All language subtitles for Call.the.Midwife.S00E01.WEBRip.x264-ION10

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

It's on!

It's on!

It's on!

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

(MARKET TRADERS SHOUTING)

BOY: Hurry up, you lot!

(ALL LAUGHING)

(LAUGHING)

MATURE JENNY: My first
Christmas in Poplar was unlike
any other I had known.

The streets, like all streets,
were strung with
coloured lights,

and children drew up lists,
like children everywhere.

As the days ticked down,

it seemed as though
the district was fizzing
with delight.

But at Nonnatus House,

a different magic was at work.

The sisters spent Advent
in prayer and meditation.

And the atmosphere was not
one of excitement,

but of expectant, joyous calm.

I wasn't entirely sure
what I should make of it.

I was young, and faith was
still a mystery to me.

(PHONE RINGING)

Nonnatus House,
midwife speaking.

It's me neighbour.
She started having pains.

Name, please?

Hilda Levons,
Lisbon Buildings.

You're meant to be sending her
down the hospital. She's
already crying her eyes out.

-(BABY CRYING)
-First one, she was in
labour for three days.

I'll come out and assess her.
Keep her tucked up
and warm till I get there.

(EXASPERATED SIGH)

It's all right, baby.
It's all right. Come here.

Mrs Levons was very anxious
at the last appointment.

I'll come with you
to reassure her,

and then go on to
the mastitis case.

Oh, straw for the crib.
Well done, Sister Monica Joan.

I availed myself of
the kindness of some customers
in the market.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)
The spirit of the season

would appear to be amongst us.

(BICYCLE BELL RINGS)

(BABY CRYING)

Nurse!

You gotta come quick, Nurse!

Hurry, quickly!
She's in here. Come on!

She's through here.

-JULIENNE: Take that.
-Follow me. Please, hurry up.

(HILDA SCREAMING)

Hilda, it's all right.
The Nonnatans have come.

-You can stop pushing.
-I can't stop!

Let me through,
please, I'm a midwife.

HILDA: I need to go
to the hospital.

I had to have forceps
with the last one.

Second stage, Sister.

Don't distress yourself,
Hilda. All is well.

(MOANING)

Please, everybody,
stand right back so
we can assist Mrs Levons.

It might help if you
were dispersed elsewhere.

Begging your pardon.
This is a communal toilet,
and I was in the queue.

Get yourself down
the other bloody landing.

-I can't do this on my own!
-Yes, you can.

I want you to take
nice, steady breaths

in between each contraction,
it will help you to feel
a lot calmer.

-(INHALING DEEPLY)
-Good.

-(BELL RINGING OUTSIDE)
-Oh, thank God. Thank God.

Who sent for an ambulance?

It wasn't necessary at all.

If you really want
to be of help,
you will boil a kettle,

fill some hot water bottles,

fetch clean, dry towels,
a basin

and a blanket.

HILDA: I'm going to
need forceps again.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your
attendance. All is in order
for the meanwhile.

All right, Sister.

I want you to inch
forward for me, Hilda.

-(MOANING)
-That's a good girl.
A bit more.

I can't have it here!
I haven't had my enema!

The vertex is visible, Sister.

Shall I tell you
something, Hilda?
You're doing splendidly.

Nurse Lee and I aren't
going to leave your side.

Now, on this next contraction,
I want you to make as
little noise as possible.

I want you to put
all that energy inwards
as you bear down.

MRS JONES: Hot water bottles
are on their way.

Good.

That's wonderful! Well done.
Well done.

-Keep going.
-JULIENNE: Now on
this next contraction,

I think we're going
to have the baby's head.

(MOANS LOUDLY)

(GRUNTING)

Really good.

Really good.

JULIENNE: Well done now.

(CRYING)

JULIENNE: Lovely girl, Hilda.

(EXCITED CHATTER)

I can't believe it.

(BABY CRYING)

Can't believe it.

MATURE JENNY:
There were days,
and deliveries

where I couldn't
believe it either.

Birth was and will always be
the most commonplace
of miracles,

an event at once
familiar and phenomenal,

timeless and immediate,

briefly making
angels of us all.

(BABIES CRYING)

Over 18 pounds, bravo.
About the same size
as a turkey.

All the children
for vaccinations
over this way, please.

And anyone who doesn't
line up nicely will be
reported to Father Christmas.

Trixie.

And you needn't think
I don't know
where to find him.

Last year, he left his
number in my stocking.

Lynette, take the boys
over for their needles.

Mum, don't say
needles in front of them,
you know they'll kick off.

If they're frightfully brave
and well-behaved, they'll get
a Jelly Baby afterwards.

But better hurry up,
otherwise all the black ones
will be gone.

(BABY CRYING)

Watch out!

Come on, mind out me way.
I want a star on top of this,
not somebody's eyeball.

Season's greetings
to you, too.

Do I have to undress him?
It's on the nippy side
in here.

Down to his napkin
if you would, Mrs Duncan.

Hand-knits weigh
rather heavy on the scales.

-A Christmas tree!
Got it! Stop it!
-Get off!

I'll see you at tea time.
Better hurry.

(BICYCLE BELL RINGS)

Has a baby been born?

JENNY: Yes, there has.
WOMAN: Is it thriving?

-Yes.
-Is it?

-Yes.
-And the mother?

Is she thriving, too?

Mother and baby
are both doing well.

I'm afraid you must
let me pass, I'm expected
elsewhere.

Both doing well.

Thank God, Nurse.

Thank God.

Hmm. There's
a bolt loose somewhere,
I reckon.

Or a wire.

Oi, sonny, go and wiggle
that plank for me.

The electric always slows down
in the cold weather.

That's what you
call atmospherics.

Don't tickle it. Clump it one.

We'll be sat in the
blooming dark at this rate.

Then how's the reindeers
gonna find their way, eh?

Ah. Ow!

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

You won't be laughing
come Cubs' Nativity.

How's Bethlehem gonna look
without tree and lights, eh?

What ho, Lynette.
Looking for the pamphlet
on three-month colic. Oh.

-Something caught your eye?
-Not really.

Are you interested in
coming into nursing?

You must be
finishing school soon.

Easter. Then I start as
a filing clerk down
at Carson's Wool.

My dad's their
warehouse foreman.

Gosh.
Nothing like connections.

Must be rather jolly,
seeing doors begin to open.

Big, wide world, all of that.

I suppose.

Happy reading.

FRED: Stop mucking about
with that plug, there.

No one told you
plugs are dangerous?

You'd have had more success
pulling her teeth out
one by one.

One can't help having
a sort of spasm of
fellow feeling.

Do you remember
what it felt like?

Feels as though you'd
never stop growing.

Like Alice in Wonderland
when she ate the cake.

Dreading being noticed,

and fearing you
aren't visible at all.

Can't say I do.

Never seen anyone so decrepit.

I have to say,
I've got a jolly robust nose,

but a meths drinker
asked me for small change
the other day,

it was all I could do to
keep my bran flakes down.

I don't think
she was a drinker.

And there was
actual mildew on her coat.

-She was asking
after the baby, you say?
-Yes.

Sounds like someone
we used to see a lot of
up Stepney boarders.

Used to call her Mrs Jenkins.
I don't think that was
her real name.

Not quite the full picnic,
if you ask me.

But she always knew
if a birth was taking place.

Never thought Lisbon Buildings

would have been
her stamping ground.

Do you know, I think
I saw her the other day.

I'm sorry to say it,
but the poor old thing
was widdling in the gutter.

Well, that's definitely
her, then.

A lot of demolition
up Stepney way.

She may have moved
her lodgings or lost 'em.

Righty-ho.
For the next two hours,
I only answer to Akela.

The things you see
when you haven't got a gun.

(CHILDREN CHEERING)

(CHILDREN WHOOPING)

(SCOUTING CALL TO ORDER)

(SCOUTING CALL TO ORDER)

Shut up!

Thank you, Jack.

BOY: Stop pushing me.

Neil and Kenneth,
we do not need any flags.

We're putting our semaphore
to one side this week

and concentrating
on our Nativity play.

ALL: Hooray!

Now, as you know,
we're going to perform it
for our mothers and fathers

on the last Thursday
before Christmas.

Everyone taking part will get
their entertainer badge,

apart from Timothy Turner,

who'll be getting
his musician badge
for playing the violin.

Now, calling all shepherds.

Jack, what about you?
Aren't you supposed to be
a shepherd?

"Oh, what blazing
light is this?"

I've grown out of
me old dressing gown.

You said we had to have
dressing gowns.

(TIMOTHY PLAYING SILENT NIGHT )

Well, why doesn't Gary
take your part?

He can be a shepherd,
you can play Balthasar.

Can I still have a crook?

-(BLOWS WHISTLE)
-Stop it, please.

Timothy.

(TIMOTHY STOPS)

Oh! Donkey's ears.

-(LAUGHTER)
-(BRAYING SOUNDS)

Now, the Alice band
has already perished,

so I want you to
treat those as though
they're made of porcelain.

What's porcelain?

BOY: Not him again.

Oh, bravo. Reinforcements.

Excuse my tardiness.

I've been making enquiries
about a manger.

(BOYS CHATTERING)

Gosh. Move over
Prince Rainier of Monaco.

Do you suppose your mother
will run you up a cape?

(CLEARS THROAT)

(CHUMMY CHATTERING
BEHIND DOOR)

You all right, there?

Picking my brothers up.

My mum and dad don't like them
running around unsupervised.

Good for them,
that's what I say.

CHUMMY: Now, in a horseshoe,
please.

BOYS: Akela!

-Cubs, do your best.
-(DOOR OPENING)

BOYS: We'll do our best.

(MOUTHING) Letter for you
from the vicar.

Get into bed, Camilla,
and calm down.

Calm down? The vicar's
invited the mayor of Poplar
to the Nativity.

I know one shouldn't speak
ill of a man of the cloth,

but it was bally cowardly
of him to put it in a letter.

-It's only a bit of fun.
-It was only a bit of fun.

If the mayor's intending
to descend,

that's a different
kettle of plaice entirely.

I can't just have a few Cubs
in their nightwear, and

Tiny Tears in swaddling.

Camilla, why are you
getting so upset?

This is our district, Peter,
All Saints is our church.

I feel proud of it.
I don't want anyone to feel
as though we're somehow

lacking.

Into bed now before
you get pneumonia
off the lino.

(SIGHS)

Whatever happened to
nil desperandum, eh?

You forget what you're
capable of sometimes.

I know exactly
what I'm capable of.

That's the problem.

(CLOCK TICKING)

(BABY CRYING)

Oh...

Oh...

Who's a lovely?

Who's a lovely?

Two little dicky birds
sitting on a wall,

One named Peter,
one named Paul.

-Fly away, Peter...
-Get away from my baby!

-Do you hear me? Get away!
-(GLASS SMASHES)

I'd never take him.

I'm not accusing you of taking
him, I'm accusing you
of touching him.

Mrs Jones,
whatever's happening?

It's her,
the filthy old crone.

I only nipped in to
pick up me orange juice.

-Get off!
-Mrs Jones. That's enough.

Now go back in the clinic
and ask them to
replace your juice.

Nurse Lee,
would you clear up this mess?

No one can resist a baby,
Mrs Jenkins.

But mothers can be fierce
when they think their
child is threatened.

-It was only dicky birds.
-I know.

Dicky birds.

Just little 'uns.

It's a hard time of year
to spend too much time alone.

Can you tell me where you
live? I can send someone
to look in on you,

to make sure you're being
properly taken care of.

She doesn't look well.

Old age, poverty.

Chronic malnourishment
and exhaustion, I suppose.

Why doesn't she accept help?

Who knows what
brutalities she knew
when she was young?

Help then didn't mean
what help means now.

Once more unto the breach,
and all of that.

It's simply a matter
of scaling things up.

I just waylaid Brown Owl
at the bus stop, and we're
combining forces now.

So there will be eight angels,
a female Mary,

a full complement of cattle
and a quite sizeable
flock of sheep.

Chummy, it's the parish hall,
not the London Palladium.

Well, that's sort of
attitude will get us nowhere.

(SIGHS)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

-Lynette!
-Oh, hello, Nurse Noakes.

By all means tell me I'm a
frightful bore, but would you
consider doing me a kindness?

I'd be glad to,
if my mum don't mind.

It's all connected
to church affairs.

The Nativity play,
to be precise.

We need a sort of
capable senior angel

to rule the little Brownies
with a rod of iron.

Oh, I don't know, Nurse.
I might be needed at home.

I might let you down.
I don't like to let you down.

-I always think it best
to travel hopefully.
-Oh, but, Nurse.

We're not at home
to Miss Pessimistic.

Now, we'll rig you out
in the best crepe paper.

Oh, shame.
I haven't got my tape
measure in my pocket.

You don't need it.
I'm a 40-inch hip.

Oh, bravo. Splendid.

-Elsie in?
-Yes.

Yeah, first door on the right.

-Excuse me.
-It's the first floor.

-Ta ta then.
-See you on payday.

(GROANS)

Greetings, Doctor.

I just called in to
collect those instruments.

Of course. Nearly done.

No sign of that new autoclave?

The department said
it would come this week,

but there's been
no joy so far.

You staying for tea,
Dr Turner?

Mrs B's made an absolute
piece de resistance
of Yule log.

Thanks, but I've got
Timothy outside in the car.

Oh, dear.
Housekeeper's day off?

Well, I'm sure we can
pop you something
into a paper bag.

(PHONE RINGS)

How is Timothy getting on?

It's been almost a year.

He's doing well enough,

but it will be
our first Christmas
since his mother died,

and I'm worried it
might undo things.

I lost my mother
when I was very young.

Children are more
resilient than you think.

Well...

He's made his
opinion of my cooking
rather clear.

Fish and chips
for us tonight, I reckon.

Sorry, Doctor,
there's been a message
from the surgery.

Urgent home visit requested.

Lady called Mrs Jenkins.

I'm meant to be
at a rehearsal now.

Stay there and
don't talk to anyone.

You'll make me late.

Like you're always late.

Hello?

(DOOR CREAKS)

Mrs Jenkins?

I'm a doctor. Here to help.

Don't you come near me.

(SCREAMS)

-I won't be a moment.
-What? That's my dinner.

Who are you
giving my dinner to?

(SIGHS)

It's a classic case
of angina pectoris.

I've prescribed
amyl nitrate for use in
the event of any new collapse

and penicillin because there
was evidence of urinary
incontinence all over the...

Gangway!

Mrs Jenkins might very well
have an infection which would
contribute to her confusion.

It might be worth
trying to collect
a urine sample.

That shouldn't prove
too challenging.

Just stick a galley pot
in a convenient gutter.

She's also hard of hearing,
jumping with fleas

and her living conditions
are calamitous.

If you could speak
to the Social Services,

I'll put her on
the list for daily visits
in the meanwhile.

(NERVOUS BREATHING)

Hello?

Mrs Jenkins?

I'm Nurse Lee.

The doctor sent me
to come and
have a look at you.

I don't need
no bleeding looking at.

There's nothing
to be afraid of.

We just want to see
if we can make you
a bit more comfortable.

Oh!

(CAT MEOWS)

Thought you was Rosie
for a minute.

She's got a face like yours.

Like Carnation milk
when you open up a tin.

Who's Rosie, Mrs Jenkins?

Is she a relation?

She's sweet.

Sweet as
a little flower, she is.

The doctor wanted me to do
a few routine checks

each time I visit.

We'll start by
taking your pulse,

and then we'll move on
to your temperature.

-Don't you touch me... No!
-Please, Mrs Jenkins...

Well.

When do you see
your patient again,
Nurse Can't Take a Pulse?

Look, it wasn't
that I couldn't, Sister,

it was that
she wouldn't let me.

Oh, no, it was because
she didn't trust you.

And if you can't make
your patients trust you,

you are no good as a nurse.

Now answer my question.

(SIGHS)

She's on the list for
this evening's rounds, Sister.

Mmm. And shall I
tell you what else
is on this evening's rounds?

Twenty-one injections,
16 insulin,

four penicillin,

an ear to syringe,

a cannula to drain

and three sets of
haemorrhoids to compress!

I'm sorry, Sister,
but the problem was...

No, no, I'll tell you
what the problem is.

You young girls do
too much book-learning.

You sit for months
in classrooms,

filling your heads with
loads of codswallop,

when simple practical tasks
are beyond you!

(LOUD CRASH)

Now look what
you've made me do!

(EXASPERATED SIGH)

Oh!

Cynthia?

I'm modelling for Chummy.

She ended up
with more children
taking part than parts,

so she decided to personify
the Wise Men's gifts.

And what's that
supposed to be?

Myrrh.

It's quite straightforward
compared to frankincense.

-(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
-Nurses!

Ah.

Well now, madam.

(BAGS THUDDING)

What's all this fuss about?

Doctor says you've got
a problem with your ticker.

But I would lay bets

that it's as hale as mine.

Hmm. Right.

Let's have
a check of this pulse.

-(LOUD SMACK)
-(GROANS)

Oh!

Pulse attempted.

(SIGHS)

Patient

demonstrated
strong right hook.

Right.

You awkward old biddy.

See what you make of this.

(BREAKS WIND LOUDLY)

And if that
doesn't impress you,
I can do it again.

In a different key.

(BREAKING WIND)

Catch it, Nurse Lee,
it's heading for the door.

Cat's got it now.

It's underneath the chair.

Where e're you be,
let your wind go free.

In church and chapel,

let it rattle.

Good thing there's
no naked flames about.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Right.

Off on the insulin round,

and I'm under no illusions
that it'll be straightforward.

They'll all have been
at the Quality Street,

every man Jack of 'em.

If I was the Prime Minister,

I would shut
that factory down.

(DISTANT WAILING)

(WAILING CONTINUES)

Is that Mrs Jenkins?

Yes.

I've never heard
anything like it.

I have.

(WAILING CONTINUES)

We used to call it
the workhouse howl.

What?

It's the sound of someone
who's been at
the bottom of the heap.

I would call it
a cry of protest,

except there's
no fight left in it.

No hope either.

Should we go back?

Not now.

We couldn't
reach her if we did.

(WAILING CONTINUES)

ALL: # Silent night

# Holy night

# All is calm...

And don't forget to smile.

The mayor doesn't want to
see a lot of gloomy faces.

# Round yon Virgin

# Mother and child

# Holy infant
so tender and mild... #

Go on!

(SINGING FADES OUT)

(CLOCK CHIMING)

Sister Monica Joan,
why don't you rest

until it's time for compline?

(SIGHS)

No.

I thought

bright raiment was
stored within this room.

But it's gone.

And we do not know
what forces are at work.

Chummy takes the costumes

up to her old bedroom
for safekeeping.

She doesn't want them
getting in everybody's way.

I was accused of taking
macaroons to my room

by Sister Evangelina,
but it was not so.

Almonds are mercurial,

and likely to be consumed
into the ether.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Would you hold
the glue pot for me, Sister?

(FOOTSTEPS FADE)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Sister Monica Joan,
have you heard of
the workhouse howl?

I have heard
the workhouse howl

itself.

One hears it less now
the infirmaries are closed

and the inmates are slowly

tidied into graves.

It speaks of
an agony beyond all words.

This wasn't beyond all words.

Mrs Jenkins was
calling someone's name.

(WHIMPERING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Lynette, have you seen
my kitchen scissors?

No, Mum.

I was putting the string on
the Christmas pudding,

and I couldn't
lay hands on them.

What are you doing
with your light still on?

I was just thinking.

You can think just
as well in the dark.

Oh, come on, you.

Another busy day tomorrow.

Church in the morning.

And you've got rings
around your eyes
as black as the ace of spades.

Reckon my monthly's coming on.

No medals for that,
I'm afraid.

You know where the aspirin is
and the you-know-whats are.

Good night. And god bless you.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)

NUN: # Yea with thine eyes
shalt thou behold

ALL: # And see
the reward of the ungodly

NUN: # For thou Lord
art my hope

ALL: # Thou hast set thine
house of defence very high

# There shall no
evil happen unto thee

# Neither shall any plague
come nigh thy dwelling

# For he shall give
his angels charge over thee

(GROANING)

ALL: # To keep thee
in all thy ways

NUN: # They shall bear
thee in their hands

ALL: # That thou hurt not
thy foot against a stone

(WHIMPERING)

NUN: # Because he hath
set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him

# I will set him up, because
he hath known my name

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

NUN: # With long life
will I satisfy him

ALL: # And show him
my salvation

# Glory be to
the Father and to the Son

(DOOR CLOSES HEAVILY)

# And to the Holy Ghost

# As it was in the beginning
is now and ever shall be

# World without end, Amen #

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

(WHIMPERING)

Help me!

Baby, help me.

(CRIES OUT IN PAIN)

(GRUNTING)

(GASPING)

(SCREAMING)

(GASPING)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(GRUNTING)

(BABY CRYING)

Sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

(SOBBING)

(BOTH SHIVERING)

Fetch the milk, darling.

Let's hope it
hasn't frozen solid,
like the bathroom tap.

Oh, no!

No, no!

Trixie!

Trixie!

Whatever's the matter?

-Oh, my goodness.
-Get Sister Julienne.

(BABY SPLUTTERS)

His breathing's shallow
and his pulse is slow.

He was already turning blue.

I'll fetch the blanket
and the paraffin heater.

When you've done that,
call for the police.

-(KNOCK ON DOOR)
-Lynette!

Time to get up!

I am up.

(SIGHS)

Pillow case, candy-striped,
wincey material.

You'll find the same
in any one

of a hundred homes in Poplar.

We were able to
snip about an inch

off the thread that was
used to tie the cord.

It looks like
ordinary kitchen string,

but the cord was
cut quite neatly

with sharp scissors
or a knife.

Make sure to clean
the cord properly.

Whatever implement was used,
it was unlikely to be sterile.

Yes, Sister.

Our order has been
here for over 60 years.

We've never had a single
case of abandonment,
until now.

There's a paper bag
here from Liston's,

that dry cleaners
that shut down.

Sister,

why do you think somebody
would do a thing like this?

(SIGHS)

I've come to
the conclusion there are

only two reasons for
ever doing anything.

One is love,

and the other is fear.

It would appear that both
were at work in this case.

I've put almost
a whole layette together

from the things
in the charity box.

Pink booties for a boy?

There weren't any blue ones.

Wool of the proper hue
can be acquired.

Wool of the proper hue
can be purchased.

Nurse Lee, take two shillings
out of the petty cash

and see that
Sister Monica Joan
is properly equipped.

FRED: What are we gonna
call him, then?

I worry we should
leave that to his mother.

I mean, she may come back.

Especially if it's reported
in the papers.

It is in fact customary

to name an abandoned infant
after somebody

closely connected
with its rescue.

We can hardly call it Cynthia.

It'll be worse
than pink booties!

Somebody closely connected,
and of the same gender.

Nobody calls baby boys
"Fred" any more.

You might as well give him
a flat cap and a Woodbine.

There is surely only one
appellation we can choose.

The child must be
baptised in honour of

our patron,
St Raymond Nonnatus.

Sounds like a spiv.

(BABY BREAKS WIND)

Ooh, sounds like
a digestive system
in full working order.

Now then, little Raymond,

let's see if
we've warmed you up.

That's not what I asked for,
but it's a start.

I can't believe the council
won't re-house her.

The building's been condemned.

Elderly single people are
supposed to go
into nursing homes.

But we can do better than that
for Mrs Jenkins, can't we?

I don't doubt it.

(LOUD CLANGING)

EVANGELINA:
Call off the search!

I've found the bath.

What's more,
it's full of coal.

(GRUNTS)

Right. I'll fill 'em up.

Oh, come on.

Move any slower,
you'll grow moss.

Don't you talk
against my Rosie.
You come over here, dear.

I don't know who
Rosie is, Mrs Jenkins,
but she isn't me.

No.

She had a little girl's hands.

Yours are only small.

Ooh. Ooh.

I'm not taking 'em off!
I told you, I'm not!

You thieving bisoms.

Please, Mrs Jenkins,

we need you to take them off
so we can get you
into the bath.

You can have them
back afterwards.

She'll burn 'em.

I am burning
your clothes because

they're riddled
with little visitors!

We don't want them infesting
the clean new bed.

I never take them off.

(WHISPERING)
They won't come off.

They're stuck to her skin,

Sister.

We'll have to try Vaseline.

Here.

MRS JENKINS: Ahh!

-Mmm.
-MRS JENKINS: Ohh.

You're hurting me.

(STRAINING GRUNTS)

No wonder you
were lashing out.

You must have been
in constant pain.

Ooh! We'll get you
into the chiropodist's.

But Nurse Lee and I
will give you
the once-over for today.

They shame me.

EVANGELINA: No. Not any more.

(O COME O COME EMMANUEL
PLAYING)

This placenta is less
than 24 hours old.

And there's a piece missing.

What does that mean?

If the mother
doesn't get medical help,

she will develop
a uterine infection

leading to high fever
and possible septicaemia.

If untreated, it may be fatal.

I see.

We need to find her.

We may not have much time.

I reckon that's squirrel.

And it's not long dead.

I'll keep it for best.

No, you're to put it on now.

You've a busy day ahead.

Dentist first,
then we're going
to the doctor's.

Did you hear me, Mrs Jenkins?

I heard the word "dentist".

I'll go in the spring,
when it's warmer.

If you can eat
without discomfort,

your general health
will benefit.

My purse won't benefit.

There'll be no charge,
Mrs Jenkins.

You're also entitled to
free glasses

and a walking stick,
should either take your fancy.

But you haven't eaten
your meals on wheels.

I was saving it for Rosie.

She'll be hungry
when she comes.

What's that?

It's a lamb chop.

(WALK HAND IN HAND PLAYING)

Be good now.

(GURGLING)

Oh! How very kind.

Thank you.

Hello.

Thank you.

Oh, goodness! Thank you.

(WHISPERING) Merry Christmas.

(MAIL FLAP CLANGING)

What you doing
with my paper, madam?

Reading about this.

Someone's been
doing something
they didn't ought to.

Police have issued an appeal.

Quite right, too.

Whoever she was,
she wants a horse-whipping.

Oh, I nearly forgot.

Friday night is
sweetie money night.

Always has been,
always will be.

Used to be a shilling, Dad.
This is half a crown.

That's 'cause
the things you do
don't go unnoticed.

You're a good girl, Lynn.

You don't have to look
after me, Mrs Jenkins.

I should be looking after you.

Besides, if I sit too close to
the fire, I'll get chilblains.

Oh, not the chilblains.

My Rosie got chilblains.

She cried.

One night, the wardress,

she let her come to me

on account of the others
being kept awake.

I wrapped her in my petticoat.

Her bones was
like bird's bones.

Was Rosie your daughter,
Mrs Jenkins?

All night she stayed.

And when morning comes,
she was

put back with my others.

There were others?

How many?

Too many.

Did they go into
the workhouse with you?

Yes.

They didn't thrive.

What happened to Rosie?

After the night
with the chilblains?

I never saw her again.

Never saw none of them.

Never saw 'em fly.

I just knew they wasn't
singing any more.

(SEWING MACHINE WHIRRING)

How could Mrs Jenkins
not have been told?

I believe once you walked into
one of those appalling places,

you gave up everything
you were and every right
you ever had.

Even your children?

Especially the children.

The kiddies were kept
in separate quarters.

(BABY CRYING)

Oh, shh, shh.

Oh, sweetpea.

Social worker's going to
come for him on Friday.

I heard Sister Julienne
on the telephone.

First he'll be fostered,

then adopted,
lost to his mother forever.

Oh, don't say that.

All the facts will be filed
away in some sort of

beastly cabinet.

We just have to hope that
one day they go
looking for each other.

Sorry, ma'am. I'm looking for
information about a baby
who's been abandoned.

A baby? Around here?

(RETCHING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(KNOCKING CONTINUES)

Public records office?

-Just upstairs.
-Thank you.

(TYPEWRITERS CLACKING)

All Saints Parish
baptismal roll.

Thank you.

All Saints Parish, deaths.

Poplar workhouse,
1888 to 1934.

MATURE JENNY:
And there it was, in neat,
indifferent copperplate.

Third of April, 1906.

Jenkins, Mary Anne.

Widow, admitted destitute.

And underneath,
the desolate roll-call

of her only possessions.

Alice, George, May, Percy,

age five, age three, age two,

age seven months,

and Rose.

There was a Rose.

Age eight upon admittance to
the children's ward.

The cause of death was given
as failure to thrive.

She was in there from 1906

to 1935.

Put to work in a sewing shed.

Enough to drive
anyone doolally.

When the workhouse closed,
she was discharged with a gift

of a sewing machine,

so that she could earn
her own living.

And what do you propose to do,
Nurse Lee,

now you have garnered
these unedifying facts?

I don't know, Sister.

Then if I may crave
my sisters' indulgence

for a quote
from the apocrypha,

"You have been curious

"in unnecessary matters.

"The past remains the past.

"The present, un-amended."

EVANGELINA:
Sister Monica Joan is right.

It's what happens in the
here and now that counts.

Will it matter one day
where Baby Raymond was found?

Blue with cold and wrapped
in a pillowcase? No.

Because that will be his past.

And his present will be safe

and filled with love.

Mrs Jenkins' present isn't
safe or filled with love.

Nurse Lee.

Forgive me, Sister, but her
life is completely wretched.

She waits every day
for a child.

For children that are
never coming home.

Then you should turn
your mind to that.

Pass me a mince pie.

Public burial ground,
Poplar, 1900 to 1910.

Now, I want gold, frankincense
and myrrh and the three kings

to stand at the back of the
line for the parade of the
shepherds and the sheep.

Come on. There we go.

-(DOOR OPENS)
-(SIGHS)

Sorry.

We'll be starting that as soon
as Nurse Lee takes
her gloves off.

And don't forget to line up
nicely down the central aisle.

You'll be walking past
the mayor,

and I will not have him
knocked by any elbows.

Timothy Turner,
where's your tea towel?

My dad couldn't find one.

Very well.

Now, are you ready, sheep?

-BOYS PLAYING SHEEP: Baa!
-Right. Now...

Angels. I don't want
any angels trying
to flap their wings.

Arms outstretched,
but perfectly still.

That's it.

Lynnette, you're
drooping a little.

-Sorry.
-Bravo.

Nurse Lee.

(SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE
PLAYING)

BOYS PLAYING SHEEP: Baa!

No baa-ing, absolutely
no baa-ing until
you get to the manger

and see the newborn king.

Gary Scofield!

I'm gonna poke you with
that crook, and I'll demote
you to a bullock.

Right.

-Lynette.
-Lynette.

(PIANO STOPS)

Lynette?

Shall I call a doctor?

Ambulance.

Sorry. I'm really sorry.

What for?

I haven't told no one.

Do you think you can tell me?

She wants a clip
round the earhole,
not chrysanthemums.

Mrs Duncan.

Margate.

Easter week.

Some lad she met queuing up
for the waltzers.

He was staying in the boarding
house across the way from us.

Should've kept me eye on her.

But I was three months
gone myself, sick
as a dog most days.

I should've noticed.

-I should have noticed.
-I'm her mother.

If I didn't notice,
there's no hope for you,

and if you didn't,
there's no hope for anyone.

CHUMMY: Mr Duncan.

You know I'm a church warden.

Of course.

And she's a pillar
of the Mother's Union.

My daughter comes from
a respectable home.

Nobody's doubting that,
Mr Duncan.

-But Baby Raymond...
-Who called him that?

We did. It's only temporary.

He's a bonny little thing.

-Quite the bruiser, in fact.
-When are the adoption people
coming?

Friday.

Lynette's not signing
any papers unless we're there.

She ain't well.

No.

What are you bringing me
to a church for?

I'm not bringing you
to a church, Mrs Jenkins.

I'm bringing you
to a church yard.

Hmm?

I've no objection
to a constitutional.

Mrs Jenkins, I don't know
if you realise this,

but we're standing
by a public grave.

Is there many put in here?

Yes.

This is where they buried
the workhouse inmates.

I had too many.

And they're all here.

Together?

I was able to get plans
of the cemetery

and the graves

from the public records.

It's all written down.

Percy and May
are lying next to each other.

Just over there.

Alice is to the right.

I think in the summer
that tree must cast
some shade there.

And George is by the cross.

And Rosie?

She's right here, Mrs Jenkins.

Almost underneath your feet.

Will you help me
to kneel down?

Of course.

I'd have liked her in with me.

To warm her feet.

But I can see
she's tucked up safe.

If Lynette signs the papers,

little Baby Raymond
will just be whisked away.

Camilla,

it's the family's decision
and none of our business.

It's Lynette's decision.

Or it ought to be.

I grew up with Pa and Mater
on a separate continent,

brothers at Winchester,
which was miles away.

But one always had an address.

We were given stamps at
the beginning of every term.

Poor little Raymond
won't even have that.

You've got your all-in look
about you now.

You sure you can't come home?

Peter, I'm on call.

I'll be quite all right
once I've had my Horlicks.

Besides, I rather enjoy the
odd night in my old quarters.

Young Raymond's
rooming in with Cynthia,

and I'll have an entire
crepe paper menagerie
to keep me company.

Well, I shan't have
any problem
counting sheep.

(CLOCK CHIMES)

Someone trying
to keep you out?

Possibly. Or be locked in.

(WATER DRIPPING)

(GASPS)

CHUMMY: Oh, my giddy aunt.

-No.
-TRIXIE: The pipe
must've burst.

CHUMMY: The costumes,
everything's utterly ruined.

It wouldn't happen in
bally Bethlehem.

Morning.

I could die of shame.

Come in.

The social worker's waiting
with Sister Julienne
in the dining room,

so you won't be disturbed.

(BABY GURGLING)

He isn't sleeping.

You can pick him up, Lynette.

I'm scared to.

Why?

'Cause they'll make me
put him down again,
and I've done that once.

This is cruel.

She's not old enough
to be a mother.

She's not mature enough
to be a mother.

(SNIFFLES)

It's flying in the face of
everything God ever wrote.

He's making milk
come out of me.

I have no quarrel with
our Lord, in the general way,
Mrs Duncan.

But I think you'll find
Mother Nature wrote
these rules.

Pick him up.

Come on, Ivy.

You're a mother, too.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

(BABY GURGLES)

It's a bit late for that now.

She ain't saying it
to us, love.

She's saying it to him.

(WHISPERS) Thank you.

MATURE JENNY: Like all
the things in life that are
truly meaningful,

Christmas is never
about perfection.

In Bethlehem 2,000 years ago,
accommodation was makeshift,

the Wise Men followed
somewhat confused directions

and the shepherds gave
the nearest gifts
that came to hand.

That year, in Poplar,
things were similarly
compromised.

-(DOORBELL RINGS)
-But hope prevailed and

help came from
unexpected sources.

Just the person
we wanted to see.

Reinforcements.
How perfectly wizard!

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

MATURE JENNY:
Baby Raymond was not lost.

Nor was his mother.

Their family made
the best of it.

And gave their thanks,
in kind.

Here you go.

-IVY: Hello, dear.
-Morning.

Hi, Dad.

(CHILDREN CLAMOURING)

Anyone who does not line up
nicely now will not get
their entertainer badge!

(CHILDREN QUIET)

Thank you.

-BOY: Baa!
-Shh!

Please.

Right.

(CHRISTMAS STORY PLAYING)

(RUSHING) Many years ago,
in a town named Nazareth,

there lived a beautiful
young lady called Mary.

God has chosen you to be
the mother of a very
special child.

You will have a baby,
and his name will be Jesus.

How can that be?
I have no husband.

ANGEL GIRL: It is a miracle
from the Holy Spirit,

and the child will be
the Son of God.

MATURE JENNY:
It was a Christmas
as unique as any other.

For every year, the mystery
unfolds itself anew.

In later life,

I came to see that faith,
like hope,

is a rope and anchor
in a shifting world.

Faith cannot be questioned,
only lived.

And if I could not
grasp it then,

I felt its heartbeat,

which was love.

(CHRISTMAS STORY PLAYING)