Original subtitles

SIREN WAILS Why are you doing this?

You're thinking of joining a retrieval team?

Not exactly. It's been a while since I worked in a city hospital.

Frank Campion suggested I tag along with you guys

to get an idea of what pre-hospital care your patients are getting.

Fair enough. I'll keep out of your way.

It must be a big adjustment, though, being back here.

Yeah. (Grunts) Arggh.

But some things don't change.

SIREN WAILS

Dean Armstrong, 30 years old, single-vehicle MVA,

car versus telegraph pole.

How are you doing there, Dean? (Groans)

Obvious facial and neck swelling. Painful to touch.

I bet it is.

Developed mild respiratory distress on the way.

C-spine immobilised with a hard collar.

IV cannula inserted with Hartmann's running.

FRANK: I see you took my advice. Obvious haematoma to left neck.

Uh, possible vascular injury. We're going to need a surgical consult.

That's OK. You don't need to be a doctor today.

That wasn't part of the deal. Probable mandibular fracture.

X-ray to confirm. Our patient now.

OK, on my count. One, two, three. (Continues groaning)

Another cannula. Bloods for FBC, UEC, coags.

Group and hold them, cross-match.

Spence, get.

Go on, get. Go on.

(People chatter) (Groans)

978 to base. We'll be clear in two minutes.

We'll need arterial bloods on C spine, chest X-ray, ETT...

And everything else that Spence just said?

Is he still there? PARAMEDIC: Spence, here. Come on.

No, he's gone. Good. Yes, everything.

Including the surgical consult. (Dean continues groaning)

You still have trouble letting anyone else be right, don't you?

Doesn't that get to you? Not being able to follow up on a patient?

What do you reckon, Spence? (Laughs)

We'd love to stick around and follow up.

How does the next patient get here? Catch a taxi?

(Laughs)

SIREN WAILS

2.5 milligrams of morphine going in.

Pulse is 95 on 55, heart rate is 110.

Sats are at 90% on 15...litres.

No wonder he's having trouble breathing.

What's the story, Frank? FRANK: Mandibular fracture.

There's too much swelling. We can't visualise the vocal cords.

Right. I'll set up for a tracheotomy.

Oh, don't get too excited, Dr Quade.

I think we need to consider all the options

before we rush in with an invasive procedure.

Good gracious me. A surgeon that might actually grow on me.

Well, I'd hate to interrupt this little love-fest,

but what are we going to do?

Well, first let's sedate and then we'll muscle relax for starters.

Sux and thio's already drawn up, Frank.

You know what? If I'm not needed here I have other patients.

FRANK: Thanks, Zoe.

We do a tracheotomy, he's going to be left with a scar.

He's a young guy. He doesn't want that.

The alternative is retrograde intubation.

More technically difficult, but a lot less invasive.

I presume you've done that procedure before?

Well, I don't do it every day of my life,

but that's lack of opportunity, not lack of ability.

Any thoughts, Dr Quade?

Oh, opportunity's your thing. Go for it.

Ready? Yeah.

I'll need an assistant. Dan? What do you say?

About assisting? BIANCA: Yeah.

You worked in surgery before you came to the E.D., didn't you?

Yeah, I did. Good.

I've got a feeling we're going to make a great team.

Quick! She's inside.

Come on! Hurry up! She's bleeding.

Come on! Hurry up.

She's in here. What's your name?

Brandon. And your mum's?

Karen. Oh, no, go away. I told you.

Mum, you're sick. I'll be alright.

That's what we're meant to say to you.

My name's Bec. This is Lorraine. And this is Spence. He's a doctor.

What do you think you're doing?

Brandon said you were bleeding. Yeah. She's pregnant.

How far along are you? Piss off and leave us alone.

Oh, Mum, let them help you. She's four months.

18 weeks. OK. So when did you start bleeding?

This morning.

Mate, would you mind getting us some towels? That'd be a huge help.

You go. It's alright. You want to help your mum?

Karen, did anything happen this morning?

Did you have a fall? Have you been sick?

(Tearfully) You don't have to keep looking at each other like that.

I know I'm miscarrying. We don't know that yet.

I do.

How many children do you have? Four, including Brandon.

Why? What's that got to do with anything?

Has there been any history of abnormal bleeding

during your other pregnancies?

Karen. Would you let them examine you?

What's the point? I just want to see what's going on.

(Groans)

I'll need a 16-gauge intravascular catheter.

Anticipation. Good to see.

Waiting for instruction's not my strong point.

BIANCA: I can tell.

Glad it's obvious.

Yes, being obvious is always such a good thing.

First we puncture the cricothyroid membrane.

Guide one.

Then we insert the wire through the needle

so the end can be retrieved through the nose or mouth.

I'll need you to steady the wire for me once it's in place.

And I'll guide the ET tube over the wire and down his throat.

What's that expression about weddings, Jack?

Is it...spare pricks...?

Karen, we need to get you to a hospital.

KAREN: Oh, God! You're losing too much blood.

I'm not leaving my kids.

Can we get someone to look after them?

No. What about their dad?

There's me, that's it, and I'm not leaving them alone.

Any bright ideas? No. DoCS?

No! No, no, no, no. Karen. Karen.

They can arrange temporary care.

They're not taking my kids away! No-one's taking your kids away.

Please! No DoCS!

(Groans)

Any way we can force her? On medical grounds?

No, no. If the patient refuses, there's not a lot we can do.

We let them know the risk, if they still refuse, they sign a waiver.

Unless we call the police, see if they'll schedule her.

I don't see any indications of mental illness or incompetency, do you?

No, no, no. She's just bloody stubborn. Scared out of her mind.

I'll give Von a call. She'll know what to do.

Rightio.

Calling the cops? Mate, why don't we talk about this?

Let the ambos look after your mum. She doesn't want to go.

Your mother needs to go to hospital now.

She won't let us take her, OK?

She's worried that your brothers and sister will come home from school,

find no-one here.

Is there anyone who can help? No.

Neighbours? No. Look, it's just us.

Alright, well, let's leave DoCS to look after it.

No, no, no, no. Don't you call DoCS. No, no, no, no.

They come here and see we've got no power or phone, they'll split us up.

That won't happen. How do you know, mate?

I'll let them know about the situation, OK?

Look, if we could treat your mother here and now, we would.

But it's no option. Brandon!

Mum! Hey, look, just...!

Piss off and leave us alone! Your mother is in pain.

Alright? She's really scared.

If you want to look after her,

the best thing to do is help us get her to hospital.

Are you going to help us or not? (Karen continues groaning)

Brandon!

Get back here.

Brandon!

OK, I'm in. Wire out and secure the tube for me.

Let's get him on the ventilator.

OK, let's see if it worked.

You're right.

Lack of opportunity and lack of ability. Two very different things.

Dr Quade, hopefully you've learnt a thing or two.

Equal air entry.

Now that I have, it doesn't look like you're going to need me here,

so I might make myself useful somewhere else.

Oh! Problem.

Oh, he must've ruptured the artery.

What went wrong? Nothing.

He would've haemorrhaged spontaneously.

Nothing to do with the intubation. Push a bag of gel through.

Get some O neg blood. BP 65 on 49.

Heart rate's 120. Apply more pressure.

He's in haemorrhagic shock. I'm putting up a 16-gauge cannula in.

If that's your solution

then this guy's going to bleed out faster than we can push it through.

4 French angiographic. Introduce a needle.

What, are you putting in a femoral catheter?

Well, you're going to need it fast. No.

I can feel the artery pulsating here

so the femoral vein should be immediately adjacent,

right about here.

He's shutting down. You might like to hurry up.

And I'm in.

Good work.

Bloods ready?

Prep the rapid infuser.

OK. Now feed the sheath over the wire for me.

(Clears throat)

Have you done this before?

(Baby cries) KNOCKING

KNOCKING CONTINUES

The nurse over there, she says I should see a doctor immediately.

I've got a terrible fever

and I'm going to have a fit if you don't do something about it.

OK, what you need to do is talk to Cate, our triage nurse, and she'll...

Well, I don't think she's as good as the nurse over there.

The doctors aren't going to tell you this.

They don't want to do themselves out of a job, but it's the old ways.

The tried and true. Excuse me.

Well, I would never have seen that in my day, young lady.

Seen what?

Can't tell Arthur from Martha these days. Is it any wonder?

You know, a nice skirt would look just so much more attractive.

Mrs...? Harriet Williams.

Sister Harriet Williams, and Hattie, if we're friends. (Laughs)

And I think there's a good chance we might be.

(Grunts) Right.

Are you OK, sir? No, you must sit perfectly still.

Now, keep your leg elevated till the doctor can see you.

Hattie, we've got this under control, OK?

He fell off a ladder.

He was clearing the guttering, the silly old coot.

He's too old for that sort of thing. Are you here to see a doctor?

I'm here to treat the ill.

And we've certainly got our work cut out for us, by the look of it.

We need to give you a blood transfusion.

That's not something we've got at the back of the truck.

I feel better now.

Hey, don't do that. Bec's right.

This sort of blood loss is life-threatening.

For you as well as the baby.

No-one takes my children away from me.

What's going to happen to your kids if you don't make it through this?

They'll be looked after till you're out of hospital.

Benny starts soccer tomorrow.

It's his first game. He's been looking forward to it so much.

I can take Benny to his game, Mum.

And if Rhi gets scared, she can sleep with me.

Please. We need you to get better. I need you to be together.

No-one's going to separate you and your children, Karen.

Everything is going to be done...Karen?

Can you hear me? She's lost consciousness.

What's wrong with her? Mum!

The hospital will notify DoCS. They'll help.

Oh, well, you obviously know nothing about DoCS, mate.

They split her and her brother up and she never saw him again.

Mate, that was a long time ago. Things have changed.

Jump in the car with us. Come on. I can't.

I've gotta be here when the kids get home from school.

I'll make sure they look after her. Please do. Make sure she knows.

It'll be the first thing I tell her.

The hospital will call you and tell you what's happening.

We don't have a phone, mate. I've already told you that.

I'll make sure they give you a buzz, right?

Come on, Spence. We've got to go. (Sighs)

Mum...

Fatherhood making you soft, Spence?

ENGINE REVS

SIREN WAILS

(Sniffs)

So, what's going to happen now?

We'll take him up to the angiography suite

so we can locate the exact site of the artery rupture.

Let's go.

Thanks for your help. You're obviously a man of secret talents.

Oh, any time you need an assistant, you know where to find me.

Psshht!

You keep grinning like that, those talents won't be secret for long.

How badly does Bianca have the hots for you?

Hmm?

She was totally flirting with you in there.

As if someone like that would have time for someone like me.

That is a point. Mmm.

So, tell me. You and Bianca. What's the story?

No story.

Not that I didn't do a sensational job in there, but I do get it.

She was trying to make some kind of point, to you.

Really? Hadn't noticed. Seriously. What's going on?

Well, I was born into Australia's richest family, apparently,

and I pulled strings I never knew I had

to get what I wanted and never had to work for anything in my life.

Do you want me to set her straight? About what a low-rent pleb I am?

No. That's fine. Let her think what she wants.

So, there I was. You know, it took me five hours to get there.

And, you know, I know Mrs Henderson is in there, you know, waiting.

The poor thing!

Mrs Williams? Sister Williams!

If you could tend to Mr Pizzuti here.

He's got a pulse like a runaway train.

Mr Pizzuti will be seen by a doctor very shortly.

Ah.

So... Hello, what's happened here?

Hmm? Oh, she didn't mention that before.

Oh, no, that's a long story, I'm afraid.

(Chuckles) No, I deserve that. It's my fault.

Yeah, the guide...

Oh, he was a lovely chap! What was his name?

And he said to me, he said,

"Now, I don't want you to go at this like a bull at a gate."

Hattie... Have you been to Nepal?

No, I haven't. Er, can you tell us how you hurt your leg?

That's what I'm trying to explain!

(Sighs) They don't listen anymore.

It's all these rock concerts they go to.

(Chuckles)

OK, now, this looks pretty serious.

It's gonna have to be checked out by a doctor.

Well, of course it is. Why do you think I'm waiting?

All deaf - see what I mean?

Excuse me.

Mrs Williams, I'm Dr Everleigh.

Oh, well, I'm very pleased to meet you, Doctor.

Please call me Hattie.

Um, BP's 145 over 80, pulse 90, sats 95%.

Mrs Williams hurt her leg falling off her horse.

(Giggles) MISS Williams, please, if you don't mind.

(Chuckles) I'm not married.

Well, then, Miss Williams, can you tell me

exactly how you did this to yourself?

Oh...

I fell down the front steps of my home.

OK. Well, it looks infected.

We'll get a swab taken for cultures

and I'll write up some antibiotic cover until the results are back.

Now, squeeze my hands hard.

You say that to all the girls, hmm?

Hands, Miss Williams.

Hattie, please.

Very good. Rightio, Hattie. I need to look into your eyes.

(Moans)

Pupils equal and reactive.

That's good. What day is it?

A very good one since I met you.

Oh, he's terribly handsome, isn't he?

I think that's my cue to blush, isn't it?

(Chuckles)

Any identification in your suitc...

How about you leave that alone?! That's... (Sighs)

She's obviously confused.

Or completely deluded. You, good-looking? Hmm!

She might have lost consciousness when she fell.

Hey, put in another cannula and we'll get a noncontrast head CT.

If that comes back clear, we'll organise a psych consult.

Alzheimer's? Chances are.

Though I will say I thought the 'good-looking' statement

came in a more lucid period.

Then we might have to get a psych consult for you too, Dr Studly.

Oh, attack from both sides, I see? PHONE RINGS

Well, I'm not sure I deserve that. Are you gonna track down relatives?

Yes, I'll see what I can do.

She mentioned a sister,

but apparently they haven't spoken

since she eloped with "that scoundrel".

Well, we've got a bit of time.

We'll need to keep her under observation

for at least a few hours.

Ah, we've got a incoming PV bleed.

Possible spontaneous abortion. ETA's five minutes.

I'll cover it, OK? OK, thanks.

(Moans)

Having a good look?

Well, you know, if being on show is an issue,

why don't you go do that somewhere else?

Ah, I've just been and seen Dean Armstrong.

Femoral catheter patient from this morning. Remember him?

How is he?

Haemodynamically stable. He was lucky.

(Chuckles)

Luck had nothing to do with it.

Haven't seen much of you at your place this week.

I'm sorry, Jack. Are you trying to pretend nothing's going on?

I hadn't thought about it one way or the other, to be honest.

Not the sort of place I expected you to be living in.

Slumming it, are we?

You know, if that's your opinion of where Dan lives,

maybe I should be asking you the same thing.

Hey, I know where I've come from.

Yup.

But you don't know the first thing about me.

So, what? Have I been wrong about you?

(Woman moans) Karen Moran. 33 years old.

18 weeks pregnant, heavy PV bleeding.

She lost consciousness for a short period after we got to her.

IV cannula inserted. Second litre of Hartmann's running.

She's got four kids at home.

No husband, no family to look after them.

Can you get Von to do something for them?

Yeah, sure. You right? Mmm.

We need a second cannula, bloods for FBC, UEC, coags.

Group and hold and cross-match.

Didn't we go through this already once today?

Your work here is done.

Karen... Karen?

It's OK. We'll take care of you.

(Sobs)

Erica, we're gonna need the fast machine.

Karen, I'm just gonna...

She's scared stiff - someone, or...especially DoCS,

are gonna take her kids away.

She's got a son at home, he's terrified.

He's waiting for an update.

OK, we'll let him know what's happening.

Yeah, well, their phone isn't on.

I...lent him my mobile. You can get him on that.

Fine. We'll...we'll take care of it.

You alright? Yeah.

What the bloody hell are you doing here?

Um... Frank, have you got a second?

Uh, Frank, her BP's dropping. Hold that thought.

Did you see the obstetrician?

Yes, I did. What did she say?

Exactly what we thought - that my blood pressure's too high.

(Both sigh)

What's going on in there?

Long story.

WOMAN OVER RADIO: Base to Car 978.

Car 978 to base.

You OK? Yeah.

Spence, you still with us?

Ah, gotta bail. Sorry, guys.

Nice to have you on board.

Aren't you gonna...?

What else did the doctor say?

BP's still dropping - 65 on 45.

She's in respiratory arrest. Sux and thio.

And chase up those coags. She could be going into DIC.

We need some more gel and O neg blood.

There's no foetal heartbeat.

She's lost the baby.

There's four kids at her home waiting for their mother to get back.

Let's try and make that happen.

Attach the ventilator, please, Ricky.

Coags are all over the place.

Uh, we've got good air entry.

How are her sats? RICKY: Still down.

Increase her oxygen.

Right, I want two units of platelets and four of FFP.

I'll call the blood bank.

Let theatre know we'll need a gynaecologist to do a D&C.

ZOE: OK, we're ready to move here.

Yes, Karen Moran.

M-O-R-A-N.

Yes, she has four children.

The oldest, Brendan, is 15. The youngest, Rhiannon, is 5.

Yeah, if you could, please. ASAP.

HATTIE: Hospital corners are about being prim and fussy,

but an untidy bed with sheet ends dragging on the floor

means germs could crawl right up onto you and then...

(Laughs) Well, you're done for.

Ms Williams?

SISTER Williams. Oh.

Now, this is all on the QT. Don't worry.

But Matron need not know that you're, um...you've been sloppy.

Although, in the future, let's just make a bit more effort, hmm?

I will do my best.

Perhaps we could just...

Oh.

Looks like I'm in trouble.

Sorry about that, Charlotte.

I'm all yours.

Um, I've just been to see my obstetrician.

Everything alright?

Well, I've been a little tired, had a few headaches and...

..my blood pressure's up a little bit.

How high? Oh, nothing too dangerous.

But Margo has suggested that I take some time out

and just rest up and keep a close eye on things from now on.

Well, that sounds sensible.

It does.

So I'm...

Sorry, Frank. I know you thought I'd be around for a while longer, but...

Ah, don't worry about it.

No-one's indispensable - especially you, Charlotte.

About that...

Why didn't you tell me that Zoe already had her fellowship?

I had to hear that from Bart.

Really? Well, he's got his ear to the ground, hasn't he?

I had to hear that you were pregnant from Bart.

Really? Yeah.

Should I go and ask Bart

whether I'll have a job once the baby's born?

Yeah, maybe you should.

Why wouldn't you have a job?

Just wanted to hear it from you.

Well, I promise, you will have a job once the baby is born.

Alright. Then I'll go home and study so I can get my fellowship too.

Just make sure you've got enough time for a nap.

You know what? I think I might miss you.

That's the hormones talking.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

You right? I'm taking you home.

PHONE RINGS

Pshht!

PHONE RINGS

Royal London Hospital, Elizabeth Ward.

Hattie! Hattie, sorry, that's for me.

Personal call! Gabrielle speaking.

She should be careful. Yes...

Now, Hattie,

we can't seem to find any record of you here at the hospital, so...

..are you sure you've given us your correct name?

Of course. Why would I give you a false name?

Well, for somebody who's lived a life as full as you have,

I thought there'd have to be a husband there somewhere...

..or seven.

Did you ever meet my second husband? His name was Rodney.

(Chuckles)

Oh, we was terrible with money, but we had...oh, we had some fun!

On...on our first anniversary, he said, "Let's fly to New Zealand."

Rodney who? Duckworth.

You should know that. You came to the wedding!

Oh, memory like a sieve these days!

Absolutely true - in one ear, out the other.

It's getting beyond a joke, it really is.

Oh, isn't he a dreadful colour, poor love?

I think it's rheumatic fever.

Ms Williams... Don't worry!

We'll get to the bottom of it.

Now, are you sure I can't take a peek in this suitcase?

There might be a number we can call.

I'm absolutely sure. I've told you that already.

Well, what if Dr Everleigh came in and asked you?

A gentleman like Dr Everleigh would respect a lady's privacy.

I do know one thing about Dr Everleigh.

I don't think he'd be too pleased

with you taking a Cook's tour of the department.

So perhaps... if you could just stay put for us?

Of course. I wouldn't want to upset him, would I?

(Giggles)

Do we know anything at all about her?

Well, there has to be something in her nursing background.

She knows what she's doing.

Well, would have - 30 years ago.

She does a killer hospital corner, I'll give her that.

How can a family just lose someone?

That is if there IS a family.

Besides, she's surrounded by a full-time staff here.

WE can't keep track of her. True.

God. Poor old thing!

I sometimes wonder what's worse -

losing your mind when your body's still healthy

or being clear-headed enough to know when your body's packing it in.

If you've lost your mind, you're the only one who doesn't care.

ZOE: Well, there's no sign of head trauma.

No, but you see here in the frontal lobe?

Mm-hm. It's an early predictor of AD.

We won't know if it's Alzheimer's without a MRI and a full work-up.

What do you think?

Well, what do YOU want to do?

I think an MRI would probably upset her too much.

She's not in any distress.

Well, she doesn't really know she's lost now, does she?

I used to think the brain had a certain reason

for doing what it does during dementia.

You know - how hard it works to keep certain memories from being lost?

Almost for a reason greater than itself.

Like an evolutionary imperative?

That is very idealistic.

Yeah. I was.

Quade. Walk with me.

On my way upstairs, Frank.

You like a good laugh, don't you, Jack?

Yeah.

Just between you and me,

there is a little three-way love tryst happening around here.

Really? Yes, between two surgeons and an RN.

Now they think it's a secret, but as you and I both know,

there are no secrets around here, are there?

No, there aren't, Frank. No.

And here's the funniest bit.

If they don't stop playing out their petty jealousies in my ED,

I will lose my sense of humour so fast that their heads will spin.

Now, that's funny, isn't it?

It's hilarious. Mmm.

Hey, Jack...

I think Goldman will enjoy it too.

PHONE RINGS

Emergency. Dr Gallagher speaking.

Hi, Zoe, it's Spence.

I wanted to check on Karen Moran. Do we know how she's going?

She had another haemorrhage before we could get her to theatre, Spence.

Um...

..she lost the baby.

But look, that's not the worst of it.

Once we got her to theatre, it was pretty obvious

that the miscarriage didn't happen spontaneously.

What do you mean?

Um...the amniotic sac was ruptured.

Crudely. Knitting needle, coat hanger - take your pick.

She did it herself?

Or she went to some butcher who did it for her.

OK. Thanks, Zo.

OK.

'Bye.

If she wanted an abortion, why not have it earlier

and why not go to a proper clinic?

She was 18 weeks pregnant. Maybe she thought she left it too late.

I don't know. The whole thing is too horrible to even think about.

Dean Armstrong's doing well in ICU.

Great. Hey, um...

..B's coming over tonight, so I just thought I'd give you a heads-up

in case you wanted to make yourself scarce.

That was a hint. Yeah, I got that one.

Good, good, good.

You wanna have a quick chat?

What's up?

Look, you need to be more discreet.

(Loudly) Sorry? People are talking.

People? Yeah.

People? Or you?

No. Frank's giving me a hard time.

Frank? What would Frank know about relationships?

Well, that's not the point. Listen.

Am I on your turf?

No!

Then what is it? Just...

Why can't you go to her place tonight, you know?

'Cause she likes my bed for some reason.

Yours is a single. It's a...

It's a king...single.

Look, I like my bed too, but I haven't seen it in a week

because I've been crashing here, making myself scarce.

Yeah, well, you moved in with me, man.

Remember? I pay rent!

Yeah, but it doesn't mean you can tell me who I have over or not!

What the hell is going on in here?

What did I tell you?

I was talking to him about it. In my bloody Resus.

DAN: He ambushed me. Shut up, Goldman.

Shut up.

I want it sorted out. Now.

Got it?

What about you, lover boy? Yep.

You clear?

Dan!

Alright. On three.

One...

..two...

..three!

Oh, it was a slow day.

Before video games, this is what we did for entertainment.

I know that asking someone with your experience to roll bandages

is just not right,

but it would really help us out a lot if you did.

(Sighs) Puh-leease!

I'm a healer. We pitch in when it's needed.

Thank you so much. That will make my day so much easier.

Mine too.

Hattie. Hmm?

I still cannot trace your records.

Now, are you sure there isn't a third husband somewhere?

There was only ever one man really, for me.

Hmm? Lovely. Beautiful.

He proposed on my 18th birthday.

But it was the old story -

torn between two loves.

There was Robert.

And there was my music.

I never told him, I mean, he didn't know,

but I was accepted into the Conservatorium of Music.

They said I had promise

and with the right instruction,

good practice,

I could be a world-class flautist.

Royal Albert Hall, packed house.

Mm, that was my dream.

You married?

No.

What about you?

Ah, career girls, like me.

We can't have it all, you know.

How's my star patient?

Just fine, thank you.

Hattie was just telling us about the great love of her life.

Oh, well. I never made it to Albert Hall.

Rheumatic fever saw to that.

So there you go.

I thought the choice was all mine

but no, life turned around and made it for me.

(Inhales deeply) That's it, Harriet Bell.

That's your lot.

Harriet Bell?

Mm...

Well, I think Harriet Bell should be very pleased with herself.

I think she's done very well with what she's been given.

Medical file. Harriet Bell is her maiden name.

(Sighs) Tell me there's family. Oh, yes.

A daughter who's worried sick. Mmm.

Mind you, this isn't the first time Hattie has wandered off, of course.

But normally she's stayed in the area,

you know, a neighbour's place or the local park.

Hmm. And so she's coming in to pick her up?

On her way now.

SOLEMN FLUTE MUSIC PLAYS

Nice to think that at least some of her stories might be based in truth.

The best ones usually are.

Von...

Frank said he called the boy,

but I can't imagine what's going through his head right now.

His mother's in ICU and he's got two brothers and a sister at home

waiting for DoCS to show up.

Let's sort it out.

Ha.

Hello. Beaten to it, hey? Great minds.

Hey, Von.

Thought you didn't get to follow up on your patients.

I thought you were going home.

No, I was gonna volunteer to look after the little ones

so Brandon could go and see his mum.

What's happened?

Someone from the hospital called and said everything was OK.

It is, mate. I heard she lost the baby.

Yeah, I'm sorry, hey.

But she's gonna be alright? She is.

Brandon, this is my friend Von from the hospital.

Hello, Brandon.

She and Lorraine are gonna help out while I take you to see your mum...

No, no. I can't. LORRAINE: Course you can.

It's only gonna be for an hour or so.

And your mum already knows me, right?

And I can work out how we get the electricity back on, the phone.

How about it?

Mate, asking for help isn't such a bad thing.

I know you wanna go. Hey?

(Strains) It's OK, Rhi, OK? I'll be back soon, I promise.

OK, wanna come inside with me? Wave bye-bye.

Oh, thanks, Spence. They like spaghetti.

PHONE RINGS

Surgeon's lounge. Jack Quade speaking.

Bianca? No, not at the moment. Can I take a message?

Uh-huh, yep, I... OK.

Yeah, sure, I'll pass that on.

You finished those pre-op checklists?

Yeah, I'm just on the last one.

You just missed a phone call...

..from your husband.

Did he leave a message? Call him back.

SPENCE: Karen?

Hi.

How are my kids?

Kids are fine, I promise.

I've got Brandon with me.

Who's looking after the little ones?

Lorraine, the paramedic that was at your house this morning,

and a nurse from here.

You're gonna need to stay here a few more days, Karen.

So we've made arrangements to help you once you get out of here.

We've also organised...someone

to talk to you about what happened.

Why you felt the need to stop the pregnancy.

I didn't have a...choice.

Yeah.

We understand.

Are you ready to see your visitor now?

Don't you tell.

No, of course not.

OK.

Alright, mate.

Go on. It's alright.

She's a bit groggy,

so now's your chance to get her to say yes to whatever you want.

(Laughs weakly)

Brandon knows better than that. Don't you?

Yeah. I know better than that.

I'm really sorry about the baby, Mum.

Shoosh, shoosh, shoosh. Come here.

It's OK.

(Sobs) It's OK. Come on.

Shoosh, shoosh, shoosh.

Are they gonna be alright?

I think so.

Look, Von called. She got onto DoCS.

They're gonna look after the kids in their own home.

How the hell does it get to a point where a woman is so desperate

that she aborts her own child?

That should never happen in this country...any country.

Never.

SIREN WAILS

What are you doing out here?

Thinking.

Wanna catch a movie?

Sorry, I'm having dinner with friends.

Must be REALLY awkward.

Dan and Bianca,

that is why you're hiding out here instead of going home.

How'd you know about that?

Gee. Let me see. I'm not deaf, dumb and blind.

He seems to really like her and she can hardly keep her hands off him...

Well, she is married. (Gasps) Does Dan know?

No, I don't think so.

But he wouldn't have an affair with a married woman, would he?

No! Well, then you've gotta tell him.

Yeah, what, and sound like a moralist or his mum?

Better that than letting him get hurt.

They've been together for a week. He's not in love with her.

Not yet anyway.

You saw them in Resus. She's pressing all the right buttons, Jack.

You'd wanna know, right?

Yeah, I would. Well, then I'll tell him.

No, don't. Listen, they're just, um, having fun.

It's not gonna go anywhere. He's not even her type.

Well, she certainly seems to be his.

Oh, look, this is my problem.

Ricky, I'll deal with it.

(Sighs)

LIFT BELL DINGS

Excuse me.

Hey!

I just came from checking up on my surgical patient.

He's doing well. YOUR surgical patient?

Taken ownership, have we?

Listen, I think we both know

that you were just there for decoration this morning.

Right. Well, maybe I should be decoration a little more often.

Yeah, we can do that.

LIFT BELL DINGS

Tonight?

I'm sorry. I forgot I have a prior engagement tonight.

Can I take a raincheck? Sure.

I'm free tomorrow night. Deal.

Ooh! (Chuckles)

Define 'soon'.

Sorry. I was, um, just checking up on something.

My hero! (Giggles)

What'd you have to check up on?

Just making sure that Lorraine and Bec were not pissed off

about me bailing out on them.

(Laughs) Did you buy them chocolate too?

No, I used my wily charm on them.

Yum.

What is it?

What's what?

I don't know, you look...

..you look, um... you look a bit tired.

Yeah, well, I don't get to sleep half the day like some.

Oh! Who's funny?! (Laughs)

You sure everything's OK? Everything's fine.

Mmm. It's just perfect.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Hattie's daughter's just taken her home.

She was beside herself that we were gonna have a go at her

for not looking after her mother.

You set her straight on that, I hope.

Yeah. Von's gonna do a follow-up with them tomorrow.

Check out the entire home situation.

Maybe organise some respite care, give the daughter a break.

Mmm. What's with the flute? What's the story there?

Oh! Hattie's greatest days when it was all right there in front of her -

career, soul mate, love.

That's hard to let go of.

Yes, it is, isn't it? Mmm.

Well, I'll, um, see you on Monday then, Frank.

Yeah. 'Night. 'Night.

Oh, yes, hello. I'd like to book a ticket to Paris, please.

Yeah, first available, thanks.

(Chuckles)