- 7 hours ago
S00E18 Christmas Special 2025 Part1
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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,
00:18and the wheel of the year kept turning.
00:22But once again we gather, as the sky grows cold.
00:27The leaves have tumbled, the fresh snow falls.
00:32Pages turn as new doors open, time and time and time again.
00:45Medical supplies packed and labelled and ready for hand delivery to the brunch house.
00:50A biscuits clinic? You think you should write on it in Chinese?
00:54Hong Kong is a British colony. I'm quite sure everyone is competent in our mother tongue.
01:00I detect a want of enthusiasm in your visit.
01:04When adventure beckons, you should embrace the cook.
01:08This trip is a wonderful opportunity for Violet to see her son.
01:12And the sisters at the clinic will be so grateful for these supplies.
01:17I'll just be glad of a chance to run an errand, if I'm honest with you, Sister Julian.
01:21There's talk of cocktail parties.
01:24We're all a pair of nose reindeer, had a pair of shiny nose.
01:32And if you ever saw it, you will even say it blows.
01:38All of the other reindeer, used to love and call him names.
01:45Kevin, I've told you before, stay inside the lines.
01:51The lines represent the edges of the lorry.
01:57You two, Teddy, we don't want you falling off the flute and getting run over.
02:02Do you think they're going to need bigger rolls for their mouths, Mrs Turner?
02:06I'm worried that they're going to be deprived of oxygen.
02:11Oh, please, please, don't anyone stop singing on my account.
02:16Hello, Diane.
02:17You'll go down in history.
02:25Oh, now, pack.
02:27What do we say when a very important lady, like Mrs Buckle, our mayor,
02:31is kind enough to come and visit us?
02:33Good evening, Mrs Buckle.
02:37Thank you, pack.
02:38Now, off you pop and work on your knots.
02:41It's all set out on the tables.
02:43One piece of cord between two.
02:47I've bought a dozen pairs of brown tights for the reindeer.
02:51I managed to get them on a special order.
02:54But you'll not get lads of this age to wear tights, Mrs Buckle.
02:57Well, you'll have to tell them that it's in a good course.
03:00I mean, the whole Christmas carnival is in a good course.
03:04Erm, elastic, black felt squares, erm, sleigh bells and WD-40.
03:13What's that for? To oil the sled runners?
03:16Fred needs to do the paper shop bell before we leave.
03:19Mrs Buckle, go.
03:21Go.
03:22Go to Hong Kong.
03:24And do not give the Christmas carnival a second thought.
03:27Oh, Mrs Buckle!
03:39I'm sorry.
03:40Oh!
03:41I'm sorry, Mrs Turner.
03:42I'm not quite sure which way is up this evening.
03:45I wondered if you could take a tiny parcel to Hong Kong for me.
03:49It's a letter and some photographs for May's mother.
03:53We haven't heard from her for over a year.
03:56But the sisters say they still see her from time to time with her little boy.
04:00Of course, I'll take it.
04:02It must all be, well, such a worry.
04:04I used to fret about my Derek when he was in the Navy.
04:08But now he's in the Hong Kong police.
04:11They have to wear guns, is his turn.
04:14It makes me nervous.
04:16You'll be back by Christmas with wonderful memories.
04:20And we've got Reggie coming home.
04:22I'm already hoping that it will be snowing for him.
04:25Whoever guesses the mystery ingredient in this year's chutney
04:32gets to eat the first mince pie and make a wish.
04:35I'm getting definite top notes of tamarind.
04:39Have you been on another cooking course?
04:41No.
04:42Matthew took her to Antigua for their wedding anniversary.
04:44Oh!
04:45It's mango!
04:46Ah!
04:47Yes!
04:48It's good to hear you're moving back to London, lass.
04:53Matthew has to stay in New York until autumn.
04:55And John T's starting pre-prep at Easter.
04:58I needed to get him home and settled.
05:01Sister Julianne, I will be free for midwifery duty
05:04should you be short-staffed.
05:05We very seldom are at present.
05:08Things have been remarkably quiet.
05:10I have offered her a receptionist role
05:12at my new osteopathy practice on Harley Street,
05:14but no dice, apparently.
05:16You're only there four hours a week.
05:17Nevertheless, his couch sees a constant parade of celebrities,
05:21by all accounts.
05:22Celebrities!
05:23Coming to you with their crooked necks.
05:25I hope you're going to name names.
05:27Professional discretion is my watchword.
05:30Have a mince pie.
05:39Fred!
05:40Have you seen the time?
05:41We're going to miss the plane!
05:42The party was running late,
05:44and I didn't want to disappoint the kiddies.
05:46Get in the cab.
05:47You can change out who you've got costume on the way.
05:49.
05:50.
05:51.
05:56.
05:59.
06:07.
06:11.
06:13Please, let me knock my hanky and put it on my head, Vi.
06:30No, we'll get you a nice, smart Panama hat
06:34as soon as we've left these parcels with the sisters.
06:38We're looking for a sign that says Hibiscus Street.
06:43Derrick says it should be written in Chinese as well as English.
06:59There it is.
07:00The building has collapsed.
07:16Stay back, please.
07:18The building has collapsed.
07:19Please stay back.
07:20Kido!
07:22Kido!
07:34Kido!
07:35I'm sorry to intercept you, sister, but Mrs. Buckel has just telephoned from Hong Kong.
07:56It's about the branch house.
08:00How on earth can an entire building just collapse?
08:03I've never heard of anything so colonial.
08:05There were rumours that the ground in that area was unstable.
08:09But whatever the cause, it's the consequences that are truly shocking.
08:14Sister Alice and Sister David were both killed.
08:16Oh, no.
08:17Along with the doctor who worked with them.
08:19Some of the children in the nursery did not survive.
08:22Meanwhile, the maternity ward has been destroyed.
08:26The sisters are homeless.
08:27And the people who depend upon them are scattered across Kowloon.
08:31Once they have overcome this, they will need somewhere to live and carry on their work.
08:35Now, they need a doctor.
08:37They need nurses and they need midwives.
08:40In short, Sister, they need us.
08:43I keep thinking we should be making Christmas trees for the carnival, not palm trees.
08:52The theme of the float is a Caribbean Christmas.
08:56There's going to be a steel band playing carols and a gospel choir.
09:00Love.
09:00Are these the palm trees?
09:07Mm-hmm.
09:08I'm starting to think we should be making jacarandas.
09:11So, what's this letter you want to talk to me about?
09:15If ten days on the ground in Hong Kong means that we can get them through this crisis, I am more than happy to put a locum in the surgery.
09:25And, Sister Veronica, you must go.
09:28You were three years at that ranch house.
09:30You're the only one with even a glancing knowledge of the way things work out there.
09:34I will go wherever I'm told.
09:36I will do whatever I'm told.
09:37Very well.
09:38Dr. Turner will go, as will Nurse Crane, Sister Veronica, and myself.
09:45So, this man, this Mr. Fisher, who writes with an educated hand from an address in Belgravia, wants to rent this flat with immediate effect?
09:56For a period of time that he is unable to specify.
09:59For an amount that we are free to name.
10:02You'll call me ruthless if you want to.
10:04But, Pastor Robinson, what I make of it is money for the church.
10:10Running a church is always going to cost somebody something.
10:13I'll find somewhere else to lay my head for a week or two.
10:16The truth is, I'm more worried about me missing you over there than I am about me being missed over here.
10:22You were vital to everything when we were in South Africa.
10:25And I came home with Teddy on the way.
10:28Look, Timothy is quite old enough to hold the fort if you came to Hong Kong.
10:34He's home on study leave for a month.
10:37Patrick, I'm needed here.
10:42That's the last bucks, Miss Higgins.
10:47Dr. Elise Watkiss is our first choice for locum cover.
10:51She's young but has excellent GP experience.
10:54I will attend to the necessary paperwork.
10:57Timothy, you might call the pharmacy regarding the export forms whilst I see to this.
11:01Yes, Miss Higgins.
11:02The posters have turned out an absolute treat.
11:06I found a photo that must have been taken years ago.
11:08And you'll never guess what.
11:10You can see it clear as day now it's blown up life-size.
11:13Look at that.
11:15Well, look.
11:16Oh, it's me.
11:18As a baby.
11:20Before we even knew her.
11:23I would recognise her anywhere.
11:25Come on, ladies.
11:27Dig as deep as you can.
11:29Merry Christmas.
11:29Merry Christmas.
11:30Thank you very much.
11:32Every penny counts.
11:33Don't be shy.
11:42Some of these clothes are ours, Mom.
11:44Yes.
11:44I went up into the loft and there were bags full of woolies that went back years.
11:50This was mine.
11:51I remember this.
11:53You had it when you first arrived from China.
11:58Would you rather we didn't send it off?
12:00The radio reporter says, ready when you are.
12:06Ten-year-old May Turner has a special reason for helping with the appeal today.
12:10Can you tell the listeners what it is, May?
12:13I was born there.
12:16A photograph of May, aged 12 months and held safely in the arms of a Nonnatus nun,
12:21features on posters for the rescue mission.
12:24As the Nonnatus sisters are popular headies to help,
12:26do you have a message for people listening, May?
12:31Please give all you can.
12:38Because
12:38some of the children there have nothing.
12:50Sister Hilda will be joining the Nonnatus party at Heathrow.
12:53At least that's only one plane we have to meet, Fred.
12:57Derek, you're eating the lime marmalade.
13:01I'm not going to lie to you.
13:02I've laid awake at night dreaming of this stuff.
13:05Thanks for bringing it.
13:06And the mustard.
13:07Proper taste of home.
13:09It's even got English written on the tin.
13:12Fred and I were wondering about popping over to Kowloon
13:14to see if there's anything we can take the poor sisters.
13:17Mum, Kowloon isn't the East End.
13:19Nobody pops over there.
13:21Not to that bit of it, anyway.
13:24Hibiscus Street's about as dodgy as it gets.
13:26Drugs, prostitution, smuggling.
13:28Makes you wonder why the sisters are so keen to stay there.
13:32Well, it's the same as popular, isn't it?
13:33Bad things happen.
13:35Good people saw you out.
13:36Best people in the world couldn't sort Triad out.
13:38What is Triad, Derek?
13:40Organised crime.
13:41It's invisible and it's everywhere.
13:45I got used to Tim not being here because he's at medical school.
13:50What I can't get used to is him not being here because he's in the pub.
13:56Mum and Dad.
13:59You should be in bed, Tillie Mint.
14:02We've been talking.
14:03It's very late.
14:05We've all been talking.
14:06And we all want you to go to Hong Kong, Mum.
14:09Do you?
14:10Yes.
14:12And I want you to take this.
14:24And that was confirmation that you can refer any health visitor business over to Miss Haynes at the Stepney Clinic.
14:30If I say so myself, the plan is impregnable.
14:33You, meanwhile, are the only one I trust with my Rolodex.
14:36I will guard it with my life.
14:38And Nurse Aylwood considers herself on call at any time should you require her support with any administration.
14:45I'm also available for midwifery duty.
14:47You only have to pick up the phone.
14:49It's most unlikely that it will come to that.
14:51This is a mercy mission.
14:58It's also a mercy dash and we'll be home soon.
15:01By the time we all gather here again, we will have left our friends in Hong Kong in a place of hope and of comfort and of joy.
15:13Thank you, all of you, for helping us to help them.
15:18I am reminded of spit fires streaming overhead.
15:42Disguise and fights, half known but undetermined.
15:48They'll all be home by Christmas.
15:53That was our motto.
15:56In a different womb.
15:57I still don't like the idea of you living in a bed seat.
16:10Like you'd just come off the boat.
16:11It's a better bed seat than I had in those days.
16:14It's got fitted carpets and hot water.
16:17Hold your studs.
16:20Get your studs over here.
16:21Oh, you, I take it, are Pastor C.A. Robinson of the Shining Tabernacle Church of God?
16:48And you must be Mr. Fisher.
16:51Please, come in.
16:56We got rid of the electric meter to stop the lights going out when people were testifying.
17:01And this is the bedroom.
17:14We put out thick curtains so the trains won't bother you in the night.
17:18Oh, the trains won't bother me at any time of day.
17:58I thought you'd be saying lords in your room, Sister Monica-Joan.
18:06In Hong Kong, they will be saying the Afternoon Office.
18:11And the sum does not vary, no matter from which corner of the globe we offer up our praise.
18:19I shall raise my voice with yours.
18:24It is.
18:29Come.
18:32He will not suffer thy fault to be human, and he that he will fear not sleep.
18:42He will not suffer thy fault to be human.
19:12The thing is, Dr. Turner, you just have to keep your nerve.
19:24I haven't lost my nerve, Fred.
19:27I have lost sight of the van containing all of the medical supplies and the donations.
19:31I told the driver at the airport I said they were to follow immediately behind us.
19:36I wonder what you were saying.
19:38You sounded commendably forceful.
19:40We just have to hope you said what you thought you said.
19:43If we have any problems whatsoever, my Derek has told me which police station to go to and to use his name.
20:01That's one of our sisters.
20:02Sister Eve, I greet you in Lord Jesus Christ's name.
20:18We greet you likewise.
20:19There is much to be considered.
20:32Seven day, I have them upstairs.
20:36Sick nun, sick children.
20:39And we could not be more grateful.
20:42See that term Cantonese?
20:45I know.
20:47Not important.
20:48Trouble.
20:49I know also.
20:50You have trouble.
20:52Come.
20:52Help.
21:03We can't all be living here.
21:06Onward, I can hear the child crying.
21:12I believe Sister Simon will need to go to hospital and have her wrist reset under anaesthetic.
21:37And I suspect Sister Prudence has a broken collarbone.
21:42We're going to have to stand them all down and send them for hospital treatment.
21:48When did the diarrhea start?
21:50Before the cough or after?
21:52Doctor, I know what ails me.
21:55I have tuberculosis.
21:57Are you sure?
21:59Or do you simply fear it?
22:01Miliary tuberculosis.
22:02The worst kind.
22:04Tuberculosis is so very contagious.
22:06It has spread from my lungs throughout my body.
22:10I have little time left to live.
22:13When were you diagnosed?
22:14The day the clinic collapsed.
22:17I was told by our doctor, Dr. Lee.
22:21I took myself out for a walk whilst she arranged for me to go to a sanatorium.
22:28And when I returned, there was no clinic.
22:33And no doctor.
22:35And no bed in a sanatorium.
22:40And no choice but to carry on handling the children.
22:43You're a kind, nurse.
22:59Just doing my job, Raph.
23:00The least main treatment for preeclampsia is bed rest.
23:05Both these ladies have had that rudimentary, though the beds may be.
23:10Once we've unpacked, I'll ask them to oblige me with some samples and get the dipsticks out.
23:19This is infected.
23:21I don't think it's been properly cleaned.
23:23Is it any wonder with them all huddled up here without even the barest essentials?
23:27Not to mention ignoring their own injuries.
23:31If you ask me, the sisters work miracles enough just keeping everyone alive.
23:37And now it's our turn.
23:41This bag reminds me of a cash and carry.
23:44There must be a gross of tin bamboo shoots in this box and enough soy sauce to float about with it.
23:51Do you reckon Mrs. Marr would mind if we move stuff about?
23:54We'll have to ask her, Fred.
23:57I know she's a Christian convert and she has been very accommodating, but these are her premises.
24:04I need the labelled crates and medical supplies, Fred.
24:07We have to run urgent TB tests on everyone.
24:09Have a rear, Doc.
24:10Excellent. Excellent.
24:15No.
24:17No, no, no, no.
24:20These have been forced open.
24:24It's all gone.
24:29Is that the new Vista Sanatorium?
24:31Ngoy, I have a very sick lady who requires urgent admission.
24:37Koi Huben.
24:38Ngoy sai.
24:39You have been charity itself, Mrs. Marr.
24:42I'll hold.
24:42You took the sisters in and gave them food and shelter.
24:45Only to your rescue.
24:47You are rescue.
24:48Now you're all gone.
24:50But we have nowhere else to go.
24:52We will find a new clinic.
24:55We will find a new convent.
24:56But we cannot do that today.
24:59It's not safe.
25:01Why is it not safe?
25:07You stay.
25:08Stay now.
25:10But go soon.
25:12And use back door, not front.
25:13Linnata's house.
25:22Midwife speaking.
25:23Can I bring my wife to the maternity home, please?
25:25Of course, sir.
25:27What name is it?
25:29She says what name?
25:31Diane Mary Edgar!
25:33Diane Mary Edgar!
25:35I made myself a cup of coffee, Miss Higgins.
25:41Do you want one?
25:42Uh, thank you.
25:43I generally keep myself in check until 11 is.
25:48Your white coat should be hanging on the back of the door of the consulting room.
25:51Would you like me to fetch it?
25:52It's fine.
25:53I don't need it yet.
25:54We've got bad coughs coming in at half past nine, in ten past ten, and at eleven.
25:59All in the over-50 age group.
26:01Have these patients been referred to the East London Chest Clinic?
26:03I'm sure they have, if Dr. Turner considers that appropriate.
26:07Excellent.
26:09I'll have a quick rummage through their notes, just to make sure.
26:11The files are through here, aren't they?
26:12They are indeed.
26:14No fluids in the filing room, if you'd be so kind.
26:24Perfect work.
26:30You certainly know what you're doing.
26:32Oh, I feel terrible about bringing those reindeer heads.
26:35I'd have never gotten finished otherwise.
26:38Good morning.
26:39May I help you?
26:40My name's Queenie Forsythe.
26:41My daughter's in child bed.
26:43We arrived last night.
26:46That's six massive pushes I've done now.
26:50It's not budging, nurse.
26:51Let's get you back on the bed, and then I can examine you.
26:56We'll soon have a better idea of your progress.
26:59I'm telling you now, there hasn't been any.
27:01This one's not playing the same game as my others.
27:04Oh, my!
27:17No!
27:19My wife's calling.
27:23Good gracious.
27:24This is like the first day of the sale in here.
27:27Can we open one of those windows and let in a bit of air?
27:30How long have you been feeling that you need to push, child?
27:33I don't know.
27:34Every time they yell at me to push, I try.
27:37Five hours. Five hours, she's been at it.
27:41Okay, honey.
27:43Until we know what's what, you must not push.
27:45Do you hear me?
27:46You must not push.
27:49I am not a bossy woman, but I am being bossy now.
27:51How much did your other babies weigh, Diane?
27:57Seven pounds, six and eight pounds, nine.
27:59Darren was like giving birth to a sofa.
28:01This one feels like a ruddy three-piece suite and a coffee table.
28:05I think baby might be on the bonny side,
28:08but I don't think he's read the book that tells him how to line up nicely for delivery.
28:13Doctor, could you pop across and speak to Dr. Watkins?
28:17It's ROT.
28:21A right occipitotransverse.
28:25And quite a big baby.
28:27But my dad, Dr. Turner, always attends in the event of any transverse position.
28:32Well, I'd better come through then.
28:35That poor girl started pushing long, long before she was ready.
28:39Has she damaged her cervix?
28:40It's not torn, but it's so swollen.
28:42I can actually see it at the entrance to her vagina.
28:45No, baby's going to get through that unless we bring that swelling down.
28:48We need ice.
28:52Ice?
28:53I think I saw a refrigerator.
28:56If we don't make this work, she'll need a cesarean section.
28:59Diane, don't cry.
29:02There are all sorts of things we can do to get things moving.
29:05Would Dr. Turner try the Von Tooth's, do you think?
29:09No.
29:10He always uses forceps in a transverse position.
29:12In which case, we'll continue with trial of labour.
29:21We'll transfer you to St. Cuthbert's if we get no joy.
29:23Oh, no, no, no.
29:33Timothy, this won't do.
29:36Nenauta's house.
29:38If you pursue midwives, they are all abroad.
29:41Or otherwise at large.
29:42Is there nobody there at all?
29:45Nurse Clifford has a multi-parous woman in obstructed labour.
29:49Nenauta's house.
29:49Someone doesn't know how to use forceps.
29:51Supply the details and I will provide the advice.
29:56You're going to be grateful to me in the long run,
29:58but I'm not going to lie to you and say this ice pack
30:01is the nicest thing you've ever had, slip underneath your covers.
30:07Are you allowed to have things like that?
30:10I don't get the chance very often.
30:11It's freezing.
30:18Serves you right for being disrespectful.
30:24Diane, we need you head down and with your bottom in the air.
30:29This position will stretch your pelvic ligaments
30:32and give the baby enough room to adjust its head position.
30:35I hope you have that on good a foray.
30:37The best authority you can possibly imagine.
30:39Let her have a little nap.
30:45Is there anything else wrong with her?
30:47I don't think so.
30:48But Queenie, women need skilled help when they're given birth.
30:52Especially when it's their first.
30:53I took her to the doctor when she first knew that she'd fallen.
30:56We were up in the far north then.
30:58You forget where you've been.
31:01I haven't decided where you're going.
31:02And besides, I went to the hospital with me last one.
31:08I wouldn't venture that again.
31:10I'll examine her.
31:12That's hope it's worked.
31:15I just want to lie down.
31:17Baby has shifted position, Diane.
31:19All we need to do now is make things with gravity.
31:26I'm going to have to push.
31:27That's all right, Diane.
31:29You give it everything you've got.
31:32This is the bit where I'm glad I did the enema.
31:33I fear verbal instructions alone would not suffice.
31:42Verbal instruction has done more than you could possibly imagine.
31:45Baby's head is beginning to crown.
31:50The swelling has gone down, Marie.
31:52But I need you to do exactly as I say.
31:55Listen to Nurse Hyland.
31:56On the next one, I want your chin on your chest.
31:58And a slow, quiet, steady push.
32:03Slow.
32:04Slow.
32:05Quiet.
32:07Steady.
32:14We've got the head.
32:17Come on.
32:18You can do it.
32:19Keep it coming.
32:21Keep it coming.
32:28Is he a boy or a girl?
32:30I'm afraid I can't tell.
32:31I've got something in my eye.
32:36Can you see Sister Monica Joan?
32:39I can see every aspect of the miracle.
32:42You have a daughter.
32:52This stinging will end soon, Marie.
32:54Just breathe.
32:55Just breathe.
32:56And we have a head.
33:00Stand down, honey.
33:03We also have Macaulia.
33:08The midwife says we need an ambulance.
33:09Oh, God.
33:10Come on.
33:40little boy, Marie.
33:43All will be well, Marie.
33:46I promise you, all will be well.
33:59He must be baptised.
34:01Now. There'll be a chaplain
34:02at the hospital, Queenie. This is his home
34:04and he is not leaving his mother's arms
34:06until he is baptised.
34:10Well,
34:12Dr. Watkiss's curriculum vitae
34:15stated very clearly she is
34:17fully trained in obstetrics.
34:19She has now revealed that in almost
34:21five years of GP practice,
34:23she has only delivered two babies,
34:25neither with any complications.
34:26That's the way it is these days.
34:28We're all trained in obs and gynae, but
34:30the expectation is that almost every baby
34:33will be born in hospital.
34:34Dr. Watkiss wanted to continue trial of labour,
34:37but we couldn't countermand her because she's more senior.
34:39And next time, we may not have
34:42Sister Monica Joan to call on.
34:43Any wisdom I have was hard won
34:46in the days when there might have been
34:48no doctor to send for.
34:49We were wise out of necessity.
34:53And you are skilled
34:54in your own right.
34:57Nevertheless,
34:58I will not permit this to happen again.
35:01I am sending for Nurse Aylward.
35:03Lord Jesus Christ,
35:09who took little children in your arms
35:11and blessed them,
35:13hold this infant, Luke Michael,
35:15in your matchless love
35:16today and always.
35:19Fill his mother and father
35:20with your peace
35:21and cherish him
35:23according to thy will.
35:24Amen.
35:27Amen.
35:27Amen.
35:28Amen.
35:32I keep thinking.
35:39May's mother was a nanny
35:41for a British service family.
35:43Is it worth asking
35:44if the army have any record of her?
35:46She would have just been
35:48cheap, casual labour.
35:52After she lost her job,
35:54she must have been desperate.
35:57And where would desperation
35:58take you in a city of this size?
36:02We have to find out.
36:05Esther Tan gave us
36:06the greatest gift we've ever had.
36:08And we can't abandon her.
36:12No, we can't.
36:13Sister Hilda.
36:23Are you lying awake
36:24for the same reason
36:25that I'm lying awake?
36:26I don't know.
36:28Well, I'm lying awake
36:31because we've flown
36:32halfway around the world
36:33on a rescue mission.
36:34And if we get thrown
36:35out of this place
36:36by Mrs. Marr,
36:37we're going to be
36:37in as much need of rescue
36:38as anyone else.
36:41The injured.
36:42And the six sisters
36:44are leaving in the morning.
36:46Sister Edith to the sanatorium
36:48and the other sisters
36:49to the Roman Catholic hospital.
36:50We have orphans to care for
36:52and expectant mothers,
36:55any one of whom
36:55could have caught TB.
36:57And out in the street,
36:58there are prostitutes
36:59and addicts
37:00who will look to ask for help.
37:02I know there are.
37:03But we will pray
37:04and we will wait
37:06to see what love can do.
37:08and we will pray
37:38ORGAN PLAYS
38:08I'm sorry, Miss Higgins.
38:12I've been through all of these cases
38:14and there are at least half a dozen
38:15who should be at St Cuthbert's and not here.
38:17Well, Mr Parry himself expressed satisfaction with our care.
38:21Good afternoon, ladies.
38:22Dr Watkiss, I presume.
38:25Nurse Elwood.
38:26Sister Elwood, as it happens,
38:27I've accepted a promotion during the absence of Dr Turner,
38:30under whom I've worked for 16 years ever since I qualified.
38:33So we have three mothers over 40,
38:39two gestational diabetes,
38:40and Maureen Santaro, I know already,
38:43she had her first set of twins with us.
38:45Second set isn't unheard of.
38:46I've never handled a multiple pregnancy, Sister.
38:49Well, there's always a first time.
38:51Dr Watkiss and I will call ourselves Cubicle 1,
38:53send them all to us, and we'll see how we do.
38:54Hello?
39:05Queenie!
39:07Have you brought Marie?
39:09She's still above in the hospital with the baby.
39:11He's after taking the antibiotics.
39:14She's doing grand.
39:17It's me that needs to see you.
39:21Are you expecting, Queenie?
39:22Under this coat and having me ninth.
39:26You don't shout about it when you get to my age.
39:30But I heard what you and the other nurse was saying.
39:35I need skilled help.
39:37If you want it, we'll make sure you get it.
39:39I do want it.
39:41My last was a stillborn.
39:43Even though I had it in hospital.
39:46I'm so sorry that happened to you, Queenie.
39:48But we're going to walk beside you now.
39:56I'll start by filling in your co-op card.
39:58A tin of carnation milk here, if you please.
40:13Ah, and a quarter of humbugs, if you'll be so kind.
40:19No, no, no, no, no, no.
40:20Perhaps just two ounces.
40:22I do not consume them in any conspicuous place.
40:24You don't want them all turning sticky at the bottom of the bag.
40:28No.
40:36Oh!
40:37I thought I heard that.
40:39It catches.
40:42Doesn't it?
40:42I think Mr. Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.
40:49He must have forgotten.
40:51But then I...
40:52I thought I'd imagined it.
40:56But now...
40:58It catches.
41:03It's all very well and good complaining that all the people who can deliver babies have gone to Hong Kong.
41:08I'm more concerned that all the people who can sew have gone to Hong Kong.
41:11You're always waving your magic wand and producing costumes, Geoffrey.
41:15And no one's going to see the details.
41:17It's for a carnival.
41:18Everything's going to be moving past at speed.
41:20Well, moving past.
41:22I'm an ideas man.
41:24And a contacts man.
41:25I'm not a needle and thread man.
41:27And it was not my idea to dress up the midwives of Nonata's house as angels complete with ostrich feather wings.
41:33I thought we could do it with just a bit of cotton and sticking.
41:35Like Rosalind in our Christmas trees.
41:37They're palm trees.
41:39I heard rumours the sewing machine was out.
41:41Angela just tried on her spoon costume and ripped it.
41:45Oh, you look like you could do with a snowball, honey.
41:48Do you want some maraschino cherry in it?
41:50I'll have two.
41:51What sort of wounds have they taught you to suture at medical school?
41:55Oh, my highlights include closure of incision after two appendectomies.
41:59And I did a rugby play scalp once.
42:02Needle, thread.
42:03If you want a cocktail, you're going to have to earn it.
42:05This is not the way I intended my service to end.
42:21It's a patient in a sanatorium.
42:25You have given all you can, Sister Edith.
42:29That is enough and more.
42:32It was the children I lived for and loved the best.
42:36I remember your daughter well.
42:40May?
42:41Oh, she's ten years old now.
42:44And so many children pass through the orphanage.
42:47Hmm.
42:49I took medicine to her mother, Esther.
42:51Three months ago, she was living out on Tau Street, number 122.
43:01The numbers daubed on on the door.
43:04Sister Edith, do you think she might still be there?
43:07She was there once and not too long ago.
43:11Beyond that, I cannot say.
43:21The sooner we are able to move into the premises,
43:35the better it will be for the people in our care.
43:37I can even overlook the pigeon infestation for a small reduction in the rent.
43:43Down payment will be 2,000 Hong Kong dollars.
43:47The sisters have the funds for that,
43:49and there will be ongoing support
43:51from a number of private philanthropists,
43:54plus the Rotary Club of Hong Kong.
43:59Very well.
44:00We shall prepare the documentation.
44:05I'm going.
44:07Let's hope the army can help with our medical supplies.
44:11The collapse of that clinic barely made the news here.
44:13And of course, we're delighted to assist
44:15now that we know there's a res commissioner.
44:17The sisters need all the help they can get, sir.
44:19It's not disinterest because buildings fall down all the time.
44:22It's avoidance.
44:23Because it's going to happen more and more.
44:26Everybody knows that, and there's nothing we can do.
44:28Because of the overcrowding?
44:29Because they just keep building upwards on insecure foundations.
44:33One misplaced mudslide could obliterate Kowloon.
44:36At least we can improve on the human side of things.
44:41Morning, Major.
44:41Morning, Corporal.
44:42I'm coming with my best party manners and a begging bowl.
44:46Really, it's extraordinarily kind of you to accompany us, Mrs. Buckle.
45:02I thought it may be necessary to tell untruths, sister.
45:10And I thought if that was the case, then better me than you.
45:14Mrs. Buckle, have you told untruths?
45:17No.
45:18I may have slightly pre-empted one or two realities,
45:23although I'm sure the Rotary Club will be only too pleased to opt this court.
45:28Once I make contact and explain the situation.
45:33I don't even ask about the private philanthropists.
45:36One of them is me.
45:38And I'm sure there will be others.
45:40It's not just the TB kits and penicillin I'm grateful to the Major for.
46:00It's use of the Army labs for processing the tests.
46:05So well and good, the sister 7-5 in God.
46:08But I reckon the military beat him every time.
46:12The military is certainly better organised.
46:15Well, I suppose they have to be the same as the police,
46:17especially with all this triad malarkey.
46:21Just like the Kray twins, and then some.
46:24I've stitched wounds inflicted by the Kray twins.
46:27They never bothered us.
46:29More than not, it's house.
46:31In fact, the sisters were revered.
46:34I don't reckon the triad revered the sisters here.
46:36If they did, they would help them.
46:39I think you're right.
46:41You know, violence derrick says there's somebody triad
46:45in every street that people have to answer to or pay.
46:50And Mrs. Ma is living in fear of someone.
46:52Oh, I'm searching for a young lady called Esther Tang.
47:07She used to live at this address and has a young boy about the same age as this little one.
47:12I wonder if you or your wife might know where she moved to?
47:24She has gone.
47:25She will not return.
47:26Miss, Miss, Esther left when we could go.
47:36Did she say where she was going?
47:38She was sick and she was afraid.
47:41Don't look for her, please.
47:43Can I ask your name?
47:46Grace, don't look.
47:49Grace, don't look.
48:19Grace.
48:19Grace, do you mind?
48:32Grace.
48:34One square two.
48:43Two square two.
48:43Joyce, Trixie's supposed to be doing our makeup, but there's no sign of her.
49:03She's not the only one who knows what to do with a bit of eyeshadow.
49:06And if she doesn't turn up on time, our floater's leaving without her.
49:10Isn't it going to look a bit feeble with just the three of us?
49:12Yes. We are midwives. Not the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
49:17Pack, pack, pack.
49:19You are all to visit the toilets now and come straight back here as soon as you have washed your hands.
49:27Now, Harry, who has arrived from university just in time to help us tonight,
49:32is now going to hand out cough candy to help us all with our singing.
49:36Come on!
49:38Help me!
49:40Oh, my God!
49:41Promise me you'll always have me home for Christmas.
49:48We're going to be late, Geoffrey.
49:51If you were content with boarding a carnival float, wearing improperly attached angel wings,
49:56well, I can assure you I wasn't.
49:58Oh, for pity's sake, putting this pram through snow is like dicing with insanity.
50:04What's that?
50:06It's a walking stick.
50:09It's actually rather elegant.
50:11I think it's got a solid silver top.
50:13Oh, no, no, sis, I know this.
50:17This belongs to one of my Harley Street patients, Maurice Templemore.
50:20He was an enormous film star when the Torkist first came out.
50:23What's it doing here in Poplar?
50:25Also, if there's one thing I do know, if you find a walking stick lying on the ground,
50:29you're likely to find its owner nearby and lying in a similar position.
50:33Sir!
50:34No.
50:35Maurice Templemore cannot be in Poplar.
50:38I doubt he even knows where Poplar is.
50:39He must have been burgled.
50:41Sir!
50:41Sir!
50:41Sir!
50:43Are we here?
50:49I'm terribly sorry.
50:50I seem to have rather overstretched myself.
50:56Mr. Templemore?
50:57Please don't call me that.
50:59Not here.
51:11Grace Fear.
51:35Bye.
51:37Bye.
51:39Bye.
51:39Bye.
51:41What are you doing in this insalubrious part of town?
52:02You're in the same insalubrious part of town.
52:06You're not well.
52:07I know that because you said so when I was sorting out your fibrositis.
52:11A blood disorder, you told me.
52:14What kind of blood disorder?
52:16A malignant one.
52:19But I didn't tell him that.
52:26I was born in this flat when the paper shop was a greengrocer.
52:31My father came all the way from Russia straight off the boats.
52:36All he knew was beets and turnips.
52:38And so he made a life from that.
52:42And you made a life out of different things entirely?
52:44Yes.
52:45Little Manny Fisher became Moise Templemore.
52:50New York, Hollywood, and then home.
52:53Well, London's West End instead of the East End, and a life of comfortable obscurity.
53:05But everyone had gone.
53:09Your family had gone.
53:10All manner of humanity that I once loved had gone.
53:28So I'd come home to die.
53:30Mr. Templemore, you live in Belgravia.
53:32Not anymore.
53:33And I'm no longer Mr. Templemore.
53:38There I truly was.
53:44He needs medical care, sis.
53:47And I'll arrange that in the morning.
53:49But at this precise moment in time, we have a carnival to catch.
53:52Come along.
53:53I'll be in your home plate.
53:55I used to admit...
53:56I used to admit...
53:58Oh, no.
54:02No.
54:04A baby.
54:05Left to be found.
54:11This happened all the time at the herbiscus clinic.
54:17A girl.
54:18I've not put her at more than two days old.
54:22And the cord looks to have been chewed through.
54:25Oh, my.
54:26Oh, my.
54:27My baby.
54:28Oh, god.
54:29It's okay.
54:30Oh.
54:31Oh, my god.
54:32Give her.
54:33Give her a hug.
54:35Give her a hug.
54:38All right.
54:39ORGAN PLAYS
55:09What do you mean we can't have a house on Half Lotus Street?
55:12We have the keys and we have paid the deposit.
55:16It is not suitable.
55:17It's extremely suitable.
55:19And we can move there immediately with the children and our adult patients.
55:23The man who owns the building say no, give me the keys.
55:32If we are to return them, it can only be in exchange for the money we have paid.
55:39Give me the keys.
55:45The keys.
55:47The keys.
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