All language subtitles for Call.The.Midwife.S14E00.Christmas.Special.2024.Part.1.WEB-DL.CATCHPLAY_HI.en

(theme music playing)

(theme music concludes)

(joyful music playing)

(Mature Jenny)
Every year, the magic sparks again.

But what do we mean when we say,
"home for Christmas"?

Are we yearning
for an accustomed door,

a familiar fire, a roof
that has sheltered us for years?

Or is it the scent
of something that we yearn for

as the year turns,
saying, there it is again?

There's the thing that says it all.

Home, the past,
our childhood revisited.

All our memories
made tangible again.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Is that you, Reggie?

I'm coming home soon, Mum.
Is everything all ready?

The tree's up,
presents are wrapped,

and I'm judging
a mince pie competition tomorrow.

I'm going to bring the ones
that win first prize home for you.

Mum! I hate mince pies.

- (chuckles)
- I never eat mince pies.

(chuckles) It's all right.
I know the drill.

By the time you get home,
there will be two dozen

- Shortbread Santas waiting for you.
- (shop bell ringing)

I'm putting Fred on
because he needs to talk to you

about your travel arrangements.

(clears throat)

It's... It's all right, Reg.
I've got your postcard

with the time
of coach and everything.

- Now, Mum's just fussing.
- Has she gone?

I've got her a brilliant present.

- What is it?
- Christmas roses.

In a pot. I grew them.

That's clever. How do you look
after Christmas roses?

Feed them, water them,
keep them warm, really.

- You just love them.
- Well, they're in good hands then.

- I'll see you at the coach station.
- (chuckles)

(music concludes)

(bicycle bell rings)

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, be careful, Nurse Crane.

Mine are made
with all butter pastry,

- and they're very delicate.
- (scoffs)

You'll be all right
with mine and Rosalind's.

They're that solid
you could jump on them

and not leave any footprints.

Are we Fanny Cradock impersonators,
or are we midwives?

(joyful music playing)

No, Fred, no.

The mince pie competition
is sponsored

by Violet Buckle, Haberdasher.

The Christmas tree is sponsored
by the Lady Haberdasher's Guild.

- Well, doesn't that mean you?
- (music concludes)

They both mean me.

(Shelagh) Not stopping today,

but I just dropped by
with my entry for the competition.

- (inhales deeply)
- Oh, Mrs Turner.

Just look at the sheen
on that shortcrust.

I'm hoping I've finally perfected
my egg white glaze.

Well, we'll have to see what
the judges make of it! (chuckles)

I know you're always
completely impartial,

- and so is Dr Turner.
- Hm.

- Are you ready to go, Fred?
- Sleigh's all packed up,

I just got to put some petrol
in my reindeer.

Are you quite sure you're fully
recovered, Nurse Clifford?

It's a terribly busy clinic today.

Oh, Joyce and I are already back
and firing on all cylinders.

It was only the flu,

and it's not as though
we're old or anything.

(scoffs) This Hong Kong strain
really is extremely virulent.

Even if the epidemic
is supposed to be coming to an end.

The staff at St. Cuthbert's
are going down like ninepins.

When I went in
to see Teddy last night,

Matron was reading the riot act.

Oh, how was poor Teddy?

(chuckles) Tucking into jelly
and ice cream like a professional.

No one ever died
of an adenoidectomy.

They do die of flu though.

(soft music playing)

The sooner you get him home,
the better.

(all)
Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five!

Four! Three! Two! One!

- (all cheer)
- Ho, ho, ho!

- Yeah!
- Merry Christmas, everyone!

- That's Fred.
- Shh, he's just one of his helpers.

All right, so, nurses,
doctors, boys and girls,

who wants to be the first

- to pick a present?
- Me!

(children) Me! Me! Me!

Please pick me.

(music concludes)

(door closes)

The landlord tells us
you rented this

- as a fully furnished property.
- Yeah, we did.

But that little footstool
was my grandma's.

(sombre music playing)

That's a girl.
Don't you let them see you cry.

Won't give them the satisfaction.

Those are my children's clothes.

They aren't to blame
for any of this.

You're going to throw them
out of their home,

you might at least
show them some dignity.

We're acting under instruction
from your creditors.

(fusses)

- Is this your television, sir?
- Yes.

No, it's on HP, but we didn't
keep up the payments.

Are you some sort of animal?

This isn't the only job
we've got to do today.

I'll need your keys
if you'll be so kind.

(Alice) A few bits for you.

Have you got somewhere
to go, love?

It's a bit make-do-and-mend.
We just have to start again.

You look after all
them girls of yours.

Family's riches. Remember that.

I will.

- All right, young miss...
- (music concludes)

...what's your name?

- Karen.
- (Fred) Hmm.

What do you want me to bring
you on Christmas Eve, Karen?

I don't mind,
as long as it's wrapped up.

Wrapped up?

You mean with all spangly paper
and a bow?

Yes.

Hmm, I'll have a word
with the elves at the workshop.

Any particular colour bow?

- Red.
- (joyful music playing)

I reckon they've been saving
the red bows for the big day.

Have a rummage in there, and then
you can see what you can find.

I'm gonna ask
if I can have a guinea pig.

(chuckles)

(indistinct chatter)

(Millicent) Have a treacle toffee
and take a seat.

Please don't offer me
a treacle toffee.

All I want is to see
a midwife or a doctor.

- (baby crying)
- (music concludes)

The problem is with your
episiotomy stitches, Lesley.

They've become badly infected.

Mum said they shouldn't have
sent me home with them in.

It's not so much
St. Cuthbert's sent you home

as they didn't tell us
they'd sent you home.

(Phyllis)
And after just four days.

You haven't
been properly looked after.

And we're going to put that right.

(Dr Turner)
Oh, we can treat the infection

with a course of antibiotics.

But first, I'm going to get rid
of these stitches. Now!

- (groans softly)
- (Nurse Crane) Come on.

(sniffles)

(intense music playing)

- This is it.
- This?

(rat squeaking)

I'm sorry.

Come on.

(music concludes)

- (fairground music playing)
- (gasps) Look, it's a fair!

It must have come for Christmas.

May, we're supposed
to go straight to Nonnatus house.

Not long to go, girls.
We're opening tomorrow.

Have you got a favourite ride?

We're not supposed
to talk to strangers.

I'd better not
lead you astray then.

I'm allowed because I'm the oldest.

She isn't. Our brother Timothy is.

Have some leaflets.
Take them home to your mum and dad.

Everything's half price
before 06:30.

(May) Thank you.

Bye!

- Penny for them?
- Just two lovely little girls,

that's all. Sisters.

Dunno what's gone on
in their house

because one of them's Chinese
and the other one isn't.

They start to make you
want a girl again.

- It's boy, girl, boy, girl.
- (chuckles)

You're meant to tell
people you don't mind

what you have,
as long as it's healthy.

But what I really want
to tell people is I don't mind

as long as it's happy.

And first prize,
a basket of sewing silks,

goes to...

Mrs Shelagh Turner! (chuckles)
Collected in absentia by Dr Turner,

one of our judges. (chuckles)

And runner-up is...

Mrs Sandra Okwe.

(Violet) And...

Mrs Maria Santopolous receives

Highly Commended for her very
innovative use of flaky pastry.

(soft music playing)

(Sister Monica Joan) Ooh!

(Sister Veronica)
I'm perfectly aware

of why I didn't win.

The mincemeat,
it... it wasn't homemade,

and I had to fall back
on shop bought.

Don't look to me to have your
disparagement affirmed.

I deem them perfectly acceptable.

(Sister Veronica)
We've been so busy,

I got behind with my preserves.

I'm supposed
to be making chutney for the order

to give as Christmas presents,

and that's all fallen
by the wayside too. (sighs)

Would you come to my office,
Nurse Highland?

Of course, Sister.

St. Cuthbert's is now
so short-staffed,

they have asked us to supply
a midwife on secondment

for two weeks. (inhales sharply)

I suggested you to them,
and they were delighted.

I would be delighted,

but I'm afraid my papers
aren't properly in order.

I have made my own inquiries,
and I have been assured

that nothing that happened
with regard to your marriage

has undermined your legal status

or your nursing registration.

- I do intend to pursue a divorce.
- (Sister Julienne) In the new year,

I will introduce you
to a suitable solicitor.

For now, go and represent us
at St. Cuthbert's.

Hello, love.

Where'd you get that from?

Father Christmas came,
and we had a party.

Love...

This is Karen Louise Shaughnessy,
age nine years, six months.

Principal cardiac lesion
is ventricular septal defect,

colloquially known as...

hole in the heart.

Excuse me.
We usually see Dr Mackerton.

Er, Dr Mackerton did his rounds
earlier this afternoon.

- Weren't you here?
- I was tied up.

We were moving house.

Moving house?

It's a bit of a story, love.

(registrar) It sounds as though
you're in for an adventure, Karen.

According to Dr Mackerton's notes,
she's going home tomorrow.

(Mitch)
All right, you all settled in?

Mind your hands.

(both chuckle)

All right. All right, Mitch.

You all right?

(Alma) I wish we could settle
on a name before it's born.

I heard of a baby called Skye once.

That'd be nice.
It'd make me think of this.

I knew a Scottish terrier
called Skye. (chuckles)

(sighs)

How about Star then?

It might grow up
to be really ordinary, Alma.

And then we've saddled
it to something

it can't live up to.

My name was picked
by a hospital cleaner

because my mum couldn't cope
when she saw the colour of my skin.

Handed me over to welfare.

There will never
be anything ordinary

about this baby
because it was wanted.

We can call it Star,

Sky, or Moon, or Snow, or Sunshine.

Call it whatever we like.

- Rose, or Willow.
- Or Rain.

- (chuckles)
- Or...

Richard.

Richard?

Just a nice name.

(chuckles)

- (groans) Ooh!
- Are you all right?

(breathes heavily)
I don't know. (grunts)

(Karen sobs)

Why are you crying?
We're going home tomorrow.

It's Christmassy here.

I can assure you,
I myself received no notification

that Lesley Abingdon
had been discharged.

Is it possible your Rolodex
has let you down?

My Rolodex has not let me down.

The National Health
has let its patients down.

We will go through all due dates,
delivery, admission,

and discharge notifications
available to us together.

Those which are not
available, I shall pursue.

Hmm.

(door closes)

Roger Noble, we spoke on the phone.

- You must be Miss Higgins.
- (chuckles)

I'm guilty of many things,
I promise you, but not that.

Er, she's not in till later.

Miss Higgins said the doctor
couldn't see me before Christmas,

but... I thought I'd come down
and have another go.

What are you after then?

Sick note, blood test,
antibiotics, or...

something lurid you have
no intention of discussing

- at the desk?
- Ah, I'm a tranquilizer salesman.

Oh, well,
we could all do with some of them.

Tomorrow? At 10:00 a.m.?

- (sighs)
- I've copied her writing.

Hmm... (chuckles) I reckon
even she'll be convinced.

Thanks.

Maybe we should go.
We've been here ages.

And you've been
having pains all night.

Nurse!

Are you not feeling too good,
honey?

- Let's make you more comfortable.
- (breathes heavily)

(Shelagh) You're all up to date
with the Advent calendar.

Get back on the settee
and under that blanket.

(playful music playing)

Girls, your sandwiches
are on the table.

Why can't we have
spaghetti on toast?

Because there's only one tin
and Teddy's still convalescing.

(music concludes)

Four prisoners have escaped
from HMP Calder in Lancashire.

The breakout took place
in the early hours

of this morning.

All the men are considered to be
dangerous and may now be armed.

A manhunt is underway
across the breadth of Britain.

Two of the suspects have ties
to the London area,

the others to Bristol
and Glasgow respectively.

Police have warned members
of the public that the escaped

prisoners should not be approached
under any circumstances

and that they should be vigilant
at all times.

What does vigilant mean?

It means you are not
walking anywhere

- unsupervised ever again.
- (both sigh)

(Karen) It smells funny.

And my chest hurts.

(sighs)

(Dilys) It's just them stairs,
Karen, and your heart.

Come on, have a lie down.

- (roof thuds)
- (door closes)

Is this where we live now?

Now, but not forever.

- There isn't a cot for the baby.
- Baby isn't born yet.

We'll sort something out.

(soft music playing)

Karen, I lived
in some funny old places

when I was a little girl.

But I used
to play this game called,

Everything Is Really
Something Else.

A game where you need
a board and counters?

No, all you need is words.

You say, "this room
is really a cabin on a ship."

"This cup of water
is really a silver goblet,

full of hot blackcurrant juice."

Then, when you close your eyes...

you can feel the ship
swaying on the sea

and feel the drink
warming your belly,

as real as anything you like.

We live at the top of a tower
made of pearls and glass.

And this coat
is a velvet eiderdown.

That's my girl.

Shall I put this
on the mantelpiece?

(music swells)

(music concludes)

(baby crying)

I'll need to see you at the surgery

once you've finished
those antibiotics,

but everything's going
in the right direction.

And not before time.
I shall be calling in daily

until we get
Master Anthony's weight back up.

Thank you, Doctor.
And have a happy Christmas.

You too.

(baby cries)

- (flies buzzing)
- (Dr Turner grunts softly)

Doctor! My mum put a piece
of that sherry log

- in tinfoil for you.
- Mrs Abingdon,

do you know who lives
in this flat?

It's an old lady.
Keeps herself to herself.

(sighs)

(breathes shakily)
I thought I had till New Year.

I thought I'd be able
to get home to Kent,

where we live,
and get to the cottage hospital.

They had flowery curtains there.

This isn't what I wanted.

I think what you really
want is not to feel scared.

Now, I can't help
with the flowery curtains,

but I can help you with that.

- (soft music playing)
- (breathes deeply)

I'll be back in two ticks.

(breathes shakily)

- (flies buzzing)
- (coughs)

- (screams)
- Alma?

- I just wanted to get off the bed.
- Can you get back onto it?

No! (screams)

So, mother knows best!

(grunts)

(Joyce)
You stay right where you are.

The lady's no longer alive.

(sighs) I think the flies
are from the ham on the table.

But bless her, she has been dead
for a couple of days.

I think we can guess
what's happened here.

Hong Kong flu.

Knocked off her feet
and nobody looking in on her.

There's always somebody
beyond our reach, isn't there?

We try.

Please. (groans) Please,
can't you just pull it out?

You don't need
anyone interfering, Alma.

You got the strength
to do this all on your own.

- I haven't.
- (Joyce) Yes, you have.

You have, honey.
Now, come on. Come on.

You've given us a half a head!
This time, I want all of it.

- Come on. Come on.
- (grunts)

- Come on! Yes!
- (grunts)

- (Joyce) We have the whole baby!
- (baby cries)

- It's out?
- It's absolutely out.

And it's a boy.

- (baby crying)
- I want him.

Please. I want him.

(pants)

- Hello.
- (coos)

I'm your mum.

Thank you for coming
in time for Christmas.

(chuckles)

He looks like his dad.

(chuckles)

(Dr Turner) Gertrude Torrance.

Born, 1899.

The coroner will have to determine
the cause of death.

Hmm, could you put this rent book
back on the sideboard?

(inhales deeply) There must be
a next of kin somewhere.

(soft music playing)

(baby coos)

Seven pounds, two ounces.
Is that good?

Ah, seven pounds is the average,
so two ounces higher than that.

When I was at school,
I would have killed

to be called average.
I was always marked weak or poor.

- (chuckles)
- (baby crying)

He's doing better than me already.

(music concludes)

Would you like free tickets
to the fair?

I've... I've... I've got some
in my jacket. I can...

That's fine. But the hospital don't
allow us to accept gifts.

Well, I'll leave your name
at the gate.

You can take all your friends.
Take everyone you know.

- (chuckles) Ah!
- (soft music playing)

(sobs, chuckles)

He looks like his mum.

(sniffles, chuckles)

(music concludes)

(all chuckle)

The moment I heard
there was a clearing-out sale

at Ealing Studios,
I hot-footed over

to see what I could retrieve

for the Nonnatus dressing-up box.

Oh, well, this will
all come in very handy

for the community carol service.

It's actually being billed
as the People of Poplar Carols,

traditional but not religious.

There's going to be
roast chestnuts on a brazier.

Oh, I could kill for the chance
to warm my hands on a brazier.

(all chuckle)

Housesitting for my sister
has rather lost its charm

since the communal hot water
and heating broke down.

Trixie isn't going to like
that when she comes to visit.

She shampoos her hair every night.

- (chuckles)
- (phone ringing)

But Mr Franklin, you must come
and lodge with us again,

if you're inconvenienced.

(gasps softly)
I may take you up on that.

There was actually ice
on my flannel this morning.

(all chuckle)

No, Mr Leadbetter.

I'm afraid I didn't pick up
the deceased lady's dentures.

I would have expected one of your
gentlemen undertakers to do it.

It seems a somewhat
unfortunate omission.

(sighs) I shall go to the flats
and confer with the janitor.

(Mr Leadbetter)
Thank you very much.

(sighs)

(reporter) One of the four
escaped prisoners

from HMP Calder in Lancashire

has been apprehended
by police near Bristol,

an area to which
he had connections.

- Anthony Belgarno, age...
- Sister Monica Joan?

we encourage sociable activities
during recreation.

There are felons at large
and we are all imperilled.

Names may need to be added
to the prayer list.

(reporter)
A police officer sustained injuries

that are not thought
to be life threatening.

Ask another question.

Er, will I be rich when I grow up?

(reporter) ...spotted by
a member of the public...

No.

Oh, I'd better stop betting
on the horses, then.

(all chuckle)

Here's a good one.
Will Geoffrey ever get married?

(gasps)

Maybe.

(sighs) Better than a flat denial,
I suppose. (chuckles)

(groans)

- I reckon it's Hong Kong flu.
- (sombre music playing)

I'll go out tomorrow

- and I'll get you some aspirin.
- (groans)

(grunts) Save your money.

I'll be fine. I'm fine. (pants)

Come on. It's time
to blow them candles out.

(Pete groans)

It's funny having no electric.

There's carols
down the War Memorial tomorrow.

It's not too far for you to walk.
Why don't you go, and take Suzy?

Will it cost anything?

No. And it'll be
really Christmassy.

(Pete groans, coughs)

(music concludes)

- The dentures were in the bathroom.
- Ah!

She seems to have been
a respectable woman.

Neat, clean.

I can't leave her smalls soaking
for the council to find

when they come
to clear the flat out.

I shall take them back
to Nonnatus House

and wash them in the new machine.

She'll need to be dressed
decently for burial,

pauper's funeral or not.

Phyllis,
what's a pauper's funeral like?

(sombre music playing)

Plain, bare.

Not done without dignity,

but when there's no flowers,
no mourners...

what you wonder is...

what does life amount to when
there's no love at the end of it?

(music concludes)

- (festive music playing)
- (indistinct chatter)

(both chuckle)

(children chuckle)

(Dr Turner laughs)

I thought the girls
would say they're too big

for a merry-go-round,

and that Teddy
would say it's a girl's ride.

Hmm, Teddy can't say anything

with that scarf
wrapped around his mouth.

He's recovering from surgery,
and there are a lot of germs about.

(Dr Turner) They're still children,
aren't they?

Sometimes I dread the day
when they won't be anymore.

Timothy's no longer a child,
but he's still our child.

(sighs)
I can't believe you won't be here

to open his presents
on Christmas morning.

Oh, he'll be working on the wards.

(children giggle)

It's a dream come true for him.

And the presents
will keep until he gets home.

(both chuckle)

(music concludes)

(gasps) I'm sorry.

Please don't say anything.

I don't want to make you break
the great silence.

I carry silence within me.

It can be accessed at all times

and committed to every purpose.

Like prayer, its cousin.

I wish I was better at praying.

(soft music playing)

Likewise.

But there is only one examiner,
and He does not give us marks.

(sighs)

What or whom did you come
in here to pray for?

Just a woman who died alone.

If this is the lady who required
a reunion with her dentures...

you may leave her soul to me.

You must rest.

(music fades)

(sighs)

- (carnival music playing)
- (indistinct chatter)

(both laugh)

- (giggles)
- (Dr Turner and Teddy cheer)

- (Angela laughs)
- (Shelagh laughs, screams)

- Whoa! (laughs)
- (laughs) Oh, my goodness!

Patrick, he needs to leave that on!

- Trust me. I'm a doctor.
- Oh! (laughs)

- (laughs)
- (Shelagh chuckles)

(door knocks)

(sombre music playing)

- (Jock) Hello?
- (door knocking)

(cat meowing)

(Fred) Mind Nigel's paws
on those splinters.

I haven't seen
this much smashed glass

since the train crash.

What's happened, Fred?

(sighs) Broken into overnight.
Same over the way.

Has much been taken?

(sighs) Fags, matches,
three packets of custard creams.

And one
of the Christmas Club boxes.

- Oh, no.
- Well, apart from the coconut

on the top, it's mostly tins.

He ain't gonna get
much joy out of it

- unless he's got a can opener.
- Morning.

Morning.

(emotional music playing)

(chuckles) Two hours it's taken.
With robbers on the loose.

(chuckles)

It's a good job that no one's
being held at gunpoint!

Tell me if you need a hand later.

(police officer) All right, sir.
What happened?

Pastor Robinson?

We need to talk about the choir
and The People of Poplar Carols.

Oh, forgive me.

You're reading your letter
with a Jamaican stamp on it?

Yes. It is from Lucille.

May the Lord
shine his face upon her.

- What she say?
- Nothing.

She's sweet. She's courteous.

She's enjoying her job.

And she says nothing.

(music fades)

(sighs) I feel like Churchill

when he had all his planes
in the air

during the Battle of Britain.

I'm sorry, lass,
we're that short staffed,

the only way you'll get through
this district list on your own

is if you pack an egg sandwich
and eat luncheon on the hop.

She better take something milky
in a thermos.

- (phone ringing)
- I'll get it.

And I'd better put you
on the midwifery call board

after Sister Julienne.

We don't do it often,
but needs must.

Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.

(Millicent) It's Miss Higgins,
at the surgery.

- Apologies, one moment please.
- (indistinct chatter)

- Morning, Miss Higgins.
- Good morning, Doctor.

As you can see,
we are rather busy today.

Nurse Clifford,
we require reinforcements.

Look, I've done separate sections

for the different types
of scrap metal.

Old keys, brass plugs, toy cars.

That's not fair!
All the toy cars are mine!

I'm not going to let you join in
with the Blue Peter appeal at all

if you don't stop squabbling
about it.

But it's to buy a minibus
so old people can have treats.

I'm not feeling particularly
youthful myself this morning.

And my idea of a treat
is you all go upstairs,

get dressed, and then come down
and clean out Petula's hutch.

But I just had my adenoids out.

- (chuckles)
- (sighs)

I think you're going
to be a textbook case, Mrs Ali.

My mother-in-law
delivered my first baby

at home in Sylhet.

I think she believes
she will deliver this one too.

By the time she gets back

from dropping the children off
with your sister,

- I think she'll be too late.
- (chuckles)

(scoffs) Baby's lined himself up
very nicely.

He clearly knows the drill.
(chuckles)

A lady
in the market yesterday said,

"I can see what you're getting
for Christmas."

And I was perplexed
because I'm not Christian.

Then I saw that she meant this.

(chuckles)

It's all cause for celebration
one way and another.

Hmm.

I would like you
to just keep sipping water.

- Your mouth looks a little dry.
- (groans)

I am not good at drinking.
I'm always busy.

It's time for you
to look after yourself.

And I'll look after you.

(upbeat music)

Roger Noble.

Winton Daymont Pharmaceuticals?

I made an appointment yesterday

to meet with Dr Turner
at ten o'clock.

You must be mistaken.

Ten o'clock falls
during surgery hours.

I spoke to one of the nurses.
She had, I think, a Cork accent?

Well, that will have been
Nurse Corrigan,

who does not have
a secretarial mandate.

Doctor will see you
at his convenience,

and you may stand over there
until a seat becomes available.

(music concludes)

- (groans, grunts)
- (gentle music playing)

- (groans, grunts)
- Afira. Afira. Afira.

- (sobs)
- Just rest. Rest now

before the next pain.

You are doing the most
beautiful work imaginable,

and baby will be with us very soon.

- It is coming too fast.
- (Sister Veronica) No, no, no.

- It is coming quickly and easily.
- (pants)

(exhales)
Just take this chance to breathe.

- (breathes heavily, grunts)
- (Sister Veronica) Push now.

- (grunts, groans)
- Push now. Just a little one.

- (grunts, groans)
- Just a little one.

- (groans, grunts)
- (Sister Veronica) Oh, success!

(baby crying)

And you have a little girl!

(pants) Boys, I have already.

(Sister Veronica)
Oh, she's a bonny thing.

(baby coos)

There we are.

(moans)

(baby crying)

We meet again.

(chuckles) In even more
glamorous circumstances.

It wasn't me.

It was a wee fella.
The minute I sat down next to him,

he parted company
with his breakfast.

(chuckles) He's decorated the floor
in the toilet now and all.

Do you want me to do your toe caps?

I think they got a bit splashed.

It's just as well I didn't come
in Hush Puppies.

(chuckles)

I'll sort out this drawsheet

while you have a cuddle
with young miss.

- (dramatic music playing)
- What's happening?

(Sister Veronica)
Hold her tight, Afira.

Afira, Afira all will be well.

- I will die.
- No. No, no, that is not the case.

(baby cries)

(music concludes)

You can see your face in that now.

It's all part of the service.

Why not read some leaflets
while you're waiting?

(Roger) People of Poplar Carols.

I like the sound of that.

Dr Turner to Afira Ali
in the delivery room, urgently.

And we need the Flying Squad.

(dramatic music playing)

Nurse Corrigan, telephone.

I'll be right with you.
She's in good hands.

(baby crying)

(Sister Veronica)
Syntometrine already administered.

I think it's stemmed the bleeding,
but she's unresponsive.

She's going into shock.

I had concerns
that she was dehydrated.

(baby crying)

We need to raise her legs
by 12 inches

and administer fluid rectally.

Take her to the nursery.

(Nancy) Oh, wait, Mrs Bibi.

(Sister Veronica) You have
a little granddaughter, Mrs Bibi.

- (baby crying)
- What of her mother?

(Sister Veronica)
Doctor's with her.

The bleeding may have stopped,
but...

without sufficient fluid
in her system, her heart will fail.

Fluid going in.

(praying indistinctly)

(Mrs Bibi sobbing,
praying indistinctly)

(Dr Turner) It's working.

Her blood pressure's going back up,

and her pulse is reducing
and becoming stronger. Oh!

Is this the patient?

Atonic haemorrhage,
placenta complete,

vital signs improving.

And prayers answered.

(music concludes)

Sister,
what happened to Baby Curran?

The one whose parents work
at the funfair.

Mother and dad
have taken him home.

To what sounds
like a comfortable billet in Kent.

He's barely two days old.

It's a new policy
for when we're pushed for beds.

Sister Monica Joan.
Whatever has occurred?

(chuckles) Are you still here?

I don't think
you'll be seeing Dr Turner today.

He's been dealing
with a haemorrhage.

Talk about paint the town red.

(chuckles)

My mop's been working overtime.

Well, you did a grand job
on that toilet floor. (chuckles)

Do they ever give you time off

- for good behaviour?
- (Nancy chuckles)

They would,
if I was well behaved. (chuckles)

(Roger) If you're good
and they let you loose,

would you come out with me?

Things are a bit busy
because it's Christmas.

Carol singing and extra duties.

- You know what it's like.
- Yes.

It's all right.

I'll see you around.

You can't just waltz
into a funeral parlour

and offer bed and board
to one of their clients.

Quite apart from anything else,
Gertrude Torrance

may have had her own opinions
on where her remains should lie.

She may also have had
her own opinion

as to who should
launder her small clothes

and retrieve her teeth.

But she died alone.

And she deserves to be
accompanied to her grave.

Well, I suppose it is Christmas.

It is Advent, a time of darkness.

And who is there to bring light
into that shade but we?

- (carnival music playing)
- (indistinct chatter)

- Is it really all free?
- (parents chuckle)

Grateful patients
is one of the perks

of a career in healthcare.

I mean, I've never had
fairground vouchers

for osteopathy,
but, er, one lives in hope.

(chuckles)
What's it going to be, honey?

Ferris wheel, mini planes,
then helter-skelter.

No, no, no. Mini planes,
helter-skelter, then Ferris wheel.

Then I want to go
on the shooting range

- and win a new goldfish.
- (Geoffrey) Hmm.

Dare I ask what happened
to the old goldfish?

He got a sort of funny fungus
on him and died.

- Does anyone fancy a toffee apple?
- Oh, go and get them.

We will be...

- ...on the mini planes.
- (Colette laughs)

- (children screaming)
- (child) Mummy, mummy!

(Joyce laughs)

I'm awfully sorry,
but these are quite sticky.

I think I should have
taken my mittens off.

(chuckles)

You looked quite pensive
standing there.

First time I ever went to the fair

was the first time Colette
went to the fair.

I took her.

And feeling her little hand
in mine made me... (inhales)

...feel like a child again myself.

(chuckles)
And as old as the hills.

I suppose you must want her to have
all the things you never had.

Yeah, all of that.

And I want her
to have all the things

she hasn't got now.

That we haven't got now,
come to that.

(sighs) Maybe when I look
at her up there...

I realise how alone we really are.

I hope this is going to fit him.
He's a lanky lad, is Harry.

And he looked to me
like he's still growing.

His mother measured him
before she left Liverpool

to return to Delhi.

Victor's estate was demanding
her attention.

We make an odd little family.

But one way or another,
we're bound together now.

And Harry's coming to me
for Christmas.

You can smile
if you want to, Millicent.

Bittersweet it may be,
but you've got a grandson now,

and that's a gift.

Furthermore,
this jumper's going to suit him.

(radio jumps between stations)

(sighs)

I should have nicked one
with a pineapple on it

instead of a coconut.

It's like it's made
of solid marble.

You're not cut out
for life on the run.

(radio switches off)

If I hadn't had the foresight
to nick a tin opener

from the ironmonger,
you'd have starved to death.

(tense music playing)

You're serious about
the sub-Post Office, aren't you?

We're in a serious situation.

Belgarno's banged up again,
charged with grievous.

Smigger turned himself in.
They knew where we were heading.

We had reason to head this way.

Did us no ruddy good,
though, did it?

My Astrid's legged it, and no one
was waiting for you either.

We need to disappear, Jock.
And that costs money.

I don't do shooters, Stan.

I never would. You know that.

And you ended up doing
seven sodding years anyway.

I just need you as a lookout,
and we can split and move on.

If we want to have that choice,
then we've no choice.

(thuds)

(gunshot fires, gun clicks)

Go on, make yourself a piña colada.
(laughs maniacally)

(sombre music playing)

Do you want a hot water bottle
to take up with you?

Yes.

♪ O Key of David

♪ And sceptre
Of the House of Israel

♪ Who openeth
and no man shutteth

♪ Who shutteth
and no man openeth ♪

(upbeat music playing)

I'd imagined
a sort of looped effect

with double swags.

Sister,
what we need to establish is,

is this
Selfridge's Christmas window

or the front porch of a convent?

Furthermore, the plug
has to reach the mains.

Fred!

Fred!

I fetched you some
fire lighters from the shop.

Oh, thanks, Vi.
This coal's that wet,

it's like they dug it
out the Thames.

Well, just get it going.

You're already late setting off
to collect Reggie

- (electricity crackling)
- (all exclaim)

(Sister Veronica) Oh!

I plugged the lights in,
as suggested,

and they just went bang. (groans)

(Richard cooing)

- Doesn't seem very interested, Sid.
- (Richard crying)

- Do you think I'm doing it right?
- Yeah, we're all still learning.

(Richard cooing)

I love him all in white.

Skin's going
a lovely creamy gold colour.

- (chuckles)
- (Richard cooing)

(Alma)
You hear about newborns crying

and crying,
but he never does, do you, Richard?

Richard Rain
Moon Willow Starshine Curran.

(Richard crying)

Hmm, the only middle name
he needs is Sidney.

Thanks for staying here with me.

It just feels right.

I want us to be together
while he's still so new.

(Richard cooing)

That twitching? Is he shivering?

No.

He's lovely and warm.

(Richard cooing)

(chuckles)

(band playing "Rudolph,
the Red-Nosed Reindeer")

- Neil Betteridge?
- Yes.

- (Millicent) Kevin Muscatelli?
- Yes.

- (Millicent) Ahmed Mohammed?
- Yes.

- (Millicent) Patsy Brown?
- (Patsy) Yes.

- (Millicent) Patricia Alexander?
- (Patricia) Yes.

- (Millicent) Matthew Carter?
- Yes.

Mrs Turner, we have been
waiting for the hymn sheets.

There seems
to be something happening

on the Commercial Road.

The police have blocked off
Salerno Street. (groans)

(children laughing)

We have lanterns, and...

candles are still a possibility.

The Victorians managed perfectly
well without fairy lights.

(car horn honking)

- Geoffrey!
- Sis!

- (smooches)
- Oh! Ooh!

I hope you've laid
this all on for me,

'cause I would have happily
walked from Portofino

if I'd have known what was waiting!

- (chuckles)
- Trixie! Oh, welcome home!

(Trixie chuckles)

- (all exclaim)
- Let there be light indeed.

- (Geoffrey chuckles)
- Fred, have you seen the time?

- Hurry up. Reggie will be waiting.
- Oh, will you get my cases?

(Geoffrey) Ooh. Yes.
Coming right up, Sis.

Over there, dear,
if you're going to the carols.

You forgot Reggie's sandwich.

You know he's always starving
when he gets off the coach.

Did you actually go to Portofino
for three days,

or were you in Milan for a month
buying out the couture collection?

(scoffs) I'll have you know,
understated elegance

has become my watchword
since I've been living in New York.

Every garment
I could possibly require

for this entire trip has been
packed into a mere two cases.

Hmm, which is just as well,

since far away
in a superior part of London,

your cashmere sweaters
are all bristling with icicles.

Oh, by the way,
you're in the attic.

Why am I in the attic?

(Geoffrey)
Because I got the guest room

as a gesture of thanks
from Sister Veronica.

I'm going to help her
with her chutney.

Oh!

(emotional music playing)

- Someone coming to meet you?
- Yes.

♪ O little town of Bethlehem

♪ How still we see thee lie

♪ Above thy deep and dreamless deep

♪ The silent stars go by

♪ Yet in the dark streets shining,

♪ The everlasting light

♪ The hopes and fears
Of all the years

♪ Are met in thee tonight ♪

(horn honking)

I'm sorry, sir,
but you'll have to be patient.

What's happening?

There's been an armed raid
on a sub-Post Office.

One man's already been arrested,
and one is still at large.

(groans)

- (dramatic music playing)
- (indistinct chatter)

(pants)

♪ Where meek souls
will receive him still

♪ The dear Christ enters him ♪

(emotional music
drowns out choir)

(Jock) Mum? Guess who?

Hello?

Guess who?

(dramatic music playing)

(revellers laughing)

Oh, my God, I'm crying!

- Is this Poplar?
- No, mate. Poplar's miles away.

(revellers laughing,
speaking indistinctly)

Reggie?

Oh, no.

No!

(music intensifies)

Reggie!

(music concludes)

- Nancy, please!
- I'm working.

Karen, you must tell me
what is happening.

How are Alma and the baby?

I just left them all
tucked up in the caravan.

You won't grow big and strong
if you don't drink your milk.

What post box did you put
the Blue Peter parcel in?

- I need to report a missing person.
- (sobs)

Oh, Violet.

(theme music playing)

(theme music concludes)