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Call the Midwife S14E09 Christmas Specials 2025
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00:00Once upon a time, the season that is new today was old and closed and packed away.
00:08Advent had erupted into Christmas, darkness retreated in the face of light,
00:15and the wheel of the year kept turning.
00:19But once again we gather as the sky grows cold,
00:25the leaves have tumbled, the fresh snow falls.
00:29Pages turn as new doors open.
00:34Time and time and time again.
00:38Merry Christmas!
00:43Medical supplies packed and labelled and ready for hand delivery to the brunch house.
00:49A biscuits clinic? Do you think you should write on it in Chinese?
00:53Hong Kong is a British colony.
00:55I'm quite sure everyone is competent in our mother tongue.
00:58I detect a want of enthusiasm in your visit.
01:03When adventure beckons, you should embrace the cook.
01:07This trip is a wonderful opportunity for Violet to see her son.
01:11And the sisters at the clinic will be so grateful for these supplies.
01:16I'll just be glad of a chance to run an errand, if I'm honest with your sister Julian.
01:20And then there's talk of cocktail parties.
01:23We're all a pair of nose-rated,
01:28Have a pair of shiny nose,
01:31And if you ever saw it,
01:34You will leave the day it blows.
01:37Or like the other great kids,
01:42You should often call him names.
01:46Kevin, I've told you before,
01:48Stay inside the lines.
01:51The lines represent the edges of the lorry.
01:57You too, Teddy.
01:59We don't want you falling off the float 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.
02:10Oh, please, please,
02:12Don't anyone stop singing on my account.
02:16Hello, Diane.
02:25Oh, now, Pack,
02:27What do we say when a very important lady,
02:30Like Mrs Buckle, our mayor,
02:32Is kind enough to come and visit us?
02:34Good evening, Mrs Buckle.
02:38Thank you, Pack.
02:39Now, off you pop and work on your knots.
02:42It's also found on the tables.
02:44One piece of cord between two.
02:48I've bought a dozen pairs of brown tights for the reindeer.
02:52I managed to get them on a special order.
02:54But you'll not get lads of this age to wear tights, Mrs Buckle.
02:58Well, you'll have to tell them that it's in a good course.
03:01I mean, the whole Christmas carnival is in a good course.
03:05I've got a lot of clothes.
03:06Um, elastic.
03:08Black felt squares.
03:09Um, sleigh bells.
03:12And WD-40.
03:14What's that for? To oil the sled runners?
03:17Fred needs to do the paper shop bell before we leave.
03:21Mrs Buckle, go.
03:23Go.
03:24Go to Hong Kong.
03:26And do not give the Christmas carnival a second thought.
03:28Oh, Mrs Buckle!
03:41I'm sorry.
03:42Oh!
03:43I'm sorry, Mrs Turner.
03:44I'm not quite sure which way is up this evening.
03:47I wondered if you could take a tiny parcel to Hong Kong for me.
03:51It's a letter and some photographs for May's mother.
03:55We haven't heard from her for over a year.
03:58But the sisters say they still see her from time to time with her little boy.
04:02Of course, I'll take it.
04:04It must all be, well, such a worry.
04:06I used to fret about my Derek when he was in the Navy,
04:10but now he's in the Hong Kong police.
04:13They have to wear guns, Mrs Turner.
04:17It makes me nervous.
04:19You'll be back by Christmas with wonderful memories.
04:23And we've got Reggie coming home.
04:25I'm already hoping that it will be snowing for him.
04:31Whoever guesses the mystery ingredient in this year's chutney
04:35gets to eat the first mince pie and make a wish.
04:37I'm getting definite top notes.
04:39Of tamarind.
04:42Have you been on another cooking course?
04:44No, Matthew took her to Antigua for their wedding anniversary.
04:48It's mango.
04:49Yes!
04:53It's good to hear you're moving back to London, lass.
04:56Matthew has to stay in New York until autumn.
04:58And Jonty's starting pre-prep at Easter.
05:01I needed to get him home and settled.
05:04Sister Julianne, I will be free for midwifery duty
05:07should you be short-staffed.
05:09We very seldom are at present.
05:11Things have been remarkably quiet.
05:13I have offered her a receptionist role
05:15at my new osteopathy practice on Harley Street,
05:17but no dice, apparently.
05:19You're only there four hours a week.
05:21Nevertheless, his couch sees a constant parade of celebrities,
05:24by all accounts.
05:25Celebrities!
05:27Coming to you with their crooked necks.
05:29I hope you're going to name names.
05:31Professional discretion is my watchword.
05:33Have a mince pie.
05:35Fred!
05:36Have you seen the time?
05:37We're going to miss the plane!
05:38The party was running late,
05:39and I didn't want to disappoint the kiddies.
05:40Get in the cap.
05:41You could change out who got costume on the way.
05:42You could change out who got costume on the way.
05:52You could change out who got costume on the way.
05:54Wait until you get down.
05:55You sure?
05:56I really, well done.
05:58I'm sorry.
06:29Please, let me knock my hanky and put it on my head, Vi.
06:36No, we'll get you a nice, smart Panama hat as soon as we've left these parcels with the sisters.
06:43We're looking for a sign that says Hibiscus Street.
06:48Derek says it should be written in Chinese as well as English.
06:59There it is.
07:06The burning has collapsed. Stay back, please.
07:12The burning has collapsed. Stay back, please.
07:24The burning has collapsed. Please stay back.
07:26There must be fatalities.
07:50I'm sorry to intercept you, sister, but Mrs. Buckel has just telephoned from Hong Kong.
08:03It's about the branch house.
08:07How on earth can an entire building just collapse? I've never heard of anything so colonial.
08:12There were rumors that the ground in that area was unstable.
08:17But whatever the cause, it's the consequences that are truly shocking.
08:21Sister Alice and Sister David were both killed.
08:23Oh, no.
08:24Along with the doctor who worked with them.
08:26Some of the children in the nursery did not survive.
08:29Meanwhile, the maternity ward has been destroyed, the sisters are homeless, and the people who depend upon them are scattered across Kowloon.
08:39Once they have overcome this, they will need somewhere to live and carry on their work.
08:43Now, they need a doctor.
08:46They need nurses, and they need midwives.
08:49In short, sister, they need us.
08:51I keep thinking we should be making Christmas trees for the carnival, not palm trees.
09:00The theme of the float is a Caribbean Christmas.
09:04There's going to be a steel band playing carols, and a gospel choir.
09:08Are these the palm trees?
09:15Mm-hmm.
09:17I'm starting to think we should be making jacarandas.
09:19So, what's this letter you want to talk to me about?
09:26If 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.
09:34And, Sister Veronica, you must go.
09:36You were three years at that ranch house.
09:39You're the only one with even a glancing knowledge of the way things work out there.
09:43I will go wherever I'm told.
09:45I will do whatever I'm told.
09:47Very well.
09:47Dr Turner will go.
09:48You, as will Nurse Crane, Sister Veronica, and myself.
09:54So, this man, this Mr. Fisher, who writes with an educated hand from an address in Belgravia, wants to rent this flat with immediate effect?
10:05For a period of time that he is unable to specify.
10:08For an amount that we are free to name.
10:11You'll call me ruthless if you want to.
10:13But, Pastor Robinson, what I make of it is money for the church.
10:19Running a church is always going to cost somebody something.
10:22I'll find somewhere else to lay my head for a week or two.
10:25The truth is, I'm more worried about me missing you over there than I am about me being missed over here.
10:32You were vital to everything when we were in South Africa.
10:35And I came home with Teddy on the way.
10:38Look, Timothy is quite old enough to hold the fort if you came to Hong Kong.
10:43He's home on study leave for a month.
10:47Patrick, I'm needed here.
10:53That's the last box, Miss Higgins.
10:58Dr. Elise Watkiss is our first choice for locum cover.
11:02She's young, but has excellent GP experience.
11:04I will attend to the necessary paper work.
11:07Timothy, you might call the pharmacy regarding the export forms whilst I see to this.
11:12Yes, Miss Higgins.
11:14The posters have turned out an absolute treat.
11:17I found a photo that must have been taken years ago.
11:19And you'll never guess what.
11:21You can see it clear as day now it's blown up life-size.
11:25What's that?
11:26Mum, look.
11:27Oh, it's me.
11:29As a baby.
11:31Before we even knew her.
11:33I would recognize her any for you.
11:37Come on, ladies.
11:39Dig as deep as you can.
11:40Merry Christmas.
11:42Thank you very much.
11:43Every penny counts.
11:45Don't be shy.
11:54Some of these clothes are ours, Mum.
11:55Yes.
11:56I went up into the loft and there were bags full of woolies that went back years.
12:01This was mine.
12:03I remember this.
12:04You had it when you first arrived from China.
12:10Would you rather we didn't send it off?
12:13Yeah.
12:13The radio reporter says, ready when you are.
12:16Ten-year-old May Turner has a special reason for helping with the appeal today.
12:22Can you tell the listeners what it is, May?
12:25I was born there.
12:28A photograph of May, aged 12 months and held safely in the arms of a Nunatus nun, features
12:34on posters for the rescue mission.
12:36As the Nunatus sisters are popular, headies to help.
12:38Do you have a message for people listening, May?
12:41Please give all you can.
12:42Please give all you can.
12:44Please give all you can.
12:48Because...
12:52Some of the children there have nothing.
12:57Sister Hilda will be joining the Nunatus party at Heathrow.
13:07At least that's only one plane we have to meet, Fred.
13:10Derek, you're eating the lime marmalade.
13:14I'm not going to lie to you, I've laid awake at night dreaming of this stuff.
13:18Thanks for bringing it.
13:19And the mustard, proper taste of home.
13:22It's even got English written on the tin.
13:25Fred and I were wondering about popping over to Kowloon to see if there's anything we can
13:29take the poor sisters.
13:31Mum, Kowloon isn't the East End.
13:33Nobody pops over there, and not to that bit of it anyway.
13:37Hibiscus Street's about as dodgy as it gets.
13:39Drugs, prostitution, smuggling.
13:42It makes you wonder why the sisters are so keen to stay there.
13:45Well, it's the same as popular, isn't it?
13:47Bad things happen.
13:48Good people sort it out.
13:50Best people in the world couldn't sort Triad out.
13:52What is Triad, Derek?
13:54Organised crime.
13:56It's invisible, and it's everywhere.
13:59I got used to Tim not being here because he's at medical school.
14:05What I can't get used to is him not being here because he's in the pub.
14:10Mum and Dad.
14:12You should be in bed, Tillie Mint.
14:16We've been talking.
14:18It's very late.
14:19We've all been talking, and we all want you to go to Hong Kong, Mum.
14:24Do you?
14:25Yes.
14:26And I want you to take this.
14:29And that was confirmation that you can refer any health visitor business over to Miss Haynes at the Stepney Clinic.
14:45If I say so myself, the plan is impregnable.
14:48You, meanwhile, are the only one I trust with my Rolodex.
14:51I will guard it with my life.
14:53And Nurse Aylwood considers herself on call at any time should you require her support with any administration.
15:00I'm also available for midwifery duty.
15:02You only have to pick up the phone.
15:04It's most unlikely that it will come to that.
15:06This is a mercy mission.
15:13It's also a mercy dash, and we'll be home soon.
15:16By 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.
15:30Thank you, all of you, for helping us to help them.
15:46I am reminded of spitfires streaming overhead, disguise and fights half known but undetermined.
16:07They'll all be home by Christmas.
16:09That was our motto.
16:12In a different war.
16:16I still don't like the idea of you living in a bed seat, like you'd just come off the boat.
16:29It's a better bed seat than I had in those days.
16:31It's got fitted carpets and hot water.
16:36Out your stance.
16:37Get your stance, boy.
16:38I was going to get you.
16:39I was going to get you.
16:46You, I take it, are Pastor C.A. Robinson, of the Shining Tabernacle Church of God?
17:06And you must be Mr. Fisher.
17:09Please, come in.
17:10We got rid of the electric meter to stop the lights going out when people were testifying.
17:19And this is the bedroom.
17:21We put up thick curtains so the trains won't bother you in the night.
17:38Well, the trains won't bother me at any time of day.
17:40We got rid of the electric meter.
18:10I thought you'd be saying lords in your room, Sister Monica Joan.
18:25In Hong Kong, they will be saying the afternoon office.
18:29And the sun does not vary, no matter from which corner of the globe we offer up our praise.
18:38I shall raise my voice with yours and theirs.
18:44I shall raise my voice with yours.
18:45I shall raise my voice with yours.
18:57I shall raise my voice with yours.
18:59I shall raise my voice with yours.
19:12MUSIC PLAYS
19:42You just have to keep your nerve.
19:45I haven't lost my nerve, Fred.
19:47I have lost sight of the van containing all of the medical supplies and the donations.
19:52I told the driver at the airport I said they were to follow immediately behind us.
19:57I wonder what you were saying.
19:59You sounded commendably forceful.
20:01We just have to hope you said what you thought you said.
20:04If we have any problems whatsoever, my Derek has told me which police station to go to and to use his name.
20:12That's one of our sisters.
20:30Sister Eve!
20:31I greet you in the Lord Jesus Christ's name.
20:40We greet you likewise.
20:48There is much to be considered.
20:51Seven days, I have them upstairs.
20:58Sick nuns, sick children.
21:01And we could not be more grateful.
21:04Say that term, Cantonese.
21:07I know.
21:08Thank you, not important.
21:10Trouble.
21:11I know also.
21:13You have trouble.
21:14Come.
21:15Help.
21:15We can't all be living here.
21:33Onward, I can hear a child crying.
21:39There we go.
21:40Ooh.
21:40I believe Sister Simon will need to go to hospital and have her wrist reset under anaesthetic.
22:00And I suspect Sister Prudence has a broken collarbone.
22:05We're going to have to stand them all down and send them for hospital treatment.
22:08When did the diarrhea start?
22:14Before the cough or after?
22:15Doctor, I know what ails me.
22:19I have tuberculosis.
22:21Are you sure?
22:22Or do you simply fear it?
22:25Miliary tuberculosis.
22:26The worst kind of...
22:28Tuberculosis is so very contagious.
22:30It has spread from my lungs throughout my body.
22:33I have little time left to live.
22:37When were you diagnosed?
22:39The day the clinic collapsed.
22:42I was told by our doctor, Dr. Lee.
22:45I took myself out for a walk whilst she arranged for me to go to a sanatorium.
22:51And when I returned, there was no clinic.
22:58And no doctor.
23:02And no bed in a sanatorium.
23:05And no choice but to carry on handling the children.
23:08You're kind, nurse.
23:24Just doing my job, nurse.
23:25The least main treatment for pre-eclampsia is bed rest.
23:31Both these ladies have had that.
23:34Rudimentary though the beds may be.
23:36Once we've unpacked, I'll ask them to oblige me with some samples and get the dipsticks out.
23:44This is infected.
23:46I don't think it's been properly cleaned.
23:48Is it any wonder with them all huddled up here without even the barest essentials?
23:53Not to mention ignoring their own injuries.
23:56If you ask me, the sisters work miracles enough just keeping everyone alive.
24:04And now it's our turn.
24:07This place reminds me of a cash and carry.
24:10There must be a gross of tin bamboo shoots in this box.
24:14And enough soy sauce to float about with it.
24:17Do you reckon Mrs. Marr would mind if we move stuff about?
24:21We'll have to ask her, Fred.
24:23I know she's a Christian convert and she has been very accommodating, but these are her premises.
24:30I need the labelled crates and medical supplies, Fred.
24:33We have to run urgent TB tests on everyone.
24:36Over here, Doc.
24:37Excellent.
24:38Excellent.
24:41No.
24:43No, no, no, no.
24:45These have been forced open.
24:52It's all gone.
24:53Is that the new Vista Sanatorium?
24:57I have a very sick lady who requires urgent admission.
25:05You have been charity itself, Mrs. Marr.
25:09I'll hold.
25:09You took the sisters in and gave them food and shelter.
25:13Only to rescue.
25:14You are rescue.
25:16Now you're all gone.
25:17But we have nowhere else to go.
25:20We will find a new clinic.
25:22We will find a new convent.
25:24But we cannot do that today.
25:27It's not safe.
25:28It's not safe.
25:28Why is it not safe?
25:35You stay.
25:36Stay now.
25:38But go soon.
25:39And use back door, not front.
25:49Linata's house.
25:50Ridworth speaking.
25:51Can I bring my wife to the maternity home, please?
25:53Of course, sir.
25:55What name is it?
25:57She says what name?
25:59Diane Mary Edgar!
26:02Diane Mary Edgar!
26:07I made myself a cup of coffee, Miss Higgins.
26:09Do you want one?
26:10Uh, thank you.
26:11I generally keep myself in check until elevens is.
26:16Your white coat should be hanging on the back of the door of the consulting room.
26:20Would you like me to fetch it?
26:21It's fine.
26:22I don't need it yet.
26:22We've got bad coughs coming in at half past nine, and ten past ten, and at eleven, all
26:28in the over fifty age group.
26:29Have these patients been referred to the East London Chest Clinic?
26:32I'm sure they have, if Dr Turner considers that appropriate.
26:36Excellent.
26:37I'll have a quick rummage through their notes, just to make sure.
26:40The files are through here, aren't they?
26:41They are indeed.
26:43No fluids in the filing room, if you'd be so kind.
26:45Perfect work.
26:59You certainly know what you're doing.
27:01Oh, I feel terrible about bringing those reindeer heads.
27:04I'd have never got them finished otherwise.
27:07Good morning.
27:08May I help you?
27:09My name's Queenie Forsythe.
27:11My daughter's in child bed.
27:12We arrived last night.
27:13That's six massive pushes I've done now.
27:20It's not budging, nurse.
27:22Let's get you back on the bed, and then I can examine you.
27:26We'll soon have a better idea of your progress.
27:28I'm telling you now, there hasn't been any.
27:31This one's not playing the same game as my others.
27:34My wife's calling.
27:54Good gracious.
27:55It's like the first day of the sales in here.
27:57Can we open one of those windows and let in a bit of air?
28:00How long have you been feeling that you need to push, child?
28:03I don't know.
28:05Every time they yell at me to push, I try.
28:08Five hours.
28:09Five hours she's been at it.
28:12Okay, honey.
28:13Until we know what's what, you must not push.
28:16Do you hear me?
28:17You must not push.
28:19I am not a bossy woman, but I am being bossy now.
28:26How much did your other babies weigh, Diane?
28:28Seven pound six and eight pound nine.
28:30Darren was like giving birth to a sofa.
28:33This one feels like a ruddy three-piece suite and a coffee table.
28:36I think baby might be on the bonny side, but I don't think he's read the book that tells
28:42him how to line up nicely for delivery.
28:44Doctor, could you pop across and speak to Dr. Watkins?
28:49It's R-O-T.
28:54A right occipito-transverse.
28:57And quite a big baby.
28:58But my dad, Dr. Turner, always attends in the event of any transverse position.
29:04Well, I'd better come through then.
29:07That poor girl started pushing long, long before she was ready.
29:11Has she damaged her cervix?
29:12It's not torn, but it's so swollen.
29:14I can actually see it at the entrance to her vagina.
29:17You know, baby's going to get through that unless we bring that swelling down.
29:22We need ice.
29:24Ice.
29:25I think I saw a refrigerator.
29:26If we don't make this work, she'll need a caesarean section.
29:32Diane, don't cry.
29:34There are all sorts of things we can do to get things moving.
29:38Would Dr. Turner try the von Toos, do you think?
29:41No.
29:42He always uses forceps in a transverse position.
29:47In which case, we'll continue with trial of labour.
29:54We'll transfer you to St. Cuthbert's if we get no joy.
29:56St. Cuthbert's if you pursue midwives, they are all abroad.
30:14Or otherwise at large.
30:16Is there nobody there at all?
30:18Nurse Clifford has a multi-parous woman in obstructed labour.
30:22And the locum doesn't know how to use forceps.
30:24Supply the details.
30:26And I will provide the advice.
30:29You're going to be grateful to me in the long run,
30:31but I'm not going to lie to you and say this ice pack
30:35is the nicest thing you've ever had to slip underneath your coppers.
30:40Are you allowed to love for things like that?
30:43I don't get the chance very often.
30:50It's freezing.
30:52Serves you right for being disrespectful.
30:53Diane, we need you head down and with your bottom in the air.
31:03This position will stretch your pelvic ligaments
31:06and give the baby enough room to adjust its head position.
31:09I hope you have that on going to foray.
31:11The best authority you can possibly imagine.
31:16Let her have a little nap.
31:18Is there anything else wrong with her?
31:21I don't think so.
31:23But Queenie, women need skilled help when they're given birth.
31:26Especially when it's their first.
31:28I took her to the doctor when she first knew that she'd fallen.
31:31We were up in the far north then.
31:33You forget where you've been.
31:36I haven't decided where you're going.
31:39And besides, I went to the hospital with me last one.
31:43I wouldn't venture that again.
31:45I'll examine her.
31:47Let's hope it's worked.
31:48I just want to lie down.
31:52Baby has shifted position, Diane.
31:55All we need to do now is make plays with gravity.
32:01I'm going to have to push.
32:03That's all right, Diane.
32:04You give it everything you've got.
32:07This is the bit where I'm glad I did the enema.
32:13I feared verbal instructions alone.
32:17Would not suffice.
32:18The verbal instruction has done more than you could possibly imagine.
32:21Baby's head is beginning to cram.
32:26The swelling has gone down, Marie.
32:28But I need you to do exactly as I say.
32:31Listen to Nurse Hyland.
32:32On the next one, I want your chin on your chest and a slow, quiet, steady push.
32:39Slow.
32:40Slow, quiet, steady.
32:43We've got the head.
32:52Come on.
32:54You can do it.
32:55Keep it coming.
32:56Keep it coming.
32:58Is he a boy or a girl?
33:06I'm afraid I can't tell.
33:08I've got something in my eye.
33:11Can you see Sister Monica Joan?
33:15I can see every aspect of the miracle.
33:18You have a daughter.
33:29This stinging will end soon, Marie.
33:31Just breathe.
33:32Just breathe.
33:33And we have a head.
33:37Stand down, honey.
33:40We also have macorneum.
33:45The midwife says we need an ambulance.
33:46Oh boy.
33:48Oh boy.
33:49Oh boy.
33:53Oh boy.
33:54You've a little boy, Marie.
34:21I don't want him.
34:22All will be well, Marie.
34:24I promise you, all will be well.
34:37He must be baptised.
34:39Now, there'll be a chaplain at the hospital, Queenie.
34:41This is his home, and he is not leaving his mother's arms until he is baptised.
34:46Well, Dr. Watkiss's curriculum vitae stated very clearly she is fully trained in obstetrics.
34:58She has now revealed that in almost five years of GP practice, she has only delivered two babies, neither with any complications.
35:05That's the way it is these days.
35:07We're all trained in obs and gynae, but the expectation is that almost every baby will be born in hospital.
35:13Dr. Watkiss wanted to continue trial of labour, but we couldn't countermand her because she's more senior.
35:19And next time we may not have Sister Monica Joan to call on.
35:23Any wisdom I have was hard won in the days when there might have been no doctor to send for.
35:28We were wise out of necessity, and you are skilled in your own right.
35:36Nevertheless, I will not permit this to happen again.
35:40I am sending for Nurse Elwood.
35:47Lord Jesus Christ, who took little children in your arms and blessed them,
35:52hold this infant, Luke Michael, in your matchless love, today and always.
35:59Fill his mother and father with your peace, and cherish him according to thy will.
36:06Amen.
36:07Amen.
36:08Amen.
36:09Amen.
36:13I keep thinking.
36:18May's mother was a nanny for a British service family.
36:23Is it worth asking if the army have any record of her?
36:28She would have just been cheap, casual labour.
36:33After she lost her job, she must have been desperate.
36:38And where would desperation take you in a city of this size?
36:42We have to find out.
36:46Lester Tan gave us the greatest gift we've ever had.
36:49And we can't abandon her.
36:52No, we can't.
37:02Sister Hilda.
37:04Are you lying awake for the same reason that I'm lying awake?
37:07I don't know.
37:10Well, I'm lying awake because we've flown halfway around the world on a rescue mission.
37:15And if we get thrown out of this place by Mrs. Marr, we're going to be in as much need of rescue as anyone else.
37:23The injured and the six sisters are leaving in the morning.
37:27Sister Edith to the sanatorium, and the other sisters to the Roman Catholic Hospital.
37:32We have orphans to care for, and expectant mothers, any one of whom could have caught TB.
37:39And out in the street, there are prostitutes and addicts who will look to ask for help.
37:44I know there are.
37:45But we will pray.
37:47And we will wait to see what love can do.
37:50And we will pray for you.
38:20ORGAN PLAYS
38:50I'm sorry, Miss Higgins.
38:56I've been through all of these cases,
38:57and there are at least half a dozen who should be at St Cuthbert's and not here.
39:00Well, Mr Parry himself expressed satisfaction with our care.
39:04Good afternoon, ladies.
39:06Dr Watkiss, I presume.
39:08Nurse Elwood?
39:09Sister Elwood, as it happens.
39:11I've accepted a promotion during the absence of Dr Turner,
39:14under whom I've worked for 16 years ever since I qualified.
39:20So we have three mothers over 40, two gestational diabetes,
39:24and Maureen Santaro, I know already,
39:27she had her first set of twins with us.
39:29Second set isn't unheard of.
39:30I've never handled a multiple pregnancy, Sister.
39:33Well, there's always a first time.
39:35Dr Watkiss and I will call ourselves Cubicle 1,
39:37send them all to us, and we'll see how we do.
39:39Hello?
39:50Queenie!
39:52Have you brought Marie?
39:54She's still above in the hospital with the baby.
39:56He's after taking the antibiotics.
39:58She's doing grand.
40:02It's me that needs to see you.
40:04Are you expecting, Queenie,
40:08under this coat and having me ninth?
40:11You don't shout about it when you get to my age.
40:15But I heard what you and the other nurse was saying.
40:20I need skilled help.
40:22If you want it, we'll make sure you get it.
40:24I do want it.
40:26My last was a stillborn.
40:29Even though I had it in hospital.
40:30I'm so sorry that happened to you, Queenie.
40:36But we're going to walk beside you now.
40:41I'll start by filling in your co-op card.
40:52Oh!
40:54A tin of carnation milk, if you please.
40:57Ah, and, um, a quarter of humbugs, if you'll be so kind.
41:05Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
41:06Perhaps just two ounces.
41:08I do not consume them in any conspicuous place.
41:10You don't want them, ah, turning sticky at the bottom of the bag?
41:14No.
41:14Oh!
41:22Oh!
41:24I thought I heard that.
41:26It catches.
41:28Doesn't it?
41:32I think Mr. Buckle was supposed to oil it before he went away.
41:35He must have forgotten.
41:37But then I...
41:39I thought I'd imagined it.
41:41It catches.
41:48It's all very well and good complaining that all the people who can deliver babies have gone to Hong Kong.
41:54I'm more concerned that all the people who can sew have gone to Hong Kong.
41:57You're always waving your magic wand and producing costumes, Geoffrey.
42:02And no one's going to see the details.
42:04It's for a carnival.
42:05Everything's going to be moving past at speed.
42:07Well, moving past.
42:09I'm an ideas man.
42:11And a contacts man.
42:12I'm not a needle and thread man.
42:14And it was not my idea to dress up the midwives of Nonata's house as angels complete with ostrich feather wings.
42:20I thought we could do it with just a bit of cotton and sticking.
42:23Like grizzling in our Christmas trees.
42:25They're palm trees.
42:26I heard rumours the sewing machine was out.
42:29Angela just tried on her spoon costume and ripped it.
42:32Oh, oh.
42:33You look like you could do it with a snowball, honey.
42:36Do you want some araschino cherry in it?
42:37I'll have two.
42:39What sort of wounds have they taught you to suture at medical school?
42:43Oh, my highlights include closure of incision after two appendectomies.
42:47And I did a rugby player scalp once.
42:50Needle, thread.
42:51If you want a cocktail, you're going to have to earn it.
42:53This is not the way I intended my service to end.
43:11It's a patient in a sanatorium.
43:14You have given all you can, Sister Edith.
43:18That is enough and more.
43:20It was the children I lived for and loved the best.
43:26I remember your daughter well.
43:29May?
43:30Oh, she's ten years old now.
43:33And so many children passed through the orphanage.
43:36I took medicine to her mother, Esther.
43:44Three months ago, she was living out on Tow Street, number 122.
43:50The numbers daubed on on the door.
43:53Sister Edith, do you think she might still be there?
43:56She was there once, and not too long ago.
44:01Beyond that, I cannot say.
44:03The sooner we are able to move into the premises,
44:25the better it will be for the people in our care.
44:27I can even overlook the pigeon infestation
44:30for a small reduction in the rent.
44:33The outpayment will be 2,000 Hong Kong dollars.
44:37The sisters have the funds for that,
44:39and there will be ongoing support
44:41from a number of private philanthropists,
44:44plus the Rotary Club of Hong Kong.
44:49Very well.
44:51We shall prepare the documentation.
44:55I'm going.
44:57Let's hope the army can help with our medical supplies.
45:00The collapse of that clinic barely made the news here.
45:04And, of course, we're delighted to assist
45:06now that we know there's a res commission on.
45:07The sisters need all the help they can get, sir.
45:10It's not disinterest because buildings fall down all the time.
45:12It's avoidance.
45:14Because it's going to happen more and more.
45:16Everybody knows that, and there's nothing we can do.
45:18Because of the overcrowding.
45:20Because they just keep building upwards
45:22on insecure foundations.
45:24One misplaced mudslide could obliterate Kowloon.
45:27At least we can improve on the human side of things.
45:32Morning, Major.
45:33Morning, Corporal.
45:34I'm coming with my best party manners
45:36and a begging bowl.
45:50Really, it's extraordinarily kind of you
45:53to accompany us, Mrs. Buckle.
45:58I thought it may be necessary
46:00to tell untruths, sister,
46:02and I thought if that was the case,
46:04then better me than you.
46:06Mrs. Buckle, have you told untruths?
46:09No!
46:12I may have slightly pre-empted
46:14one or two realities,
46:15although I'm sure the Rotary Club
46:17will be only too pleased to opt their support.
46:20I'm sorry, make contact
46:22and explain the situation.
46:25I don't even ask about the private philanthropists.
46:28Yes, one of them is me.
46:31And I'm sure there will be others.
46:49It's not just the TB kits and penicillin
46:52I'm grateful to the Major for.
46:54It's use of the Army labs for processing the tests.
46:56Oh, it's all well and good
46:59the sisters have in faith in God.
47:02But I reckon the military beat him every time.
47:06The military is certainly better organised.
47:08Well, I suppose they have to be the same as the police,
47:10especially with all this triad malarkey.
47:14Just like the Kray Twins, and then some.
47:17I've stitched wounds inflicted by the Kray Twins.
47:19But they never bothered us.
47:22More than an artist's house.
47:24In fact, the sisters were revered.
47:27I don't reckon the triad revered the sisters here.
47:30If they did, they would help them.
47:32I think you're right.
47:34You know, violence,
47:36Derek says there's somebody triad
47:39in every street that people have to answer to
47:42or pay.
47:44And Mrs. Ma is living in fear of someone.
47:46Oh, I'm searching for a young lady called Esther Tang.
48:01She used to live at this address
48:03and has a young boy about the same age as this little one.
48:06I wonder if you or your wife
48:16might know where she moved to?
48:18She has gone.
48:19She will not return.
48:26Miss? Miss?
48:28Esther left one week ago.
48:30Did she say where she was going?
48:33She was sick,
48:34and she was afraid.
48:35Grace, don't look for her, please.
48:38Can I ask your name?
48:41Grace,
48:42don't look.
48:44Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
49:01Let your heart be locked.
49:05From now on,
49:07our troubles will be out of sight.
49:10Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
49:18Make the yuletide gay.
49:22From now on,
49:24our troubles will be miles away.
49:28All your troubles,
49:29the merry little love.
49:30Joyce, Trixie's supposed to be doing our makeup,
49:42but there's no sign of her.
49:46She's not the only one who knows what to do with a bit of eyeshadow.
50:01And if she doesn't turn up on time,
50:03our floater's leaving without her.
50:05Isn't it going to look a bit feeble with just the three of us?
50:08We are midwives.
50:10Not the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
50:12Pack, pack, pack.
50:14You are all to visit the toilets now,
50:17and come straight back here,
50:19as soon as you have washed your hands.
50:21Now, Harry,
50:24who has arrived from university
50:26just in time to help us tonight,
50:28is now going to hand out cough candy
50:30to help us all with our singing.
50:32Come on!
50:34Come on, sir.
50:38Me?
50:39Oh, my God.
50:40Promise me you'll always have me home for Christmas.
50:44We're going to be late, Geoffrey.
50:46If you were content with boarding a carnival float
50:50wearing improperly attached angel wings,
50:53well, I can assure you I wasn't.
50:55Oh, for pity's sake.
50:57Pitching this pram through snow
50:59is like dicing with insanity.
51:01What's that?
51:03It's a walking stick.
51:05Oh, it's actually rather elegant.
51:07I think it's got a solid silver top.
51:10Oh, no, no, sis, I know this.
51:13This belongs to one of my Harley Street patients,
51:15and Maurice Templemore.
51:17He was an enormous film star
51:18when the talkies first came out.
51:20What's it doing here in Poplar?
51:22Also, if there's one thing I do know,
51:24if you find a walking stick lying on the ground,
51:26you're likely to find its owner nearby
51:28and lying in a similar position.
51:30Sir?
51:31No.
51:32Maurice Templemore cannot be in Poplar.
51:35I doubt he even knows where Poplar is.
51:36He must have been burgled.
51:38Sir?
51:40Sir?
51:40Over here.
51:42Here.
51:42I'm terribly sorry.
51:48I seem to have rather overstretched myself.
51:53Mr. Templemore?
51:55Please don't call me that.
51:57Not you.
52:24Merry Christmas!
52:30Merry Christmas!
52:44Merry Christmas!
52:48Merry Christmas!
52:50Merry Christmas!
52:56What are you doing in this insalubrious part of town?
53:00You're in the same insalubrious part of town.
53:03You're not well. I know that because you said so when I was sorting out your fibrositis.
53:08A blood disorder, you told me.
53:11What kind of blood disorder?
53:13The malignant one.
53:16But I didn't tell him that.
53:20I was born in this flat when the paper shop was a greengrocer.
53:28My father came all the way from Russia straight off the boats.
53:33All he knew was beets and turnips and so he made a life from that.
53:39And you made a life out of different things entirely.
53:42Yes.
53:43Little Manny Fisher became Moise Templemore.
53:47New York, Hollywood, and then home.
53:51Well, London's West End instead of the East End and a life of comfortable obscurity.
54:03But everyone had gone.
54:07Your family had gone.
54:08Your family had gone.
54:16Here, here.
54:22All manner of humanity that I once loved had gone.
54:26So I've come home to die.
54:29Mr. Templemore, you live in Belgravia.
54:31Not anymore.
54:33And I'm no longer Mr. Templemore.
54:37There I truly was.
54:39He needs medical care, sis.
54:46And I'll arrange that in the morning.
54:48But at this precise moment in time, we have a carnival to catch.
54:51Woo.
54:52Come along.
54:53There's a baby in your home, mate.
54:54I used to make...
54:55I used to make them both.
54:56I used to make them both.
55:01Oh, no.
55:02No.
55:03A baby.
55:04Left to be found.
55:12This happened all the time at the hibiscus clinic.
55:17A girl.
55:19I've not put her at more than two days old.
55:21And the cord looks to have been chewed through.
55:24Oh, my God.
55:25Oh, my baby.
55:26Oh, my baby.
55:27Oh, my God.
55:28Oh, it's okay.
55:29Oh.
55:30Oh, my God.
55:31Hey!
55:32Hey!
55:33Hey, I'll give it back.
55:34You pay my money.
55:35Don't give money.
55:36Don't give money.
55:37Don't give money.
56:01What do you mean we can't have the house on half Lotus Street?
56:13We have the keys and we have paid the deposit.
56:17It is not suitable.
56:18Oh, it's extremely suitable.
56:20And we can move there immediately with the children and our adult patients.
56:25The man who owns the building say no.
56:27Give me the keys.
56:31If we are to return them, it can only be in exchange for the money we have paid.
56:44Give me the keys.
56:48Keys.
56:54Esther is a very, very important person to our family.
56:58It's as though they have both vanished.
57:00It's wrong with a third piece.
57:02The only doctor is delivered by forceps.
57:04Everyone's bringing a bottle.
57:07Run by a crook who calls himself the Cormorant.
57:10A gangster of the worst kind.
57:12Mr. Fred and the doctor are in trouble.
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