- 2 days ago
S00E19 Christmas Special 2025 Part2
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00:00How else can an entire building just collapse?
00:03Esther Tankev is the greatest gift we've ever had.
00:06And we can't abandon her.
00:08So I've come home to die.
00:10My last was a stillborn.
00:12No!
00:13It's her baby, left to be found.
00:16It's not safe.
00:18Give me the key.
00:30We don't get snow in the Caribbean, but nothing's ever perfect.
00:35I don't think it could be more perfect.
00:41Keys.
00:42Money.
00:44I'm afraid it really is that simple.
00:47Who let it simple?
00:50We have paid a deposit on that rental.
00:53You mistake our intentions, sir.
00:56We are a religious order.
00:58And we've come here to do good, not harm.
01:03We're doing women's work.
01:05I'm surprised it's of any interest at all to men.
01:08With guns or without.
01:10The other sister said they were doing Jesus' work.
01:13Jesus' work belongs to DEVIL!
01:17Give him the keys.
01:26Poor kid!
01:36Wait, wait!
01:37Wait, boys!
01:38Get off, get off!
01:39Get off, get off, get off!
01:48Good job!
01:49Good job!
01:50No as always this time goes,
01:51best perfect look!
01:54What if he samped upлиз Quickly?
01:55It took your money, all of it.
02:03Do not be kind to me.
02:06You were at least as frightened as we were of that man.
02:09And I suspect you have been so for a great deal longer.
02:13Has he been here before, Mrs. Ma?
02:17Many times I pay him to keep my business safe.
02:21I think you need to pay someone to keep you safe from him.
02:24Mrs. Ma, what has happened here tonight is not acceptable.
02:28If we have brought trouble to your door, that is not acceptable either.
02:33And we will move on as soon as we are able.
02:40You keep holding her clothes while I check her temperature.
02:45Do you think she's opioid addicted, sister?
02:49You've more experience of that than me.
02:52It's a different type.
02:54I think she's cold and hungry.
03:01Feels the want of her mother's arms around her.
03:06Babies are not ignorant creatures.
03:08Ladies, Nurse Clifford and I were wondering, since everything's now running smoothly,
03:19whether we might be permitted to have a little seasonal gathering here at the Narcissus house?
03:24I love the idea of a seasonal gathering, but it's certainly not up to me to give permission.
03:29It would really just be ourselves, plus a few of our friends from nursing and hospital circles.
03:39Will there be popular music playing, and will there be dancing, and the presence of young men?
03:46Well, Cyril will be coming, and we thought we'd invite Harry Chopra and Timothy.
03:53I consider myself persuaded.
03:56Life is short.
03:59And Christmas, as we are so frequently reminded, comes but once a year.
04:06Morning.
04:07I'm looking for Queenie.
04:08I'm looking for Queenie.
04:09I'm looking for Queenie.
04:10I'm looking for Queenie.
04:11Queenie, I know it's hard to talk about what went wrong with the baby that you lost.
04:21But not talking might make it harder, in a different way.
04:30I think this Wendoline is dried.
04:32If you pass me a rag, I can get ahead with it.
04:43They said I wasn't deceived.
04:47Even though I heard it cry, Queenie, if you heard your baby cry, it wasn't stillborn.
04:55It was a girl.
04:58They told me that.
05:00I said I wanted her baptized.
05:03But they said that the priest came too late.
05:08If you don't feel like eating, then you must try and keep up your liquids.
05:15Soup would be particularly good.
05:17Soup?
05:18I never cared much for soup.
05:20When I was a child, soup was a sign that ends were not meeting.
05:24But now, soup is a sign that I am meeting my end.
05:30You don't have to joke about this, Mr. Fisher.
05:34Not unless you want to.
05:36Nothing really matters now but your comfort.
05:39And there are things we can do with regard to that.
05:42Even though there are things that we can't change.
05:45Isn't that right, Nurse?
05:47That's absolutely right.
05:49What would you most like to happen over the next few weeks, Mr. Fisher?
05:54I came here because I wanted to come home.
05:57But I failed to allow the fact that home is where your family are.
06:01Or were.
06:04Mine are all gone, so...
06:07Ghosts are good companions for the heart.
06:12But they're not company.
06:15Are you saying you don't want to be alone?
06:26I asked the midwife what happened to the baby.
06:30All she would say was she had the biggest eyes.
06:33And she said biggest like it was a compliment.
06:38She was kindly.
06:41Two other nurses came in and watched me.
06:44Touring.
06:45I was dirty.
06:47I heard one of them say that my baby had no head.
06:57They knew they were lying because the kindly midwife...
07:02Said that she had the biggest eyes.
07:05I wish I could tell you what happened to your daughter.
07:09But I can tell you the truth.
07:13That she was loved.
07:16Loving's not the same as being baptized though, is it?
07:20I believe it's very similar.
07:27More hot water.
07:36Now you have to give her name.
07:38Chinese and English.
07:40What's your name?
07:42I'm afraid it's not very with it.
07:44It's Phyllis.
07:45It is too hot to say.
07:47We sisters all have two names too.
07:50The one we were born with.
07:52And the one we took when we gave our lives to Jesus.
07:54What yours?
07:55Pamela.
07:56Semi-classical.
07:57With rather a nice ring to it.
07:59Hmm.
08:00Hmm.
08:01Hmm.
08:02Well, but...
08:03Sister Julienne was baptized Louise.
08:05I know two bar-girls called Louise.
08:09You a bon name?
08:11Uh, Beryl.
08:12Beryl Boros.
08:13Although the surname isn't relevant.
08:15Beryl's a precious stone, isn't it?
08:18And we can't say this one isn't a little gem.
08:23Beryl.
08:24It is.
08:25Hmm.
08:26Ha-ha-ha.
08:27Tag her.
08:29HINGLE
08:30DR.
08:31Turner Surgery?
08:32Oh, Miss Higgins.
08:33I've been offered half a dozen shifts on male surgical.
08:36At St. Cuthbert's?
08:37Uh, yes.
08:38I'll be supernumerary, but it's under Mr. Borelli.
08:41Mr. Borelli is held in the very highest regard.
08:46Oh, I assume, however, that if you take up this chance,
08:48it may threaten the stability and security of the children's routine.
08:52It could be devastating.
08:56Queenie's had no complications at all in this pregnancy,
09:00apart from mild anemia, despite her age,
09:03and despite the fact that it's her ninth.
09:06But she is desperately anxious.
09:09Well, does she think the same disaster might be visited again?
09:12How can I tell her it won't?
09:14If I don't know what happened either.
09:20Oh, that's clever.
09:22It is a better use for this contraption
09:25than the plucking up and putting on of shoes,
09:27which is supposedly its purpose.
09:31Sister Annika Jo, I wondered if I might ask for your help.
09:41It's good.
09:42Certainly stable.
09:45You're doing well, lass.
09:46What is lass?
09:48It means girl.
09:51It's what we call a term of endearment.
09:54It's a way of being kind.
09:57My mother used to say,
09:59Lerner.
10:00Where is your mother, Yuchan?
10:02In our village, in Guangdong,
10:05if she's still alive.
10:10Could you write to her a letter?
10:15She does not know how to read.
10:20I don't know what to say.
10:22Come on, come here.
10:28I have a baby.
10:32We need you to stay well and happy
10:36until this baby comes.
10:39I'll be your mother until then.
10:44Hibiscus Street isn't part of my division,
10:56but it's notorious, even within Kowloon.
10:59There are four branches of Triad active in Hong Kong
11:02and they run everything.
11:04Gambling, prostitution, drugs, the whole nine yards.
11:07Which is why our work there is so essential.
11:10The old clinic came under a branch
11:12run by a crook who calls himself the Cormorant.
11:15The Cormorant?
11:16He's a Liverpool Chinese.
11:18Born there and deported here during the war.
11:21Never went back.
11:22Why should he?
11:23He's made a decent living over here.
11:25Runs a nightclub called the Crimson Lantern
11:27and other rackets.
11:28How come you know all this,
11:30but crime's still running rampant?
11:32Knowing what Triad are doing
11:34doesn't mean we can stop them.
11:35We don't want to put you in a difficult position, Derek,
11:38but the sisters need advice.
11:41My advice is they should look for premises
11:44outside the Cormorant's area.
11:46They've done something to offend him
11:48and he won't let it go.
12:05Oh, Esther.
12:24Oh, where did you appear from?
12:26I've seen entrances on stage like that.
12:30Generally, they involve a trap door.
12:32The landlord provided the key
12:35and the district nurse hung it on a string
12:37inside the letterbox.
12:40What year were you born?
12:431897.
12:46Then you cannot be the child I delivered in this chamber.
12:50I did not arrive in Poplar until 1903.
12:53My brother Sammy.
12:54He was born in 1903.
12:58And the others came after him.
13:01Then you must be the child with the large round eyes
13:06that sat on the bed
13:08and watched as I bathed this infant sibling.
13:12You had a remarkable gaze.
13:15Even then.
13:16Yes, I remember that.
13:18And I hope I remember you.
13:22I am most grateful for your assistance.
13:25Good day.
13:29Harry.
13:29Yes, Auntie?
13:31Miss Higgins.
13:33Just while we're in the surgery.
13:35Now, take Dr Watkins her coffee.
13:37Then I need you to go to the records office for me.
13:41All right.
13:48And that was our kindly supporter at the British Army base
13:51informing us that Sister Prudence
13:54also tested positive for tuberculosis.
13:57And so have two of the children.
13:59This is a really vicious strain.
14:02Thank goodness we've all been vaccinated.
14:04We will have to get them transferred to the sanatorium
14:07and fumigate their room as well as Sister Edith's.
14:09Patrick, there's something you need to see.
14:15Hello, Teddy, dear.
14:24Teddy, whatever happened to the Christmas tree?
14:27Petula knocked it down.
14:29Where are the girls?
14:31In their bedroom.
14:33Playing with nail varnish.
14:34Nail varnish?
14:36Angela and May Turner.
14:37Turn up.
14:39Hello, Miss Higgins.
14:44I have brought savoury mince and a peach blancmange.
14:47You will come and eat it.
14:49After which, we will re-elect the Christmas tree,
14:54erase all evidence of these manicures,
14:57and discuss a plan for the remainder of your parents' absence.
15:01There are photographs and letters in this bag that we sent to Esther from England.
15:10There are also what look to be her personal belongings.
15:13There's a comb and lipstick and underclothes, and a child's shoe.
15:18Mrs. Barr, Esther is a very, very important person to our family.
15:23This is her daughter, May, who is our daughter now.
15:30You make good life for this girl.
15:33But Esther has another child now.
15:36A little boy.
15:41A little boy who was missing a shoe.
15:43And possibly missing his mother.
15:46Mrs. Ma, we don't even know if they're together anymore.
15:51Sister Edith, no.
15:53You are Sister Edith.
15:54Mrs. Forsythe.
16:08The midwife who attended your little girl's birth
16:11took great care to record her birth and her death in the proper way.
16:17I said she was kindly.
16:18And it seems that your daughter was born with a condition called anencephaly.
16:23The top of her head hadn't developed in the womb as it should have done.
16:29And her brain would have been very badly affected.
16:33Could it have hurt her?
16:34No.
16:35But I heard her crying.
16:37All babies cry, Queenie.
16:40It's a sign of life.
16:43And it's beautiful.
16:45Even if that life doesn't last very long.
16:51Was it something I did?
16:53No, Queenie.
16:55It wasn't.
16:57I can promise you that.
16:59All I want to
16:59is to hold a life child in my arms
17:02and to tell it that it's mine.
17:05The child's name is Christopher.
17:15She will protect him with her life.
17:18His father wants to take him from her.
17:22And his father is a criminal.
17:24A gangster?
17:25Of the worst kind?
17:26Of the worst kind?
17:28He has offspring by numerous women.
17:32But Christopher is his only son.
17:37What has Esther done to make him turn on her like this?
17:40Every time she conceived, she came to us.
17:43Aghast that this had happened again.
17:46But all she ever wanted was love.
17:52It happens the world over.
17:54I've seen it time and time again.
17:56No, you have not seen a man like this.
18:01They call him the Cormorant.
18:05He has ordered her and her child to be hunted down like dogs.
18:09At one point, we persuaded Mrs. Ma to hide her.
18:15But Sister Edith, it's as though they are both vanished.
18:20There is one place she thought that no one could ever find her.
18:27Will you tell me where it is?
18:29I must.
18:31For when I die, the waters will close over her.
18:37What does that say?
18:38I think those two pictograms together mean for auction.
18:43We won't be going down that route.
18:45We won't be going down the rental route or the purchase route either, Sister.
18:49I'm going to have taken every penny you possess.
18:51We're quite accustomed to poverty.
18:53Yes, we gave up money when we gave up men.
18:56What about this one?
18:58It says Dancing Girls.
18:59You've dropped off property and drifted into nightclubs.
19:02I can read this one.
19:06It says Police.
19:08Huh.
19:10That one, that one, that one.
19:11We've got no apartment number, no floor number.
19:31We just have to keep on going.
19:33Keep on looking.
19:34How can she even survive like this?
19:37How can she even survive like this?
19:41I want to find her.
19:50I just don't want to find her here.
19:52I want to find her.
20:08Help.
20:09Esther?
20:11Esther?
20:14Esther?
20:16Esther?
20:16Can we talk to you?
20:19I have Mrs. Turner with me.
20:39Hello, Hugh.
20:40You must be Christopher.
20:42I'll be waiting to meet you.
20:46Do you keep forgetting that it's advert?
20:52Yes.
20:52And it's not even the absence of cold that I marvel at.
20:55It's the absence, the absolute erasure of weariness.
20:59Do you feel it too?
21:00I've never felt such energy in years.
21:03You have to let us get you out of here.
21:06To somewhere where you can be nursed and given food and shelter.
21:10I don't go out.
21:12I stay here.
21:13I always stay here.
21:16The altar in the corner is beautiful, Esther.
21:19I pray always for you.
21:21And for the souls of my parents.
21:24They had no sons.
21:26Christopher's father wants him very much, doesn't he?
21:29He will give him a wicked life.
21:31Make his child a criminal.
21:32Sisters, I don't doubt your sincerity.
21:39And I do accept that you and your associates have been targeted by local undesirables.
21:45Triad.
21:46Let's call a spade a spade, shall we?
21:48We have been targeted by triad.
21:50The Order of St. Raymond and Nautas have given shelter to abandoned babies, provided medicine and alternative employment to street girls, and persuaded addicts to turn their backs on heroin.
22:02So, that, according to Mrs. Ma, is our crime.
22:07A young man enslaved to drugs is at the mercy of his masters.
22:11He will do whatever he is asked to do in exchange for the one thing that will give his body peace.
22:17But if he is freed from addiction, if he finds there is a better way to live, he will turn his back on crime itself.
22:25They become free men.
22:27And, sometimes, police informants.
22:31I'm not going to deny that.
22:33Then you cannot deny the fact that we are doing you a service, and in so doing, warrants your protection.
22:40And how do you propose that we provide that?
22:42Property is vacant. Third column across. Fourth paragraph down.
22:49This was an annex of the old training school.
22:52No longer in use. Standing empty. And, crucially, still in police possession.
23:02I can't believe we're leaving them.
23:05We are coming back tomorrow with food. They're both sick, Sheila.
23:09But I need to run some tests on the little boy.
23:12There's something very, very wrong with him.
23:24Mind your fingers!
23:25Everything's under control!
23:27What?
23:28I need tasters!
23:30Joyce, you can pronounce judgment on the whiskey cream punch.
23:34Sears, I want your opinion on the coconut frappe.
23:39That's going to give my snowballs a run for them, aren't you?
23:41I know. It slips down like a tart stocking, doesn't it?
23:44Sis?
23:45It's divine.
23:46Call me a miracle worker. It's mainly condensed milk.
23:50Oh, Geoffrey, that's going to make it very calorific.
23:52It's Christmas. I have personally declared an amnesty on slenderizing.
23:55I've just been observing a bowel and anastomosis.
24:05That's nice.
24:06I asked you around the canteen. I've drummed up a few more for the party.
24:09Miss Higgins is staying the night with the children.
24:13Everyone's bringing a bottle.
24:14Minnata's house. Midwife speaking.
24:21Nurse Hilward, are you able to come to the maternity home?
24:23Queenie Forsyth has just arrived.
24:25Hello, Mum.
24:32Busy again?
24:34I've managed to persuade Hong Kong Rotary Club to offer a modest grant to the sisters to set up a new clinic.
24:42I'm trying to work out if it will stretch.
24:46Chin up. Sun's over the yard on.
24:48Derek, gin and tonic.
24:51Madam?
24:51Thank you, Grace.
24:52I'm not sure. I wouldn't normally imbibe when I've got the ready reckoner app.
24:56Mum, please, take a break.
24:58Please stop doing stuff. Stop doing sums.
25:01It's all I can ever remember.
25:02You with your head in a column of figures.
25:05It's who I am, Derek.
25:07I know.
25:08But I'd love it not to be.
25:10Just for half an hour.
25:11Just while we have a drink together.
25:13In the sun.
25:14Shall we do something together tomorrow?
25:18All right.
25:29Very good.
25:42Esther.
25:44I think Christopher may have a problem with his kidneys.
25:47I need to take him to a hospital.
25:51No.
25:52We'll stay here.
25:54Will you let doctor examine you now, Esther?
25:58We can talk about Christopher after that.
26:04Esther.
26:06You have breast milk soaking through your clothing.
26:09You don't still feed Christopher, do you?
26:12No.
26:15There is no baby.
26:18Not here.
26:19Have you given birth to another child, Esther?
26:23If there is another baby, will you tell us where it is?
26:28I leave my daughter where she will be safe.
26:36I leave her with sisters on the step of the restaurant in a box.
26:42Two copies of the pickwick papers.
26:51One from the popular public library.
26:55The other from mine own shelves.
26:58I am driven from my heart by the frivolities of youth.
27:04I have fond memories of the frivolities of youth.
27:07The appreciation of such pleasures pass me by.
27:13Any regrets?
27:15That is between myself and the Almighty.
27:17We can take you back with us, Esther.
27:27We can reunite you with your baby.
27:29I cannot go back to Hibiscus Street.
27:31My daughter is saved and my son's not.
27:33Esther.
27:34Have you had to choose one child over the other?
27:38My son's father only want him.
27:40He will kill for him.
27:42Is this man the cormorant your little girl's father too?
27:46I made you life.
27:47I thought he was a better one.
27:50A better man.
27:53I was wrong.
28:04You all got to move with an eye.
28:06I did it.
28:07When do you think it's a good time to start party games?
28:22I don't think it's ever a good time to start party games.
28:25Oh, so well.
28:26This house is full of nooks and crannies.
28:28It's just crying out for a game of sardines.
28:30I have Tux and Marie and Baby Luke up for the night in the side halt.
28:45They're both fast asleep already.
28:46Nurse Aylward, could you listen to Baby's heartbeat for me?
28:55What's wrong with his heartbeat?
28:56Nothing's wrong, Queenie.
28:57We just like to keep an eye on things.
28:59I want to go home.
29:00I'm not good here.
29:01I can't do it.
29:02You're only married, Mother of God.
29:03I can't do it.
29:04Sweetheart, this is where you need to stay as calm as you can
29:07and save as much strength as you can.
29:09You're going to be able to start pushing this baby out soon.
29:13The heartbeat's dropping and she's exhausted.
29:15We need to get her to hospital.
29:25By now to disperse as soon as you get to the landing,
29:29all of the lights will be turned off.
29:3120 minutes doesn't count as rapid transfer in my book.
29:34I'm afraid.
29:35The practice doctor is not answering her telephone
29:37and the flying squad are not available.
29:39We need an ambulance as soon as possible.
29:42I hoped I'd find you.
29:50Now this is a good part of the game.
29:54It's bedlam out there.
29:56There are three medical students in the airing cupboard.
29:59Why don't we just go to your bed sitter for a bit?
30:02This is all getting so raucous.
30:05As long as we don't do anything improper.
30:09We never do anything improper.
30:12The rules of the studio couch are very firmly established.
30:15Hmm.
30:16If you haven't got the strength to push, just pant, Queenie.
30:25The ambulance is on its way.
30:28Queenie, would you like us to wake Marie?
30:30And she could come and hold your hand.
30:31No, I'd be after worrying about her.
30:34I have seven children alive and living under work.
30:37But the only one I can think about now is the one inside of me.
30:41I need to hold it in my arms.
30:44We've had half an hour of second stage contractions and there's been no descent of the head.
30:52I'm going to deliver this baby now.
30:55My forceps.
30:56The only doctors deliver my forceps.
30:58Sister, we don't have the luxury of making that distinction.
31:01This baby's heartbeat isn't picking up and if we delay, we're going to lose it.
31:05I'm not sure I know what the rules of this game are.
31:13I mean, we are sat in a cupboard with no drinks and there's no room for dancing.
31:18So we have to wait to be discovered and then the next person who discovers us has to squeeze in.
31:25And the next one, then the next one.
31:26Right.
31:29Found you.
31:30What do we do now?
31:36We wait, apparently.
31:41Well, to misquote Captain Oates, I'm coming in.
31:49And that may be some time.
31:52Oh, can I smell old clothes?
31:55Yes.
31:57My whole childhood's flashing before my eyes in here.
31:59I can see the jumper I wore in grammar school.
32:03Oh, I see nurse's uniforms.
32:07And a nun's habit.
32:09Ow.
32:11Sweetie, I know you're tired.
32:12But three women are stronger than one on her own.
32:15We're going to work together to get this baby out and in your arms.
32:22Together.
32:23Queenie, do you hear that?
32:24We're all going to join forces.
32:25Yes.
32:29Will you tell me when you can see his head?
32:37Geoffrey Franklin, Timothy Turner, Harry Chopra.
32:40What are you doing in my bedroom?
32:42Good things come to those who wait.
32:44Geoffrey!
32:45Try to bear down, Queenie.
32:47As soon as you feel the next contraction, bear down.
32:49Now.
32:55Queenie.
33:00Here.
33:11Queenie.
33:12Queenie.
33:14Queenie.
33:15I can hear the olympics.
33:17Queenie.
33:18And it's out.
33:27No ambulance required.
33:38Shh.
33:42Do you hear that, Queenie?
33:44Isn't that a beautiful sound?
33:45Glory be, but I love you.
33:49You are mine.
33:51And you are complete.
33:54And you are mine.
33:57And you're crying.
33:58They didn't even tell me if you're a boy or a girl.
34:01Oh, sorry.
34:02I forgot.
34:03It's a boy.
34:15I know.
34:18I know.
34:30I know.
34:31Now.
34:31And I know.
34:32I know i'mSo.
34:33I know.
34:33I know that.
34:33The End
34:35The End
34:37The End
34:39How many old recollections
34:43and how many dormant sympathies does Christmas time awaken?
34:47Year after year, we met on that day
34:51a merry and joyous circle.
34:53Many of the hearts that throbbed so gaily then have ceased...
34:57have ceased to beat.
35:03Many of the looks that shone so brightly then
35:07have ceased to glow.
35:15The hands we grasped
35:17have grown cold.
35:21The eyes we sought have hid their lustre in the grave,
35:25and yet the old house, the room, the merry voices and smiling faces,
35:29the jest, the laugh,
35:31crowed upon our mind at each recurrence of the season,
35:33as if the last assemblage had been but yesterday.
35:37Happy, happy Christmas
35:41that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days.
35:45That said,
35:47I'm Jewish, says to Monica Joan.
35:51Well, that does not prevent us from being companions in nostalgia.
35:57Christmas is but one instance of a glimmering into the darkness.
36:01Yes.
36:03We have our Feast of Lights, too.
36:06Hanukkah.
36:08It falls
36:11almost on the same date as Christmas this year.
36:14Joyce,
36:16Mm?
36:17I'm dressed as a nurse.
36:18If it's any consolation,
36:32Joyce, I'm dressed as a nurse.
36:41If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one.
36:44Is there anything else I need to know?
36:53It's all right, honey.
36:55I think we're safe.
37:02If that unholy racket you're making is supposed to be my punishment,
37:30I accept it, as long as it's followed by strong black coffee.
37:35Oh, you'll get coffee.
37:36And it will be accompanied by a dustpan, a brush, and a pair of rubbered loves.
37:40I suppose we ought to roll up our sleeves.
37:42We? We?
37:45Geoffrey, I have been up all night delivering a baby.
37:48And I've been wielding a bucket for this poor lamb.
37:52Florence Nightingale's got nothing on me.
37:54Good morning, Rosalyn.
37:59Or should I say, Nurse Clifford?
38:01I'm sorry.
38:02I stayed the night at Cyril's.
38:04Morning orders will take place in three minutes.
38:10In our house, charlady speaking.
38:13Has no one observed that I did not sleep in my accustomed bed last night?
38:17Sister Monica Joan, this morning that is scarcely cause for comment.
38:20Our charge, Mr Fisher, fell into a decline before midnight.
38:25I assisted him to his bed, then deemed it inexpedient to leave him.
38:34Oh, good morning, Harry.
38:36The cloud of cologne on which you enter does nothing to reassure me.
38:40Would you like a cup of coffee, Harry?
38:41Merry Christmas.
38:52And thank you very much to all concerned.
39:11Little, too.
39:14Good morning.
39:24Good morning, sir.
39:28Bye.
39:28Bye.
39:33Bye.
39:38Bye.
39:39Bye.
39:39Bye.
39:40I was afraid both Christopher and his mother would test positive for TB, but I was wrong.
39:48They're clean.
39:49You weren't wrong about this, though. Unilateral renal mass.
39:52Right-hand side.
39:54There isn't a scrap of fat on him. I could feel it on palpation.
40:00Soft tissue x-ray can be quite equivocal.
40:03Nothing equivocal about this, though.
40:06Wilms tumor.
40:07Haven't seen a Wilms in general practice for nearly a decade, but...
40:11Yes, cancer of the kidney.
40:14And he's two years old.
40:16There was nothing here for him. I know that.
40:21But...
40:21Nine months ago, we did have a Remy sergeant whose daughter had it.
40:25We got the family sent back to the UK on compassionate grounds.
40:28Did they lose her?
40:29Far from it.
40:30There's a new chemotherapy being trialled at one of the London hospitals.
40:34Brutal, but spectacular.
40:37Is it working?
40:39Yes.
40:39Yes.
40:42I had a penny.
40:44A bright new penny.
40:46I took my penny to the market square.
40:49I wanted a rabbit, a little brown rabbit, and I looked for a rabbit most everywhere.
40:59For I went to the store with this old, sweet lavender.
41:04Only a penny for a bunch of lavender.
41:07Have you got a rabbit?
41:09Because I don't want lavender.
41:11They didn't...
41:12They didn't have rabbit, not anywhere there.
41:20You must be baby Beryl's mummy.
41:24Esther would like to feed Beryl.
41:26Sister, do you think she's hungry?
41:28Well, most certainly.
41:29She is a peckish little thing.
41:31I can remember lying in bed and seeing exactly this view of the snow falling.
41:58There were four of us under the eider down.
42:02David, Sammy, Isaac, and me.
42:07I have often pondered what it must be like to share a bed with others.
42:14It's more.
42:20Knock, knock!
42:22Oh, it's not a comp plan of yours again, is it?
42:25No matter how often you gussy it up with this paper umbrellas of yours, I'm still bored of it.
42:31It's actually a whiskey cream punch.
42:34A recipe that proves so efficacious at our Christmas party.
42:37I'm thinking of applying for a patent.
42:39Oh, is it?
42:40Is it?
42:43Is it the 22nd today?
42:46It's the 21st, Mr. Fisher.
42:48Oh.
42:51Then it's tomorrow.
42:53What's tomorrow, old chap?
42:55The first night of Hanukkah.
42:59Feast of lights.
43:01Would you like me to find a rabbi for you, Mr. Fisher?
43:08It wouldn't hurt.
43:15Can you just take a kitty halfway round the world, Doc?
43:18If he needs life-saving medical treatment, and his mother gives permission, yes.
43:23But you don't have to adopt him?
43:25No, thank God.
43:27It took us years to adopt me.
43:29Christopher won't have years.
43:31He may not even have months if we don't act fast.
43:34It's good of the army to donate stuff.
43:36I just hadn't reckoned on there being so much of it.
43:38We need a taxi.
43:43We're in luck.
43:44Hibiscus House, 79 Elgin Gardens, please.
43:54Blimey.
44:00You know, Mum, you've done great things.
44:02Here?
44:03In Hong Kong?
44:04Well, here, and at home.
44:06I've only heard about you being mayor in Tower Hamlets.
44:09But now I've seen you being someone, doing something in a city I can barely get to grips with.
44:14All I've done is raise a bit of money, and got people who can help, talking to people who need help.
44:21It's what I do.
44:22Perhaps because it's all I can do.
44:24Well, that's not nothing.
44:27I'm sorry.
44:28I needed evidence before I could respect you for it.
44:31There's no need to be sorry for anything, ever.
44:35You're my son.
44:40Hello, Grace, dear.
44:42Do you need something?
44:44Mr. Fred and the doctor are in trouble.
44:46What sort of trouble?
44:47Worse than trouble.
44:48They're in danger.
44:49Please, don't ask me how I know this.
44:51If you don't tell me, I can't act on the information.
44:55My husband works for the comrade.
44:57I hear talking on the phone.
45:01You're not taking my son to England?
45:27If we don't, he will die.
45:29You don't know that?
45:31You've given me no proof of that?
45:34Or any proof that you're even a doctor?
45:37I can assure you, his credentials are totally bona fide.
45:41I'm Eva Lascousa.
45:43What school did you go to?
45:45Liverpool Institute.
45:46My father had an ironmunker shop in Cornwaller Street.
45:50I probably walked way past it.
45:53When war broke out, they took me to a chef to be deported.
45:59I had an English wife I never saw again.
46:03Sometimes you lose people.
46:04Sometimes you lose people.
46:07Sometimes they're stolen.
46:09Or you are.
46:12Are you a gambling man, Dr. Tanner?
46:15No.
46:15I am. If you want my son, you have to play me for them.
46:22How about Marjohn?
46:25What cards? Poker?
46:27Shemir de Fer? Blackjack?
46:30You choose.
46:31Shemir de Fer?
47:01Shemir de Fer?
47:03Amen.
47:18Is he allowed to choose a deputy? I could play on his behalf.
47:22I don't think that would help, Fred.
47:25You can play as many games as you want.
47:28With cards, with words.
47:31Help with me.
47:33But if Christopher's life is lost, who will pray for him at your altar?
47:39Who will pray for you?
47:41Who will carry on your family line?
47:43You could have all of those things.
47:49I can find a Chinese doctor for him.
47:53I could be the one that saves his life.
47:55Or you could just have your pride.
47:58Look, it doesn't matter who saves his life.
48:01As long as it's saved.
48:04And if it is saved, I guarantee I will send him back to you.
48:09Let's continue this conversation elsewhere, shall we?
48:18Go.
48:19Doctor.
48:22Take the kit.
48:28Tell him to give him a chance.
48:30Let him breathe as nature intended him to breathe.
48:43There is no consolation for him now, in artificial air.
48:58That's her, old chap.
48:59It will take time to rebuild.
49:14It will take time to rebuild.
49:29But the foundations have been laid.
49:31Are you happy to be staying on?
49:36Yes.
49:38Because I don't doubt our purpose here.
49:42Are you happy to be going home?
49:44Yes.
49:46Because I'm more convinced than ever that our work is vital,
49:49wherever we are called.
49:51Where do you imagine we'll be called next?
49:54I don't imagine.
49:56But I will go and do whatever I am asked.
50:01Things are ticking along like clockwork, Doctor.
50:05Well done, Yuchan.
50:07Pre-eclampsia isn't easy.
50:09But you did everything you were told.
50:11Do you lie down?
50:11There's no hard work.
50:13Good lass.
50:15Good lass.
50:19I'm glad this baby's arriving before we leave.
50:23But if it's the first baby born in the new brunch house,
50:27it seems to me it should be brought into the world
50:29by one of the sisters.
50:31Yes.
50:33It should.
50:34It should.
50:44Oh.
50:46I'm keeping people waiting.
50:48They're all just as they were.
50:55When they were here.
51:00When we were all at home.
51:02A little girl, you child.
51:27Congratulations.
51:28Look at her.
51:36Just look at her.
51:38And last, she's gorgeous.
51:40You have been my mother.
51:46Now I'm hers.
51:49I give a name that always brings your face to me.
51:53We all agreed that Phyllis was too hard to say.
51:57Not this.
51:58Less.
51:58Less.
51:59Less.
51:59Less is easy to say.
52:02I'm happy to remember.
52:04I have seen death before.
52:10It is terrible.
52:12And it can be beautiful.
52:15I think today it was that.
52:18I have seen lovers come to fetch the dying.
52:22I have seen mothers come.
52:24But I have known no lover.
52:28I have born no child.
52:31And my parents spurned me.
52:35I have asked myself more often of late than in years gone by.
52:40Who will come for me when my time on earth concludes?
52:46Your sisters will come for you.
52:49Those you knew in life.
52:52Those who coached you through the novitiate.
52:55Those who knelt beside you in prayer.
52:59And by the beds of everyone you served.
53:03So many sisters will come.
53:06God can't have you yet, sister.
53:08We can't spare you.
53:15We should perhaps turn our attention for the return of those we love.
53:23The Hong Kong party.
53:26Let us light light with the living and marvel at them while we may.
53:38Christopher, you're going to give your mummy a case.
53:50Please, give him all.
53:55I have a coat to put on him as well as this cardigan.
53:59It used to belong to his sister.
54:01I like that.
54:09Bring in wops.
54:17Make sure you're smiling.
54:19Smile!
54:22Quick, quick, quick!
54:23Hey!
54:24The little boy will get better
54:35We're in here
54:36Yes, every chance he'll get better
54:38Till then we just have to take care of him
54:41And be his family
54:43Oh, they're here
54:45Oh, Miss you
54:48Oh, Miss Higgins
54:50Haven't they managed well?
54:52And this is Christopher
54:55He looks so sweet
54:56Baby Christopher
54:58Isn't he small?
55:02His hair feels like mine
55:04Christopher
55:08Couldn't be something dying to see your face
55:14Christmas can start now, can't it?
55:17Yes, it can
55:18Because I'm a tea and you're home
55:21Does Christmas come at the end of the year?
55:47Or does it provide its turning point?
55:51Is it the moment where we close the door
55:54On all that has passed
55:56In the months that have preceded it?
55:59Or is it the time where we open our arms
56:02And say, come
56:03We are ready
56:05We will embrace it all
56:07Christmas begins with a baby
56:09Therefore Christmas is all that is unknown
56:13All we must cherish
56:16And all we must shield
56:18From the winds of fortune
56:20Like a candle flame
56:21KILLING
56:33KILLING
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