All language subtitles for Call The Midwife 8x03

Every birth begins as a mystery,

an enterprise whose outcome
cannot be foretold.

We think, "May all be well."

And all is well,almost always.

Your councillor is
Mrs Violet Buckle!

But joy is only
the beginning of the journey.

And we must move forward,
fuelled by faith.

More flowers?

The Rotary Club and the
Local Trader's Association.

No, I've no vases left.

We'll have to put them in buckets.

You not going to get that?

It's not stopped all morning.

Councillor Violet Buckle speaking.

May I ask what your call
is regarding?

- Mum!
- Oh, Reggie, love, is that you?

Congratulations, Mum.

Thank you, sweetheart.

Are you in charge now?

Not quite, no, but,
as council member for Poplar North,

I shall do my very best to improve
our local community.

You're going to be busy?

I suppose so.

Never too busy for you, Reggie.

Now, don't beat about the Bush,

make it clear that
it's a very important trial

and that we're asking the mothers of
all eligible babies to take part.

Righty ho.

And tell them that
Mrs Turner's giving

a short talk at the
end of clinic.

Will do.

Well, off you pop.

And don't take no for an answer.

Right, ladies. Measles!

- Just take a seat.
- Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Dr Turner referred me
for my post-natal check.

- Hazel Becker.
- Ah, yes.

We don't seem to have
your records yet.

We just moved from Stepney.

And before that, you were in
Cyprus, is that right?

My husband was posted there
for two years.

You'll be used to this
warm weather, then?

If you'd just like to join
the queue for weighing.

And just so you know,
Sister Hilda now

runs a playgroup here
on Thursday mornings.

You'll find it an excellent way
to meet other mothers.

Right. I'll bear that in mind.

Thank you.

Can I interest you in
a measles vaccination leaflet?

Our clinic's part of a
nationwide trial aiming

to eradicate this
very serious disease.

This says measles can kill.
I didn't know that.

You see children out
on the street with it,

covered in a rash,
spreading it around!

It's a very underestimated disease.

It can cause all sorts of
horrible complications,

blindness, heart problems,
brain damage.

- And death?
- Absolutely.

So would you like to stay
for the talk?

I suppose I'd better.

I'm sorry, Nurse, I couldn't
hear you above the racket.

Not to worry. How are you, Betty?

Well, look at me, I'm blooming.

Come in, come in.

It's mine! Give it back!

Well, this is rather disappointing.

I'm so sorry, Mrs Turner.
I spoke to lots of mothers,

just like Nurse Franklin said,
but maybe I scared them off.

If we can't drum up
a lot more interest,

we shall have to abandon the trial.

Not to worry.

We shall simply have to
alter our approach.

What do you have in mind?

Well, as the stick
clearly hasn't done the trick,

we'll have to dangle
a carrot or two.

I'm sure Sister Frances and I can
come up with something suitable.

If you're quite sure...

I'm sorry,
but will the talk be starting soon?

I'm afraid we've had to postpone.

But a new date will be announced
very shortly.

Excuse the smell, we was making
jam tarts and the jam caught.

It's mine! Bang, bang!

Yeah, I know the boys
should be at school.

But we was having fun.

Besides, I like 'em here with me.

You'll have the inspector after you,
if you're not careful.

Ooh, let him try!

Well, your blood pressure
looks very satisfactory.

It's like I said to Dr Turner,
I could do this in me sleep.

Do you know, he wanted me
up at the hospital for this one?

Once you get to number six,
we like to be careful.

But you'll have two
of us keeping an eye

on you, so you've
nothing to worry about.

Is your, er, Donny still away?

He's on one of them
new container ships.

You know, somewhere
near Newfoundland.

And have you found
someone to sit with

the others when the
big day comes?

Oh, yeah.

Old Mrs Girton from upstairs
is going to help.

See you later, Mum.
I'm going up west with Petey.

- In another new shirt?
- Got to look my best.

First things first,

we need to list all the babies who
fall within the correct age range.

There's going to be quite a few.
The more the merrier.

Then we just need to think of a
suitable incentive for the mothers.

Perhaps a free gift of some sort.

Isn't that bribery?

Not when it's in the interest
of public health.

Nurse Franklin?

What is the meaning of this?

We're just retrieving
some patient files,

Miss Higgins, we won't be long.

And may I ask, who gave
you permission?

It's for Dr Turner's measles trial.
If you have any objections,

do feel free to take it up with him.

Are you on board?

- Yeah.
- Lovely!

You could display one
in your window.

Preferably at eye level.

This looks good!

Enter.

30!

Over 30 mothers have
agreed to attend?

They have, and we were able to hire
the hall at the institute as

the toddler tap class is
currently on hiatus.

Nurse Franklin thought you might
like to give the talk yourself,

Dr Turner, seeing as
we've such a big turnout.

I'd be happy to.

This really is excellent work,
Sister Frances.

We also noticed that Teddy's the
right age for the trial, Mrs Turner.

Yes, that's correct.

So Nurse Franklin wondered if
you might like to have him

vaccinated as part of the talk

to show the mothers that there's
nothing to be worried about?

Well, yes, I suppose we could.

Because, if you don't mind sticking
a big needle in your son's arm,

why should they?

Quite.

Thank you for notifying us,
Mrs Girton.

Morning. Not bad news, I hope?

Oh, no, not at all.

My mother writes to inform me that
my cousin is getting married

to a young man she met
at the church picnic.

Oh! That's nice for her.

My mother also wonders if
there are any

"clean, well-mannered gentlemen"
attending my own church.

Nurse Dyer?

Betty Marwick's neighbour
has just called

to inform us that her
waters have broken.

On my way.

Nurse Anderson, if you can assist?

Of course.

You'll have rather a full house
to contend with.

As I remember, Betty's children
can be quite lively.

There you go, sweetheart.

Now, you're going to be good as
gold for Mrs Girton, aren't you?

Oh, Sharon, come here,
sort your plaits out!

Betty, I really need
to get you into

the bedroom,
so I can examine you.

Here, wait a minute, Nurse, I just
need to find the blessed hairbrush!

I've still not found
any clean bed linen.

That's quite enough, thank you.

Out you go.

You're going to have to
dismantle that tipi.

May I take this
opportunity to offer my

congratulations in person,
Councillor Buckle?

You're very kind, Nurse Crane.

But, of course,
now the hard work really begins.

Indeed.

I'm afraid I, myself,

am contemplating a curtailment
of my additional duties.

Running Cubs alone has proven
somewhat onerous of late.

I hope you won't be
abandoning them entirely?

Not entirely.

But the District Commissioner
has given me

leave to advertise
for assistance.

I'm glad to hear it.

Now, delegation, that's the key.

It is so terribly easy to forget

the damage that can be caused by
the measles infection.

But I have seen children
left with brain damage

or permanent hearing loss.

This common childhood illness
can have very serious consequences.

You mean they can die?

Sadly, yes,in some cases,
it can be fatal.

But if this trial proves successful,
we shall have a vaccine,

which will effectively protect
all our children.

Speaking of which,

if I can introduce our first
volunteer - my own son, Teddy.

Hello, you!

Hello.

It's Dawn Alison Becker.

October the 3rd, 1963.

Oh!

Sorry, I'm just doing
my mental arithmetic.

I'm afraid Dawn's too young
to take part, Mrs Becker.

It's only for babies
over ten months.

That's nit-picking! Splitting hairs!

I'm sorry.

But we have to do as
the guidelines tell us.

And in the meantime, what are you
telling these babies' mothers?

That measles can blind them,
maim them, even kill them?

But if you're under ten months, you
just have to take your chances?

Mrs Becker, is something amiss?

Do you want to tell her, or shall I?

She's saying that my Dawn
can't have her vaccination.

She's only eight months old.

Then Sister is correct.

But if all goes well with the trial,
it may well be that we can

vaccinate your little girl too
in a year or two.

A year or two?

I'm sorry for wasting your time!

Oh, dear. She was very angry.

No. She was very upset.

All right, precious,
we're nearly there.

Just little pushes.

Little pushes for the head,
nice and steady.

But this baby has other ideas!

You couldn't wait, could you,
sweetheart?

You couldn't wait to come out
and meet your family!

Boy or girl? Nurse?

It's a boy.

Kirk, we're calling him Kirk,
like Kirk Douglas!

Is that right?

You just lie down now.

Catch your breath for a moment.

I loved him in that one
where he was a Viking.

Do you know the one I mean?
Oh, he was that handsome!

Well, let's have
a look at him, then.

Nurse?

Betty, now, I don't
want you to be alarmed.

Well, you're alarming me,
just saying that!

You're alarming me
by just looking so kind.

Kirk is fit and well, Betty,

and he's got a prize-winning
pair of lungs!

You heard him just now.

But his top lip and, we think,
the roof of his mouth didn't

develop properly in the womb.

So he doesn't look quite like
your others would've done.

Is that why
you're covering his face?

We didn't want you get a shock.

But you can see for yourself,
when you feel ready.

Have you uncovered him yet?

Oh, my God!

We will need the doctor
to take a look at him.

We're going to call
the maternity home

and say we're sending you both over.

Poor little lad.

Can't believe that nurse
turned us away.

But if Dawn's too young...
That's not the point.

You didn't hear
what they were saying.

The horrible things that could
happen if she caught it.

They said Dawn could die.

She's not going to die.
Nothing's going to happen to her.

You've got to stop
thinking like that.

You could try putting her in a cot.

She's getting a bit big
for that thing. She's fine.

And can you remember to leave
your boots outside of the flat?

She's crawling now,
so I don't want you

walking in all the
dirt from the factory.

I can hardly leave 'em in the
corridor. Someone'll pinch 'em.

Put them on the balcony, then!
Is that really too much to ask?

S... O... S.

Well done! Right, Pack.

We shall return to the art of
semaphore at a later date,

but for now if you would please

return your flags to
the receptacle on this table.

Now, a reminder for your mothers,
there will be no meeting

on the 18th because, as you may
know, it's the Whitsun Bank Holiday.

My Auntie Lorna's going to Southend.

She says they have ice creams
and real live donkeys.

So I understand.

She said she'd take me next year,
but Mum says she's all talk.

All right, young man.

All done.

So how big is it?

This gap in the roof of his mouth?

It's sizeable.

In a day or two, the surgeon at St
Cuthbert's will have a look at him

and start to plan the operation.

So, once he's had that,
will he be all right?

We can repair his lip straight away.

But the surgery inside the mouth
won't be for some months.

One step at a time.

I'll leave you with these ladies.

I think the young man's
feeling peckish.

Is he in pain?
Is that why he's crying?

No, not at all.

It's like Doctor said,
he's just hungry.

Luckily, we have some bottles
with long teats the little chap

will be able to drink out of
quite happily.

We'll set you up with the pump.

Pump? What do you mean, pump?

- Nurse Crane!
- Good Lord!

It would behove you to wear
a heavier shoe or at the very least

to announce your presence
in a more timely fashion!

My apologies but, er, I have come
to offer my services.

In what capacity?

For the position of
Assistant Cubmaster,

as per your advertisement.

I have extensive experience within
the scouting community

and can provide references from
the Akela at my former pack

in Stepney, should you require them.

Well, providing the
District Commissioner is agreeable,

I suppose we can consider the
implementation of a trial period.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

I'd seen it in training, but

I'd never delivered a baby
with a cleft palate before.

It did come as quite a shock.

The condition can be
extremely disfiguring,

but a good surgeon
really can work wonders.

Of course, at this stage, the main
worry is that he'll fail to thrive.

To be honest, I didn't feel I knew
enough to offer much assistance.

Well, that's easily remedied.

I've a reference book with
a chapter on facial anomalies.

If you can visualise the anatomy,

you'll find it helps immeasurably
with the practical care.

Phyllis,can't I tempt
you to a pedicure?

One wouldn't want to reveal
unsandalworthy feet

in this glorious warm weather.

Rest assured, Trixie.

In the unlikely event that
I should don sandals,

they will be worn with
a pair of socks.

My mother never approved
of painted toes.

She said they were too forward.

But a soft pastel in a pearl finish,
it's so elegant.

It's what all the Italians
were wearing.

Why shouldn't we bring a little
Portofino glamour to Poplar?

Would you credit it?
The one time the

wholesaler's delivery
comes early!

I thought I'd never get away.

Is noone here yet?

The surgery was advertised as
starting at nine sharp.

How about we get you
settled in the caf�

and I'll make you a
nice cup of tea?

Well, just mind you put the sign up

because I can't have people
traipsing in, looking for iced buns,

when I'm conducting
private consultations.

Martin, feel her head.
Do you think she's hot?

Maybe a bit.

Look how flushed she is.

Or maybe she's teething.

Hey, that it, sweetheart?
Getting your first tooth?

She's been awake half the night.

She's not the only one,
that sofa's hard as a rock.

Been months since I got
a decent night's sleep.

Martin, I'm serious, I think
there's something really wrong.

A beach? Outside Nonnatus House?

That is correct.

I would like the council's
permission to create a sandpit

in the courtyard
for Whitsun Bank Holiday.

And you think this is a...
a good idea?

Well, as Nurse Crane says, if the
young ones can't get to the seaside,

then why don't we bring
the seaside to them?

I know a man
I can see about some sand.

I believe we could obtain all the
necessary materials as donations

from local builders and tradesmen,
so there would be no cost entailed.

I'm sorry, but I've never heard
anything so ridiculous.

I mean, if people are that keen,
they can always go to Tower Beach.

Oh, come on, Vi!
Where's your sense of fun?

I have to act in the best
interests of the community.

To my mind, this would be just that.

It will certainly create
a strong feeling of civic pride.

If, and only if, you can guarantee
that every single grain of sand

is cleared by Tuesday morning.

You have my word, as an officer
of the law, Madam Councillor.

Very well, then.

We shall have a beach.

Nurse, I don't mean to be unkind -

I know her baby's come out a bit
funny, but wouldn't it be better

to move her to a room of her own?

Better for who, exactly?

I can't do it, Nurse! I just can't.

My milk's in, and I've been
up all night with that flaming pump!

I can hardly get anything,
and what I did get he won't take!

You know, with the others,

I just used to clamp 'em on
and we were away!

Now look at me!

And I can hear what
they're saying out there.

Well,
they won't be saying it any more.

Meanwhile, the pump can have
its marching orders.

Shh, shh, shh, shh!

I'll mix him a feed from
powdered milk,

and we'll just concentrate on
getting it down him.

Please, I need to see the doctor.

Do you have an appointment?

No, but I'm worried there's
something wrong with my baby.

Then I shall endeavour to be
of assistance

but, as you can see, there are
already several patients waiting.

But she's very hot. I think
it might be something serious.

Mrs Becker, everything
all right? Doctor...

I was just explaining to Mrs Becker
that, without an appointment...

Please, can you just take
a look at her?

Something's not right, I know it.

Please.

She does have a slight temperature.

But that's because she's teething.

And you did have her quite
wrapped up for the time of year.

All the books say to keep 'em warm.

I haven't taken her out
without a hat and

a matinee jacket
since she was born.

The sunshine is good for them.
Good in what way?

You don't need me to blind you
with science, but there are a lot...

I do! You do need to
blind me with science.

I need to know everything
about this.

Everything about
bringing up a child.

About getting things right,
about not letting things go wrong.

It's normal to be anxious
around the first baby.

But you're doing
really, really well.

So far.

She needs her mid-morning milk.
I have her on a very strict routine.

We can have a chat about your
worries, if you aren't in a rush.

No, I've already wasted
enough of your time.

I'll admit I wasn't aware
the vaccination trial

would generate
so much additional paperwork.

Accurate record-keeping is the
cornerstone of medical advancement.

Dr Turner might do well
to remember that

before allowing all and sundry
access to my filing system.

Well, we're all working towards
the same goal, aren't we?

Miss Higgins tells me
you let Mrs Becker jump the queue.

Mrs Becker was in rather a state
about her baby's temperature.

Was anything wrong?

With the baby, no,
a simple case of teething.

But the mother was
rather in need of reassurance.

They're new to the area.

She may be feeling
a little isolated.

Perhaps I should
try and look in on her?

That would be
a very neighbourly thing to do.

Excuse me, please.

You might get on better...

..if you can picture
what's going on inside.

Try putting your finger
in his mouth, like this.

And just gently feel for the hole.

I'm scared I'll hurt him.

It's not sore.

It's not like it's an injury.
It's just the way he's made.

Right. Yeah?

There we are.

God, it goes ever so far back.

That's why we need to be careful
where the teat goes.

Come on. Let's have another go.

I think it's working!
I think he's getting something!

You're good at this, Betty.

Yeah, we'll see.

It's all very well,
Nurse Crane coming up with this

wild scheme of hers, but she's no
idea the level of planning involved.

There's permits to organise, there's
road closures to be approved.

Ooh, how did you
get on with the sand?

All sorted - one tonne of
the finest quality builders' sand

to be delivered Saturday
before Bank Holiday.

Well done!

I was thinking, we could have
some sort of opening ceremony,

make a bit of an occasion of it,
perhaps we could ask the mayor?

Or a certain very attractive
lady councillor?

Oh, Fred! Don't be daft.

Why not? After all, you're the one
that's making all this happen.

Sister Hilda and Nurse Dyer,

you will be assisting Mrs Turner
at the maternity home.

Betty Marwick is to see the surgeon
at St Cuthbert's this afternoon,

so she will need to be escorted to
and from the hospital with baby.

Of course.

Nurse Crane, do you know
anything about

a rather large quantity of sand?

I'm afraid it appears to be
blocking your car.

Ready?

It's a mother's worst nightmare,
isn't it?

It was supposed to be delivered next
week and piled against the wall!

Mm.

I reckon Nolly Watling
got the wrong end of the stick.

You think?

Well, you did ask for a beach.

It will have to be moved.

I require access to my vehicle
at all times!

Well, get to it, then, Fred.

Mrs Becker, I'm sorry to call in
unannounced, but I understand

from Dr Turner that your little
one's been suffering with her teeth.

Er, yes, that's right.

Well, I happen to have
some marvellous teething powders

that I thought might help.

That's very kind.

I was just changing the bed.

Oh, I won't hold you up.

No. Please, come in.

After the palate repair, your son
may have some difficulty breathing,

in which case we shall intubate.

And what's that?

It's a very simple procedure.

We insert a tube into the windpipe
which connects to a ventilator.

Oh, God!

It's unlikely he will require
assistance for more than a few days.

However, your son may experience
some hearing loss moving forward,

as well as dental and speech issues.

But there's a great deal that can be
done with ongoing treatment.

Now, do you have any questions,
Mrs Marwick?

She's a smashing little eater!
And so bonnie.

It must be quite lonely,
on your own with a little one,

and in a new place to boot.

I should be used to it.

We moved all the time
when Martin was in the Army.

Nevertheless, it's different
once you've a baby to care for.

Yes, it is.

I'm sorry about the other day
at the institute.

- I shouldn't have got so upset.
- Not at all.

We all just want to
keep our children safe.

I'm afraid I shall
have to get going.

No, I'll see myself out.

But do come along to the playgroup
if you can.

It's such a help to be able to
ask others for advice

when you're a first-time mum.

I'm not a first-time mum.

You aren't?

I'm sorry.

Would you like to tell me
what happened?

No.

I don't talk about it.

Not to anyone.

Everybody said
that was the better way.

Of course.

At least now you know
what's to come.

All those operations and treatments?

We can make sure
you have help with the children.

What, some stranger?
They won't want that.

Betty, why not have the children
come and visit?

Let them meet their little brother.

It might make things feel
a bit more normal.

No, it'll just upset 'em.
It's hard enough.

Phyllis, I wondered if
I might ask a favour?

I don't understand.

You want to take his picture?

I know you're worried Kirk's
appearance might come as a shock

to the other children, so I thought,
if we show them a photograph

and let them get used to it,
then it won't seem so frightening.

I suppose.

Let's find a clean bib, then,
shall we, Nurse?

We want this young man
looking his best.

Hazel Becker's previous GP
says that she gave birth to a son

just over three years ago.

So Dawn isn't her first baby?

The little boy died in his sleep,
aged eight months.

An unexplained death?
Was any cause found?

There so seldom is.

Imagine the torture for the parents.

Apparently, poor
Hazel found the lack

of an explanation
very, very hard.

Enter.

Mrs Becker's notes, Dr Turner,
delivered by messenger.

I did tip him out of the petty cash.

But only sixpence
because he was chewing gum.

Is the postmortem report included?

I took the liberty of
placing it on the top.

There's a particular detail
I felt you ought to note.

I'm sure Doctor is quite capable of
directing his own investigations.

The date of the demise
of the little boy.

He died in May,
and an anniversary is approaching.

Pain can be redoubled
at such a time,

as those of us
who have been bereaved will testify.

Hazel is locked in grief
and old patterns.

Silence and secrecy
have made things worse.

Just need my pillow.

Will you at least
try and get some sleep? Of course.

You can't watch her all night.
Shh! She's nearly asleep.

I still think we should try
putting her in her own room.

That way, you can sleep.

Sleep through her crying?
Sleep through her choking?

Sleep through her
stopping breathing?

When is this going to stop, Hazel?
We can't carry on like this!

Now look what you've done!
Shh, it's OK.

Shh! Shh!

Get away!

We shall have no defecation here!

The thing to remember is that
Kirk looks quite poorly,

but the doctors are going to be
able to make him better.

Would you like to see
the picture too, Lynette?

Hey!

She's not stopped crying
since her mum went.

And as for them boys!

Betty's not so much brought them up

as turned them loose
and let them run wild!

And it's too much for me
with my rheumatics.

Mum! Mum!

Slowly, slowly now.
It's not a playground.

Hello, baby Kirk!

Careful there - mind your brother.

So you are coming home now, are you?

Because, I'm sorry, lovey,
this lot's more than I can take.

Hey, shh, quiet!

Just give it another couple of days.

I can't. I need to go home.

It'll be so much better
for Kirk if you stay.

I've got six kids, not just one.

And it's better for them
to have me home.

When's your husband coming back?

I don't know, depends if
he picks up another ship.

I was also thinking about
a paddling pool.

Oh, yes?

Apparently, the Brownies had a great
big one at their summer jamboree.

I think it would be just the thing.

I mean, you can't have the beach
without the sea, can you?

No, I suppose not.

So I'll leave that to you, then.

And if you can ask Sister Julienne
to sign the waiver on behalf

of Nonnatus House regarding
road closures.

And, of course, there's still
the decorations to finalise.

Well, I had merely envisioned
a few swathes of bunting.

But should you wish to provide
something more elaborate...

Oh, no, bunting will be fine.

Your towering edifice of dirt

has been claimed by
the local feline population.

Come Whitsun, I predict it shall be
contaminated beyond all repair.

I shall speak to Mr Buckle
about finding some tarpaulins.

Well, I think that seems to be
everything for now.

Goodness! This really is becoming
quite a production.

More like a three-ring circus, and I
think we know who the ringmaster is.

I won't tell you again,
get back into bed!

It's all right! It's all right!
We're nearly there.

For God... It can't
still be too hot!

Shh!

What now?

Lynette's wet the bed again.

Mrs Becker, I'm so glad
you could come.

I might not stay very long.
Had a bit of a broken night.

They've sent through all these dates
for follow-up appointments,

half a dozen of 'em, and it says
he's going to be at the hospital

for at least a week!

Look, what have I
said about fighting

in the kitchen? Go on, get out!

He will need quite a bit of time
to recover after the surgery.

But this is just the start,
isn't it?

I mean, the surgeon says
the other operations

are going to be
even more serious.

Here, I need to make up
another bottle.

And that's another thing! You know,

I thought formula was meant
to make it easy.

Well, what with all the heating
and sterilising, and now I'm

running out of the blessed stuff,
and I ain't got no time to buy any!

Just sit down a minute.
I'll make up the bottle.

Wasn't like this with the others.

It was so easy with them.

I knew what I was doing.

He's feeling a bit hot.

That'll be from all the screaming.

Something wrong?

? The driver on the bus
goes move on down

? All day long

? The babies on the bus go wa-wa-wa
Wa-wa-wa, wa-wa-wa

? The babies on the bus go wa-wa-wa

? All day long

? The mothers on the bus go
shh-shh-shh

? All day long... ?

No! Goodness!

Did you see that?
She just hit my daughter!

Oh, dear.

- I'm so sorry.
- What is wrong with you?

I didn't mean...

Yeah, you should go, you're
not fit to be around children.

You hear me?

Let's all remain calm, shall we?

Copper!

Poor little soldier.

I'm afraid it looks as though
he's breathed in some of the milk

while he was feeding.

It will have been
irritating his lungs.

It's my fault. I couldn't
get it to go down the right way.

You are doing really well, Betty.

Feeding a baby like Kirk
can be a bit tricky

till you get the hang of it.

I will give you some antibiotics
to keep any infection at bay.

I'm sorry.

It's just so much harder now
I'm on me own at home.

You're not on your own,
I promise you.

You can phone for us at any time
of the night or day.

And I will drop in and give this one
the once-over tomorrow.

I've seen so many women struggling
on their own over the years.

Husbands dead or drunk.

Or in prison or at sea.

Like Betty's other half.

Most of them cope.

But they don't always thrive.

They need support,
if they're going to do that.

Dr Turner?

Nurse, erm...

..I was hoping to speak to
Mrs Betty Marwick.

Is now an appropriate moment
to call?

This is not the first
time I've witnessed your

son and his friend driving
in a reckless manner.

You said Keith
wasn't the one driving.

In this instance.

But both your son and his friend
have repeatedly driven in

such a manner to risk damage to
other vehicles, not to mention

the potential to endanger life.

- We never damaged anything.
- Look, that is enough from you!

- Is there anything else?
- Not at present.

But I'll be keeping
my eye on you, son.

As if I haven't enough to deal with!

Go on - out of my sight!

Good girl. There we go.

Oh, God! Oh, God!

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, please!

Do you know what I thought
last night?

When Kirk wouldn't stop crying
and I couldn't do anything right?

I thought it might've been better
if I'd let him slip away.

Then he wouldn't have to
deal with all he's got to come.

What kind of monster
does that make me?

It doesn't make you a monster
in any way, shape or form.

It makes you a mother, Betty.

Because you want to protect him.

When I had Keith, it was like
there was a party in the room.

Me mum was still alive,
and she was there, me Auntie Rita,

and the nun what delivered him.

I had a hard time getting
his head out but, when I did,

and when he cried,
I got a round of applause.

I'd never had a round of applause
in me whole life!

Even me husband clapped,
he was outside on the landing.

But no-one's clapping now.

Kirk'd be better off
with someone else.

Someone who can
look after him properly.

Please, I think my baby's dying!

All right, you're here now.

I'll fetch the doctor.

It's measles, isn't it?

She's caught it,
and now it's too late.

It is a rash, but it's not measles.

It's something called roseola
infantum, or sixth disease.

Is that worse? Is it worse?

- Is she going to die?
- No.

It's just a mild virus.

It's very common,
not serious at all.

It will pass in a day or two, and
Dawn will be perfectly all right.

You can't know that.
You can't be sure.

I am absolutely sure.

It must've been unbearably painful
to lose your little boy, Hazel.

I don't tell people about that.
I don't talk about it.

It's in your medical notes.

And so it should be.

A loss like that will make so many
things in your life so much harder.

Including bringing up a lovely,
healthy baby, like Dawn.

He was healthy, too.

They said that. And he died.

I wish I could give you a reason
why that happened, Hazel.

But I can't now any more than
the doctors could then.

I can only tell you that
you are a wonderful mother...

..and I have every confidence
in you.

Do you?

Yes.

I do.

And one day, you will have
confidence in yourself again.

Because you deserve to.

I need to get her home, in the warm.

There's a bus in a minute.

You're not getting the bus.

You have a long list
for this evening's rounds, Doctor.

I have no objection to
driving Mrs Becker to her residence.

Betty was very clear.

She told me to contact
the adoption agency straight away.

Are you certain
this is what she wants?

I don't know.

I mean, it's not as if
she's been coping since the birth.

And it's taken its toll
on the whole family.

Her eldest son's got himself
in trouble with the police,

and now, with the baby ill,
she is really struggling.

If it's a question of practical
support, that can be provided.

Perhaps if Betty could be persuaded
to send the older children

to school more regularly...

It's more than that.

She keeps saying it's not like
it was with the others.

She doesn't seem to feel the urge
to cuddle him or show affection.

I'm sure she's in
a very dark place at the moment.

But a few hours of peace and quiet

and a chance to get on top of
things, it should start to feel

a great deal more manageable.

I won't pretend there's
an easy solution, Nurse Dyer.

But we need to help Betty
to start helping herself.

Hazel, where have you been?

Your wife had a bit of a scare,
Mr Becker,

but there's nothing to worry about.

- Hazel?
- I need to put her down.

There we go.

I know you've been through
a terrible time, my dear,

losing a child.

But you are stronger
than you realise.

It's like an actual pain...

..here, in my chest.

And it never goes away.

And I don't want it to go

because that would mean
I was forgetting him.

Is she all right?

She seems a great deal calmer.

Dr Turner did suggest
a mild sedative.

No, she won't take it,
not after last time.

The, er, the doctor in Cyprus
put her on something when Stephen...

..when, erm, when our son died.

The state she was in, she couldn't
even make it to the funeral.

That's probably for the best.

God knows, that was the hardest
thing I ever had to do.

Standing there in the baking heat...

..watching that little coffin
go into the ground.

We all need the chance
to say goodbye.

I suppose we do.

Thought I'd help you get
the kids off to school.

If you want.

Right, you lot,
where are your schoolbags?

Ah! Not so fast!

With your dad away,
you're the man of the house.

So it's time you stepped up.

From now on, I'm putting you
on Quartermaster's duty.

You what?

One tin of powdered milk on the go,
another in the cupboard.

Soon as one runs out, you go to
the chemist and you replace it.

Got it?

Good.

I need to talk about him, Hazel.

If we don't, I'm scared about
what's going to happen to us.

What it might end up doing to Dawn.

Maybe I shouldn't have listened
to that doctor.

Maybe if we'd have gone to
the funeral together...

It wasn't your fault.

You should've had a chance
to say goodbye.

Right, off you pop.
Good boys. Come on.

And you... see you later!

Baby milk?

What are you doing under there?
You hiding?

Ignore 'em.

Have a good look, why don't you?
That's my brother, all right?

You got something to say about him,
you say it to me!

Honestly! What are you like?

3oz.

No! Really?

Well done, Betty.
You're doing brilliantly.

I'd say your mummy's
earned a cuddle!

And you're sure his chest is better?

Temperature's normal.

- He's a thriving, healthy little chap.
- Good.

Cos now we've got to get him
through the operation.

We heard back from Mrs Lightley
at the adoption agency.

She said she could drop by tomorrow.

Tell her not to bother.

I understand from your husband that
your little boy is buried abroad.

Yes, he is.

Well, I can't imagine that
that is entirely helpful.

No.

I'm not from a large family.

I have just the one uncle in Canada.

And since my parents met
their untimely end,

in the course
of an air raid in 1941,

he has been unable
to visit their grave.

Winnipeg being quite some distance
from East Finchley.

My uncle planted a rose bush
in their memory.

He sends me photographs of it
once in a while.

And it brings us both comfort.

I venture to hope that this
might do the same for you.

That's most kind. It really is.

Thank you.

Donny! When did you get home?

I came off the ship
about an hour ago.

Can I see him?

Come here, then.

Oh, look at him! He's gorgeous!

- Now, there's a cheering sight.
- Isn't it?

Angela asked me today if she could
tell people May was her sister.

Did she?

They're really becoming very close.
It's lovely.

I was thinking that some people foster
children for years, don't they?

It does happen.

Right, come on, then!
We don't want to be late.

In you pop.

Come on, Reggie! Spit spot!
It's nearly half past.

Will we do?

Oh! Just look at my handsome boys!

Madam Councillor?

On behalf of the Tower Hamlets
London Borough Council,

it gives me the greatest of
pleasure to declare this

Poplar Whitsun Bank Holiday
Play Beach open for business!

Oh, I feel like the Queen!

In you go! In you go!

Tempted to have a paddle, Sister?

Just you try and stop me!

- What's it like?
- Ooh!

Three cheers for Akela! Hip hip...

Hooray!

- Hip hip...
- Hooray!

- Hip hip...
- Hooray!

That ice cream's melting.

Boo!

We can decide to be happy,

make much out of little,

embrace the warmth of
our ordinary days.

Life unfolds as a mystery.

An enterprise whose outcome
cannot be foretold.

We do not get what we expect.

We stumble on cracks,
are faced with imperfection.

Bonds are tested and tightened.

And our landscapes shift
in sunshine and in shade.

There is light.

There is.

Look for it.

Look for it shining over
your shoulder, on the past.

It was light where you went once.

It is light where you are now.

It will be light
where you will go again.

Gentle, rhythmic circles.

Ooh, I've come over a bit funny.

Where are you off to
in your next-best two-piece suit?

An exhibition of photography.

What are horizons for
if not to be expanded?

Are you asking to arrange
a termination of your pregnancy?

If that's the polite way
of putting it.

Faster!