Original subtitles

Days blurred into one.

People too.

You see some faces again and again in the city.

Familiar strangers.

Lydia was one of those passengers.

It's me.

I've got the cake. 9 PM on the dot, OK?

I'll text you when everyone's there.

Get her to dress up, or she'll be super mad.

See you later!

I guess it all began here,

the very last time she entered the home she shared with Julien.

Hi, babe.

What a mad rush!

The bakery messed up her cake. They got her name wrong!

I ordered it months ago, too.

The losers!

So I refused it, got into a row then raced all over to find another...

He had tried to tell her for months.

Lydia pretended not to notice. She talked nonstop.

She must have had a bad feeling.

Are you OK? What's up?

I slept with someone else last night.

He said she had smiled.

For him, it was a sign something was already wrong.

You're laughing?

Do you love her?

I don't know.

I don't care if you had sex.

It wasn't just sex.

It doesn't bother me.

- What are you doing? - I'll get over it.

Please don't go to the party.

It's my best friend's birthday!

- Let me hug you. - Leave me alone!

I'm fine with it.

- You played me for a fool. - Lydia, please.

- Let's talk. - Don't touch me!

Get out of my sight.

Take your shit and go.

Talking to Salomé was all that mattered that night.

- Have you seen Salomé? - Try the bathroom.

OK, thanks.

Salomé?

- Why the fucking surprise party? - It was Jonathan.

- I promise you. - Yeah, right!

It was his idea.

Why've you got that?

To know if it's OK to drink.

I think I'm pregnant.

That's your reaction?

Why the silence?

Hang on, let me take it in.

I'll do another, to be sure.

There's no point, they're 99% accurate.

It's totally pointless.

You're putting me off! I can't pee.

Can you turn the tap on?

If you like.

2,

3...

Do you think it's ready?

- Well? - Negative.

- What? - It's negative.

Are you sure?

That's that, then!

- Are you disappointed? - Course not.

At least I can drink now.

Hey silly, it's positive!

- It's positive. - Positive?

- You're sick! - They did that on Friends.

You don't do that to people.

You're crazy.

At least you know now.

- What? - That you want this baby.

Oh my God, the poor kid!

- You're nuts! - It's gonna be wild.

I'm pregnant!

THE RAPTURE

Good job.

Over the following few weeks,

Lydia gave no sign of life.

She did not answer phone calls

or emails.

Apparently, she had disappeared in this way since high school.

This will feel a bit cold.

All we know is, she did her job to perfection,

delivering one baby after another.

I'll check your temperature.

Are you comfortable?

She was gentle with the moms.

- Am I hurting you? - No, it's OK.

Breathe in,

hold it, and push.

Go on, go on...

I imagine she would have preferred to experience their pain

than be stuck in a state of limbo.

Great, Mélanie. Go on, go on, go on...

And relax.

You're amazing.

Take a deep breath.

Go on, go on, go on.

Good job.

Good job. And again.

We'll release the shoulders now. Come on, one last push.

Take a deep breath.

Go on.

Stop pushing. You did great.

Well done.

You did a great job.

Julien let her have the apartment until she found her own.

But Lydia could not bear it without him.

Everything reminded her of his absence.

She stopped going home between shifts.

Excuse me.

- Could I get a light? - Sure.

Three weeks later, she got another text from Salomé.

She wrote, "I miss you."

I'm not sure she even went home to sleep.

I drove ten hours straight,

sometimes twelve,

night and day.

Always the same route, terminus to terminus,

but my life had no destination.

And then something changed.

What's going on?

You fell asleep. This is the end of the line.

Where are we?

Bagnolet.

Get off, please. I need to park the bus.

Miss?

You've missed the last bus. The next one is at 6 AM.

Don't stay here, it isn't safe.

Do you know where the taxi stand is?

You can go if you like.

Bye, then.

Bye.

I can't leave you on your own.

It's irresponsible.

Lydia.

Milos.

How did you become a driver?

Operator?

"Operator" is what we say in the trade.

Well, you don't need qualifications.

And I'm an insomniac.

There are meds for that.

Yeah, I know, but they don't work for me.

- Being alone makes you go crazy. - I can imagine.

But I feel invisible sometimes. People do all sorts in front of us.

Some folks fall asleep.

Who do you mean?

Sometimes I feel like part of the bus.

I take buses all the time. It seems fine to me.

People talk to the driver.

Sorry, the operator.

That's true.

They talk about all sorts.

It's like we're their doctors.

Nights are weird though.

Especially full moon nights.

Don't tell me you believe that crap.

Sure I do.

It's nonsense.

Like people who say a full moon causes waters to break.

- The what? - A pregnant woman's waters.

They say maternity wards are busier on full moon nights.

But that's bullshit. They're no busier than usual.

- How would you know? - I'm a midwife.

A "birth attendant".

You're a birth attendant?

Yes.

What?

Don't I look like one?

It's good, it's beautiful.

What?

It must be nice to be around babies.

It is.

I look after the moms though.

I just run into babies.

It's true.

Do you like babies?

- Do you have kids? - You ask a lot of questions.

I need to understand.

I keep having flashbacks.

I need to see this story through her eyes.

It was impossible at the trial.

Her voice was drowned out by all the experts.

So I am piecing things together

in hope of creating a true picture of Lydia.

Six and a half weeks LMP.

- Which means? - You're one month pregnant.

Want to listen to the baby's heart?

Is that possible?

It's a bit soon but it's possible.

Get undressed.

You don't waste any time, ma'am!

Hurry up, I've tons of appointments.

- OK, but show me your pussy. - Dream on.

- We'll be quits. - Yeah, right!

Come on, please.

Just a bit. Flash your breasts, then.

You think my patients say, "Show me your vagina, ma'am"?

You can tell me which type I am:

eager,

exotic, small, big...

Hey, what's that huge hickey?

Tell Julien to go easy. You're like big teenagers!

It wasn't Julien.

What?

It's over with Julien.

Why didn't you call me?

Are you OK?

Yes, fine.

Very well, actually.

What happened?

- I met someone else. - What?

Weren't you crazy about him?

Drop the worried look, it's good news.

Hurry up, or I'll get Elise to make you!

You can't just erase those three years.

Isn't it kind of soon?

You can be the mother, I'll be the whore.

You're a hopeless romantic!

I'm not. It's just, you know,

something clicked.

We met and talked all night.

- "We talked." Yeah, right! - We did!

Was it good?

Yes. Very good, actually.

I can see he made an impression!

So who is he? What does he do?

He's a bus driver,

Serbian,

a bit of a writer too.

How many times have you seen him?

- Once. - Just once?

We'll see each other again.

Go easy, OK? Just take your time.

- Hey, you know me. - Precisely!

I can be eager if I want.

Sure you can, but not clingy.

I'm not being clingy. He feels the same about me.

Right.

Ready?

You're scaring me with that thing!

It'll feel cold but not painful. Move down a bit.

This is weird.

- Is that OK? - Yes.

There it is.

That thing, there?

That's the head.

And its little heart.

Excuse me, have you seen Milos?

I haven't, no.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

Apparently, Lydia roamed my bus route.

One day, she knocked on my door,

saying she had forgotten her earrings.

I've found them. Phew!

I was super stressed.

Would you like to see a movie sometime?

Listen,

you've got to stop texting me.

I had a great night but...

I'm not interested in more.

Me neither. I just meant as friends.

Have a good evening.

Slow down a bit.

- Move it! - Slow down.

- You're going too fast. - So? You'll fall over!

- I'm gonna take a header. - Slow down, then.

- Don't ruin my mattress. - Lift it!

- You're such a pain. - Hang on. Stop!

You're gonna wreck it.

- Turn round. - Come on! Stop wasting time.

- I've had enough of this! - Turn round, then.

- I'm not fragile. - But you're pregnant.

- I can't carry it like this. - Easy!

Go on!

You got it?

- What? - This place is a maze.

Hang on, I'll call the elevator.

- Have you got it? - Yeah.

That's it.

Lydia believed she and Salomé were connected via a tube,

like communicating vessels.

Whenever she was unhappy, Salomé was happy.

And vice versa.

As if they shared a single dose of happiness.

Her day shifts finished after sundown.

And her night shifts meant she slept all day.

A little kick.

Salomé only consulted Lydia about her pregnancy.

Her head is down.

- Did you feel that? - Yes!

She began to fear the baby's arrival.

If it was going to be Salome's happiest day ever,

how would it be for her?

Push, push, push!

Go on, go on, go on.

- You're doing great. - Well done.

Are you ready?

Take a deep breath, hold it, and then push.

Go on, Salomé.

Keep going. Go on, go on, go on.

Hang in there!

Go on, you're doing great.

And again. You can do it.

Push, push, push!

You're doing great. More, more, more!

- You can do it! - Go on, go on, go on.

Well done.

- It hurts. - That's normal.

- Can you feel the baby coming down? - I'm not sure.

- Can you feel it? - It hurts.

- What can you feel? - I'm not sure.

Have more epidural.

Go on.

Where do you hurt?

- You're doing great. - I can't do this.

Listen to me,

the baby is getting tired because we've pushed a lot.

This time try to hold the push for as long as possible, alright?

- Are you ready? - I know you can do this.

She's getting tired.

- Come on, Salomé. - Should we call a C-section?

No, she'll be fine.

Go on, as long as you can.

Push, push, push!

You're doing great.

I can't!

Sure you can.

Stay focused. I know you can do this.

Ready? Breathe in.

Hold it.

I can't!

- Sure you can, Salomé. - No, I can't.

Listen to me, you've got this. You can do it, OK?

We're with you.

- You're doing great. - Shouldn't we get the doctor?

- No. She needs quiet. - She's exhausted.

It's fine. She needs quiet. Just sit down.

It's normal.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Do as she says.

I'm right by your side.

We're going to try a different position, OK?

We'll work together. Ready?

Give me your hands. Now, please. We have to be quick.

Hold my hands.

When the contraction starts, breathe in, alright?

Hold it and push towards me as much as you can

while pushing out as hard as you can.

Squeeze my hands if you want.

Go on, go on, go on.

You're doing great.

Go on, go on, go on.

As hard as you can.

Go on, go on, go on.

You've got this!

Should I get the gynecologist?

The heart rate's too low. She's been pushing for ages.

- She might hemorrhage. - It's fine.

Come on, Salomé.

Breathe in. Hold it.

And push. Go on, go on, go on.

You're doing great.

I'm with you.

Stay focused. Hang in there!

I can see her!

OK, one last big push. As hard as you can.

This is the last, I promise. It won't hurt after this.

Let's do this.

Keep going.

Keep pushing.

More, more, more!

Stop, stop, stop. That's great.

Look at her.

It's over, darling.

Come on, please.

Come on!

Why isn't she moving?

- Lydia, is that normal? - Yes.

- It is? - Yes. She's just very tired.

- Well done, honey. - Come on!

Did you hear her little cry?

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Mom.

Well done, you did a great job.

- Congratulations, Dad. - Thanks!

You were so brave.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Still here, Lydia?

Were you OK earlier?

It was pretty tough, huh?

I didn't want to let her down.

Asking for help doesn't mean you are.

Go home, you look tired.

I'm fine.

You've been here 20 hours.

I'm not tired.

I'll take over now.

- Off you go. - I'll just say goodbye.

Goodbye, darling.

- You'll look after her? - Sure I will.

Off you go.

Let's just call her Odette, like Granny!

- Hi, Lydia. - Hey.

Hello!

- How's it going? - Hello, Lydia.

- How's things? - Fine, and you?

- Juliette? - No, not Juliette.

- But we agreed on Esther. - She doesn't look like an Esther.

Esther is cute.

What do you think?

Can't just the two of us decide?

It isn't personal, Lydia.

I just popped in to say hi to her seeing as my shift's over.

I'm only asking her opinion.

I'm going to go. Could you take a photo?

Look at me.

Seriously?

- Will you send it to me? - Sure.

Right, I'll be going.

Here.

My baby.

What's wrong?

I think she's cold.

Maybe she's hungry?

You just fed her.

Mom, it's on demand! She has to gain weight.

See you soon.

See you soon.

Don't put that on her!

She'll be too hot.

- Why is she crying, then? - I don't know.

Do you think she's hungry?

Not if you just fed her.

There, there. I told you not to put it on!

Do you want me to take her?

- Please. - We'll take a walk.

- Take this in case she's cold. - Thanks.

Enjoy yourselves. Have some me-time.

See you later.

See you later!

Move over a bit.

My little darling.

You're so beautiful.

The most beautiful baby ever.

Hi, Milos.

How's things?

Why are you here?

To see my dad. He's sick.

I hope it isn't too serious.

He'll be OK.

She's so cute.

Congratulations!

Is she your daughter?

Congratulations.

She's really cute.

What's her name?

Her name's Esmée.

That's pretty.

Thanks.

It means "the loved one".

I hope your dad will be alright.

I remembered you said this was a good hospital.

Bye, then.

Good luck.

Congrats to the dad.

Sorry to bother you.

Could I have a word?

Sure.

Are you OK?

What's up?

I didn't tell you the truth earlier.

She's your daughter.

Are you kidding me?

Remember the night we spent together?

We used a condom.

Not the second time.

The second time?

I'm sorry,

this is too much for me. I have to look after my dad.

Stay.

I'm happy it's just the two of us.

Have you found a name for this little beauty?

We can't agree on one. Joe's gone for a walk.

How about Esmée?

Esmée?

It means "the loved one".

I love it!

It's pretty, and uncommon too.

Will Jonathan like it?

He'd agree to anything at this point!

Don't tell him it was my idea.

He'll like it more if it's yours.

Don't be afraid.

Lydia tried to forget about our encounter.

She started seconding Salomé in her discovery of motherhood.

You can massage her too.

- Like this? - Yes. She likes it.

You can press harder.

That's it.

She started taking Esmée out.

He's sucking his hand.

Would you like to feed him?

Yes, please.

May I?

Come on, Sharon.

Open your mouth wide.

No, not like that,

you'll hurt your mommy.

Perfect.

I'm sure we had some somewhere.

Syringes too.

We're out of everything!

- A cute guy asked for you. - What?

Who is he?

Lydia!

- Are you OK? - Alright?

You don't seem OK.

- I'm fine. - Are you sure?

See you later.

Lydia?

Oh, hi.

How's things?

Are you hiding?

No, not at all.

I can't sleep.

You said you were an insomniac.

Look, forget what I told you the other day.

How can I?

- I should've kept quiet. - You should've told me sooner!

How could I? You said to delete your number.

Or have you forgotten?

I want a paternity test.

Let it go. She isn't yours.

- Think I'll swallow that? - There's no baby.

I have to go.

I'll give you two days before I call a lawyer.

- You want to do a test? - Yes.

OK, I'll need your DNA.

Any time.

Come on, then.

- What, now? - Yes. Come on.

Open your mouth.

PATERNITY TEST

Who's that? Who's there?

The paternity test was discussed at length at the trial.

Lydia took Esmée's saliva, stole Jonathan's toothbrush

then wrote my name on the forms.

Haven't you opened it?

It concerns both of us.

Yes, but I know the answer.

You're under no obligation.

We could part ways now. You won't have to take care of her.

I had never thought I would be a dad.

I felt incapable of it.

Before I met Lydia, I had a simple rule in life:

never dwell on the past or think about the future.

Lydia got into serious debt.

She's sleeping for ages.

She's a baby, it's normal.

She needs her sleep.

- And you... - Are you...

Go on.

- No. - You were about to speak.

Go on, please.

That's a nice vase.

Thanks.

It was my grandma's.

Was the birth difficult?

No, it was fine.

It wasn't my first. I'm used to it.

Yeah, but this was different.

Weren't you scared?

Yes.

I've never been so scared.

In fact,

my labor wasn't progressing

and the obstetrician wanted to speed the process.

- I was given oxytocin. - What's that?

The molecule that causes contractions when you give birth.

It's called the love hormone because it's released

during feelings of love, well, human contact.

Apparently, its levels are higher in couples

than in singles.

Anyway, my labor was slow and the team was worried.

When her heart started to slow down on the ECG,

Ouardia, a coworker, got into a panic.

It's normal, though, the heart works hard.

And she fetched the doctor.

But a C-section or forceps was out of the question for me.

So I gave it all I had.

And she finally came out.

Then I took her in my arms and...

there was this really long silence.

I have never been so scared in my life.

I haven't told anyone this, but...

in that moment, I wasn't sure

she was still alive.

But then she...

cried and...

it was like a miracle.

It's OK, darling, I'm here.

I'm here.

It's OK, it's over.

Let's feed you.

I forgot to prepare the poor thing's bottle.

We're going to eat.

Look, you have a visitor.

Look.

Yes.

Oh yes.

- Happy to see me? - She wants to touch you.

Are you cuddling him?

It's ready.

Is she alright?

- What's wrong with her? - She's hungry.

Want to feed her?

No, you give it to her.

Here's your bottle.

Salomé?

- Salomé? - Yes.

Sit down. I'll be right there.

You OK?

Yes.

Are you crying?

No.

Hello, you.

There you go, my darling.

What's wrong? You seem down.

I wet myself.

I finally fell asleep then wet myself!

It's OK, it's no big deal.

We'll start the pelvic floor exercises.

Don't worry, you're not incontinent.

Don't get yourself into a state.

Why can't I stop crying?

I don't understand why I'm such a mess.

My muscles are shot, my body is like jelly.

- My life is over. - Nothing is over.

Don't say that.

Your life has only just begun.

That dress suits you.

Thanks.

Remember when we thought anything was possible?

Back in high school 15 years ago.

How can life shrink so much in 15 years?

It's just a phase. You can still do anything.

- Don't. - But look after yourself.

You have to.

Why this obsession with wellbeing?

We're not fucking Buddhists.

Stop pissing me off

with your prenatal-postnatal yoga, physiotherapy and meditation shit!

If mommy's well, baby's well!

So does that mean

if mommy's sad, baby kills himself?

- It's not funny. - But you are, when you're down.

How can you say your life's over

when it's just begun, and so beautifully too?

Look at what you've made.

She's a marvel.

Someplace inside me I love her.

But I don't know where.

I feel like I'm pretending.

I do the right things, say the right words,

but it's like none of this is real.

Don't say that.

You're too down in the dumps.

Sorry,

I should have been here for you.

You've got your own life.

It'll be OK.

Look at her beautiful hair.

See how long it is?

This artist only painted women with really long hair.

He loved it.

Aren't the colors beautiful?

Look, behind her,

we can see a woman, but not her face.

Sweetie, you've fallen asleep.

You choose weird places to meet!

I like beautiful places.

At least here, she sees beautiful things.

- Do you want a hand? - No, I'm good.

Hello, you!

I missed her this week.

Were you talking to yourself?

No. I was telling her the story of this painting.

Tell me.

Well, there's a woman with really long hair.

And in fact...

she never ever cut it.

She was in love with a boy who went off to war.

Worried he wouldn't make it home,

she asked the gods to protect him.

And she was told to make an offering of her hair.

He was disappointed when he got back.

He had loved her for her hair. It was her strength.

So he left her.

- You're making it up! - I'm not.

It's true.

When did you move to France?

I was eleven. The war was on.

Have you ever wanted to go back?

Yes, but there's no work there. We work too much here.

Keep both hands on the buggy.

I know what I'm doing.

Did you know we spend a year of our life commuting?

Really?

The passengers spend it with me.

Time isn't all that matters.

My few hours with my patients are the most important in their-life.

You're so conceited!

What accent? I don't have an accent.

Marseille, isn't it?

Is your family there?

I have no family.

My only family is my friend Salomé.

I don't know where I'd be without her.

See you next week.

- Thanks a lot. - Goodbye.

Lydia came to believe in her role of motherhood and her new family.

I missed you.

I really missed you.

She offered to babysit Esmée every Wednesday afternoon.

Take that guy.

Relieved, Salomé agreed.

He daren't tell his wife she's snored for ten years.

And him.

unemployed since 2010.

Bullshit! It's his lunch break.

That briefcase is empty.

What do you think people say about us?

That I don't deserve you.

Despite her anguish, for the first time in months,

she felt truly alive.

I have to selfishly admit that autumn was my happiest.

He isn't bad, huh?

- I love guys in turtlenecks. - Oh yeah?

He totally isn't my type.

- Really? - No. I don't like him.

What about him?

The guy on the right.

Go on, then.

Don't you like his earring?

We don't have the same taste.

What?

You're in love!

You haven't told me anything.

Come on, tell me about him!

- What do you want to know? - I don't know.

The usual stuff.

We meet up, chat, go for walks, enjoy our time.

I'm a bit scared. It feels weird because...

I don't know, I feel...

like I'm kind of obsessed.

But that's good, isn't it?

Those times are awesome.

But I don't know what he thinks.

You think of him all the time?

And you see each other all the time?

Now and then.

It's best to take your time before...

you end up like me, with a kid,

having to move to Brussels.

What are you talking about?

Joe's been offered a new job.

When?

Now. He'll make twice as much.

What about your career?

What career?

My bosses glowered at me like I'd taken three months' vacation.

There's a new guy in my office, and no desk for me.

So? Do something about it. Don't put up with it.

I really don't get it.

Everything's been handed to you.

You're a spoiled kid.

Is this your way of cheering me up?

I'm saying that because I love you.

Don't quit a job you love over something so trivial.

What'll you do over there?

There's nothing.

You've no friends or family.

It'll be a nightmare.

With the baby and no work, waiting for him all day.

You wouldn't understand. Relationships mean compromise.

And family's nothing but compromise.

It isn't.

Compromise is two people advancing together,

not one following the other.

Yeah, well, we'll discuss it.

I don't want you to go.

- I'll fall apart without you. - Sweet!

I'm serious. And without Esmée.

Hey,

I haven't left yet, and he won't go without my consent.

- See you soon, Kim. - Bye.

Bye!

Keep an eye out.

- You can't pee here. - I can too, I'm bursting.

You're a pain.

Here.

- You could've told me! - If I do, you'll take forever.

Are you nuts?

Seriously!

- You're a shit guard. - Did you miss me?

Yes.

I missed you too.

It's true, I missed this.

Hello! Do come in.

Alright?

This is my mom, Jelena.

I'm Jelena, the mom. Good to meet you.

Don't stay out there!

I'll help you.

Come in, my darling.

She's my granddaughter Esmée.

My granddaughter!

My little darling, come here.

There we go!

- Take your jacket off. - I'm good.

Go on.

It's hot. Go on, take your jacket off.

Come on, I'll introduce you.

My sister Milena, Lydia.

Three times in Serbia.

Philippe, my brother-in-law.

Me, it's just twice.

- Would you like a drink? - No thanks.

Good to meet you.

My grandma.

Isn't my daughter-in-law beautiful?

I'm surprised, Milos!

Your son is handsome too.

Yes, he is but...

They're both good-looking.

She has a lovely figure. Eh, Lydia?

I think she looks like you.

I'm not so sure.

She does. There's something about her face and eyes.

She looks more like her mom.

Like both of you.

I love her little feet!

Gently, OK?

Lydia, come over here.

She's as pretty as her grandpa.

See how moved your dad is.

He's so pleased.

We'd given up hope.

That's for sure!

- My little darling. - Gently.

I'll take her. This is all a bit much for her.

- Don't you breastfeed her? - No, why?

Breastfeeding is good for babies.

I wasn't breastfed, and I turned out fine.

Yes, but...

Did your mom have problems breastfeeding?

No, she died after giving birth.

How sad.

Excuse me, darling, I'm sorry.

Does your dad help you?

Mom!

Let's have a drink.

To the little one!

You have to take a bit.

I got the little cross.

You're a nurse, aren't you?

No, a midwife.

That must be handy when you have a baby.

It doesn't mean much.

As they say, the shoemaker's children go barefoot.

You're a great mom.

We midwives provide care for mothers, not babies.

Milos said she's already at nursery.

Yes, twice a week.

Isn't it a bit soon?

- It's to prepare her. - Mom!

- I'm only asking. - She gets to socialize.

You have us now. If we can help in any way...

That's kind of you.

I want to get to know my granddaughter,

my little Esmée.

Have you signed the acknowledgment of parentage?

It's important!

I can help you.

It would be much simpler if you were married.

Esmée Popovitch.

It's pretty.

The only heir of the name.

It would make your dad happy.

But hey...

Let's have a drink.

I'll join you!

Cheers!

It warms you up!

Do you need something?

No, just the bathroom.

Right.

Don't make her uncomfortable.

- We're not... - Stop asking questions.

See what he's like?

Chill, it's normal.

Hi, it's me.

I've got an emergency. We'll be late.

Don't worry, she's in good hands.

We'll pick her up.

No, it's OK, I'll drop her off.

Lydia?

Coming!

Are you OK?

Sorry, I have to go.

Stay a while. We're having dessert.

I can't.

Sorry, I have to go. I'm on call.

I'm running late.

At least stay for coffee.

- I can't. - It's made.

I really can't.

Just a minute.

- A little gift for my little darling. - Thank you, but it's too much.

- Nothing's too much for her. - I can't accept it.

You must.

- It's a lucky charm. - I can't.

You have to.

Here we go!

It's to protect her.

Lydia, wait!

Why run off?

Why'd you do that? I said I wasn't ready.

Can't I introduce my daughter to my family?

- It isn't that. - You saw how ill my dad is!

You just show up...

I just show up?

You never said you were pregnant!

- I don't want to talk about it. - Well, I do!

I want to be there for her.

For her?

If I hadn't had her, would you want to see me?

What's that supposed to mean?

It's alright, it's OK.

We're going home.

Where the hell were you?

We were worried sick.

Sorry, problems at work.

- You weren't at work! - I was.

Not when we went.

I was there.

I dropped off some papers.

You weren't there. Stop lying to us.

Who'd you ask?

- You were at work when I called? - Yes, dropping off papers.

So you're two hours late because you were at work, huh?

Yes, it was busy.

- Don't take us for fools. - I'm not.

Don't you trust me?

I've a right to know where you were.

She's my daughter!

We were super worried. Why lie to us?

We tried calling you fifty times, you didn't pick up.

How come? We don't get it.

My phone was dead, sorry.

Hey, what's that?

What's this necklace? Since when were you religious?

A coworker gave it to her. I'm always talking about her.

- A what? - A coworker.

Your coworkers give our daughter gold necklaces, do they?

It's a nice gesture.

What'd you do with her?

- Please don't shout. - It's unbelievable!

Take this.

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.

Come here, my darling.

- I'll be going. - Yes.

See you Wednesday.

She'll be at nursery.

It'll give you a breather.

How about another day? I'm off Saturday.

- You're exhausted. - She'll be with my folks.

Mom wants to see her before we move.

Where are you going?

We accepted the job in Brussels. It's hard to turn down

that kind of money.

I'll put her to bed.

It's better for me.

I'll find a job I enjoy.

A fresh start is just what I need.

When do you leave?

Two weeks' time.

Speak soon?

Yes. I have some toys she likes. I'll give them to you.

Yeah, OK.

I told you not to tell her!

Don't apologize for having a life because she doesn't!

I couldn't have coped without her.

- She just did her job. - She did way more than that!

Put yourself in her shoes for a second.

She's lonely. Does her guy even exist?

See you shortly.

Busy with the move,

Salomé did not pick up her calls that week.

I kept trying to reach Lydia.

I was going out of my mind.

Yes, my hands are cold.

Let's do the other nostril.

Oh yes, you're perfect.

And the other little foot.

Now push.

Push, push, push. Good job!

She has good muscle tone, eh?

You're not too tired?

We managed to get a bit of sleep!

Thank God we love our work...

- It's still stressful. - For sure.

Some days are a struggle.

True.

Are you going to Algeria?

No, not this year.

Lydia?

Lydia, it's me.

Open the fucking door!

Let me in!

Come on!

Lydia, please open the door.

I just want to talk.

I'm sorry. I know...

I sprang my family on you. But that's no excuse.

Open the fucking door!

Don't leave me hanging. Let me in.

Lydia?

I need to see you.

I need to see our little one.

I have something to tell you.

I don't know how to say this, but...

Esmée isn't your daughter.

She isn't mine either.

Well, she kind of is because...

I followed the pregnancy.

I brought her into this world.

I did something you'll never forgive me for.

The controller is ruthless.

If you ask to go the bathroom,

he gives you three minutes!

You go down, get waylaid, and your three minutes is up.

With half as many buses, you gotta go twice as fast.

For sure.

But we're not transporting goods.

Productivity, productivity!

Good evening.

You OK?

I didn't think you'd come.

My coworkers, Lydia.

Hello.

Let's go sit down.

It's about time. He's been going on about her.

Just get off work?

Thanks for coming.

I have something to tell you, but...

I don't know how to.

Are you seeing someone?

I dunno, we meet at set times or in out-of-the-way museums.

You owe me nothing. You can tell me.

It isn't that.

Hang on,

let me speak.

I'd like us to get to know each other.

Properly.

You'd be the same person without Esmée but...

if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been with you

and I would've missed out on the best thing ever.

You think?

We've done things back to front but we're a good team, aren't we?

Where would you go with me and Esmée?

Just the three of us.

I don't know.

Normandy.

Really?

How exotic!

My grandma took me when I was little.

I have fond memories of it.

Let's go, then, the three of us.

I'll take a few days off.

It'll do us good to get away from it all.

I miss her too, I need to see her.

When do you want to go?

Hi Lydia. How are you?

I've come to pick up Esmée.

Is everything OK? I was expecting Salomé at 4.

A minor family emergency.

Oh dear, I hope it isn't serious.

No, it's fine.

Follow me.

Hello, ladies and gentleman. Your tickets, please.

Are you OK?

You're acting weird.

I'm not used to leaving my patients.

Hello, sir.

- Hello. - Your tickets, please.

Thank you.

I have to retrace the journey.

To look for signs of her act of madness,

in broad daylight,

before my eyes.

Are you proud of me?

Look at it go!

It's flying.

Look.

You're eating all of it!

Are we allowed a bit?

Eat it, then.

See what Mommy's like?

- She won't share. - Here.

Give me more.

No.

- Gimme more! - Let's visit Etretat tomorrow.

What's the matter?

Come on.

You weren't joking when you said you couldn't dance.

I'm just kidding!

Salomé had tried to reach her all night.

In the hours following the abduction,

Salomé was sure Lydia would turn up with Esmée and a good explanation.

I think that night Lydia was incapable of not sharing her friend's pain.

It was Jonathan who called the police.

Lydia?

Are you OK?

Go back to bed. I won't be long.

Let's get dressed. Another button.

What's this?

And another button. There we go!

Hey, my darling.

We're taking the train!

Will you be good?

You have to go get some milk.

- She'll be hungry later. - What sort?

I'll write it down. Organic baby milk.

Give me your hand.

Let's meet on the platform.

OK.

Hurry, it leaves in 20 minutes.

Oh yes!

See you in a minute.

Hello?

Hello?

Lydia, is that you?

Yes.

I'm at Hotel de la Mer in Houlgate, room 9.

Don't worry, Esmée is fine. She saw the sea.

I'm waiting. I can only return her to you.

We're coming. Please don't go anywhere.

Tell them to be gentle, or they'll scare her.

I'll come quietly.

Police! Open the door!

Did you hear?

Open this door!

Don't shout. Esmée is with me. She's fine.

Lydia?

Lydia, it's me, Salomé. Can you hear me?

Please let me in.

Esmée?

It's just you and me.

Please.

Give her to me.

I'm going to leave, OK?

I was going to return her.

I just wanted some time with them.

Show me your hands!

We are arresting you for unlawful restraint of a minor.

- Hello, sir. Police. - What's going on? I'm a guest.

- It's closed. - Has there been an accident?

- I can't tell you. - Let me through.

My partner and child are inside.

Tell me what's going on.

- You can't go in. - That's my daughter!

- Sir! - Let me through!

What are you doing? Esmée! That's my daughter!

- Stop! - Get off me!

- Give me your hand. - She's my daughter!

Get off me!

Lydia! Why are you taking her?

Let her go!

Lydia!

Lydia told the police I was not involved.

I was released after extensive questioning.

I testified against her at the trial.

So did Salomé.

Salomé had spent time with her friend's ghost.

Her hatred of Lydia kept her going.

She even suspected that Esmée preferred Lydia.

But at the trial,

the feeling that her love had survived this ordeal, devastated her.

I thought I saw her go by.

How's Esmée?

Very well.

- She is? - Yes.

- She must be big now. - She is.

She's walking.

Have you written to her?

No.

Lydia was given three years in jail, with one suspended.

The psychologists and psychiatrists disagreed about her case.

The latter argued she had a mental disorder requiring treatment,

while the former believed she was manipulative and dangerous.

The manipulation argument prevailed in court.

Lydia can never work as a midwife again.

As for me, I am the innocent bystander,

the astonished onlooker,

who says, "I saw nothing, heard nothing."

The investigators suggested I was an accomplice.

I swore I was not.

Yet the question haunts me.

- Good luck. - Thank you.

All the best.