All language subtitles for Call the Midwife S06E07

'We face each day with expectations.

'If we're lucky, they're met,

'if they're not, we must deal with
events as they unfold,

'making good the disappointments,
looking to bind what wounds we can.'

- Would you like a hand, ma'am?
- Thank you.

'Good humour matters,

'optimism matters,

'but we cannot write

'the rules of life and sometimes

- 'courage and resilience...'
- Afternoon.

'..will matter most of all.'

Midwife!

Afternoon, ladies, come on in.

Take a seat,
I'll be with you in a minute. Hello.

A textbook heartbeat from
a textbook baby.

It doesn't feel like a textbook
baby

when it's practising its forward
rolls at three in the morning.

Although it certainly feels like
a lively one.

And your fundal height measures up
perfectly with your dates.

I've never stopped praying for
a healthy baby.

I'm just starting to believe my
prayers are being answered.

Shelagh...

it really is important that
you relax

and enjoy these last few
weeks of pregnancy.

I know. I'm just not
a very relaxed sort of person.

Has anyone ever given you
this leaflet...

.."Breathe Your Way To Serenity"?

Yes, but I didn't read it.

If I were writing a school report
I'd put, "Could do better".

Ah, hello, Mrs Mullucks.

Aw, and look at little Susan.

My mum said she was coming on a
treat.

Give her my regards.
I need to see Dr Turner now, please.

Of course.

I wasn't asking the nursery to take
Susan now - she's only 18 months.

I was just trying to put her name
down for when she's three,

like I put Belinda's name down,
and Perry's.

And Mrs Bathgate refused
point blank?

She said she couldn't take
"sick" children.

But did you explain to her that
Susan isn't ill?

I told Mrs Bathgate to speak to you.

She's going to need an education.

The thalidomide didn't do
anything to her brain.

Knock, knock!

I heard you'd popped in.
Is Susan all right?

She's as well as she's ever been.

But I just wish I could get the rest
of the world

to see her through our eyes.

Are you keeping well, Mrs Turner?

Yes, I am.

What you hoping for, boy or a girl?

I don't mind.
We have one of each already.

I remember saying that
when I was having Susan.

It's just not convenient today,
Nurse Crane.

I need to have it on a weekday,

between nine in the morning
and four o'clock

while the kids are at school
and Marcus is down the depot.

It's not too late to consider
a hospital delivery, Mrs Antoine,

or the maternity home.

You'd have some privacy
and a bit of peace and quiet.

No.

I can't be doing with all
the whispering and the stares

or the having to explain.

SHE GROANS

Is that it?

I've been having them on and off
all afternoon.

I think you're safe for now,
Mrs Antoine.

These are just Braxton Hicks
contractions.

More generally known as
a false alarm.

DOOR OPENS

Mum! Mum!
Jerome found a bird's nest!

Hello, Akela!
Have you come to born our baby?

Not today, Wesley.

But if Jerome brings that nest to
Cubs for our Treasures From Home

session next week, he might earn
some points for his Six.

- ALL:
- Yes!

I was at school with
Carrie Antoine's sister, June.

She came into assembly with her eyes
bright red from crying one day,

and wouldn't say why.

It was my mum who told me Carrie was
going to marry a black man.

No-one can really choose who they
fall in love with.

I certainly don't like some of the
things I've heard said to those

little Antoine lads at Cubs.

They're only repeating what
they've heard at home,

but I've clamped down nonetheless.

Meanwhile, as we try to discuss
lighter matters during recreation,

perhaps I may ask Nurse Franklin
the purpose of her manicure?

I surmise the puller of teeth is
intended to admire it.

Christopher and I are going out
for dinner tomorrow,

and as I've had the day off
beforehand I thought I'd get ahead.

You must ask him to join us for tea.

Perhaps on Guy Fawkes Night.

Is anything special happening
on Guy Fawkes Night?

Sister Winifred
has baked some gingerbread!

It's not in the shape of
a man or anything.

Yes, it's Mullucks.
Thank you. Goodbye.

- What have you got there?
- A bassoon.

When did you start learning
the bassoon?

There's going to be a joint
orchestra with the girl's grammar.

The only vacancies were in the
woodwind section.

- There aren't many good tunes for
bassoon, Tim.
- No, but I get to

sit next to Caroline Gillespie
while I'm playing them.

Will you test me on my French, Mum?

Once Susan's in bed. You'll be too
good for me to test soon,

those words get harder and harder.

Go on.

Mum, Perry's feeding Susan again!

Perry,
you know she's got to do it herself!

It takes her longer,
but she has to learn.

Her dinner's going cold, Mum.

DOORBELL RINGS

We would have been referring Susan

for artificial limb fitting
in January anyway,

but I spoke to them today and they
were happy to see her sooner.

They can give her artificial legs,
already?

Roehampton's working with
a number of thalidomide children.

None of them that much
older than Susan.

I just want her to have what my
other kids have got, Dr Turner.

What every child should have.

Just tell them, "Yes."

I'll explain it all to Bernie when
he gets home.

If the artificial silk is too clingy
over pantyhose,

and the Crimplene shift makes me
look like a librarian -

thank you, Valerie - then I really
only have the ice blue Lurex

and that's still at the
dry cleaners.

You can't wear ice blue Lurex
to a week night supper date.

You'll look like you're
trying too hard.

Or like you're trying to match
his sports car.

Christopher's sports car
isn't ice blue!

It's a sort of pale Wedgwood
with cream accents.

I shall have to go out in the
morning and buy a whole new outfit.

THEY LAUGH

I don't want Susan going nowhere.
Not to hospital,

not to anywhere where she's going to
be prodded and poked.

We've got to start thinking ahead.

- It's been easy until now, Bernie.
- Easy? You call this easy?

Not for us, but for her, for Susan.

What we going to do when she needs
to go to school?

She doesn't need to go to school.

She doesn't need to go anywhere
where we can't go too.

We've got to grab every
chance she gets!

We could finish morning surgery
half an hour early -

we've very few appointments in the
book.

Then I don't see why you can't
squeeze in your house calls between

11 and half past 12 and drive them
all to Roehampton after that.

I thought you'd tell me that I had
other responsibilities.

That I shouldn't get involved.

When Susan was born,

you sat up all night with her,
thinking she would die.

And you held her in your arms,
and she lived.

You've been involved ever since.

I was involved before that, Shelagh.

I prescribed the drugs that robbed
that child of every single limb.

Science is meant to help, not harm.

Nurse Dyer, would you test
me on my Highway Code?

Yes!

I've just been trying to sing
The Lord's My Shepherd

and all I could think of was
reversing round a side bend.

Little Mrs Sengupta's water's broke
at four o'clock this morning.

PHONE RINGS

Theory's all very well and good,
Sister, but lately, every time

I've offered you a practice drive,
you've made excuses and refused.

I haven't booked my test yet.

You're dragging your feet
and making it worse for yourself.

Action stations for me, too!
Carrie Antoine's gone into labour.

Oh, I have a soft spot for
the Antoines.

Can we swap?

SHE GROANS

Midwife!

Come in, Nurse.

Come on, lass,
face out of that eiderdown.

You'll do much better
breathing in some air.

It's the smell of that fried bread.

He always puts that much
bleeding sauce on it.

Off you pop, Mr Antoine, that
forklift truck won't drive itself.

Can't I stay?

You might need an errand running
or maybe someone to hold her hand.

You will be summoned, Mr Antoine,
should the need arise.

It's like when I used to
go away to sea.

Just a breath away.

Just a thought away.

My girl. My brave girl.

SHE GROANS

Thank you.

So, off we go, then!

That's it, Carrie,
put another one behind you.

It's not working, Nurse!

It's run out, that's all.

And there's plenty more where
that came from.

I'll ask your neighbour to
telephone Nonnatus House.

"Darling,

"I'm terribly sorry, but something's
cropped up - no fun for us tonight!

"Could we meet up same time,
same place, on Thursday?

"Best, Christopher."

This is the third time this
has happened!

And it was delivered by hand?

I just found it on the doorstep.

He must've run away.

"Best? Best?" What on Earth is best
supposed to mean. Best wishes?

Best of a bad job? Best steer clear?
PHONE RINGS

Perhaps that's the gentleman in
question. Telephoning to apologise.

I'm afraid he's going to have to.

He does start with the word,
"Darling," Trixie.

Men never say, "Darling," unless
they have quite serious intentions.

I had quite serious intentions
about this hairdo!

I didn't spend five shillings on
setting lotion and two hours

in rollers only to spend the evening
knitting with the nuns.

Nurse Crane needs fresh gas and air
and an extra pair of hands

at Mrs Antoine's.
I shall hop on my bike.

Oh!

Oh, sorry, Sister.
Routine maintenance.

Can you give me ten minutes?

No, not really. It doesn't matter.

I shall quite enjoy
a trot on Shanks' pony. Bye!

This place has been at
the forefront of

so many developments in
artificial limbs.

It's been the best in its field
since the First World War.

Did you hear that, Bernie?

Douglas Bader, the pilot, was
a patient here during World War II.

Have you seen Reach For The Sky?

Yes! It's a smashing film!

- WOMAN:
- Philip!

Do you want me to put reins on you,
like a pony?

Sorry! Unbroken colt on the loose.

It's nice to see them running about.

Isn't it?
As long as you can keep up!

Well, it looks like another one
for our little gang.

There are children with other
problems here, but...

Well, one knows the type.

Good luck.

Come on, darling, right this way.

Hello.
You must be the Mullucks family.

And I imagine this is Susan.

Now, the other children are having
some juice and biscuits,

would you like to join them?

There we are. There we go.

You said someone was coming with
more gas.

Oh, a couple more of these champion
pushes

and we'll have no need of it when it
arrives.

You'll have had this baby by then,
mop of black curls and all.

Can you really see its head?

It's as good as crowned. We're on
the home straight now, lass.

People call my kid's hair frizzy,
but I think it's beautiful.

It looks dandy under a Cub cap.

Oh, no!

You know what to do, Carrie.

Mouth closed, no noise
and your chin on your chest.

GROANING IN BEDROOM

Come on! You can do it!

Come!

Gangway!

SHE GROANS

- Is it out?
- It most certainly is!

Oh, I'm sorry!

Where've you been with that gas?
Mother was in pain!

- BABY CRIES
ALL:
- Yes!

We got a new baby!

What do you think it is?
Another boy for us?

Or a little girl for your mother?

I don't care!
Can I play on my bugle now?

- MAN:
- Honestly, you'd be surprised
how quickly

the kids get used to the appliances.

The little chap who wears these is
coming on a treat.

He's a corker - he was picking up
Dinky cars

with his artificial arms on last
week.

Do they actually walk on the legs?

I-I mean,
do they move them one at a time?

Or is it more like
a seat that they sit on?

Well, most of the thalidomides don't
have normal hip or shoulder joints,

so we make each set
specially to fit them.

We'd be taking a full plaster cast
of Susan's body to help us.

Ted, can we introduce
Susan's family to Glyn?

Well, goodness me,
you do look smart!

I hope you're going to be allowed to
wear these in the garden later.

So, we'll start Susan off on short
legs like Glyn's to begin with.

We call them rockers.

They help the children learn to
balance, don't they?

- SHE GASPS
- Erm...

# Happy Birthday to you

# Happy Birthday to you

# Happy Birthday, dear brother

# Happy Birthday to you. #

Now then, ladies, can I offer you a
small glass of something,

just to wet the baby's head?

Marcus! There's a time and place for
bandying your rum about,

- but it's not here and it's not now!
- Who said anything about rum?

I got a bottle of sherry in,
specially.

Thank you, Mr Antoine,
but tea will suffice.

"The cup that cheers,
but does not inebriate."

If you want tea, you can have tea...

with a sherry on the side,
just so you can catch a sniff of it!

Off you go now, lads.
Go and let off some steam.

But you stay in the play street,
do you hear me?

In the play street,
and nowhere else!

And make sure you stick together!

Poor Mrs Antoine suffered far more
than was necessary!

If you'd ever seen a baby born
without recourse to pain relief

you'd be a bit more aware of
the difference it can make,

and you'd have stopped at nothing
to get it there.

It would have taken ten minutes
if I'd had my bike.

And it would have taken five if
you'd been behind a steering wheel!

The sooner you pass your
driving test the better.

Get behind that wheel
and get some practice in!

Rhoda wanted to make sure
you were all right.

All right?

How can anyone be all right
after seeing that?

The appliances are quite hard to
look at, I'll give you that.

Not the appliances. Them.

- The other children?
- Yeah.

Them little lads. One with nothing
in his coat sleeves,

the other one shuffling around
on those little wooden feet,

if you could call them that.

I felt sick when I saw them,
and they're better off than Susan.

Is what I felt in there what other
people feel when they see her?

SHE EXHALES

ENGINE STARTS

GEARS GRIND

I recommend you dip your clutch.

That was the accelerator!

- And it's mirror, signal, manoeuvre.
- Did I signal first again?

Relax!

VAN HORN BLARES

For pity's sake, Sister! How many
months have you been learning?

VAN HORN BLARES

ENGINE STALLS

Out. Now.

Before we both find ourselves in
need of gas and air!

HORN BLARES

Very well,
we are aware of your presence!

HORNS BLARE

- MAN:
- Get out of the road!

ENGINE STARTS

HORN BLARES

Above all else, a driver needs
common sense and a cool head,

and you have neither.

Lenny!

Can you hear me?

Lenny?

We need an ambulance!

POLICE BELL JINGLES

Run!

I've called for an ambulance,
Officer.

What's happened, Nurse?

A child's been hit by a car.

Where's the driver?

It was me.

It's quite common for parents to
feel overwhelmed

on their first visit here,
Mrs Mullucks.

How many are there?

Patients in our department?

Children...deformed by these pills.

It seems there could be thousands
worldwide.

So far more than 300 have
been identified in Britain.

How many like Susan?

At the moment we believe that at
least 30 are affected

in all four limbs.

Most of their mothers took Distaval

or other medicines containing
thalidomide

during the very early weeks of
pregnancy.

But why isn't it in the papers more?

I suppose because it's better that
we all concentrate on doing

what's best for Susan, and for you.

We have an assessment place
available from tomorrow for Susan,

if you want to take it.

Tomorrow?

Do you have your car keys with you,
Nurse Crane?

The Constable took them at the
scene.

I'll need to take
a statement from you

and assess whether there's a case to
put before the magistrates.

The magistrates?

Take a seat, Nurse Crane, I'll see
if we can get you a cup of tea.

Sergeant! My boy, my boy!
He's been hit by a car!

By the time I get there
the ambulance had gone

- and nobody knows which hospital
he went to!
- Oh, Mr Antoine...

It was you?

Would you take her into
the side room, please?

Anything to do with the sherry
you was drinking?

Mr Antoine, I did not imbibe.

I poured you a glass,
and you accepted it!

Could you arrange for Nurse Crane to
provide a sample of urine?

It will establish whether there's
any alcohol in your system.

I'm sorry, but we'll need to know.

SHE SOBS

It's all my fault!

If you weren't behind the wheel
you cannot be to blame.

What condition was Lenny in
when they put him in the ambulance?

He was barely conscious.

PHONE RINGS

And pray, what of our colleague?

Thank you for calling, Sergeant.

My hand did not stint in the
application of the sugar.

HE PLAYS OFF-KEY

THEY LAUGH

Patrick! Patrick, stop!

He'll hear you!

I doubt it, over that racket.

All I can say is, Caroline Gillespie
had better be absolutely gorgeous.

I love to see you laugh after
a hard day.

Others have had it harder.

And they'll have it harder for
months, years, decades.

I keep looking at the Mullucks
and wishing I could just

write a prescription for a pill
to make everything better.

And then I remember...

that's where it all started.

I'm afraid I have to report the
incident

to the General Nursing Council
and the Central Midwives Board.

And I also feel that,
for her own sake,

Nurse Crane should stand down from
duties until

- the situation is resolved.
- Resolved?

The police are investigating
the accident

and her car has been impounded
until further notice.

I don't want her going anywhere!
Anywhere out of our sights!

It's a week, Bernie, a week!

That's less than when she went to
that children's hospital for

the sweating she used to have.

When she is at home, she's normal.
When she's with us, she's normal.

When she's with Belinda
and Perry, she's normal.

And I don't want 'em taking her
anywhere where they think

that she's a freak that
needs fixing.

But she does need fixing! And if we
don't let them try and mend her,

then her life's over before
it's begun!

Well, you should have thought of
that before you started taking those
bloody pills!

SHE SOBS

Phyllis?

Is there anything at all I can do to
make things better for you tonight?

I don't think I can manage much
conversation.

No.

Do me hair, Mum?

I'll have to be quick,
Susan's still in her cot.

Plaits or bunches?

Erm, plaits, please.

Mum, what are Susan's clothes
doing on the table?

I'm taking them to be altered.

PHONE RINGS

Children's ward.

Phyllis? Breakfast is on the table.

It's kippers, but Sister Winifred
has poached you an egg.

Tell her that was very thoughtful,

but I'm busy ordering supplies.

Is there any news of the little lad?

Sister Julienne was able to
telephone the Children's Ward.

He has concussion
and a fractured femur.

And your notes tell me
that you weighed 9lbs 6oz!

What a bonny boy you are.

Was he your heaviest baby, Carrie?

Lenny was over ten.

My first and worst.

None of them gave
me as much gyp as him.

If I could just see him!

If I could just go to the
hospital...and take him his rabbit,

he's had him since he was born,

and he pretends he doesn't need him
any more, but he does.

Carrie, it isn't 24 hours
since you gave birth

and your blood pressure
isn't quite settled.

It's far better that you
rest at home

and try to build your strength up.

I thought I was having a girl.

Do you know why?

I couldn't see myself with
four boys.

It was as if, deep down,
I knew I'd only have three of them.

And if Lenny doesn't get better, he
puts me back to where I was before.

Three boys, not four.

Not four of anything.

He needs his rabbit.

Hello!

That lovely GP of yours rang
and said you were on your way.

- Can I help you?
- Oh!

Hello, Susan.

I was thinking, Sister,
when she gets her arms,

will she be able to put proper
jumpers and cardigans over them?

Only I've been making things
without sleeves

and I thought perhaps I ought
to get knitting?

You'll have to make them in
bigger sizes,

but we can measure her once she's
wearing her appliances.

Would you just sign here,
Mrs Mullucks?

Yeah.

I'll leave the two of you to
say goodbye

and then I'll take her to
the ward, all right?

I'm sorry, Susan.
I'm so very, very sorry.

It was pure silk twill
with a handmade rolled edge.

Not Hermes,
but something very like it,

and absolutely drenched in
L'Heure Bleu by Guerlain.

L'Heure Bleu? Is that bad?

Suffice to say it's not a perfume
anybody's maiden aunt would wear.

Did you check it for blood stains
or saliva?

Perhaps he gave a patient
a lift home after an extraction.

This isn't funny, Valerie.

Christopher's obviously involved
with someone else.

Nurse Crane.

Sergeant Noakes just telephoned.

He asked that you call in the police
station with your documents.

I told him that I would
accompany you,

and he'd like to speak to
Sister Winifred too.

Thank you, Sister.

Nurse Franklin,
what about the rabbit?

- Did you get it to Lenny?
- Yes, Phyllis, I did.

And you passed your driving test in
1935?

As soon as it became compulsory.

I'd been driving two years
prior to that,

but I prefer to keep things tidy.

Were you self-taught, Nurse Crane?

It was the usual method in
those days.

And your insurance documents all
seem to be in order.

Nurse Crane assures me she's never
made a claim

in almost 30 years of driving

and no-one has ever made
a claim against her.

I accept that, Sister Julienne,

but we're still trying to piece
together what happened yesterday.

And it's still possible that
Nurse Crane may face charges of

reckless driving or driving without
due care and attention.

But I'm a member of the
Institute of Advanced Motorists.

We have to deal with the facts.

Why didn't you let us say goodbye?

Aren't we even allowed to visit her?

Children are only allowed at
the weekends.

Everybody's got
a lot to do at that hospital.

They don't need brothers and sisters
cluttering up the place.

Did she cry?

When you left her, did she cry?

It's for her own good, Belinda.

It's so she can lead a proper life,
like you!

Dad's going to kill you when
he gets home.

There wasn't a trace of
alcohol in her system,

the tests proved that.

We're often offered a drink to wet
the baby's head

and we're absolutely forbidden to
accept it.

But, Sergeant, I'm convinced Lenny
Antoine ran out in front of the car.

- I'd swear to it in a court of law.
- You may have to, Sister.

Sergeant, I think his brothers
saw the accident.

Their names are Wesley and Jerome.

Well, there's no record of them
being at the scene.

They would've run away,
and I believe I know why.

She's ours, Rhoda! You might've been
the first one to say it,

but we've both been saying it since
the day we brought her home.

She's ours! And that means you don't
just get to do

- whatever you like with her.
- I'll tell you what "ours" means.

It means me wearing holes in the
knees of my nylons

trying to teach her how to shuffle
on her bottom on the floor.

It means me trying to stay one step
ahead,

trying to work out how she's going
to balance on a potty,

how she's ever going to pull her
knickers up and down

or how she's going to
manage the stairs or hold a pen.

She'll manage. We'll manage.

You do most of your managing down
the Black Sail, Bernie.

Doesn't mean I don't love her.

It's not enough to love her,
we've got to fight for her.

And I don't know how
or who the enemy is.

- I left my maths book on the table.
- Take it in the parlour.

No, do your homework here.
Come on, find the right page.

The thing is, lads,
sometimes in life

we're told to do things
and we don't.

Or we're told not to do things
and we do.

And then when things go wrong,
we can't talk about them

because we're scared of
getting into trouble.

And I think...

I don't know, but I think that
something like that

might've happened to you.

I think that maybe your
mum told you

you could only stay in the
play street where it's safe.

I say that to them every day. It's
the only place I'll let them play,

and they have to stick together.

Did you disobey your mum?

Did you see the accident

and run away because you were scared
of getting into trouble?

He just ran out. He didn't look.

Why didn't you stay in the
play street, Wesley?

Cars aren't allowed there.
It's all blocked off.

Children were calling us names.

The point is that I tell you to
walk away when they do that!

Marcus, they did,

and that's how they ended up
on the main road.

I don't want Nurse Crane charged.

I don't believe there's anything
we can charge her with.

Good.
You can go and tell her that now.

She's a good woman.

Do you mind if I join you,
Nurse Crane?

Not at all.

Though it's not as warm as your
fiancee made it out to be

when she insisted I sit out here for
a breath of air.

I think Barbara's just
concerned about you.

Any concern, in this situation,
should be reserved for others.

Those poor little Antoine lads.

Having to run away from other
children

because they're being called names.

Lenny Antoine is going to make
a good recovery.

I was with his family earlier today

and they said he may even be
allowed home this week.

His leg will be in a cast
and he'll be on crutches,

which generally makes life quite
exciting for small boys.

There's no virtue in making light of
it.

Whether he ran without
looking or not,

my lapse could have cost
him his life.

You were adjusting your
rear-view mirror.

You were doing what any
responsible motorist would.

Mr Hereward,

we don't come at many things from
much the same angle.

You're fond of your meat,

and our views on God
and His existence

are divergent to say the least,

but we both follow vocations.

Vocations which in one way or
another

are concerned with taking pain away.

I can't disagree with you on that.

So if you caused harm to someone
else, even inadvertently,

would it not make you question
everything your life

has come to stand for?

I'd certainly need to pray about it.

And there you have it, Mr Hereward.

You, a man of faith, would turn to
the Almighty for advice.

I, a rational woman,
have no-one to question but myself.

I couldn't get through to her,
Barbara.

Sometimes cheering people on from
the sidelines doesn't help.

Are we done?

You look absolutely flawless.

Just don't go near any naked flames.

If I'm not back within the hour,
you may take it as a good sign.

Where's she off to?

It's best not to enquire.

I thought a stroll in the fresh air

might perk up our appetites
before dinner.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd better put
an Eccles cake in my handbag

in case you didn't turn up.

I'm so sorry about the other
evening, Trixie.

- Something...
- "Cropped up," was the
phrase you used the other night

and on the two previous occasions.

You think I'm seeing another girl,
don't you?

A blunt question deserves
a blunt answer. Yes.

Well, then...

..I am.

She's as blonde as you and as
sweet as you and as funny as you,

and I adore her,

but she's six years old
and she's my daughter.

Your daughter?

I'm divorced.

I see.

I married young. It was never going
to last, and it didn't,

but you divorce a wife,
you don't divorce a child.

Why didn't you tell me, Christopher?

Because I was afraid of what
you would think

and because I wasn't sure if we were
going to become close enough

- for it to even be relevant.
- Oh!

- And is it relevant now,
would you say?
- Yes.

Do you want to go for a drink?

We can go somewhere
out of this wind.

It appears the wind would be the
least of my problems at the moment.

On second thoughts,
it's starting to make my eyes water.

# As I was walking
sometime yesterday

# To simply

# Pass away the time

# I saw him walking

# Sometime yesterday

# And wondered if

# We will meet again

# Till then

# I'll think of sometime
yesterday... #

There you go, Nurse Crane.
Everything back to normal.

# Just wondering if

# We will meet again. #

Mrs Clarke's husband just
telephoned.

It looks as though those twins are
on their way,

so we're going out to her together.

And that leaves you first on call.

Very well.

If I were you, I'd just go and sit
with Sister Monica Joan.

She's still unravelling old sweaters
from the charity box to knit up

mittens for the poor.
It's not going very well.

May I join you?

Yes, of course.

I think we met a few days ago.

My son Philip came careering down
the corridor

and almost ran you down.

Oh, I remember, the little boy...

Without any arms, yes. And quite
unabashed by their absence...

so far!

Er, I brew myself some coffee
in the Cona every morning.

They only ever have tea here,

and on the bad days I need all
the help I can get.

Can I tempt you to a cup?

I wouldn't mind.

Every time I do this...

..I'm proud it isn't gin.

Your little girl's an absolute doll,
by the way.

Can I ask if you took Distaval?

I can hardly even remember
swallowing those pills.

But I'm reminded every single
day that I did.

I'm Lydia.

And I'm Rhoda.

I would sooner pound the treadmill
in the workhouse

or pick oakum...

..than spend another hour engaged in
labour such as this.

There's many will be glad of what we
make when winter comes.

PHONE RINGS

PHONE RINGS

If you do not repair to the
telephone,

I shall find myself obliged to
answer it instead.

And the words, "Nonnatus House,
this is not a midwife speaking,"

are most unlikely to
reassure the caller.

Do other women say to you,

"I was prescribed them, but
I flushed them down the lavatory"?

Yes! They do,
but why would they have done that?

Nobody knew those pills could maim
a child, not then.

I was given it in cough mixture.

I'd no idea I was even pregnant.

It can't hurt the baby once you're
about eight weeks,

did you know that?

No, I didn't.

You learn new things all the time
when you're in this wretched club.

The drug was licensed in
Germany in 1956

and the first deformed babies
were born in 1957.

But Susan was born in 1961!

And Philip arrived in autumn of '59.

The day Princess Margaret
got engaged.

It irritates me dreadfully that
I remember that.

Babies were being born with no arms,
no legs, no palate, no eyes,

and those were the children
that lived.

And nothing was said.
Nothing was done.

Even now there are people who think
there's no case to answer.

That it should just be kept
out of sight.

But why was it allowed to happen
in the first place?

I ask myself that every morning...

the moment I open my eyes.

It is unwise to tarry.

Mrs Downley awaits.

- And her home is not nearby.
- No, it isn't.

I surmise you are unfamiliar
with the route.

In contrast, it is not unknown
to me, so I will accompany you

and provide direction.

ENGINE STARTS

Nurse, a mother awaits us.

Hello, Bernie.

- It's just a swift half.
- I don't mind.

- It's something else, isn't it?
Something other than...
- Susan?

Everything's going to be about
Susan, Bernie.

It's the way things are.

It's like we've moved to a foreign
country and nobody gave us a map.

We're going to have to stick
together...

..or we're just going to get lost.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Rhoda.

I'm making a new rule.

I'm making it, and we're all going
to have to stick to it.

Look at me, Bernie.

Nobody in our family
ever apologises again.

Not to ourselves, not to each other,

not to our beautiful,
beautiful little girl

because we aren't to blame for this.

Other people made those pills.

Other people sold them.

I'm not going to say their
names right now

because right now they don't matter.

And we do.

WOMAN SCREAMS

You will be restored to your bed
in a matter of moments,

and the mattress will thank us
for our attention.

It might give them bed bugs
something less
to sink their teeth into.

Come.

Let us settle you against
these pillows.

Nurse Crane, your patient awaits.

It is better for the midwife
if you lie on your left side.

We no longer insist on left lateral,
Sister. Times have moved on.

I don't feel as though they have.

It's ten years since I had a baby

and nothing feels any better
than it did the last time!

Come, come.
Now is the time for courage.

I haven't got any bloody courage!

Like I haven't got any man
worth mentioning again.

Like I haven't got a clue how I'm
going to bring this baby up.

According to my notes,
your first name is Vera.

Vera, when did you last have
something to eat?

Yesterday morning, about seven.

We'll put that right now,
and the rest will follow.

It's not like you, Trix.

Cheering yourself up with
something hot and fattening.

A pan of custard is hardly
a nutritional crime.

Besides, I'm going to pour it over
this sliced banana,

so vitamin C will be involved.

I'd be prepared to overlook the fact
he had a wife.

I'd be willing to accept the fact
that he has a child.

I just find myself stumbling over
the fact

that he didn't tell me about either.

Do you think he might have been
afraid of your reaction?

It's the duplicity that makes
me angry, Valerie.

People who have secrets,
they're usually afraid.

Afraid of being laughed at
or rejected or punished.

Prosecuted, even.

Nobody does it for fun, promise you.

Haven't you got any secrets?

That would be telling.

That last little push
has given us the baby's head, Vera.

Labour rewarded.

Naughty monkey's got the cord
looped round its neck.

Nothing to worry about.

You give me another push
when you're ready.

You have a little girl,

and you have been magnificent.

No, Nurse, you have.

- Susan!
- Did you miss us, Susan?

Watch Perry, Susan. Watch how
he bashes his bucket with the spade.

That's it, lift it off, Perry,
go on.

CHEERING

That's for you!

I'd make the most of that,
if I were you.

It's a whole new game of soldiers
with their artificial arms.

How's Philip getting on?

Oh, he screams the place down
as soon as he sees them.

And what's worse, they keep running
out of gas and getting jammed,

in the most awkward positions.

Can't wait for our turn,
can we, Bernie?

Rhoda, I'm taking Philip home today,
but I'd like to keep in touch.

- We're not on the phone.
- We can write.

And, erm, there's going to be
a meeting, for thalidomide parents.

Only half a dozen people,
not everyone wants to join in,

and probably in some
ghastly hall in London.

But do come, both of you.

As long as you put some of that
coffee in your handbag.

LAUGHTER

You got my note, then.

I wasn't sure if the summons for
Guy Fawkes tea with the nuns

meant I was forgiven
or in worse trouble than before.

And if that sounds flippant
I beg you to forgive me

because I absolutely did
not mean it to.

I know.

You're a very sincere man,
it seems to me.

And if I was too quick to mistake
your caution for dishonesty,

then the fault's mine.

I should have told you sooner.

Trust unfolds in a friendship,
Christopher.

And just because a friendship
becomes something else

it doesn't mean the trust
should unfold any faster.

Have you heard of an organisation
called Alcoholics Anonymous?

Yes.

I'm a member
and I have been for two years,

and I didn't want to tell you cos
I was afraid of what you'd think.

I don't think anything,
other than good for you,

and I won't be bringing champagne
on any future dates.

Can I kiss you, Trixie?

I wouldn't advise the intermingling
of lips on this particular doorstep,

but you may write our initials
with a sparkler later on.

What are you doing
loitering in the hall?

It's your one day off, you should be
studying for your examination.

- I spotted an obituary for Patsy's
father in The Times.
- Oh.

He died a fortnight ago in
Hong Kong.

- Has she not been in touch herself?
- No.

I'm sure she'll write personally,
as soon as she's able.

I hope so.

Pack! Pack! Pack!

- Pack!
- Pack!
- Take a seat, boys.

HORN TOOTS

That's quite sufficient,
thank you, Abdul.

Tonight we're going to take it in
turns to step up to the front

and show all the other Cubs
our Treasures From Home.

It's a chance to practise our public
speaking and learn new things.

And we're going to start with

Lenny, Wesley and Jerome Antoine

talking about something
very important.

This is our baby brother, Delamare.

He was born last week,
and he has pale brown skin like us

because our mum is from Poplar
and our dad is from Jamaica.

Everybody looks a bit like their mum
and a bit like their dad.

You might have blue eyes
like one of your parents

and blonde or ginger hair
like the other one.

Mostly we think Delamare
looks like us.

You can come a bit closer,
if you like,

and if you're lucky
he might squeeze your finger.

This is our son, Philip.

He was born without arms.

He's coping well with that
and can feed himself using his feet,

which is quite the party piece.

But he's three and he isn't
speaking.

The doctors
have just told us that he's deaf.

This is my little girl, Katie.

I took Distaval for morning
sickness before I'd even vomited.

I was just so sick with my
other two,

I thought I'd try it in advance.

And Katie's got no eyes,

and no roof to her mouth,

and when I go to see her in the home
I stroke her hands

in a special way and I think
she knows me.

Her hands grow out of her shoulders.

Her father's never even
been to visit.

This is our little Susan.

18 months, going on 18 years.

She's as clever as they come,
never misses a trick.

And you can see from the photograph
what it did to her.

She's worse off than some,
but she's ours...

..and she deserved better.

They all deserve better.

But they have us.

'Thalidomide parents
had no expectations,

'but they fought for justice
for more than 50 years.

'That fight remains ongoing,

distinguished by its dignity,

'fuelled by anger and by love

'because children must be loved.

'There's no rule of life
so simple or so true.'

I've watched women becoming mothers

for nigh on 30 years,
and midwife or not,

you're no different from the rest.

They don't look much different
to aspirin, do they?

When you think what they can do.

Someone knew who I was once,
but it's as if she's vanished.

We need to have her
transferred to hospital.

CHEERING

You've got your work cut out

getting a wedding together
in just three weeks.