Original subtitles

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

MATURE JENNY: Who can forget

the return to work and school after the summer.

Immaculate shoes, the pristine pencil case.

The promise that this year, homework would be done on time

in absolutely perfect writing.

(SPLASH)

(EXCLAIMS)

Oh, for goodness' sake.

Sorry! Sorry.

Mom, stop fussing.

- You all right? - I'm fine.

- You sure? Okay. - I'm fine.

MATURE JENNY: The prospect of a fresh start is always an exciting one.

A clean sheet, an open book.

A chance to start again.

(INDISTINCT VOICES SINGING)

Are we near there yet?

I think it's just around the next corner.

You said that ages ago.

Yeah, well, it's a big place, this London.

How do we know we're not living in the Catholic bit?

Look, stuff like that doesn't matter here.

People in London live mixed up all together.

PEARL: Oh, there, there, there it is, there.

TERRY: Right, look. (EXCLAIMING)

Out.

(CHUCKLES)

I mean, it's just like the photo. It's perfect.

TERRY: All stocked up and ready to go.

Kids. Grab your bags.

This place opening up again?

It certainly is.

Terry Davidson, proprietor.

This is the missus.

- Pearl. - Hello.

TERRY: Yeah, we've just taken over the lease.

Fred Buckle. Pleased to meet you.

Is that an Irish accent I'm hearing?

Northern Irish. Is that a problem?

FRED: Well, not for me.

As long as you sell The Sporting Life,

me and you are gonna be the best of chums.

Right.

Close your eyes and open your hands.

Love it.

I had it made before we left.

Thought you could put it above the door.

Is there anything you haven't thought of?

Food. I think we passed a chipper a few streets back.

All right. Well, I'll nip out and get some.

TERRY: You make a start in the shop.

The kids can help.

The first session I call the three P's.

Puberty, periods and pongs.

Personal hygiene.

All the girls in the class are over 16, so they've been through most of it.

But you'd be surprised how little they know about their own bodies.

Mind you,

I thought that babies came out through the belly button when I was little.

The first day of midwifery training must have been an eye-opener.

(CHUCKLES)

It's good of the youth club to run the classes, but...

Can't help thinking a girl should be taught these things by her mother.

Not every parent is up to the job.

VALERIE: They prefer to leave the embarrassment to us.

Oh.

Don't be nervous.

Just follow my lead.

Right. I think we're all set.

Oh! Hang on.

The girls always wanna know about these.

Tampons?

For unmarried girls?

Come on.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(HUMMING)

(HONKS) (TIRES SCREECH)

(YELLS)

Sorry, I'm late. My mum forgot to sign my permission slip.

LUCILLE: Thank you.

But, whatever you call your monthlies,

there's no need for them to interfere with your daily life.

Especially with modern sanitary protection.

You're probably familiar with this style of sanitary belt.

It's standard issue.

Unlike the old days, pads are disposable

and you can buy them at any chemist, in all sizes.

But...

There are also other options.

Tampons are worn internally

and come with a little cardboard applicator

so you can get them in just the right position.

Or you can just wear something like this.

Oh. Well, yes.

But you can't go swimming in a sanitary belt

or wear it under your swimsuit on the beach on a sunny day.

There are very few days one can wear a swimsuit on the beach in England.

Yes.

So, it's very annoying

if you happen to be on your period on the one day the sun is shining.

Anyway, pass them around, see what you think.

VALERIE: Elizabeth, you first.

You might try to be a bit more positive.

Sorry, but you know my views.

PEARL: I sent him out for chips an hour ago.

He'll have gone to see a man about a dog.

Hmm.

(DOOR OPENS)

Excuse me?

We're making enquiries about a Mr. Terrence Davidson.

I'm his wife.

I thought I heard rustling.

I'm instructed to pack for the hospital.

Standard provisions would be a nightgown and toiletry bag.

But what about nourishment?

Keats may feed my brain,

but what about my belly?

Sister Monica Joan.

Provisions for the hospital.

SISTER JULIENNE: The operation isn't until next week.

I suggest

we revisit your preparations in the morning.

So how was that, then?

Anything interesting?

Only table-tennis.

Oh.

It's late, Elizabeth. Let's get you home.

Today, is it?

Fred Buckle. I met your husband the day you arrived.

I've been looking in the papers for a notice.

There wasn't one.

No one round here knew Terry.

I would come. I still could. I could nip out and get changed.

Thank you, but it's a family funeral only.

I've been in your shoes.

If there's anything that you need, anything at all, just ask.

Thank you, Mr. Buckle, I know you mean well,

but you needn't concern yourself with my troubles.

I can manage perfectly well on my own.

Come on, kids.

Good day, Mr. Buckle.

Oh, is today the big day?

The planets are not well-aligned.

Oh. Oh, dear.

Thank you, Nurse Hereward,

but we'd like to accomplish this with as little fuss as possible.

Come along, Sister Monica Joan.

Good luck at the hospital.

What sort of business do you have Mrs. Davidson?

It's a news agent.

I find it hard to leave during business hours.

I can't afford to lose the trade.

Oh. Is there no one who can help you?

Your husband?

He was killed in a car accident.

Just after we arrived.

I'm sorry.

Do you have any family in England?

No.

But me and Terry, we stood on our own feet.

That's what I'm gonna keep doing.

And I am going to get a midwife

to visit you at home, Mrs. Davidson.

With luck,

someone should come out to you this evening.

Very well.

But you must tell her if you're struggling.

I'm not struggling, thank you.

I'm very capable.

There.

Sister Winifred and I have drawn up a rota so one of us will visit every day.

You won't be on your own.

Sometimes solitude is the best society.

(LOUD LAUGHTER)

(EXCLAIMING) Giddy-up, giddy-up.

Oh, you young men can take me round the block any day of the week.

There's not many fellows take my missus for a ride

and live to tell the tale.

(LAUGHING)

Oh, sorry, Sister. (CHUCKLES)

Albie Valentine.

And this is my missus, Maudie.

She'd never normally be fruity in front of a nun,

but she didn't see you there.

She's blind as an old bat.

I'm in to get me cataract done.

Ripe as a French fig and ready for slicing.

I'm Mrs. Shelagh Turner

and this is Sister Monica Joan,

Order of St. Raymond Nonnatus.

Then there's no need to stand on ceremony, Albie.

Nonnatuns, they've seen it all.

Oh, yeah. Your lot delivered all of ours.

If you don't remember Maudie's face, you might remember the other half.

(BOTH LAUGH)

I imagine your wife wants to get settled.

Plenty time to catch up later.

Now, where's that handsome young man?

He needs to get me into bed.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Hello?

Shop?

You'll need to be quick.

I'm cashing up.

Aren't you a little young to be a shopkeeper?

I'm the man round here now.

Well, before you ring up for the night,

may I trouble you for a bag of flying saucers?

My daddy says these taste like communion wafers.

I agree.

But my husband can't get enough of them.

But then, he is a Vicar, so that might explain things.

Mrs. Davidson? Nurse Hereward, midwife.

I believe you're expecting me.

The egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus,

and if it meets a male seed or sperm...

(GIRLS LAUGH)

Then the two cells unite and a baby begins to grow.

Any questions? Yeah.

My sister says that if a lady goes for a wee after doing it,

then it washes out the man's seed and the lady won't fall for a baby.

Hmm. Not true.

If you look here you can see the urinary tract and the vagina

are completely separate.

Nurse Anderson?

LUCILLE: Please copy the picture on the board

and label the body parts with their anatomically correct names.

There. Wasn't too bad, was it?

If they were to ask me those questions, I wouldn't know where to look.

You look them right in the eye and you give it to them straight.

VALERIE: Better that than they go around with their heads stuffed full of nonsense.

(GIRLS LAUGHING) Ah. Come on, girls. Buckle down.

If your others were both nine pounders,

it's no surprise this one's a good size too.

Oh. (CHUCKLES)

Active as well.

You must be getting kicked to bits.

I haven't really been paying attention.

No. I can only imagine how difficult it's been.

Is the flat good enough? I've scrubbed it top to bottom.

Just don't judge me on my curtains.

That window looks on to a brick wall and that one's got bars.

It's fine for a home delivery.

And spotless.

Though, you might want to get rid of these boxes.

BARBARA: They don't leave much space.

They're Terry's things.

I'm so sorry. I, I didn't think.

I don't know what to do with them.

I could help you go through them.

Or just sit with you... While you do it.

Well, that's not part of your job.

When I'm not being a midwife, I'm the wife of a curate.

Helping people through life's vile moments is very much in my remit.

Please.

I'd like to help.

Thanks, girls. Don't dally, we ran a bit over.

See you next time.

Interesting labeling.

I'm fairly sure that tuppence

isn't an anatomical term. (LAUGHS)

Elizabeth?

Sorry, just coming.

There you are.

I've been sitting outside getting worried.

Come on, let's go.

What on earth?

VALERIE: It's just an exercise we do.

So the girls know what's what down below.

For the health and relationship class?

The what?

You signed a form for Elizabeth to attend.

I saw the slip myself.

I certainly did not.

Why would I want her exposed to this filth?

Why do you ruin everything?

You haven't heard the last of this.

So sorry. I spent longer with my last lady than I should.

Whoa. Why don't you just sit down for two minutes?

When we were in Birmingham, I had time to do our housework.

But now your shirt pile is getting out of hand.

So leave them. I never used to iron my shirts before.

I just used to put my jacket on and let the creases fold out themselves.

Yes, and when you were single that was endearing.

But now people will just think I'm a terrible wife.

You are a perfect wife.

I don't know about that.

But I'm trying.

Our Father, who art in heaven.

Hallowed be thy name.

Six kids I've got, Sister.

Albie would've had more,

but I had to put a stop to it in the end.

Well, nature intervened.

I stood up one day to put on the kettle

and my insides fell into me knickers.

(CHUCKLES)

Course, you'd be no stranger to that kind of thing.

MONICA JOAN: Please.

I will have peace

to say the offices of the day.

If you say so.

I've just taken a call from the council.

There's been a complaint about the class at last night's youth club.

SISTER JULIENNE: From a Mrs. Walker, mother of Elizabeth?

Well, Sister...

SISTER JULIENNE: The allegation that shocks me the most

is that Nurse Anderson encouraged the girls

to produce drawings of an indelicate nature.

My days.

The drawing was my idea, Sister, and was purely anatomical.

That may well be the case,

but I'm afraid all further classes will be cancelled.

Pending investigation.

That's it?

There's nothing we can do?

I suggest a visit to Mrs. Walker

with a fulsome apology.

Her kiddies are about the same age as my two when I was widowed.

I was away with the war.

(SIGHS)

It was friends and neighbors that held my family together.

Now, Mrs. Davidson's got none of that.

Popped into the shop the other day but I could hardly get a word out of her.

She's a proud woman.

(BICYCLE BELL RINGS)

- Right. She's back in action. - Thanks, Fred.

And, uh...

Tell Mrs. Davidson I was asking after her.

Will do.

Mrs. Davidson will get there.

We all do...

In the end.

NURSE: Let's get you along to theatre.

No. I've changed my mind.

Go on, off with you. Give me some peace.

It's you who assaults my ears

with your incessant chatter.

Try to be calm, Sister.

It will make things easier.

Pray for me.

And for my immortal soul.

NURSE: You're in good hands, Sister.

We can only apologize.

If we had known your daughter had forged her permission slip...

My daughter is not at fault here.

It is you.

Exposing unmarried girls to things they have no business knowing.

Mrs. Walker...

It's my experience that

the more information a young woman has, the better.

My experience.

That precocious knowledge destroys lives.

I have seen it.

Even in my own family. My sister. Ruined. So, no.

I will not withdraw my complaint.

In fact, I will not rest until your classes

are banned from every youth club in the borough.

Elizabeth?

Show the nurses out.

I'm so sorry. I never meant to cause any trouble.

Don't worry. It's not your fault.

How else am I supposed to learn anything?

I used to be allowed to go to the library until

she found me reading a paperback romance.

The youth club was the last thing I could go to by myself.

She doesn't trust me to go anywhere.

Elizabeth, your mother mentioned something about her sister.

Aunty Lily.

What do you know about her?

Nothing.

Except her name.

Elizabeth, I thought you were showing the nurses out.

I'm alive.

I'm alive.

I've walked through the valley of ether.

And come out the other side.

But you must lie very quietly to allow things to settle.

The nurse has put sandbags on either side of your head

to remind you not to turn.

Do you think you can manage to be still?

I shall meditate

on stories of miraculous deliverance.

What an excellent idea.

But first, perhaps a little sleep.

I can sleep when I'm dead.

But for now,

I am alive.

(SOBS)

I am alive.

Mrs. Davidson?

Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn,

but have you given any thought to going back to Ireland?

There's no future for us there.

Terry made me see that.

Though, I'd never have made the move without him.

He made me brave.

He always had a plan.

Let's have another baby.

Lease the shop. Move to England.

Look at us now.

Hundreds of miles from home and not a penny in the bank

And him nowhere to be seen.

And I'm not brave.

Not anymore.

And I hate him for it.

For leaving me here.

God forgive me, but I do.

And I hate that I hate him, because I've loved him all my life.

(SOBBING)

MAUDIE: Oh.

Oh.

(EXCLAIMING)

SISTER MONICA JOAN: Hush now.

All is well.

I can't move.

SISTER MONICA JOAN: We are hemmed in by our sheets.

We must lie in our trenches until our wounds are healed.

This isn't a trench. It's a coffin.

I'm under the earth.

Buried in blackness.

That's the eyepatch.

I fancy we look quite Napoleonic.

I don't like it.

Nurse. Nurse!

Summon your inner strength, Mrs. Valentine.

You are the mistress of your vision.

Custodio Occulorum.

Custard? What's custard got to do with it?

SISTER MONICA JOAN: No, not custard.

Custody.

Take custody of your mind's eye.

SISTER MONICA JOAN: Instruct it to show you something wonderful.

The night ablaze

with a shimmering Aurora Borealis.

Or, the might of the majestic Zambezi

as it drops like a curtain at Victoria Falls.

Now, what can you see?

Custard.

Lots and lots of custard.

SISTER MONICA JOAN: Ah.

So do I.

Oh, it looks delicious.

SISTER JULIENNE: Oh, I spoke to St. Cuthbert's.

Sister Monica Joan had a good night.

- Oh, that's wonderful. - And I have other news.

Following several letters of support from parents,

the council have decided you may resume your health and relationship classes.

Oh, goodness.

It was very unfair that one parent could prevent the education of so many girls.

You've changed your tune.

Not entirely.

But I've been given food for thought.

I have assured the relevant authorities that, uh, you will redouble our efforts

to ensure that all participants have appropriate parental permission.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

(CHILDREN EXCLAIMING)

What a racket.

I hope that sweetie is not intended for Sister Monica Joan.

She's prone, so at risk of choking.

No, no.

Like a Roman, I have become adept

at the art of recumbent dining.

All the same.

Quite so.

(MOUTHS) Sorry.

I don't know how they all slip past the wards, Sister.

There are strict rules on the number of visitors.

Now, I thought I might read to you.

Where's your book of Keats?

Hey, anybody fancy a game of rummy? I've got me cards.

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

Why don't we start with

Ode on a Grecian Urn.

(SIGHS)

- Welcome back. - Thank you.

I've got everyone's permission slip.

I'm not taking any chances.

MRS. WALKER: Oh, here you all are.

Well, you should all be ashamed of yourselves.

Shame!

Shame. Shame on you, and shame on your parents.

Mrs. Walker, that is enough.

Wait till the filth turns your minds. Then your mothers will be sorry.

Girls. Into the cafe and close the door.

But they're children. They're innocent children!

If you continue to harass my class,

I will be forced to call the police.

I'll call them myself.

It's you who's peddling filth!

Now, you listen, and you listen good.

VALERIE: You need to drop this.

What, am I to stand by while you corrupt their young minds?

When I know how it ends? When I've seen it with my own eyes?

Mrs. Walker. What happened to your sister?

I can't.

If I don't understand, I can't help.

It's too late.

As soon as she did it, it was too late.

Did what?

Up an alley with the boys.

And once she started she couldn't stop.

Climbing out the window in the middle of the night,

at it like a sewer rat until she was ruined.

I can still hear her crying when they took her away.

Where did she go?

Reform school.

I never saw her again.

Not once in all these years?

Well, I told you what she was like.

Even if I could find her, why would I want to?

Because she's your family.

(BOTH EXCLAIMING)

Ah, I must say that was a very invigorating recital.

As you know, I'm extremely partial to Spanish guitar music.

I thought the guitarist was rather partial to you.

He kept looking your way.

Indeed, the poor chap had a lazy eye.

(LAUGHS) Oh, Phyllis.

BARBARA: Is that smoke coming from Mrs. Davidson's shop?

The family live above. (DOOR HANDLE RATTLING)

Hello!

Hello!

The flat's at the back. They won't hear.

Go and call the fire brigade, Barbara.

(GLASS BREAKING)

BARBARA: Fire, please.

And an ambulance.

Hello? Hello up there.

(BANGING ON DOOR)

(BANGING ON DOOR)

PHYLLIS: Mrs. Davidson!

Mummy. Mummy.

There's someone at the door.

(BANGING CONTINUES)

How did they get in?

Did we not lock the shop?

(BANGING ON DOOR)

Go away.

Or I'll call the police.

Fire! Fire!

(BANGING)

(COUGHING)

Get the children.

We can hurl them down through the window.

It is barely six inches between the glass and the wall.

Looks alarming, but I think we should take our chances.

Cover the children. Wrap them up well.

Keep your nose and your mouth covered.

(COUGHING)

This is for you.

I'll lead the way and you bring up the rear.

Here we go. Now, keep low.

Right. Head down, head down, head down.

- Go. Down, down, down. - All right, don't breathe too hard.

(COUGHING)

BARBARA: Phyllis!

Phyllis.

This way, this way. Come to me.

BARBARA: Come to me.

That's it, that's it.

Mind the ladder, Phyllis.

Go on lad, run to Barbara.

Phyllis!

(COUGHING)

BARBARA: Help! Help!

My friend she's inside, please help.

BARBARA: Help! Please help her.

I think she's trapped.

Phyllis.

I thought you were...

(COUGHING) Take more than a little thing like a fire to finish me off.

Oh, I was so scared for you.

Oh!

Where is everyone?

Is any medical attention required?

Yes. By you.

I think you're in shock and you've inhaled a lot of smoke.

Oh, oh bother.

- Excuse me. MAN: Yes?

This lady needs help.

PHYLLIS: Thank you.

Where have you been, Barbara?

I'll explain in a minute.

But we have some guests for the night.

I'm afraid you'll all have to bunk in together in our room.

Why don't you pop into the sitting room, while I make a fresh bed?

Thank you.

TOM: You'll need my help.

I'll get some blankets.

(SINGING) Oh Lord abide with me

(CLAPPING AND LAUGHING)

MAUDIE: You choose next.

MONICA JOAN: The one you taught is my new favorite.

MAUDIE: Well, you start then.

(CLEARS THROAT)

(SINGING) You are my sunshine

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

(SIGHS)

The children are finally asleep.

I am never letting you out of my sight again.

- You could've been... - I was never in any danger.

Phyllis was the hero of the hour.

Excuse me.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but my waters have just broken I'm having pains.

You are blessed with your family.

My people were cold fish.

MAUDIE: Well, it ain't at all fun and games.

The kids bring me their troubles and I wear them.

And Albie looks cheery enough,

but he never got over us losing our youngest in the war.

Some days he takes to his bed and all I can do is

hold him till he stops bawling.

Didn't you ever want a fella?

(SCOFFS)

Jason held a fleeting appeal,

but Odysseus was my one true love.

Local boy, was he?

He felt so to me.

MAUDIE: But you chose the church.

I chose a life of service and study

and the freedom to pursue both.

For me,

marriage would've been a jail.

(PEARL SCREAMING)

(SCREAMING)

That's it, Pearl. Keep going.

Keep going. (SCREAMING)

Rest. Rest, now. Rest.

Rest for a moment. You're doing wonderfully.

Wonderfully.

(SIGHS)

Last two times.

Terry was outside the door.

Driving the midwife mad with questions.

I keep looking for him to see if he's there.

(SOBBING)

Here we go.

That's the way.

(SCREAMING)

That's the way. Let's meet baby.

Breathe, breathe, breathe, slowly.

Slowly. Slowly. That's it. That's it.

Here comes baby.

That's it. That's it.

Oh, look. (BABY CRIES)

BARBARA: Hello.

(LAUGHING) Oh.

What is it?

It's a little girl.

Oh, Terry was sure it was a boy.

Wrong again.

She's perfect.

Yes, she is.

(GRUNTING)

BARBARA: I'm just going to have a little listen.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

BARBARA: Ah, perfect timing.

I came to check on you, but I see I have been overtaken by events.

How are mother and baby?

Pearl did wonderfully.

Then I'll leave you to it.

I imagine you both need some sleep.

Actually, doctor, if you wouldn't mind staying a little longer.

We're not quite out of the woods yet.

Pearl, did anyone suggest to you that you might be expecting twins?

Oh.

I can't do this anymore.

I'm too tired.

I know you're exhausted.

But your body knows what to do.

We'll just sit here together quietly, until it's time.

(DOOR OPENS)

PATRICK: Oh, sorry to wake you.

Baby number two is on the way.

Come for more hot water.

Let me do that. I'm sure you've got more important things to do.

It won't be long now and you can have your wife back.

(GRUNTING)

BARBARA: That's lovely, Pearl.

I can see the baby's head.

Keep that push going as long as you can.

That's it.

That's it, now, breathe gently. Breathe.

That's it.

And the head is born.

Baby's in its waters.

Look, where have you been hiding?

A nice gentle push for me, Pearl.

That's it. That's it.

Now, that's it.

(LAUGHS) Baby's here.

Well done.

Oh, hello.

Oh, well done.

(BABY CRIES)

BARBARA: You have one of each.

Little boy.

Oh, well done.

MRS. WALKER: You were right.

Whatever she did, she's still my sister.

And she shouldn't be out there with me not knowing where she is.

So, how do you plan to find her?

My mother was never done threatening me with that reform school.

I thought if I contacted them, they might have some idea

of where Lily went after she left.

It's a place called Larkhill.

Oh, was it over the river in Bermondsey?

Yes, I think so.

Do you know it?

Maybe.

But, if it is the same place

it was never a reform school.

It was a mental asylum.

Lily?

You still love to dance.

Mrs. Walker. This is your sister.

Lily was admitted in 1938.

When she was 15.

The diagnosis at the time was moral insanity.

Her family felt she was exhibiting inappropriate sexual behavior.

And the doctors here just took their word for it?

Lily was pregnant when she was admitted.

No. That's not possible.

The child was adopted.

Lily still talks about him.

She was put in here for one mistake?

Why is she still here?

As I say,

Ms. Ellingham never really got over giving up her child for adoption.

If she wasn't mentally disturbed when she was admitted

she is now.

"Though seen of none save him whose strenuous tongue

"Can burst joy's grape against his palate fine."

That Keats fellow done hath write some codswallop.

MAUDIE: You wanna read a proper writer like Wendelin de la Reich.

Oh.

I don't think I'm familiar with her.

Course you are.

Caribbean Kisses?

Doctor's Delight?

Afraid I'm drawing a blank.

Call yourself educated women.

LILY: That's you.

That's right.

I'm your sister.

Maureen?

Mo?

Mo.

Where's your ribbon?

(SIGHS)

I stopped wearing ribbons a long time ago.

Oh, Lil.

They never told me you were here.

Or about your baby.

(SNIFFS)

Not even when I was old enough to understand.

I'm sorry.

I might have been able to help you.

You were always a good little girl.

(SNIFFS) You've got a niece.

Elizabeth.

That's my little girl.

Oh, not so little now.

Oh, she's a lovely girl.

I always thought she took after you more than me.

Although there's a touch of my husband in there as well.

You're lucky.

Baby.

Husband.

He left.

We weren't compatible.

He wanted us to be close,

and so did I, I wanted nothing more,

but I couldn't.

Like mum always said, girls who liked it...

Wind up in trouble.

(DOOR OPENS)

Sorry, ladies. I'm afraid that's visiting over.

Oh.

Don't go.

I'll come back.

Now I know where you are.

Come on.

(BABY CRYING)

Is it...

Is it really bad?

The fire damage?

Yes. I'm afraid it is.

I could lose my children.

I have no home. I have no means of making a living.

Oh, Pearl.

LUCILLE: What a waste of two lives.

Lily Ellingham was damned because she did.

Her sister was damned because she didn't.

I'm sorry I doubted you.

And the classes.

Thank you.

But, I'm not sure the classes would've saved either of the sisters.

Perhaps not.

But with a little knowledge,

they might have made different choices.

Right, now hold still while I pop your new glasses on you.

NURSE: It may take a while for your eyes to adjust.

Can you see?

Oh.

It's a miracle.

(CHUCKLES)

It's a miracle.

Worthy of the name.

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

Isn't it?

Oh.

Do they know what caused the fire?

They think it was a cigarette.

The flat is mainly smoke damage, which is bad enough.

But the shop, it's gutted.

Well, insurance will cover it, won't it?

I'm afraid Mr. and Mrs. Davidson hadn't got around to sorting out insurance.

- Eh? - She had so little before,

but now she's lost her shop

and her children are in care until she can get a roof over her head.

I can do something.

I'll have a word with the fellows at the CDC.

We'll see her right.

I thought we would look out some bits for the Davidson babies.

Everything their mother had will smell of smoke.

Now, we just need to find some new clothes for Alistair and Hazel.

That's in hand.

I made an emergency appeal to the cubs

to ask their mothers for any appropriate hand-me-downs.

PHYLLIS: Early results are very promising.

Goodness, what a haul.

There's a lot of competition between the sixes.

Parakeets are currently leading the league of donations.

Surprise. Surprise.

Oh, Tommy Parker.

Their sixer, a charming boy but devoid of scruples.

I saw his little sister going off to school this morning

in shoes but no socks.

(LAUGHS)

(MEN TALKING)

Come on.

Let's get you three home.

(BABIES COOING)

SISTER WINIFRED: And there,

under the Caribbean sun that was as hot as the fire burning in his loins.

Sebastian took her in his arms

and kissed her.

Thoroughly.

Oh, I missed you two so much.

I'll never go away again, I promise.

Should we go inside and see what the lads have done?

Oh, Mr. Buckle, it looks better than it ever did.

Wait till you see inside.

Are those for Aunt Lily?

We hated carbolic when we were kids.

Can't stand thinking of her using it every day.

Well, you could put little notes in

to know what you're up to.

But I'm not up to anything.

Am I?

Library's open tomorrow.

If you wanna go.

Oh, the twins are adorable.

Just wait till you see how much they've grown.

I don't know what Mrs. Davidson's thinking.

She's got enough on her hands without having to entertain people.

Oh, she's determined to thank everyone and I think we should let her.

(SHIVERS)

Is it me or is it chilly in here?

You've still not shaken off that cold.

How about I fetch you some tea and toast?

Thank you. That would be a treat.

(COUGHS)

Sorry, would you prefer Marmite?

Come down the stall if you fancy a natter.

Or a free bag of plums.

I may take you up on that offer.

You know, at the beginning, I hated calling you Sister.

Too formal.

But now it feels like the most normal thing in the world.

MAUDIE: Because you are like a sister to me.

And you to me.

Come on then, old girl.

Let's get you home where you belong.

Go safely.

Wonder who you'll have for company when you come back to get the other eye done.

I doubt she'll be as amusing as Mrs. Valentine and her brood.

You've seen both sides.

Which is best?

Neither and both.

We do not choose.

We're chosen.

Caribbean Kisses?

A souvenir from a friend.

You may take it if you wish.

I can put it in the maternity home.

It will be appreciated there.

Though, obviously I'll have to skim it first to check that it's suitable.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Tom, why didn't you wake me?

Because you're not well.

You've been burning up all day.

But I can't miss Mrs. Davidson's party, I...

Oh.

Although my head is splitting.

TOM: You've been doing too much and this is the result.

You're on bed rest until I say so.

I've even hired a nurse to make sure you stay put this evening.

She'll be right up.

TOM: I may be late.

After the party I need to drop in on old Mr. Hennick on the way home.

I come bearing honey and lemon.

I don't need to be supervised.

I told Mr. Hereward to take all the time he needs.

You really don't have to stay.

And you shouldn't miss the thank you party.

Knowing that family are back home is all the thanks I need.

And you do look peaky.

PHYLLIS: Hot and clammy too.

- Excuse us. - Sorry.

Mr. Buckle, would I be chancing my arm if I ask one more favor?

I think my husband would be happy to have it on the door.

And maybe one day, T. Davidson Jr. will want the shop.

Oh, I thought Alistair was next in line to run the family business.

Change of plan, he's gonna be an astronaut.

And if Terry has a son of his own then it'll all work out perfect.

Yeah, maybe.

How is she?

Fever, headache and now a rash.

Restricted to her arms, last time I checked.

I'm fine.

- Barbara? - Mmm?

Can you try and bend your neck?

(GRUNTING)

I can't.

I don't want to pre-empt a diagnosis,

but there's definitely an element of septicemia.

- I should call an ambulance. - Yes.

I think I'm rather unwell.

Not to worry.

The hospital will get you fixed up in no time.

(SHIVERS)

(HUMMING You Are My Sunshine)

How's the patient?

Do you have everything you need?

Yes, thank you. I believe I do.

(CONTINUES HUMMING)

MATURE JENNY: Some pages take longer to turn than others.

It doesn't matter if a spotless sheet follows a blotted one,

or if the preceding lines are blurred with tears.

What went before is erased

or embraced.

As we begin another chapter.

Tom.

Am I needed somewhere?

I'm afraid I have to take you to the hospital.

Do they need a chaplain urgently?

Barbara's not well.

It's Barbara who needs you.

What?

Get in. We're going straight there.

She's still going strong. She's a fighter is our Barbara.

He's being pulled in all directions at the moment.

With the clinic, his surgery and wade-lock house.

There's a local boy in there.

Same age as Tim, he troubles me.

LUCILLE: I like to pray with other people,

that's how I was brought up.

I would gladly let the good Lord take me

if He would spare her.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)