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00:00Once upon a time, the season that is new today was old and closed and packed away.
00:11Advent had erupted into Christmas, darkness retreated in the face of light, and the wheel of the year kept turning.
00:21But once again we gather, as the sky grows cold, the leaves have tumbled, the fresh snow falls.
00:31Pages turn as new doors open, time and time and time again.
00:43Medical supplies packed and labelled and ready for hand delivery to the brunch house.
00:49A biscuit's clinic? You think you should write on it in Chinese?
00:53Hong Kong is a British colony. I'm quite sure everyone is competent in our mother tongue.
00:58I detect a want of enthusiasm in your visit. When adventure beckons, you should embrace the couple.
01:06This trip is a wonderful opportunity for Violet to see her son. And the sisters at the clinic will be so grateful for these supplies.
01:15I'll just be glad of a chance to run an errand, if I'm honest with your sister Julian. There's talk of cocktail parties.
01:22How about the Lines?
01:23How about the Lines?
01:24Where are the Lines?
01:25We're all of a bear nose waded.
01:26Have a bear shiny nose.
01:29And if you ever saw it, you will even see it close.
01:34All of us, we have the Lines.
01:39Kevin, I've told you before, stay inside the lines.
01:48The lines represent the edges of the lorry.
01:54You two, Teddy, don't want you falling off the float and getting run over.
01:59Do you think they're going to need bigger rolls for their mouths, Mrs Turner?
02:03I'm worried that they're going to be deprived of oxygen.
02:05Oh, please, please, don't anyone stop singing on my account.
02:12Hello, Diane.
02:16Oh, now, Pack, what do we say when a very important lady, like Mrs Buckle, our mayor, is kind enough to come and visit us?
02:29Good evening, Mrs Buckle.
02:32Thank you, Pack. Now, off you pop and work on your knots. It's also found on the tables. One piece of cord between two.
02:43I've bought a dozen pairs of brown tights for the reindeer. I managed to get them on a special order.
02:49But you'll not get lads of this age to wear tights, Mrs Buckle.
02:52Well, you'll have to tell them that it's in a good course. I mean, the whole Christmas carnival is in a good course.
02:59Um, elastic, black felt squares, um, sleigh bells and WD-40.
03:08What's that for? To oil the sled runners?
03:11Fred needs to do the paper shop bell before we leave.
03:14Mrs Buckle, go. Go to Hong Kong. And do not give the Christmas carnival a second thought.
03:21Oh, Mrs Buckle!
03:33I'm sorry.
03:34Oh, no!
03:34I'm sorry, Mrs Turner. I'm not quite sure which way is up this evening.
03:39I wondered if you could take a tiny parcel to Hong Kong for me.
03:42It's a letter and some photographs for May's mother.
03:47We haven't heard from her for over a year.
03:50But the sisters say they still see her from time to time with her little boy.
03:54Of course, I'll take it. It must all be such a worry.
03:58I used to fret about my Derek when he was in the Navy, but now he's in the Hong Kong police.
04:04They have to wear guns, Mrs Turner.
04:07It makes me nervous.
04:09You'll be back by Christmas with wonderful memories.
04:13And we've got Reggie coming home.
04:15I'm already hoping that it will be snowing for him.
04:20Whoever guesses the mystery ingredient in this year's chutney gets to eat the first mince pie and make a wish.
04:27I'm getting definite top notes of tamarind.
04:31Have you been on another cooking course?
04:32No, Matthew took her to Antigua for their wedding anniversary.
04:36It's mango.
04:37It's good to hear you're moving back to London, lass.
04:44Matthew has to stay in New York until autumn.
04:47And Jonti's starting pre-prep at Easter.
04:50I needed to get him home and settled.
04:52Sister Julianne, I will be free for midwifery duty, should you be short-staffed.
04:57We very seldom are at present.
04:59Things have been remarkably quiet.
05:01I have offered her a receptionist role at my new osteopathy practice on Harley Street, but no dice, apparently.
05:07You're only there four hours a week.
05:08Nevertheless, his couch sees a constant parade of celebrities, by all accounts.
05:14Celebrities!
05:14Coming to you with their crooked necks.
05:16I hope you're going to name names.
05:18Professional discretion is my watchword.
05:21Have a mince pie.
05:21Fred, have you seen the time?
05:31We're going to miss the plane.
05:33The party was running late, and I didn't want to disappoint the kiddies.
05:36Get in the cab.
05:37You can change out who got costume on the way.
06:06Please, let me knock my hanky and put it on my head, Vi.
06:19No, we'll get you a nice, smart Panama hat as soon as we've left these parcels with the sisters.
06:27We're looking for a sign that says Hibiscus Street.
06:31Derek says it should be written in Chinese as well as English.
06:36There it is!
06:50Come here! Come here! Come here! Come here! Come here!
07:00Don't be afraid to take a look at the house! Don't come here!
07:02The burning has collapsed. Stay back, please. The burning has collapsed. Please stay back.
07:09Kino!
07:29There must be fatalities.
07:33I'm sorry to intercept you, Sister, but Mrs. Buckle has just telephoned from Hong Kong.
07:42It's about the branch house.
07:46How on earth can an entire building just collapse? I've never heard of anything so colonial.
07:51There were rumours that the ground in that area was unstable.
07:55But whatever the cause, it's the consequences that are truly shocking.
07:59Sister Alice and Sister David were both killed.
08:01Oh, no.
08:02Along with the doctor who worked with them.
08:04Some of the children in the nursery did not survive.
08:07Meanwhile, the maternity ward has been destroyed.
08:10The sisters are homeless.
08:12And the people who depend upon them are scattered across Kowloon.
08:16Once they have overcome this, they will need somewhere to live and carry on their work.
08:21Now, they need a doctor.
08:22They need nurses and they need midwives.
08:25In short, Sister.
08:26They need us.
08:28I keep thinking we should be making Christmas trees for the carnival, not palm trees.
08:35The theme of the float is a Caribbean Christmas.
08:40There's going to be a steel band playing carols and a gospel choir.
08:45Are these the palm trees?
08:50Mm-hmm.
08:52I'm starting to think we should be making jacarandas.
08:55So, what's this letter you want to talk to me about?
09:00If ten days on the ground in Hong Kong means that we can get them through this crisis,
09:06I am more than happy to put a locum in the surgery.
09:09And, Sister Veronica, you must go.
09:11You were three years at that branch house.
09:13You're the only one with even a glancing knowledge of the way things work out there.
09:17I will go wherever I'm told.
09:19I will do whatever I'm told.
09:21Very well.
09:22I will go, as will Nurse Crane, Sister Veronica, and myself.
09:28So, this man, this Mr. Fisher, who writes with an educated hand from an address in Belgravia,
09:35wants to rent this flat with immediate effect?
09:38For a period of time that he is unable to specify.
09:41For an amount that we are free to name.
09:44You'll call me ruthless if you want to.
09:47But, Pastor Robinson, what I make of it is money for the church.
09:52Running a church is always going to cost somebody something.
09:55I'll find somewhere else to lay my head for a week or two.
09:58The truth is, I'm more worried about me missing you over there than I am about me being missed over here.
10:04You were vital to everything when we were in South Africa.
10:07And I came home with Teddy on the way.
10:09Look, Timothy is quite old enough to hold the fort if you came to Hong Kong.
10:15He's home on study leave for a month.
10:18Patrick, I'm needed here.
10:23That's the last box, Miss Higgins.
10:28Dr. Elise Watkiss is our first choice for locum cover.
10:32She's young but has excellent GP experience.
10:35I will attend to the necessary paper work.
10:37Timothy, you might call the pharmacy regarding the export forms whilst I see to this.
10:42Yes, Miss Higgins.
10:43The posters have turned out an absolute treat.
10:46I found a photo that must have been taken years ago and you'll never guess what.
10:50You can see it clear as day now it's blown up life size.
10:54Oh, look.
10:56Oh, it's me as a baby.
11:00Before we even knew her, I would recognize her anywhere.
11:04Is there any fear?
11:06Come on, ladies.
11:07Dig as deep as you can.
11:09Merry Christmas.
11:10Merry Christmas.
11:11Thank you very much.
11:12Every penny counts.
11:13Don't be shy.
11:14Some of these clothes are ours, Mom.
11:15Yes.
11:16I went up into the loft and there were bags full of woolies that went back years.
11:29This was mine.
11:30I remember this.
11:32You had it when you first arrived from China.
11:37Would you rather we didn't send it off?
11:40The radio reporter says ready when you are.
11:45Ten-year-old May Turner has a special reason for helping with the appeal today.
11:48Can you tell the listeners what it is, May?
11:51I was born there.
11:54A photograph of May, aged 12 months and held safely in the arms of a Nonnatus nun,
12:00features on posters for the rescue mission.
12:02As the Nonnatus sisters are popular, headies to help.
12:05Do you have a message for people listening, May?
12:09Please give all you can.
12:16Because...
12:20Some of the children there have nothing.
12:27Sister Hilda will be joining the Nonnatus party at Heathrow.
12:31At least that's only one plane we have to meet, Fred.
12:34Derek, you're eating the lime marmalade.
12:37I'm not going to lie to you.
12:39I've laid awake at night dreaming of this stuff.
12:42Thanks for bringing it.
12:43And the mustard.
12:44Proper taste of home.
12:46It's even got English written on the tin.
12:49Fred and I were wondering about popping over to Kowloon
12:52to see if there's anything we can take the poor sisters.
12:55Mum, Kowloon isn't the East End.
12:56Nobody pops over there.
12:58Not to that bit of it, anyway.
13:00Hibiscus Street's about as dodgy as it gets.
13:03Drugs, prostitution, smuggling.
13:05Makes you wonder why the sisters are so keen to stay there.
13:08Well, it's the same as popular, innit?
13:10Bad things happen.
13:11Good people saw it out.
13:12Best people in the world couldn't sort Triad out.
13:14What is Triad, Derek?
13:16Organised crime.
13:18It's invisible and it's everywhere.
13:22Got used to Tim not being here because he's at medical school.
13:26What I can't get used to is him not being here because he's in the pub.
13:32Mum and Dad.
13:33You should be in bed, Tillie Mint.
13:37We've been talking.
13:38It's very late.
13:40See, we've all been talking.
13:42And we all want you to go to Hong Kong, Mum.
13:45Do you?
13:46Yes.
13:47And I want you to take this.
13:59And that was confirmation that you can refer any health visitor business
14:02over to Miss Haynes at the Stepney Clinic.
14:05If I say so myself, the plan is impregnable.
14:08You, meanwhile, are the only one I trust with my Rolodex.
14:11I will guard it with my life.
14:13And Nurse Aylwood considers herself on call at any time
14:17should you require her support with any administration.
14:19I'm also available for midwifery duty.
14:21You only have to pick up the phone.
14:23It's most unlikely that it will come to that.
14:30This is a mercy mission.
14:31It's also a mercy dash and we'll be home soon.
14:35By the time we all gather here again,
14:38we will have left our friends in Hong Kong
14:41in a place of hope and of comfort and of joy.
14:46Thank you, all of you, for helping us to help them.
15:02I am reminded of spit fire streaming overhead,
15:04I am reminded of spit fires streaming overhead.
15:16Disguise and fights, half known but undetermined.
15:23Well, I'll be home by Christmas.
15:26That was our motto.
15:28In a different war.
15:34I still don't like the idea of you living in a bed-sit, like you'd just come off the boat.
15:44It's a better bed-sit than I had in those days.
15:47It's got fitted carpets and hot water.
16:04You, I take it, are Pastor C.A. Robinson, of the Shining Tabernacle Church of God?
16:20And you must be Mr. Fisher.
16:22Please, come in.
16:23We got rid of the electric meter to stop the lights going out when people were testifying.
16:32And this is the bedroom.
16:34We put up thick curtains so the trains won't bother you in the night.
16:50Well, the trains won't bother me at any time of day.
16:53We got rid of the lights going out when people were testifying.
17:22I thought you'd be saying lords in your room, Sister Monica Joan.
17:35In Hong Kong, they will be saying the afternoon office.
17:40And the sun does not vary, no matter from which corner of the globe we offer up our praise.
17:46I shall raise my voice with yours and theirs.
17:53You are coming even from the Lord.
17:57Who have made heaven and bar.
18:01You are not sorrowful I far to bring without me.
18:06And he has keepeth thee on our sleep
18:11Pray
18:16Pray
18:21Pray
18:27Pray
18:30Pray
18:32Pray
18:33Pray
18:34Pray
18:35Pray
18:36Pray
18:37Pray
18:38Pray
18:39Pray
18:40Pray
18:41Pray
18:42Pray
18:43Pray
18:44Pray
18:45Pray
18:46Defeat least, Dr. Turner. You just have to keep your nerve.
18:51I haven't lost my nerve, Fred. I have lost sight of the van containing all of the medical supplies
18:56and the donations.
18:57I told the driver at the airport, I said they were to follow immediately behind us.
19:02I wonder what you were saying. You sounded commendably forceful.
19:06We just have to hope you said what you thought you said.
19:09If we have any problems whatsoever, my Derek has told me which police station to go to and to use his name.
19:16That's one of our sisters.
19:17Sister Eve!
19:18I greet you in Lord Jesus Christ's name.
19:23We greet you likewise.
19:24Oh dear.
19:25Oh dear
19:26Oh dear
19:27Sister Eve!
19:29Oh, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
19:32I greet you in Lord Jesus Christ's name!
19:46There is much to be considered.
19:57Seven days, I have them upstairs. Sick nun, sick children.
20:03And we could not be more grateful. Thank you. Say that term, Cantonese.
20:08Thank you. I know. Thank you, not important. Trouble. I know also, you have trouble.
20:16Come, help me.
20:28We can't all be living here.
20:34Onward, I can hear the child crying.
20:46I believe Sister Simon will need to go to hospital and have her wrist reset under anaesthetic.
21:00And I suspect Sister Prudence has a broken collarbone.
21:05We're going to have to stand them all down and send them for hospital treatment.
21:08When did the diarrhea start? Before the cough or after?
21:15Doctor, I know what ails me. I have tuberculosis.
21:20Are you sure? Would you simply fear it?
21:23Miliary tuberculosis. The worst kind.
21:27Tuberculosis is so very contagious.
21:29It has spread from my lungs throughout my body.
21:33I have little time left to live.
21:35When were you diagnosed?
21:37The day the clinic collapsed.
21:40I was told by our doctor, Dr. Lee.
21:43I took myself out for a walk whilst she arranged for me to go to a sanatorium.
21:50And when I returned, there was no clinic.
21:56And no doctor.
21:57And no bed in a sanatorium.
22:02And no choice but to carry on handling the children.
22:18Your kindness.
22:20Just doing my job, love.
22:21At least the main treatment for preeclampsia is bed rest.
22:27Both these ladies have had that.
22:29Rudimentary though the beds may be.
22:32Once we've unpacked, I'll ask them to oblige me with some samples and get the dipsticks out.
22:40This is infected. I don't think it's been properly cleaned.
22:43Is it any wonder with them all huddled up here without even the barest essentials?
22:48Not to mention ignoring their own injuries.
22:51If you ask me, the sisters work miracles enough just keeping everyone alive.
22:58And now it's our turn.
23:01This place reminds me of a cash and carry.
23:04There must be a gross of tin bamboo shoots in this box.
23:08And enough soy sauce to float about with it.
23:11Do you reckon Mrs. Ma would mind if we move stuff about?
23:13We'll have to ask her, Fred.
23:16I know she's a Christian convert and she has been very accommodating, but these are her premises.
23:22I need the labelled crates and medical supplies, Fred. We have to run urgent TB tests on everyone.
23:28Over here, Doc.
23:30Excellent. Excellent.
23:31No.
23:33No.
23:35No, no, no, no, no.
23:38These have been forced open.
23:40It's all gone.
23:44It's all gone.
23:47Is that the new Vista Sanatorium?
23:50I have a very sick lady who requires urgent admission.
23:55You have been charity itself, Mrs. Ma.
23:59Mrs. Ma.
24:00At our home.
24:01You took the sisters in and gave them food and shelter.
24:03Only to rescue.
24:05You are rescue.
24:06Now you're all gone.
24:08But we have nowhere else to go.
24:11We will find a new clinic.
24:12We will find a new convent.
24:14But we cannot do that today.
24:17It's not safe.
24:19Why is it not safe?
24:25You stay.
24:26Stay now.
24:27But go soon.
24:29And use back door, not front.
24:38Donata's house.
24:39Midwife speaking.
24:40Can I bring my wife to the maternity home, please?
24:42Of course, sir.
24:44What name is it?
24:46She says what name?
24:48Diane Mary Edgar.
24:50Diane Mary Edgar.
24:56I made myself a cup of coffee, Miss Higgins.
24:57Do you want?
24:58Uh, thank you.
24:59I generally keep myself in check until elevens is.
25:04Your white coat should be hanging on the back of the door of the consulting room.
25:07Would you like me to fetch it?
25:08It's fine.
25:09I don't need it yet.
25:10We've got bad coughs coming in at half past nine, in ten past ten, and at eleven, all in the over fifty age group.
25:17Have these patients been referred to the East London Chest Clinic?
25:19I'm sure they have, if Dr. Turner considers that appropriate.
25:22Excellent.
25:24I'll have a quick rummish through their notes just to make sure.
25:27The vows are through here, aren't they?
25:28They are indeed.
25:29I'll have no fluids in the filing room, if you'd be so kind.
25:32Oh!
25:33Oh!
25:34Oh!
25:35Oh!
25:36Oh!
25:37Oh!
25:38Oh!
25:39Oh!
25:40Oh!
25:41Oh!
25:42Oh!
25:43Oh!
25:44Oh!
25:45Oh!
25:46You certainly know what you're doing.
25:47Oh!
25:48I feel terrible about bringing those reindeer heads.
25:50I'd have never got them finished otherwise.
25:53Good morning.
25:54May I help you?
25:55My name's Queenie Forsythe.
25:56My daughter's in childbed.
25:57We arrived last night.
26:01The six massive pushes I've done now.
26:04It's not budget, nurse.
26:07Let's get you back on the bed, and then I can examine you.
26:10We'll soon have a better idea of your progress.
26:12I'm telling you now, there hasn't been any.
26:15This one's not playing the same game as my others.
26:30Oh!
26:32Oh, my!
26:33Midwife's calling.
26:37Good gracious!
26:38It's like the first day for sale in here.
26:40Can we open one of those windows and let in a bit of air?
26:43How long have you been feeling that you need to push, child?
26:46I don't know!
26:47Every time they yell at me to push, I try!
26:50Five hours.
26:51Five hours, she's been at it.
26:54Okay, honey.
26:55Until we know what's what, you must not push.
26:58Do you hear me?
26:59You must not push.
27:01I am not a bossy woman, but I am being bossy now.
27:07How much did your other babies weigh, Diane?
27:09Seven pound six and eight pound nine.
27:11Darren was like giving birth to a sofa.
27:13This one feels like a ruddy three-piece suite and a coffee table.
27:16I think baby might be on the bonny side.
27:20But I don't think he's read the book that tells him how to line up nicely for delivery.
27:24Doctor, could you pop across and speak to Doctor Watkiss?
27:29It's R-O-T.
27:34A right occipitotransverse.
27:36And quite a big baby.
27:38But my dad, Doctor Turner, always attends in the event of any transverse position.
27:43Well, I'd better come through then.
27:47That poor girl started pushing long, long before she was ready.
27:50Has she damaged her cervix?
27:51It's not torn, but it's so swollen.
27:53I can actually see it at the entrance to her vagina.
27:56No, baby's going to get through that unless we bring that swelling down.
28:01We need ice.
28:02Ice.
28:03I think I saw a refrigerator.
28:05If we don't make this work, she'll need a cesarean section.
28:10Diane, don't cry.
28:12There are all sorts of things we can do to get things moving.
28:15Would Dr. Turner try the Von Toos, do you think?
28:19No.
28:20He always uses forceps in a transverse position.
28:25In which case, we'll continue with trial of labour.
28:31We'll transfer you to St. Cuthbert's if we get no joy.
28:35Oh, no.
28:36Oh, no.
28:37Oh, no.
28:38Oh, no.
28:43Timothy, this won't do.
28:45In Nenata's house, if you pursue midwives, they are all abroad.
28:50Or otherwise at large.
28:51Is there nobody there at all?
28:52Noice Clifford has a multi-parous woman in obstructed labour.
28:56And the locum doesn't know how to use forceps.
29:00Supply the details.
29:01And I will provide the advice.
29:04You're going to be grateful to me in the long run, but I'm not going to lie to you and say this ice pack is the nicest thing you ever had slip underneath your covers.
29:12Are you allowed to have things like that?
29:13I don't get the chance very often.
29:14It's freezing.
29:15It serves you right for being disrespectful.
29:16Diane, we need you head down and with your bottom in the air.
29:17This position will stretch your pelvic ligaments and give the baby enough room to adjust its head position.
29:22I hope you have found good a foray.
29:23The best authority you can possibly imagine.
29:24Let's have a little nap.
29:25Is there anything else wrong with her?
29:26I don't know.
29:27I don't know.
29:28I don't know.
29:29I know.
29:30I know.
29:31It's freezing.
29:32It serves you right for being disrespectful.
29:33Diane, we need you head down and with your bottom in the air.
29:36This position will stretch your pelvic ligaments and give the baby enough room to adjust its head position.
29:43I hope you have found good a foray.
29:45The best authority you can possibly imagine.
29:47Let her have a little nap.
29:51Is there anything else wrong with her?
29:54I don't think so.
29:56But Queenie, women need skilled help when they're given birth.
29:59Especially when it's their first.
30:00I took her to the doctor when she first knew that she'd fallen.
30:03We were up in the far north then.
30:05You should forget where you've been.
30:07I haven't decided where you're going.
30:10And besides, I went to the hospital with me last one.
30:14I wouldn't venture that again.
30:16I'll examine her.
30:18Let's hope it's worked.
30:19I just want to lie down.
30:23Baby has shifted position, Diane.
30:26All we need to do now is make plays with gravity.
30:28I'm going to have to push.
30:33That's alright, Diane.
30:34You give it everything you've got.
30:36This is the bit where I'm glad I did the animal.
30:39I fear verbal instructions alone would not suffice.
30:48Verbal instruction has done more than you could possibly imagine.
30:51Baby's head is beginning to cram.
30:56The swelling has gone down, Marie.
30:58But I need you to do exactly as I say.
31:00Listen to Nurse Hyland.
31:01On the next one, I want your chin on your chest.
31:04And a slow, quiet, steady push.
31:07Slow.
31:09Slow.
31:10Slow.
31:11Quiet.
31:12Steady.
31:13We've got the head.
31:17Come on.
31:18You can do it.
31:19Keep it coming.
31:20Keep it coming.
31:21Keep it coming.
31:22Keep it coming.
31:23Is he a boy or a girl?
31:24I'm afraid I can't tell.
31:25I've got something in my eye.
31:28Can you see Sister Monica Joan?
31:43I can see every aspect of the miracle.
31:46You have a daughter.
31:48This stinging will end soon, Marie.
31:58Just breathe.
31:59Just breathe.
32:00And we have a head.
32:03Come on down, honey.
32:07We also have my cornea.
32:11The midwife says we need an ambulance.
32:13Oh boy.
32:18You have a little boy, Marie.
32:19I want him.
32:20Oh, we'll be well.
32:21You have a little boy, Marie.
32:25I want him.
32:26I want him.
32:27All will be well, Marie.
32:28I promise you, all will be well.
32:30You have a little boy, Marie.
32:31I want him.
32:32I want him.
32:33All will be well, Marie.
32:34I promise you, all will be well.
32:35You have a little boy, Marie.
32:36I want him.
32:37I want him.
32:38I want him.
32:39You have a little boy, Marie.
32:40I want him.
32:41I want him.
32:42All will be well, Marie.
32:43I promise you, all will be well.
32:44I want him.
32:45I want him.
32:46I want him.
32:47All will be well, Marie.
32:48I promise you, all will be well.
33:01He must be baptized.
33:02Now, there'll be a chaplain at the hospital, Queenie.
33:05This is his home.
33:06And he is not leaving his mother's arms until he is baptized.
33:09Well, Dr. Watkiss's curriculum vitae stated very clearly she is fully trained in obstetrics.
33:21She has now revealed that in almost five years of GP practice, she has only delivered two babies,
33:26neither with any complications.
33:28That's the way it is these days.
33:30We're all trained in obs and gynae, but the expectation is that almost every baby will be born in hospital.
33:35Dr. Watkiss wanted to continue trial of labor, but we couldn't countermand her because she's more senior.
33:40And next time we may not have Sister Monica Joan to call on.
33:44Any wisdom I have was hard won in the days when there might have been no doctor to send for.
33:50We were wise out of necessity.
33:52And you are skilled in your own right.
33:56Nevertheless, I will not permit this to happen again.
34:01I am sending for Nurse Elwood.
34:08Lord Jesus Christ, who took little children in your arms and blessed them.
34:13Hold this infant, Luke Michael, in your matchless love today and always.
34:19Fill his mother and father with your peace and cherish him according to thy will.
34:26Amen.
34:28Amen.
34:29Amen.
34:35I keep thinking.
34:38May's mother was a nanny for a British service family.
34:41Is it worth asking if the army had any record of her?
34:45of her. She would have just been cheap casual labour. After she lost a job she
34:52must have been desperate. Where would desperation take you in a city of this
34:58size? We have to find out. Esther Tan gave us the greatest gift we've ever had
35:06and we can't abandon her. No we can't.
35:15Sister Hilda. Are you lying awake for the same reason that I'm lying awake? I don't
35:24know. Well I'm lying awake because we've flown halfway around the world on a rescue
35:31mission and if we get thrown out of this place by Mrs. Marr we're going to be in as
35:35much need of rescue as anyone else. The injured and the six sisters are leaving
35:42in the morning. Sister Edith to the sanatorium and the other sisters to the Roman Catholic
35:47Hospital. We have orphans to care for and expectant mothers. Any one of whom could have
35:52caught TB. And out in the street there are prostitutes and addicts who will look to ask
35:57for help. I know there are. But we will pray and we will wait to see what love can do.
36:37I'm sorry Miss Higgins. I've been
37:07going through all of these cases and there are at least half a dozen who should be at
37:10St. Cuthbert's and not here.
37:11Mr. Parry himself expressed satisfaction with our care.
37:14Good afternoon ladies. Dr. Watkiss I presume.
37:18Nurse Elwood.
37:19Sister Elwood as it happens. I've accepted a promotion during the absence of Dr. Turner
37:24under whom I've worked for 16 years ever since I qualified.
37:28Dr. So we have three mothers over 40, two gestational diabetes and Maureen Santaro.
37:35I know already she had her first set of twins with us. Second set isn't unheard of.
37:39I've never handled a multiple pregnancy sister.
37:41Dr. Well there's always a first time. Dr. Watkiss and I will call ourselves cubicle
37:45one, send them all to us and we'll see how we do.
37:47Hello.
37:57Queenie! Have you brought Marie?
38:01She's still above in the hospital with the baby. He's after taking the antibiotics.
38:06She's done grand. It's me that needs to see you.
38:12Are you expecting Queenie?
38:15Under this coat and having me ninth.
38:18You don't shout about it when you get to my age.
38:21But I heard what you and the other nurse was saying.
38:26I need skill to help.
38:28If you want it, we'll make sure you get it.
38:31I do want it.
38:32My last was a stillborn.
38:35Even though I had it in hospital.
38:37I'm so sorry that happened to you Queenie.
38:40We're going to walk beside you now.
38:44I'll start by filling in your co-op card.
38:57Oh!
38:59A tin of carnation milk if you please.
39:02Ah, and a quarter of humbugs.
39:07If you'll be so kind.
39:09No, no, no, no, no, no.
39:10Perhaps just two ounces.
39:11I do not consume them in any conspicuous pace.
39:14You don't want them turning sticky at the bottom of the bag.
39:17No.
39:18Oh!
39:19I thought I heard that.
39:20It catches.
39:21Doesn't it?
39:22I think Mr. Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.
39:25You must have forgotten.
39:26But then I...
39:27I thought I'd imagined it.
39:28It's all very well and good complaining that all the people who can deliver babies have
39:29got to go to the house.
39:30I think Mr. Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.
39:31I think Mr. Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.
39:32He must have forgotten.
39:33But then I...
39:34I thought I'd imagined it.
39:35It catches.
39:36I think Mr. Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.
39:37It catches.
39:38It's all very well and good complaining that all the people who can deliver babies have
39:43gone to Hong Kong.
39:44I'm more concerned that all the people who can sew have gone to Hong Kong.
39:58You're always waving your magic wand and producing costumes, Jeffery.
40:03And no one's going to see the details.
40:05It's pro-carnival. Everything's going to be moving past at speed.
40:10Well, moving past.
40:12I'm an ideas man and a contacts man.
40:14I'm not a needle and thread man.
40:16And it was not my idea to dress up the midwives of Nunata's house as angels complete with ostrich feather wings.
40:22I thought we could do it with just a bit of cotton and stick in.
40:24Like Rosalind in our Christmas trees.
40:26They're palm trees.
40:28I heard rumors the sewing machine was out.
40:30Angela just tried on a spoon costume and ripped it.
40:32Oh, you wonder what I could do with this snowball, honey?
40:37Do you want some maraschino cherry in it?
40:38I'll have two.
40:40What sort of wounds have they taught you to suture at medical school?
40:43Oh, my highlights include closure of incision after two appendectomies.
40:47And I did a rugby player scalp once.
40:50Needle, thread.
40:51If you want a cocktail, you're going to have to earn it.
41:02This is not the way I intended my service to end.
41:10It's a patient in a sanatorium.
41:14You have given all you can, Sister Edith.
41:17That is enough and more.
41:19It was the children I lived for and loved the best.
41:23I remember your daughter well.
41:27May?
41:28Oh, she's ten years old now.
41:31And so many children pass through the orphanage.
41:35I took medicine to her mother, Esther.
41:42Three months ago, she was living out on Tow Street, number 122.
41:47The numbers daubed on the door.
41:50Sister Edith, do you think she might still be there?
41:53She was there once, and not too long ago.
41:58Beyond that, I cannot say.
42:17The sooner we are able to move into the premises,
42:20the better it will be for the people in our care.
42:23We can even overlook the pigeon infestation
42:26for a small reduction in the rent.
42:29Down payment will be 2,000 Hong Kong dollars.
42:32The sisters have the funds for that,
42:34and there will be ongoing support
42:36from a number of private philanthropists,
42:39plus the Rotary Club of Hong Kong.
42:41Very well.
42:45We shall prepare the documentation.
42:49I'm going.
42:52Let's hope the army can help with our medical supplies.
42:55The collapse of that clinic barely made the news here.
42:58And of course, we're delighted to assist,
42:59now that we know there's a res commissioner.
43:01The sisters need all the help they can get, sir.
43:03Well, it's not disinterest because buildings fall down all the time.
43:06It's avoidance, because it's going to happen more and more.
43:10Everybody knows that, and there's nothing we can do.
43:12Because of the overcrowding?
43:13Because they just keep building upwards on insecure foundations.
43:17One misplaced mudslide could obliterate Kowloon.
43:19At least we can improve on the human side of things.
43:24Morning, Major.
43:25Morning, Corporal.
43:26I'm coming with my best party manners and a begging bowl.
43:42Really, it's extraordinarily kind of you to accompany us, Mrs. Buckle.
43:45I thought it may be necessary to tell untruths, sister,
43:53and I thought if that was the case, then better me than you.
43:57Mrs. Buckle, have you told untruths?
44:00No!
44:02I may have slightly preempted one or two realities,
44:05although I'm sure the Rotary Club will be only too pleased to offer their support.
44:10I'm sorry if you make contact and explain the situation.
44:14I don't even ask about the private philanthropists.
44:18One of them is me.
44:20And I'm sure there will be others.
44:33It's not just the TB kits and penicillin I'm grateful to the Major for.
44:42It's use of the Army labs for processing the tests.
44:46Oh, it's all well and good, the sisters having faith in God.
44:50But I reckon the military beat him every time.
44:53The military is certainly better organised.
44:56Well, I suppose they have to be the same as the police,
44:58especially with all this triad malarkey.
45:01Just like the Kray Twins, and then some.
45:04I've stitched wounds inflicted by the Kray Twins.
45:08They never bothered us.
45:10More than an artist's house.
45:11In fact, the sisters were revered.
45:14I don't reckon the triad revered the sisters here.
45:17If they did, they would help them.
45:19I think you're right.
45:21You know, violence, Eric, says there's somebody triad
45:26in every street that people have to answer to or pay.
45:30And Mrs. Ma is living in fear of someone.
45:42I'm searching for a young lady called Esther Tang.
45:46She used to live at this address
45:48and has a young boy about the same age as this little one.
45:51I wonder if you or your wife might know where she moved to?
46:03She has gone.
46:04She will not return.
46:10Miss, Miss.
46:12Esther left one week ago.
46:14Did she say where she was going?
46:17She was sick and she was afraid.
46:20Don't look for her, please.
46:21Grace, can I ask your name?
46:24Grace, don't look.
46:27Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
46:44Let your heart be light.
46:47From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.
46:53Merry Christmas, merry, merry Christmas.
46:56Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
47:01Make the yuletide gay.
47:03Once again, as in olden days, happy golden days of yore.
47:20Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more.
47:27Joyce, Trixie's supposed to be doing our makeup, but there's no sign of her.
47:38She's not the only one who knows what to do with a bit of eye shadow.
47:41And if she doesn't turn up on time, our floater's leaving without her.
47:44Isn't it going to look a bit feeble with just the three of us?
47:47We are midwives.
47:49Not the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
47:51Pack, pack, pack.
47:53You are all to visit the toilets now and come straight back here as soon as you have washed your hands.
48:00Now, Harry, who has arrived from university just in time to help us tonight,
48:06is now going to hand out cough candy to help us all with our singing.
48:11Come on!
48:12Come on, please!
48:14Come on, what's up, sir?
48:16Me!
48:16Oh, my God!
48:18Promise me you'll always have me home for Christmas.
48:20We're going to be late, Geoffrey.
48:24If you were content with boarding a carnival float, wearing improperly attached angel wings,
48:30well, I can assure you I wasn't.
48:32Oh, for pity's sake, pushing this pram through snow is like dicing with insanity.
48:38What's that?
48:39It's a walking stick.
48:42It's actually rather elegant.
48:44I think it's got a solid silver top.
48:47Oh, no, no, sis, I know this.
48:49This belongs to one of my Harley Street patients, Maurice Templemore.
48:53He was an enormous film star when the talkist first came out.
48:56What's it doing here in Poplar?
48:58Also, if there's one thing I do know,
48:59if you find a walking stick lying on the ground,
49:02you're likely to find its owner nearby and lying in a similar position.
49:06Sir!
49:06No, Maurice Templemore cannot be in Poplar.
49:10I doubt he even knows where Poplar is.
49:12He must have been burgled.
49:13Sir!
49:15Sir!
49:15Are we here?
49:21I'm terribly sorry.
49:22I seem to have rather overstretched myself.
49:27Mr. Templemore?
49:29Please don't call me that.
49:31Not here.
49:31I'm not sure.
49:38I'm not sure.
49:41I'm not sure.
49:43I'm not sure.
49:44I'm not sure.
49:48There's no way that I'm not sure.
49:49Merry Christmas.
50:19What are you doing in this insalubrious part of town?
50:31You're in the same insalubrious part of town.
50:34You're not well.
50:35I know that because you said so when I was sorting out your fibrositis.
50:40A blood disorder, you told me.
50:42What kind of blood disorder?
50:44A malignant one.
50:47But I didn't tell him that.
50:49I was born in this flat when the paper shop was a greengrocer.
50:59My father came all the way from Russia straight off the boats.
51:04All he knew was beets and turnips and so he made a life from that.
51:09And you made a life out of different things entirely?
51:11Little Manny Fisher became Moise Templemore.
51:17New York, Hollywood, and then home.
51:21Well, London's West End.
51:24Instead of the East End and a life of comfortable obscurity.
51:29Everyone had gone.
51:36Your family had gone.
51:44Here, here.
51:45All manner of humanity that I once loved had gone.
51:53So I've come home to die.
51:56Mr. Templemore, you live in Belgravia.
51:58Not anymore.
52:00And I'm no longer Mr. Templemore.
52:04There I truly was.
52:05He needs medical care, sis.
52:12And I'll arrange that in the morning.
52:14But at this precise moment in time, we have a carnival to catch.
52:18Come along.
52:19I used to make...
52:22I used to make the moment.
52:26Oh, no.
52:28No.
52:29A baby.
52:30Left to be found.
52:31This happened all the time at the hibiscus clinic.
52:42A girl.
52:43I've not pushed it more than two days old.
52:47And the cord looks to have been chewed through.
52:49Oh, my God.
52:51Oh, my baby.
52:52Oh, it's okay.
52:54Oh, dear.
53:01Oh, my God.
53:31What do you mean we can't have a house on Half Lotus Street?
53:35We have the keys and we have paid the deposit.
53:39It is not suitable.
53:40Oh, it's extremely suitable.
53:42And we can move there immediately with the children and our adult patients.
53:46The man who owns the building say no.
53:48Give me the keys.
53:49If we are to return them, it can only be in exchange for the money we have paid.
54:04Give me the keys.
54:09Keys.
54:09Esther is a very, very important person to our family.
54:18It's as though they have both vanished.
54:20Throw it a third piece.
54:21Only doctors deliver my forceps.
54:23Everyone's bringing a bottle.
54:26Run by a crook who calls himself the Cormorant.
54:29A gangster of the worst kind.
54:31Nisifred and the top.
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