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