Little Acorns Holby City

He felt nauseous. I couldn't get hold of you.

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

Just the small matter of the vice-CEO post remaining unfilled.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Think of the influence you could have.

If you'd care to apply, I'd be happy to back you to the hilt.

-Ethan, have you talked to anyone here about the group?

-Of course not. You know the rules.

Your landlord turfing you out onto the streets?

-I feel like we're cramping his style.

-Raf has style?

He could have a very nice bachelor pad, but instead he's got nits and nappies.

I spoke to my husband. You remember Tristan?

He told me to tell you, whatever you wanted, it's yours.

Would you believe the ego of the man?

Oh, I don't know. You've never fancied writing your own book?

I don't think my life's that interesting that I need

to thrust it upon others.

Well, that's not what I heard... Hopeless romantic, lost the love of his life,

travelled around the world to fight his demons -

-there's a Mills and Boon in there, surely?

-Hmm...

What would your title be?

Boomerang Boy?

I have lost count of the number of lives I have affected,

I would hope mostly to the good.

I think you're supposed to make a donation.

Oh, I'm borrowing, not buying.

Hope he hasn't mentioned me.

Ah. Now whose ego needs stroking?

I can't... Can't breathe...

OK, just try and keep calm. Long deep breaths.

Can you do that for me?

OK, Valerie Sturgeon, can you get her fully admitted for me, please, Jasmine?

Let's get you sorted, Valerie.

What happened to her?

Felt faint whilst bungee jumping.

Oh, don't tell me it's going to be that kind of day.

Collapsed at a care home - chest pains and breathless.

You...

Oh. I do hope Pater has been kind to me.

You think you'll get a mention?

Raf. You know it's Mikey's birthday coming up soon?

Have you seen the price of these things?

Stick an engine on the bottom of a skateboard, he'll go like a rocket!

You're not helping.

Well, he hasn't broken anything for a couple of days,

so you should be quids in.

He's doing his best. Give him a break.

Over there.

Who you got baby-sitting today?

Mikey and Ella are at summer school and Theo's in nursery.

-What about Evie?

-She threw up this morning.

-You left her at home alone?

-Well, what am I going to do?

Look, Diane from next door's keeping an eye on her, she'll be fine.

So, what we got, Bradley Wiggins?

Kid stepped out in front of me -

crown jewels got acquainted with the handle bars.

Next thing I know it's road, sky, road, sky...

Well, let's get you cut out of that Lycra.

Wait, wait, wait...

Is this the point where I need to tell you

that I'm wearing ladies underwear?

Ha, ha, had you there.

Do the honours, Fletch.

Ah, the man of the moment.

I rather think that particular honour falls to you.

Oh, this is really not important today.

Don't be so modest, Guy.

A fantastic occasion for you and the hospital.

The Trust are lucky to have someone of your standing and calibre amongst its ranks.

May I introduce Tristan Wood, Patsy Brassvine's husband...

A welcome addition to the Board and a huge supporter of this hospital.

Tristan has arranged for me to give a rallying speech

to potential investors this afternoon.

I've heard good things about you, Mr Griffin.

A potential Deputy CEO if ever I did see one.

Well, let's get through the interview stage first, shall we?

You wouldn't have even been asked to interview

if we didn't consider you A-list.

That said, I do like to be thorough, make my own opinions of people.

-PHONE BUZZES

-Well, that's a very wise strategy.

Excuse me, I have to be elsewhere.

Saving lives, Guy?

No, problem with the presentation catering.

Far more important then.

Guy tells me you're a good man

with the hospital's best interests at heart?

I like to think so.

An experienced surgeon, a good forward-thinking mentor...

That's the word on the street.

-There's a street?

-And you're walking down it, Ric.

No, striding.

And that self-assurance doesn't come easy, a man has to earn it,

a man any Trust would be proud to number amongst its ranks.

Please, you're too kind.

I was just deciding whether to have a French Fancy or not.

The next thing I know, I'm on the floor.

Chocolate or lemon?

Oh, it has to be lemon. They're my favourite.

Mine too. Don't know why they bother with the strawberry ones.

Valerie, your blood pressure's a little low -

I think that's probably why you fainted.

ECG, FBC, U&Es please, Zosia.

Let's get a defib monitor just to be on the safe side,

and let's stabilise her BP, 200mg of amiodarone, IV.

Not going to stick needles in me, are you?

Just the one, but I'll make it quick.

Ouch. So this is the area that took most of the brunt.

I've been riding to work for 20 years without so much as a scratch.

Until now. FBC, U&Es and an ultrasound please.

Meant to be going on a cycling holiday in two weeks,

Tour De France circuit.

Job can get a bit stressing, you know. The exercise helps.

So what do you do?

Are you like a VAT inspector or like a traffic warden?

Work with some proper little darlings, you know what I mean?

Love them to bits but...

Well, your stomach is very distended, Gary,

and we need to make sure you don't have any internal injuries,

but your ultrasound and your blood test should tell us more.

Ladies and gentlemen,

if you want to make a difference to your own lives, if you want

to make a difference to your children's lives, then find it

in your hearts and minds to invest in the future today...

SHE CLAPS

Bravo.

Enough to bring a tear to a glass eye.

Praise indeed.

Sign one for me?

Yeah.

I appreciate you asking me to contribute to your memoirs,

especially with regards to Mum.

Zosia, these are our memoirs.

We've been through a lot together, you and me,

and I have to admit I could have handled some things differently.

Likewise.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing I guess.

Yes, it is.

If it's any consolation, working on this book with you has been...

Well, the whole process has been quite cathartic.

So, this investors event - big day for you?

Yeah, I've got to seize the opportunity,

strangle the life out of it.

Can I have a minute of your time, Guy?

Oh...

yes, OK.

93% attendance confirmed, we're good to go.

I take it you're all prepared?

As I'll ever be.

I need more than that from you today.

Total belief in what you're doing here.

There will be only one chance to impress the big hitters.

Don't worry. You have my absolute commitment.

Confidence is everything in these situations, Guy.

Let them buy into the dream and they'll back you to the hilt.

I know you can do it.

You'll be pleased to know that your blood tests have come back normal.

But the tests don't explain why your stomach is distended

so I'm just going to take a little look if you don't mind.

This might be a bit cold.

Not pregnant, am I?

Why, you been trying long?

Never married.

Got a whole extended family with the kids at work -

give me a hard enough time.

Right, well, you have some free fluid in your abdomen, Mr Williams.

You're not showing as anaemic and your blood count and

haemoglobin levels are both normal, so we know it's not blood in there.

I'm afraid we are going to have to open you up to try

and find out where it's coming from.

Recovery time?

Four to six weeks,

with no strenuous exercise for a while after that.

So, I can kiss Le Tour goodbye?

There's always next year.

Zusia, such a pretty name.

Zosia. Thank you, it's Polish.

Means wisdom, apparently...

Is there something going on at the hospital today?

I think I read something in the paper.

Yes, we're trying to raise money for the neurosurgery unit.

Tin rattling?

Bit more than that. It's a big event.

The head of Neuro had a book launch and everything.

Valerie, I can see from your notes that you're up-to-date on your cardiac condition.

Your ECG shows left atrial enlargement, left axis deviation

and dilated left ventricle.

Means nothing to me.

It just explains your continual breathlessness.

I can also see that you've been treated at St James

within the last six months?

Oh, fobbed off with lots more tablets -

you can practically hear me rattling.

Which you haven't been taking, as I can see from the swelling

-in your legs.

-OK, her tests results are back.

Positive for sugar in urine, uncontrolled hyperglycaemia

and her potassium is low.

Ejection fraction was 20 when last checked.

English, please?

You have diabetes, which is complicating your heart issue,

making you feel faint.

Val, I'd like to run an echocardiogram

if that's all right with you?

She's tachy!

I'm in your capable hands...

Start chest compressions, she's going into VF.

Charging at 150.

Stand clear.

Shocking.

No rhythm. OK, charging again.

200 this time. Stand clear.

Shocking.

And we're in sinus. Good work.

Right, let's get her on her meds. Start her on insulin, sliding scale,

IV potassium, 10mmol,

amiodarone, 300mg,

and an infusion of furosemide please. Thank you.

Where's Zosia?

She's just seeing a patient, she'll be right out.

Who turned out the lights?

Your heart stopped, Valerie, we had to bring you back.

God can wait.

I have unfinished business yet.

Thought you were looking for Zosia?

I'll come back later.

I don't think the current plight of the NHS can be solved

through private partnership.

I like to think benefactors like myself play their part.

Oh, yeah, of course, when it comes to development we'd be lost

without private investment.

So what's your point?

In a word - waste.

Couldn't agree more.

Take the issue of repeat prescriptions in general practice

without checking how much the patient has left.

That can costs millions.

So the patient eventually ends up with a cupboard full

of expensive unused drugs?

Precisely.

PAGER BEEPS

I have to be somewhere.

I'd really like to hear more of your thoughts.

I'll see you at the interview.

How about a drink afterwards?

I have a feeling we might have something to celebrate...

Who was the banker?

That is Tristan Wood,

Guy Self's new paymaster and the newest member of the Board.

Tristan?

Should we be worried?

Well, as far as you guys are concerned, it's business as usual.

I am being interviewed for the Deputy CEO job today.

So, nothing tricky for me today please, I need to keep my head in the game.

Right, OK. Chris Farsden, elective minor surgery.

We had a cancellation so we brought him in on short notice.

Think this is funny?

I've lost a big payday because of you lot.

Oh, OK, who's this? She was the ice queen, a beautiful robot,

emotionless, efficient and effervescent.

Effervescent?

Well, I was going to say Jac Naylor, but she's nobody's Alka-Seltzer.

-OK, let's go random.

-OK.

Our relationship has not always been its best.

Life-changing loss has taken its toll on both of us.

OK. Playtime's over I think.

Back to work, Minion.

You might like to know he dedicated the book to Anya.

Who's Anya?

Guy's wife, Zosia's late mother.

-Sorry about that.

-What, your shameless flirting?

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

Cos friends go speed dating together, don't they?

You ended us. What difference is it to you who I take speed dating?

Makes no difference to me whatsoever.

Good.

Good.

Where's Valerie?

Family just discharged her to a private hospital -

-they're on their way down now.

-What?!

Haven't you just got her back from VF?

There's the tear in the bladder.

And a small bleed from the sacral vein.

I'll deal with the bladder first.

He's going to need catheterising for a while, post-op.

So, how's life back on the ranch?

Endless cycle of Fletch doing loads of overtime and having to

farm the kids out to whoever can take them.

I'm sure he's doing his best, Raf.

What they need is his time, especially Mikey.

So you end up being Daddy Day Care?

If only I had time for any of that.

Serena told me when I started, AAU takes care of their own.

I think it's time that Fletch learned how to take care of himself.

I don't care what the family say,

this woman is in no fit state to transfer.

Well, if they have a problem they can take it up with me.

My name? My name is Dr Zosia March.

Right, I'll get you sorted.

My son doesn't want me here.

Well, your son is an idiot. Where is a porter when you need one?

Don't be too harsh on him, he means well.

Harsh? How could he even think of having you moved in your condition?

He hasn't even been in to see you.

I'll have to let you deal with him, my dear.

He's going to be very upset about this.

Don't you worry about that, Valerie.

Do you have any children, Zosia?

No, not yet.

Married to the job, as they say.

Sisters? Brothers?

None that I know of. Just me and my dad.

You a fan?

Sorry?

You're reading his book.

You could say that.

How do you know him? Former patient?

You might say we have a little history.

You were under strict instructions that any treatment was to be carried out at St James.

-She's heading back if you're still looking.

-I pay you a king's ransom -

the least you can do is carry out my wishes.

Oh, hello, Guy.

Long time, no see.

What ARE you doing here?

I've just been getting better acquainted with the granddaughter

who never knew I existed.

Mr Farsden?

Mr Farsden, I'm really very sorry about earlier but, erm...

Well, in fairness it is your job to make people giggle.

Oh, yeah, laugh it up, why don't you? I've been waiting nine months

for this op. You think it's all right to give me two hours' notice?

Well, I suppose that we thought that you would appreciate

the theatre slot.

I'm self-employed, freelance.

No-one pays my bills when I'm not working.

Job's a nightmare now.

Back in the day you could make a few balloon animals, tell a couple of jokes.

Kids these days want it all -

laser shows, candyfloss machines, bouncy castle.

Well, we'll get you back on your feet as soon as we possibly can.

We're hoping to do the procedure laparoscopically -

far less recovery time.

Well, no, I can't afford recovery time.

I'm living day-to-day as it is.

Gigs aren't coming in,

the ex-missus cleaning me out on child support.

I'm very sorry to hear that.

Yeah, well, I was bumping uglies with her sister,

but that's another story.

Don't look at me like that.

It's not my fault she put on 3st after the kids were born!

Mr Farsden.

We could go through the minutiae of your private life

or we could actually crack on, now that you're finally here.

Everything tickety-boo?

You call him "nothing too taxing"?

Well, I've got a perforated large bowel

in a schizophrenic patient with suicidal tendencies?

I'll take the clown.

You told me she was dead.

-She is to me.

-How could you deny me all those years with her?

She played no part in my life, I don't see why she should play a part in yours.

That was not a choice for you to make.

Look, I have a presentation to prepare.

PHONE BUZZES

Really? Are there any other little surprises out there? Maybe I should get a DNA test.

Obviously a text message is more important right now.

Sorry. I'm sorry...

Do you have any idea how sick she is?

My mother has ischemic cardiomyopathy.

With the right meds, I'd give her six months and then she's out of my life for good.

Why are you so cold?

You have no idea what that woman put me through.

Well, all I can see is a frail and frightened old lady

who really needs her family around her right now.

Excuse me, I have to be elsewhere.

No, no. I need to know why.

Believe me, Zosia, you really, really don't.

As soon as she's stable, I want her transferred to the private unit.

-Do you understand me?

-No.

No, I'll never understand you.

Patch her up and ship her out.

The operation was a success but we'll be keeping you in

for a few days for observation.

Could do with a couple of days in bed myself.

Work, sleep, work, sleep...

It won't be so bad when my little ones start school.

Summer holidays are tough, trying to keep to them all occupied.

Haven't you got a cellar you could lock them in?

Sadly not.

Four's stupid - that's like running a small country.

You could sell one, that'll pay for a nanny?

Do you know what, I hadn't thought of that.

Listen, if you're going to make a lunch choice, stick to the sarnies.

Fletch!

One minute.

Right, I want full ATLS protocol, airway secured.

Do we have enough intravenous access?

No. Can we get another line in please?

Evie? Hang on, mate, get off. Evie darling, Daddy's here.

Get off me, Raf. Let go of me, Raf.

-Give us a bit of space, OK.

-No, mate, that is my little girl.

You can't be in here, Fletch. Can you take him outside please, Raf?

Evie, I'm here. Daddy's here.

This must be a terrible shock for you, but to me it's just

the most wonderful news.

Yes, I am a little freaked out right now.

Well, I can't believe he kept us a secret from each other.

Never even mentioned me to you?

All those wasted years.

If I'd known you existed, I'd have been there like a shot.

I can't believe he hid you away in a care home.

Oh, it's a lovely place, it's got its own grounds.

More a hotel with nurses.

It's not right, is it?

Well, the important thing is I can get to know you

before the Lord finally takes me.

I actually helped him with a couple of chapters of that.

I think we've got missing chapters of our own, Zosia.

We'll have plenty of time for that.

Let's just get you well again, shall we?

He isn't all bad to me, you know.

He's always looked after me financially,

made sure I want for nothing.

He might have cut me off from you, but part of him does still care.

Dr March, as a relative you shouldn't even be treating her.

We've just been getting to know one another, haven't we, my dear?

Given that I've only just found out that she exists,

I am perfectly happy to keep treating her.

I don't want anyone to know who she is. Do you understand?

Then here's the deal.

I think we all know I'm not long for this world.

I'll keep quiet.

In return, just give me this time with my granddaughter.

She was found at the bottom of the stairs by neighbours,

paramedics intubated her at the scene.

Her neck X-ray from ED shows a C4 hairline fracture.

She's broken her neck?

We don't know that, Fletch.

I want a full body CT scan.

Usual bloods. She's relatively stable so let's keep her intubated.

Right, she's good to go. Nice and gentle.

Mate, you know we will do all that we can for her.

Did you get in touch with Ella or Mikey?

Fletch.

It's all my fault.

I should never have left her on her own.

Valerie's heart condition has gotten considerably worse

since her last echo.

Her EF is now 12.

PHONE BUZZES

Given her condition, I think it would be prudent to keep her here

for the foreseeable.

What is your problem?

That woman is pure evil.

You can't just abandon her. She needs you.

She needs us!

Why do you hate her so much?!

-Not now, Zosia.

-Guy, there you are.

You've not been answering my calls. Lord Gainsworth's finally arrived, let's go.

Yeah, sorry, I got a little distracted.

Get focused, man, you know how important today is. No excuses, I need you in that boardroom now.

If you don't tell me what happened between you two, I'm going to find out from her.

Good luck with that, Zosia, and do yourself a favour...

Don't believe everything she says.

BUZZER

Is everything OK?

I saw that young girl get brought in. What happened to her?

Yeah, she...fell down the stairs at home.

The neighbour found her.

Right up there with "banged into a table".

Well, I'm guessing you must see a lot of that working in a school?

I'm not a teacher, I'm a social worker.

Have you spoken to her family yet?

If you think there is a problem...

PHONE RINGS

..you need to get safeguarding involved.

Look, you're going to have to excuse me, sorry.

Adrian Fletcher.

My GP told me to start killing people, you know.

Not in those exact words, but he did say I had to reduce the stress in my life.

Thought I might try my hand at a bit of stand up.

Your blood pressure is a little high, Mr Farsden.

You HAVE been laying off the tobacco and booze as requested?

George Best once gave up women, fags and alcohol...

Said it was the worst 20 minutes of his life.

I'll take that as a "no", then.

You do realise what's at stake here? The risk to your surgery?

Come on, Doc, we've all got to live a little.

For the record, I've been teetotal and fag-free.

Now, can we just get on with it please?

Let's give him nitrates orally, see if we can bring his BP down.

Mr Farsden is significantly hypertensive.

We risk biliary sepsis if the condition is left to develop.

Given his latest results, I don't think we can regard this

as an elective procedure any longer.

We have a bigger problem.

Yeah, I've heard his jokes.

The C-Arm scanner is out of commission -

broke down in theatre an hour ago.

Just requisition one from another ward.

All three are being fully used today, I'm afraid.

Do you want to know the best part?

The Trust bought ours outright two months ago.

But that's old kit, it's been here as long as I have.

Without the lease, in effect there's no maintenance contract.

So, it'll be six weeks before it's back in action,

if it can be fixed at all.

So, we put patients at risk, but we save money.

Well, we could perform the procedure the old-fashioned way.

By using chloroform?

We could do a full laparotomy?

No. No. Mr Farsden has made it very clear

that he can't spare the recovery time.

Well, we could potentially use still plain X-rays and you

could do it laparoscopically.

It's not ideal but it's doable.

Good. I'll get Dominic to prep him for theatre.

Meantime, I'm going to crack some heads.

Where's that 350 million quid a week when you need it...?

Mate, you need to try and keep it together.

That's easy for you to say.

Well, you going to pieces is not going to help Evie.

It's not a clean break, it's just a fracture.

Her spinal cord looks intact on the X-rays,

but we'll know more from the scans.

But you need to function.

Have you managed to get a hold of the kids yet?

Fletch.

Mikey never made it to summer school today.

The school just called me back and told me.

So... Do you think he went back home?

He's not answering his phone, either.

RAF DIALS PHONE

Here...

The police.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

You got a moment?

On whose authority was the C-Arm scanner purchased?

Well, Mr Wood led a fairly determined group of board members

and they convinced the rest that it was a good plan.

What is good about this plan?

If it's any consolation, I advised that the lease on the scanner should

be renewed. Mechanical failure's always going to be an issue.

The issue is the price of people's lives.

Now you understand why I need a friendly face in there,

someone who understands our needs.

I simply can't stop them on my own.

Where are you going?

To sort this mess out.

Well, may I advise caution, please?

Remember your interview today.

Eyes on the prize, Mr Griffin.

Fletch?

It's good news - what we thought was a fracture turned out to be

an artefact on the scan.

So no broken neck?

No. Just a shadow.

MRI says there's no signs of a brain haematoma either, but Evie's

haemoglobin is significantly down and I'm concerned about this...

Abdominal CT shows free fluid just here.

So where's that coming from?

We don't know.

I'm not going to sugar-coat it, Fletch, we have to do

an emergency laparotomy to find and then fix.

Evie is prepped and ready for theatre.

I need your permission to proceed.

Just do whatever you've got to do.

OK, let's go.

This isn't ideal.

It's positively Bronze Age.

But without a C-Arm, what can we do?

I can see six gallstones in the bile duct.

No, hang on...

Make that seven.

So what did Hanssen say?

That he had tried to veto the purchase but he had

effectively been shouted down.

Nine in view.

So what was the outcome?

It seems that this was Tristan's doing.

-What, the suit on the ward?

-Mm-hmm.

See, I never liked that name.

You should never trust a Tristan.

I sat next to a Tristan at school, he was always copying my work.

Right little snide.

Does this story have a punchline?

Actually, yes, it does.

A couple of years ago he was all over the newspapers.

Had an overseas property company in Spain, swindled old ladies

out of their life savings.

It seems our particular Tristan has totally ingratiated himself

with the Board by offering Guy Self an endless pot of gold.

As a rule, expect the worst and from time to time

you might be pleasantly surprised.

Still...

He may be genuine.

SNORING

Gary.

That little girl that we spoke about earlier...

What would happen if it wasn't an accident?

Well, that'll depend on the incident, who was involved etc.

What's her history? Has she got a family?

Actually, I shouldn't be talking about it.

No... This is obviously bothering you and I'm a case worker.

OK then, just give me the broad strokes.

Would she be taken away from her parents

if there was some kind of incident?

That's everyone's first reaction, but believe me, we do all we can

for that not to be the case.

If the violence doesn't come from the parents and we can see

they're good people, we would always call for the child to stay in situ.

So as not stress them any further.

Parenting is hard and sometimes a child's problems can stem from that.

Getting a little help, making a few changes can often solve

a lot of the problems.

All that said, there's usually a reason for them not to

come forward in the first place.

Cheers.

More suction, please.

Blood pressure's dropping.

She might need an inotrope.

Liver seems sound.

No perforations to the intestine or sign of bowel contents.

Please be thorough, we might not get a second shot at this.

Spleen's ruptured.

Fixable?

Tough call. More suction.

She'll be on meds for the rest of her life if it has to come out.

There's a lot of blood, but it looks like it's just a capsular tear.

Haemostatic patch, please.

Are you all right, Mr Di Lucca?

This morning, she was gutted.

I'd had the last of the Coco Pops and I promised I'd get

a big box on the way home.

I just don't understand how we've got to this.

Let's just concentrate on the job in hand and she can tell us herself.

You look like you're about to walk the Green Mile.

Touch of stage fright, that's all.

Just think of them all naked, you'll be fine.

Showtime, Guy.

Right.

Here to see history in the making?

No, actually I came to see you.

The decision by the Trust to gamble on the purchase of an old

C-Arm has proved to be a poor one.

The monthly revenue stream was desperately needed elsewhere.

Difficult choices have to made.

Well, perhaps you could explain that to my patient.

Ric, I understand your concern but we have to look

at the bigger picture here. It's one individual.

You know, I really thought that you and I were singing

from the same hymn sheet.

We are, of course we are.

You have my word - the scanner will be repaired or replaced ASAP.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Good man.

Oh. No bone china?

Cutbacks.

Best I could do, I'm afraid.

So, you followed in your father's footsteps?

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Yes, you could say that, I suppose.

Your dream or his?

I remember, when I was little,

the cat dragged a half-dead blackbird

into the house and I nursed it back to life.

And did you let it go?

I didn't want to, but Dad thought it was for the best.

Yes, I know.

It's all in here.

Surprised he remembered.

The first step to a glittering medical career.

What exactly is this presentation he's doing today?

He's trying to raise awareness amongst benefactors to expand

the neurosurgical department.

Are you proud of your father?

Yes, I am.

Are you proud of your son?

It's been many a year since Guy allowed himself

to accept praise from me.

I never saw him graduate, get married, your birth.

Well, would you like to see him in action now?

Right, in here.

You tell me you didn't do it.

-I swear to God, Mikey.

-I'm sorry.

You pushed your sister down the stairs?!

It was an accident...

There's no such thing as an accident when you're involved!

Whoa, whoa, whoa. What's all this?

How's Evie?

Bernie managed to save her spleen,

which is where the bleed was coming from.

She's been given five units intraoperatively

and that should hopefully stabilise her haemoglobin.

She's through the worst?

Barring infection, I see no reason

why she shouldn't make a full recovery.

See, she's going to be OK.

This is a million miles away from being OK.

We, as an NHS Trust, are not looking to be naming wards

after people for one-hit investments.

Our aim is to achieve a sustained, steady and committed

revenue strand so that we can budget years, even decades into the future.

A lasting legacy.

That said, I'm sure there's room for the little

Gainsworth cranial saw in my equipment drawer.

Any questions?

I'd like to ask...

There's a patient here with a question.

Good to hear from the public, Guy.

Yes.

Fire away.

Let me just put my glasses on.

-Zosia, where have you put them?

-Here...

Thank you.

It says here in your book that the death of your father

was the pivotal moment which led to you becoming a doctor.

Would you care to elaborate?

I'm sure the audience would love to hear how the seed was sown.

Don't be modest, Guy.

Well, yes...

My father...

My father was a wonderful man...

I'm so sorry, you'll have to excuse me.

MURMURING

Obviously a very emotional memory.

I give you Guy Self, ladies and gentlemen.

-What the hell was that?

-I'm sorry.

You're meant to leave them on a high, not have an emotional breakdown on stage.

You were the one who wanted me to tug on their heart strings.

You're trying to tell me that was all an act?

You are the figurehead,

you are the man they need to put their trust in.

It won't happen again.

Everything looks good. We'll get you in an observation ward soon.

How did that girl get on?

She's fine now that she's through her surgery.

Told you what happened yet?

She's in recovery, we're still waiting for her to come round.

Here.

Emergency number - in case you feel there's a need for safeguarding.

The little girl -

her name's Evie and she's my daughter.

Thought there was more to it the way you was acting.

I've got four beautiful children that I just don't deserve.

You know, I work every hour, so I don't see them.

And yet I still can't put a proper roof over their head.

Basically I'm just letting them all down.

And I'm letting their mum down.

And if she could see what a mess I was making of it down here...

-Sorry.

-No sweat, mate.

Everyone has said that there's a problem.

I just didn't want to believe it.

All kids ever need is a bit of care and attention.

To know they're safe, to know they're loved.

What's that?

That's my mobile.

Call me any time, night or day.

We're going to get through this, you and me.

You're not on your own any more.

I did my best by Guy when his father died.

He used to idolise him.

I truly thought he'd enjoy reminiscing.

I'm so sorry, Zosia, I seem to have cast an enormous shadow

on his big day.

No, don't get upset. He'll get over it.

You weren't to know.

Tell me, what was Grandpa like?

Wonderful.

Totally charismatic.

So inspirational.

He was the type of person who made you feel

you were capable of anything.

Dad doesn't really talk about him.

Sometimes, when he's had a bit too much to drink,

he gets a little maudlin, but that's it really.

I think, deep down, he takes some responsibility for his death.

Dad does? But he was eight years old.

Oh, don't listen to a silly old woman.

No, no, tell me.

Guy didn't fare so well without a father figure in his life.

I had to be hard on him. I knew his potential

and I was damned if I was going to see it go to waste.

Is that what he's holding against you?

I had to be tough, couldn't see him fail.

And now look at him - and not one word of thanks.

Zosia, can you leave us please?

Do you want me to go?

I said get out.

I think you'd better do as he says, my dear.

Looks worse than it is.

It's mainly just bruising.

Is she going to... She going to be OK?

Given time.

How are you doing?

Who are you?

I'm Bernie, I'm a colleague of your dad's and Mr Di Lucca's.

Heard a lot about you, Mikey.

Most of it good.

I've got a little boy.

Not so little any more, Cameron.

You remind me of him.

He was always getting into scrapes.

When will she wake up?

When we know she's all right.

Cameron used to say he got the blame for everything,

even when it wasn't his fault.

-So?

-It got to the point that he didn't want to admit to anything.

That just made things worse than if he'd fessed up in the first place.

Mikey, if something bad happened...

..I think you should tell your father.

Before he hears it from Evie.

Yeah?

Oh, and we didn't have this conversation.

This is all just a sick game to you, isn't it?

I really have no idea what you're talking about.

Is it just coincidence that you turned up here today?

Oh, Guy, you know how unwell I am.

Mother, your nursing home is less than two miles from St James'.

Oh, so I'm supposed to have tipped the wink to the ambulance driver?

I was blue lit in here, barely conscious with an oxygen mask on.

-I will not have you poisoning Zosia.

-Can you hear yourself?

Don't you think this should be a joyous occasion?

A moment of sweet reconciliation?

You've already got your claws in deep, haven't you?

Guy, you were a serious disappointment as a child.

Don't be an even bigger letdown as a man.

Enough!

Do you know, when you behave like this,

you remind me so much of your father.

If you breathe a word of your poison to my daughter,

I will cut off the purse strings...

and you will die poor and very lonely.

If this was a cop movie, this would be the part

when you realise the game is up...

..and you told me everything.

Look, I need to know exactly what happened.

Evie's going to tell me anyway.

It was like watching someone else do it.

Just went for her...

Couldn't stop myself...

And the next thing I know, she's lying at the bottom of the stairs.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.

I know you didn't.

I'm scared, Dad.

I don't want go to prison.

I want to stay with you.

That is not going to happen.

This family is staying together.

I'm your dad, and I will always, always be there for you.

This isn't your fault, right, this is my fault.

Now, we're going to face the music, you and me, side by side.

Blow your nose.

Now, I promise you, I'm going to make sure

we get all the help that we need.

DOOR OPENS

Evie's last scans were clear.

We're getting ready to bring her round.

Right, give me that.

Let's go.

Take a seat, Ric.

We'll only take a few more moments of your time.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Right...

Shall I begin?

Mr Hanssen, if you please.

Yes. Mr Wood has led an impassioned plea on your behalf

and the Board as a whole, myself included,

have agreed that your findings and strategy should be instigated

with immediate effect.

The leasing of a new C-Arm scanner being the first step, I believe.

To that end, and with the Board's approval, I will oversee

an audit of all outsourced contractual work whilst Mr Hanssen

will oversee an internal costing review.

Well, that's good to hear. I for one will be relieved...

For a start, we are dissolving the role of Deputy CEO.

The particular powers of that post will be passed to the Board

and its salary will go a long way to funding improvements

to the imaging equipment that you are so passionate about.

I see.

I...

I would still like to offer my services as I feel that

staff representation on the Board...

Mr Griffin, I'm sure I can speak for the Board when I say that

your presence here today has been invaluable and we may

call on you again to pass comment.

But, for now, we feel you should concentrate on medicine,

leave the number crunching to us.

There's nothing coming from the drain.

Haemoglobin above ten, pulse 60, BP 120/80.

I just can't thank you enough...

She's waking up!

Ouch.

Evie. Are you in pain, darling?

On a scale of one to ten...

Ten being the worst?

11.

OK. I'll up your pain relief, Evie.

You try and get some rest, we'll have you home in no time.

Evie... Sorry... I don't know what's wrong with me.

Did you know about this?

Yeah, he came clean to me.

What are you going to do about it?

Never take your eyes off the ball...

Dynamo, eat your heart out.

OK, don't distract me, cos I think I've got it.

It's that one.

HE CHUCKLES

Hit me again.

We gave Mr Smiley his gallstones as a keepsake.

He was so thrilled, he decided to challenge Mr Levy to a wager.

Oh, really?

He's now 60 quid down, I think he's got a problem.

So, do you feel lucky, punk?

Well, do you?

It's that one.

How do you do it?

Well, that's one way of sorting out your money troubles.

Doc, erm... I just wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me.

I know I can be a royal pain in the backside.

But, just had a bit of aggro lately, you know.

Bad divorce, no wonga, you know how it is.

I don't suppose, man like you... Bit different isn't it?

You'd be surprised.

So, how did the interview go?

Oh, I think we can file it with the ever-growing pile of classic fails.

You didn't get it?

After I spoke to Mr Wood, they decided to dissolve the post.

,You have a moment, Mr Griffin?

"Never trust a Tristan." I should have listened.

Yes, I don't think we've heard such oratorical prowess

since Churchill's War years.

He had them eating out of the palm of his hand.

I will not sit there and be told how to run my hospital

by a group of unqualified...

Oh, so your hospital, is it?

This is why I told you to try and keep a lid on things.

You let it get personal.

You fell into his trap and then you allowed him to goad you for it.

Look, I'm sorry if you feel that I've let you down.

Well, an all-powerful Board is a problem.

I think, for the good of Holby, we should keep a very close eye

on Mr Self's new banker...

..now you know how dangerous he can be.

Are we going to talk to the police now?

Don't worry about it.

I'll be with you, it'll be all right.

You promise?

Of course. I can see that you're sorry and that's the main thing.

I didn't know what you was going to do...

This is Gary.

Gary's a social worker.

Hello, Mikey. You all right?

It's all right, sunshine, it's not official.

I just want you to have a little chat with him.

Do you think you can do that for me?

Val told me everything.

Don't you think it's time to forgive and forget?

How's he getting on?

Touch wood.

See you back at the ranch.

Look, Raf...

I think we should find our own place.

If you just give me a little bit of time to get Evie sorted...

-You're going nowhere...

-It's fine, I'm in a much better place.

-I can get a loan for a deposit.

-What, for some cesspit?

I'm not going to see you lot out on the street.

You needed to get him some help.

You couldn't see that, but I could.

Now you've done something about it, and we're good.

I mean, she'd think nothing of locking me in a cupboard

for hours on end for the slightest misdemeanour.

No light, no food, no water...

This was all before Grandpa died?

She seemed to think that he'd transferred his love onto me

when I was born.

She blamed me for his indifference towards her.

Why didn't he do something about it?

Why didn't he protect you?

Zosia, he couldn't even protect himself.

Your grandfather...

..committed suicide because of that woman.

What are you doing?

She needed to find a focus for her anger after he died

and that focus landed on me.

Remember when you were little and you used to ask me how I got them?

Yes, you used to say they were from...

..your days as a lion tamer. I used to love that story.

Yes, well, it's not that far from the truth.

So she hit you?

I had to be perfect at everything.

"Wrong! Do it again!

"Faster, better, stronger!"

She would beat me until my back was raw

for showing the slightest weakness.

I tried to forgive and forget, Zosia, I really did.

But I'm still trying to get over it.

I mean, look at me -

a grown man, educated, family of my own.

Every third Tuesday, from seven till nine, I...

Play squash?

I go to a support group.

I sit on a hard chair, I drink tea out of a polystyrene cup.

We all sit in a circle and I...

I talk about my childhood and my

relationship...

..with my mother.

And the lack of love...

In fact the pure venom that was directed at me...

..and it still kills me to this day.

HE SNIFFS

The absolute shame of knowing that your mother,

your own flesh and blood...

..actually hates you.

The others are men just like me.

I watch them and...

..sometimes they watch me.

So, any plans tonight?

A few tough choices on the old Pot Noodle front -

I thought I might just cut my toenails.

Well, it is Tuesday.

You?

Oh, well it's mental at Morven's - party central.

We'll probably start with a few shots of Aloe Vera juice

and then get completely wasted on spirulina.

Still an SAS boot camp over there, is it?

The fun never starts with that girl.

So, we will have 15 drinks and then go home.

I think I said one...

Three.

Come on, two.

Done. It's your round then, handsome.

Glad you came.

I really do want to hear more of your thoughts.

What's your poison?

I'm good, thanks.

Suit yourself.

Large G&T when you're ready, please.

No hard feelings, I hope?

None whatsoever.

But know this -

you may have won the battle today,

but this is far from over.