Episode 1 Trust Me

This programme contains some strong language

SLOW HEAVY BREATHS

HEART BEAT POUNDS

MACHINES BEEP

-Doctor Sutton.

-One, two, three.

-Hello, sister.

-Hi.

Oh, streaking again, Maggie?

You're giving my poor men heart attacks.

Let's get a blanket on you, sweetheart.

Hey, you're freezing.

Sit down there.

-Sorry.

-It's all right, it's them awful water tablets

they insist on putting you on.

I blame the doctors.

Right.

HEART MONITOR ALARM

Oh, shit! We need access.

Lilly, can you get a pink cannula? No, blue, blue!

Back in a second.

Shit! I can't get it! I need another one!

-PANICKED:

-I can't get the vein. Where is it? Where is it?

HEART MONITOR FLATLINES

Right, step away.

I don't know what you think you're playing at but we need to start CPR.

Sue, make sure the crash call's gone out.

Alex, come and help Lilly with ventilation

and get the nose ready as well.

What do you want me to do?

Go call a doctor.

There you go.

Listen, from what you've already told me, this could be a big story.

What hard evidence do you have?

I kept a record. Names and dates.

All these people?

All these people.

Christ!

-If this is true, then...

-It is true.

..then, yeah, the paper would definitely want to use it.

And you're prepared to go public?

-It's all there, I promise.

-I can see that,

but a story like this lives or dies on a personal angle.

What I mean is, this isn't enough.

The Express will need you too. Pictures, a feature.

Cath Hardacre, witness to the truth.

The shocking neglect of patients at the Sheffield Alderman Hospital.

If I blow the whistle like this,

the Trust will do everything to try and discredit you.

But if it's the truth?

Then the only option they have is to play trash the witness.

I just want you to know what you're getting into.

-What if I stay anonymous?

-No-go.

There's no credibility and the story will die on its arse. I need you.

I've got a kid. I can't risk losing my job.

You clearly believe in what you're doing.

Don't you think these people deserve the truth?

This was a mistake. I'm sorry to waste your time.

You're right, I...

I need to be heard, but I should have given this to the Trust.

-I need to do it the right way.

-Well, if you change your mind...

Take it and good luck.

-RADIO:

-..staffing crisis in A&E.

The latest figures reveal a fresh exodus...

-Here you go, sweetheart.

-Thank you.

KNOCK ON WINDOW

Daddy!

Thought you weren't coming.

Don't it start at six?

She's really looking forward to it.

You can come in.

Yeah, about that...

New clutch is 90 minimum.

-Then there's labour...

-It's a crappy film, that's all.

And, bless her, she's happy with that.

Can you tell her?

You know I hate letting her down.

How was your day? Good?

Had some fun? Colouring?

Obviously this places the Trust in a very difficult position.

These allegations of negligence...

There are others I can get details for.

..have all been fully investigated by the Trust.

This board sees no reason to look into these claims any further.

However, concerns have been raised about you by other members of staff.

-I'm sorry?

-In the last six months,

I have received three separate reports of bullying...

-That's ridiculous.

-..including use of disrespectful language,

refusing to let your staff leave on time...

I expect my nurses to complete the tasks that I set them.

..and humiliating junior doctors.

I'm sorry, WHO'S complained?

They have a right to confidentiality.

-So I can't know who's accusing me?

-That is Trust policy.

Is it also Trust policy to allow

patients to lie for hours in soiled sheets?

Or leave them without food or water?

Or send them home to die?

I'm sorry you feel that way, Sister Hardacre,

but it doesn't change the decision of this panel.

You're suspended pending formal investigation.

And if the allegations I listed are upheld,

there is likely to be further action.

ERRATIC BREATHING

-ANSWERPHONE:

-Hi, you've reached Sam Kelly, Sheffield Express.

Leave a message.

BANG ON DOOR

I knew it!

So, let's see this so-called tonsillitis.

Open up, say "aah" for the doctor.

It's not been the greatest of months.

I know you'd try and bail on me, Hardy.

It's your best friend's leaving party

and you're seriously spending Friday night on the couch?

-Dead or alive, you're coming with me.

-Oh, God!

PARTY MUSIC PLAYS

GLASSES CHINK

I want to thank you all for coming.

Clearly, Doctor Alison Sutton finally leaving the country

is something worth celebrating.

-CHEERS

-I'm going to miss you all.

However, when a sheep farmer as gorgeous as this one asks you

to marry him, you don't say no.

But one thing I'm not going to miss is my terrible bloody job.

Believe me, don't let your worst enemy become an ED doctor.

So I'd like to say goodbye to all the pissheads,

drug casualties, weak-ankled whingers and all the people who

thought they'd "just get it checked out" at 11.30 on a Friday night!

LAUGHTER

After 20 years at the sodding coal face, I finally got out,

so I'd like to propose a toast.

Fuck the NHS!

ALL: Fuck the NHS!

-I can't take all this.

-You have to.

Lovely Grant won't even let me pack it.

Says Zara isn't remotely practical on the boat.

You have no idea how long I had to fight for bloody Boden!

I don't need charity.

It's yours or I dump it in Cancer Research.

eBay it all. Splurge on another lesbian skirt if you want.

I don't care.

Ah, I've had enough.

Oh, can you stop it with the teetotal guilt trip?

Can't believe they did that to you.

This bloody job. Best years of our lives.

You give it your youth and then it betrays you.

Worse than any man.

Worse than Patrick. You should have warned me.

-I did. You ignored me!

-You're my best friend.

Of course I would have listened to you. I warned you about bloody Carl.

-He does try.

-You're still giving him money, aren't you?

-I'm not.

-You never could lie.

I can always tell.

Please, for once, just look after number one.

Cath, I can't just leave you here like this.

-What you going to do?

-Dunno.

-Care assistant?

-But you're a great nurse.

God knows, you've got more common sense

than half the bloody doctors I work with. More sense than me.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Anything you ever need from me,

and I mean ANYTHING, and it's yours.

Breath in.

Dad...

..I think I'm going to be a doctor.

'It's taken me long enough.'

-ANNOUNCER:

-This is Edinburgh Waverley.

This train terminates here.

'So I wouldn't be that far away.

'Nothing's going to change for you.'

Be a new start for me and Molly too.

'It's a chance for a much better life.'

I've something to prove.

'I know I'm good enough.'

SHE EXHALES

So why the hell are you here?

-I'm sorry?

-This is a bloody great CV.

You're a highly-qualified doctor.

Established.

And yet you just emigrate and arrive on my doorstep begging for work?

I was looking for a new challenge professionally.

Yeah, but why here? This is a backward step, surely?

Let's be honest.

We both know this isn't exactly the centre of excellence, which means

you've either killed a patient or, worse, you've pissed someone off.

Oh, sorry. Sorry, three nights in a row will do that to you.

OK, rewind, start again.

You are clearly good at this. Why here?

You're right. There was something.

I needed a change.

I was married.

There were problems.

We separated but I have a daughter

and I didn't want her growing up in the middle of all that.

I felt like we needed a fresh start, so...

here I am.

Shit, um...

OK, sorry, um...

Was he violent?

We're putting the past behind us.

OK, foot in mouth disease, chronic case. Someone should shoot me!

OK, look, um, you are by far the best candidate we've had.

In fact, to be honest,

you are the only decent middle-grade candidate we've had.

Are you SURE you want to work here?

Very much.

I'll be working as a cardiology nurse.

So where does that leave me?

Train fare up there's what, 70 quid?

-It's more like 100.

-Shit!

You know I can't afford that.

This job, it's more money straight away.

No, I want to see her. I've got a right to see her.

You do and I could have just upped and left with her

and there's not one person who knows us that would have blamed me,

but here I am, talking to you.

It's yearly increments.

Decent overtime as well, which is why it makes sense for us to travel.

We'll come down to you and if you're short, maybe I can help.

I don't need charity. I've never asked.

Sure.

I'm doing this for Molly.

INAUDIBLE

-So what is this job?

-I'm a doctor.

Accident and Emergency.

Is that right, aye? I was in there last month, myself.

Haemorrhoids.

It's a bit of an occupational hazard.

Come on, sweetheart.

Look at this. It's our new home.

This is us.

In you go, babe.

Yeah, go in there, darlin'.

Oh, Molly, look at this.

Massive.

Molly...

Molly?

Molly? Molly?

Molly?

-WOMAN:

-We're up here, love.

Always try and look after you young doctors when you move in,

right enough.

Last year I had a lovely Asian couple, Doctor Singh and his wife.

So where is it you're working?

Emergency medicine. A&E.

-I start tomorrow at South Lothian.

-Good for you.

So where's the other half working?

It's just me and my daughter. We're not together.

Happens, I suppose. You modern types.

E-MAIL ALERT

SIRENS BLARE

Data leaks, theft of property, drug fraud.

In all, we lose over 17 million a year throughout the NHS.

If you see anything suspicious, report it.

If you're thinking of stealing anything, I'm watching you.

INDISTINCT

You can't show her in theatre yourself?

Fine, I'll swap you for a directorate meeting.

-Er, no, you're OK.

-Be nice.

She's gorgeous, ridiculously over-qualified and,

for some reason, wants to work in St Elsewhere.

There's got to be a catch here.

Or maybe, for once, our poor benighted department is not being

shat on from a great height.

-Look after her, please.

-Will do.

Doctor Sutton?

Doctor Sutton?

-Doctor Sutton?

-Ah, hi.

Hi. Andrew Brenner. Andy.

Brigitte's in a directorate meeting. She asked me to give you the tour.

-OK, great. Ally.

-Yeah, Bridge filled me in.

Are you sure about this? It's not too late to turn and run.

-Won't say a word.

-It can't be that bad.

Well, it's like Braveheart with bad-tempered pensioners

and that's just Friday night. Watch your back.

COPD. More short of breath this morning.

-Just pop him in three. I'll be there in a minute.

-OK.

-OK, shall we make it quick?

-Yeah.

Resus, um...

Well, it's a pretty standard lay-out.

It's got a new IO kit, which is kept in this cupboard,

confusingly marked "IO Kit".

Jason sponsored-cycled his way to Land's End and back

just so he could buy a new toy.

-Jason?

-Golding. He's one of the other consultants.

Part-time ITU, full-time triathlete.

Don't mention carb-loading. You'll be there all day

Ah, Karen. This is Doctor Sutton, one of the new staff grades.

-Karen is one of our senior nurses.

-Ally.

Try and be nice to her. You know we need all the help we can get.

-I'm nice to everyone.

-I heard that rumour!

Major bays here obviously.

You know what, I'm actually starting to bore myself here.

OK, what do you actually WANT to know?

Oh, where do I get my coffee?

Oh, thank Christ for that.

For a second, I thought you were going to be one of the serious ones.

I'll show you. If you're very lucky...

PHONE RINGS

Shit. Sorry, just a sec. Hello.

Yeah.

Yes, I told him that before I left this morning.

Mm-hm.

OK, does she have a temperature?

Sorry. Childminder.

Yeah.

Listen, I'm a bit tied-up here. Have you tried her mum?

Hm.

Right, hold on. Hold on a sec.

Listen, this is clearly going to take a while

so I need you to start on minors, yeah? Charlie?

-Dr McKee?

-Sorry?

-Take Ally to minors, show her the system?

-Sure.

Hello?

Voila! The system.

Right, from left to right, we've got triage in here,

then they go into waiting for doctor - that's where you pick 'em up from.

-OK!

-Anything for X-ray in here, treatment there.

-I warn you - Charlie here can be a little OCD.

-I prefer methodical.

And believe me, all the best people are on the spectrum these days.

All you really need to know is round here, there's only one rule -

consultant or F1, no-one gets to pick from the box of delights.

Everyone just takes the next card...

which means this one must be yours.

RINGING

Yeah?

Going to be eight minutes.

Go.

TV PLAYS IN BACKGROUND

Alan Turner?

Alan Turner?

Sorry, Doctor. My fault. Bloody TV's too loud, eh?

This way.

My name's Dr Sutton.

So...what happened?

Whacked it against something. Last night. Bloody stupid, I know.

Look, I know I'm wasting your time here, but the wife insisted.

-Well, I'm going to need to order an X-ray.

-I've already had one.

-The nurse sent me - Karen, is it?

-OK, great.

Well, I'll go take a look.

Eh.

Fractured fifth metacarpal.

Hm, I concur. Classic boxer's fracture.

-You should see the other guy, right?

-Yeah.

So this needs to stay on till they see you in fracture clinic

next week, regular painkillers, and don't punch anyone else!

Thanks, Doctor.

Course, it was last Christmas when I lost my Bobby.

-50 years, we were married.

-Oh, I'm sorry.

God, he used to irritate me.

Always had a bloody opinion about everything. Always right.

I used to say to him, "One of these days,

"I'll put arsenic in your tea and finally get some peace!"

Do you know what he used to say?

"I'd drink it!"

Oh, well, now he's gone, and I've got my precious peace and quiet.

SHE SOBS

-Ah!

-I'm sorry, darling.

-It's OK!

-I didn't mean to.

Come here. It's all right, really.

SHE SOBS

WHISPERS: Just give me two minutes.

Sh.

It's OK, it's OK.

-All done.

-Someone's obviously trained her well.

None of the other doctors do their own dressings, and...neat!

Almost nurse standard! Well, almost.

-Thank you so much.

-No worries.

Take care.

-Is she OK?

-Yeah, she was just a bit emotional.

Yeah, I noticed.

Dressings and a bleeding heart?! You'll be after my job!

I like it here.

Me too.

It's different.

Sometimes fun to have a fresh start. It's like dressing up.

-So who am I?

-You're Ally, but I can still call you Mummy.

Well done.

You're good at this.

Have a chip.

When's Daddy coming?

Daddy just has to work for a little bit longer,

-but we can go down and see him whenever you want.

-OK.

SIRENS

ARGUING

Hey, hey, hey!

CHATTER

PHONES RING

Welcome to hell! Er, there's an ankle needs tweaking in resus.

-A pull, ASAP, OK?

-OK.

-Thanks.

He's had 10 of morphine.

Are you giving it a pull?

Er, don't we need to get an X-ray first?

Skin's already looking a bit stretched

and Andy wanted it tweaked first.

We don't want it falling off in X-ray, do we, Jamie?

Indeed we do not.

We'll get the plaster trolley and we'll get cracking.

Literally.

SHE EXHALES LOUDLY

It's Jamie, right?

I'm Dr Sutton.

What are you going to do?

Well, we need to straighten this ankle out quickly

to preserve the blood supply to the foot,

-so I'm just going to gently take the weight...

-Oh, shit!

-I know, I'm sorry.

-Oh, no, no!

-It's going to hurt - I'm sorry.

-Oh, shit!

Don't! Please don't touch it! Don't... Oh!

Just going to manipulate it round.

HE SHOUTS OUT IN PAIN

-I promise I'll be one minute, Jamie. I'm just going to do...

-Argh!

There. LOUD CLICK

-Ah!

-There you go.

BOTH EXHALE

Now doesn't that look better? Very nice job.

Most people give a little analgesia.

-I just thought we needed to get a move on.

-It's fine.

Your call, totally.

Although you're clearly one hard ED bitch. We're going to get on.

Let's get this plastered for you, shall we?

DOOR OPENS

Very good. You going to fix it?

Might do for our close contact cast trial.

What did they do in your last place?

Fix it.

-Every time.

-Personally, I think you're right.

Results with the cast have been terrible.

But it's Pradeep's pet project.

Look, um, I'm supposed to be looking after your pastoral needs or whatever they call it,

so if you want to talk about the job or, you know, life or anything...

-Then I know where you are, right?

-Yeah!

-Did Brigitte say something?

She filled me in, told me to look after you.

-Apparently, you're far too good for us.

-She's right.

I could even do it one evening over a pint, if you like.

-You drink pints, right?

-Exclusively.

Tennent's, right? With a chaser.

How did you know?

RINGING

Hello?

Mm-hm.

OK, fine.

ETA?

Big accident on the M8, multiple casualties, we're getting two,

ETA six minutes. Let's put out a trauma call, bleep haematology.

Ally, you're with me. Let's go.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

BEEPING

SHE EXHALES LOUDLY

PATIENT GROANS

First one, don't have a name. Ejected from a people carrier,

no seat belts in the back. Husband died at the scene.

-It's not pretty out there.

-One, two, three.

-How long till the other?

-Right behind us.

-Six-year-old.

-OK, someone call paeds.

PATIENT GROANS

She's going to need pan CT. Stable for now.

-Pick up in the system, make sure she has a group and save.

-OK.

-Wait.

Hear that?

-I can't...

-Exactly. She was moaning for Britain, now she's stopped.

Worry about the quiet ones.

There's nothing on the right. It's probably blood in there.

Can you get a portable stat?

She's going to need a chest tube before she goes anywhere. Karen?

Kid's here.

OK. This one's all yours.

Six-year-old girl, ejected from vehicle, no response.

-Where are paeds?

-Couldn't get through to them.

I'm not getting a pulse. Starting CPR.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

VOICES ECHO

SHE BREATHES LOUDLY

-That was CT. Ready as soon as we're done here.

-OK, thanks.

-You OK?

-Yeah.

Sorry, it's, er... It's been a while.

Fifth intercostal space, mid-axillary line

Andy likes to blunt dissect first.

Basically make a bloody great hole with the forceps.

-You want me to call him?

-No. I'm fine.

SQUELCHING

SQUELCH

Whoops! There we go.

Better get this in there, unless you fancy yourself as a little Dutch girl.

WHISPERING

INAUDIBLE

HE SIGHS

HE SIGHS

Fuck's sake!

Fuck's sake!

CLEARS HIS THROAT

HE EXHALES LOUDLY

CLEARS HIS THROAT

So when was the last time you ran a trauma?

Honestly? Erm...

Not for a while.

Did Karen say something?

No. Karen...

Karen loves you.

And she hates all the women docs.

-Apparently, and I quote, you're "not a bitch."

-Hm!

High praise indeed.

Listen.

Don't worry. It happens.

The good middle grades always get stuck with the minors shit

all day and then you look up and realise it's been six months

since you even stepped foot in resus.

Eh! You saved that woman.

You did OK. Don't worry. It all comes back.

You can't do any worse than Brigitte.

I mean, she flaps so hard she practically takes off.

Sorry - unprofessional.

Three kids, and no seat belts. Wh...

-The others went to City. Let's hope they did better than us.

-Mm.

DOOR OPENS

Sorry - that drunk guy's back again,

insists he was promised admission for a detox.

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-Drunk guy. Sounds like a job for a bad man.

OK!

Right. Lead me to drunk guy.

DOOR CLOSES

SHE SIGHS

There you go.

INDISTINCT

At last, a doctor who admits she doesn't know everything!

Your secret's safe with me! The arrogant ones are the worst.

One day out of medical school and they think they're God's gift.

Yeah. Well, I've never had that problem.

Don't worry - the nurses like you.

You're one of us, even if you are a doctor.

Just promise me you won't turn into a "see you next Tuesday."

I'll do my best.

Never enough, is it? We should strike, again.

Oh, listen, we've got the new F2s starting today.

-Are you OK to give them the grand tour, about 11?

-Yeah, no problem.

-Try to stop them killing too many people.

-I'll try.

So the first thing you do is check the board on the right...

-So what are they like?

-Young. Arrogant.

Inexperienced and potentially lethal. That's just the good ones.

Ally? Sorry, I know you're leaving. Pharmacy sent this back.

-Mrs Kiernan was one of yours, right?

-Yeah.

Well, there's something wrong with the signature.

The name doesn't match the GMC number.

Sorry, I can't quite get used...

I... I, erm...

I went back to my maiden name after the divorce

and sometimes it slips out.

Oh, of course.

-How are things?

-Yeah, fine.

You know if you ever want to talk,

or bitch or even just scream a bit, I'm available?

How about a drink, after work?

Thanks, I'd better get Molly, but definitely. I'd like that.

Brigitte.

-Medic's on the phone.

-Oh! At last! See you!

This Mackay woman has claimed her mother

was so dehydrated she was drinking water from the bloody flower vase.

Have you heard anything?

There was a nurse, sister on one of the wards got in touch with me

a few months ago, similar claims. I met her once, gave her my number.

-And?

-Well, she changed her mind about coming forward.

Well, give a her call, make her change it back.

RINGING

-Hello?

-'Ally, it's Brigitte.

'I'm sorry it's so early - I hope I didn't wake you.'

No. Is everything OK?

'Look, I know it's short notice, but I'm having a kitchen supper

'tonight and I really want you to come.'

Oh, Brigitte, I'd love to, but I can't really ask Mona to sit again.

'Oh, Molly's invited. It is Molly, isn't it? My girls will look after her.

'It's seven for eight.'

OK, great.

'Great! See you then.'

-I'll see you there.

-'Bye.'

Bye.

SHE SIGHS

CHATTER FROM INSIDE

LAUGHTER

Come on - let's go.

Ah, Prosecco - good idea! I've just gone for a bog-standard plonk.

-Want to swap?

-It's only Lidl!

Thrifty and stylish - you are killing me! Hiya! I'm Charlie.

I'm Molly.

See, if you press that button, then a horrible monster

called Brigitte will come out that door and steal all our drinks!

-You press it!

-Only if I can stand behind you when the monster comes.

Yeah?

DOORBELL RINGS

Hey!

-Come in!

-There you go.

Oh! Fizz. I love a bottle of fizz.

Monster!

I like it when people bring fizz. I'm going to open this right now.

MUSIC PLAYS

-Ah, so this is Molly!

-Are you going to say hi?

Hey. Lexi! Isla!

POP

Oh! Ooh!

-Hey. I'm sure Molly would like to see the hamsters.

-Hi, I'm Lexi.

-Hi, Molly.

-But don't let them out of the cage, OK?

They smell terrible, but we love them.

The hamsters, that is, not the children.

-OK, so we have only one rule in my get-togethers. No shop talk, OK?

-OK.

OK. So, here's to you.

-Thank God you're here.

-Cheers.

OK, well, let's go and meet everyone.

Hiya.

-Hiya.

-Hello! What can I get you?

-We appear to have...everything.

-Erm...

-I'll have a white wine, please.

-White wine, right.

Jesus. I hope you're OK with a stupidly large...

THEY LAUGH

-So you just walked out?

-I didn't really have a choice.

I can't believe I left it so long.

That takes guts, under the circumstances.

So what about you?

-I heard some people talking. Gossiping.

-Ah, no, no.

I can't compete with that. Erm...

We just looked at each other one day over another takeaway

and realised it was over. Called the solicitor the following week.

-It can't have been that easy.

-You know, we... We tried.

For the kids, you know? Same old story. We wanted it to work.

-I suppose this is where I'm supposed to blame the job.

-But?

-I blame her.

Obviously. I'm kidding. It's, erm...

She's... We're fine. It's, erm...

She was a civilian.

You know, different worlds, different references,

different backgrounds. Bottom line, they don't know what you go through.

And no man is a hero when you wash his boxers.

-You could always wash your own!

-Hey! I took the bins out!

So, that's no civilians...which just leaves doctors, right?

-Maybe, but no anaesthetists, or ENT.

-You really are fussy, aren't you?

Possibly a nice psychiatrist. Someone who needs a project.

-You actually think you're fixable?

-Of course.

In the right hands.

KNOCK AT DOOR

KNOCKING

Hiya. Nice top.

-Zara?

-All Saints.

Get you!

You should ask her.

How long has it been now?

Er, six months.

Seven, actually.

You should definitely ask her.

Nah. Too complicated.

I'm being as quiet as I can!

-What shift are you on?

-Middle.

-See you.

-I'll see you later.

-See. Told you I was fixable.

-It's a work in progress.

Thank you.

Right. You can have anything you want.

-Pizza!

-Pizza? OK, cool.

-The number I have for her doesn't work any more. Do you know where she is?

-It's been a few months now.

-Have you tried her at the hospital?

-No longer employed there.

They won't tell me any more.

She weren't stupid, our Cath, except when it came to men, maybe.

Waste of space, that Carl. Maybe she just wanted shot of him for good.

Thanks.

Going to need a highly-skilled doctor in resus.

All right, I'm coming.

This is a little bit of anaesthetic to make you feel sleepy

-before we pull your ankle.

-Did I hear you say propofol?

That's right.

Isn't that what Michael Jackson took, you know, before he died?

-Cos I'd quite...

-STARTS TO SLUR

Hm. Pretty quick.

-Ready?

-I was born ready, Doctor.

Right. OK.

INDISTINCT

-It's sort of a family get-together.

-Ah, it sounds lovely.

Yeah, it was my mum's idea for her 70th,

get the whole family together for the weekend.

Didn't realise it'd be such a mission to get hold of them all!

-So you're her family?

-Adopted. Makes you value it more, somehow.

Of course, sorry.

Right.

Oh, here it is. She must have got a new mobile or something.

That'll be it. Slave to the upgrade. You are a life-saver.

And did she give an address?

-I've got an invitation, too - Mum doesn't trust e-mail.

-I think so.

Oh, yeah, here it is.

RINGING

'New message.'

'Hi, Cath, it's Sam Kelly from the Sheffield Express.

'I hope this is the right number. I need to speak to you urgently.'

-Do you know Alison Sutton?

-I went to uni with her.

Heard she went to New Zealand, married some farmer type.

Still waiting for your passport.

If you can't dig it out, you're going to need a new one,

otherwise they'll stop your wages.

SHE SIGHS

I don't know what to do.

She lost it a bit, actually, Ally.

It doesnae pay to bottle things up.

You can talk to me, you know, whatever it is.

Can you keep a secret?