'The religious life
'was not one I could have chosen.
'To nurse is to be drawn into society,
'to interweave one's life with the business of strangers.
'It's about the world and flesh and what some people call the devil.
'To balance that with the setting apart of the heart
'and the quiet, closed existence of the spirit
'would have been beyond me altogether.
'But others saw the joy in that
'and sought to live it out,
'sustained and inspired by those who'd heard the call before them.'
Good morning, Sister.
Did you sleep well?
How am I to wake refreshed when these potions of mould,
and other poisons, pervade my brain and contaminate my dreams?
It's the fever that's causing your nightmares, Sister.
The antibiotics are fighting the infection that's shown up
in your urine.
I tire of this organ mightily.
It is no better than a pig's bladder,
blown up and used as a football.
Come, let's take your temperature
and think about a glass of barley water.
Sister Winifred and Nurse Franklin to take the district round.
And, Nurse Gilbert and Sister Mary Cynthia,
I don't want any shilly-shallying on home visits today.
You've a dozen apiece to get through, and clinic this afternoon.
What time's Sister Evangelina arriving?
Sister Evangelina's schedule is immaterial.
She is to be assigned light duties only.
Good grief, Master Turner. You're shooting up like forced rhubarb!
Sometimes, I'm in agony in the night.
Growing pains are actually a documented phenomenon.
Are they indeed?
My mum sent me to the chemist to fetch the insulin.
Enough to sink a battleship again.
I spend half my district round time with the diabetics,
and it's getting worse!
Mollycoddled, the lot of them.
Pass me the Rolodex, I'm taking this in hand.
SHE SIGHS
GENERAL HUBBUB
Haven't been in there for ages.
How long have the pair of you been twiddling your thumbs?
Oh, I don't know.
I've been putting new tyres on Sister Evangelina's bike.
And I was...checking they were safe.
It's a shame you weren't checking on my hubcaps - they're gone.
- All four of them! - Really?
Really!
I'll warrant they're down at that gypsy camp on the bomb site,
along with half the lead in Poplar!
See you later, Fred.
Never had you before.
Mrs Roland? I'm delighted to make your acquaintance.
We expected a nurse on the dot of half past.
I'm here to see your daughter, I believe -
Paulette Roland, Miss, Aged 17, diabetes.
We've had a shocking morning.
Look at her, she's white as a sheet.
I'm sure Paulette can provide me with the details,
while I test her urine.
It's on the sideboard. We always put it there.
We usually get one of the young nurses.
Oh, they make a point of it -
Paulette is the second youngest diabetic on their books.
She was sick last night, her levels are going to be all over the place.
Let's see what the test says, shall we?
A very reassuring shade of blue.
Which means no sugar in the urine.
I always get very nervy when the nurse comes late.
If I don't get my insulin on time,
it can take all day to get me sorted out.
Well, we have a plan to make sure your insulin is never late again -
I'm going to teach you how to inject yourself.
I don't want to!
We've always had the nurse come and do it, ever since she was diagnosed.
- We're entitled! - Paulette is entitled to the best of care, Mrs Roland.
And in the case of insulin injections,
the best of care means doing it herself.
Now, young lady, are you decent under that froufrou housecoat?
Remember, calm, courteous, concentrate on getting facts.
Facts? We'll be lucky.
And don't jump to conclusions.
Lousy tinkers.
- Morning, sir. - I was thinking it was more like afternoon.
- Oh, yeah - it's five past. - I'll be stopping for me dinner soon.
What've you come looking for?
We just...wanted a bit of a chat.
We're busy. So leg it.
Sarge...
We're sorry to disturb you, sir,
but we're on the lookout for some stolen car parts -
hubcaps, emblems - the sort of things kids might nick.
Not my kids.
- It's the school holiday - they can run a bit wild. - Mine don't.
They don't go to school, so they'd have no holidays to run wild in.
They're workers.
- Ask this one. - BABY CRIES
Breda!
Me grandson.
Congratulations. How old is he?
- Three days. - Is he your first?
Yes. I called him John.
Can't resist a newborn, me.
I've got a nipper meself, nearly 18 months old now.
If you've finished your work here, can we get on with ours?
Of course. Keep an eye on the kids, though.
We do.
Hello, Pats!
- What do you think? - All your own work?
You are a dark horse.
I got Sister Winifred to do it in the end.
She's quite the Picasso with the poster paints.
Have you got one for me to put up at the nurses' home?
I've even supplied the drawing pins!
They're in the envelope with the tickets.
I shall peddle them relentlessly.
We've got to get those cubs to the jamboree.
Norfolk's such a long way!
The train fare alone will be beyond most families,
and then there'll be other costs.
No child should be excluded because they lack the means.
You really care about those little scamps, don't you?
Yes.
(But don't tell anyone.)
Your secret's safe with me.
There's a baby in a pram out there with a pierced ear turning septic!
I want her brought in and shown to Doctor.
Will these mothers never learn?
Welcome back, Sister Evangelina.
Sister Evangelina! Greetings!
We should have guessed you'd come straight here!
It's clinic day, why wouldn't I?
Toy Box Corner was left unsupervised for one minute
and Susan pushed a piece of Lego up her nose.
I can't get it out!
Lego? Used to be dried peas and Meccano screws.
Still, least they're moving with the times!
I recommend a cold compress and digital pressure.
Thank you. I'll try Vaseline and tweezers.
She nearly didn't go out to her friend's -
she thought I was looking peaky.
You don't look peaky to me...
..you look beautiful.
You smell beautiful 'n' all.
What's that?
Tabu by Dana. The "forbidden fragrance."
So forbidden, I had to send off for it mail order.
What did your probation officer say this morning?
Oh, you know, the usual -
"Keep it up, young fellow, wish they were all like you."
He's getting a job interview lined up for me -
apprentice print worker, up Fleet Street.
Almost worth going to borstal for.
That's all done with. I promise you.
Come on, we've got an hour before she's back.
Bless us, O Lord,
and these thy gifts which we receive by thy bounty.
May we be always grateful and ever mindful of those in need.
Amen. ALL: Amen.
What's this?
It's a cheese tart. Nurse Crane suggested it.
You've had major surgery, below the waist,
you don't want to tax your digestion with animal matter.
Cheese IS animal matter.
And this is a quiche. You know my feelings.
Shall I open a tin of salmon?
By all means.
So, Sergeant Noakes,
are there any developments in the case of Nurse Crane's hubcaps?
Not as yet. We made enquiries at that campsite,
but no-one was very forthcoming.
I detect a hint of resignation in your tone.
Well, they close ranks, don't they?
I did see a lovely little baby, though.
Three days old, his mother looked about 14.
One of those gymslip mums, I reckon.
Perhaps you should make contact.
If the girl is as young as Sergeant Noakes says,
she may need our help.
I wouldn't advise sending anyone alone.
METAL CLATTERS
CHILDREN CHEER AND LAUGH
Lenny! Lenny! What do you think you're playing at?
- Where did you get them from? - Found 'em.
Found 'em attached to someone's car, more like. Dad'll kill you.
No, he won't, he will just laugh.
Yeah, but you listen to me,
Dad's got a funny sense of humour,
and robbing things isn't a joke, Len!
Now give 'em here.
Give 'em.
- CHILDREN LAUGH - Race you back!
As street leaders in the Civil Defence Corps,
it is your responsibility to commit the layout of the district to memory.
In the event of nuclear warfare,
many of the local landmarks will be reduced to dust.
I'm sorry I'm late, Mr Buckle.
And on my first day, as well!
I had to wait in for a delivery at my shop - name tapes.
Oh, the grammar school mothers would have my guts for garters
if they weren't in the shop tomorrow morning.
Well, we can't have that, can we?
Will we be walking far this evening?
Well, you appear to be wearing stout footwear,
I'm sure it will suffice.
I've walked all over Selsey Bill in these.
They've got a cushioned insole.
Erm, Mr Cowan,
if you would give Mrs Gee an Ordnance Survey map,
that would be appreciated.
Is it all right if I hold it upside down?
Only I find it easier that way.
If it assists you, that's all that matters.
"Efficiency" is our watchword.
- Ah... - You need stronger laces for those boots.
Possibly nylon, with a metal aglet.
I'll have to take Angela to the surgery with me today.
Mrs Penny has picked precisely the wrong week to go on holiday.
Your father will have to take you for your haircut
- whilst he has his lunch break. - He never has a lunch break.
I do now. Your mother insists on it.
Hello, nurse!
We've half a dozen ulcer patients coming in for dressing changes.
Oh, Patrick, you've cut yourself shaving again.
- It's that new safety razor. - BELL RINGS
That had better be Mrs Gee about the name tapes.
Dad, I want to wear long trousers, not shorts.
Mum's bought me shorts and I don't want to wear them.
And what does your mother say?
That she likes to see young boys in shorts and, anyway,
she's already bought them.
But Nurse Crane says I have legs like rhubarb,
- and she's an old woman. - Tim...
Imagine what they'll say at grammar school.
Well, other people will be wearing shorts.
Other people have different legs!
SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR
Nobody enters a caravan without being invited.
We're entirely happy to stand outside and talk.
We're looking for a young lady who had a baby very recently.
That'd be my niece, Breda.
Is Breda's baby in that rather smart pram?
No, he's inside,
out of the wet, where you'd expect him to be.
We don't want to pry,
but we weren't aware of medical help being sent for when Baby arrived,
and we just wanted to make sure both Breda and the little one
were comfortable and well.
We didn't send for any help because none was needed,
any more than it's needed now.
I deliver all the babies in this family,
always have, like my grandmother before me.
We were only concerned,
because we'd heard that Breda was a tiny bit on the young side.
She's 16.
And married, in case you were wanting to ask questions about that.
Aunt Attracta, I want to show him to them.
Will you please come inside?
Wipe your feet.
What a perfectly immaculate umbilical stump.
Yes, it's drying up very nicely.
I like to use fuller's earth myself,
but Breda made me put baby powder on it.
It smells nicer.
We could bring you some of our medicated cord powder,
- if you'd like. - It's the colour of him that bothers me.
I keep telling her, it's a touch of the jaundice is all.
Your aunt's quite right. It's nothing to worry about
at this stage,
just a sign that Baby's adjusting to being in the outside world.
This yellow tinge should fade in a day or two.
And we can look in again, just to reassure you.
All right.
I'm making tea, for my grandmother.
She didn't eat her dinner, it's all she wants.
Will you take a cup?
Oh, thank you. That's very kind.
I didn't expect glamour when I came into nursing.
But I had hoped for something more than a night in,
discussing square dancing and drinking Horlicks.
- Actually, it's Bournvita. - Hmm!
- I might faint with excitement(!) - So what are we going to wear?
Checked shirts are quite popular, and I have plenty.
I was hoping for a poodle skirt,
like the one the Queen wore when she went to Canada.
The trouble with poodle skirts
is they can't be worn with a straight face any more.
You need a dash of irony or you'll simply look naive.
KNOCKING ON DOOR
I believe the tickets are half a crown.
- For the square dance. - Oh, of course.
My cousin and I decided to have an adventure the year before last.
We indulged in a week in Butlins.
- There was a square dance every night. - Oh!
Thank you.
THEY LAUGH
What's all this? Woman In A Dressing Gown again?
I can't do a thing with her, Nurse. No breakfast again this morning.
And whose fault is that?
I go off my food when I'm upset and you keep upsetting me!
You know my views on Vaughn Sellars.
And you know your father's views.
- SHE GAGS - I'm going to be sick.
I'll deal with this.
SHE COUGHS
I'm hardly bringing anything up.
It's just all bile.
Take a sip of water.
SHE COUGHS
Good morning, Mrs Turner.
Have you got room for one more sample in that batch?
Is it ready to go?
I'm about to send them off and I have to leave on time today.
It's all marked up.
If my hunch proves correct, we've got our work cut out -
pregnancy test for Paulette Roland, Miss.
Good luck at the grammar school, Timothy.
I suspect I'm going to need it.
Make sure you work hard, eh?
You heard the lady. And good on you for getting in!
Used to be one of my cubs.
Aw, it's lovely watching them all getting on in life, isn't it?
Not 'arf.
And what can I do for you, Mr Buckle?
I take it you don't need name tapes or a badge for your blazer.
No, I came for some of those shoelaces you mentioned.
Of course. Nylon, with a metal aglet.
That'll be one and four.
Oh, look at these ribbons.
My girls always had new hair ribbons
for going back to school.
I remember.
Did I hear that Marlene went to live in Canada?
She's back in Birmingham now,
Dolly's in Australia
and three nippers between them.
Ah, well, your wife would be very proud.
She was a lovely woman.
Yes, she was.
My Bert thought highly of her, too.
I can still see his face the morning after that air raid.
They had it tough, those ARP wardens.
Mm.
Well, someone had to do it
and someone will have to do it again if they drop that bomb.
Well, we're working on that, aren't we, eh?
SHOP BELL JINGLES
Lads, I'm watching you.
They're not bad boys, just...
..wilful.
I've come to see Breda and baby John.
I brought the cord powder we mentioned.
She's taken him out in his pram, "Get a bit of sun on him", she said.
Probably just wants to show him off.
Yes.
But she shouldn't try to do too much, too soon.
Ah, sure, the young ones,
they're over it in no time.
It's older mothers who feel it a little more.
Will you take a chair and wait for her?
I'll make you some tea.
My grandmother, Pegeen, she's going out with the tide.
Doesn't want food any more.
I give her tea in one of her good cups, make it feel special.
It's a beautiful pattern.
Crown Derby.
It was part of her dowry when she married.
Half the tea goes down her neck, the rim's that wide.
Would you like a doctor to visit,
to see if there's anything he can do?
He might want her moved.
She wouldn't want that.
Morning, Sister.
Oh, hello, Breda.
You sit there and have a rest.
I don't need tea.
Oh, yes.
Hello.
- PHONE RINGS - I'll get it.
Allow me, I'm waiting for news on a number of cases.
Nonnatus House, midwife speaking.
Evening, Dr Turner.
He wants you.
Speaking.
Nurse Crane,
why did you request a pregnancy test for Paulette Roland?
Because there's a boyfriend on the scene,
and I know the difference between diabetes-related nausea
and morning sickness.
Yes, you do.
The results came back positive.
- Oh, hell's teeth! - 'Hell's teeth, indeed.'
Diabetes and pregnancy are a very dangerous...
'combination.'
I can't be in the family way!
I can't...
I labelled the sample myself,
and saw it packed up and sent off.
You never told me you were sending it anywhere!
I'm 17! I've a right to know what you're doing with my wee!
Tell her she's made a mistake.
Tell her it isn't possible...
We were trying to be careful...
..but we couldn't manage it.
Stupid...
..little...
..slut!
How am I going to tell your father?
He's halfway to ruddy Rio de Janeiro on an oil tanker!
- Mrs Roland...? - And you needn't be thinking
there'll be any sort of shotgun wedding.
That Sellars lot are the biggest wrong 'uns in Poplar,
and Vaughn's already been inside!
It was only borstal.
He's put all that behind him.
Besides, I love him and he loves me.
You don't know what love is, Paulette.
Mrs Roland...?
Love is wanting the best for someone, doing without,
to make sure that they get the best!
And don't be trying to tell me that Vaughn Sellars
has done any of those things.
Are you a smoker, Mrs Roland?
You might find you'd benefit from a cigarette?
- THROUGH GRITTED TEETH - I'm clean out of them.
Perhaps Dr Turner can supply the deficiency?
He said he would wait in his car
till I gave him the nod.
What do you mean, "the nod"?
Sweetheart,
will you sup something off the spoon for me?
SHE GROANS
ATTRACTA SIGHS
Attracta?
I've brought something that I thought might help.
Bless you.
Well, the difficulty isn't that Paulette's unmarried, Mrs Roland.
It's that she's diabetic.
Will it make her worse?
Possibly very much worse.
So, what do we do?
In certain cases,
we advise a medically therapeutic
termination of the pregnancy.
Does that mean an abortion?
Yes, it does, dear.
That's against the law.
Going up some back street, seeing some filthy woman...
This would take place in hospital...
..legally.
Do you understand, Paulette?
I understand you want to get rid of this baby.
It's not a baby, Paulette.
What are you - two months?
By my reckoning, she's a little nearer three.
Well, the solution's obvious, isn't it?
Thank the Lord.
You may find she becomes a little more responsive
once she's taking in more liquid.
Dehydration can worsen confusion when a person's very old...
Or near the end.
You take such wonderful care of her.
I can hardly remember my own mother.
Pegeen, she looked out for me since I was born.
Found me a husband,
decent lad.
She had me promised to him since I was ten years old.
And she taught me how to birth children,
when the time came for that.
You can't be comfortable kneeling there, Attracta.
Let me take over.
That'll be better for you.
And for Baby.
Yes.
She bought me these gold earrings when I was born.
We always gave gold,
it's there to sell, or to barter if times are hard.
But if I still have mine,
if I've never come upon times as hard as that,
it's because of her and all she taught me.
I can never repay her what I owe.
People go to prison for getting rid of babies.
The mothers and the women who do it.
They keep saying it's allowed,
if you're sick and they do it in a hospital.
Still a crime if you don't want it done,
and we want that baby, don't we?
Do you want it, Vaughn?
I want you.
I just...
I feel like I'm such a liability,
needing needles and wee tests every day,
and now this...
It's like people say when they get married,
"In sickness and in health."
We're not married, Vaughn.
Not yet.
I'm not going to say, "Do you mean that?"
Cos I know you do.
I'm not going to say, "Will you?"
Cos I know the answer.
It's absolutely beautiful.
You say that as if you've never heard it before.
I haven't, for a while.
I've been mainly on district nursing duty.
As this is your 11th pregnancy,
we did wonder whether you should consider giving birth
at the Maternity Home, when the time comes?
We would still deliver Baby...
Attracta, I'm not in the business of forcing you to obey orders,
or to do anything that doesn't feel right.
Whatever you want, I will try to provide for you.
I don't want charity.
It isn't the way we do things.
If you tell me to go, I will,
but Pegeen is too frail to help you,
and I can't believe you really want to give birth on your own?
No...
..I don't.
Now, since his visit yesterday,
Dr Turner has arranged for Paulette
to be referred to Mr Brockway at The London.
His expertise is in the termination of pregnancy,
regardless of the medical reason.
I don't believe there is a medical reason.
I think she's just making you say that there is.
That's not the case at all.
Baby may grow very large,
develop abnormally, or even die.
And I wish I could mince my words, Paulette,
but I can't because your life will be in danger, too.
DOORBELL RINGS
You can at least let me do one thing for myself.
Have you got children, Nurse Crane?
No, Mrs Roland, I am a spinster.
How dare you even come into my house.
- I wanted to speak to you, Mrs Roland. - Oh, you do, do you?
- Sit down, Vaughn. - No, I can't, I've not been invited.
Look, you may think I'm no good, but I was brought up proper.
On the fast track to Pentonville, more like.
Mrs Roland. Why not hear the lad out?
Because he's got nothing to say that I'd be interested in hearing.
I want to marry Paulette, Mrs Roland.
There's no need.
There's every need. I love him, Mum. And I'm going to have a baby.
No, you are not. Having this... child will put your life at risk!
Conveniently for you.
Vaughn, that's not the attitude.
I think you should leave.
I'll leave your house. But I won't leave her!
Oh. Good evening.
Um, I've got something of yours in this bag. And I'm really sorry.
My hubcaps. I see.
Well, very well, young man.
These are no good to me until they are once more properly affixed
to the wheels from which they were purloined.
It wasn't me who did it.
We'll discuss the finer points in due course.
I did a bit of mechanics back in borstal.
My probation officer reckons it'll stand me in good stead.
Has he encouraged you to mention it at your interview?
He's encouraged me to tell the truth.
Prove I'm determined to be honest.
Is that what this is all about?
People think I'm a wrong 'un, Nurse Crane.
But that's my family, not me.
I don't want my baby got rid of,
and I don't want it born a you-know-what either.
You mean born outside of wedlock?
Well, it's no start in life, is it?
No, love. It isn't.
But with diabetes in the picture,
that's the least of everybody's worries.
Look, me and Paulette know there's a chance it might go wrong.
But it might not. And I love her.
Her mum shouldn't be stood in our way.
It's not my place to criticise.
Not even my place to comment.
All I would say is, speaking entirely from my own experience,
is that when somebody thinks the worst of a person because
of their background... such a lot can be lost.
Did you have someone they thought was a wrong'un?
No, kid.
The wrong'un was me.
Or maybe my mother.
I was a you-know-what.
All these years on, there's still no nice way of saying it.
That's not fair.
No.
But it didn't stop me making something of myself.
Anyway, young man, I want my vehicle restored to glory. Chop, chop.
Afternoon, Mrs Gee.
Oh! Mr Buckle!
No need for formalities, I'm here on a personal matter.
Oh. Cos you said Mrs Gee.
I thought you must've come to check up on my map reading.
I am getting better,
but I still find it a bit difficult to tell my left from my right.
- At least, if I have to do it in a hurry. - Mrs Gee...
- Violet. - Violet.
I wonder if you you'd do me the kindness of accompanying me
to a function next Saturday night?
Oh. A function...?
It's in aid of the Cubs. Square dance.
Do-si-do and all that.
Perfect.
Then you'll come?
Yes. I will, Mr Buckle.
Fred. Please.
Thank you, Fred.
SHE GIGGLES
Not exactly a room with a view,
but our residents are promised all the mod cons.
My mum was beaming from ear to ear when you frogmarched me off.
You've got me in your clutches now.
What I didn't say in front of your mother, Paulette,
is that Dr Turner's admitted you as a social case.
Because of your situation at home.
In what way is that supposed to help?
You're as keen for me to get rid of it as she is.
That's not the case at all.
But you're a minor, you're under 21.
And that means you can't make your own decisions.
Would you let me keep it, if you were my mother?
I'm not your mother, kid.
If I were, there might be some things I'd do differently.
But I'd still be worried sick about your health, and your baby's.
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you on the spot.
Come on. Nightdress, dressing gown and slippers.
Then you can impress me by doing your own jab.
I thought your solution to the Paulette Roland case was rather clever.
It's only temporary.
I can't admit her as a maternity case,
because the pregnancy isn't advanced enough.
But there is a way around most things if you try.
Wish I could think of a way round these name tapes.
Even the socks have to be labelled individually,
and I haven't even started.
Ask for help.
There's no need.
Ask for help. Say you have too much to do.
BABY CRIES
No-one is invincible.
No. They aren't.
I wish you'd just come and sit down and get cracking.
I think my eyes will not permit it. Indisposition has dimmed them.
You mean disinclination has dimmed them!
You're always harping on about wanting to be needed.
Mrs Turner looked worn out when she brought these round.
This reminds me of when I first came to the Order,
and I had to mark my habit and my veil with my number.
I always liked the idea that a Sister I'd never known had
had my number once, and that one day another girl would get it.
What is your number, child?
I should have it in my mind,
but it is erased by these pettifogging handicrafts.
One-seven-nine.
I think that was Mother Bertram's number.
Oh, I don't think it can be.
Mother Bertram was still alive when I joined.
I shall repair to my room,
and seek out my Latin dictionary to loan to our young student.
That is a far greater service than any stitching on of labels.
I don't mind telling you, my heart sank
when I was told I was nursing her.
Thank goodness I am used to the vow of Obedience.
Did it take a long time?
Years!
SHE LAUGHS
I still have hard days with it even now.
Poverty was never a problem, and chastity - well,
you offer that up, and in the end it's not something you think about.
No.
But not being able to have your head!
Having to go where others feel you are called.
Still.
I've been told I can take the night shift
at the Maternity Home on Saturday.
That's something to cling to.
You mark my words - the joy of midwifery never dims.
Mr Brockway has asked for you to be transferred to The London
this evening, Paulette.
I thought you were going to let me stay here.
There's a bed available now,
and Mr Brockway wants to carry out the procedure within a day or two.
My mum's agreed to this, hasn't she?
We've arranged for an ambulance to pick you up at five.
Your mother will come here and travel with you.
HEATED ARGUING
Sergeant Noakes? Whatever's happening?
They've been served an eviction notice.
There's a new law out. If they don't have a licence to run this
as a campsite, then they have to leave.
Well, can they apply for a licence?
They could, I suppose, but that would take time.
Well, that could be a good thing.
There's a new baby here, another due soon,
and an elderly lady who is dying!
I know you have your work to do. But so do I.
Come on, lads, let the Sister through.
Move aside, please!
Move aside!
BABY CRIES
WOMAN GRUNTS IN PAIN
Oh, no.
Attracta? Are you in pain?
Her time's come.
Ohh...
Right.
SHE EXHALES
I think I need to get you somewhere where you can lie down, Attracta.
Where I can examine you, if you're agreeable -
and we can decide what to do.
You can let go of her hand, Pegeen.
I'll take care of her. I promise.
Knock, knock.
You can come in.
I told them the sight of all the babies was upsetting me.
Are they letting you go?
No. Tonight I'm being taken to The London.
They want to do the operation as soon as possible.
And it's easier to run away from here than there.
I've got my interview at the print workers...
I want you to come with me!
Even if you won't, I'm going anyway.
SHOUTING
Sergeant Noakes. This has to stop. This lady is in labour.
In labour? Well, can't you take her to hospital?
She wants to give birth in her own home, which is here!
No evictions, and no transfers to hospital are going to take place
until I give my permission.
Do you understand?
Yes, Sister. I do.
Right. All right.
Let's get you through.
Well done.
Move away, please!
All right. I've got you. Well done, Attracta, well done.
There's a cousin of me mum's,
we call her Auntie Flo, lives just outside of town.
If we go there, I can leave you with her and come back for me interview.
All right.
It's a nice house. Not some slummy old place, and she's all right.
She'll have to be, the mess we're in.
But if you get that job, things will soon get better, won't they?
They wouldn't let me in last night.
Said she was tired, and needed to rest.
That is one of the reasons why she's here...
Oh, no..!
Ohhhh....
Push with the pain, Attracta. We want a big, strong, brave push...
I haven't the strength.
Listen to the Sister.
Listen to you. Telling me all about it, now like you're suddenly the expert!
You're the expert in this room, Attracta.
I'm not...
This is a brave, beautiful body that's done this many, many times.
It knows the way. And so do you.
SHE GROANS IN PAIN
That's only the head, Attracta! You remember this!
SHE GROANS IN PAIN
BABY CRIES
CHEERING
It's a boy, Attracta.
A boy.
A beautiful, beautiful boy.
Oh, thank the Lord!
Yes.
And you, Sister.
Thank you.
Pegeen! What are you doing out of bed?
BABY CRIES SOFTLY
Come in, Pegeen.
All's well.
Another lad...
Would you like to hold baby, Pegeen,
while I help Attracta with the afterbirth?
Sit down, love.
You were there for my first. Now you're here for my last.
No...
I'm done.
We're getting too old, Pegeen. The both of us.
THEY SING A HYMN
The Sisters did everything.
Except these.
Long trousers?
I never had them when I was a kid.
And I wanted them so much.
Come on, let's get ready for the square dance.
I'll get that for you. Hello, Sister.
Oh, no...
Aunt Flo's place is another day away, I reckon.
There are no buses till tomorrow so we'll camp here tonight.
Please, please take my jacket.
You'll be freezing.
You're shaking, Paulette.
It's not the cold. My blood sugar's low.
I need to eat, Vaughn.
There's still apples left.
No good on their own.
MUSIC: Shop Around by The Miracles
I have to say,
I didn't think the circular skirt was a fashion I'd ever revisit.
I'd forgotten how the petticoats scratch one's nylons.
KNOCK AT THE DOOR
I found a straggler, waiting in the hall.
Hello, Deels!
I brought us a bottle of Bourbon. It's a sort of American scotch!
I've already told her I shan't be imbibing.
I'm motorised this evening, in case
we hear anything about young Paulette.
Oh. Is there still no news?
Not as yet. But there's no point in sitting home and moping.
Charity beckons, we must heed the call.
I've got some cream soda, Nurse Crane.
You can have some of that.
Thank you. And do call me Phyllis.
Just for this evening.
So, who's for a quick brightener? Just me, Pats and Trixie?
Of course! Might take my mind off this appalling skirt.
Chin-chin.
You said you need to eat.
The only place I could get tick was in a bakery.
I just...I just feel a bit sick, that's all.
I need another injection, but I've run out.
I don't want anyone knowing where we are. They'd split us up.
And get rid of our baby!
But if that's what's best for you, though...
How can it be best for me?
It's not what I want.
Sometimes, what's best for you isn't always what you want.
Oh, look! It's the Lone Ranger!
That's rather impolite,
when we've come to raise money to send you on holiday.
THEY SNIGGER
SQUARE DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
Do you know your way to the community centre?
- Yes. - There's a dance on there. I want you to go and fetch Dr Turner.
Now I'm going to rub some glucose powder on the inside of your cheek,
to raise your blood sugar level.
I want to dance with you.
You ARE dancing with me!
Yes - you and half of Poplar!
I mean a foxtrot or a waltz. Even a tango.
There isn't a place on Earth where that would happen.
There must be. Somewhere.
And until we find it, we'll just have to dance together in our heads.
I've come for the doctor.
# The sky has fallen down
# In despair my heart does drown
# I dread each day, the nights are far worse
# From heartache I have no relief
# Until the ground summons me beneath
# This burden I bear
# Each moment is a curse
# From here I'll not wander more
# The girl I left behind me... #
Do you know anything about this?
Open up. Open up!
There's a bucket in the corner.
It's not that. I've got a job interview this morning.
Good luck with that(!)
Look. You can make one phone call. Who do you want? Your brief,
or your probation officer?
Neither of them.
I just got your message, Vaughn.
Is Paulette all right?
She will be. One way or another.
It's not what I wanted. None of that.
None of this.
I know.
But you did the right thing,
and I'll make sure that's said before the court.
Will you tell her I love her?
Consider it done.
Thank you.
They'll bring you something to calm you down now.
You won't have to keep looking at the clock then.
You have it. You're the one who's shaking.
SHE SOBS
Nurse Crane said you would have been dead already
if it wasn't for Vaughn.
I reckon he must love you as much as I do.
And doctors find new things out all the time.
Who knows? In a year or two, you might have another baby.
Things might be completely different then.
I'll make sure Vaughn gets a message, when you're out of theatre.
I was waiting for ya.
My aunt said I was to give you this.
I shouldn't accept this...
I'm not supposed to have personal possessions.
Well, let's say it's ours, and we're just lending it to you.
Pegeen would like that.
'We're not defined by the things that make us separate and distinct
'but by the moments that we share and the memories we make.'
MUSIC: Love and Devotion by The Vocaleers
'And we're shaped by the hands we hold in ours
'and cherish and gently let go.'
- Good night, Fred. - Good night, Vi.
Is she from the Government?
Fingers, strong like monkey paws! Oooh, yes!
Can we buy two pretty girls a cake?
We don't like cake.
'They couldn't live without each other.'
You can see it, can't you?
# It flows, it flows everywhere
# And you know it's there
# Now that's love and devotion
# Love, love and devotion
# No, no, no, no, no, no
# No mixed emotion... #