In Poplar in 1960, the midwives of Nonnatus House
were on perpetual duty.
New life arrived with every season, at every time of day.
And in the mists and darkness of the autumn...
Nearly there, my love.
..birth sparked a little light into the gloom,
bringing mystery and hope, the unknown and the longed for...
burning like a candle in the night.
We've got her from here, Mr Dent.
All right?
That's it.
Thank goodness the water in Bow is only off for tonight.
We're bursting at the seams.
- Ah, Mrs Dent. - Yes. - Let's get you settled.
We've the delivery room ready and I've commandeered Dr Turner's office
as a second delivery area, though I'm just wondering
if I should call in another pair of hands?
Delivering baby when the Luftwaffe's raining down all
kind of carnage, that's a challenge.
But a lack of running water and a packed ward?
We'll take that in our stride, Mrs Turner.
No, it can't be.
"Goldilocks?"
I'm sorry?
Marion Gold? It's me, Shirley Copper.
Well, Dent now.
That's about right,
I can't walk two paces without bumping into something.
Bow Girls, '48?
I was going out with Ian Dent and you was stepping out
with that posh one from the Grammar.
Oh, he fancied himself something rotten.
What was his name? Geoffrey...
Godfrey. My husband.
You ain't changed a bit.
I sent a Christmas card every year to your mum's.
Well, if this ain't the cherry on the cake!
This'll make the time fly by, won't it?
Let's get you into bed, Mrs Dent, see how far along you are.
And you've done all of this with your pinhole camera?
Imagine what I could do with a real camera, Dad.
Getting into the Photographic Club almost guarantees you a merit badge.
As does making sure this bathroom is back in working order
by the time Mum comes off duty.
You didn't have to walk me home.
Well, I take the safety of my volunteers very seriously.
Anything could happen, this time of night.
You didn't seem too bothered about Arthur Tuft.
He lives in Limehouse.
Well, maybe I didn't like his conversation.
Never knew a man could make a week in Sorrento last so long.
You should keep that locked.
Don't be daft, I know everyone round here.
Besides, I've got protection.
Good night, Fred.
Night, Vi.
Come on, keep it coming, yes, not long now, not long.
That's it, go on, go on! Oh, nearly there, now!
Listen to me, in a minute I'm going to ask you
to do some little breaths - just gentle ones.
Like playing the flute?
Yeah, if you like, like the flute, that's it.
But when I ask for it, all right?
Yes, here we come! Push, push, push, yes!
Little breaths, please, little breaths.
That's it. Keep it light, keep it easy.
Good, very good.
MARION GROANS
- Ooo, you've got a little girl. - BABY CRIES
You have a beautiful daughter...
..and every inch of her is yours.
I love you.
Has Goldilocks had hers yet?
I need all your concentration. Nothing else matters.
Another push?
- Come on, Shirley. - I can't do it any more.
We know you're exhausted,
but we want Baby out and you're doing so brilliantly.
Contraction coming.
Come on now, Shirley, all the energy you have.
One more push for Baby.
That's it.
You're so close now, Shirley.
Push now, I know it stings. Keep pushing, it will help.
That's it. That's it. That's it!
You've got a daughter, Shirley.
Now, do remember to push my borough laundry service.
It's available to all incontinence patients.
Bed linen washed and returned, quite free of charge.
That's a list of all our sufferers.
Of course, Nurse Crane. I'll do my best.
Your best is a tick against every name on that list.
PHONE RINGS
I'd lead the charge with you, but I'm telephone bound this morning.
Dad!
I was up half the night looking for that.
I used to take it everywhere.
A real camera for you, Tim.
Thank you.
It's even got a timer.
For the great self portrait.
"Photographer as a young tyke."
There's a girl.
- BABY VOICE: - Yes!
Yes, that's right.
Oh! Fingers all strong like monkey paws.
Ooh, yes.
LOUD EXPLOSION
Good grief! What on earth?!
Fire in the laundry room! We need to evacuate.
We need to go now. Take the babies.
- That's it! - I'll get the others. BELL RINGS
That's all right. Nothing to worry your cotton socks about.
We have a fire and we need to leave quickly and calmly.
Anyone who doesn't feel able to walk, say so immediately.
Take my arm, Shirley.
- Can you manage, Mrs Smith? - Yes, yes, yes.
They've dropped it, haven't they? The bomb.
ALL: What?!
Oh, where's my baby, Sister?
Sister Evangelina has your babies, don't worry.
Your babies are safe. Hurry now.
Fast as you can.
Is anyone hurt? Where's Shelagh?
- COUGHING: - She's getting them out. We got everyone. She's coming.
This way, ladies. Quickly, there you are.
Careful!
Are you all right?
Yes.
There we are.
Everyone to Nonnatus. We'll check you and your babies there.
This way ladies.
Do let me help you, Mrs Mills.
Oh, no, Sister, it's good for me and Tommy would hate for anyone to see.
Ah, I've put your egg white on the side, Sister.
- Hello, Sister. - Hello, Mr Mills.
Let's see to that dressing for you.
Uh-oh!
I'm going to roll you now, Mr Mills.
Ah!
I'm sorry, I know it's uncomfortable for you.
No, not at all.
It's looking very much better.
I'm going to seal it with the egg white.
Sister...
There's a new lady and she says
I can't do the washing for Tommy no more.
(Is she from the Government?)
This is Nurse Gilbert. She's with us at Nonnatus.
I was just explaining to Mrs Mills
about the council's new laundry service.
Nurse Crane is very keen that anyone entitled should make good use of it.
May I put your husband down for it, Mrs Mills?
It's free of charge
and you can't possibly manage like this at your age.
Will you tell the lady she's very kind,
but we wouldn't need a service?
But the damp!
It's a terrible risk to your husband.
I see he had pneumonia this time last year.
Thank you, Nurse Gilbert.
So sorry to have disturbed you, Mrs Mills.
I'll come back tomorrow.
I don't understand.
Surely she would benefit from the service more than anyone.
She's so frail.
But Mr Mills would be terribly upset if he thought he was on a list
in a council office or at Nonnatus.
You do know he's a relative of Fred's?
I had no idea.
And Mrs Mills may be frail, but her pride's strong.
We must help her keep hold of it as long as she can.
I just want to help.
I see he suffers with bedsores and,
well, this would be one thing off their plates.
Sometimes we have to wait for our help to be asked for.
Nurse Crane wanted a tick against every name on the list.
Then, with the greatest of respect, Nurse Crane will have to be patient.
Now, everyone, because we can't care for you in the Maternity Home,
we're going to visit you daily in your own homes.
But if there is anything that concerns you,
you telephone us immediately.
Your husbands are expecting you, we've informed them all.
Er, Mr Smith will pick you up himself - he's on his way.
Mrs Lawes? Dr Turner will see you now. Please come through.
I thought we was goners.
It's all been very upsetting, I must say.
What a little darling.
And yours.
She's lovely, Shirley.
Did you hear what Auntie Goldilocks said?
Marion, are you all right?
She's beautiful.
Can you believe it?
We don't see each other for years, then here we are -
daughters on the same day.
That's fate, that is.
You probably don't remember Shirley from school, do you?
Take Baby, Godfrey.
I want to get home.
Well, that's us, then, Shirley.
Oh, right. You on the phone?
I don't suppose there's much point. We're moving to Basildon.
That's even more reason for a good old natter.
School's a long time ago, Shirley.
We've both got busy lives now.
Right you are.
- Your usual, dear? - Thank you, Miss.
- Will there be anything else? - Oh, no, Miss.
Thank you, you're very kind.
MUSIC: Only the Lonely by Roy Orbison
You sure you don't want me to stay? Delia won't mind.
Don't be ridiculous...
even if you do so obviously prefer her company to mine.
Patsy, I'm quite all right.
No-one was hurt.
Besides, I need to read my copy of Vogue -
there's a waiting list for it after me.
Go!
I'll try to be quiet coming back.
# Only the lonely
# Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah
# Know the way I feel tonight
# Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah
# Only the lonely
# Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah
# Know this feeling ain't right
# Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah... #
Sounds terrifying.
Evangelina, terrified? You have met her, haven't you?
Sorry.
Just...
..don't know what I'd do if I lost you.
(I'm the same.)
I sometimes feel as if we're ghosts.
Half with each other, but mostly without.
I think it would be easier to do what everyone's so bloody insistent on
and get married and just accept that you and I can never be.
Delia, do you think I can bear it?
I think you cope better with facades then I do.
Can we buy two pretty girls a cake?
We don't like cake.
# Only the lonely
# Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah
# Know the heartaches I've been through
# Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah... #
You don't really want to get married, do you?
Yes, more than anything.
To you, you fool.
And I can't.
So that's that.
# No more sorrow
# But that's the chance
# You've got to take
# If your lonely heart breaks
# Only the lonely
# Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah. #
You dip a little at the bottom, Nurse Mount.
Not for the first time.
Do you think it's wise for the children to be carrying turnips
with lighted candles?
Well, it is a lantern parade.
It is the turnips' glow that lights the way of the dead.
Do you mean ghosts, lady?
No, dear, of course we don't.
Do not speak for the Pagans.
They say Halloween is the night that the dead return to walk among us.
- Which we have absolutely no evidence for. - You mustn't worry, dear.
Jesus came back from the dead and did miracles.
So is Jesus a ghost?
I'd like to see a ghost.
You can put your hand through them, they feel like a cloud.
I've never touched a cloud but I bet it feels like candyfloss.
Glenda Severs, come back at once.
My mother's dead and I should like to see her.
Will you bring her back for Halloween?
Glenda Severs.
I don't think either of us actually heard you say "no".
Am I the authority on all in heaven and earth?
- Fred. - Uh-huh.
Do you think you might find the time to visit Mr Mills?
I know he and Mrs Mills are on their own a good deal.
I'm sure your friendly face now and then would be much appreciated...
if you get the time.
Oh, Sister, I'm so glad I caught you.
I couldn't sleep last night for worrying
about how I'd rather put my foot in it with Mr and Mrs Mills.
You mustn't upset yourself.
A friend of a friend, a nurse, she's making a study of bedsores
and I thought it might be useful for you to help Mr Mills.
She advises against cleaning the sores with hydrogen peroxide.
She can't be suggesting we do nothing?
She seems to have had success by simply turning the patients
every two hours.
Of course, I'll read these but I just don't know
if I could manage to visit every two hours.
Then might I help you?
Now, how are we doing on my laundry take-up?
G-Getting there, Nurse Crane. Pushing on.
I believe it was you who said, "Softly, softly, catchee monkey."
Mmm. Not too soft, mind,
or monkey scarpers.
I must say, I'm rather surprised.
BABY CRIES
She's gained a whole 2oz.
That really is very well done...
Jackie.
Though if you heard Ian, you'd think she'd be called Princess.
Oh! Glad to see you're concentrating on security.
Well, now that you've made me all nervous, Fred...
Sister Monica Joan is doing something with turnips
and she wants some nice ribbon to hang them on.
Right, well, if you're hanging them and they're hollow,
then the half inch should be strong enough, but...
take the inch wide, be on the safe side.
My dad's cousin...
he's not too good these days.
I haven't been in as much as I should have.
I've left things and now I don't know quite where to start.
Fred, you just go.
It's just, oh...
I'm no good at the old chitchat.
Oh, Fred.
I had that dream again last night.
You know, the one I get,
the one, the one I had at the end of the war.
When I came home?
And I could smile again.
We danced all night.
- GERT GASPS - Ow, ow, ow! - Gert?!
DOOR OPENS IN DISTANCE
It's just old bones, that's all, dear.
- DISTANT: - Nonnatus House calling.
There, all fresh again.
Now, Mr Mills, this is Nurse Gilbert.
She has some very interesting suggestions
as to how we might help you.
By turning you every few hours,
we should relieve some of the pressure on your bedsores.
We hope you'll be more comfortable as a result of it.
No, no, no, no, don't trouble yourself.
Oh, Nurse, if you could make him more comfortable...
We'll do our best, Mrs Mills.
In the meantime, I'm afraid you'll have to put up
with seeing a little more of us.
Let's pop you on your side, Mr Mills.
(One, two, three.)
Now then, Deborah, what have you got to be grizzling about, hey?
BABY FUSSES
What is it, Sister?
There's a blueness to her lips.
I would like Doctor to have a little look at her.
May I use your telephone?
My old dad loved that picture house.
It's where he met my mum.
Same for me and Gert.
Oh! Oh, let me help, Mrs Mills.
Oh, no, dear. It's just lovely you're both here.
(She's very nice, Frederick.)
(Yes, she is, isn't she?)
- 50 years married, we are. - GERT GASPS QUIETLY
Not ever apart...
except for the war.
That's lovely.
And you each know what the other's thinking before you even think it.
And you don't need to talk, even.
Me and my Bert weren't together that long, but we was just as happy.
I'm going to have Deborah seen by the Hospital for Sick Children.
I can't be sure, but I'm picking up what may be a heart murmur.
Oh, Lord.
Oh, Mrs Smith, worrying won't help.
Great Ormond Street has some wonderful doctors.
The hospital has a specialist heart unit.
Mrs Smith, we will find out what's wrong.
Oh...
I thought I'd save you a journey.
Oh, Mrs Mills...
that's why you buy the napkins?
KNOCK AT DOOR
Oh, that'll be the nurse.
- UPSET: - She mustn't be troubled, she's got Tommy to care for.
I'm sorry, Mrs Mills, but this can't pass and you'll not dissuade me.
Oh, whatever's the matter?
I can't worry Tommy.
You're right and that's why you must be helped.
Please, Mrs Mills...
let me help you.
Oh, I manage, Nurse.
You don't have to manage alone.
GERT WHIMPERS
Oh, Mrs Mills...
- There are dressings in the tin... - But they're for Tommy.
I shan't take from his care.
We have enough care for both of you.
(I'm sorry...)
Gert kept all that worry to herself,
because she didn't want to upset Tommy.
They couldn't live without each other, you can see it, can't you?
You need a hot drink.
You made your point.
Turkish coffee.
My son, Derek, brought it back from a holiday and I've been saving it.
He says the secret's hot milk.
And these cups...
Well, these are what the Italians are using in Soho.
So consider yourself spoiled.
Gert will get good care.
The Nonnatuns will make sure of that.
And we'll look in on them all we can.
Thank you for what you done.
I should be getting back...
I meant to put a bicycle chain on one of the bikes.
It needs to be done before tonight.
Fred?
We're too old to be silly about this, aren't we?
Now either you like me...
..or you don't.
I do.
Oh, I do.
But I know how hard it is.
You can't let them go...
..and they can't let you go either.
Fred, I've known him since 16.
I know.
All your life, Vi.
How is she?
Please.
Professor Gribben oversees the heart and lung unit here.
He knows more about the infant heart than almost anyone in the world.
Deborah couldn't be in better hands.
But what is it?
What's the matter with her?
She has a heart murmur.
What we don't know is why.
They can't make a diagnosis without gauging
the blood pressure within her heart.
Deborah is in the very best place, Mrs Smith.
KNOCK AT DOOR
- DR TURNER: - Tim? Are you still developing or can I open the door?
No, don't.
I'm at a crucial stage.
What was on there?
I'm trying to think when it would've been.
You must have had your finger on the lens.
There's nothing on them.
Sister Monica Joan,
you've a visitor waiting on the steps.
- Hello! - Oh, hello!
Did you find out about my mother? Is she coming?
Supernatural beings...
are not mine to give assurances on behalf of.
I've written her a letter.
You will give it to her, won't you?
She might not recognise me, you see.
She died when I was born.
Glenda, dear, does your father know you're here?
He don't care about me, he's got Maureen and the new baby.
Besides, I've got to get back to school.
Oh.
How exactly do you propose communicating with the departed?
- Leonora Severs, departed? - HE CHUCKLES
The only place she's passed on to is Liverpool.
This is where the hole is, between the lower two chambers.
Please, I don't want to see that picture.
I'm so sorry.
I thought it might help explain what Professor Gribben is suggesting.
I know how difficult this must be.
Her heart...
..it's her soul, isn't it?
Her nature.
How will she be complete?
How will she love if it's opened up, if it's changed in any way?
Her soul won't be touched, my love.
This is a procedure that could help the blood flow properly
to her lungs in order that it obtain enough oxygen.
Nothing would be done until she is at least 18 months.
But if it can wait until then, why does she need it at all?
It's a matter of practicality, Mrs Smith.
She's too small.
If she were older and you were agreeable,
the surgeons would operate now.
That's how much she needs it?
Without the shunt operation,
the fear is Deborah may not survive infancy.
Mr Severs?
Glenda's father?
What's happened? Is she all right?
Please don't be alarmed and forgive me tracking you down.
Glenda seems to think her mother's passed away
and is hoping her ghost will return on Halloween.
That won't be possible, will it?
Even if it were possible, if you follow.
That woman...
still wreaking havoc.
As far as I'm concerned,
my wife, Maureen, she's Glenda's mother now.
It's not my business, I know, but Glenda wants to see her very much.
See her?
Leonora ran out on her when she was three months.
Oh, Mr Severs, I had no idea.
Well, it's not something a man wants to talk about,
how his wife cheated on him.
But I loved that little kid since the day she was born,
just as if she were my own.
and I'd rather she mourned a ghost than know the truth,
that her mother never even wrote to ask after her.
It's a nasty lesion, Mrs Mills.
I'm going to arrange for you to be seen by a specialist.
I just want some cream for it.
You'll be seen at The London
and we'll make sure Nurse Gilbert can go with you.
I'll be in touch as soon as I can.
Thank you, Dr Turner.
Tommy can't manage on his own.
No-one will be managing alone.
Sister Mary Cynthia will look after Mr Mills
while I'm with you at the hospital.
(Oh, right.)
Thought I'd find you here.
I hate to think of her alone.
God watches over all of us...
..even when we think he's forgotten.
She's got an angel's kiss.
The little birthmark, on her right leg.
My granny used to call it a kiss from the angels...
..for protection.
Sounds like she knew a thing or two.
When you return from memory lane, Nurse Franklin,
may I suggest you organise an area
in which we can store those records securely.
Mrs Dent wants some details for her birth book.
Mmm.
I'd quite forgotten little Jackie had a birth mark.
It's faded now, but it was rather distinctive.
SHE CLEARS HER THROAT
SHE SIGHS
Oh!
SHE GROANS
SISTER EVANGELINA GASPS FOR AIR
Sister Evangelina? What is it?
I've made a terrible mistake.
I've made a dreadful, dreadful mistake.
What could you possibly do that could cause such distress?
The Dent baby is with the Smiths
and the Smith baby is with the Dents.
SHE SOBS
All the other babies were tagged.
It's just those two because of the fire and I had them in my arms,
and I knew which was which!
- SHE WHIMPERS - Thought I did!
I muddled them up.
I gave each baby to the wrong mother.
What am I going to do?
What on earth am I going to do?
Ah!
Thank you.
Godfrey Smith had surgery for a broken arm a couple of years ago.
We'll have his details.
Yes, here we are.
Blood group A Negative.
And Marion Smith...
blood group, O Negative.
And the baby?
Here we are. Deborah Smith.
Blood group...
O Positive.
Two rhesus negative parents cannot make a rhesus positive baby.
It is not possible.
What of the Dents, Mrs Turner?
We only have Mrs Dent's details.
O Positive.
Well, that explains our rhesus positive baby.
Debbie belongs to the Dents
- and Jackie to the Smiths. - SHE SOBS
This is not your mistake alone.
We are a team and we will resolve this.
How?
I hear you've been rather prodded and poked today, Mrs Mills.
I'm sorry about that.
Oh, it's no matter, sir.
The lesion is what we call a fungating wound.
Are you in pain?
Oh...
it's not too bad, sir.
Considerable pain, sir.
I'm sorry, Mrs Mills, but you are.
We'd expect that with a lesion of this type.
I'm afraid it has revealed...
a cancer beneath your skin, Mrs Mills.
We'd like to perform a radical mastectomy.
The procedure would involve removing the breast...
Oh, God.
..and underlying pectoralis muscle
and a number of underarm lymph nodes.
That way we'll know, without doubt,
if it's spread to the lymphatic system.
If it's spread to the lymph nodes, we'll follow up with radiotherapy.
I-It's an awful lot to take in.
I think we'll need some time.
We'd want to bring Mrs Mills in quickly.
Am I dying, sir?
- Without surgery, yes. - Oh.
A-And with it, am I still dying?
You'll have less pain and more time, Mrs Mills.
Lightning Chance might do well tomorrow.
Gert said no more bets.
Quite right, too.
She was always the brains.
Mmm. I was the looks.
Mmm, to be fair,
that's Gert, too.
- You're a lucky man, Tommy. - So are you.
Mrs Gee's a lovely lady.
Yes, she is.
She is.
I think her Bert must've been like you, cos she can't forget him.
Well, does she have to?
I can't compete with someone who's perfect.
Nobody's perfect.
Love makes us that way.
You have to open your heart to them first.
We'll get back and we'll put the kettle on
and we'll have a nice cup of tea and we'll think about what to do next.
You mustn't worry and you won't be on your own for any of it.
Do you need to sit down, Mrs Mills? O-O-Or some water?
I thought he'd go first.
I always wanted it that way,
that I should always be there for him...
that he would never be alone.
Oh, Nurse...
what do I say to him?
You mustn't think that way.
- You must only think of getting better. - Yes.
(Oh, Tommy.)
I think we must come straight out with it.
There is no way to soften the blow.
- KNOCK AT DOOR - I think you're right.
Are the parents on their way?
I should face these poor people alone.
This is not your mistake.
And it's not your punishment.
This must be about a resolution.
- What will condemnation solve? - It's what I deserve.
You deserve a medal.
You put all those babies before your own safety.
Because of you, all are well.
I've destroyed two families.
Sister Evangelina, you are my family.
We will find a way through... all of us.
The Smiths, the Dents and Nonnatus.
DOOR OPENS
I'm always saying what a small world it is.
I'm afraid it's no coincidence that you're all here together, Mr Dent.
Paperwork, is it? For the babies?
Please sit down.
Our baby's in the hospital. What's this all about?
The hospital?
What's wrong?
Marion, what's wrong?
I'm afraid we have some very...
difficult news.
In the evacuation following the fire in the Maternity Home,
a very grave mistake was made.
I didn't put the name tags on the babies before I took them out.
I thought I knew who was who...
but I'm afraid I didn't.
Your babies were muddled.
Mrs Dent...
your baby was born with a birthmark,
which I know you've seen is no longer there.
Mrs Smith...
..baby Deborah now has a birthmark on her lower right leg,
the size of a sixpence?
But the nurse said it could fade,
so it stands to reason they can come up an' all?
For protection...
an angel's kiss.
We've confirmed our mistake from your blood groups.
It's not biologically possible for Deborah to be your child.
I can't take this in.
We know how very distressing this is.
I'm sorry that you are faced with the possibility of losing a child
that you've grown to love.
Our hope is that, because events happened relatively swiftly,
bonds could be re-established.
You gave our baby to them while we've been to hell with theirs?
And we've given our love to yours.
Please.
Tell me what's wrong with my baby?
Deborah has a heart condition
that stops her blood receiving enough oxygen.
I wish I could say you have all the time in the world,
but a decision will need to be made over Deborah's surgery.
Surgery?
But she's just a tot.
She needs a great deal of care.
She's very delicate.
She needs her mother.
She needs someone capable.
And you think I'm not?
You never took anything seriously.
Not school, or life.
And I can't imagine you with a baby with a heart that does not work.
Oh, come along, Godfrey.
I've got to be home in case the hospital telephones, not here.
This is an awful lot to take in.
Go home, Mr and Mrs Dent,
where you may have peace to think matters over.
I can't see the good of it.
The operation, I mean.
I'd be away, I wouldn't know for how long.
I don't want to be away.
I want to be here for you.
You must have the operation, Gert.
But it might all be for nothing.
They might not get the cancer out.
We'll pray that they do.
I don't want to lose you...
not until every last fight's lost.
We go through what we go through together.
We live for one another, Gert.
Be with me as long as ever you can, please.
Mmm.
Her little heart's not working.
And we're not in the hospital with her.
I can't hardly take it.
How can I love Jackie so much?
She ain't even mine.
She's my world.
I never knew happiness like it.
Everything's different now she's in our lives.
I keep thinking...
are they kind?
Do they love her? The way we love Jackie, I mean.
It can't be made right, can it?
Whatever we do, we've lost our little baby.
They say God works in mysterious ways.
He tests us with pain.
And yet, he's sparing us. He...
He's giving us another chance.
Course, it will hurt in the short term,
but in the long run, we'll forget all of this.
We're blessed. We can have our baby back.
Our baby is in Great Ormond Street.
She's not.
She's with those fools.
You said it yourself!
- And, well, she's perfect. - Stop it!
Don't ask me to bring up a child who's not even mine, who...
- who won't even live beyond infancy. - She will live.
- She'll have the surgery and she'll live. - She's not ours.
Shirley can't look after her.
Not like I can.
SOFT CRYING
Useless, useless!
- SOBBING: - You fool!
My thoughts exactly.
I have always found that drainer an exercise in precarious balance.
I never liked this china.
Whereas...
..YOU are irreplaceable...
and we would be so lost without you.
SISTER EVANGELINA CRIES
- You need to wrap up, the mist's coming in. - Ow!
Oh, promise me, Sister.
Promise me you'll look after him.
I promise. And already, his bedsore is looking a good deal better.
Think only of getting well, Mrs Mills.
We live for each other, we always have.
We will have more time, Tommy.
Hurry back to me.
- Hmm? - Yes.
Pack, and non-pack, remember what we do with our lanterns?
Where is she? Where's Mother?
Glenda, dear child.
I cannot bring your mother to you.
But your father's here and he very much wants to see you.
- He don't care about me. - Don't talk that way.
Glenda. Glenda!
I came to see you, didn't I?
See this parade you're part of.
I'm sorry you miss your mum.
She'd have wanted to see you tonight.
She'd have loved you so much.
Why don't you talk about her?
It hurts.
But I will, love, when you're older.
I wanted her to watch over me.
That's my job, you see.
And your mum...
made me promise her that, just before she passed on.
She said, "My little girl is the most precious thing in the world
"and you're to treasure her every single minute of every day."
And I do.
But I'm sorry for the times you don't see it.
We're not dead...
..and we won't live as we were.
We'll find a way to be together, I promise you.
I'm on first watch tonight.
Oh, you're staying?
We're to look after you until Mrs Mills can.
That was our promise.
Hello, Fred. It's nice to see you.
- What's all this, you having a clear out? - Yeah, well, I'm packing it in.
I mean, I've just been pottering along
and I can't see the point any more.
My son's suggested I stay with him in Plymouth.
For your holidays?
SHE SIGHS Bit longer than that, Fred.
I mean, what's to be here for, eh?
I'm after a padlock.
Oh. Er...
I could let you have a bit off the price on this one, cos...
Fred?
I don't want you going to Plymouth.
Don't want you going anywhere unless it's with me.
I don't care if I have to share you with Bert, or the memory of him.
Violet...
..I wish we were a pair.
I wish you'd marry me.
Well, why don't you ask me, then?
I just did.
Oh, yeah!
Well, then...
yes.
Yes!
You know I said I'd give you a bit off the price of that padlock?
It's cos I don't have the key.
Well...
we'll have to stay here forever, then, won't we?
There's nothing more you could have done, my love.
I have to make sure it never happens again.
The Maternity Home must be above error.
We have the name tags, the identification records.
I couldn't love Angela more.
Not even if I'd given birth to her.
It's the same as I feel about Timothy.
And if you were in Marion or Shirley's place?
If you had the choice?
So different, what those poor parents are facing.
Angela is ours.
There are a billion other babies out there, but I don't think of them.
Only of her.
It's not about reason, or logic.
(We shouldn't be talking like this in front of her.)
Oh, do you have to?
Not strictly, but it embarrasses you and that keeps us entertained.
I feel rather different about saving your bacon now, Mum.
Ooh.
Well, perhaps we'll feel different about your pocket money on Saturday.
You photograph each baby when it's born.
That way, no-one will ever lose their mothers
and you won't have to feel rotten
- about something that wasn't your fault. - Oh, Tim.
Thank you.
Now my finger definitely won't be over the lens this time.
So we have the chance...
..of a picture worth keeping.
Say "cheese".
Cheese.
She will live, won't she?
They don't make promises.
She'll need so much care, Shirley.
We were friends once.
We're not children any more.
Deborah may not live.
Why would you take that on?
Because I carried her for nine months
and I loved her more with every day.
I don't want another minute without my baby.
JACKIE FUSSES
You carried Jackie.
How could you be without her?
I can't think that way.
It isn't right, what's happened,
but it's happened and we have to just go on with it.
JACKIE CRIES
I don't want a choice.
I don't want to wonder and I don't want to compare.
I want to love what feels like mine.
You can't even stop her crying.
You couldn't manage Deborah.
I can't let her down.
She needs me.
JACKIE CRIES LOUDER
They both need us.
Do you think I could bear to lose Jackie?
The thought of it makes me ill.
This ain't in my head, Marion.
This is in my heart.
I need to be with my baby.
I'm sorry, what I said...
the other night.
Truth is, I always wanted to be like you.
You always seemed happy.
It's because I was.
I had my best friend.
We go forward, Sister. Together...
..as a family.
Light will often pierce the darkness when we least expect it.
And if we're fortunate, when we need it most...
..science can pave the way.
But we need human hands to guide us
and love to illuminate the path that lies ahead.
Hi. Ah!
Oh!
TRIXIE: The one thing that makes me feel better...
is a glass of Scotch.
I'm aware there are better times for me to be going off
to do a fortnight's course at The London.
Have you managed to prepare any food for Neil?
- I can't face boiling milk. - SHE RETCHES
Oh, this is more than morning sickness, Mrs Turner!
The boiler has died from inattention.
I may yet suffer the same fate.
- PATSY: - Oh, Delia. You don't want to end up in some...
filthy hole, living cheek by jowl with a lot of students.
- FRED: - Did you get the letter about my lady friend?
Yes, Dad, I did.