Through the Darkness Holby City

As you're no doubt aware, you have a brain tumour.

Aisha's ventricular function has gone down significantly.

Right, then let's be bold. Prep her for theatre.

It's going to work.

What? What is this?

My brain tumour.

Fancy going for a drink?

I've kind of got some plans.

Hi. What are you doing on Keller?

Oh, Mr Malick thought you could do with a bit of experience round here.

Yeah? Right on! That is very impressive.

You mailed it all by yourself? (Letter to Santa).

Uh-huh. All right, what else is going on?

Ah, a tree decorating party?

OK. you get to put the star on, all right?

All right, all right, yes. Go, go, go. Put your sister on.

Hey, hey.

Wait till you see mine.

Like spending Christmas with a pneumatic drill.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

You are not scaring me, all right?

I've got something I want you to take a look at.

Ta-da!

What's...what's all this?

Kids, Christmas presents - join the dots.

Fire in the warehouse at St Crispin's dock.

Half the town's homeless population is about to descend upon us.

As is Her Royal Highness,

who's just called to say that her ward inspection is still on.

-You know what she can do with her ward inspection.

-If only. Now,

I am preparing the staff to patient ratios,

you get on with the policy docs.

-Who is the clinical lead here?

-Oh, Michael, please.

Not in front of the kids.

-Dr Lo, are you listening?

-Yeah.

So what did I just say?

Um...

Let's pick this up in the new year?

But we're so close to a breakthrough!

-I know but we need this place clear before Christmas.

-OK, guys,

prescriptions to Dr Lo, paper work counter-signed by the big man here.

Fastest to discharge a bay wins this delicious stollen.

It's OK, you won't be single-handed. Ollie flew back first thing.

Do we know yet why Dr Valentine exited stage left?

Yeah, well, I told him. He ran a mile.

-Cool.

-Oh, hello!

-Nice outfit.

Thanks! Well, this isn't actually me, I took a picture and I...

-I gathered that.

-Of course you did.

-I was heading your way actually.

-Were you?

-Yeah. Malick called a consult.

Oh. I was just heading back too.

So, are you coming to the party?

Only if you turn up wearing that little number.

So...

Catch you in a bit, yeah?

Buongiorno, amico. Where's our giant Toblerone?

-Sorry, I was a bit rushed.

-Tell me about it.

OK, Dr Lo is discharging everyone we can before Christmas.

Get yourself stuck in. Oh, Nurse, go on a chocolate run.

Don't want Hope getting tetchy. Go on!

Hi. Did you get my e-mail?

Didn't have a chance to read it.

It was an apology.

Professor Hope is leaving Herzig till the new year.

Look, shall we...?

Got to go - discharges.

-Hey.

-OK, Kathleen Pennington.

Miss Effanga did an outstanding bypass graft

but she's still in heart failure.

This lady here has been waiting on news, so...go.

Hi, are you here for Mrs Pennington?

Nope.

She didn't cark it then?

-Sorry, who are you?

-She's my dad's wife. Was.

Oh, are you Jacqui? We've got you down as next of kin.

-Ha!

-So you're not here to take her home then?

-No.

Right, well she's going to need a significant amount of support so...

I just wanted to see if she'd made it. My concern ends there.

Right, well, I'll ask social care about her residential options then.

You do that. I'm off home. Tons to do. Tons.

Tara. Tara.

Oh, no, no, Ollie, no.

-Not here, please.

-Just tell me the prognosis.

-You should've asked me that two weeks ago.

-I know.

Please tell me what's happening.

Nothing.

Have you seen a specialist?

-Mr Hanssen's been monitoring me.

-You told Hanssen and not me?

-OK, who else knows?

-No-one.

So let it go. It's not a big deal.

No snogging in the lift.

I retract my banter unreservedly.

-You should've told me.

-There's nothing to tell.

-I've been reading up on it.

-Well, please don't.

-Just tell me what...

-Oliver, everything is completely ruined, OK?

This is the last thing that I need.

-You really want to help?

-Yes, of course.

Go and tell Mrs Pennington she's stuck here for Christmas.

Jeff Gray, 33, fireman, referred from ED.

GCS four on arrival, his Sats are 90, his BP's 110/60.

Paramedics found him collapsed next to her.

She's a squatter from the warehouse. Apparently she dragged him out.

Her? That's some weight to drag.

Big lacerations on the forehead, superficial burns,

breathing difficulties.

Apparently she's got chest pains but she hasn't said a word so far.

No, no, no. Keep this on, keep this on. It'll help. That's it.

Sister Williams, any reason the fire doors are wedged open?

I don't know if you noticed

but we're kind of in the middle of something.

Exactly. I'm trying to prevent you plunging into further chaos.

I'll check.

I'm here. You need anything, just shout.

I may need to take you up on that.

-I'm not selling the house.

-I'm not asking you to.

-His pension will cover the cost.

-It's really not your concern.

-Right, well, I'm off home, then. I'm snowed under.

-May I?

Kathleen, I'm just going to listen to your chest, if that's all right.

Don't give me that look.

I'm doing nothing of the kind.

-You know what you're doing.

-Oh, fine! I will avert my gaze.

Have the nurses done my hair?

Oh, for goodness' sake, Kathleen. You're a wreck, face it.

As ever, your plain-speaking is appreciated.

Give the children my love.

Well, your heart rate's not too bad, considering.

-I am feeling stronger.

-Good.

Where do I go now?

Social care will assess your assets.

No need. They're nil.

-You can stay here until we source an NHS provider for your care.

-Oh!

Do you have any other family?

She is.

Was.

We had a big dispute over money.

Which I lost.

-That's a shame.

-Yes, it is.

Onwards and all that sort of...

Thank you, Mrs Pennington.

OK, apply the adhesive in a dotted line along the wound's edge.

Yeah. Great.

Can you talk? Tell us your name?

She could be in shock or have smoke inhalation.

Let's just give her peace and quiet.

-MACHINE BEEPS

-Bed two.

Sats are down to 70%.

OK, burnt skin has hardened, constricting the lungs.

We're going to need to do an emergency escharotomy.

Get me a scalpel, please.

OK, we're going to need to do this quick. Get another scalpel.

-I need you to cut down the other side. Just copy.

-What?

It's all right. I'm right here. Cut down in a straight line.

Come on, you can do it.

Good. Excellent, just like that.

You ever considered becoming a nurse?

What, me? Maybe, in another life.

Yes.

Technically meets the criteria but it'd be a tough sell to the MRC.

But we've enough to inch forward.

At her age, the Herzig could only give her six months.

At least let me sound her out?

No. One does not simply run into Mordor.

Let me float it with her.

If we're going to try again, we need to tread more carefully than we did.

-How stable is she?

-Stable.

OK, then let's wait until after Christmas.

-Would it not be good to seize the moment?

-You sound like Dr Lo.

Can I at least discuss it with her?

I would rather you didn't. It's too soon. For me.

Professor.

I can't believe I said no to Craig when he asked me

and I'm frigging stranded. Can you believe it?

Have you finished with that?

Who you going with?

Going where?

To the party.

Don't need anyone. The Malick's a one man power station.

-I suppose Rhys is taking you.

-Um...

Or do you have to join the very long queue?

Well, we've not really talked about it yet.

Oh, can we try and keep things clean around here.

Mrs Cousins could be down any minute.

-Anything else?

-Yes. Could you give Mr Barksdale a shave, please?

Aye, aye, matron.

Right, patient. Finn Boyd.

Chef. Cut himself in the kitchen.

Very deep laceration. Needs suturing.

I'd get in there if I were you. Before she does.

What do I do? Put CCTV in the linen cupboard?

I'm simply trying to avoid a repeat of the Ric Griffin debacle.

They're drawing up a list of who's shagging who now.

Pretty sure nothing like that happens on Darwin. Dr Lo?

Any conflicts of interests?

Professor Hope, have you sexually harassed anyone recently?

No, too busy with my research I'm afraid.

Which brings me neatly to the Herzig project.

I'm going to recommend to the Board we cancel the trial.

Look, I know we've had a set-back.

I'm not convinced it's right for us.

With respect, I don't think you know anything about it.

With respect, I'm not clear Darwin's managing its current workload.

It's the pre-Christmas getaway.

We need this project.

I'm sorry, I've AOB'd it now.

-Why us?

-Tara.

There'll be other opportunities.

When! Next year? In five years' time?

When will there be a chance like this?

I'm sorry. I've been on nights.

Professor Hope, will you cascade the information to the relevant people?

Absolutely.

Could you tell the patient that the operation's been cancelled?

I think it would be best if it came from the top.

I wasn't told there was an ongoing discussion with a patient?

The elderly lady in bay one?

Right. Well, in light of that...

..I'll be happy to delay airing my concerns at Board level

until the situation has been clarified from your point of view.

Thank you.

-Please don't make a liar of me again.

-Sorry.

At least I bought the Herzig more time.

Let's hope you have.

-Ouch.

-Must have been some stomach cramp

to make you cut yourself like this.

A couple more inches to the left and

that would have been it for the family jewels, bud. Look at that -

straight through the deep fascia.

Yeah. Yeah.

Anyway. Let's have another quick feel, shall we?

HE GROANS Ah, there's the spot.

Seeing as you've been having these for a while

and you're not passing urine properly,

we'll need a contrast X-ray to check kidney function.

Can you suture this first, please?

Don't panic, you're in good hands with Nurse Lane.

She's got the magic touch.

You've struck gold with this one.

Page me when he's on his way.

I'll be right back.

Rhys. Would you like... I mean,

do you want to go for a coffee?

I thought you'd be up to your eyeballs?

Oh, it won't take long and I'm due a break soon.

I've got a consult in urology and then I'll swing by and pick you up.

Oh, sorry.

Actually, I'm looking for somewhere to hide this.

It's Secret Santa for Charge Nurse Reilly.

Are you all right?

Yeah, just checking...things.

Well, if you're not too busy,

I'd like you to approach Kathleen Pennington to see

if she'd be a willing candidate for the Herzig.

Are you serious?

Oliver managed to persuade Mrs Cousins to give us a reprieve.

Thank you so much!

Don't thank me, thank Oliver.

He's very fond of you, you know.

Yeah, well, he has a great way of showing it.

Sometimes running a mile can bring you back to where you came from.

Only you're more tired.

There's a lesson in that.

What, don't tell people if you have a tumour?

Meet him halfway and it's like he never left.

Now, can we leave this room separately, please?

I know, it's very full on here, isn't it.

MACHINE BEEPS

Mr Gray! Mr Gray, can you hear me? Mr Gray?

I need some help here. I need some help! Somebody!

Do something!

-I can't.

-He's going to die, you idiot!

BEEPING INTENSIFIES

Miss Gomez, what the hell do you think you're doing?

-I can't find the...

-Herzig consent forms?

Thank you.

Don't think this gets you out of the donkey work.

-Can I go in?

-Oh, Jacqui, I thought you'd left.

I was just checking there's nothing more needed of me.

I don't want her bothering me over Christmas.

Can it wait half an hour?

-Not really.

-I just need to do a quick examination.

Why does it take half an hour, then?

Has she said she doesn't want to see me any more?

No, not that I'm aware of.

Look, This won't even take 20 minutes. Ten.

Right, well...

She is very weak. I don't think another confrontation is...

Tell her, not me. She's the one that gets aggressive!

Do you need to retrain all your care assistants?!

Because the buck stops with you. You are their line manager.

It wasn't me who encouraged Miss Gomez to think outside the box.

-What?

-Mr Spence thinks she's wasted in her current position.

What's going on here?

Miss Gomez tried to intubate a patient on her own.

I shouted for help but no-one was coming and he wasn't breathing.

You do realise you could have broken his teeth, damaged his larynx,

caused aspiration pneumonia.

All right, hang on. Is the patient OK?

Yes, now.

All right, well, what else was she supposed to do?

Let the patient die? She showed some initiative.

Oh, come on, Michael.

We let clueless junior doctors loose on intubation every day.

That's not the point.

I know what the point is, I'm sure Miss Gomez knows what the point is

and I'm very sure she's not going to do something like that anytime soon.

All right? Can I see you outside.

Wow, that was... Thank you.

They need to get a life. You were just using your head.

They got a problem with it, they can come and see me. It's my ward.

-Do you know about the Minerva project?

-Yes, it's not applicable.

What about Holmes, Worthington and Montgomery...?

At Northwestern. It's not applicable either.

And I know about Visara in Karachi, Hogarth in Tel Aviv

and Dr Patel's pioneering work in Canberra.

Nice try, but there is nothing you can tell me.

What about Castiglio in Turin?

I don't know it. And if I don't know it then...

Just give it a read.

I'll broach the Herzig with Mrs Pennington. You take your time.

Wow, that's some knife went in there.

A Messerheidegger 356. It's a multi-functional

garlic presser, shell cracker, slicer, chopper.

Impressive. I can't cook to save my life. I love MasterChef, though.

Oh, I'm not a chef. Not yet. More of a kitchen hand, really.

Oh, well, you've got to start somewhere!

Everything OK?

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Don't worry I'll be super quick. Okey-dokey.

-No! No! No, don't!

-What is it?

No needles, take the needle away. Away!

I... I have a needle phobia.

Oh.

I'm sorry. I thought I'd be all right.

Makes no sense, I know.

I work with knives but I can't handle a needle. I'm sorry.

It's OK.

This is embarrassing.

No! It's nothing to be ashamed of. We're all afraid of something.

Let's just take it slowly.

Of course. Take as much time as you need.

It's titanium. So basically it'll stop the heart from thrombosing.

Why the sudden reprieve?

We were discussing who'd make the best candidate.

Of course you were.

And then I saw your notes and I thought, well...

What's in it for me?

Realistically, this could give you six more months. Possibly more.

Of what? Sing songs? Lavender pillows in some hovel?

You would still need full-time care, yes.

Well, then, I'm sorry. I see absolutely no point.

I understand completely. Thank you for your time.

It strikes me that it's a complete waste of money.

Well, the theory is that with other patients...

-Younger people.

-Yes.

..it may provide long term advantages

once the technology has been finessed.

It's an experiment.

You're asking me to be a guinea pig?

Essentially, yes.

Well, you should've said so in the first place.

Well, many people value the opportunity to have more time.

-Look, this is just...

-Spare me the sales pitch. I'll do it.

Really? Wow. I mean...

So long as you promise science will keep my name alive for ever.

-I'm...

-I'm joking.

Yes. Of course you are.

Well, to be blunt, as long as it doesn't kill me,

I've got nothing to lose.

Well, she can talk. But still she won't tell us her name.

These tests are inconclusive.

They must have cut them off in ED. These are expensive.

A homeless person wearing designer clothes?

-Maybe she found them in a skip?

-What, and these too?

I don't think you should be going through her stuff.

-Oh.

-What?

All right, let's go talk to her. But let me handle it.

This study in Turin. It won't work on low-grade cytoma.

Basic error.

I'm sorry.

You know, I actually thought that you had found something!

That you were on to something. That there might be a chance.

I actually believed that.

I don't know what to say. I was....

Just taking random guesses?

Just going off what I saw on the scans.

What, before you ran off to Mummy?

This just takes let downs to a whole new level.

Fine, I give up.

How can you do this to me?

Walk away when I need you most?

What do you want me to do? Tell me and I'll do it.

BEEPING

Kathleen. Kathleen, can you hear me?

No! No, no, no, no, no! Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

I am so sorry.

It's OK. Please don't get upset.

You ready?

No, we.... It's taking a bit longer than I thought.

It is a deep tissue cut.

Are you taking your break?

I can't just now.

OK, well... I'll take mine then.

-Coffee?

-Yeah.

I'd get you one, but seeing as they're banned on the ward today.

Stalin's on the prowl and everyone's wetting themselves.

I'm sorry. I made you miss your break.

No, it's OK.

THEY LAUGH

Then again, those two look as if they'd rather be alone.

You still here? What's going on?

OK, well, so far so good. The swelling is going down on the cut.

How are you feeling?

Fine.

Pain anywhere?

You know, I'm sure he would like to thank whoever saved his life

when he wakes up.

Well, it wasn't me. I had nothing to do with it.

Really? Cos the paramedics said...

And I'm telling you that I've never seen him before.

We have your things.

They're beautiful boys. Are they yours?

When can I go, please?

Well, you still look a little peaky so I'd like to run a few more tests.

No, no, no. I don't want that. I just want to go.

Look, you're safe here. If you're in trouble, we can help.

I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help.

Ramona, can I have a word?

She was fine, I was just away for....

Can you look past my right ear? Mrs Pennington, look at me.

Mrs Pennington, can you squeeze my hand?

What is it? Stroke?

Or a TIA? Is she squeezing? Her heart rate looks fine.

B/P's stable at 134 over 87.

Shall I stand the Herzig team down?

-She's not squeezing.

-Seriously, that's your main priority?

Well, if it is TIA then she'll survive

-and the Herzig will give her another chance.

-Tell me, what did you miss?

It's not her fault, I took over.

Why, what distracted you?

I don't know, I just don't...

Miss Naylor, take a look at the obs. Nothing flagged this.

-I was dealing with her.

-Don't defend me.

-Look, I...

I said, don't defend me!

Right let's keep regular obs,

get a neuro consult to establish if it's just a TIA.

I'll leave you to deal with the creche.

OK, let's find the step-daughter, tell her what's happened.

Where's the Herzig consent form?

-I don't know.

-I got verbal consent. I was waiting for the...

Guys, we can't do experimental surgery on a nod and a wink.

He's not lying, he is really scared.

Of course he is. He's phobic. But what you going to do?

Hold his hand all day?

Look, he must have had a needle put in him before.

I'm just taking it one step at a time.

Yeah, and while you're doing that,

Mary-Claire's getting her claws into your man.

She wouldn't do that.

Come on, Channers, you need to get with the programme, you're too nice.

-You need to grow a pair.

-I'm just trying to help.

-Listen.

Stop pussy-footing round everyone. Especially that patient.

You can do better than that.

Look, we're going to have to take her at her word.

Don't tell me you believed her when she said she never saw that fireman?

Did you see the way she looked at that picture?

-Those are her kids.

-Yeah, maybe, but...

What if something happened to them?

-Hold on a second.

-Maybe that's why she's on the streets?

Ramona, stop.

We can't just leave it!

I mean she's obviously distressed. Something's going on.

If she's lost her family.

It's nearly Christmas.

And if she's bereaved, she needs help.

Yes, but if she refuses,

and you try to force the issue you could make things worse.

Look, don't get me wrong,

I think it's great you want to get involved and that you care, but...

But what? Don't care too much?

Excuse me.

Mrs Cousins wants to see us in five. Inspection conclusions.

-Tell her I'm busy.

-Tell her yourself. I'm not your errand boy.

Call the lab.

Tell them to test for her CPK isoenzymes, urine creatinine

and serum creatinine.

Now, if they come back with nothing and she stays as is,

I'm going to have to let her go.

Why's it up to me?

It's a formality to make sure we're acting in her best interests.

I'm not legally responsible for her.

Just think of it as verifying her wishes.

Covering your backsides, you mean?

I know the procedure's experimental,

but, it will potentially give her another six months.

She was keen to be involved.

-Why?

-She wanted to help others.

-Ha!

Now I know you're not being straight with me.

I'm not stupid. I can tell there's something not right here.

It's an extraordinary device.

It's too out of the blue.

Professor Hope's been developing it for years.

Has it worked on other people?

-Some, yes.

-But others?

That patient's death was unrelated.

I'm sorry.

Ask her when she wakes up.

We would, but time is of the essence.

-Look, if we don't operate now...

-I can't. I can't speak for her.

I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to push you.

But wherever you're going, you'll need a new set of clothes

and we've got more left luggage here then we can handle.

Think I've got the size right.

No strings attached.

Look, I'm sure you know what you're doing, but, just in case,

I know a really good shelter. I could give them a ring.

It's so cold. At least you'll get a bed,

food, somewhere to go to.

Thank you, but I'm OK as I am.

I know it seems crazy to you but it's right like this.

This is how it should be.

What happened? To your family?

I'm sorry but I can't not say anything.

I've seen the way you looked at that picture.

I know if something happened to my kids, I'd go crazy.

What are you talking about?

Nothing happened to them.

They're still around?

I know you're trying to help.

But you're not.

So for the last time, just stay out of my business.

This is good, this. Was this your idea?

No, Charmaine's, in maternity. She gave me a plan of action.

So, I'm worse than a woman in labour.

Just take a nice deep breath.

Oh, boy, that is a beautiful thing.

This is going to do the trick, definitely. I can feel it.

I'm so relaxed.

Brilliant. OK, so just look at me. So, why was six sad?

Don't know. Why?

Because seven, eight, nine!

-Genius!

-Isn't it?!

No! No, no, no, no, don't. Don't. No.

Please, don't do that!

I am the patient from hell.

So, I think the important thing is to keep the flow of movement

from there through here.

That brings me to security. Mr Spence...

Well, I think we should proceed.

Well, Professor Hope will agree with me

as would every medico-legal mind on the planet.

-Well, we'll ask him and see.

-No, this is nuts.

The suits are already sniffing around the project enough as it is.

Whose side are you on?

Yours.

Now look, I don't know what the hell's going on here,

but get a grip.

They're better off without me.

No, they're not. Look. Look at this.

"Gracie, whatever happened, please come home.

"We are so worried about you."

Stop it. All right?

I don't care, OK?

You do. You miss them, I know you do.

Listen, whatever it is you're running away from,

it can't be that bad.

Really? Do you think so?

I was the one they depended on for everything

and I was the one that lost it...

all.

Everything we had.

Down the drain.

I got us into so much debt.

But they must be going through hell worrying about you.

Have you told anyone about this? Who else have you told?

-No, no-one.

-I have to get out of here.

-No, no. Grace. No, please.

-Calm down.

-Do not say that name.

-Stay away from me.

-Please.

-Get off me.

-Please. No, no, no.

-Go. Back off.

-Please, Grace, calm down.

-No.

Argh!

-What happened?

-Her leg.

Is she going to need a lot of looking after?

She'll probably need specialist assistance.

That's Dad's house sold then.

I can feel his beady eye from here.

Sorry, kids, there go the tuition fees!

How can this happen? Just like that?

She was very weak.

She was never weak. Never.

I'm sorry.

I thought she'd drag it out for years. Just to torment me.

Right, shall I ask a nurse to come and sit with you?

She tried a couple of times.

To build bridges over the years.

Well, you weren't obliged to have a reconciliation.

I did want to. Later on.

But on my terms.

When she couldn't make me feel stupid.

I'm sorry you feel like you've missed a chance.

Is that it?

You're just going to give up on her?

Well, what about this machine? Could it still give her six months?

Yeah, in theory.

This is you! This is your fault.

Why couldn't you just leave me alone?

I'm sorry. I didn't do anything, I swear.

What happened here?

-Nothing, nothing.

-This is her fault.

I thought I told you to stay away from her.

I was trying to talk to her.

We need some porters here! Leg's ischemic. It's got no pulse.

Looks like compartment syndrome. We need to get her into theatre now.

Done that, done that, that's no good.

Ah-ha! Are you trying to find

a miracle cure for your man over there?

How did you know?

Linda in the ED told me.

Apparently he completely freaked down there.

Why do you think they sent him our way?

Anyway, I'm really sorry I'm late, I completely lost track of time.

Did you know that Rhys's auntie lives in Ballymena?

So does my dad.

He's so easy to talk to.

Honestly, you'd never think he was a consultant.

Am I getting my patient or not?

Told you she'd still be at it. Honestly, she's too soft, she is.

If it was me I'd have him in the old bed restraints by now.

I bet you would.

I'm getting there. It's all under control.

Excellent. Well, any time before Christmas would be good.

No. Without a yes from next of kin, we're on thin ice.

So we sling her out at Christmas to a care home?

Oliver, why are you really pressing for this?

-She deserves better.

-A patient you've known, what, half a day?

She's a good person with no-one to advocate for her.

-So you'll fight her fight.

-Well, yes.

Look, one of the things you learn as you get older is...

How to give up at the first hurdle.

I'll choose to ignore that.

One of the things you learn is when not to offer solutions.

Extreme intervention isn't always the answer.

Professor Hope, I know that but...

But nothing. Look, technically the Herzig will work.

But sometimes you just have to accept that things go off-piste

-and you can't fight it.

-We are so close. Please!

Dr Valentine, no-one wants this operation to go ahead

more than I do. But without clear consent our hands are tied.

-Professor Hope.

-Yes. This conversation is over.

-Fine.

Jacqui wants us to try for the Herzig.

We might still have a chance.

I know what you're thinking.

but let's just wait to find out what actually happened.

It's your party, Michael. Making the cut.

Harvesting the vein.

This patient was very unstable all along.

All the more reason not to let an HCA deal with her on her own.

Mrs Cousins.

I'm so sorry, I know you're in the middle here

but I'm extremely troubled by what I just saw.

Oh, don't let it trouble you.

These misunderstandings are par for the course.

It looked worse than it was.

So, that's what your HCA was apologising for? A misunderstanding?

You know, here's an idea. Why don't we wait and do this later?

Maybe after we've saved this patient's leg?

Bypassing the thrombus.

2-0 Prolene.

Really, we're talking training and development issues.

We'll deal with it later.

So, something did happen.

All right, Imelda, why don't you just lay off?

Now, you employ us to do a job and we know what we're doing

so maybe you could just bear with us and let us get on with it.

I'll get back to you on that one.

Oh, Michael. Ever heard of the beauty of the unexpressed thought?

She'll never let it go now.

OK, let's just go for a practice.

OK.

Now, remember what we were talking about? Chocolate mousse.

OK. 600 grams of at least 70% cocoa solid.

-You're not doing anything yet, are you?

-No.

Right. I'm off. Heading down to Albie's for that drink.

What drink?

Oh, did Rhys not mention it? He said he'd tell you and Malick.

But anyway, Malick's stuck in theatre so...

Well, you go ahead then.

I'll save you a seat.

Let's just call it a day, I mean, really you did your best.

And give up now? No way.

Come on, as you were.

But this is just a trial run, yeah?

-You'll tell me when you're actually going to do it?

-Of course. Carry on.

The chocolate.

Yeah, you put it in a bowl.

Then you put it on a low heat

and you stir constantly to ensure that it melts and then you...

Aargh!

-Got you.

-You tricked me. I can't believe you've actually tricked me.

I know! And guess what?

In ten seconds you won't feel a thing!

She looks terrible.

It must be a bit of a shock for you.

Can someone do her hair?

Yeah, we can get that done.

Kathleen, it's Jacqui. Can you hear me?

Kathleen, it's...it's the rat bag.

Don't try and talk now. Maybe if you hold her hand?

Mrs Pennington, I'm Dr Tara Lo. You're in hospital.

Squeeze my hand if you can hear me.

Are you happy for Jacqui to sit with you?

Can you hear me, Kath?

You've had a little stroke but don't be scared.

She likes plain speaking. Don't you?

I bet they think I'm being horrible.

Am I horrible?

I'll take that as a yes.

Good job the nurses are brilliant, eh? And, yeah,

your hair looks OK too.

You're not dribbling neither.

We're going to get you speech therapy.

We're hoping this is just temporary.

I'm going to sell the house so you can go into a home, OK?

Squeeze if you like that, love.

That's that, then.

The Herzig?

Oh, yeah, do you want to stay here and have the robot operation?

Did they talk you into it?

Can you hear me? Ow.

Is that a yes?

Oh, I'm confused now.

One for the op, two for coming to mine.

You want to come to mine?

For Christmas?

The kids'll look after you.

One for yes.

OK, fine.

Do you want turkey or beef?

I like turkey.

We had beef last year.

-What do you care?

-Tara.

-I'm going to have to mush it up.

Look...

Look, I know you meant well.

I'm sorry.

Go on, take a break.

Now, I like to speak as I find.

I might be wrong but you strike me as very similar.

Good member of staff is she, Miss Gomez?

Yes.

Hard working? Conscientious? Trustworthy?

You see, I walk into a scene of utter pandemonium and neither

Mr Spence nor Miss Campbell are willing to shed light on it.

Now, I'm not as dim-witted as some may hope.

I can sense something has gone on here today

and I bet I know who's going to be left to field the flack.

-Look...

-I've been in your shoes many times when physicians closed ranks

and pinned their own inappropriate management on,

"Lack of appropriate nursing care."

And make no mistake, I will go through every file of every patient

and if something has happened, I will get to the bottom of it.

It wasn't Miss Gomez's fault. It was just

an unfortunate chain of events.

And I have made my feelings known.

Go on.

Nearly there! You're being so brave.

I...I just can't believe it.

Neither can I.

Tell me I'm not hallucinating.

She just went for it. Just like that.

-Were you imagining he was someone else?

-Who?

Never mind. So where is Tweedledee?

She's gone for a drink with Rhys.

Which we were both invited to, apparently. Who cares?

Well, someone clearly does.

Go on. I'll finish off here.

See, you do have it in you after all.

Hiya. Sorry, I completely forgot to ask you earlier...

Are you taking me to the New Year's Eve party or not?

Well, who else would I be taking? You're my girlfriend.

Oh, OK.

Give me five minutes.

Sorry, mate. She's taken.

What?

Oh, man. You got it all wrong,

I bat for the other team.

Right, social services will be down

to talk you through the care programme.

What've I let myself in for?

You can always change your mind if it becomes too difficult.

I'll make the kids do it. They actually like her.

I swore I'd get my own back.

Years she'd been treating me like muck. Just blew my last chance.

-Idiot.

-Well, it's good you reached a reconciliation.

Gave in to the bullying old moo, more like.

Cheer up. Some people would see this as a positive outcome.

It's just a shame for Tara.

Sticky patch?

Oh, is it that obvious?

Only to colleagues...and patients.

Look, if you want to talk about it,

I'm happy to look evasive and change the subject.

You know what I'd do?

I'd show her what she's missing.

Can you come to Albie's with me?

I'm a bit like Billy-no-mates down there.

Thank you.

Ah, well, there we go.

The lab urine results clearly indicate rhabdomyolysis

consistent with compartment syndrome, so

she was injured in the fire.

She didn't complain of any pains?

She was desperate to get out of here. Is this Groundhog Day?

Mrs Cousins, you'll be happy to know that we managed to save the leg.

Well done.

So, I've looked into the matter. I'm afraid to say my hands are tied.

Tied? What do you mean?

There's no way I could be seen to overlook such a gross

breach of procedure. I mean,

a health care assistant attempting intubation on her own?

Especially as there's a, well,

personal relationship in the mix.

Unfortunately we have to suspend Miss Gomez

pending a formal disciplinary meeting.

-That's a bit over the top.

-That is ridiculous! No-one was injured.

Yes, we got lucky today but can you imagine this information

in the wrong hands at the wrong time?

Bull. It's got nothing to do with that.

Are you trying to get at me?

I'm sorry to break this to you, Mr Spence,

but last I heard, the world does not revolve around you.

Anyway. No more micromanaging. As you said, it's your ward.

So I'll leave you to break the news.

Is that not a bit OTT?

You can't shred those, they include my precious handwritten musings.

Stop being pathetic. You don't ditch something after the first set back.

You wait it out and get revenge.

I don't want to wait.

-Stop being a cry-baby.

-Give her a break.

Listen, a piece of friendly advice.

Mary-Claire's taken Ollie for a drink

and I think we all know what that means.

You're an idiot.

We'll fight this, take it to the union, tell them I put her up to it.

Then Cousins will really start playing dirty

and when she's finished with Miss Gomez there won't be

a hospital left in the country that'll hire her.

I've got three kids and it's Christmas.

I think the only way to salvage this is to turn it on its head.

Resign.

Are you kidding me? No. We're going to fight this.

Cousins doesn't scare me.

Have you learnt nothing today? This isn't about you.

Look, for what it's worth,

I'll put out a few feelers, see if there are any vacancies coming up.

This is all wrong.

Someone has to stop that poisonous witch from wrecking this place.

And today's just the cherry on the top after suspending Ric.

No, she is a complete disaster.

Someone will have to stop her. But it won't be you, Michael.

I thought this was your ward.

-Will you punch him for me?

-Oh, absolutely.

What's going on?

Oh, we're just chatting.

-Are you talking about me?

-No.

Come on, guys. Look it's just a beer. I mean, you can come too.

-You are such a coward.

-Have you completely lost it?

So you just run off at the next available opportunity?

Now you're being childish.

-What the hell was that for?

-Everything! Go on, all yours.

Are you insane?

-Apparently.

-What's wrong with...?

I'm sorry. It was a tough day.

I feel Darwin is facing too many challenges at the moment.

I'd like a moratorium on all your activities that are putting

an extra strain on resources.

Mrs Cousins, I've been working for years on the Herzig project.

I'll leave you to explain it to your patient.

And as I said earlier,

I really do need that list about personal relationships on your ward.

I just want to say one thing to you and then I'm going, OK?

That family will be together this Christmas because of you.

So maybe you're not such a bad person after all.

You think so?

And maybe it's time to forgive yourself

and let others take care of you for a while.

Please. Let me call them for you.

Don't be wet, sack one of them.

No-one is going to get sacked.

One of you needs to do the decent thing and quit.

You've completely humiliated us as a ward and much worse scuppered my

chances of getting another research project off the ground this century.

It's my fault. I'll take a break.

No.

Right. You have two minutes to sort this out.

Use them wisely.

That's OK. That's all right, Mr Banville.

Yes, yes, she is OK. Yeah.

No, no, I won't be here,

just ask for Sister Williams, OK, I'll let her know.

Yes. OK, bye. Happy Christmas!

Wow. She let you call them? That's amazing.

Hey, Ramona. Ramona, wait up.

Hey, Hey.

Look, it's going to be OK. Yeah? I can help, I'll fix this.

Don't you dare.

I was happy the way I was.

But it wasn't enough for you.

No, I swear, I was just trying...

Face it. It was never going to work.

What, you're leaving me?

What about the presents?

Happy Christmas, Michael.

I knew this was going to happen. I knew it.

It would all be a complete mess.

Really? Does the tumour make you psychic?

Sorry.

No, it's fine. Jokes are totally appropriate right now.

I just don't know how to handle this.

-Just forget about it.

-How can I?

Because I'm asking you to.

I just don't think I can...

..go through something like this. I'm sorry.

I'm pathetic.

Ignore me. I didn't sleep on the plane.

This is no-one's fault.

I should be able to handle this.

No-one knows how to handle this. Not me, not my parents. No-one.

So what do I do?

Just accept it.

I have accepted it.

No, you haven't. I can see your mind whirring.

It's not whirring.

I've just run out of ideas.

Then handle it my way.

What, ignore it?

No. Not exactly but you can't out-think it.

I know, I've tried.

OK.

OK. I'll try to.

That's the best I can do.

Well, then it will all be OK.

I didn't think you'd still be here.

Miss Campbell, have a seat. I'll give you a drink.

Yeah, I think maybe you've had enough.

Go home, Michael.

Well, where's that, exactly?

I love these things.

-You have kids?

-Yeah, one.

We work together every day and I don't know a damn thing about you.

Come on, have a shot. I dare you.

You'll thank me in the morning.

No, I won't.

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