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