All language subtitles for Call.The.Midwife.S12E00.Christmas.Special.HEVC.x265-MeGusta_HI.en

(theme music playing)

(festive music playing)

(Mature Jennifer)
We would give children

anything at Christmas.

Their passing fancies,
or their hearts' desires.

Their frenzied crazes,
or the things they yearn for.

We want to fill their hands
because it fills our hearts.

That is the secret
of grown-ups, everywhere.

Oh, sorry.
Sorry, mate, sorry... Sorry.

Vi!

This is a bit
of a quick turnaround, Fred.

I mean, what are you going to do

if any of the children
recognise you?

(Fred grunts)

I'm just gonna have to fall back
on the truth

and tell them
I'm one of his helpers!

(Violet) Fred!

Ooh.

- (children chattering)
- Mummy!

Oh, there's my girl! Oh.

Now, what do you say
to Auntie Vera?

Thank you for looking
after me for so long.

Oh!

Make sure you come and see me.

She will. We both will.

Happy Christmas.

(Colette) Come on, Mummy!

(Nancy chuckles)

Happy Christmas to you too!
(chuckles)

Good lads, come on...

Good afternoon, Fred.

Afternoon, Sister...
(chuckles)

(all laughing and cheering)

Mummy! It's even got a kettle,
just as Sister Veronica promised.

It was a duplicate wedding present.

Oh! There's also an alarm clock.

- Also a duplicate wedding present.
- (all chuckling)

So you can get up early
and make your mother a cup of tea!

Sister Julienne.

I can't thank you enough
for all of this.

Once we had persuaded you
to stay with us,

it was the only living arrangement
that seemed to make sense.

One can only marvel
that it was not thought of sooner!

Indeed. And that was my omission.

(knocking on door)

(official)
You've had the eviction notice!

I don't like the look of that.

Mr Aylward?

(knocking continues)

I thought the bailiffs
would have been and gone by now.

There's a lady in the basement
of Number 11 who's being moved

to a geriatric hospital.

It's taken all afternoon
to persuade her

out of her armchair.

All cellar dwellings are
to be evacuated and boarded up.

Those rooms
are structurally unsafe.

I only found out we owned these
a few months ago.

I'm not leaving
till I've seen Nigel!

Who's Nigel, Mrs Sleaman?

If... you could give me
a telephone number,

perhaps I can call him for you?

- He's a cat.
- (cat meowing)

He was down there all along,
nearly had me eye out!

Oh... Oh, bless you.

Oh, you're a good boy,
aren't you...

I don't think he's any more keen
to leave than you.

We've been through
sometimes together.

(cat meowing)

If ever you're passing,

he wouldn't say no
to a tin of pilchards.

(sombre music playing)

- Sir!
- Oh.

Can I leave this with you?

I've left Jonty sitting in the car.

- Of course. You must go.
- Thank you.

(indistinct background chatter)

(phone ringing)

(line beeping rapidly)

Good evening, Nurse Crane.

Just my usual evening call
of enquiry!

We've had no births
on the district, as yet today.

And it is Nurse Aylward's
second day back at work

after her honeymoon.

(Sister Julienne over phone)
This morning, we spent 25 minutes

looking at wedding photographs
in the clinical room.

If I hadn't been sent
on this infernal refresher course,

she could have had longer off!

(Sister Julienne) Indeed.

But refresher courses,
however ill-timed, have their uses.

We must have
every credential in order

before the trainee midwives
arrive in March.

And March will be upon us
before we know it!

I've a few new thoughts
for my List Of Concerns.

(Sister Julienne) Mm.

(distant dogs barking)

Please, Mr Sharma!

If you don't open the door,
we'll have to force entry!

And I don't want
to have to do that.

(Kulvir) You will force nothing!
This is my home!

Please, sir...
I know this is your home.

But all these cellar dwellings
have to be boarded up.

The electricity and water
have already been disconnected.

(door opens)

You called me "sir"
and I shall do so likewise.

Sir, I am leaving of my own accord.

No enforcement is required.

Do you have somewhere to go?

Yes. I can find my way.

(sombre music playing)

Board it up.

(distant knocking)

(distant dog barking)

(jolly music playing in background)

What is asparagus, anyway?

(snorts)
Well, it's, it's greens, basically.

(Reggie) Ugh...

You can "ugh" all you like,

but it's one of
the most popular items

in the Christmas Club boxes.

People tick the forms
for either asparagus

- or sherry consommé...
- (shop bell ringing)

...a coconut or a pineapple.

(children) Hello.
Happy Christmas. Hello.

What can I do for you, Mrs Turner?

The children were wondering
if there was anything

in tonight's papers about Apollo 8?

Not half!
The Gazette's full of it again.

You would have thought
they were launching it from Poplar,

not from Florida!

Can I please have some glue
for my scrapbooks?

Yes, treacle, it's just down there,

on that stand
in front of the comics.

I've never seen a child
so besotted with the Space Race.

Her teacher has promised her
house points

if she takes the scrapbook in
after Christmas.

I reckon it's a nice thing
for them to be mad about.

I mean, what else have they got
to watch on telly, ey?

- Biafra?
- Oh!

Don't even get me started
on that Blue Peter appeal!

I've sent two parcels
of old clothes off already.

- (clicks tongue)
- (Fred) Aw... Here.

You can have the paper
on the house.

(Shelagh) Oh, thank you...

The glue will be a shilling!

(Shelagh) Of course it is.

- (coins rattling)
- There we go...

(car horn honking)

- (Shelagh) Go on, children.
- (children) Hello, Daddy...

- (Shelagh) Ah, hello, Daddy.
- (children giggling)

- (Shelagh) In we pop.
- (children laughing)

Your obsession
with giving things away

is going to be the death of me,
or very possibly, this business!

Oh, have a heart, Vi.

Reggie, go and put
the Closed sign up.

And then I want you to help me hang

this notice up in the window.
(sniffs)

What's all this then?

For every ten Christmas Club boxes,
we are donating

one free of charge
to a deserving local resident.

Just because I know about business,
doesn't mean to say

that I don't know
how to love my neighbour!

(soft music playing)

- That's it.
- (Matthew) Thank you, Jonty.

- (Trixie) Watch Daddy...
- All right.

(chuckles)

(Trixie) Oh! Beautiful!

(Sister Monica Joan) Now it's time
for our newest resident

to place her letter
to Father Christmas in the grate.

I wrote "New Address" in capitals,
next to Nonnatus House.

And underlined it,
so Santa doesn't get mixed up!

Oh...
(chuckles)

(Sister Veronica) If we're lucky
and the elves come tonight,

it will be on its way
to the North Pole by morning.

Timothy says
he wants driving gloves

because he's passed
his driving test

and the new LP by The Kinks.

(line beeping rapidly)

His money's run out!

I don't think
Father Christmas brings records.

Hmm, I think you'll find
his elves are up to date

with all the modern trends.

He won't have a problem
with roller skates for May

- or a telescope for Angela either.
- (Shelagh chuckles)

How do you spell "tortoise"?

Father Christmas
doesn't bring tortoises.

It's too cold in the North Pole!

I want a tortoise!

(whispers)
Is Colette asleep?

Out like a light.

Father Christmas
hasn't collected the letters

from the fireplace yet.

I wondered if we might be forgiven
for taking a little peek

at what she's asked for?

- Yeah.
- (both giggle)

(exciting music playing)

She says...

"Dear Father Christmas.

I don't need
any Christmas presents this year...

What?

... because I have
everything I want".

(tender music playing)

(sharp inhale)
Oh.

(Cyril) Good morning, sir.

I don't think
Mr Palmer opens until 9:00.

I'm content to wait.
I require tools.

Our own kettle. And our own key!

Put this on now, I warmed it
through on the radiator.

You're spoiling her, Sister!

She's going
to a hospital appointment!

Nasal cautery is not something
to be sniffed at.

(scoffs)

But it is going to put a stop
to all those horrid nosebleeds.

A tortoise, Patrick!
He wanted a pogo stick last week.

Too late! The letters have gone
to Father Christmas now.

I can't remember the last time
Miss Higgins let me have free rein

with the reception desk.
(chuckles)

If she wasn't out inspecting
new clinic premises,

you wouldn't get anywhere near.

(imitating Miss Higgins)
This morning's surgery starts

with a double appointment.
Beckwith, mother and son.

A, menstrual disorder.
B, teething trouble, query eczema.

Then Mrs Brenda Shelby,
expectant mother of twins...

Yes, Brenda Shelby...

I'm looking forward to seeing her.

Ah. I hoped she'd be under Mathers.

He's the top man in the field.

Clinic will commence
at 2 o'clock sharp every Tuesday.

The midwives and myself
will require ingress

at precisely 1 p.m.

I don't think Knitting Club
will have finished by then.

Knitting Club
will be obliged to finish.

Our schedule of classes,

including Mothercraft
and Relaxation,

will make us
this hall's primary occupant

and your principal
source of income.

Now...

we need to discuss the aroma
in the lavatories.

And in all those seven years,
did you not conceive even once?

We tried and we tried.

And we hoped and we hoped.
But nothing ever happened.

It's hard to explain
how hard it was.

You don't have to. I do understand.

(Brenda) I'm one of eight kids.

When my sisters started
getting in the family way, I...

I thought it would eat me alive.
That's why we moved away.

- And this is why you've moved back.
- (Brenda chuckles)

There's nothing
like having family around ya.

Even five years ago,

these fertility drugs
were still the stuff of dreams.

Last week, Mr Mathers
brought students in to look at me,

and he kept calling me
"the research subject"!

- (all chuckling)
- Brenda.

The Royal College Hospital
have been with you

every step of the way on this.

According to Mr Mathers' notes,

they're going to admit you
well in advance of your due date.

Now, what we need to do is work out
a plan for looking after you

and the twins
once you all come home.

Oh, we've hardly thought
about that, have we, Vince?

(light music playing)

(metal clanging)

(ominous music playing)

(indistinct TV chatter)

(Sister Veronica) Do you know,
I always get a bit giddy

every time I see a piece of tinsel.

Christmases was never
quite the same

at the branch house in Hong Kong.

Did you ever spend
the season overseas,

Sister Monica Joan?

My mission has always been confined
to our home shores.

The Almighty willed it thus.

- Oh, well, never say never...
- This...

forthcoming Christmas...

(sombre music playing)

...will be my last upon this Earth.

Sister, that is
a very doleful prediction.

It is not a prediction.

God has assured me of this grace.

I shall not see
another festive season

this side of heaven.

And I accept His will.

You say that as if you've got
nothing left to live for.

I should not phrase it so bluntly.

But the sentiment
is not inapposite.

What about the people
devoted to your care?

What about your Sisters
and your friends?

What about
man's incursion into space?

You've followed that programme
for years.

Surely, you want to live to see
man walking on the moon?

I fear it does not impress.

Just as Apollo 8 will not impress.

Apollo 8 is going to go round
and round the moon, Sister!

The moon itself has circled
our petty planet for eternity.

I see no great virtue

in an American vehicle
doing likewise.

(sighs)

I am at the end...

and this will be
my final Christmas.

We shall pray for you.

Pray that it will be a happy one.

(smooches)

(jolly music playing in background)

Gosh. It's a...

little early for a negligee.

It's a hostess gown.

Oh?

We have a strenuous evening
ahead of us...

- Mm.
- ...writing thank you letters.

(Trixie chuckles)

Oh, Matthew, come along.

(Matthew groans)

Sit to the table.

I thought the bride did this.

Well, I'm sure
she did, traditionally.

But traditionally,
she didn't have a job

that kept her out all day.

Fair enough.

Shall I do my side
and you do your side?

No. I'll do your side
and you do my side.

It's more suggestive
of the union of two families.

Peace and goodwill
towards all men, lest we forget.

Is your mother
still being difficult

about Christmas dinner?

Not, uh, difficult. Just fragile.

It's still so soon
after my father died.

I've told you, I don't mind going
to your mother's house at all.

As long as we can get
to Nonnatus House

in time for pudding.

I just wanted something of our own.

Christmas done our way.

(tender music playing)

Oh, darling.

And so many things
will be done our way.

Here, in our home.

Smoked salmon kedgeree
on Christmas Eve.

- Cooked by me.
- (chuckles)

And the holly and ivy
and red roses on every surface

arranged by me.

These are all things that are ours
and ours only, Matthew.

(doorbell chimes)

(smooches)

(door opens)

- (Trixie) Geoffrey?
- (Geoffrey) My gorgeous sister!

(door closes)

I spent the entire taxi ride

from the nether reaches
of Herne Hill

trying to think up
a witty conversational opener

along the lines of,
"Any room at the inn?"

Uh, I thought you were spending
Christmas with your friend,

Bernard and his aunt?

Bernard's aunt has fallen ill.

There's been a change of plan.
(chuckles)

Do you think
Nurse Crane will take photographs

this Christmas?

I don't doubt
Nurse Crane will take photographs

into perpetuity...

and beyond.

It's going to be
the best Christmas of my life.

I don't want it
to vanish from my mind.

The best Christmas of my life
has never yet faded from mine.

What do you remember about it?

A knitted stocking,
hanging from the bedstead,

containing a rag doll, an orange,

- and a Book of Common Prayer.
- (soft music playing)

Green garlands
above the Yuletide table,

a boar's head,

plum duff,
as spherical as the Earth itself.

(chuckles)

And there was a tableau
in the village church.

The shepherds and the Magi,

a living ox, a living ass...

and the Christ child.

Like a Nativity play?

Oh...

Not the way
you would think of it now.

It was inspired
by a Flemish painting,

and it seemed as though

the infant himself
was the source of all the light.

(soft sigh)

I look back now...

and it's as though it was painted
on glass and set with jewels.

I rode to church
in the pony chaise...

with my mother.

And under the furs,
her hand held mine...

(sombre music playing)

I don't recall the touch of her,
ever, after that.

My mother holds my hand
all the time.

I was not so fortunate, perhaps.

But that day...

was miraculous
in everything it offered.

(sighs)

If I could live
but one hour of it again,

I would die contented,

with my soul replete.

(sighs)

- (May) You did it yesterday!
- (Teddy) No, May, it's not fair.

It's my turn.

(Teddy) It's my turn.
You did it yesterday!

I can't hear the radio.

I'm gonna miss
the Apollo 8 bulletin.

(door opens)

(soft gasp)

Timothy!

(Dr Turner) Special delivery!

I think this one fell off
the back of Santa's sleigh.

(children) Hello.

Oh, there's a pile of post as well.

(Shelagh laughing)

- How was the sleeper? Oh.
- Sleepless.

Plenty of time for a kip
before Clinic.

And the coffee's already on
unless my nose deceives me.

(indistinct chatter)

(light tense music playing)

(heavy breathing)

(Geoffrey) Ah, Earl Grey!

Oh, I knew
your domestic arrangements

would be civilised.

Uh, can I beg for half a grapefruit
for my breakfast?

I don't have
any grapefruit in, Geoffrey.

Not unless I'm slimming.

And you didn't bring any pyjamas?

I lost all my smart pyjamas

when the Ormonde Hotel
went up in flames.

I did get them back,
but the smell of smoke

on the silk was... unendurable.

Besides, you have to admit
this is a top-quality singlet.

Geoffrey.

Is Bernard's aunt really ill,
or did you two quarrel?

- (sombre music playing)
- Bernard is engaged to be married,

to a hairdresser from the salon
on the cruise ship.

She's a nice little thing.
Quite elegant.

Well, perhaps he can bring her out
to visit you in Malta.

- Malta and I are fini!
- Why?

The expat community
are dwindling by the year.

It's all tourists now
and of course, the Maltese.

But the long and the short of it
is that, uh,

nobody needs an osteopath
when they're on holiday

and I have a sniff
of an opening in Harley Street.

Oh, that sounds promising.

I simply need somewhere to stay,
while I pursue it.

I can pay rent
in, in cash, or in kind.

I can cook and...
wrap Christmas presents.

There's no end
to my talents, really.

You can stay with us
for as long as you want.

- Thank you.
- And well you know it.

Have you found yourself
a place to sleep yet?

(Nigel meowing)

Maybe a nice warm shed?

(light tense music playing)

Sir. I won't report you.

- You are from the Council.
- Mm.

Sometimes, I have to do
as I am told.

Sometimes, I make my own decisions.

But I don't think
this is the best place for you

to be living in.

Sometimes, I make
my own decisions also.

(door closes)

Absolutely everything
appears to be in order.

Sister, it wouldn't surprise me

if you saw us all
lowered into the ground.

Can you not remove this man?

He appears to be pleading
the case for eternal life.

She's suffering from depression.

It's common in the elderly
and often goes undiagnosed,

but it can be very damaging.

Does she need to see
a psychiatrist?

If she did,
the recommendation would be to...

steer her towards the things
that make her happy.

Reminiscence. Attention.

A sense of being valued.

But we try so hard to give her
all those things.

What's "reminiscence"?

(chuckles)

It's talking about the past,

but in a way that makes you happy.

Sister Monica Joan
reminisced with me last night.

And she stopped talking
about dying.

(festive music playing)

Screens and couches
straight into position, please.

The floor
has been marked with chalk.

(indistinct chatter)

(switch clicks)

(music fades)

Mrs Shelby!

Sister Veronica,
our Health Visitor,

will apprise you
of your entitlements.

Here are some leaflets
to read whilst you wait.

Do help yourself to refreshments.

Oh, my mum's just getting me some.

(Aggie) Mince pies and everything.

Watch out, they've gone a bit mad
with the icing sugar.

(Brenda) Mm.

You don't half look familiar,
you a Poplar girl?

Depends who's asking.

Hmm, I'm just trying to place you.

Maybe we knew you
when you was a kiddy.

Did you live in Madeira Gardens?

I'm looking at you
and it's, it's like I'm getting

- hair ribbons?
- Give over, Mum.

I see congratulations
are in order for you too.

How long you been married?

Antoinette Douglas.

Douglas! I knew I knew her.

You don't forget a child
whose life started off like that.

Poor little scrap.

- Poor little scrap?
- Mm.

She made my life a misery
when I was at St Wilbur's!

She was a snob.

And she was a bully.

I'll ignore her when she comes out.

Obviously having
that sprog out of wedlock.

Nothing out of the ordinary here.

Not that there ever is, with you.

- You're a model mum to be.
- Oh, I'm an overdue mum to be.

Only as of yesterday!

First babies often drag their feet.

- Oh, any news of your boyfriend?
- No.

And there won't be
until his ship comes in.

Are you doing all right?
On your own?

When I'm on my own,
I'm... I'm good at that.

It's just when I go out and about
or when I come here...

There's just
such a lot of smiling faces.

I lost my family in the war.

So this kid's not gonna be
anybody's grandson,

or granddaughter.

It's gonna be your baby, Toni.

Do you think just having a mum's
gonna be enough for it?

Do you know,
you might get a surprise.

- I did.
- (sighs)

(sighs)

Timothy could be
doing that, Shelagh.

I'm sorry. I've been
a little distracted today.

- I know.
- (sighs)

May's mother sent a parcel
from Hong Kong.

- What did it contain?
- I've hidden it in a drawer.

Even Patrick doesn't know about it.

Why?

Last Christmas,
she didn't send anything.

Last birthday,
she didn't send anything.

May is perfectly content with that
and so was I.

But the minute I open that parcel,

the fact that she has a real mother

becomes completely
inescapable again!

The contents of the parcel
may be entirely innocuous.

But you,
you must tell your husband.

No marriage thrives on secrets,
large or small.

- (Nigel meowing)
- Nothing more today, my friend.

(knocking on door)

- It's you again.
- (Nigel meowing)

Why do you always
bring your cat with you?

It isn't my cat. It just likes me.

I came to wish you
the tidings of the season

and to bring a gift
from the local community.

I can resist many things.

I can do without much.

But a pineapple?

A pineapple is a thing too rare.
I cannot refuse it.

A Victorian nativity tableau,
in a church,

seems a most appropriate way to try
to lift our Sister's spirits.

But it would be
a very elaborate enterprise.

A living ox and a living ass.

Very specialised.

And I don't know
what the Vicar of St Oswald's

will have to say
about animals in church.

I told him it's going
to raise money for charity.

Which I'm sure can be arranged...

with the assistance
of Councillor Buckle.

If you could see the way
Sister Monica Joan's eyes light up

when she talks
about her memories...

you wouldn't doubt
the value of this at all.

No one doubts
the value of making her happy.

It's just that...
it's a, a tall order.

And at short notice.

Lots of things happen
at short notice.

I mean, what if she's right?

What if this is her last Christmas?

What if we don't try
and make her happy,

while we've got the chance?

(phone ringing)

(Nurse Crane over phone)
Sister Julienne...

I've been having
some further thoughts

about the training scheme.

Regarding the role of the enema...

Why it has fallen
so far out of favour

and what we can do

to reinforce the practice
with our students.

We can discuss all that
once you come home.

In the meanwhile,
I have a commission for you.

(Sister Julienne)
A knitted Christmas stocking.

Victorian style.

What, what sort of size?

Big enough to take
a rag doll, an orange

and a Book of Common Prayer.

We are planning
something rather special.

When I first came here,
the only pineapple was in tins.

And tins were only possible
if you had connections.

When I first came here,

it was papaya
that I missed the most.

(scoffs)
There are too many seeds in papaya.

I brought this for you, Mr Sharma.

You must eat.

You are a guest in my home.

(insects buzzing)

I have other guests.

- But these, I do not feed.
- Mr Sharma.

I think I can bring you something
that would help with those.

I don't want to help them.
I want to kill them.

I have access to chemicals.
I work for the Council.

Ah, that I forgot for a moment.

Eat, please.

Shelagh, we can seal this up again.

But we have to open it
in good faith.

May's mother would never
deliberately hurt her.

She might upset her unwittingly.

Well, she might upset me.

She's already upset you.

We can comfort May
if she's distressed.

She has a loving home with us.

(brooding music playing)

"To a dear little girl.

With love at Christmas

- from Mama in Hong Kong.
- (uplifting music playing)

- Two kisses".
- Oh...

(sharp inhale)

I'd have to have a heart of stone
to object to that.

(Shelagh) Ah!

We can't keep this
from her, Shelagh.

I know.

(sharp inhale)

Patrick, this is far too small!

It wouldn't have fitted May
a year ago

and she's grown and grown
in the last six months!

- Her mother's not to know that.
- What will May think?

That her mother remembered
that it's Christmas,

but has forgotten who she is?

(shudders)

♪ It's the most wonderful time
Of the year ♪

♪ With the kids jingle belling ♪

♪ And everyone telling you
Be of good cheer ♪

- (laughter)
- ♪ It's the most ♪

♪ Wonderful time of the year ♪

(laughter continues)

♪ It's the hap-happiest season
Of all ♪

(laughter)

♪ With those holiday greetings
And gay happy meetings... ♪

She didn't say
who acted the angels.

Just that the shepherds were played

by ordinary labourers
from the village,

and that Mary and Joseph were
the most recently married couple

- from the village.
- I'm sorry,

but that just sounds daft.

Those are children's parts.

That's what
Sister Monica Joan said.

The children only came on
at the end and she was one of them.

- And what were they dressed up as?
- Children.

She said
they wore ordinary clothes.

Here are some more things
I need you to find out.

♪ There'll be much mistletoeing ♪

♪ And hearts will be glowing ♪

♪ When loved ones are near ♪

♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪

♪ Of the year ♪

(irritated cow mooing)

Oh, now listen,
I know the master of the house

is salivating at the thought
of Steak Tartare.

But in a change
to the advertised menu,

we're having cod croquettes.

Geoffrey, I love you
so very dearly.

But this really will not do.

Well, you know what I'm like
around blood and meat.

It's not my fault
you married a vampire.

That wasn't what I meant.

Oh, no.

No. I'm in the way, aren't I?

Trying too hard and ending up
a bloody cuckoo in the nest.

No. It's not that.

It is that. It absolutely is that.

And I ought to know better.

It's just that...

Matthew's mother's
been so difficult.

And I was so thrilled to see you.

But... I'm trying so hard
to make something that's just ours.

Well, I'm not going to have you
jumping through hoops

to please anybody.

You're too good at it, sis.

And one way or another,
it will hurt you.

(door opens)

(door closes)

(Toni whimpering)

- Oh.
- Hello.

- Oh...
- It's Mrs Douglas, isn't it?

Miss.

I felt alright
until about lunchtime,

and now the pains are coming
every five minutes.

- (groaning, sobbing)
- (gas pumping)

I can't do this on my own! I can't!

Toni, you don't have to.

(groans)
And why haven't my waters broken?

Sometimes, waters don't break
until baby is actually born.

But I'll talk you
through everything

as it happens.

I'm here and I will not leave you.

Can I have the big light on?
I never do well in the dark.

A lot of our mothers
prefer the lights low.

It helps them to relax.

Well, it's not working with me,
is it?

- (switch clicks)
- (breathes heavily)

Your delivery room,
you make the rules.

Now, with your permission,
I'll have a little check

on how things are going.

Will you stop
if I have another pain?

Well, of course.

Then we can try the gas again
or you can just breathe through it.

Please, at least stay
until morning.

(Geoffrey) No!

Far better that your last glimpse
of your favourite relation

is of him looking wounded,
but noble,

as he walks out
into the desolation of the night.

Where are you
going to go, Geoffrey?

A skilled single gentleman

always has two things
at his disposal.

(suitcases thudding)

A circle of friends and a plan.

(smooches)

I will see you both
during the festive season.

At some point.

I'd gone down Bethnal Green Tube

with my mum, dad,

my baby sister,
my Auntie Pat and my grandma.

The good news is
you're practically fully dilated.

We used to go every night,
before the siren even sounded.

It's a laugh.

Even an adventure
if you were a kiddy.

Is it all all right?

Oh, baby's in
the most beautiful position.

The head
is just where it ought to be.

(sombre music playing)

I was the only one of us
who made it out alive.

(sighs)
More than 150 people died.

I remember it so vividly.

Are you gonna listen
for its heart now?

Yes.

I only remember how dark it was.

And how tight the fireman held me
when he pulled me out.

God, he held me so tight
I thought he must be a relative.

Someone who knew me. But...

they were all gone.

On nights like that, every child
felt like your own child.

I was taken in and brought up
by my mother's friend.

She said she'd always wanted
a little one to love.

I'm not sure she ever knew how.

(light suspenseful music playing)

And then, when I was 16, she died.

When I get to hold this baby,

it's going to be the first time
that I've touched

my own flesh and blood since then.

I can't wait.

I will be back with you
in just a moment.

Daddy, do you think
Father Christmas will bring me

a telescope?

Well, you asked him very nicely.

And he must know you'll need one,
when Apollo takes off.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Patrick, I need you here
as soon as possible.

Toni Douglas's baby
is going into distress.

The heartbeat is very irregular
and as yet, I don't know why.

I'm on my way.

- (groaning)
- Toni.

I need you to stay
in exactly this position

until Doctor gets here.

Why is the doctor coming?
Is there something wrong?

No, we just need to manage
the way baby is lying,

until its ready to be born.

(sniffles)
Is it to do with

- why my waters haven't broken?
- (door opens)

(Shelagh) Stay exactly as you are.

Do you hear me? Do not move.

- (Toni crying in pain)
- (tense music playing)

Her forewaters are still intact,

but I detected a funic souffle
through the pinard

and I can feel the cord
through the membranes.

- She's in second stage...
- (groaning)

...fully dilated
and feeling the urge to push!

- Is the cord still pulsating?
- Yes.

But I think it's compressed.
The heartbeat is very erratic.

I can't lose my baby!

And my baby can't lose me!

Toni, that is not going to happen.

We are not going
to let that happen.

- And I need you to listen to me.
- I'm listening.

- (Toni groans)
- (Shelagh) Good girl.

- We need you lying on your back...
- Oh!

...and we're going to put your feet
into these stirrups.

Episiotomy. Forceps. Now.

(Toni grunting)

Cord's out of the way.

(Toni breathing heavily)

(moaning softly)

(Toni breathing heavily)

(groaning)

I want you to push now,
don't wait for the pain.

Push for your baby.

(inhales sharply, grunting)

That's it! Come on.

We can do this if we work together!

(grunting, breathing heavily)

(Dr Turner) Head's out!

(Toni sniffling, whimpering)

(Dr Turner) Final push.

(Toni breathing heavily)

(grunting)

(baby crying)

- (whimpering)
- Success!

(gentle music playing)

- (baby cooing)
- (Toni sniffling, exclaims)

You and I, young man,
nearly had a falling out.

Young man? Is it a boy?

It certainly is.

- Oh...
- Well done, Toni!

(Toni) Oh!

Hello, son.

- I'm your mummy.
- (baby coos)

I don't even know
what that means yet but...

it's a start.

- (laughter)
- Morning!

I don't suppose there's any tea
left in the pot, is there?

No Earl Grey,
but a most acceptable Typhoo.

And I even have grapefruit.

I went to the market specially!

The glace cherries
were already in the cupboard.

We just had to blow the dust
off the jar.

Are you going to tell her, Sister,
or shall I?

Oh, Mr Franklin will be moving
into Nonnatus House with us

for a few weeks, as a paying guest.

Well, where's he going to sleep?

In the room that once belonged
to Sister Frances.

I was offered your old bed,

but there's still a whiff
of your extra firm hold lacquer

in the region of the headboard.

I thought it might keep me awake.
(chuckles)

(laughter)

I'll have one reel each
of the crimson, the bottle green

and the primrose.

And a yard of this material.

That's not going to be enough
for a dozen carol singers capes.

A dozen carol singers capes?

Well, Sister Veronica said that
you were in charge of them when...

I'm in charge
of the singers' singing,

not their costume.

Oh, can't you help them, Violet?

You're the best needlewoman
in Poplar.

Oh! I'm already running up
or rooting out shepherd costumes,

Wise Men costumes,
Mary and Joseph costumes.

I'm petrified to pick up the phone!

(Kulvir) Mr Robinson, sir.

- (Cyril) Yes, sir?
- The cloth and the disinfectant.

When you have finished, please,
may you leave them behind?

Oh, they've done as much good
as they are going to,

with these walls.

I do not want them for the walls.

I want them for my legs.

What is wrong with your legs?

(soft chuckle)

(light tense music playing)

Mr Sharma, are they very painful?

They pain me more now

than they did once.
(chuckles)

Me and my house.
We're both rotting.

Have you been to the doctor?
It will cost you nothing.

And... and if you don't want
to go to the surgery,

I can ask the doctor to come here.

I will not see a doctor.
I will not speak to a doctor.

This door, my door,
is barred to all doctors!

Sister Veronica.

Ooh, thank you, dear.

There is no doubt

that this is a lovely, lovely thing
that you're doing

for Sister Monica Joan.

It's perked her up no end,
she doesn't know about it yet.

She's even gone out
to the shops just now.

Because she remembered
how much she loved

the smell of tangerines.

(Violet) Yes, but she isn't going
to love any of it

if it all falls flat.

And people are going to be asking
for their money back.

I've got carried away.

And now I'm out of my depth.

It reminds me
of when I was in The Guides,

and I failed my Lifesaving badge.

I got my Lifesaving badge.

And mindful of your manifold
and great kindnesses to me,

I would consider it an honour

to jump in
and stop you from drowning.

- Oh.
- Oh, do say yes.

Yes, please!

(Sister Veronica chuckles)

- Oh.
- (Colette giggles)

(TV announcer and children)
Five, four,

three, two, one!

- (TV announcer) Zero.
- (all) Blast off!

- (all cheering, squealing)
- (rocket rumbling on TV)

- (people cheering)
- (bright music playing)

What do you reckon
to that then, Sister?

I think it is as well

they have done it now
and not next year.

I am not displeased
to have witnessed it.

(rocket rumbling on TV)

Would this man let me
take a look at his legs,

do you suppose?

He's clearly scared enough
to ask for help.

He's just too scared
to receive it from a doctor.

Mrs Buckle and I
have been making hay

at the haberdashers.

What do you think of these?

Russet brocade, for the shepherds.

Velvet in mauve and tawny tones,
for the Magi.

And blue for the Virgin Mary,
because who am I

to tangle with 2,000 years
of Christian iconography?

Can you actually sew, Mr Franklin?

Trouser buttons are my limit.

But this is all about the vision.

And I have an abundance of that.

Meanwhile...

a little bird tells me

that you have
a knack with carpentry.

We also need some men of science
to play the Magi.

And you got a degree
in civil engineering.

My daughter needs seeing.

Immediately.

She's normally
under top-quality consultants.

Are you in labour, Mrs Shelby?

I just feel like I'm gonna burst.

Like I'm being blown up and up,
like a bike tyre.

The only shoes she can get on
are her mother's,

and she wears size nines
on account of her bunions.

That's just plain
bloody indelicate, Vincent!

(sobbing)

Your ankles
are certainly a little swollen.

But your blood pressure's normal.

Urine's normal.

But I would still like
to get you on the couch

and have
a proper feel of your tummy...

I can't.
(sniffles)

Even if you get me up there,
I won't be able to lie down.

I haven't been able to lie down
for four days!

It's like I'm being smothered
from the inside.

I can't stand
another six weeks of this!

Can't you do something?

Brenda is going to spend
the night here, with us.

And I am going to speak
to her consultant now.

- (tool bag thumps)
- (zipper unzips)

I shall need to get my tape out
after this, Reggie.

'Cause we need to get you measured
for your shepherd's costume.

I don't want to be a shepherd.

Fred's going to be a shepherd,
you'll both be the same!

- I don't like sheep.
- I can't stand sheep.

But I'm still gonna perform
as a shepherd, without complaint,

because I know it will make
Sister Monica Joan happy.

Well... it will make me unhappy.

You've done well
to get these seen to, Mr Sharma.

Venous ulcers can be quite nasty

and if they become infected,
they can make you very ill.

If you kindly leave the ointment,
I can keep them clean.

Mr Sharma, it may not be
quite as simple as that.

I'm concerned
they may be caused by diabetes.

Do you have any other symptoms,
such as unusual thirst?

I have to get water
from the neighbour.

We're going
to get our heads together

about your living conditions
after Christmas.

- Right now, you need blood tests.
- (light tense music playing)

I'm going to have to insist
that you see a doctor.

No doctor! Uh...

No. Not to touch me,
not to persecute me!

Not to label me! No lies!

No doctor!

This is enough for today.

(breathing nervously)

(Miss Higgins) Timothy,

I cannot house a tortoise
on medical premises.

It simply isn't sanitary.

It's from a respectable pet shop.

And Dad said
it could just go under your desk.

Did he indeed?

And pray tell,
am I expected to furnish

nourishment and exercise
till Christmas?

Tortoises are
exclusively herbivorous.

And diurnal, with a tendency
for crepuscular action.

He might just want
to stretch his legs for an hour

before you go home from work.

- (door opens)
- (Mr Mathers) Oh, good afternoon.

My name is Warwick Mathers.

I'm Mrs Shelby's consultant
at the Royal College Hospital.

Mr Mathers!

(panting)

(sombre music playing)

Do you want some water, Mr Sharma?

- Here, give us here.
- I thank you.

Charming little place.

And here she is.

One of the first
in what we hope will be

a very long line
of fertility drug success stories.

Hello, Beryl.
Are the locals taking care of you?

Yes. My name's Brenda.

Mr Sharma?

- Mr Sharma!
- (tense sting)

Oh, God.

(tense music playing)

You're right of course, Turner.

Height of the fundus does suggest
she's now at term.

And polyhydramnios is always a risk
in a twin pregnancy.

There's plenty of water in there,
but not too much.

We had wondered
if it was more than twins.

There seems to be a pattern
of higher order multiples

with fertility drugs.

Oh, don't believe
everything you read in the papers.

Any interest in obstetrics?

Of course, sir.

Warm your hands
and perhaps Mother will let you

have a bash at palpating.

Start here.

And then walk your hands
around the abdomen, like so.

(Mr Mathers) Let's book
an ambulance for tomorrow morning

and get her transferred over to us.

X-ray, bed rest,
continual observation.

This lady is carrying
extremely precious cargo.

(door closes)

(baby whining)

I believe you had a hard time.

I wouldn't wish it
on my worst enemy.

Not even me?

(footsteps approaching)

(Aggie chuckles softly)

Faggots, mash, gravy, peas

and a piece of your Auntie Glad's
jam roly and evap.

Young mums need
to be properly looked after.

(dramatic music playing)

- Has he any family you can tell?
- I don't really know.

- (ambulance door closes)
- I think he comes from India.

(baby crying)

It can knock you for six,
when your milk first arrives.

My bosoms are like
blooming balloons.

(sighs)
If the baby doesn't suffocate,

he will drown.

I'll talk you through
the next couple of feeds.

Do you have a name for him yet?

(Toni) Mark.

His father
was called Mitchell, so...

- I thought an M name would be nice.
- Bless you.

(choral music
playing in background)

There!

I think with some hay
underneath the pillow,

this is going to do
the infant King just fine.

Yeah, but how are we
gonna make it look like

that golden light
is shining out of him?

What's the phone number
for Nonnatus House?

Why do you want
to ring Nonnatus House, Reggie?

It's past everyone's bedtime!
Including yours.

- I want to talk to Geoffrey.
- What about?

I want to tell him
I don't want to be a shepherd.

- Reggie, what do you want to be?
- (sighs)

An angel.

Angels are played
by children, Reggie!

They were grown-ups in the Bible.

And they've got the best costume.

(sobbing)

(sombre music playing)

(sobbing)

Can I get you the nurse?

Or a hankie?

You were the one who never had
a hankie when we were at school.

You were the one
who never had nits!

I was scratching my head
more often than I wasn't,

we're that sort of family.

(sniffles)

You were all lovely.

So lovely...

I used to watch you together
and all I wanted to do

was be horrible to you.

- Tell me I gave as good as I got.
- You did all right.

Hmm, I'd have given anything
to have been as loved as you.

Loved? I hope you're joking.

Spotless hair ribbons looks
a lot like love to a scruffy child.

(soft music playing)

Clean shoes.

The right dinner money.
Any dinner money.

We were all on free school lunches.

Maybe I looked
as though I had it all.

But they were the only things

the woman who brought me up
could give me.

I'm not at my best
when I'm jealous.

I had nephews and nieces arriving
like rabbits jumping out of hats...

and my lot, our motto was always
"Share all, share small".

I kept being passed
these babies to cuddle

and I just couldn't do it.

I still haven't even held one,
not since I was a child myself

and didn't...
didn't know what it meant,

or how much it could hurt ya.

Well, you need
to get some practice in, Brenda.

(voice breaking)
I know I do...

You can try holding Mark.
But only if you want to?

Oh, I do want to.

(baby cooing)

(soft gasp)

Oh...

(baby cooing)

(gentle music playing)

Oh, I like his hair.

His dad's from Trinidad.

Is this a private pyjama party,
or are we all invited?

Time to have another go at feeding.

Oh...
(soft chuckle)

I hope you've brought
your plastic mac.

(Brenda) Oh.

Thank you.

(baby cooing)

(sucks teeth, grunting)

- (children chattering)
- (Dr Turner yelping, laughing)

(phone ringing)

- Turner residence.
- (Nancy on phone) Mrs Turner.

Brenda Shelby's been having
intermittent pains all night.

She's not dilated,
but her cervix is effaced.

How soon can Dr Turner get here?

(tense music playing)

(soft gasp)

(staff nurse 1)
What's all this, Mr Sharma?

Would you like some breakfast?

No.

You are going to have
to start eating more regularly.

You've been diagnosed
with late onset diabetes

and we're treating you
with insulin.

I do not consent to this!

The specialist is coming round
to see you later.

- (metal rattling)
- I'm going to get you some toast.

(tense music continues)

Her blood pressure
is showing a sharp uptick

and I am concerned
about moving her.

Just get her into the ambulance.

It's barely 30 minutes,
door to door.

But there's snow on the roads.
And more forecast.

Listen, Turner.
I have no doubt at all

that a normal twin delivery
is entirely within your scope.

But with these twins,
the stakes are far higher.

Send her over now.

(Aggie) God bless ya, love.

And thank you for making
my Christmas perfect.

She hasn't had them yet.

(groaning)

(Sister Julienne)
One kiss on the cheek each and then

I'm afraid we must be on our way.

We'll call you as soon
as she's safely at the hospital.

I'm going to drive
behind the ambulance.

One pony and trap,
booking confirmed!

- (Geoffrey chuckling)
- (phone ringing)

(in silly voice)
Nonnatus House,

Stage Manager speaking.

(in normal voice)
Oh, Violet! Yeah, no,

are you calling about
the illuminated manger?

Uh, no. I'm calling about Reggie.

He doesn't want to be a shepherd.

(tense music playing)

(breathes heavily)

It's not like travelling by rocket,
is it?

Are you warm enough?

I've got two hot water bottles.
It's like San Tropez under here.

(Nancy chuckling)

(groans)

There's something leaking!

(Brenda) Am I wetting myself?

No. Your waters have broken.

(grunting)

If you put your lights on,
people will know we're in convoy.

We're hardly moving.

The ambulance is hardly moving.

(Brenda groaning)

It's like
I wanna push something out!

No, Brenda! You must not push.

You must not push
until we know your body is ready.

(deep exhale)

Just let Sister Julienne
examine you.

(rumbling)

I can feel baby's head advancing.

(grunts)

Is it coming?
Are they gonna be born?

(groaning)

(breathing heavily)

Brenda, baby number one
is on its way!

(deep exhale)
I thought

it would be harder than this.

We need to pull over.

(Nancy) Driver...

It's indicating it's pulling in?

(Sister Julienne)
That's it, Brenda.

We need a long, gentle, slow push,

right down into
your back passage...

(Brenda groaning)

...and baby's head will be with...

(squelching)

(sighs)

(sharp exhale)

- Congratulations!
- (baby crying)

(grunting)

(car horn honking)

- (Kulvir yelps)
- (tyres screeching)

- (loud crash)
- Ooh!

(baby crying)

A little boy!
Small but perfectly formed.

Can I see him?

(grunting)

(Kulvir groaning, panting)

(people murmuring)

Oi!

(tense music playing)

You can hold him close for now.

- Keep him warm.
- (baby crying)

(knocking on door)

There's been an accident.
What's happened?

Uh, twin number one's arrived.
No complications.

Other than the fact that
we're nowhere near the hospital

and there's a blizzard blowing.

(indistinct chatter)

I think the second twin
is already on its way.

We need to divert to St Cuthbert's.

It's nearer.

I want you to ring ahead

and tell them
we need the obstetric team

on standby at the entrance.

Two incubators.
And alert the police.

(door opens)

(baby crying)

(indistinct chatter)

The road's been blocked.
They can't move the car in front.

But they're gonna have to move it.
I'm going to the phone box.

(whispers)
He's holding my finger.

Sometimes, I've laid in bed
holding my own finger,

wondering what it would be like
if it was a baby.

I wasn't holding tight enough.

(groans, sucks teeth)

Contraction.

(indistinct chatter)

We need to get it
right up onto the pavement,

out of the ambulance's way!

(all grunting)

(grunting, puffs)

(breathes deeply)

(sighs)

I only had to push twice
last time...

I think this little one didn't read
its brother's instruction manual.

It seems to be coming out
tail end first.

Do you mean it's breech?

Yes, Brenda. I do.

(groaning)

(dramatic music playing)

Will you tell me
when its head's out?

- It's a little girl, Brenda.
- (Brenda) Oh.

And her head
is going to arrive last.

(squelching)

Liquor with meconium.

Another push, Brenda,
for your little girl.

(grunting)

(Brenda panting)

She's not crying!

- Shh...
- Tell her she needs to cry.

(Brenda panting)

- (baby 1 cries)
- That's right.

You tell your sister.

(Brenda exhales sharply, groaning)

Mucous Extractor!

Oxygen!

(oxygen mask whizzing)

(baby 2 crying)

(uplifting music playing)

(sighs in relief)

(baby 2 crying)

(baby 2 cooing)

(baby 2 crying)

I feel a bit funny...

I need to check her blood pressure.

(police siren ringing)

(passerby) Keep moving...

(indistinct chatter)

(onlookers cheering)

(Dr Turner) It's too low.

I think she may be bleeding.

I can hear another heartbeat...

Brenda. Can you help us?

(tense music playing)

We're on our way to hospital.
But we've still got work to do.

(police siren ringing)

We're to follow them
to St Cuthbert's.

- What are the pavements like?
- Pavements?

I thought you'd passed
your flaming driver's test.

The keys are in the ignition.

Go!

(suspenseful music playing)

This one's coming on its own.
Just breathe!

Brenda, just breathe!

Come on.

(sobbing)

- (grunts)
- (squelching)

(baby 3 crying)

(Dr Turner) You have
another little girl, Brenda!

And she is pinking to perfection.

- We have heavy blood loss.
- (Dr Turner) No Syntometrine.

I can't vouch
for what's going on in there.

(police siren ringing)

(tense music playing)

Triplets.

Mother in shock, haemorrhage,
no sign of the placenta.

(Dr Turner)
Let's get this little one inside.

(shuddering)

(Nigel meowing)

- (music fades)
- (door opens)

What's the latest?

All three babies
have made it to the nursery.

Triplets?

Brenda's still in theatre.
She haemorrhaged

and they're having to remove
the placenta manually.

- What's happening?
- There was a fourth baby!

Is that why
you wouldn't give Syntometrine?

In case there was another baby.

Has anyone ever had
quadruplets before?

Yes, but they've always been
so rare.

Things are going to be different,
now science is involved.

(panting)

Mr Sharma didn't answer his door.

He might have seen your car

and think
it's an official visitation.

Well, in a way, it is.
I own that house.

When he was still paying rent,
it went into my pocket.

And now he isn't paying rent,
he's squatting in my property.

I have to talk to him.

- Find him somewhere else.
- He needs one room.

One room.

With water in the taps
instead of on the floor

and a fireplace.

And... and an electric light.

- It seems so little to ask.
- I...

I don't have
as much control as I once did.

I'm selling
a lot of these buildings off.

Does that grieve you?

Everything to do
with my father's business

grieves me.

(engine starting)

Wait, wait!

(wipers creaking)

(Mr Mathers)
So, we have Baby A, a boy,

three pounds and half an ounce.

Baby B, a girl,
three pounds precisely,

Baby C, another mademoiselle,

tipping the scales
at three pounds three,

and poor little baby D

bringing up the rear
at two pounds ten.

A boy.

He's the only one I haven't seen.

Are you going to move them
to your hospital?

All in good time.
They're best left undisturbed

until they're stable.

Our role in the miracle
is of course well-understood.

I shall make sure
the press report it correctly.

(door opens)

(whispers)
Four names!

- (door closes)
- We're gonna have to think of

four names, Bren.
(soft chuckle)

Eight, if we give them
middle names as well.

We're gonna have
to get another pram!

(both chuckle softly)

We can race each other.

I'd race you to the end
of the world and back again,

Brenda Shelby.

Drink this. It'll warm you through.

(sighs)

(sombre music playing)

(Matthew)
It was good of your neighbour

to give us some fuel.

That was
almost a complete whiteout.

I'm surprised you managed
to find your way home at all.

(rustling)

I was a... a navigator
in the Indian Air Force.

You develop

- a memory for routes...
- (match scraping)

...that sits in the muscle
and the bones.

(light tense music playing)

(breathing shakily)

No! No fire!

(Kulvir whimpering)

(Kulvir)
I won't have a fire in here!

I never have a fire in here!

Put it out! Out!

I am not cold.
I have trained myself.

A... a man in the Air Force

can train himself... in anything.

(phone ringing)

Dr Turner's surgery.

I have completed my last task

and submitted
my last written exercise!

There's a lecture on new ways

of managing maternal exhaustion
in the morning.

And then I'm on my way home!

The snow is forecast
to continue intermittently.

And I confess to being glad
that you winterised your tyres.

I shall be dandy,
with my chains on.

(Kulvir) Nearly 200 of us
volunteered for the British RAF

when war broke out.

The King needed us.
The free world needed us.

It doesn't seem to me that the King
or the free world were...

quite as grateful
as they might have been.

I have my military pension.

But is it enough for you
to live on, Mr Sharma?

I had medals too. But I sold them.

(Matthew) Why?

It was necessary.

I had skills,

but they were not required
when I returned to Earth.

I could read maps
and aviation instruments.

And the constellations.
(soft chuckle)

But when machines fail,

a good navigator
can find his way by stars.

Every day, I promised God

that no pilot, no plane
would ever get lost

when I was there to guide the way.

That is an enormous promise.

It was an enormous war.

We had hearts like lions.

You lived a brave life, sir.

You've endured war

and loneliness and hardship.

But a man only has so much courage.

I know he does.

And minds break, like bodies.

But it is... the body
that will kill you.

Let us help you, Mr Sharma.
Let us fetch the doctor.

(indistinct chatter)

One final, desperate foray
into yet another public library

and a number of mysteries
have been solved.

The only mystery
that I'm interested in solving

is how we're gonna get
all these costumes ready in time

for Christmas Eve!

At this present moment,
that need not detain us.

(groans)

I seem to have identified
the exact Flemish painting

Sister Monica Joan maintains...

the village nativity was based on.

It is called
the Adoration of The Christ Child,

artist unknown.

- Fancy that.
- Yeah.

You'll have to show Fred and Cyril.

I wanted to show you first...

so you could see
the angel sitting next to Mary.

(tender music playing)

(Geoffrey)
And the one standing behind.

(breathes shakily)

They look like Reggie.

They've got
the same thing that he has.

There's no denying it.

And now, there's no denying him.

An angel he will be.

Shepherds are easy to come by.
God's messengers are not.

- (camera shutters clicking)
- (babies crying)

Have you been able to hold
any of the babies yet?

Um...

I've been allowed to put my hand
through the incubator holes

and touch them all,
apart from the smallest.

It was lovely.

And when will you be able
to take them home?

(Mr Mathers)
Questions for another day, I think.

Mrs Shelby will be getting tired.

Thank you.

- Thanks so much.
- (camera shutter clicks)

Thank you.

Ah, one of our midwife heroines
unless I'm much mistaken.

(Nancy) Yes.

I've already posed for pictures
by the ambulance.

That's why I'm wearing extra lippy.

How are you all doing?

They are all breathing well,
with just some extra oxygen.

Only receiving glucose
thus far of course,

but we'll move on to tube feeds,
with artificial milk.

Artificial milk?

Mine's come in,
but it won't be enough for 'em.

They don't even think
there's enough

in the hospital milk bank.

I might just know a way round that.

(light music playing)

(sighs)

- (bones cracking)
- (groaning)

(groans)

I don't know what hurts more,

my nipples, or my hand
from all that pumping.

It's going to be less painful
than the engorgement.

And those quadruplets
are going to do so much better

having breast milk
through those tubes.

Do you need me
to do this every day?

(chuckles)
At least

as long as you're in here with us.

I'm due out on New Year's Eve.
My ten days will be up.

It'll just be me and him,

linking hands,
singing Auld Lang Syne.

Are you sure this is
the only place they put the ships

that are due to come in?

It has been the method of record
since the early 19th century.

I did take the liberty
of telephoning several dockyards,

but no container ship of that name
is scheduled to arrive.

It's even possible
no ship of that name exists.

And no boyfriend either.

Or at least, not one
that's ever coming home...

I shall go to her flat
and pin a card

with our telephone number on it
to the door.

That way, should he materialise,
he will know where he should come.

Oh...
(inhales sharply)

Tell me again
that you're safe to drive.

I've got a hot water bottle
against my sacrum,

I've taken two aspirin
and I'm lathered in Fiery Jack.

- Thermos?
- Full of Nescafé.

Not that I intend
to avail myself of much liquid.

I aim to get home

without having to make
a call of nature.

Merry Christmas!

(Muriel) Merry Christmas!

This is the best picture of you,
the one in the Mirror.

They caught your good side,
you look like your cousin Dot.

I'd have thought you'd have
more milk than that, Brenda,

with four of them to fatten up.

I'm already making
nearly half of what they need.

And Toni Douglas
is providing loads as well.

I'm not sure that's hygienic.

It all gets pasteurised.
It's perfectly hygienic.

And what's more, it's generous.

God only knows
she's got little enough in her life

to share with anybody.

Talk about
"share all, share small".

You said she was a bully...

She's a woman now.

And so am I.

Women help each other, Mum.

Women are family,
even when they're not related.

After the war,

did it never occur to you
to go home?

My, uh, given name means...

"pride of the community".

My mother selected my name
even before I was born.

(soft hopeful music playing)

At kindergarten,
I proved it was the proper choice.

At university,
I proved it was the proper choice.

And when I got into
the Indian Air Force,

she said she wished she had chosen
something even grander.

And when I volunteered for the RAF,

she didn't say anything at all.
(soft chuckle)

She could only cry...

and kiss my hands.

How could I
go back to her afterwards?

(breathes shakily)

How could I tell her the truth?

Because a mother
will always love her son,

no matter what he does.

Because she loves me,
she would die of shame.

I was discharged for cowardice.

No. No, there's no such offence.

There hasn't been any such offence
since World War I.

The doctors called it
by a new name.

They called it
"a Lack of Moral Fibre".

(sighs)

And what sort of doctors were they?

The ones who needed me
back in the air.

Because too many men were dying.
(sobs)

(car engine rumbling)

(yawns)

(groans)

(sighs)

What was it that broke you, Kulvir?

I was in a plane...

(sombre music playing)

...that limped home on one engine,
trailing smoke.

It crashed on the runway.

Above all the sound
of hell and fury,

I heard the pilot's neck break
when we hit the ground.

He did not get out.

(voice breaking)
I did.

After they extinguished the fire,

I saw his body in a barrow.

It was reduced to coal.

No bigger than a dog.
(breathes shakily)

He could never go home.

I could never go home.

I knew then
I would never get in a plane again.

Not even if I was court-martialled.

Not even
if they put a gun to my head.

That's why they diagnosed me
with a Lack Of Moral Fibre.

And that's why
you don't like doctors.

(Dr Turner)
I would have diagnosed you

as having common sense.

(Cyril) Mr Sharma.

I've been talking to someone
at the British Legion.

- It exists to help ex-servicemen.
- But I am not British.

You fought for this country.
You were in the RAF.

And if by doing that,
you lost everything,

they can give you something back.

I can find someone to talk to you

about your state of mind.

Believe me, I know where to look.

- You do?
- I do.

Your diabetes can be managed

and the British Legion
can provide you with a home.

This is my home.

And for too long,
it is not where I lived,

but where I hid.

There's no need to hide anymore,
Mr Sharma.

(sniffles)

Oh, I heard a car.
I thought it was Nurse Crane.

She's expected back this evening.

Unless she's taken
to travelling round the country

in a wicker costume hamper,

I'm afraid you're going to be
sorely disappointed.

(Trixie) Ealing Studios?
What's all this?

Capes, bonnets, crinolines
and a selection of Eastern robes.

How on earth did you manage this?

Contacts.

Uh, contacts, perseverance

and a very high figure
on the meter of a taxicab.

Come on, sis, roll your sleeves up.
I've got four more outside.

(startled grunt)

Mm.

Oh.

(engine starting)

Mm.

I brought you
some cottage pie with carrots,

a piece of chocolate sponge.

Oh, and a coconut.

We got one
in our Christmas Club box

and no one in our house
can stand them.

This is very kind, Mrs Dorrins.

You're feeding my grandchildren.
The least I can do is feed you.

Got yourself
a right little bobby-dazzler there.

He's gonna be Baby Jesus
in a nativity tomorrow.

- Sister Julienne picked him.
- Hmm.

I don't suppose anyone really knows
what he looked like.

Either way, this little lad's
gonna have a full diary.

Because I want the two of you
round at ours

every Sunday for your dinner.

These go out
into the boot of the car...

So we catch the last pickup
by the North Pole Delivery service.

Then bring that tortoise in.

We'll work out how to wrap it.
(chuckles)

I've remade it completely.

The same collar,
the same buttons, the same belt.

Even quite a lot
of the same fabric.

Just a completely different size.

Once it's back in the wrapping
with the Hong Kong stamps,

no one will ever know.

May will know she's loved.

And that's because of you
and what you've done.

- (Timothy) Mum! Dad!
- (Shelagh) Shh!

(Dr Turner)
You'll wake the children!

(whispers)
It's not moving!

It's either hibernating
or it's dead.

(Nurse Crane grunts)

(Nurse Crane) Oh!

(groaning)

(groaning continues)

I am not giving that animal
to Teddy on Christmas morning

unless you are both
100 percent certain

that it is alive.

It'll be Genevieve all over again.

Dead, in her hutch,
all three of them hysterical.

I've always said,
the great value of pets is

they teach children
the rhythms of life and death.

There's a time and a place, Dad.

(Dr Turner) It got too cold
in the boot of the car.

I'm going to the maternity home
to fetch the heat lamp.

It's moving!

(children giggling)

He's been! He's been!

Father Christmas has come early!

(Teddy) Woo-hoo!

Only animals get delivered early.

Nothing else is going to come
till Christmas Day.

(shouts)
Help!

(groans)

(weakly)
Help...

(gasps)

Others have gone to their beds,
at my insistence,

but I could not rest!

I can't move, Sister Monica Joan.

Uh, I...

I shall summon aid,
from those more nimble.

(whimpering)

I have prayed for your return...

and you.

Uh, I'll give you eight out of ten.

(breathing heavily)

Halsey House sounds very nice.

And it is by the sea.

You can come and visit
with your cat.

(chuckles)

There are other RAF men there,
the chap from the Legion said.

I hope I will be good at belonging.
(soft chuckle)

I am no longer accustomed
of doing things with other people.

Do you want to get
a bit of practice in?

We're short of a learned man
for our nativity play.

I think a nativity play
is a Christian undertaking.

These men weren't Christian.
But they knew about the stars.

(jaunty music playing)

- (bed squeaks)
- Ooh.

Oh?

Any improvements? Any loosening?

(Nurse Crane) Uh...

I think I'm in with a chance
of getting off this bed.

(laughing)

- It's a Christmas miracle.
- (chuckles)

He looks the part, doesn't he?

- He certainly does.
- Yeah.

I have a visitor
for Miss Douglas, Sister.

(soft music playing)

Mitchell!

Oh!

Oh...

- (sighs in relief)
- We docked in Liverpool.

I had to hitchhike down.

(baby cooing)

Is that... ours?

It's our son.

A little boy.

Would you like to hold him?

(Mitchell chuckles)

Is this his Sunday best?

(both chuckling)

Are you ready?

Baby A...

Andrew Robin Shelby.

Baby B?

Belinda Carol.

(Vincent) Baby C...

Christina Holly.

And Baby D...

David Noel.

(babies crying)

- Happy Christmas, Mum.
- Happy Christmas, Dad.

(tender music playing)

(whimsical music playing)

(Sister Monica Joan)
You are myself, I think.

The child I once was,

whose journey through life
was but...

barely commenced.

You have to come with me now.

There's such a lot for you to see.

(whimsical music continues)

(horse whinnying)

(carol singers singing)

♪ That glorious song of old ♪

♪ From angels bending near... ♪

(Mature Jennifer)
Sometimes, we only need

a single star to follow.

One point of light
to unite and guide us,

showing us, in the darkness,
something greater than ourselves.

(jubilant music playing)

(Mature Jennifer)
No one was lost that Christmas,

for no one was alone.

And when the children
knelt before the crib,

each one offered up the thing
that meant the most to them,

just like the children
from a different time.

A scrapbook. A photograph.

Tortoise!

And the key to home.

(jubilant music continues)

(music swells)

(Mature Jennifer)
Giving need not be costly

or elaborate.

But it must be done with joy

and from an open soul.

For that is the way
our hearts expand and sing.

Sister Monica Joan
dismissed all her talk

of this being her last Christmas

and embraced it
as one of her happiest and best.

Observing that the greatest gift
we can receive

- is to be loved and be with others.
- (camera shutter clicks)

- Hand in hand...
- (laughter)

...heart to heart,

year after year...

(applause)

...until the rockets
cease circling the moon.

(camera shutter clicks)

(closing theme music playing)