This programme deals with Sexual Abuse.
MATURE JENNIFER: The world to a happy child is full of open arms -
its mother's, its family's, its own...
Ooh!
Life gives, the child embraces its abundance,
its haphazard treats and generosities,
its scatter of good deeds.
There's no pattern to its gifts and kindnesses,
and there is no plan.
I'll see you all at clinic this afternoon.
And don't forget to remind your expectant mothers
to drink plenty of water in this hot weather.
I'm thinking of getting Colette a paddling pool.
Do you think she's too old for one?
We're not too old for one.
I can quite see us using it to cool down
in our bikinis in the back yard.
There's two more newly discharged mothers for you, Sister.
Mrs Barnes and her baby boy,
who's breast-feeding like a professional.
And Mrs Sohoye.
Her little girl's bottle-fed.
But she was slow to gain,
so we kept an eye on her for an extra week.
Two more for my little cohort.
I'm sorry, Nurse Crane, am I in your way?
I just saw little Peter Mackay's name.
I delivered him.
His mother was widowed not long after having him.
She was in a very bad way.
I had to refer his older sister to Dr Turner for malnutrition.
I hope there's nothing amiss.
He's simply one of many behind
with their routine health checks and vaccinations.
Oh, well, I'm glad it's nothing more serious.
Sadly, many mothers share your view.
And as we know, missing vaccinations can become very serious indeed.
I do wish you'd take as much care
with these accounts as you do with that stick.
Morning. Oh! Nurse Corrigan.
Now, there is rather a lot outstanding on your tab...
Which I've told you we do not allow!
To avoid awkward conversations exactly like this one.
COINS CLATTER I might pick up
a few other things while I'm here.
Are you sure you're going to have enough left
to pay for all of this?
I'll start another tab, then, shall I?
You heard what she said.
Go on, Fred.
With Colette in foster care,
I just like to make our time together special.
SHE GIGGLES
POP MUSIC PLAYS
Mrs Mackay?
I'm so sorry.
I seem to have called inopportunely.
Talbot, not Mackay, as of this morning.
That's my husband, Joe.
So funny saying that again after all this time.
He's obviously wonderful with children.
Many congratulations to you both.
Who's this, then?
My name is Sister Veronica.
I'm a health visitor.
A health visitor?
Oh, er...
Well, why don't you come in and join us?
Do you fancy a pie or sausage roll?
I can't vouch for how healthy they are, mind.
That's extremely kind of you,
but I'll leave you to celebrate and call another time.
Wait, you can't leave without a piece of wedding cake.
It does look rather marvellous.
Nice big slice.
Plenty of marzipan.
You look like a woman who likes a bit of marzipan.
And I don't suppose you have to watch your figure.
The Almighty asks many things of religious sisters.
Calorie counting is not one of them.
Well...?
Mrs Lorna Pryce?
Nurse Corrigan will see you in the cubicle on the left.
Karen!
The last time I saw you, you were this big.
A textbook birth, as I recall.
Would you like to go and listen to a story?
Maybe your grandma can take you over to toy corner.
Oh, I want my mum in the cubicle with me, please.
Would you rather not have a cup of tea?
No, Nurse, we do everything together.
Come along. Let's go. There we go.
So, no nausea this time round, then?
No, but she's very tired.
My husband's away at sea, and Karen's been playing up.
You know what that is, don't you?
She knows it's going to be all change
when her new baby sister arrives.
You reckon this one's going to be a girl, too?
Not 'alf! I have a sixth sense about these things.
I'm telling you, Nurse, my mum's always right.
I hope my daughter says the same thing about me when she's your age.
What's the secret?
Indoctrination.
And lots of Neapolitan ice cream.
Is it not the height of arrogance
to paint oneself into a picture?
It is not godly.
Corners first, then sides, then we group by colour.
Sister Monica Joan, would you like to pick out
all the pieces with straight edges?
I am engaged in the appreciation of this slice of wedding cake.
I can smell the brandy in it from here.
That won't help you with your jigsaw.
Our wedding cake's being soaked in vintage Armagnac.
Matthew's father chose it from his cellar especially,
and took it to the patissier himself.
Did you ever consider making your own cake?
Yes. Surely not, lass.
And I realised at once that the enterprise was completely doomed.
I can't even boil an egg,
which does not sit well with marrying a man
who needs to entertain at a very high level.
Well, perhaps he can learn to cook!
He doesn't have to.
I've booked myself onto a Cordon Bleu cookery course
starting tomorrow.
Well, good for you!
I shall soon be giving Fanny Cradock quite a run for her money.
I can see you've got your work cut out.
So, I've never had the pleasure of a hangover,
but I can't imagine it makes housework seem appealing.
Where's Peter?
He's at nursery. Joe took him.
I wonder if you might bring him to my clinic tomorrow morning.
He's behind with his developmental health reviews.
They shouldn't take long.
And we can book in his overdue vaccinations at the same time.
Oh.
That should perk up a bit with a drink of water,
possibly an aspirin.
Flowers are like people, really.
Oh, I'm sorry.
You've got washing soaking.
I'm on my monthlies.
Not that it's any of your business!
I'm sorry.
I'll leave these here?
I'll see you tomorrow.
At clinic.
We'll get you settled over here, Mrs Pryce.
Nurse Corrigan has just changed all the linen.
SHE GROANS
I knew it wouldn't be long.
Oh, come on, Mum, stay with me.
Like last time.
Well, you didn't have Karen then.
I've got to look after her.
I don't think I can do it by myself.
You're not by yourself, Mrs Pryce.
Nurse Corrigan is going to wait on you hand, foot and finger.
Jam sandwich before we go, hmm?
Yes, please!
I'm afraid we don't allow food.
Oh!
Yeah. Yay!
Stop fiddling with the strawberries.
I need them for my mille-feuilles.
Mille-feuilles? That is my mother's speciality.
A thorough training in classic French gastronomy
is always a good investment of any woman's time.
Especially if it means she can make mille-feuilles!
Are there really 1,000 layers in the pastry?
Well, I'll find out when I make it.
Now, it says that they supply speciality ingredients,
but I've got to take a dozen eggs.
How am I going to manage a dozen eggs on the bus?
You won't have to, I'll drive you there.
I told you - get off my strawberries!
You might not be taking this seriously, but I am.
You know me, I'd be happy
with some corned beef hash and some gravy.
But if you really want to practise pulling out the stops,
why don't you just start by asking some friends
round to my place for dinner?
A dinner party?
That's actually quite a nice idea.
SHE PANTS AND GROANS
BELL RINGS
Bear down. Give it all you've got.
SHE GROANS
What's taking so long?
I think baby's far too comfortable in there.
Hello, ladies. Little one not keen on making an appearance?
She's been pushing for over an hour without any progress.
It's unusual to be so slow with a second baby.
I think baby may be asynclitic, Mrs Turner.
Can I ask for your opinion?
Of course.
SHE PANTS
Lorna, I'm just going to have a quick check down below.
Take a deep breath now.
You're doing better than you think.
Lorna, it seems your baby's head is tilted at a slight angle,
which is slowing everything down.
I'm going to fetch Dr Turner
and see if we can help them get a wriggle on.
DOOR OPENS
DOOR SHUTS
All right, kids?
Oh.
HE CHUCKLES
Evening, Mrs Talbot.
Yeah.
Not exactly the ideal home, is it, love?
I've been at work all day, Sand.
I don't think I should have to start again when I get home.
Here.
Hey, put your pyjamas on, all right?
There you go.
Ann Marie, give me a hand, sweet pea.
I hope your mummy don't think she can stop making an effort
just because we're married now.
Not when I work so hard to look after you two.
Sorry. I don't know what I was thinking.
You put your feet up, I'll get the tea on.
SHE BREATHES SHAKILY
I'm tired. I'm so, so tired.
You're nearly at the finish line.
And Dr Turner is going to be pulling away to beat the band.
We know what to do when these little monkeys won't play ball.
You push as I pull,
and we're going to get the head out with the next contraction.
You promise me.
We're going to do this together.
SHE SOBS I can't!
Yes, you can.
Come on, Lorna.
Think of your mum and Karen.
One more push. For them.
SHE GROANS AND CRIES
There we go! Baby's head is out now.
Gently does it.
SHE GROANS
Coming with no trouble at all.
Congratulations, Lorna.
You have a baby boy.
BABY CRIES
He will be a bit marked by the old forceps,
but he's still absolutely beautiful.
A boy!
Oh, hello, handsome.
It looks like you've been sent to prove my mother wrong.
Mrs Talbot, I am so pleased you came.
You don't have to use my married name.
You can just call me Sandy.
Now, young man, do you think you can place these pieces
back in the board? Yeah.
You won't find nothing wrong with him.
I'm a good mother.
Even if I'm a bad wife.
What an extraordinary thing to say.
You've barely been married a week.
I'm sure Mr Talbot is more than satisfied.
I'm not.
Do you want to tell me what you mean by that?
There are...things that happen in a marriage.
Things that people are meant to want.
That people, men...
..believe is theirs to have.
And if they can't have it...
..then they just...
Take it?
Against your will?
All done!
My goodness, that was quick.
LORNA: His head's a funny shape.
He looks like he's from Mars!
SHELAGH: I understand it looks alarming,
but I promise it really is nothing to worry about.
You, young man, have developed what we call a cephalohematoma.
Mm. Yes, you have.
It's simply a bruise under the scalp,
from where we had to give him a tug with the forceps.
Has it damaged his brain?
No, not at all.
The swelling should disappear within a few weeks.
Please, could you look in my bag, Nurse Turner?
There's a hat in there.
A pink one, but it'll have to do.
Karen's coming later to meet the baby.
I don't want to give her any excuse to take exception.
Mrs Talbot... Sandy!
Wait!
I will not let you leave these premises
until we've found a way of helping you.
You're distressed, Sandy, and you're in pain.
I can arrange an appointment for you with the doctor.
And what am I supposed to tell him?
I shouldn't have even said anything to you.
But you did.
I think you did that because you've been carrying too much on your own.
I'm good at that.
Before I met Joe,
I could go weeks not knowing where the next meal was coming from.
Kids crying with hunger,
jumping every time there's a knock at the door
in case it's the welfare come to take them off me.
I needed help then, and he gave it me.
He puts a roof over their heads and food on their plates.
And I'm grateful.
Gratitude does not extend to the acceptance of sexual assault.
Or rape.
Rape?
I believe that is what this is.
Sister...
..will you please just forget that I said anything?
Is this what you made at cookery class?
I love a custard slice.
It's a mille-feuille, Nancy.
Everything tastes better in Spanish.
There's a lovely soft set on this filling.
I think I might try a gateau St Honore when you come for dinner.
When's that, then?
I shall be issuing written invitations
on Matthew's correspondence cards.
It's going to be at his flat,
because his oven's big enough for a rack of lamb.
Oh, what a shame - I'm vegetarian!
There will be a meat-free alternative to the entre.
Barley sugar? Oh, yes, please.
Oh, lass...
I meant to give it to you earlier.
It was delivered by hand this morning.
I hope it's nothing important.
Thanks. I expect it's about Colette's school trip.
Oh.
LORNA'S MOTHER: I still can't believe it's a boy,
especially in that hat!
Are you sure that lump isn't going to hurt him?
It looks far worse than it is.
Do you like your little brother, Karen?
Mm-hm.
His name is going to be Ian.
SHE GAGS It's my dad's name.
MUTTERING: Oh, Lorna, love...
He passed away when I was just a toddler.
I think that's a lovely way to remember him.
Mum? I thought you'd be pleased.
Oh! I'm over the moon!
It's just made me come over all emotional.
What are you doing?
I'm going to sell some of my clothes to raise a bit of money.
So we can buy a house?
Well, yes, eventually.
SHE CLEARS HER THROAT
I don't like that dress.
It makes you look like Ermintrude off The Magic Roundabout.
I wish you'd told me that in the shop!
SHE LAUGHS
Uncle Terry and Auntie Vera are taking me
to Brighton in the holidays.
I'm glad they're looking after you so well.
One day, we'll be able to afford a place of our own.
And we'll go to the seaside every holiday
until you're begging me,
"No, not the beach again, Mummy!"
When?!
Soon.
I'm a little tired tonight, Joe. It's been a long day.
I've been working hard myself.
I took another job,
if you remember, to earn more money...
..support your kids.
And I'm grateful.
Show me how much.
No, Joe.
I'm not asking your permission.
MUFFLED: Stop it. No!
Shut it! Get off me! Right.
Not tonight, Joe. Shut up, Sandy.
Stop it. Come here!
You're hurting me! Yeah?
Please! Shut up!
No!
I'm glad to have the opportunity to pray tonight.
I thought Sandy was asking for help.
But now I know her pain and the source of it.
She's simply withdrawn.
She refuses to let me assist her.
Trust is not easy for women who have suffered.
Yes, but what can I do, Sister?
Show her, by example, that she has worth.
That way, she may confide in you again.
But you may be obliged to wait.
Oh. But I'm absolutely terrible at waiting.
Then you will have to learn.
It's going to be all right. I promise.
Shoes on.
Here you are, lad. Mind the roads.
Oh, no, no, no...
What are you doing here, lady?
You ain't been here all night?
We had nowhere else to go.
Boys do a lot better with a kite-fold nappy
and a single pin.
I'll show you how to do it.
SHE SNIFFLES
Here we go.
SHE SOBS
Oh, Lorna!
It just feels...
..different this time round.
And I know it shouldn't matter,
but his head looks blooming awful.
My mum won't say anything,
but even she keeps looking at it sideways.
Look, why don't I do Ian's blood test
and then take him to the nursery?
And you can have a sleep.
Everything feels worse when you're tired.
Yes.
All right. Come with me, soldier.
Oops.
IAN CRIES
Oh, there's a brave boy.
I hope I did the right thing, bringing her here.
It's all I could do to stop her from walking off.
Sister Julienne's already on the phone,
trying to find her a place to stay in a hostel.
I've seen other women in her shoes,
walking the streets at night to get away from someone's fist,
kiddies in tow.
I say other women...
..I mean my mum.
Oh, Fred...
Shouldn't still be happening.
Well, I wish it weren't.
You look after that little girl of yours.
Can't put a price on childhood.
I knew we'd be having...
..relations.
But not like that.
I thought I could stand it.
But then I realised Ann Marie had overheard,
and that can't happen again.
He'll be up now.
He'll know we've gone.
I did the test several hours ago,
and just when I think it's stopped bleeding,
it starts again.
Have you seen these?
Bruises.
Tiny, but...
They aren't normal.
HE SIGHS I'm going to have to refer him
to the paediatrician at St Cuthbert's.
First, we need to talk to his mother.
Mm-hm.
Good morning.
Are you Mr Filbert?
Yep.
I don't really know how this works,
but I have several fabulous items of clothing
that I hope might be of interest.
Here, we have a psychedelic twist
on the classic mini dress,
perfect with a pair of coloured tights or go-go boots.
Then there are these very cute culottes.
And...
..a playful plastic mac,
inspired by Mary Quant.
Madam, does this look like a Paris catwalk?
Quid for the lot.
£1?
Take it or leave it.
I shall most certainly leave it, thank you very much!
I just don't know what you mean. A bleeding disorder?
The first sign was the haematoma under the scalp.
His blood is obviously having trouble clotting.
But we can't be sure of anything here.
We can't do the necessary tests.
But some conditions can run in families.
Not in our family, they don't. I'd know.
The ambulance has arrived.
I want to go with him.
I want you to rest here for at least another day.
Ian is going to be on the special care baby unit.
There won't be a bed for you.
Oh, I want my mum.
Please. Please, get my mum.
BABY FUSSES Sh, sh...
This is the address of the hostel.
Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?
I've just got to get on with it, Sister.
Besides, might look funny, me turning up with a nun.
SHE CHUCKLES
Sister Julienne packed some sandwiches and fruit for you.
I'll come and call on you tomorrow morning.
Peter hasn't got Mr Wiggle.
He'll be in the bag, Peter.
Thank you, Sister.
Oh...
DOOR OPENS
Good afternoon.
Flowers from Mr Pryce and a ship-to-shore telegram.
I'll leave them here for Mrs Pryce to enjoy when she wakes up.
I asked yesterday if there was anything wrong
with the baby, and Dr Turner kept saying he was fine.
He swore blind there was nothing wrong!
A number of symptoms had yet to become apparent.
Baby Ian's problems were spotted quickly,
and he's in the best possible hands.
This would never have happened if she'd had a girl.
I'm looking for my wife, Sandy Talbot.
I'm afraid I cannot assist you.
You sure about that, Sister?
Entirely sure.
Please, remove your foot from the premises,
or I shall be obliged to call the police and report trespass.
I want Mr Wiggle!
We'll look again in the morning, Peter.
He wants Mr Wiggle. Sh.
BOARDER: Shut that kid up!
Good morning, Miss Higgins.
I've just been with poor Lorna, and she's desperate for news.
Has Doctor managed to speak to the paediatrician yet?
I connected them by telephone ten minutes ago.
HE SIGHS Well, that was a bit of a shock.
Baby Ian has haemophilia.
Oh, no.
They're bringing his bleeding under control,
but the diagnosis is going to hang over him
for the whole of his life.
Which may be a short life.
Like his grandfather's.
What?
You might wish to look at this.
I had a rather strange exchange with Lorna's mother,
and I thought I'd check the family's medical records.
It transpires Lorna's father, the late Ian Fothergill,
also had haemophilia.
Died in his late 20s after a fall.
SHELAGH SIGHS
Well, it's not going to win any prizes for cleanliness.
But it's somewhere safe at least.
How are the children coping?
Peter kept everyone awake all night.
We must have left his bunny at the flat,
and he can't sleep without him.
I'm sure we can find him something else to cuddle.
I'm going to have to go back to get it.
Joe will be out at work now.
KNOCK ON DOOR Oh. Come in.
Nurse Crane!
I was hoping to see Sister Julienne.
She's been called out to Mrs Kumar.
May I be of assistance?
I was just wondering if there might be
any extra duty that needs covering over the coming weekends.
We arrange the whole roster so that you can spend time
with Colette on Saturdays and Sundays.
Yeah, never mind.
It's just, I've seen a lovely summer trouser suit
that I thought she'd look really lovely in.
It all adds up.
Your daughter doesn't need more new clothes any more than you do.
What she wants is your company.
We'll leave your duties as they are.
Yeah.
It affects boys almost exclusively.
But...
What does it actually mean?
For him?
For my baby?
It means that, if Ian hurts himself,
he may bleed very badly
and need hospital treatment to help his blood to clot.
He's having a transfusion now, but after that,
he'll probably do very well until he becomes more mobile
and perhaps gets little bumps and knocks.
Can you die from it?
Lorna, sometimes life expectancy is affected.
But your father lived to be almost 30.
And they're making medical advances all the time.
SHE STAMMERS My father died of cancer, so...
Well, that's what my mother told me.
Why would she lie?
Are you sure this is the right key?
He's changed the locks.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING
Sorry to interrupt. Jonty's a little peckish.
Do not touch that bread - I need it for the croutons.
And every piece of fruit in that bowl
has a precise and designated purpose,
whilst I, please, note, have a piping bag in my hand.
SHE LAUGHS Well, that's hardly a murder weapon.
I wouldn't be so sure.
Might I inform you that I have never found you
more attractive than I do at the present moment?
How did you find out?
That he had haemophilia?
It was in his medical notes,
because it's a medical matter!
He did well, your dad.
He did well for years...
Until he died!
Aged 29.
Fell down some stairs in the tenements.
It ruptured something inside.
Why didn't you just tell me the truth?
You made us so happy.
Being parents made us so happy,
and I didn't want you to be afraid of it,
to avoid it just because of the haemophilia.
You might only have had girls.
But I didn't only have girls.
I had Ian!
He's what matters now.
And I don't want any more to do with you.
SANDY: He's changed the locks without my permission.
Well, you can take it up with your landlord.
Even if it's not my name on the rent book?
That might be a problem.
Mrs Talbot's son is four years old and has an acute condition
that requires the swift retrieval of medicine
locked in that flat.
Ladies, this is a civil matter, and we can't get involved.
So what counts as a crime, Constable?
Does cruelty count as a crime?
Does violence count as a crime?
Well, it depends on the circumstances.
SHELAGH: You're going to have fun
when your baby brother comes home from hospital, Karen.
You'll have a ready-made playmate.
I'm ready.
I need to get on with this, Mrs Turner.
Time for you to go with Granny.
No, Mum. You're on the outside now.
Yes, good girl! Oof! OK.
I have outlined Mrs Talbot's circumstances to you
in words of one syllable.
She is a mother of two.
She has been terrorised by her husband,
who has excluded her from her home and exercised force,
and yet you insist you have no power to intervene!
What kind of force?
Physical force...
..of an indecent nature.
I see.
I'm not entirely sure that you do.
Is this true?
Yes.
It is.
Sister Monica Joan, I didn't know you were invited.
It doesn't mean you won't be welcome.
It has been said that Nurse Franklin requires encouragement.
There is none better placed to provide that than I.
Are the kids really all right with that policewoman?
Every time I check on them, they're smiling.
If they're smiling, I can bear this.
I can even bear being examined by the doctor.
I'm sorry, it's considered necessary.
Words aren't enough, they said.
They have to look for evidence. SHE SCOFFS
But there will be evidence.
You sound stronger.
I'm not strong.
If I was strong, I would have stayed.
DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS
Evening. My name is Balfour.
Are you the police surgeon?
No, I'm a detective sergeant.
I understand you told the constable at the front desk
you've been raped? Yes.
By your husband. Is that correct?
Yes.
In which case...
..nothing we can do.
I beg your pardon?
He's raped me every night since our wedding.
It's not possible under English law for a man to rape his wife.
The offence does not exist.
But the blood on the sheets exists.
My bruises exist.
Do you need me to show you this?! Sandy, Sandy... No.
Do you want me to shut up as well?
You were the one forcing me to talk about this,
forcing me to come here, and for what?
At least he only humiliated me behind closed doors.
I'll take Mrs Talbot home.
I don't have a home.
Good evening, all. Please, come on in.
Hello. Lovely.
Oh!
Sister Monica Joan.
SHE SIGHS
DOOR SHUTS
You have a beautiful home.
It's all the better with the company of friends.
Now, Madame La Chef has ordered me to offer
everyone an aperitif... BANGING IN KITCHEN
TRIXIE GROANS LOUDLY ..and, er...
SHE CHUCKLES ..I would pass some olives around,
but I'm scared to go get them from the kitchen.
CYRIL CHUCKLES
FRUSTRATED GROANS CONTINUE
Is Trixie actually growling?
It sounds like she's wrestling with a bear!
LAUGHTER
Yeah. I think the bear might come off worse.
GROANING DINNERWARE CLATTERS
I'm sorry, Sister.
I spoke out of turn.
It's highly possible I acted out of turn.
I should have put up with it.
When nobody knew, it didn't matter.
I didn't have to be ashamed.
There are plenty of people and institutions
who deserve to be ashamed.
But not you.
If I divorce him...
..will I have to get a lawyer?
Divorce him?
Cos if I do that, I'm saying "sod you" to him.
I'm saying, "I don't accept you,
"or your body, or anything you did to mine."
And I don't know how to get one.
I've never committed a crime.
Thank you so much for coming.
For hors d'oeuvres, I've made a mousse de legumes
with an additional amuse-bouche of gazpacho,
which is a chilled soup.
The mousse is green and the gazpacho's red.
GASPS OF RECOGNITION
Bon appetit!
Bonne chance.
CYRIL: This is so full of flavour. Lucille would love it.
She's always saying the English cooking wouldn't be so bad
if they just added a little bit of garlic to everything.
MONICA JOAN: It must require considerable skill
to make the texture so very similar.
This mousse de legumes would make a very nutritious weaning puree.
Well, that's not quite the accolade I was hoping for,
but an improvement on previous efforts, nonetheless.
What's in the blood again?
Clotting factor, to stop bleeding.
I've got to go home in a minute.
I've got to put your big sister to bed.
TREMBLING I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for everything.
Oh, dear, that's such a shame.
I didn't realise you were supposed to
put it in the oven without the frills on!
And I'm afraid the nut roast is ruined, too.
Truth to tell, I've always thought nut roast tasted
ruined in the first place.
CYRIL: And I've had so many cooked dinners
from Mrs Wallace and Mrs Buckle this week
that I've completely lost my appetite.
Perhaps we might hasten forth to dessert!
The finest component of every refection.
It's a tarte Tatin -
or upside-down apple pie.
Deliberately upside down, that is. THEY CHUCKLE
Although, there's a possibility I used...
Salt, not sugar?
TRIXIE SIGHS
THEY LAUGH
Oh, I can't apologise enough!
What ingredients have you left in the kitchen?
Oh, eggs. So many eggs.
And about a pound of incredibly expensive Breton butter.
Oh, and some spinach I'd bought by accident.
I've seen so many families torn apart by news,
but never such a happy one so completely devastated.
Lorna couldn't have been closer to her mother, and vice versa.
I couldn't have been closer to you...
..and yet, I kept a secret once.
About your mental breakdown.
And it came to light while we were trying to adopt a baby.
Everything around the birth of a child seems to be felt
so much more intensely.
Joyce lying to Lorna about her father's illness
has shattered all the trust they had.
But how can they rebuild it?
How did we?
Hardly seems to matter now.
For Lorna, there's a complicating factor.
I see it so often with the mothers of sick children.
She's looking for someone to blame.
Hmm.
What's this?
The mirage in the desert?
SHE CHUCKLES No, Nurse Crane.
This is eggs Benedict.
Ooh!
Mr Talbot?
I should've left her in the gutter where she belonged.
No, where you lay waiting for her.
I don't want her back.
I suspect you'll find that the sentiment is mutual.
And this is for the kid.
I'm not an animal.
SHE EXHALES SLOWLY
KNOCKING Midwife calling.
I spoke to Hedgehog Ward,
and it seems Ian is going to be allowed home within a day or two.
We need to start getting things ready.
My body's already ready.
There's milk everywhere.
If you tell me where your breast pads are, I'll fetch them.
I don't know where anything is.
My mum did it all.
She was going to do it all.
SHE SIGHS
I missed you, sweetheart.
How was school?
I got a gold star for arithmetic.
Miss says I've got a head for figures.
You certainly didn't get that from me.
Does that feel better?
My mum must have washed this by hand.
Smells of her special soap flakes.
I don't know what these smell of,
but they've been beautifully prepared.
That was all her.
She kept going on and on about me having another girl.
I know why now.
She was terrified of it being a boy.
Your mother wanted you to have the pleasure of
holding a baby in your arms.
Every cupboard and drawer upstairs is filled to the brim
with her love for you.
Love doesn't lie, though, does it?
Love hopes.
And love forgives.
How?
If the love is real,
it's less painful to let the anger go.
And, Lorna, Ian's blood disease is not your mother's fault
any more than it is yours.
SHELAGH SIGHS
ON TV: It all started one Monday.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Sid and I had gone to see Gran...
Nurse Corrigan?
There's a man from Palmer's electrical shop at the door.
He's most insistent that he speaks with you.
Oh.
MATTHEW: The legalities are pretty grim.
Since your husband hasn't deserted you or committed adultery,
I think you'll have to try to prove cruelty.
He raped her!
Is that not cruelty enough?
Legally, rape is only grounds for divorce
if the husband rapes another woman, not his wife.
Also, because you've been married for under three years,
you will have to prove exceptional hardship or depravity.
Like strangling?
Pressing his hand on my throat?
I certainly think you have a case.
But you'll have to be prepared to go into details in court.
And he might contest it.
He might even, in theory,
choose to defend himself.
Well, what does that mean?
He would be able to question you in court.
The more I learn about the legal system,
the more sickened I become.
I'm going to get him into court and tell the truth,
even if I have to save up my money for 50 years.
No, you are, in fact, entitled to legal aid
for matrimonial cases these days.
And I will help you to find a solicitor.
MAN SIGHS
Why are you letting him take away the television?
Mummy!
Colette, finish watching your programme downstairs
while I have a word with your mother.
COLETTE TUTS
Right, young lady, you stay there.
I'm going to put the kettle on
and then you've got some explaining to do.
How much do you owe in total?
NANCY SNIFFS
Just short of £100.
Nancy...
That's weeks and weeks and weeks of your salary.
Even I can do those sums.
Look, everyone makes mistakes.
It's not easy to manage your finances,
and I forget sometimes that you've had no guidance.
I was an orphan.
Colette's in foster care.
I just wanted her to have all the things
that help you pass as normal in a crowd.
I never had them.
How about we sit down at the weekend together
and take a look at your income and your outgoings,
and I'll help you draw up a repayment plan within your budget?
Would you?
If you'll let me.
I grew up watching my mother counting every penny.
We could have won medals for thrift.
But there was always a fire in the grate
and good, plain food on the table.
I'll bow to her for that for the rest of my days.
SHE SOBS I didn't think I'd need to learn
to be a mother.
It seems nobody's born knowing, lass.
I'll get tear stains on you.
It'll all come out in the wash.
DOORBELL RINGS
Good girl. That's it. Ohh...
Little boy to see you...
..and two girls.
Better late than never. Brave boy!
SHE CHUCKLES
Oh! Are you wearing lipstick?
Well, you got to make an effort.
This is for you.
It's a copy of the typed report I sent your solicitor
asserting my strong conviction that you and your children
will be better off if the marriage is dissolved.
Everything he's done to me.
All written down in black and white.
It makes it real.
It has made me...very angry.
I saw. BOTH LAUGH
And I wanted to say thank you,
because when I saw you shouting,
I knew I could shout, too.
Ian seems to have taken to the breast wonderfully.
Much better than Karen.
He seems to have just got on with it.
Aw. He's a happy, thriving baby
who's already gaining weight.
Every time you worry about his future,
you must remind yourself of that.
Six wet ones out, six dry ones in.
Thanks, Mum.
We're a good little team, aren't we?
All right, who wants a hold?
He's a little squirmer.
Oh...
Oh, that's it.
He's your father all over again.
Proper little frown on him.
I only remember my dad laughing.
He used to laugh every day.
We made a point of it because we didn't know how long we'd have.
We'll make sure this little fella laughs every day, too,
for as long as we have him.
For as long as we're all together.
That may be for a long, long time.
IAN FUSSES
You stopped talking to me when we had the upstairs television.
Maybe that's no bad thing.
You always say unkind things about yourself.
It makes me sad.
Well, I'm going to show you something that will make you happy.
Look.
What is it?
A Post Office book.
You can see everything I spend and everything I save up
written down here in this column.
I'm going to show this to you every week
so you can see how close we are to getting our own flat.
I like that.
MATURE JENNIFER: Once we start to grow, nothing is ever
entirely innocent or easy,
and the best things in life are not gifts,
but earned and even fought for.
Love deepens.
Respect blooms.
We share more than we keep,
grow more than we reap or spend.
Loss is endured, and the heart learns to be steadfast.
There is strength in all of this,
and piece by piece, we are made whole.
You wanted a boy. Can I not want just one son?
My name is Threapwood.
I'm the new chairman of the Board of Health.
I've been summoned.
What if they tell me I've got to give up working?
The maternity home and the surgery are closing with immediate effect.
He just doesn't seem quite right.
Prepare the resuscitation equipment.
What is happening?