The Coward's Way Holby City

GASPING

Alex and I were lovers.

-Marcus doesn't...?

-He doesn't have a clue.

I told the kids that we'd be in our own house by Christmas.

-I'm a bit disappointed.

-Oh, I get it.

You lot can't wait to be away from me - is that it?

No, not at all. You're top man.

I just feel like I'm letting them down.

-I meant to ask this morning - how's Diggers?

-He's OK...

..as far as I know.

All I've done since I got back...

..is think of her

and how wonderful life would be if only I was brave enough.

Zosia?

-Digby.

-Um...

You seen Dom anywhere?

No, no not yet.

I'm supposed to be meeting him, that's all.

OK. Well, I've got to go. So I'll catch you later.

Oh, will I? Will I see you later?

I messaged you about the film night with Dom and I.

I've lined up Napoleon's Boat.

It's kind of a biopic, but it's told from the perspective of a ship.

Yeah, sorry. I don't think I got that thread, actually.

Right. It just said "read" next to your name.

You know what - I've been so flaky!

-I'm just really busy at the moment.

-Hmm.

You know what - I've got 20 minutes now.

-Why don't we grab a coffee and we can catch up?

-Right.

You can give me all the key highlights, wedding prep,

-all the, er, stag-do japes.

-Yeah.

-All the fun stuff.

It's just I've got chemo now, so...

I mean, it is essentially just sitting there.

You could come with me, if you like. Dom's going to be there.

-I could.

-You don't have to. We could do the highlights later, but...

-No. No, It's fine. Yeah, I'm in.

-Great. Let's go.

-Yep.

INTERCOM BEEPS

Um, if you haven't already cracked that patient open,

I'm afraid you'll have to cancel. I've booked this theatre.

I assume you'd rather not be acquainted with the very

singular wrath of Serena Campbell.

Marcus?

Thanks, all.

What the hell are you doing here?

The locum agency got in touch with a last-minute job.

If it's an issue, I can tell them something's come up.

Bernie?

Er, just caught me off guard, that's all.

Major Berenice Wolfe, caught off guard? Surely not?

None of us is, um, infallible.

-Well, that seems as good an opener as any.

-Opener?

To tell the kids about the divorce.

-I think we should do it tonight. Together.

-Tonight?

OK.

Look, um, while you're here, can we just...keep this professional?

-I've got a reputation...

-Reputation to uphold.

Didn't realise I was... so predictable.

25 years of marriage.

I know your every thought, Bern.

And then, when we finally get to school,

he refuses to get out the car unless his hair's perfect.

I'm in there gelling it, re-gelling it.

-Is Mikey Fletcher trying to impress a girl?

-Who knows?

But after his little show of vanity,

-he's now made me late.

-Er, slight problem.

Oh, the little...!

I've got half an hour till my shift starts, so I can take it to him.

-I can't ask you to do that, mate.

-That's fine, it's no bother.

I owe you, mate.

Nurse Harrison? Have you, er... Have you seen Dr Copeland anywhere?

Not for a while, sorry.

I need to talk to him about something...small.

I'll e-mail him.

Probity in practice.

Sorry?

It's some time-wasting training session that I've been summoned to.

Do they think we're all sociopaths or something?

We haven't all been invited, Ric.

Apologies for foisting ourselves on you like this.

You've, er, already been acquainted.

He stole my theatre this morning. I threatened to set you on him.

Whatever can you mean?

Actually, Ms Campbell's been delightfully accommodating so far.

I was hoping... you might follow suit.

Hayley Green.

Fell down some steps after a messy night out last night at Club Tokyo,

and earned herself an angulation fracture of the tib and fib.

I'm so sorry. Such an idiot. I'm never drinking again.

-Funnily enough, my son says that every time he goes out.

-Um, Bernie,

the problem is that AAU's currently full.

And I'm in budget meetings for most of the day.

And I don't wanna hang around on this one, to be honest, Bernie.

The fracture's displaced and her foot's very pale.

You think there might be some vascular issue?

Potentially. Could use your trauma eyes on this.

Well, um...

Of course. Yeah, course.

That's the soon-to-be ex, I take it?

Apparently so.

They do make it look surprisingly easy.

-What?

-Divorce.

HE CHUCKLES

Don't be naive, Serena.

It's never easy.

Slow down, will you? This isn't Silverstone.

As if one accident wasn't enough!

Del Blakley.

Several large lacerations after being hit by debris from an RTA.

I knew this was a bad idea. I said I wasn't ready to go outside.

-Hands off!

-Oh, OK!

He, er, he's got a history of panic attacks and agoraphobia.

I was barely out the door, when a bloody great bus nearly hits me

-head on!

-Well, let's get this out of your way.

-Don't! She's fragile.

-She?

-Sally B.

The original B-17 they used in the film Memphis Belle.

I've got over 5,300 planes, but she's my favourite.

And we wouldn't want her to get broken now,

-would we, mate? So, er...

-I'm not your mate.

-Have you, um...?

-Yep. Liaison psych?

-About 30 minutes ago now.

-See, that is so typical.

They're always so slow

-and then they send you down some half-baked junior.

-Hey!

Sorry.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Yeah, this is Charge Nurse Fletcher on AAU.

We called for a liaison psych?

Yeah. Do you know what?

To be honest, the response time coming out of your department

leaves a lot to be des...

Naomi Palmer, Psychiatric Consultant.

I hope you guys haven't been waiting too long.

No. Uh. No, no, not at all.

Um, no, not at all.

Will there be permanent damage?

The CT angiogram will give us a clearer idea of what's going on.

It would've been preferable if you hadn't waited hours

-before coming in.

-Sorry. I just didn't know what to do.

-I've got this RNP thing.

-You're in the RNP?

-RNP?

-Royal Navy Police. Venerable organisation.

Wow, I... Most people don't know it.

You're talking to a seasoned ex-army medic here.

Heard the admissions process is incredibly tough.

You did well to get in.

Yeah. Yeah, it was tough. It was really tough, but...

You know, if you want something,

-my dad was with the Navy Police, so...

-He must be very proud.

Well...he died a year ago.

I'm sorry.

He was proud. If I've thrown my career away,

because of one stupid, drunken mistake...

Let's see what the angiogram says and then we'll do everything we can

to get you tiptop for service,

I promise. OK?

Nice girl. Strange she didn't come in earlier.

The pain must've been excruciating.

As far as analgesics go, I do tend to find that alcohol is

undoubtedly one of the more deceptive.

Oh, I nearly forgot.

Found the confiscated items in my bottom drawer as I was clearing out.

Least now you won't have to sneak around.

Every cloud, eh, Bern?

-TEXT MESSAGE ALERT

-Eugh, depressing!

Why it the only people that actually stalk me are my colleagues?

As opposed to...?

-Hot men?

-You better go.

-Yeah. You sure?

-Actually, I...

-Yeah, Zosia's here. It's fine.

OK. See you later.

SHE TUTS

I've always thought that these suites were...

ridiculously futuristic looking.

Ironic, given that they house people whose futures are in question.

That was a joke, Zosia.

SHE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

You OK? You seem a little bit on edge.

No, I'm not on edge. Fine, dandy.

Just totally relaxed.

Ah, the Kardashians!

They're everywhere. Cannot avoid them.

They keep on multiplying - look.

-Maybe you should go back to work, too.

-Really? I can stay.

-Do you actually...?

-I just wouldn't want to be late for Ms Naylor, so...

Right, let's get these wounds cleaned up

while we wait for Mr Di Lucca.

HE WINCES

So, er, you just started?

Cos I don't think I've seen you around here before.

Total newbie.

Fully prepared to sit on my own at lunch, pretending to be texting.

HE LAUGHS

Are you concentrating, or am I just incidental to this scenario?

No. No, Mr Blakley. You are undoubtedly the main event.

So, if you haven't been given the grand tour,

you know, I'm more than happy to show you around?

That would be amazing, er...?

-Fletch.

-No, sorry. Not buying this Mr Eligible act.

-What's the catch?

-You're not a closet serial killer, are you?

Not the last time I checked, no.

Oh, I know. Worse! Divorced.

Kids in every corner of the country.

Ha-ha...

There you are! I was starting to think you'd stuck around for a school dinner.

Yeah, I, er... I had a little issue.

I don't feel well, Dad.

-Busted!

-I haven't lit it yet.

It's your life. Do what you want.

Yes, that's the theory, isn't it? I just wish it could be that simple.

But whatever way you turn, you're bound to hurt someone.

I'm sorry. Is it a problem, working with Marcus?

No. We're both grown-ups.

Yes, indeed. You both seem to handle divorce with enviable grace.

-Not sure about that.

-When Edward and I separated,

I couldn't stand to be in the same postcode as him,

let alone the same theatre. You make the whole thing look so easy.

That could all change in an instant.

Why would it?

No-one's lied, no-one's cheated or betrayed what you had, have they?

Small mercies.

-I'd better...

-If you ever want to have a talk over a drink...

Thanks.

Ah, Houdini.

Are you referring to my penchant for handcuffs and chains?

Oh, no - keep that to yourself.

No, er, I'm talking about your disappearing act.

Ms Wolfe has been desperately trying to find you.

Yes, I did kind of pick up on that hint.

Did you know that her ex-husband was going to be locuming, by the way?

No. No, I did not.

But then, you know I don't really like partaking in idle gossip.

SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, um - your girl's angiogram results.

-Ah.

Er, Miss Green.

Unfortunately, the scan shows that your fracture is

impinging on the popliteal artery.

Essentially cutting off blood flow to your leg.

I suggest we get you into theatre urgently

-and attempt to repair the fracture and the artery in tandem.

-Mm-hm.

Idiot! Just one stupid drunken slip.

-Are you're sure that's how you did this?

-Yeah.

It's just...that an injury like this suggests a high-impact landing -

that a degree of force was involved.

Is there anyone we can call for you, Hayley?

My mum lives in Spain and, my best friend,

she's probably hungover as hell after last night.

It would be helpful to have a friend with you. What's her name?

Lauren. Bartlett. But seriously, it's fine.

-Partner?

-My boyfriend's at work.

And we're in a bit of a funny place, anyway.

If I'm going to survive the Navy Police,

I'm going to have to be a bit resilient, right?

Uh, would you excuse me?

One moment - I'll be right back.

-Dr Copeland?

-Yeah?

-I need to talk to you.

-Look, I'm sorry for going AWOL.

No, it's just that you didn't get back to me.

Well, I've been quite busy with Arthur's chemo.

Yes, of course. I completely understand,

but, um, look, I need to know - I can rely on you to be discrete

-about my relationship with Alex Dawson, can't I?

-Of course.

It's just my husband is locuming completely unexpectedly and...

Um, I know I should have been honest, but we've got this far,

and I don't want to hurt him or the children.

-BEEPER STARTS

-I get it. It's fine, honestly.

So, as I say, we will take bloods and run an echocardiogram,

just to make sure that the worsening symptoms aren't

a sign that the tumour has spread.

Try not to worry.

(Thank you.)

Potential heart cancer - well, that's not ideal.

No, it's not, Miss Seriously Tardy.

Ooh! OK, Miss America. Did Naylor notice?

-No. Because I covered for you.

-How gallant.

-Yep, I thought so.

I'm feeling seriously rough after last night.

That's because you're an old man, and you can't take the heat.

I prefer my salt and pepper. So where WERE you?

I was with Arthur.

He had chemo, and I felt he needed a friend's support.

Unbelievable! You did it. You played the Arthur cancer card.

Cancer card?

-Points for empathy, Ollie.

-Oh, you've been ignoring him for weeks!

Besides which, he texted me to say sorry for keeping you

and that you were on your way up over an hour ago.

So where've you been in the interim?

-Let me think.

-Mmm?

-None of your business, Sherlock.

Mwah!

Oi.

Yeah! You don't look that ill to me, mate.

Uncle Raf is a doctor. He agreed I looked pale.

He does look a bit off-colour.

Hmm. Wasn't it your big maths test this morning?

Oh, yeah. Oopsie.

Ah! He said he felt nauseous. I couldn't get hold of you.

I'm going to have to call an agency nurse to cover my shift.

I could've done without losing a day's wages, thanks, mate.

Couldn't he just stay there? Read quietly?

You can do that, can't you, mate?

I'll try and soldier on. RAF LAUGHS

Well, try a little harder!

-I'm sorry. I was just trying to help, but, er...

-Ooh, lovely!

-Do you know what? It wasn't really your fault.

-Ooh?

Ah, what do you think of that new psych consultant?

-Uh, seems like your usual screwy, quirky psychiatrist type.

-Mmm.

We sort of hit it off over a wound clean earlier, before you arrived.

Romantic(!) Shall I take...?

You what, I'm gutted she didn't get the full Fletch magic

before she found out that I came with a ready-made family, which is unfortunate.

Well, I've told her she isn't needed on the case any more, anyway.

-Why?

-Because she's settled the patient.

And I find all that spurious psychobabble

gets in the way of the actual clinical treatment, so...

Look, is that for me?

If you want it. I mean, it's better than it going to waste.

-How thoughtful of you.

-Well, I'm nothing if I'm not...

Can you get a CT scan for Mr Blakley ASAP, please?

Vein, please?

You're doing that starey thing.

-What starey thing?

-That thing you do when something's on your mind.

Forceps, please. Thank you.

-I know, Bern.

-What?

I agree. We could be looking at domestic violence.

Oh!

I just don't want to force the issue and upset her.

True. Could do more harm than good.

But I suppose... 5.0 Prolene, please.

It's the thought, isn't it?

Young girl.

What if it were Charlotte?

There we go.

All right? OK.

Yeah, I hope you don't mind me calling you back. It's just that...

he refused sedation. I wasn't sure how he'd cope in a confined space.

-I was only helping out in an OCD group.

-Right.

The chairs have to be stacked just right.

Ha-ha! Yeah, I got it.

So you don't mind a bit of un-PC banter?

Yeah. On that.

That thing before - about being divorced with a bunch of children.

-Ah...

-No, it was inappropriate.

I mean, it would definitely be worse to be a serial killer, so...

-Well, thanks for clarifying.

-Any time.

But you were almost right,

except it's just me and not one, but...

-..kids.

-The Von Fletches?

-Yeah.

So you're bringing up the tribe alone?

Um, Raf Di Lucca, the registrar - he helps out. We live together.

Oh, right. So you guys are...?

No, no. No, we're just mates - obviously.

But money was tight, so it seemed like a good solution.

That's a hell of a lot of pressure for Raf to deal with.

Yeah, but, you know, what can you do?

Which leads me to conclude, if he's going to take that on,

you must be a pretty special person.

No...no...I can't, I can't!

I can't! I can't! I can't! I can't!

Now that the plates are in the tib and fib,

with any luck, she'll heal without any lasting movement deficit.

Good.

And when she comes round, I'll have a frank discussion with her.

-If you think...

-I do.

You know, I think it's the first time we've operated together.

-It is.

-Make a good team.

We always have done, though. With the kids. With everything.

Why are we doing this, Bern?

Marcus, we've been over this.

I know, I know. It's just...

..25 years of marriage, two children together.

-To end it all without a reason.

-There isn't always a reason.

-Not everything's cut and dried.

-It is with you.

-Is there something you're not telling me here?

-Nothing, Marcus. Can I just...?

Oh, the old foot stamp - in full force.

Sorry.

And I'm sorry I can't give you anything more concrete.

Sometimes, things just...run their course. You know that.

Do I?

Let me know when she comes round.

Cut open the chest, whip out the tumour and close you up. OK?

So just sign on the dotted line.

And any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Lovely. Thank you.

-Hi.

-Hello.

Would it hurt you to be a little less blunt?

OK, Olive. Facts are facts.

# Ba dam bam! #

-What are you doing?

-# You're as cold as ice - Da duh duh! #

-You're so embarrassing.

-# You're willing to sacrifice our love. #

Is it too much to ask that you save this disgusting charade for the bedroom?

-# You never take advice - da dah bam! #

-So embarrassing!

# Someday you'll pay the price I know. #

-I...I can't do it!

-Pulse is racing.

-Resps are high.

-He's having a panic attack.

-Oxygen.

I can't do it! I can't do it!

-All right, OK. Fine.

-I can't do it!

HE SOBS

That's it, Del. Long slow breaths.

-Try and relax. Just lay down.

-Yeah.

-Good man.

-Excellent.

-I think we should abort this.

See, the thing is, Mr Di Lucca was very definite about this scan.

-I can't do it.

-Yeah. Sort of fruitless

if the patient knocks himself unconscious before we get them.

SOBBING

Where...?

You're still in hospital and you've had the operation on your leg.

My leg. Will it be OK?

The operation went as well as it could have.

Thank you.

Hayley.

The damage to your artery was extensive.

So why don't you tell me what really happened?

-What do you mean?

-Decades of working in trauma

alert one to the difference between a drunken fall and an assault.

Look. It was a one-off, OK?

-That's what all victims of abuse think.

-Abuse!

You need to tell someone.

-No, it was an accident. She didn't mean it.

-She?

My mate, Lauren.

Is that the girl you were with last night?

She would never hurt me on purpose.

But she was drunk and upset.

She, er, she didn't get into the Navy Police, so...

Anyway, she thought I was gloating, and lost it a bit.

She caused you a massive injury and you need to tell the police.

Police? No way. You don't rat on a mate.

You could have lost your place in the RNP. No mate does that.

Look, I texted her this morning. She said sorry.

We've sorted it, OK? Please, don't call the police.

That was quick! What was in that coffee?

-Actually, he started to have a panic attack.

-Right.

Dr Palmer, you're back.

-We had to abort.

-Uh-huh.

Fletch was brilliant with Del when he started to hyperventilate.

-Just doing my job.

-Is that what you call it these days?

-If you weren't there, though...

-Sorry, just...

Without a CT scan, how do we now propose that I see the full extent

of the multiple shards of glass penetrating Mr Blakley's abdomen?

Raf, I understand, as the clinician dealing in hardcore facts,

that accommodating Del's agoraphobia might be a little abstract

and frustrating to you.

I'm not frustrated. Do I seem frustrated?

Um, you do a little bit, if I'm honest, mate.

It's a delicate situation.

We're talking about a man who's hardly left the house for years.

Then perhaps he'd be more comfortable if we sedated him.

-Absolutely not.

-Yeah, she's right.

He'd prefer not to have any medication. I've asked him.

Yeah, and I'd prefer to drive a Ferrari, but ultimately, we're all

working within the confines of, you know, reality, so...

Though if you'd read Berger and Luckmann,

you'd understand that reality is a social construct

that bears no relation to someone like Del, whose mind refuses

to be defined by the mimetic grind of institutionalised modes of being.

Er, what about maybe an ultrasound? Would that be viable here?

Not the clearest diagnostic tool.

I think what Fletch is trying to do is find a solution -

a way forward, Mr Di Lucca.

Yeah.

Er, yeah, look - if, you know, Del could maybe see his injuries, then

he might be a little less anxious and then further treatment easier.

-You know, you'd be great in psychiatry, Fletch.

-Yeah?

Very sensitive to others' feelings.

Intuitive.

What?

RAF SIGHS

Yeah, he told me about it downstairs.

-I cannot believe it.

-Yeah?

-THEY GIGGLE

Ladies - no standing around when there's a ward of obs to be done.

Er, temp 37, pulse 80.

Good, she's doing well.

Hayley, I've phoned Victim Support.

-What? You had no right!

-What Lauren did has caused you extensive damage.

I don't understand why you want to protect her.

It's called loyalty. But maybe you don't know what that is.

What this is is the opposite of loyalty. It's a lie.

And it will take you apart.

Well, the number's here, in case you change your mind.

Keep her under regular obs.

And if she says anything else about what happened, let me know.

-Er, Ms Wolfe?

-Yes?

-Um...

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

-Are your ears burning, too, or is it just mine?

-What?

I assume they're talking about the divorce papers.

-Yes.

-Sorry - sending them here.

I was angry. Still...

Dr Copeland!

Er, take her to the side room.

OK, sternum's fully open.

-Good job.

-Naturally.

Maybe it's cos you're # Cold as ice! #

You are a broken record.

May I assist you, in...excising the tumour?

No. I think I can manage.

You stick to your singing career.

Oh, no - wait.

I was only trying to help.

Ice queen. But predictably, you froze me out.

Suit yourself.

Zosia?

It's a...pretty big mass.

Well, yeah. The spread's extensive.

You diagnosed it and facts are facts, remember?

Yes.

You see the scans.

But it's...that's it. Right there.

Knotted into the centre of everything that matters.

Zosia?

Yes?

Would you like me to take over?

Yes, please.

Kidney dish, please.

OK, picking up where we left off.

OK, there is some fluid near your left kidney,

which is giving me some cause for concern.

Right-oh. Lucky I've got two, so you can leave that, then.

I'm afraid it doesn't quite work like that, Mr Blakley.

You will need surgery, but what's vital is that we get a CT scan,

so that we know what we're dealing with before we go in.

Look, the sooner we get it done and sorted,

the sooner you get to go home.

I know I must appear imbecilic to you science men.

No-one thinks that, Del.

I just thought, if I could leave the house, just briefly...

..maybe it was a start to living my life again.

And then... Oh!

-Just try and keep...

-Where would be the first place that you'd visit?

-You know, if it wasn't for the agoraphobia?

-Clacton.

Big air show - used to go with my dad as a kid.

It's where I first saw Sally B.

Right, well, we'll be back shortly.

-Let's get him on the theatre list, please.

-Yeah.

-Um...

-HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Let's hope he's better at going under then he was in the CT.

Or is that you angling for me

-to bleep our favourite interfering shrink and get her down here?

-No.

-Because I'd rather not interrupt Mr Blakley's treatment, cos you're angling for a date!

-A date? What?

Who said anything about a date?

Why? Do you think she might be up for it?

D'you know what? Yeah!

I reckon I could ask her out for a few drinks tonight.

Tonight? I didn't know you had a sitter in.

Oh, what, you want ME to look after the kids?

Oh, that'd be amazing if you could, mate. Come on, mate.

I mean, how often do I get the chance to meet a beautiful woman

that doesn't run a mile the first mention of four kids?

-Look, she hasn't said yes.

-Yeah, but you heard what she said about me.

You know - that I'm sensitive to others, intuitive.

Yeah, and have you even considered that I might have plans tonight?

Ah, yeah, but you haven't though, have you?

As a matter of fact - yes, I do.

I am, er, I'm meeting a friend later.

-Really?

-Intuit this. The answer's no.

Partial avulsion of the ear.

ED notes indicate that the lacerations were caused by a bottle.

Defensive injuries to forearms including fractured radius

and ulna, and penetrating glass fragments.

What a mess.

She's been beaten within an inch of her life.

Good pulse in this arm.

-Next of kin have been contacted.

-Who brought her in?

Police found her in an alleyway near Club Tokyo.

-What's her name?

-Um...Lauren Bartlett.

-Could you book a theatre in Ortho, please?

-Of course.

Lauren, can you hear me?

-SCOTTISH ACCENT:

-Hello there!

Aw, that's great, innit, Raf? I mean, the accent's bang on.

I take it Nurse Fletcher has bleeped you again.

No - actually, I came of my own volition.

I wanted to say, if I was defensive before,

I'm used to dealing with surgeons who think psychiatry is all

a bit irrelevant, spurious.

Anyway, I apologise.

No, no, Naomi. We should be apologising to you.

We never would've got Del this far without your expertise, so...

-Yes, thank you. I was about to say that, before you interjected.

-Sorry, mate.

Apology accepted.

You know what? You have been a little bit testy today.

-Testy?

-Yeah.

-Testy! Or how about this?

-Put-upon!

-Er, hang on. I asked you to do one thing.

No, you didn't ask. You assumed.

I run couples therapy twice a week, guys. You two are always welcome.

I was running late this morning after going back to the school.

-And you still managed to bring one kid back with you, though, didn't you?

-All right, lads.

-One at a time now.

-Where was my coffee?

-What?

Well, you bought SOMEONE a coffee. Where was mine?

-You never said you wanted one.

-I shouldn't have to!

I think what Raf is trying to say here, er, Fletch,

is that he feels you take him for granted.

Precisely, thank you.

Ah, hang on, right - that is rubbish!

-Can I ask what sparked this particular row off?

-Nothing.

-If you want to ask someone out on a date tonight, you just have to clear it with me first.

-Ah.

Hah! I don't know what he's talking about.

Excuse me. I've gotta go.

Hayley said that she and Lauren texted this morning,

but if it is the same girl...

She's hardly in a state to text.

Course, if she had anything to do with Lauren's injuries,

that's her career in the RNP...

Yep. I'm sure she knows that, too.

I think you've been crediting her with...

more integrity than she deserves.

You need to talk to her.

What is it you used to say to the kids? To Cameron,

when he stole that gobstopper from the pick and mix counter?

I...don't remember, Marcus. He was only five.

Lying is the coward's way.

I'll be in Lauren's surgery. Talk to Hayley.

Can I help you with something?

Haven't you two got work to do?

I'm sorry if I snapped before. I know you were trying to help.

Lauren Bartlett has been admitted to the ward.

She was found in an alleyway in town, close to where you were.

-Where is she?

-In theatre.

-Is she...? Will she be OK?

-It's too early to tell.

What happened, Hayley?

Lauren's injuries are even more severe than yours. Who did this?

I...I didn't mean it.

YOU attacked HER?

So, not only did you inflict vicious injuries on your friend,

you just left her? Knowing?

Lied to everyone?

-I know I've messed up.

-Oh, that's an understatement.

She always has to one-up me.

Always been the same ever since we were kids.

If I did something, she had to do it better.

She knew how much I wanted to get in the RNP.

We even opened our results together and, when we found out,

she just laughed right in my face.

But you got into the RNP, not Lauren - you outrightly said.

You assumed.

I am due to try out for next year.

Have you called the police?

Well, no. Not yet.

Ah, Bernie, meetings were over quicker then expected,

-so if you need a hand...

-You don't understand.

-I will lose everything. My whole career.

-Hayley.

-No!

-You need to get back into bed.

-Get your hands off me, you hypocrite!

You act so innocent, but I heard them talking

about how you cheated on your husband with a woman.

Thank you very much, Dr Copeland.

LIFT: 'Doors opening. Lift going up.'

Oh, um, I've informed Mr Blakley about theatre.

Good. Maybe you can book that CT scan?

-Already done.

-Great.

-Yeah. Great.

-I better.

-Yeah, me too.

-Dad, I'm bored.

-Well, then you should've stayed at school,

instead of skiving off your maths test, shouldn't you?

Fletch?

Right, er, OK. You go back to the office

and I'll get to you as soon as I can, all right?

HE SIGHS

-That's cool.

-You can't touch that. It's not a toy.

Well, if it's not a toy, then what is it?

A very precious collector's item. Are you meant to be in here?

What did I just say?

-Can we go and fly it?

-Certainly not.

I'm not allowed to leave.

And I don't like going out anyway.

-Why?

-It's very complex. You wouldn't understand.

Because you're scared?

Young man. Come back with that. You...!

HE MUMBLES

Surgery went well. Think we got all of it.

Great, well done.

Yeah, she should make a full recovery.

Well, that's a relief to the pati... to Mrs Graveson, I'm sure.

Perhaps. Maybe you can update her when she comes round.

Yep, absolutely. No worries.

Cold as ice, remember.

-Hi.

-I can do it, if...

If it's too much, or something.

Why would it be too much?

-I'm just trying to help, Zosia...

-No, no, you're not.

You're needling me. You've been doing it all day!

Ollie, you're pushing me for some well of emotion

-that just isn't there.

-Clearly.

-What is that supposed to mean?

-Oh, come on!

-This whole ice queen defence...

-Oh, OK, Freud, you know what?

What happened in theatre -

-it's all about Arth...

-It's about nothing!

I'm fine, all right, Ollie?

I am A-OK, dandy, swell, fly, peachy, first-rate!

How many ways do you want me to reiterate it?!

-I am fine, I'm absolutely fine!

-Dr March! If you've quite finished

vomiting the urban dictionary all over my ward,

the minute I'm out of theatre, I want you in my office.

You too!

Right, Mr Blakley, let's try this CT before...

-Raf!

-Have you seen my patient?

-I can't find Mikey either.

-Fletch!

Security saw a kid matching Mikey's description

and he was heading outside.

And he was with a man...

Look, just keep calm. We'll find him, OK?

I'll take the car park. You check the garden.

Ms Wolfe? Ms Wolfe?

So when I e-mailed you specifically asking you not to

-talk about my relationship with Alex...

-What e-mail?

-..you decided to do the exact opposite thing!

-What e-mail?

-I even spoke to you and asked you not to say anything.

-And I didn't!

-Oh, yeah, right(!)

-No, Ms Wolfe...

-No, I have to speak to my husband,

-before he hears...

-Please listen! It's Hayley Green. She's collapsed.

-This was a very bad idea.

-AEROPLANE FLIES OVERHEAD

-So what's that one, then?

-Airbus 320.

-You didn't even look!

No need. I can tell by the sound.

But don't you want to actually see it?

Here. Why don't we do it like this?

Oi! You have zero concept of personal space!

-It bad enough you pilfered Sally B.

-One step at a time.

Grass...

sky...

The whole world, see?

(The whole world.)

-Oh, Mikey!

-Oh, thank God!

Look, Dad, Uncle Raf. How neat is this?!

I apologise if... He told me you knew where he was.

We just came to fly the plane outside, didn't we?

Yes. We certainly did.

We just came to fly the plane...

-VOICE CRACKS:

-..outside.

HE SOBS

-You all right?

-I've never been better!

Del?

Another panic attack?

Call the crash team. It's not a panic attack.

He's severely tachycardic.

Yeah, can we get the crash team to the garden, please?

-Compartment syndrome.

-She must have swollen post-operatively...

-Please, don't let me lose my leg.

-Should I get the manometer?

No need. Let's get her to theatre, please, as quickly as possible.

Hmm, um...

-Ms Wolfe...

-Yes?

Given that he did the initial surgery,

I think it might be better if Mr Dunn were present.

Yes. Yes, of course.

Dr Copeland, fast bleep Mr Dunn to Theatre 1, please.

He should be through surgery by now.

HEART MONITOR BEEPS

Thank you.

-What happened?

-Er, compartment syndrome.

I released the lower posterior.

Fresh scalpel, please.

How's, um...

-..the other girl?

-You mean Lauren?

-Yes, sorry. Lauren.

-Will take a while to heal.

-ENT think they might just be able to save the ear.

-That's good.

For who? Hayley or Lauren?

Lauren, obviously.

-Thank you, Nurse Harrison.

-You're welcome.

It's just, er...

You do rather seem to empathise with the perpetrator of all this today.

So I'm sure you can understand I'm a little confused

when it comes to your sense of loyalty.

Swab.

This is why I would ban relationships at work.

Dr March, try though he might,

Blue Eyes here couldn't lie convincingly for anyone.

I know that you were beyond late this morning and, frankly...

-I'm sorry, I...

-You seem a little...

No, a lot unhinged today.

Now, I don't go in for all the pastoral stuff,

so, purely to cover my own back, would you like

-some time off or something?

-No, no, that's the last thing I'd want.

Because I won't have patient care compromised

due to your labile and lax attitude.

Ms Naylor, Dr March's patient care today has been...

Well, it's been exemplary, so...

More suction, please.

There's glass in here. I need...

Thank you.

-We should've done the CT the first time.

-No should haves.

Let's concentrate on stopping this bleed,

so that we don't have to lose the kidney.

Aha! There it is - lacerated capsule of the kidney. Diathermy, please.

Thank you.

There was no right or wrong call here.

It's difficult to deal with an anxious patient.

And we're on it now.

I take it you've heard, then?

About Alex.

Not from you. Not from my wife of 25 years. But on the grapevine,

in a place I don't even work in - that's how I hear

-about your sordid little affair with some woman...

-Please, Marcus...

No, you don't get on your moral high ground with me, Bernie!

I don't care who - woman, man, enemy of the state -

you lied to me, to the kids.

I'm sorry.

Did you not think...?

Each time they sat, glued to the news,

terrified they'd hear your name,

-did you not feel even a modicum of guilt?

-Of course I felt guilty.

-I've felt nothing but guilt for the past...

-Oh, yes!

How long has it been going on for?

This past week, we've talked and talked.

Hours going over where we might've gone wrong and yet...

..you didn't...once mention...

SHE SIGHS

You know...the whole...

..falling in love with someone else part, I...

..I can almost accept that.

It's a heightened and sick world you've been operating in

and, Lord knows, I did wonder.

I should've been honest...

But I thought...

Well...

She would tell me, would Bernie.

She'd tell me the truth.

SHE WHIMPERS

All that rubbish about having made a world together.

I know I should've handled it better.

But...it...

It wasn't rubbish.

We had a marriage.

We had a life.

We have two beautiful, perfect children.

All of that still stands.

There's nothing standing here, Bernie. You've torn it all down.

But then, that's what you love to do, isn't it?

You people.

Heroes.

-What about the children? We were telling...

-I'll deal with the kids.

-Always have done.

-They're my children too.

Let's hope not. For their sake.

No more amicable.

You'll be hearing from my solicitor.

All right. Del's going to be fine.

Your Uncle Raf did an excellent job of fixing him up in theatre.

But what were you thinking?

I mean, what have I told you about walking away with strangers?

I just wanted to help the man, OK? He was scared to go outside, but...

Uncle Raf says, if you do things in steps, you can do anything.

Oh, does he?

When did he say that, then?

When we were talking earlier, about the maths test.

My teacher gave me a test paper.

Uncle Raf just explaining a few of the problems,

so I don't feel like the dumbarse in my set.

Hang on. Who's called you that?

-Some of the other kids.

-What do you mean, some of the other kids?

-Which kids?

-It's all right, Dad. I've got it under control.

Oh, really? And what does that mean?

I got Uncle Raf to do the whole test paper for me.

HE LAUGHS

I love you.

All right, people are watching!

All right!

Sorry.

Sugar, extra chocolate.

You do know I wasn't suggesting that you go round

-buying me coffee all the time, right?

-Do you want it or not?

And here's a bit of juicy gossip for nothing.

Bernie Wolfe is having an affair with a woman.

Yeah, the barista in Pulses told me.

I didn't know she was bisexual?

What's bisexual?

Er, you should probably be in there.

Bi means two.

Two sexual? That doesn't make sense!

Right, go back in there and play your game. Go on.

Get out of it.

Oh, look at him. He's all right.

Yeah. Actually, I was probably a bit too hard on him.

You know, he was only trying to help Del out, earlier.

Well, he's intuitive. He's just like his old man.

I mean that, by the way.

Actually, I think that was kind of more your influence.

Take things one step at a time? Ring any bells?

Look, you didn't ask for any of this, but...

..you've been amazing with the kids.

-It's no big deal.

-It really is.

I mean, you're the reason

that we're getting back to anywhere near normal.

And I certainly wouldn't even be able to begin to

think about dating again if it wasn't for your help, so...

Look, if you want to go out tonight, I can baby-sit.

Look, I wasn't hinting...

I haven't got much planned later anyway.

Oh, cos I thought you were going out with a friend?

Yeah...

HE CHUCKLES

Look, if you think you can get a date with a hot psych consultant

who, by the way, does a terrible,

actually, abominable Scottish accent...

..then you go for it.

Oh, I told her to come down by the way, to check on Del, of course.

Ms Wolfe? It wasn't me.

I didn't receive your e-mail and I certainly wouldn't have...

Doesn't matter now, Dr Copeland. It's immaterial.

Yes, actually, it does matter. It matters to me.

You sent your e-mail to Dominic COPEMAN in Anaesthetics...

-What?

-..who apparently is the height of indiscretion.

-I...I'm sorry, I assumed...

-Yeah. Well, thank you.

What happened?

The muscle at the original trauma site started to swell.

We've released the pressure, so the leg should heal, in time.

Karma, I suppose.

I'm sorry,

for outing you on the ward.

No. No, I don't believe in karma, Hayley,

or that the truth will out, necessarily, but...

..I am sorry, too.

Lauren?

She's going to be OK.

I wanted to be honest.

I was just terrified.

I know.

The police will be here soon.

Serena? I don't suppose you fancy that drink, do you?

Er, no, I've got to get back for Jason. He's, erm...

he's quite particular about what time he eats.

Course...

Oh, you should know

that the one thing the NHS is always efficient at,

and that's the rumour mill.

Seems so. Well, goodnight.

Night. Actually, sorry, erm...

It does make one feel a little foolish.

You know, when you've been honest about your own experiences,

and then you discover that that candour hasn't been reciprocated.

-Serena, I...

-No, look. Hey, it's your business, I quite understand.

Maybe we should both leave it at home in future.

SHE SIGHS DEEPLY

DOOR OPENS

I wasn't there when Mum...

..when she died.

I didn't know, so I didn't...

..have a choice to be there or not,

and yet, and yet, with Arthur... I know everything.

I know every single detail...

..of his prognosis, and I can't deal with it.

Really?

I wasn't sure, but now that you've clarified that...

-I'm trying to be candid for once.

-OK.

Well...

I mean, basically, you've got two choices.

You either stay in this self-punitive cycle.

Not engaging with Diggers, or anyone else,

and hating yourself for it, or...

..or, Little Miss Wilful,

you can stop being a coward,

and deal with it like an adult.

Well, don't hold back.

Yeah, well...

as someone recently said, facts are facts.

Oh! There's the love.

-I'm not saying sorry.

-No, standard. Ice queen.

THEY LAUGH

I don't suppose you...

fancy some hair of the dog action? I feel grim.

The pain will subside, and then, in a few days, you'll be free to go!

Free to go.

Yes.

Ooh, before I forget...

And I want to apologise for my kid.

I... Well, I think he was just trying to help.

You give that to your son.

You tell him,

years of talking therapy and anti-anxiety medicine...

What he did was the best thing for me.

Besides, I can get a new one at Clacton Air Show.

Oh, you're planning on going, then?

Oh, not just yet, but...

..it's a possibility, now.

One day.

That's progress enough for me.

Thanks.

Mr Di Lucca said surgery went well.

He was fine under the anaesthetic.

Yeah, an absolute dream.

-Who'd have thought it?

-THEY CHUCKLE

Actually, I was wondering if you're still up for giving me

the unofficial newbie tour?

Don't worry, wouldn't mean you'd then have to sit with me

every day for lunch, but...

maybe we could take in some of the local nightlife later?

Now, you see, funnily enough,

I was going to ask you exactly the same thing.

Yes!

Sorry.

Normally really bad at reading social signals, so...

It's just...

..tonight's just not that great.

See, I promised Mikey that I'll make him his favourite dinner, and...

well, Raf... He deserves a bit of us time.

See, our couples counsellor suggested that I may be taking him

for granted earlier.

But another time?

Yeah. Another time sounds good.

Wait!

Phew! Thought I'd miss kick-off...

-Kick-off?

-Movie night?

-Oh, you're coming?

-Yeah.

You do realise this is essentially a documentary about a boat.

Yes, I am in full possession of the facts.

That sounds...right up my street. ARTHUR LAUGHS