry.

This is where it starts to get better, OK?

My husband, ex-husband, he was more of the parent.

More so than me.

And I didn't want to cause any more disruption for my little lad.

So, when we separated, Dad stayed on as Dad

and I went part-time as Mum.

That can't have been easy.

It really wasn't.

Two of the hardest break-ups of my life happening at the same time.

Made me very cautious about going dating again, I have to say.

What about you? Why are you really here?

Me? Oh, nothing compared to yours, you know.

But...?

But I was kind of seeing someone I worked with for a while and...

..it ended so badly, it made me just think, you know, what's the point?

-I'm quite happy as I am.

-But you're over her now, right?

Oh, yeah, I'm living the dream.

Well. I really must get going. I wasn't lying about those reports.

Sure. So...um, do you want to do this again?

Oh. Sorry. Are you being serious?

Erm...I don't know... Er, yes?

Sorry.

I don't mean to be rude. I just didn't think

we had much of a connection.

I mean, apart from the work thing, obviously.

But shop talk only goes so far, doesn't it?

Yeah, yeah, course it does.

Sorry. That must have been really blunt of me.

I just assumed it was obvious.

Yeah. I mean, if I want to talk about being a doctor,

I could just do that in the staff room, couldn't I?

Exactly. Right. Well.

Good luck with it all.

I'm sure it will all work out for you. Bye.

Bye.

He's been well good, you know. Just mostly slept and made smells.

You've both helped so much.

What's his name?

Harper.

I was miles off!

Do you want to take him?

Hello!

Hello, Mister. Hi. Hello.

-I guess I'll see you on campus, then.

-I guess.

Before I go, I just wanted to say thanks again.

I mean it. Today could have gone so much worse for me, so...

Honestly, it was all Lew, really.

He was pretty switched on.

Sorry, I just...I need to...

Hey.

Just wondering.

A bunch of us are going up Ripley Park for the big bonfire tomorrow.

Give me a call...

..if you fancy it.

MUSIC PLAYS ON TV

FIREWORK BANGS

We've got that to look forward to all weekend, I suppose.

-They must be right outside.

-It's kids.

-It's kids.

-You don't know that.

OK, clear off. You've had your fun. Before I call the police.

There.

Could you sound any more middle-aged? "Get off my lawn!"

Come over here. I'll show you middle-aged.

You don't think I can do this, do you? None of you do.

-It's not about what we think.

-It's about you being a liability.

We're now at the stage where I need to be presenting the strongest

-possible case to the CPS.

-And?

A large part of that rests on your credibility as a witness.

Everyone makes a mistake.

-And don't think you're going to make this one again.

-Never.

I was there that night as a witness and as a doctor -

I am not the one on trial.