Exit Strategy part 1 Holby City

You understood the scan.

A devastating stroke. She's not going to survive this.

Well, in my world this would be seen as throwing good money after bad.

So what's going to happen now?

I can't talk to David just now. He...hurt me.

I guess we all have to except that there are three of us

in this relationship now. Me, Jonny and Emma.

I've seen the X-rays. How long?

Long enough.

I'm so sorry.

But I'm here now.

-What the...?

-Isn't that your space?

Well, yes, it is!

-HE SIGHS

-Keller's busy today.

I managed to persuade Ms Campbell to fit us in on AAU.

I don't want any fuss.

There's got to be some perks to being the boss's daughter.

As long as no-one calls it nepotism.

PHONE RINGS

David?

No. Just an 0800 number.

Probably just some insurance scammers.

You know, you don't have to worry. You're safe here.

I know.

Well, better not keep Ms Campbell waiting.

Patience is a virtue.

So is punctuality.

So is chastity.

The lift will come when it comes. What will be, will be.

Inspirational.

Yeah, I hate to ruin this whole Zen-like vibe

you've got going on this morning, but I bring grim tidings.

Don't tell me I'm going to have to read THAT.

I've been looking over the perioperative death statistics

since the recent...unpleasantness.

Sounds positively fascinating.

The Care Quality Commission are going to be all over this stuff.

If I were you, I'd want to get a head start.

Well, can't you just give me the gist of it?

The Tressler Foundation funding is dead.

We're officially in damage limitation mode here.

-You're a real ray of sunshine, you are.

-This is ridiculous.

You need to be on point with this. There was talk of an inspection.

Ric, how many hernia repairs do you suppose

-have taken place in this hospital?

-Thousands, no doubt...

And how many hernia repairs do you imagine

I myself have carried out over my long and illustrious career?

-Plenty, I'm sure...

-And I'm sure I don't have to tell you

how comparatively insignificant

an epigastric hernia repair is for a senior consultant, now, do I?

No, but this is...

Ric, what operation am I carrying out on your daughter this morning?

-A hernia repair.

-I do so enjoy our little chats.

You be a good boy for Mummy, OK, and I'll see you really soon.

I love you. Bye... Bye...

All set?

Yeah. Just making sure Jacob's OK.

Don't worry. He's with the best child-minder in Holby.

I just don't want him seeing me all... You know.

David... He never hurt Jacob, did he?

No. No, just, you know, the last few months...

I think, kids pick up on things, just...

Right, if you're all settled in, we can get started

and have you home in no time.

Then perhaps things can get back to normal around here.

You couldn't be in better hands.

You'll be with me though, won't you, Dad?

I'll be there when you wake up.

I'd feel so much better if you were with me. Please.

Why not? Fun for the whole family!

-Adele, would you mind?

-No problem.

-Any calls...

-Say no more. I'll sort it.

And...would you call security?

There seems to be a rickshaw in my car parking space.

-No, you didn't...

-No, I didn't come in on a rickshaw.

Daddy's little girl jumps to the front of the queue, I see.

She did used to work here, you know.

Bet you'd expect the five-star treatment

if the boot was on the other foot.

Mm. Nepotism. Trust me, this place runs on it.

They're auditing the entire ward?

So, I hope you've dotted your Js and crossed your Fs.

-What happened to Is and Ts?

-I assumed you'd have those covered.

It'd have to be today, with the disco bunny being conveniently sick post needlegate.

-You're not still going on about that, are you?!

-Down the torpedoes!

Not to mention... He's been doing that since he's got here!

-Let me guess. Post-op lobotomy?

-No, came up from the ED about 20 minutes ago.

I can't quite decide if he's, you know..."urrr"... Or if he's just taking the...

-Pistons at maximum!

-How are we supposed to handle him

-with the Trust putting neuro under a microscope?

-Notes?

We've been kept waiting down there for hours. It's unacceptable.

Yes, well you're in the domain of the miracle-workers now.

I shall be taking care of your grandfather personally.

-I'd expect nothing less.

-Walter Cornish?

Yes. Yes. Mr Cornish, this is Mr Self.

He'll be performing your operation.

-Jolly good.

-How are you feeling?

Shipshape and Bristol fashion.

I said there was no need for all this,

but that lovely young lady downstairs was not for turning.

-CT scan?

-Er, yeah, sorry.

Just bear with me...

Here you go.

Yes, that's the one. Acute subdural haematoma on the right.

Half a centimetre shift...

Just a bump on the old noggin.

Did you test his motor response?

Yeah. No signs of weakness. GCS 14.

Shall I get a psych consult?

Er...no, no, no. That won't be necessary.

Mr Cornish, I'm going to keep you under constant observation.

Anything you need, just give Dr Digby here a shout.

-Right you are, Captain.

-I thought you were going to perform an operation?

-No.

No sense drilling holes in his head

if we can possibly avoid it, is there?

You get yourself comfortable, sir, I'll be back to check on you shortly. Neuro obs every half hour.

I want to know immediately if there's any changes in his GCS.

-Clear?

-Absolutely, yeah.

That's it? You're not going to take him in to surgery?

Er...

Don't you wish we could've stayed all week?

Escape to the country and happy ever after...

And three, two, one... back to reality.

-I was thinking.

-Uh-huh.

Maybe it's time we talked about making things a bit more...

-I don't know, permanent.

-If you're talking about carving our initials into a tree in the peace garden?

I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment yet.

It seems silly to be paying two lots of rent...

Practical, frugal thinking. I like it.

Ah, the happy couple. How was the holiday?

-It's was a mini-break.

-Potato, potah-to.

You look suitably refreshed. Did you enjoy yourselves?

And then some! Country pub by the lake.

Guest ales and a roaring fire. Heaven.

Aww, how's little Emma? Three in a bed, was it?

She slept right through, every night.

Natural maternal instincts, if ever I saw them.

I do love the Lake District. Many fond memories.

We took loads of photos if you want to see?

Ugh. Spare us, please.

The only thing worse than other people's holiday snaps

is watching everybody else pretend to be interested. Holiday's over.

It was a mini-break.

I've got a tricuspid repair coming up,

so I'll be needing a senior nurse to assist me.

-Cool.

-I've got a handover due any minute.

Yeah, but you can handle that, can't you? What will I be doing?

Plugging open the valve?

-Or internal cardiac massage?

-Yeah, dream on.

-Do you remember how you hit your head?

-During the escape.

You were on the stairs, remember, Grandad?

-He's been a little confused.

-Apparently.

It's OK, Grandad. You're in hospital.

I know that! What's your latest diploma?

Stating the bleeding obvious?

OK, does somebody want to explain this?

-Or don't I want to know?

-It's not what it looks like.

He fancies himself as a bit of an amateur magician.

This one didn't go quite according to plan.

-So I see.

-Would you like to see me saw a naked lady in half?

It's incredibly tempting.

-Look, how much longer is this all going to take?

-I'm sorry?

We were told he needed an urgent operation.

I can't help but notice the lack of urgency.

Yes, well, I'll check with Mr Self.

That's the chap. In and out. Quick as a flash.

Have you experienced any other symptoms I should know about?

HE WRETCHES

-SHE GASPS

-I'm terribly sorry.

I'll find out when you're due in theatre. Nurse?

-Hard at it, I see.

-I know.

I started packing last night and realised all my beachwear

is so two-thousand-and-late.

Do you know anywhere that does free next day delivery?

You're not seriously thinking about buying a bikini online!

I'm going to have to.

I won't have time to hit the high street before I jet off.

All right for some.

Two more days and then it's goodbye grey skies,

hello sun, sea and sangria.

SHE LAUGHS

I was this close to putting red crosses on the calendar.

Yeah, well think about me ferrying urine around this place

while you're sunning it up in Magaluf.

-PHONE RINGS

-Oh, is this yours?

Hello?

Oh, this is Nurse Carter at Holby City hospital...

Oh, the Acute Admissions Unit. Sorry, can I ask who's...?

What are you doing?

Er, change of plans.

Mr Cornish was due an emergency procedure.

Key word being "emergency."

Right, I can only offer the Nuremberg Defence, OK?

It's not the raw data. It's the statistical caveats.

Bloated appendices. Interpolative pie charts...

Walter Cornish. Emergency craniotomy?

Stall them for as long as you can.

Tell them I've been hit by a car.

Hopefully I can find one I can throw myself under.

-I understand you've officially delayed his operation?

-I'm glad you understand.

-No, I'm not sure I do.

-Much as I'd love to spar with you on this one, I don't have time.

Evidently. You know he vomited earlier?

Half-hourly obs, end of discussion.

Now, if you don't mind,

I have a series of incredibly tedious meetings

to try not to sleep through.

Hey.

Just five more minutes.

You take as long as you want.

How are you feeling?

A bit sore.

-Was everything OK?

-Everything's fine. Completely fine.

Nothing to worry about,

as Ms Campbell took MUCH delight in telling me.

Look, I can't stay long.

Technically, I'm supposed to be on ward rounds.

But I just wanted to be here when you woke up.

I've arrange for someone to come and talk to you this afternoon.

-Victims of domestic abuse...

-Dad...

Get some rest. We'll talk.

(OK.)

Any chance we can get this thing off?

We don't have the key.

-Who has the key?

-I swallowed it.

Because, before then, life just wasn't complicated enough?

Is the consultant going to be much longer?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I-I'm sorry but that's simply not good enough.

We demand to see the man in charge, don't we, Grandad?

With every fibre of our being!

I don't suppose there's any chance of a butterscotch finger, is there?

I have this odd craving for a butterscotch finger.

I'm afraid you're nil by mouth until after surgery. Sorry.

You know, I was made to look like a complete idiot in there.

Well, that's because you weren't on top of the figures. I warned you!

How am I supposed to get anything from this jumble of nonsense?

I mean, look at that, look at that! Is it even a word?

Could you take another look at Mr Cornish for me?

It has letters. It's there in black and white.

-I assume it's a word.

-He vomited earlier, as I tried to tell you,

and apparently he's swallowed a key.

-Look it up.

-YOU look it up.

-Everything all right here?

I'm trying to get my hands on a butterscotch finger.

-He's supposed to be in surgery.

-COLETTE GETS A TEXT

Not yet. We're taking a wait-and-see approach.

I could bump someone off the list, prepare theatre for you?

Haven't we already had this conversation?

The Care Quality inspection is on. They want a meeting,

or a pre-meeting to discuss the agenda for the actual meeting.

-I'm not sure which.

-Tell them my head's exploded.

Mr Self? Sorry, it is Mr Self, isn't it?

Yes, it is indeed. Look, I'm going to put you

in the very capable hands of Doctor March here.

-Oh, and Doctor Digby.

-Sorry to interrupt.

Apparently there's something of a crisis in the ED.

They've initiated a quarantine protocol.

Quarantine? You're joking.

Somebody said something about a raisin in a rucksack.

-I think they meant ricin.

-You're not joking.

No. They're redirecting all incoming emergency patients

to the other wards as a temporary measure,

but no-one's quite sure who's coordinating...

Remind me to employ a half-competent consultant

to whip that place into shape.

Mr Cornish, sir, just you hang on in there.

He really is Superman, you know.

Keep that to yourself.

How long have those two been married?

There.

Burstiness - noun, indicative of the relative increase

-and/or decrease in frequency of an event.

-It's a word?

-It's a word.

-Who knew?

-Mr Self!

-Keep me posted.

I think we're entitled to a little more attention than that.

Right, I'll handle the overspill in ED,

-you sit down with your abacus.

-How about the reverse?

-I'm much better in a crisis.

-Since when?

DOOR BUZZES

Excuse me, is this the Acute Admissions Unit?

Certainly is. How can I help?

I'm looking for my wife, I hope I'm in the right place.

OK, sure. What's her name?

Kilburn. Jess Kilburn.

Right, so where you from originally?

-Oh, Belfast.

-Ah, right.

KNOCK ON THE DOOR

DOOR OPENS

Hello, darling.

David...

Can I come in? Please?

I-I wanted to buy flowers or something,

but you know what the rules are like.

How did you find me?

I went to see your mum.

She's looking really well.

She had nothing to do with this.

Yeah, I know.

She said she hasn't seen you in months.

I didn't know what to think.

How are you feeling?

They said at the desk something about an operation?

-Hernia.

-But it was OK, right? It all went well, yeah?

Thank God.

Do you need anything?

I should've brought some clothes or something.

-Sorry, I didn't think.

-I'm fine, really.

After what happened, I just...

I never meant to hurt you. You know that!

I'm not that type of person.

It's not me.

You can't keep saying that.

-This has been going on for so long.

-I know.

I know. I just had to make sure you were OK.

-I've been going out of my mind.

-Really?

Of course. I mean, you never called. There was no note.

I was so worried.

If you'd just said that you were staying at your dad's...

-I'm sorry, I just...

-I thought I'd lost you.

And Jacob. God, Jacob.

I've missed him so much.

I don't know what I would do without him.

Does none of this seem strange to you?

-Could you be more specific?

-Walter Cornish.

He's suffered a serious blow to the head,

resulting in an acute subdural haematoma.

He's just sitting there twiddling his thumbs,

when we should be drilling into his skull,

relieving the pressure from his brain. Confirm or deny?

Well, ordinarily that would certainly seem like the thing to do.

-Ordinarily?!

-There are other cases on the theatre list now.

Come on, gall stones and a gastric band removals

-are hardly a priority.

-I concur, but Mr Self was very clear.

And in case you hadn't noticed,

-we are rather snowed under at the moment.

-Why don't we try

and organise a transfer to another neurosurgical unit?

-Really?

-Yes, he could deteriorate any second.

I don't think he can afford to wait. If he was my grandfather,

-I'd want him to be treated sooner rather than later.

-Yeah, Zosia.

I doubt you're going find a senior consultant prepared to challenge

Mr Self. And, without a referral, there is nothing we can do, OK?

Well, at least we could try and expunge the key

and get those handcuffs off.

-You don't mean...?

-Yes. He swallowed it.

And I don't buy the story of him

being an amateur magician for a fraction of a second.

Is that what he told you?

Yes, why?

When they were brought in, they were swamped with these.

Porters couldn't pick them up fast enough.

ONE DIRECTION PLAYS IN HER IPOD

So shouldn't you have been in school?

Well, yeah, but it's like a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

There was this rumour going round

that Harry and Liam were doing a meet-and-greet.

Just like randomly meeting fans and stuff and I would've just died.

Well, fortunately, we got you here in time.

-I'll have missed it all now.

-Has somebody left a radio on in here?

This is Kayleigh Ormerod.

She presented with a high temperature and a slight

heart murmur after passing out at a One Direction signing.

Oh, well they're so dreamy, I probably would've swooned myself.

She's been complaining of a headache and coughing a lot, too.

You don't think it could be meningitis, do you?

Remind me, which one of us is the doctor in this room?

For the avoidance of doubt, that would be ME.

SHE SIGHS

Right, according to this, you were treated for a mitral valve prolapse

three years ago. Have you had any problems since?

-No. That was like forever ago.

-OK.

MUSIC CONTINUES IN THE HEADPHONES

There's still a bit of a murmur, so we better run some tests.

-Definite heart-throb then.

-I was thinking...

I'd avoid that.

What is that excruciating racket?

Oh, that's the inimitable sound of One Direction.

-Not on my ward.

-Hey! You can't do that! Can she do that?

You can have that back when you've been discharged.

The sooner the better, as far as I'm concerned.

FBCs, Us and Es, chest X-ray, echo, if you can manage that?

She'd better not break it.

We can't pretend nothing's changed.

I'm not saying there's a quick fix here. It's just...

I keep thinking back to some of the...

Maybe we shouldn't do this now...

I don't blame you for wanting to get as far away from me as you can.

Sometimes I wish I could do it myself.

Don't say that...

But then I think about Jacob, our family.

-I just want us all to be together. Like before.

-I do, too.

I've been thinking.

We could try counselling.

-Really work at it.

-It's not that easy.

I'm not saying it would be. That's why I need your help.

D'you remember what it was like when we were first married?

The fun we used to have.

We can have that again.

If we try.

I'm not sure if I'm ready. Maybe in a few weeks...

I know it's going to take time.

But we can't have that here.

Not with your dad looming around in the background.

He's been really great the last few days.

He's already made up his mind about me. He'd never understand.

-I'll talk to him.

-And he would listen?!

Why don't we just go home now and you can call him later?

Save us the big family drama.

And then when everything settles down, he can come visit.

And you'd be OK with that?

Yeah, of course. And Jacob would love it.

You're ACTUALLY stealing a child's music.

There is no way I am going to tolerate a patient

-fan-girling over a bunch of walking haircuts.

-Oh, come on!

You must have had a thing for some doe-eyed pop star pin-up

-back in the day.

-I was never that immature.

-Who was it? You can tell me.

-Absolutely not.

Bros? New Kids On The Block? Jason Donovan?

-Shut up!

-No. I'm going to get it out of you eventually.

-Share the joke.

-There is no joke.

-Didn't somebody say Jason Donovan?

-Mm.

I am not having this conversation with you.

Don't worry, she's just being a misery.

Hey, d'you fancy a break later?

I don't know about you, but I need chips.

-Give us chance to talk details.

-Details?

You know, whether I move in to yours or you move in to mine.

Yeah, I don't know if I'm going to have time for that.

Jac's bumped up one of her CABGs so...

-She's making you work through?

-She's not making me do anything.

Yeah, I've really got to catch up with her, sorry.

-All right. What exactly is the deal here, Mr Cornish?

-Excuse me?

Are you or are you not a resident of the Rolling Acres Care Home?

-Violet came to rescue us.

-It was a peaceful protest.

Oh, one of those where no-one is supposed to get hurt? Good job.

-None of this would've happened if they hadn't tried to remove us by force.

-MAN THE BARRICADES!

They wanted to cut all the funding. It's not right.

So I organised a flash mob to occupy the building.

And the handcuffs?

We chained ourselves to the radiators. It was really rather fun!

-So why the cock-and-bull story?

-Somebody called the police in.

They cut the chains and Grandad got a bit...

carried away.

Well, I didn't mean to hit the poor boy. But he...

got in the way of my arm.

It was something and nothing.

I managed to sneak him off before it all got out of hand.

-So we're on the lam.

-Hardly.

I am prepared to face the consequences,

but I have to make sure he's going to be OK first.

Well, fortunately for you, I'm a doctor, not a detective.

And my prime concern is Walter's health.

Then what are we waiting around here for? I thought he was due for immediate surgery?

Yes, well, under normal circumstances

that might've been the case.

What does that mean? What are you leaving out?

You should know that the neurosurgery department

is under some...scrutiny today.

What kind of scrutiny?

Let's just say...

..if I were

you, I'd seriously be considering my options right now.

Right, just park him here for now, I'll be over in a sec. Thanks.

This is getting beyond a joke now.

I thought these lot were supposed to go over to St James' or something?

Don't ask me, I'm just a hired gun for the NHS.

That's it. Better out than in.

Are you in the market for some discount beachwear, by any chance?

Sorry?

You've left your shopping basket on the screen.

Oh, er... No... I was just checking that for a patient.

My mistake.

Er, so I see Jess has landed herself a keeper?

-Hmm?

-Her husband. Quite the charmer.

David? David is here?

Yeah. Is that a problem?

-Call security.

-Something wrong?

Check the toilets.

Tell them not to let him leave the building!

Maybe this isn't such a good idea,

I'm not even supposed to be out of the bed yet.

Don't worry, I'm going to look after you.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, yeah. It's all right. I promise.

I love you.

-Going somewhere?

-He can discharge himself, can't he?

-This is a hospital, not a prison.

-Absolutely.

And I can get the ball rolling on the paperwork, if you like.

It might take a while.

We know our rights. We're not waiting around here a second longer.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends!

Officially, I should point out that Walter still needs urgent surgery

and this really is the best place for him.

Do I need to point out the oxymoronic nature of that statement

-or can you work it out for yourself?

-I sympathise...

If Mr Self-Important won't operate,

I'm going to find somebody that will.

If there's nothing I can say to convince you...

Short of a cast-iron guarantee that he'll be under the knife

within the hour?

I didn't think so.

I suppose the ship has sailed on my butterscotch finger?

Come on, that's it. Nearly there.

We'll get you home, we'll get you comfy. All right?

Jess!

-Where to now?

-I'm going to find you another hospital.

-The taxi should be here soon.

-That's what they all say.

Aha! Our chariot awaits!

Steady on.

I'm driving that... I've always wanted to drive one of those...

Grandad? Grandad? Help us!

-OK. What's his name?

-Walter.

-OK, Walter? Can you hear me?!

Digby, what have you got for me?

-Sorry?

-I need a patient. Any patient.

Anything to get me out of

another forehead-bleeding session with pen-pushers.

Well, we're still up to our eyes in ED overspill.

-So you can take your pick, really.

-Excellent.

Can we get some help over here, please?

-What the hell happened?

-He just keeled over outside.

-Outside?

I specifically ordered half-hourly obs.

All morning I've been trying to tell you...

-Prep theatre!

-Finally!

-Get a CT scan.

He was fine a minute ago... I thought that...

Can you slow down a bit?

Just relax. Everything's going to be all right.

David!

Perfect!

SHE WINCES Ow!

-What is it?

-Something's happened.

-Wh-what's wrong?

-My stitches!

Don't touch it or you'll hurt yourself.

-Aw, David, something's...

-Will you do as you're told for once?!

Come on! Oi! Hurry up!

HE HONKS THE HORN

-What are you doing?!

-There's nothing coming,

we're wasting time.

You're so hyper.

Breathe, would you?

-We had an open fire and everything. It was lovely.

-Sounds great.

-Who in their right mind chooses March for a holiday?

-Mini-break.

I guess the answer's in the question.

So. Found time to eat after all.

It was just a quick bite between slots.

I could use some help with this lot, if it's not beneath you now.

Oh, Kayleigh, what are you doing out of bed?!

Going to the toilet. Is that still allowed?!

Look, I'll bring you a bedpan.

Urgh, that's well rank.

-How are you feeling? You OK?

-Fine. Everything just aches a bit.

-Have we had her bloods back yet?

-No, not yet.

-May I?

-This is stupid.

I might as well be waiting out there as in here.

I'll come back tomorrow, I swear.

Make like the Red Sea.

There seems to be some limb weakness and painful joints.

Why weren't these symptoms reported earlier?

They hadn't presented.

Well, what have you been doing all day? Sleepwalking?

-So this is my fault?

-I'm glad we're on the same page.

You're the one who brushed her off to go play the big shot in theatre!

-Yeah, that's my job.

-Cat-fight o'clock.

OK, let's have a quiet conversation about this outside, shall we?

I don't need to hand-hold the nurses.

It's either open heart surgery or baby-sitting. Up to you.

OK, chase up the bloods and the echo.

And just let me know when they get here OK?

-They're so getting it on in a store cupboard or something.

-Kayleigh!

Oh, God!

We need to get back to the hospital.

-Oh, we need to go back...

-How bad is it? Would you let me see?!

-Careful!

-You're OK. You're going to be OK.

-Please, David.

-I warned you. What did I say?!

God's sake!

-SHE SCREAMS

-Don't move!

I need to get back!

I said no.

-All right? Just do as you're told.

-Oh, God!

Apparently they're staying at a hotel in town overnight.

A bunch of us were going to try and sneak in and find their rooms.

Like, can you imagine meeting them? Like, in real life?

-Who's your favourite?

-Zayn. I've got it all worked out.

All I have to do is track down Perrie Edwards, cut off her head

with a rusty chain saw, marry Zayn and then have all his babies.

-That's quite a plan.

-You've gotta go the extra mile.

I was always more of a David Beckham girl myself.

-Incredible ball control.

-Trust me. No-one is more devoted than I am.

-I'm like the ultimate Directioner.

-Oh, really?

-Can you keep a secret?

-Can I ever.

Don't say anything, cos my mum'd go mental

and I'm in enough trouble as it is.

And when did you get this done?

Few days ago. Isn't it amazing?

Oh, my God.

Oh, what's happened?

-It's all right.

-Dad! I'm so sorry!

-What have you done?

-It's her stitches.

Ow! What's happened?

It's OK, don't panic. Let's take a look.

-What's happened?

-OK. Let's get you out of here.

-Ow! My God.

-Back off.

Stay away from her!

Dad, it hurts!

OK, just press on that. Keep both hands on it. Out you come.

-Watch your head.

-I got you. I got you.

-Dad, I'm so sorry!

-That's all right.

-It's OK, Jess, it's going to be...

-Am I going to be OK?

Yep, we're going to get you out of here now.

Take a look at that.

Suction.

-OK suction, Digby, quickly, please.

-Sorry.

If only we'd gotten here sooner...

I trusted you both to keep me updated.

Now, the two of you are going to help me clear up this mess.

And hopefully learn something in the process.

-Yes, yes, of course.

-Yep, diathermy. Thank you.

Nurse.

Retractor.

When we're done here...

..you can tell me which one of you was the last to do Walter's obs.

You're not actually blaming us for this, are you?

-I gave you explicit instructions.

-In all fairness, I should point out...

Hold it, there's the bleed.

Suction, Digby, quickly.

Zosia, get a swab.

Both hands, that's it. That's it.

-OK. We're good. We're good.

-OK. OK. OK.

Oi! What are you doing?

-She needs to get back into theatre.

-No.

I've got my kit in the boot, we can patch her up here.

You cannot be serious!

I am not letting her go anywhere with you.

Do you hear me, huh?

Her guts are spilling out and you want to patch her up here?!

This is my daughter!

Anything happens to her and I WILL kill you.

Do you understand? Do you understand?!

ENGINE STARTS

Jess! Jess!

Jess! Jess!

Oh, God...

DAD!

Dad, I need your help! DAD!

Please!

In your own time, folks. I can't see a thing down here.

If he dies, it'll be on your head.

No pun intended, I'm sure.

-ALARM BEEPS

-Oh, God.

OK, this isn't working. Dr March, Surgicel please?

Quickly.

Thank you.

-Suction, Digby.

-Sorry, yep.

Enough.

-In the corner.

-Sorry.

-Suction.

ALARM STOPS

Right. The bleeding's stopped.

OK, let's replace the skull flap.

Dr March, cranial fixation, please.

-Still with us, Digby?

-Hmm? Yeah.

-Have you seen Jonny?

-He's in theatre with Jac.

Do I detect a teensy bit of tension?

Sometimes he's just a little too willing

to dance to her tune, d'you know what I mean?

I mean, if I didn't know better I'd say he still had a thing for her.

-A thing?

-You know, a thing.

Nah, it's his promotion, isn't it?

More hours in theatre, more responsibility,

more face time with Darth Naylor. Rather him than me.

So you don't think there's anything going on?

Course there is.

She's the mother of his kid. There's bound to be something there.

-How am I supposed to compete with that?

-You're not.

And you're just going to have to learn to live with it.

What, that's your advice? These talks are really great(!)

-Thanks(!)

-Put a smile on it, Bon Bon.

He's much happier with you than he ever was with her.

Oh, you wouldn't think there was any kind of connection between

a recent tattoo and a patient with a heart murmur, would you?

Depends. If there's some sort of blood infection,

could be a lot of things. Why?

Over here! Quickly!

It's an emergency!

-Clear theatre!

-Dad...!

It's OK. You're going to be OK. Her stitches have burst!

-Well, where has she been?!

-Not now!

-Page Raf!

We have to do a bowel resection if we can't reduce it.

-Don't even think about it!

-I'm not leaving her.

Ric, I promise you, I will take care of this.

-How is he?

-Well...

Just give it to me straight.

The operation went as well as could be expected,

under the circumstances.

We've removed the clot and taken the pressure off the brain.

-He's going to be OK?

-He's sedated at the moment but I'm confident.

-We really just have to wait and see.

-How could this happen?

-I'm sorry?

-He was supposed to go straight in to surgery.

That's the whole reason we were sent up here in the first place.

That's not strictly true. It was a complicated judgment call.

Then explain it to me!

Look, the important thing right now is that we've dealt with it.

Let's make Walter comfortable for the next couple hours,

and we can discuss this further.

I will hold you to that, Mr Self.

Interesting version of events you just gave her there.

-I'm a surgeon, not a spin doctor.

-Really.

So I suppose you just forgot to mention the Care Quality inspection

hanging over your head.

-OK, let's cut to the good bit.

-All right.

You endangered your patient's life for the sake of your statistics.

Even if that were true,

one patient is hardly going to make a dent one way or the other.

I wonder if his granddaughter would agree.

Look, I could've treated that patient

without an invasive craniotomy

if he hadn't been allowed to waltz off the ward.

Lucky for you, I have other hides to skin today.

If anyone has any explaining to do here, it's you.

-Surely not!

-Yeah, let's not make a whole business about this, OK?

Don't you think you were a little...

off target with the object of your affections?

I was 13. I didn't know any different.

Oh, I can see it now.

A little mini-Naylor singing into her wee hairbrush.

Let's get one thing straight, that never happened. Ever.

I'm seeing you in a whole new light here. Like almost human.

You take this to your grave, Maconie.

Oh, yeah, your secret's safe with me like.

Right. Good news/bad news.

Your echo came back clear, so it's not a mitral valve issue,

but we will need to run some more tests.

What's the good news?

That was it. That's all of the news.

So you still don't know anything more than you did earlier?

-What if it's a blood infection?

-What?

That could explain the heart murmur and the flu-like symptoms,

-wouldn't it?

-Go on, then, this should be interesting.

I thought you'd at least want to look into it.

Maybe if you two weren't so busy making eyes at each other,

you'd have bothered to have

an actual conversation with your patient.

Please, continue to amaze us with your clinical clairvoyance.

The heart murmur, the cough, the fever...

They could all be the result of an infection from the tattoo.

-What tattoo?

-You promised!

Show me.

Thanks a lot.

Wow!

Er, you do realise that the legal age for a tattoo is 18?

It's my choice! It shows that I'm serious.

I would love to hear you say that in your 30s.

That's the whole point! This says that it's for life.

Right, let's take another look at that echo

-and chase up the blood cultures.

-Endocarditis?

-Probably.

You! Follow me.

I'm assuming you have a breathtakingly good reason

for not mentioning this sooner,

so I'm going to give you a chance to explain.

Are you ready? Go.

She asked me not to say anything.

-Not good enough, you're fired.

-You can't do that.

If it was up to me, I'd have her scrubbing the toilet floors.

Supervised, of course, but we can't always get what we want.

I'm the one who's been dealing with her all day

while you swan around with your oh-so-important surgical whatever.

OK. Let's just take a wee breath!

If it wasn't for me, you'd still be scratching your heads

looking for answers while she inched towards heart failure!

Are you done?

She's right, you should have said something.

-Yeah, you're done.

-Oh, don't worry. I am SO done.

Cross-match two units.

-What's happened?

-Everything's under control.

I want to avoid any unnecessary bowel injury.

-Ric, I REALLY don't need you backseat-driving me right now...

-Listen to me.

No, you listen. In here, I'm in charge.

You're not a surgeon right now, you're a father

and you need to back off.

-I was promised an explanation.

-And I'm sure you'll get one.

I want to know exactly what was going on around here today. Now.

Fair enough.

I told you earlier that the neurosurgery department

-is under some scrutiny.

-Meaning?

Right, maybe now isn't the best time.

What I didn't tell you is there is a clinical audit in progress

which may have unduly affected Walter's treatment plan.

-Perhaps I should page Mr Self.

-Mr Self is to blame for all of this.

-Do you really want to get into this now?

-She deserves the truth.

This never should have been allowed to happen.

You're absolutely right, your grandfather should have been

-operated on immediately.

-Then why didn't Mr Self...?

A patient in his care died a few days ago.

Now, would be the worst possible time for anything to go wrong

-on his watch.

-You're saying that he deliberately

kept him out of surgery to keep him under the radar?

That's outrageous! This is...

It's negligence at best. Malpractice at worst.

-Oh, God, she used the M word.

-I want to see him. Mr Self.

-I want to see him right now.

-That's certainly your right.

And if you'd like to make a formal complaint, you have my full support.

Yes, I'm just trying to find out whether there have been any

RTA casualties admitted within the last hour?

-So whose fault is this exactly, yours or mine?

-What do you think?!

Is she all right?

She's fine, they're taking her up to recovery.

I managed to restore the bowel and repair the stitches.

Rather skilfully, actually.

-Any other complications?

-Fortunately not.

But it's a good job you got her back into theatre as fast as you did.

-Where exactly has she been?

-It's complicated.

Jess' husband, David, he wasn't too keen for her to stay here

so I had to go after them, I had no choice.

David Kilburn, approximately mid-30s,

involved in a hit-and-run. KO-ed and unresponsive.

Signs of a head injury, query fractured skull.

GCS seven at the scene and intubated.

BP 100 over 80. Sats 98%.

Don't tell me the ED's still quarantined?

Afraid so. It's like a disaster area over there.

Marvellous. Emergency CT scan, and prep theatre just in case.

Sure thing.

-So I don't need an operation?

-Nope.

Now that we know what we're dealing with,

we can treat you with a course of antibiotics.

With a bit of luck, you'll be able to go home in a couple of days.

It's too late anyway. They've gone.

You should be thanking your lucky stars,

-not chasing after cheesy boybands.

-Everyone got a photo with them.

Look, I can't believe how close they got.

-And here's me on my own, as usual.

-Big deal.

Look, if we'd left that untreated much longer,

you could've been looking at heart failure.

It's just unfair. OK?

Trust me, you'll get over it.

In a couple of years, you'll be off to university,

travelling the world, meeting all sorts of more interesting people.

-That's only for the rich kids.

-Not necessarily.

Even on your own doorstep,

there's more to life than those five faces on your back.

You think it's stupid, don't you?

I didn't say that.

Besides, I've had my share of spontaneous ink after a heavy night.

Just don't ask me where.

I suppose I could've started with something a bit smaller.

You've got to admit,

it might be a potential deal-breaker with a real boyfriend.

Is it really bad?

I've heard they can work wonders with lasers these days.

What are we looking at?

No bleed on the CT but possible signs of a diffuse axonal injury.

How bad?

A few petechial haemorrhages but... ALARMS BEEP

Pressure's dropping. He's tachycardic.

Could be a ruptured spleen.

We need to get it out of there. Skin prep, please.

-You know, I can handle this.

-Stand by with retractors and suction.

What do you think you're doing?

-Looking for biscuits.

-With the patient.

Didn't Sacha keep a stash here?

A formal complaint could just about finish off neuro,

and you're practically leading the charge.

OK, think. If I were Sacha, where would I keep the cookie jar?

-Have you tried the staff room?

-Yes, of course!

Right, you're not taking this seriously!

-I'm not really listening.

-Are you ACTIVELY trying to get fired?

-There are simpler ways!

-Oh, you're talking about Mr Cornish?

Yeah, I mean, is it some kind of reverse nepotism?

I'm not playing games.

They've a right to expect better. I'd expect better.

Are you prepared to take it to the board?!

That's up to them. I'm just here to speak the truth.

OK, right. Maybe it'll all just blow over.

Who has time for all that paperwork anyway?

We'll just give them a few hours,

and we'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

-Maybe the canteen will have some.

-What?

-Biscuits, Arthur! Biscuits!

Right, you know what?!

Thanks to you, my grandad might never wake up.

I know this is a difficult time for you.

-Please. I know all about your little audit.

-Um...

I don't know what you've heard but I can assure you that nothing...

Never mind the patients so long as all the boxes are ticked, right?

These places are all the same.

Oh, this is getting blown out of all proportion.

I understand you're a bit fragile right now,

but I stand by my decisions.

Fragile?! Mr Self, right now I am the opposite of fragile.

I am a gun waiting to go off. I am fury incarnate

and I'm going to make sure you answer for what you've done.

Right, if you want to make a complaint,

I can give you the forms now but I promise you, it won't be upheld.

Oh, no? One of your own junior doctors said she'd go on record

to back the whole thing up.

-HE SCOFFS

-All this for a bit of compensation?

Our lawyers will eat you alive.

Get as many lawyers as you want, Mr Self.

You're going to need them.

-Ms Campbell?

-Yeah?

-Some visitors have arrived

and they're asking about a hit-and-run victim?

What shall I tell them?

Nothing. I'll deal with it. Where's Mr Griffin?

-He's still in theatre, I think.

-Right.

D'you want me to take over?

You're in my light.

Suction!

Ric, can I have a word, please?

I'm a little busy right now.

I thought you should know,

we have a charming pair of police officers out here asking questions.

I really think you should step away and come and join me.

Someone!

Haven't you got anything better to do?

I was starting to think you weren't coming back.

Never fail to make the use of a comfy bed, that's what I always say.

You gave us a real run for our money today, Mr Cornish.

-I try my best.

-I'm so sorry.

-Whatever for?

Dragging you into all this. Coming at you all mob-handed. Literally.

Nonsense! I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I found this in the canteen for you earlier.

Oh!

My butterscotch finger.

You are a good girl.

I'll tell Mr Self you're awake.

I'm not done with him yet either.

Zosia, the good news. The ED quarantine's finally over.

False alarm, of course. Turns out it was a raisin after all.

So. All's well that ends well?

SHE BANGS THE BAG INTO THE LOCKER

LOCKER BANGING

-What?

-That locker done something to annoy you, or is it just me?

You couldn't just stick up for me today.

Just for the novelty of it. But no, she always has to be right.

Is that what this is about, then? Scoring points off Jac?

She'll always come first, won't she? It doesn't matter where we go

or what we do, we'll always come back to her.

The only thing between me and Jac is Emma.

Well, maybe that's the problem. You have a connection.

Something you can touch and hold and take photos of.

Something that says it's for life.

So, what? Am I meant to apologise for having a child?

It's not about that! I want us to be better than that!

I want to know that we're going somewhere

and you're not just marking time until Jac Naylor sees the light.

So what do I do, Bonnie? What do I do?

Do I have your face tattooed to my backside? What?

I'm going back to mine tonight.

-Bonnie...

-I'll see you tomorrow.

Bonnie, please, just give me a...

-Excuse me.

-Sorry, I'll just be a sec.

-Take your time.

-Sorry, what was your name again?

PC Joorabachian.

That's a bit of a mouthful.

Any chance of speaking to someone about this hit-and-run

before the MRSA sets in?

I'll have you know we run an incredibly clean ward.

But I could find you a dirty little corner if you ask very nicely.

Please, tell me this isn't what it looks like.

It's a long story. It was an accident.

You don't need to explain it to me, just explain it to him.

Look, just keep them away from Jess.

She should be coming round soon and I need to talk to her first.

-Ric!

-I'll be right back.

I almost forgot.

-Thank you.

-Just don't play it loud, OK?

Hey...

I don't suppose you know of anyone round here who does tattoo removals?

-Just curious like.

-I'll see what I can do.

Zosia.

Darling, let's get some dinner and talk this over.

I don't think so.

You don't REALLY want to put your name to this complaint, do you?

I don't have any choice, under the circumstances.

If it looks bad, then it's bad for the hospital.

-The paperwork's already been filed with the board.

-I AM the board.

Well, therefore it would be inappropriate for us

to continue this conversation any further.

You do realise you're putting your career on the line?

I mean, do you have any idea what the fallout from this could be?

Well, as long as the truth comes out, I welcome it.

Reputations have been ruined on much less, you know.

Maybe you should have thought about that this morning.

Well, Jeremy Kyle called. He wants you two for his next show.

Sharper than a serpent's tooth...

Congratulations, Guy,

you've managed to successfully turn an audit into an imbroglio.

It's a big word, look it up.

I just can't wait for tomorrow(!)

Bonnie!

We've got nothing left to say to each other.

No, don't leave. Not like this.

Forget Jac. I love YOU!

It's just words.

Then marry me!

What?!

You heard.

Marry me.

-Don't say it if you don't mean it.

-You want commitment.

Well, this is it.

I need you in my life. Right, it's as simple as that.

Nothing else matters.

Bonnie, you... You light up my world like nobody else.

-The way you... Flip your hair...?

-Please don't start singing.

Definitely not. Definitely not. But...

..what d'you say?

Yes.

Yes?

Yes!

Yes! Come here!

THEY LAUGH

Hey!

Yes, well, I'm afraid you'll just have to wait.

Is it going to be much longer? Only we really need to get a statement.

I appreciate that, but our patients have to be our priority.

-It's all right, Serena. I'll deal with this.

-Good.

I understand that you're looking into a road traffic accident?

That's right. A hit-and-run.

So you'll be needing to speak to the driver.

In here, is he?

You're looking at him.

Shall we?