Original subtitles

How on earth can an entire building just collapse?

Esther Tang gave us the greatest gift we've ever had

and we can't abandon her.

So, I've come home to die.

My last was a stillborn.

No...

It's a baby! Left to be found.

It's not safe!

Give me the key.

We don't get snow in the Caribbean, but...

..nothing's ever perfect.

I don't think it could be more perfect.

Keys.

Money.

I'm afraid it really is that simple.

Bullet is simple?

We have paid a deposit on that rental.

You mistake our intention, sir.

We are a religious order.

And we've come here to do good, not harm.

We're doing women's work.

I'm surprised it's of any interest at all to men.

With guns or without.

The other sister said they were doing Jesus' work.

And Jesus' work belongs to devil!

Give him the keys.

Wait! Wait! Wait!

Wait! Stop!

Get up...

He take your money.

All of it.

Do not be kind to me.

You were at least as frightened as we were of that man.

And I suspect you have been so for a great deal longer.

Has he been here before, Mrs Ma?

Many time.

I pay him to keep my business safe.

I think you need to pay someone to keep YOU safe from HIM.

Mrs Ma, what has happened

here tonight is not acceptable.

If we have brought trouble to your door, that is not acceptable either.

And we will move on as soon as we are able.

You keep holding her close, while I check her temperature.

Do you think she's opioid addicted, Sister?

You've more experience of that than me.

It's a different type of cry.

I think she's cold and hungry.

Feels the want of her mother's arms around her.

Babies are not ignorant creatures.

Ladies, Nurse Clifford and I were wondering,

since everything's now running smoothly,

whether we might be permitted to have a little seasonal

gathering, here at Nonnatus House?

I love the idea of a seasonal gathering.

But it's certainly not up to me to give permission.

It would really just be ourselves,

plus a few of our friends from nursing and hospital circles.

Will there be popular music playing?

And will there be dancing and the presence of young men?

Well... Cyril will be coming.

And we thought we'd invite Harry Chopra and Timothy.

I consider myself persuaded.

Life is short.

And Christmas, as we are so frequently reminded,

comes but once a year.

- Morning. I'm looking for Queenie. - She's in her caravan.

Queenie,

I know it's hard to talk about what went wrong with the baby

that you lost.

But not talking might make it harder, in a different way.

I think this Windolene has dried.

If you pass me a rag, I can get ahead with it.

They said I wasn't to see it.

Even though I heard it cry.

Queenie, if you heard your baby cry,

it wasn't stillborn.

It was a girl. They told me that.

I said I wanted her baptised.

But they said that the priest came too late.

If you don't feel like eating, then you must try

and keep up your liquids. Soup would be particularly good.

Soup? I never cared much for soup.

When I was a child, soup was a sign that ends were not meeting,

but now soup is a sign that I am meeting MY end.

You don't have to joke about this, Mr Fischer.

Not unless you want to.

Nothing really matters now but your comfort.

And there are things we can do with regard to that,

even though there are things that we can't... change.

- Isn't that right, Nurse? - That's absolutely right.

What would you most like to happen over the next few weeks, Mr Fischer?

I came here because I wanted to come home.

But I failed to allow for the fact that home

is where your family are...

..or were.

Mine are all gone, so...

..ghosts are good companions for the heart.

But they are not company.

Are you saying you don't want to be alone?

Yes.

I asked the midwife what happened to the baby.

All she would say was, "She had the biggest eyes."

And she said "biggest" like it was a compliment.

She was kindly.

Two other nurses came in and washed me.

Two of them, like I was dirty.

I heard one of them say...

..that my baby had no head.

But I knew they were lying,

because the kindly midwife

said that she had the biggest eyes.

I wish I could tell you what happened to your daughter.

But I can tell you the truth -

that she was loved.

Loving's not the same as being baptised, though, is it?

I believe it's very similar.

More hot water.

Now, you have to give her a name.

Chinese and English.

What your name?

I'm afraid it's not very with it.

It's Phyllis.

It is too hard say.

We sisters all have two names too.

The one we were born with and the one we took

- when we gave our lives to Jesus. - What yours?

Pamela.

Semi-classical, with rather a nice ring to it?

Oh.

Sister Julienne was baptised Louise.

I know two bar girl call Louise.

You born name?

Er, Beryl.

Beryl Borrows.

Although the surname isn't relevant.

Beryl's a precious stone, isn't it?

And we can't say this one isn't a little gem.

Beryl it is.

Dr Turner's surgery.

Oh. Miss Higgins? I've been offered half a dozen shifts

- on Male Surgical! - At St Cuthbert's?

Yes. I'll be supernumerary, but it's under Mr Borelli.

Oh, Mr Borelli is held in the very highest regard.

Oh, I assume, however, that, if you take up this chance,

it may threaten the stability and security of the children's routine?

It could be devastating.

Queenie's had no complications at all in this pregnancy,

apart from mild anaemia, despite her age

and despite the fact that it's her ninth.

But she is desperately anxious.

Well, does she think the same disaster might be visited again?

How can I tell her it won't,

if I don't know what happened either?

Oh! That's clever.

It is a better use of this contraption than the plucking up

and putting on of shoes, which is supposedly its purpose.

Sister Monica Joan,

I wondered if I might ask for your help.

Is good?

Certainly stable.

You're doing well, lass.

- What is lass? - Oh, it means girl.

It's what we call a term of endearment.

It's a way of being kind.

My mother used to say, "Nui, nui."

Where is your mother, Yuechan?

In our village in Guangdong...

..if she still alive.

Could you write to her? A letter?

She not know how to read.

I not know what to say.

How I come here, how I have a baby.

We need you to stay well and happy

until this baby comes.

I'll be your mother until then.

Hibiscus Street isn't part of my division,

but it's notorious even within Kowloon.

There are four branches of Triad active in Hong Kong

and they run everything - gambling, prostitution, drugs,

the whole nine yards.

Which is why our work there is so essential.

The old clinic came under a branch run by a crook who calls

himself the Cormorant.

- The Cormorant? - He's a Liverpool Chinese.

Born there, deported here during the war.

Never went back.

And why should he? He's made a decent living over here.

Runs a nightclub called the Crimson Lantern and other rackets.

How comes you know all this but crime's still running rampant?

Knowing what Triad are doing doesn't mean we can stop them.

We don't want to put you in a difficult position, Derek,

but the sisters need advice.

My advice is they should look for premises

outside the Cormorant's area.

They've done something to offend him and he won't let it go.

Oh, Esther.

Oh! Where did you appear from?

I've seen entrances onstage like that,

but generally they involve a... a trap door.

The landlord provided the key.

And the district nurse hung it on a string inside the letterbox.

Ah.

What year were you born?

Ah!

Then you cannot be the child I delivered in this chamber.

I did not arrive in Poplar until 1903.

My brother Sammy, he was born in 1903.

The others came after him.

Then...

..you must be the child with the large, round eyes,

that sat on the bed and watched as I bathed his infant sibling.

Huh.

You had a remarkable gaze, even then.

Yes, I remember that.

And I hope I remember you.

I am most grateful for your assistance. Good day.

- Harry. - Yes, Auntie?

Miss Higgins.

Thank you. Just while we're in the surgery.

Now, take Dr Watkiss her coffee.

Then I need you to go to the records office for me.

All right.

And that was our kindly supporter at the British Army base, informing

us that Sister Prudence also tested positive for tuberculosis.

And so have two of the children.

This is a really vicious strain.

Thank goodness we've all been vaccinated.

We will have to get them transferred to the sanatorium,

then fumigate their room, as well as Sister Edith's.

Patrick.

There's something you need to see.

Hello, Teddy, dear.

Teddy, whatever happened to the Christmas tree?

Petula knocked it down.

Where are the girls?

In their bedroom,

playing with nail varnish.

Nail varnish? Angela and May Turner!

Hello, Miss Higgins.

I have brought savoury mince and a peach blancmange.

You will come and eat it.

After which, we will re-erect the Christmas tree,

erase all evidence of these manicures

and discuss a plan for the remainder of your parents' absence.

There are photographs

and letters in this bag that we sent to Esther from England.

There are also what look to be her personal belongings -

there's a comb and lipstick

and underclothes and a child's shoe.

Mrs Ma, Esther is a very, very important person to our family.

This is her daughter, May,

who is our daughter now.

- You make good life for this girl. - But...

..Esther has another child now.

A little boy.

A little boy who is missing his shoe.

And possibly missing his mother.

Mrs Ma, we don't even know if they're together any more.

Sister Edith know. You ask Sister Edith.

Mrs Forsyth, the midwife who attended your little girl's birth

took great care to record her birth and her death in the proper way.

I said she was kindly.

And it seems that your daughter was born with a condition

called anencephaly.

The top of her head hadn't developed in the womb as it should have done

and her brain would have been very badly affected.

- Would it have hurt her? - No.

I heard her crying.

All babies cry, Queenie.

It's a sign of life.

And it's beautiful, even if that life doesn't last very long.

- Was it something I did? - No, Queenie.

It wasn't.

I can promise you that.

All I want is to hold a live child in my arms...

..and to tell it that it's mine.

That other child's name is Christopher.

She will protect him with her life.

His father wants to take him from her.

And his father is a criminal.

- A gangster? - Of the worst kind.

He has offspring by numerous women,

but Christopher is his only son.

What has Esther done to make him turn on her like this?

Every time she conceived, she came to us.

Aghast that this had happened again.

But all she ever wanted was love.

It happens the world over.

I've seen it time and time again.

No.

You have not seen a man like this.

They call him the Cormorant.

He has ordered her and her child to be hunted down like dogs.

At one point, we persuaded Mrs Ma to hide her.

But, Sister Edith, it's as though they have both vanished.

There is one place she thought that no-one could ever find her.

Will you tell me where it is?

I must.

Or when I die, the waters will close over her.

What does that say?

I think those two pictograms together mean for auction.

We won't be going down that route.

You won't be going down the rental route

or the purchase route either, Sister.

That gang have taken every penny you possess!

We're quite accustomed to poverty.

Yes. We gave up money when we gave up men.

What about this one?

It says dancing girls.

You've dropped off Property and drifted into Nightclubs.

Oh, yes.

Oh, I can read this one.

It says police.

Ha!

We've got no apartment number, no floor number.

We just have to keep on going.

Keep on looking.

How can she even survive like this?

I want to find her.

I just don't want to find her here.

Esther?

Esther?

Esther.

Can we talk to you?

I have Mrs Turner with me.

Hello, you.

You must be Christopher.

I've been waiting to meet you.

Do you keep forgetting that it's Advent?

Yes. And it's not even the absence of cold that I marvel at.

It's the absence, the absolute erasure of weariness.

- Do you feel it too? - I've never felt such energy in years.

You have to let us get you out of here,

to somewhere where you can be nursed and given food and shelter.

I don't go out.

I stay here.

I always stay here.

The altar in the corner is beautiful, Esther.

I pray always for you.

And for the souls of my parents.

They had no sons.

Christopher's father wants him very much, doesn't he?

He will give him a wicked life,

make his child a criminal.

Sisters,

I don't doubt your sincerity.

And I do accept that you

and your associates have been targeted by local... undesirables.

Triad. Let's a call a spade a spade, shall we?

We have been targeted by Triad.

The Order of St Raymond Nonnatus have given shelter to

abandoned babies, provided medicine

and alternative employment to street girls.

And persuaded addicts to turn their backs on heroin.

That, according to Mrs Ma, is our crime.

A young man enslaved to drugs is at the mercy of his masters.

He will do whatever he is asked to do,

in exchange for the one thing that will give his body peace.

But if he is freed from addiction, if he finds there is a better

way to live, he will turn his back on crime itself.

They become free men.

And, sometimes, police informants.

I'm not going to deny that.

Then you cannot deny the fact that we are doing you a service.

And in so doing, warrant your protection.

And how do you propose that we provide that?

Properties vacant. Third column across, fourth paragraph down.

This was an annexe of the old training school.

No longer in use. Standing empty.

And, crucially, still in police possession.

I can't believe we're leaving them.

We are coming back tomorrow.

With food. They're both sick, Shelagh.

But I need to run some tests on the little boy.

There's something very, very wrong with him.

Mind your fingers!

Everything's under control!

Whoa!

I need tasters. Joyce?

You can pronounce judgment on the whisky cream punch.

Sis...

..I want your opinion on the coconut frappe.

That's going to give my snowballs a run for their money!

I know. It slips down like a tart's stocking, doesn't it?

Sis?

It's divine.

Call me a miracle worker. It's mainly condensed milk.

Oh, Geoffrey, that's going to make it very calorific.

It's Christmas. I have personally declared an amnesty on slenderising.

Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.

Hi, Trixie.

I've just been observing a bowel anastomosis.

- That's nice. - I asked around the canteen.

I've drummed up a few more for the party.

And Miss Higgins is staying the night with the children.

Everyone's bringing a bottle.

Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.

Nurse Aylward. Are you able to come to the maternity home?

Queenie Forsyth has just arrived.

Hello, Mum.

Busy again?

I've managed to persuade Hong Kong Rotary Club to offer a modest

grant to the sisters to set up a new clinic.

I'm trying to work out if it will stretch.

Chin up. Sun's over the yard arm.

Derek. Gin and Tonic?

- Madam. - Thank you, Grace.

I'm not sure. I wouldn't normally imbibe

when I've got the ready reckoner out.

Mum, please, take a break.

Please, stop doing stuff. Stop doing sums.

It's all I can ever remember,

you with your head in a column of figures.

- It's who I am, Derek. - I know.

But I'd love it not to be.

Just for half an hour.

Just while we have a drink together, in the sun.

Shall we do something together tomorrow?

All right.

Very good.

Esther, I think Christopher may have a problem with his kidneys.

I need to take him to a hospital.

No.

We stay here.

Will you let Doctor examine you now, Esther?

We can talk about Christopher after that.

Esther.

You have breast milk soaking through your clothing.

You don't still feed Christopher, do you?

No.

There is no baby.

Not here.

Have you given birth to another child, Esther?

If there is another baby,

will you tell us where it is?

I leave my daughter where she will be safe.

I leave her with sisters.

On step of the restaurant.

In a box.

Ah!

Two copies of the Pickwick Papers.

One from the Poplar Public Library.

- The other from mine own shelves. - Oh.

I am driven from my hearth by the frivolities of youth.

Oh, I have fond memories of the frivolities of youth.

The appreciation of such pleasures passed me by.

Any regrets?

That is between myself and the Almighty.

We can take you back with us, Esther.

We can reunite you with your baby.

I cannot go back to Hibiscus Street.

My daughter is safe there. My son is not.

Esther, have you had to choose one child over the other?

My son's father only want him.

He will kill for him.

Is this man, the Cormorant, your little girl's father too?

I made new life.

I thought it was a better one.

A better man.

I was wrong.

You're a better mover than I expected!

When do you think is a good time to start party games?

I don't think it's ever a good time to start party games.

Oh, Cyril, this house is full of nooks and crannies.

It's just crying out for a game of Sardines.

I've tucked Marie and baby Luke up for the night in the side ward.

Both fast asleep already.

Nurse Aylward, could you listen to baby's heartbeat for me?

What's wrong with its heartbeat?

Nothing's wrong, Queenie. We just like to keep an eye on things.

I want to go home. I'm not good here.

I can't do it in here. Holy Mary, Mother of God!

I can't do it!

Sweetheart. This is where you need to stay as calm as you can

and save as much strength as you can.

You're going to be able to start pushing this baby out soon.

The heartbeat's dropping and she's exhausted.

We need to get her to hospital.

Sardines! Sardines! Sardines! Sardines!

Sardines! Sardines! Sardines! Sardines!

Sardines! Sardines! Sardines! Sardines!

Fan out and disperse as soon as you get to the landing.

All of the lights will be turned off!

20 minutes doesn't count as rapid transfer in my book, I'm afraid.

The practice doctor is not answering her telephone

and the Flying Squad are not available.

We need an ambulance as soon as possible!

I hoped I'd find you.

Now THIS is a good party game.

It's bedlam out there.

There are three medical students in the airing cupboard.

Why don't we just go to your bedsitter for a bit?

This is all getting so raucous.

As long as we don't do anything...

..improper.

We never do anything improper.

The rules of the studio couch are very firmly established.

If you haven't got the strength to push, just pant, Queenie!

The ambulance is on its way.

Queenie, would you like us to wake Marie?

And she could come and hold your hand.

No! I'd be after worrying about her.

I've seven children alive and living in the world.

But the only one I can think about now is the one inside of me.

I need to hold it in my arms.

We've had half an hour of second-stage contractions

and there's been no descent of the head.

I'm going to deliver this baby now, by forceps.

But only doctors deliver by forceps.

Sister, we don't have the luxury of making that distinction!

This baby's heartbeat isn't picking up and,

if we delay, we're going to lose it!

I'm not sure I know what the rules of this game are.

I mean, we are sat in a cupboard with no drinks

and there's no room for dancing.

So, we have to all wait to be discovered.

And then, the next person who discovers us has to squeeze in.

And the next one and the next one and the...

Right.

Found you!

What do we do now?

We wait, apparently.

Well, to misquote Captain Oates, I'm coming in...

..and I may be some time.

Oh, can I smell old clothes?

- Mm-hm. - Yes.

My whole childhood's flashing before my eyes in here.

I can see the jumper I wore in grammar school.

Oh, I see nurses' uniforms...

..and a nun's habit.

Ow!

Sweetie, I know you are tired.

But three women are stronger than one on her own.

We're going to work together to get this baby out and in your arms.

- Ah... - Together, Queenie.

Do you hear that? We're all going to join forces.

Will you tell me when you... when you can see its head?

Geoffrey Franklin, Timothy Turner, Harry Chopra -

- what are you doing in my bedroom? - Good things come to those who wait.

Geoffrey!

Try to bear down, Queenie.

As soon as you feel the next contraction, bear down.

Ah...

Now.

I can hear the ambulance.

And it's out!

No ambulance required.

Do you hear that, Queenie? Isn't that a beautiful sound?

Glory be, but I love you.

You are perfect and you are complete.

And you are mine.

And you're crying!

And they didn't even tell me if you're a boy or a girl!

Oh, sorry! I forgot!

It's a boy!

# Ooh-ooh

# Baby love, my baby love

# I need you, oh, how I need you

# But all you do is treat me bad

# Break my heart and leave me sad

# Tell me, what did I do wrong

# To make you stay away so long? #

"How many old recollections and how many dormant sympathies,

"does Christmas-time awaken?

"Year after year, we met on that day, a merry and joyous circle.

"Many of the hearts that throbbed so gaily then, have ceased...

"..have ceased to beat.

"Many of the looks that shone

"so brightly then have ceased to glow.

"The hands we grasped, have grown cold."

"The eyes we sought, have hid their lustre in the grave.

"And yet the old house, the room, the merry voices and smiling faces,

"the jest, the laugh, crowd upon our mind at each recurrence

"of the season, as if the last assemblage had been but yesterday.

"Happy, happy Christmas!

"That can win us back to the delusions of our childish days."

That said, I'm Jewish, Sister Monica Joan.

Well, that does not prevent us from being companions in nostalgia.

Christmas is but one instance of a glimmer into the darkness.

Yes.

We have our feast of lights too, Hanukkah.

It falls almost on the same date as Christmas this year.

Joyce?

Hmm?

I'm dressed as a nurse.

Well, if it's any consolation, you weren't the only one.

Is there anything else I need to know?

It's all right, honey.

I think we're safe.

If that unholy racket you're making is supposed to be my punishment,

I accept it,

as long as it's followed by strong, black coffee.

Oh, you'll get coffee!

And it will be accompanied by a dustpan,

a brush and a pair of rubber gloves!

I suppose we ought to roll up our sleeves.

We?

We?!

Geoffrey, I have been up all night delivering a baby!

And I've been wielding a bucket for this poor lamb.

Florence Nightingale's got nothing on me.

Good morning, Rosalind.

Or should I say, Nurse Clifford.

I'm sorry.

I stayed the night at Cyril's.

Morning orders will take place in three minutes.

Nonnatus House, charlady speaking.

Has no-one observed that I did not sleep

in my accustomed bed last night?

Sister Monica Joan, this morning that is scarcely cause for comment.

Our charge, Mr Fischer, fell into a decline before midnight.

I assisted him to his bed,

then deemed it inexpedient to leave him.

Oh...

Oh, good morning, Harry.

The cloud of cologne on which you enter does nothing to reassure me.

Would you like a cup of coffee, Harry?

Merry Christmas and thank you very much to all concerned!

# Chase your rainbow anywhere you find it

# And maybe you'll find it tomorrow

# Love is a rainbow

# To light up your life

# It's a strong wind that blows away sorrow

# When you walk along the lonely road

# When you're down and all the world can see

# When you want to run away and hide... #

I was afraid both Christopher and his mother would test

positive for TB, but I was wrong - they're clean.

You weren't wrong about this, though.

Unilateral renal mass.

- Right-hand side. - Hmm.

There isn't a scrap of fat on him.

I could feel it on palpation.

Soft-tissue X-ray can be quite equivocal.

Nothing equivocal about this, though.

Wilms' tumour.

I haven't seen a Wilms' in general practice for nearly a decade.

But, yes, cancer of the kidney.

And he's two years old.

Well, there's nothing here for him, I know that.

But...

..nine months ago, we did have a REME sergeant whose daughter had it.

We got the family sent back to the UK on compassionate grounds.

- Did they lose her? - Far from it.

There's a new chemotherapy being trialled

at one of the London hospitals.

Brutal, but spectacular.

Is it working?

Yes.

I had a penny,

a bright new penny.

I took my penny

to the market square.

I wanted a rabbit,

a little brown rabbit,

and I looked for a rabbit most everywhere.

For I went to the stall

where they sold sweet lavender.

Only a penny for a bunch of lavender.

Have you got a rabbit?

Cos I don't want lavender.

They...

They didn't... have a rabbit.

Not anywhere there.

You must be baby Beryl's mummy.

Esther would like to feed Beryl.

Sister, do you think she's hungry?

Almost certainly.

She is a peckish little thing.

I can remember lying in bed and seeing

exactly this view,

of the snow, falling.

There were four of us under the eiderdown.

David, Sammy,

Isaac and me.

I have often pondered what it must be like

to share a bed with others.

It's warm.

Knock, knock!

Oh, it's not that Complan of yours again, is it?

It doesn't matter how often you gussy it up with those

paper umbrellas of yours, I'm still bored of it.

It's actually a whiskey cream punch.

A recipe that proved so efficacious at our Christmas party

I'm thinking of applying for a patent.

Is...

Is it...

Is it the 22nd today?

It's the 21st, Mr Fischer.

Oh.

Then it's tomorrow.

What's tomorrow, old chap?

The first night of Hanukkah.

The feast of lights.

Would you like me to find a Rabbi for you, Mr Fischer?

It wouldn't hurt.

Can you just take a kiddie halfway round the world, Doc?

If he needs life-saving medical treatment

and his mother gives permission, yes.

But you don't have to adopt him?

No, thank God.

It took us years to adopt May.

Christopher won't have years, he may not even have months,

if we don't act fast.

It's good of the Army to donate stuff.

I just hadn't reckoned on there being so much of it.

We need a taxi!

We're in luck!

Hibiscus House, 79 Elgin Gardens, please.

Blimey!

You know, Mum, you've done great things.

Here? In Hong Kong?

Well, here and at home.

I've only heard about you being mayor in Tower Hamlets.

But now, I've seen you - being someone, doing something

in a city I can barely get to grips with.

All I've done is raise a bit of money

and got people who CAN help talking to people who NEED help.

It's what I do. Perhaps because it's all I can do.

Well, that's not nothing.

I'm sorry I needed evidence before I could respect you for it.

There's no need to be sorry.

For anything, ever.

You're my son.

Hello, Grace, dear.

Do you need something?

Mr Fred and the doctor are in trouble.

- What sort of trouble? - Worse than trouble. They're in danger.

Please, don't ask me how I know this.

If you don't tell me, I can't act on the information.

My husband works for the Cormorant.

I hear talking on the phone.

You're not taking my son to England.

- If we don't, he will die. - You don't know that.

You've given me no proof of that.

Or any proof that you're even a doctor.

I can assure you his credentials are totally bona fide.

I'm even a Scouser.

- What school did you go to? - Liverpool Institute.

My father had an ironmonger's shop, in Cornwallis Street.

I probably walked right past it.

When war broke out, they took me to a ship to be deported.

I had an English wife I never saw again.

Sometimes you lose people.

Sometimes they're stolen.

Or you are.

Are you a gambling man, Dr Turner?

No.

I am.

If you want my son, you have to play me for him.

How about mahjong? Or cards?

Poker, chemin de fer, blackjack?

You choose.

# Baruch atah Adonai,

# Eloheinu Melech ha-olam

# Asher kid'shanu

# B'mitzvotav

# V'tzivanu l'hadlik

# Ner shel Hanukkah. #

- Amen. - Amen. - Amen.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is he allowed to choose a deputy?

- I could play on his behalf. - I don't think that would help, Fred.

You can play as many games as you want.

With cards, with words.

With me.

But if Christopher's life is lost,

who will pray for him at your altar?

Who will pray for you?

Who will carry on your family line?

You could have all of those things.

I can find a Chinese doctor for him.

I can be the one that saves his life!

Or you can just have your pride.

It doesn't matter who saves his life,

as long as it's saved!

And if it is saved, I guarantee

I will send him back to you!

Let's continue this conversation elsewhere, shall we? Go!

Doctor.

- Take the kid. - Yes.

Tell them to give him a chance.

Let him breathe as nature intended him to breathe.

There is no consolation for him now

in artificial air.

Better, old chap?

It will take time to rebuild, but the foundations have been laid.

Are you happy to be staying on?

Yes.

Because I don't doubt our purpose here.

Are you happy to be going home?

Yes.

Because I'm more convinced than ever that our work is vital,

wherever we are called.

Where do you imagine we'll be called next?

I daren't imagine.

But I will go and do whatever I am asked.

Things are ticking along like clockwork, Doctor.

Well done, Yuechan.

Pre-eclampsia isn't easy, but you did everything you were told.

To lie down is not hard work.

Good lass.

Good lass.

I'm glad this baby's arriving before we leave.

But if it's the first baby born in the new branch house, it seems

to me it should be brought into the world by one of the sisters.

Yes.

It should.

Oh, I am keeping people waiting.

They're all just as they were.

When they were here.

When we were all at home.

A little girl, Yuechan.

Congratulations.

Look at her.

Just look at her!

And, lass, she's gorgeous.

You have been my mother.

Now I'm hers.

I give her name that always bring your face to me.

We all agreed that Phyllis was too hard to say.

Not Phyllis.

Lass. Lass is easy to say.

And happy to remember.

I have seen death before.

It is terrible.

And it can be beautiful.

I think today, it was that.

I have seen lovers come to fetch the dying.

I have seen mothers come...

..but I have known no lover, I have borne no child...

..and my parents spurned me.

I have asked myself, more often of late than in years gone by...

..who will come for me when my time on Earth concludes?

Your sisters will come for you.

Those you knew in life.

Those who coached you through the novitiate.

Those who knelt beside you in prayer

and by the beds of everyone you served.

So many sisters will come.

God can't have you yet, Sister.

We can't spare you.

We should perhaps turn our attention...

..for the return of those we love.

The Hong Kong party?

Let us light lights with the living

and marvel at them while we may.

Christopher, are you going to give your mummy a kiss?

Please, keep him warm.

I've a coat to put on him,

as well as this cardigan.

It used to belong to his sister.

I like that.

Bring him home soon.

Make sure you're smiling. Look!

Smile!

Quick, quick, quick!

The little boy will get better, won't he?

There's every chance he'll get better.

Till then, we just have to take care of him.

And be his family.

Oh, they're here!

- Oh, I missed you! - Oh, Miss Higgins!

Haven't they managed well?

And this is Christopher.

He looks so sweet.

Baby Christopher.

Isn't he small?

His hair feels like mine.

Oh, my goodness,

I've been dying to see your face.

Christmas can start now, can't it?

Yes, it can.

Because I've made tea and you're home.

Ah!

Does Christmas come at the end of the year or does it

provide its turning point?

Is it the moment where we close the door on all that has

passed in the months that have preceded it?

Or is it the time where we open our arms and say, "Come, we are ready.

"We will embrace it all."

Christmas begins with a baby.

Therefore, Christmas is all that is unknown.

All we must cherish.

And all we must shield from the winds of fortune,

like a candle flame.

# O come, let us adore him

# Christ, the Lord! #