PHONE RINGS
Hello?
Look, will you stop this or I'm calling the police?
Do you hear me?
I'll call the police!
CONTINUOUS BEEP
Have you got everything you need?
Is your tablet charged? Yes, Karen.
I've got a Letherbridge A-Z somewhere.
A what? It's a street guide.
I've got a phone.
Hey, it's my first day of unsupervised VPAS today.
You got any advice for me? Stay single.
I meant about home visits. Ignore him.
I'd better go or I'll be late for my first appointment.
Yes, cos your taxi's outside.
And that's going to take you to Linwood Crescent,
then everything around there is walking distance.
When you're done... Call a taxi. I know.
Do you think I can't manage on my own or something?
Everybody needs some support sometimes. I'll be fine.
Watch yourself - she's in a right naggy mood.
Oi! Give me a call me if you need anything!
Ew, can you come in here one day with some good news?
Are Sid and Ruhma in?
I was that exhausted, I could barely keep my eyes open.
Yeah, I didn't sleep at all.
Couldn't stop thinking about why Damien would behave like that.
I still can't. So, I thought I'd come and distract myself
with the admin I didn't do yesterday.
Rob.
There's been a development.
Damien?
He's taken a five-month-old boy.
Who? From the group?
His own son, Kai. What?
Yeah, Damien and his ex-wife have been in a dispute over access.
You are kidding?
Unfortunately not.
She must be going out of her mind.
She is - Alicia. She's told us
that he suffers from paranoia, depression. Never got any help.
And he's an alcoholic.
So, potentially unstable, then?
We had a chance to intervene yesterday!
Sid... And this wouldn't have happened!
If we went round arresting everyone who acted suspiciously,
then YOU would have ended up at the station.
I told you something wasn't right.
OK, finding Kai, that's what is important.
How can we help, Rob?
Well, if you can remember anything that he said.
It sounds like everything he said was a lie, so...
We don't know where he's living.
Look, I need to get back to the mother's house
but if you can remember anything at all that could be useful...
Yeah, we'll call you straight away.
We knew it. This is not Rob's fault.
WOMAN: Who is it?
Oh, it's Scarlett - from The Mill.
Who?
Scarlett Kiernan from The Mill Health Centre.
I'm here for your VPAS.
What?
I'm here for your VPAS.
Would you like to break patient confidentiality completely
and tell the street about my cancer diagnosis?
I just thought you couldn't hear me.
Why are you here anyway? I spoke to Karen.
It's a follow-up assessment.
Well, I thought that would be with Karen. I mean, I've known her years.
Well, you're stuck with me today.
I don't get stuck with anyone - especially novices.
I'm fully trained.
Hmm, since when? Yesterday?
Don't come back until you're Karen Hollins.
Careful, the wind might change. Pardon?
You seem down. Just trying to make you smile.
And that was supposed to make me feel better, was it?
Yeah, you're right. Sorry, stupid thing to say.
What was a stupid thing to say?
Oh, we were just... Something Suni said.
It's just a joke, Mama. He was laughing on the inside.
PHONE RINGS
SHE SIGHS
Hello. How are you getting on? I'm fine.
Oh, you sound a bit not fine.
Yeah, well, if I didn't have patients not wanting to see me,
others not in and you checking up on me, I would be.
Who doesn't want to see you?
Brenda Rowley.
Only wants to see you. Then shut the door in my face.
Oh, do you want me to give her a call her and have a word?
No! Just...book her another appointment.
OK. Well, I'll leave you to it.
Karen, wait!
Why can't I find 3 Linwood Crescent?
I'm nipping out. Does anyone need anything?
Always thinking of others.
You know, he's been the sweetest boy since day dot.
I'll take that as a no.
His old nan had false teeth.
Mum!
When she was bedbound,
he was the only one who would wash them for her.
Straight out of her mouth and into his hand.
Mum, stop. No-one wants to talk about false teeth!
No squirming. He just got on with it. He was only seven.
And on that note...
What about you, Sid? Would you have done that?
Sorry, I wasn't listening.
When Suni was little, he used to wash his nan's false teeth.
His nan's? Yes.
Kai's nan... No, Suni's.
Sorry! And then he would fetch her foot cream...
I'm really sorry, I need to, erm... call my bank.
PHONE RINGS
Yes.
Speak!
Oh, you pathetic person.
PHONE RINGS
I will call the police!
Oh, Brenda, it's Karen from The Mill.
Oh, Karen, I'm sorry. I keep getting these nuisance calls
where they don't say anything and then hang up.
Are you sure it's not just a call centre?
Well, I don't know. It's putting me in a foul mood.
Yes. I heard you met one of my colleagues, Scarlett.
Look, she's too young.
I can't talk to her about old woman problems.
I mean, she'd faint at the mere thought of a prolapse.
I trust you.
Oh, well, that's very sweet, but you can trust Scarlett, I promise.
Hiya. Scarlett from The Mill Health Centre.
Oh, I was expecting you an hour ago.
Sorry, it's been one of those days.
Oh, no, I thought you might be Karen.
Well, if you want to rearrange...
No, don't be silly. It's always nice to see a new face.
You look rushed off your feet. Have you had lunch?
Not yet, but you are my last appointment for the day, so...
Oh, let me see what I can get you. Now, come in. Thanks.
They say, don't they...?
They say...
..the longer it goes...
..the less likely...
Alicia, we're going to find them.
How can this be happening?
PHONE RINGS
Excuse me.
Sid?
Yeah, I've just remembered something.
It might be nothing, it might not even be true.
Well, I'm grateful for anything that could be useful.
He told me this story.
What is it? Have you found him?
Sid, hang on.
It's the doctor who spent some time with Damien at the dads' group.
He says that Damien told him something.
What was it?
Sid, I'm going to put you on speaker phone.
I'm with Alicia, Kai's mother. Go ahead.
Ruhma's here too.
OK, erm, he told me about a time
at Kai's nan's house,
Damien's mother,
when she taught him how to put nappies on.
No. His mum died while I was pregnant.
That was the start of him spiralling.
He was heartbroken they never met.
OK, if this was somewhere that he was happy,
might he have gone back there, then?
Her house was sold to a developer months ago.
Where's the house?
33 Cherry Tree Close.
But how would he get in?
We'll check it out.
Thanks, both.
OK.
Hey... You're going?
We're closer. They might need someone medical.
We don't even know if they're...
Sid, we don't...
Have you had any pain or discomfort with your new hip?
No, it all seems fine.
Touch wood.
Mobility issues? Are you OK with that crutch?
Yeah, well, around the house, you know.
I'm still not brave enough to venture out on my own. Ah.
Is that why you've missed picking up your prescriptions?
There is a delivery service, and you need your blood pressure tablets.
Do you live alone?
For the past seven years.
So, what about getting dressed, making meals, stuff like that?
Oh, fine. Everything takes at least three times as long, but I manage.
Physical wreck, aren't I?
You look good to me. Aw.
Have you had many visitors? Erm...
One or two, you know.
Well, I definitely saved my best visit for last.
I'll make sure those tablets get delivered ASAP.
Oh, you're lovely.
I mean, do you need to rush off? You haven't had a biccy yet.
Well... Oh, and you did say I was your last, and it...
It's just nice to have some company.
I can stay for another ten minutes.
Wonderful.
I'll show you my photo album.
I come in peace.
I got myself one too. Couldn't resist.
So, I get the rainbow sparkly one because I'm gay?
And you get that one because you're not?
You can have this one if you want.
I don't want either - because I'm not five.
You know, just because we're not straight, we don't have to be catty.
Oh, and a slice of internalised homophobia too. Nice.
Shut up. I don't have that. I'm not ashamed of being bi, Luca.
Really? It's a bit of a coincidence that the cupcakes and the quips
only come out when nobody else is around.
If you worked with your mum, would you parade your private life in front of her?
Why would it be "parading"? No, I...
OK. Look, erm...
..she doesn't really take me being bi quite seriously.
Thinks I'll settle down with a nice girl.
And I'm sure you will, too. Conform and make Mummy very happy.
So now you're the sexuality gatekeeper?
Look, why don't you take your cupcakes and have both?
You'll like that.
Hey, I don't need this.
HE SIGHS
Damien?
It's Dr Vere - erm, Sid.
Are you there?
Damien?
I'm... I'm here to help.
Are you there, mate?
We're not mates.
Hey...
Sorry about yesterday.
It's all gone wrong.
Damien, is...Kai OK?
My mum will know what to do.
She always knows what to do.
That's me and Derek on a coach holiday along the Amalfi Coast.
Lovely.
Mm, just before he died.
He died on the coach holiday?
Oh, no, no, six months later. Oh.
But it was our last holiday.
Aren't coach holidays, like, you know, a bit boring?
They're not at all.
No, you make friends, see the sights.
Oh, and there's often a quiz.
You know Brenda?
Bren...
Is she a patient?
I can't say. Ah.
No, understood.
Yeah, we used to be the best of friends,
you know, see each other every day.
We'd go on our "merry widow" weekends away.
What happened?
Something awful.
What did she do?
No it wasn't Brenda, it was me.
I'm a terrible person.
You don't seem terrible.
I stole something from her.
What?
No, sorry, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
I'll show you.
Damien, is...
..is Kai OK?
I just need my mum.
That's why we came here, isn't it, to see Nana?
BABY COOS
Did you think I'd hurt him? No. It's just he was so still...
I wouldn't hurt him, all right?!
I'd never mean to hurt him. I know.
Let's just stay calm, OK?
Hello?
Sid, what are you doing here?
It's OK. It's my friend Rob.
He can't be here. Tell him to go away. I will, I will.
Right now, a uniform is only going to spook him.
Is Kai OK? Yeah, I think so.
He's having some sort of breakdown, Rob. I can help him.
Sid, what are you saying? Sid?!
If there's any trouble, I am coming in. OK.
Yeah?
Is he going?
Yeah, yeah. He's, erm... going to give us some time.
For what?
To do the right thing.
Letherbridge Greenfingers 2022.
OK, let me get this right.
You fell out with your best friend over gardening?
Gardening?
It's a very prestigious local award.
Brenda won it seven years in a row.
Usually for her new Red Intermediates.
Sometimes her Table Dainties.
I got fed up with her winning every year.
And she'd got so smug.
And the way she'd smirk at my Windermere Leeks.
Oh, good on you for winning, then.
I cheated.
You can cheat at gardening?
It's meant to be organic...
..and I used fertiliser.
Oh, no, it's terrible! Mm-hm.
The guilt has been eating me alive ever since.
You know, I thought seeing Brenda's face when I won would be so...
..satisfying, but it was just... sad.
And that was it? You've not spoken since?
My win was announced and she just walked away.
You don't need a friend like that.
Does she need one who robbed her of a victory by cheating?
Then, tell her you're sorry.
SHE SOBS
I try all the time.
I dial the number...
..she answers, and then I can't speak.
Speak to her. You clearly miss her,
and there's bigger problems in the world than prize veg.
I'm sorry, but I've got to go.
Please stay...
..while I make the call?
Please.
Five minutes, but then I actually need to go.
We came here to see Nana, didn't we? Huh? That's all.
BABY GURGLES
You do remember what happened to her, don't you?
A car hit her...
..and she died. I know that.
I just meant we're closer to her here.
You know, they said she didn't feel anything, but...
..how can you not feel anything?
Losing someone you love, it's really, really hard.
Yeah, and you want to take him away from me, don't you?
Yeah, well, his mum's obviously worried. And I'm his dad!
I should get to be with my son. And I can't.
Just cos of one stupid mistake, I have to lose him and all?
What happened?
Ah, you'll judge me.
I know you and I had a bit of a clash the other day
but that's only because I want you tell me the truth. OK?
I want you to be able to be honest with me.
You know...
..when we found out we were expecting,
I told my mum by getting her a mug with "Nana" written on it.
She cried, she was so happy.
She never judged me.
Your dad, is he around?
Him? No, he died years ago -
thankfully.
He used to beat her...
..and me, but mainly her.
Usually cos he'd been drinking, but he was always drunk.
I'm not like that.
I love my son.
Yeah, I can see that.
You know, my dad gave me my first drink when I was nine.
Huh? Who does that?
Who gives their kid alcohol, huh?
Why did he do that to me?
If I hadn't been drinking, I wouldn't...
Look, erm, we need to address our mistakes before we can move on.
No, no, they just get used against you.
As if I'd do something like that on purpose!
Do what? I dropped him!
All right!
I was drunk and I dropped him.
Oh, but I didn't mean to, did I, Kai?
No, Daddy would never hurt you.
Daddy loves you.
Oh, but it was scary.
Just for a second there, you didn't move.
Oh...
I don't know how to make it right.
I've...got an idea, if you'd like to hear it.
Why don't you give Kai to me, yeah?
And let's give him back to his mum. No.
No, she'll never let me see him again.
Damien, it looks better if you give him back.
You can see that, right?
Where is he? Is he here?!
Alicia! Damien, you give him to me, or I swear...!
Alicia, calm down! Get out of my way! Give him to me!
He's my son! He's my son! Give him to me!
BABY CRIES
SHE PRESSES KEYPAD
LINE RINGS
PHONE RINGS
Hello?
Are you a prankster or just some annoying call centre?
Oh, go on.
Whatever you are...
Brenda, it's me...
..Marie. Are you there?
What do you want?
To say I'm sorry.
I miss you, Brenda.
Our friendship is worth more to me than an award.
Have it. I mean, you're the one who deserves it.
You... You're the real winner.
I cheated, Brenda.
And I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry.
Brenda?
SHE PUTS PHONE DOWN
CONTINUOUS BEEP
Right.
I want everybody to stay calm.
And, Damien, you're going to hand Kai over to Sid, aren't you?
No, he's my son. Tell her, Sid. He's OK, isn't he?
No thanks to you. Alicia, please.
Look at yourself, Damien. Look at what you're doing.
No, no, Damien was just saying that he wants to do the right thing.
Weren't you, mate?
He was just going to give Kai one more cuddle before...
..before giving him back. Right?
Yeah.
OK, well...now's the time to do that, mate.
I love you, son.
I do.
Yeah, I've got him.
Is he OK? Yeah, yeah, he's OK. Is he?
Alicia, I... No!
Don't you come near us again - ever!
I...
Oh... Oh!
Do you need to...? Yeah.
Do you mind if I... Damien?
You are going to have to come with me,
but I am going to give you a few moments with Dr Vere
to get yourself together.
Thank you, Rob.
Thank you for coming.
Thanks for being such a nice patient.
And stop beating yourself up.
I mean, you tried. It's her loss.
You shouldn't be intimidated by her.
Well, that's easier said than done.
Yeah, I'm not as bold as you.
Take care.
Why did you join the dads' group?
I don't know.
You do.
I wanted to see what it was like for the other dads...
..to fit in.
And the "me" you first met... that's who I want to be.
I'm sorry I lied to you.
Thanks. I appreciate that.
I just...
..I get these...
..thoughts...
..these feelings, so I drink and...
I drink cos I think it'll... switch 'em off but it doesn't.
The only way to fix this...is to be honest about your problems
and ask for help.
Not lying, not...not this.
Then you could be that guy.
What if it makes no difference and she doesn't let me see him again?
Damien, for this to be meaningful,
you have to do it without conditions.
One step at a time.
And it's not going to be easy but... you will have to commit to it. OK?
That's the only way this'll work.
Ah. OK, I know you'd rather see Karen. I think she's a legend too.
But I'm good at my job, and this visit is to make sure
you're getting the right care, so why delay it?
I don't like fuss. Well, it's not fuss, it's support.
And I don't want anyone coming in here and treating me like an invalid
because I've got cancer.
OK, I'll make sure that everyone knows who they're dealing with.
Look, you might be older and wiser than me
but you still need people round you, especially friends, too.
Less of the "older" and you can come in.
Got you.
And thank you for coming back.
Well...everyone deserves a second chance.
Don't you think?
Come on.
Ah, I thought you'd got lost in the Linwood Crescent Triangle.
It started badly but ended amazing!
I went back to Brenda. Oh, you did?
Yeah, I wasn't going to be intimidated.
She let me in, we had a good chat
and I got her to commit to a care plan. It made a difference.
I made a difference. Yay! I had every faith in you.
Do you fancy a celebratory cuppa?
You didn't call Brenda. though, did you?
No, because you asked me not to.
Good.
PHONE RINGS
Hello, Nicholls residence.
Hello?
Hel...
CONTINUOUS BEEP
Oh.
DOORBELL
Ah, thought I'd give you a taste of your own medicine.
Brenda, I am... There was something I didn't say earlier.
I miss you too.
Oh, Bren... No soppiness.
That walk has done me in. I need a sit-down.
Do you fancy a sherry? Yes.
Oh, and we need a serious talk about your rhododendrons. Oh!
Come on.
Thanks for finding him.
Don't mention it.
I'm not trying to get back at Damien or anything.
That's not what this is about.
He does need some help.
I thought I could fix him.
But he always just needed that one more chance.
I've got Kai to think of now.
I gave birth alone because Damien was out on a sesh.
I'll do the rest of it alone too.
Get him some help...
..but I'm done.
Sorry, Alicia.
I'm going to get sorted.
You've said that before.
He promises he'll stop drinking but he never does.
I can be a good dad, Alicia!
Just promise me you'll let me see him again, yeah?
Alicia, Alicia, I'm his dad! Oi! Hey!
Alicia, please! No more trouble, Damien.
Just give me... Just give me a chance! Get in the car!
I suggest we have a little bet
on which doctor is going to throw the biggest wobbly.
It's funny you should talk about listening, actually,
because I think that's something you could work on. Me?
I did notice that occasionally
you would correct a patient's pronunciation.
It's about peer review and horizontal accountability.
Blah-blah-blah! That's what I hear when you talk to me. Blah-blah-blah!
I feel like I'm in a cult!