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Call the Midwife - Season 14 Episode 101 -
(special) Christmas Special 2025 (2)
(special) Christmas Special 2025 (2)
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00:00How on earth can an entire building just collapse?
00:23Esther Tang gave us the greatest gift we've ever had.
00:26And we can't abandon her.
00:28So I've come home to die.
00:30My last was a stillborn.
00:33No, it's a baby left to be found.
00:37It's not safe.
00:39Give me the key.
00:51We don't get snow in the Caribbean, but nothing's ever perfect.
00:56I don't think it could be more perfect.
01:02Keys.
01:03Money.
01:05I'm afraid it really is that simple.
01:09Who let it simple?
01:10We have paid a deposit on that rental.
01:14You mistake our intention, sir.
01:17We are a religious order, and we've come here to do good, not harm.
01:22We're doing women's work.
01:26I'm surprised it doesn't have any interest at all to men, with guns or without.
01:31The other sister said they were doing Jesus' work.
01:35Jesus' work belongs to the devil!
01:38Give him the keys.
01:40Please, wait, wait.
02:00Please, no!
02:01Get off, get off, get off.
02:02I took your money, all of it.
02:25Do not be kind to me.
02:29You were at least as frightened as we were of that man.
02:32And I suspect you have been so for a great deal longer.
02:36Has he been here before, Mrs. Ma?
02:40Many times.
02:41I pay him to keep my business safe.
02:44I think you need to pay someone to keep you safe from him.
02:47Mrs. Ma, what has happened here tonight is not acceptable.
02:52If we have brought trouble to your door, that is not acceptable either.
02:57And we will move on as soon as we are able.
03:03You keep holding her clothes while I check her temperature.
03:09Do you think she's opioid addicted, sister?
03:12You have more experience of that than me.
03:16It's a different type of crime.
03:19I think she's cold and hungry.
03:25Feels the want of her mother's arms around her.
03:30Babies are not ignorant creatures.
03:37Ladies, Nurse Clifford and I were wondering,
03:41since everything's now running smoothly,
03:44whether we might be permitted to have a little seasonal gathering
03:47here at Nanata's house?
03:49I love the idea of a seasonal gathering,
03:50but it's certainly not up to me to give permission.
03:54It would really just be ourselves.
04:01Plus a few of our friends from nursing and hospital circles.
04:05Will there be popular music playing and will there be dancing?
04:09And the presence of young men?
04:12Well, Cyril will be coming.
04:14And we thought we'd invite Harry Chopra and Timothy.
04:18I consider myself persuaded.
04:23Life is short.
04:25And Christmas, as we are so frequently reminded,
04:29comes but once a year.
04:34Morning.
04:35I'm looking for Queenie.
04:36Queenie, I know it's hard to talk about
04:42what went wrong with the baby that you lost.
04:46But not talking might make it harder.
04:50In a different way.
04:55I think this window lean is dried.
04:58If you pass me a rag, I can get ahead with it.
05:00They said I wasn't to see it.
05:13Even though I heard it cry.
05:16Queenie, if you heard your baby cry,
05:19it wasn't stillborn.
05:21It was a girl.
05:24They told me that.
05:26I said I wanted her baptized.
05:29But they said that the priest came too late.
05:38If you don't feel like eating,
05:39then you must try and keep up for liquids.
05:42Soup would be particularly good.
05:43Soup?
05:45I never cared much for soup.
05:47When I was a child, soup was a sign
05:49that ends were not meeting.
05:51But now, soup is a sign
05:54that I am meeting my end.
05:56You don't have to joke about this, Mr. Fisher.
06:01Not unless you want to.
06:03Nothing really matters now but your comfort.
06:05And there are things we can do with regard to that.
06:08Even though there are things that we can't change.
06:12Isn't that right, nurse?
06:14That's absolutely right.
06:17What would you most like to happen
06:19over the next few weeks, Mr. Fisher?
06:21I came here because I wanted to come home.
06:25But I failed to allow for the fact
06:26that home is where your family are.
06:29Or were.
06:31Mine are all gone, so...
06:33Ghosts are good companions for the heart.
06:40But they're not company.
06:42Are you saying you don't want to be alone?
06:45Yes.
06:45I asked the midwife what happened to the baby.
06:57All she would say was she had the biggest eyes.
07:01And she said biggest like it was a compliment.
07:05She was kindly.
07:09Two other nurses came in and watched me.
07:11I heard one of them say
07:17that my baby had no head.
07:25But I knew they were lying
07:27because the kindly midwife
07:29said that she had the biggest eyes.
07:34I wish I could tell you what happened to your daughter.
07:38But I can tell you the truth.
07:41That she was loved.
07:45Loving's not the same as being baptized, though, is it?
07:49I believe it's very similar.
07:51More hot water.
08:05Now you have to give her name.
08:08Chinese and English.
08:10What's your name?
08:11I'm afraid it's not very with it.
08:14It's Phyllis.
08:15It is too hot to say.
08:17We sisters all have two names, too.
08:20The one we were born with
08:21and the one we took when we gave our lives to Jesus.
08:24What yours?
08:26Pamela.
08:27Semi-classical with rather a nice ring to it.
08:30Hmm.
08:32Sister Julienne was baptized Louise.
08:36I know two bar girls called Louise.
08:40You a bon name?
08:41Uh, Beryl.
08:43Beryl Burroughs.
08:44Although the surname isn't relevant.
08:46Beryl's a precious stone, isn't it?
08:49And we can't say this one isn't a little gem.
08:53Beryl, it is.
08:54Beryl's a precious stone, isn't it?
08:57Tag it.
09:01Dr. Turner's surgery?
09:03Oh, Miss Higgins.
09:04I've been offered half a dozen shifts on male surgical.
09:07At St. Cuthbert's?
09:08Uh, yes.
09:08I'll be supernumerary, but it's under Mr. Beryl.
09:11Oh, Mr. Beryl is held in the very highest regard.
09:17Oh, I assume, however, that if you take up this chance,
09:19it may threaten the stability and security of the children's routine.
09:22It could be devastating.
09:27Queenie's had no complications at all in this pregnancy,
09:31apart from mild anemia,
09:33despite her age,
09:34and despite the fact that it's her ninth.
09:37But she is desperately anxious.
09:40Well, does she think the same disaster might be visited again?
09:44How can I tell her it won't,
09:46if I don't know what happened either?
09:47Oh, that's clever.
09:54It is a better use for this contraption
09:56than the plucking up and putting on of shoes,
09:59which is supposedly its purpose.
10:03Sister Annika Jo,
10:04I wondered if I might ask for your help.
10:07It's good.
10:14It's certainly stable.
10:17You're doing well, lass.
10:18What is lass?
10:20Oh, it means girl.
10:23It's what we call a term of endearment.
10:27A way of being kind.
10:28My mother used to say leu-leu.
10:32Where is your mother, Yu-chan?
10:35In our village in Guangdong.
10:39If she's still alive.
10:42Could you write to her a letter?
10:48She does not know how to read.
10:53I do not know what to say.
10:55I do not know what to say.
10:58Oh, I come here.
11:01I have a baby.
11:05We need you to stay well and happy
11:09until this baby comes.
11:15I'll be your mother until then.
11:17Hibiscus Street isn't part of my division,
11:30but it's notorious, even within Kowloon.
11:33There are four branches of Triad active in Hong Kong
11:36and they run everything.
11:38Gambling, prostitution, drugs, the whole nine yards.
11:41Which is why our work there is so essential.
11:44The old clinic came under a branch run by a crook
11:47who calls himself the Cormorant.
11:49The Cormorant?
11:50He's a Liverpool Chinese.
11:52Born there and deported here during the war.
11:55Never went back.
11:56And why should he?
11:57He's made a decent living over here.
11:59Runs a nightclub called the Crimson Lantern
12:01and other rackets.
12:03How come you know all this,
12:04but crime's still running rampant?
12:06Knowing what Triad are doing
12:08doesn't mean we can stop them.
12:09We don't want to put you in a difficult position, Derek,
12:12but the sisters need advice.
12:16My advice is they should look for premises
12:18outside the Cormorant's area.
12:21They've done something to offend him
12:22and he won't let it go.
12:24Oh, Esther.
12:47Oh, where did you appear from?
13:02I've seen entrances on stage like that.
13:05Generally, they involve a trap door.
13:08The landlord provided the key
13:10and the district nurse hung it on a string
13:13inside the letterbox.
13:14What year were you born?
13:191897.
13:21Then you cannot be the child
13:23I delivered in this chamber.
13:25I did not arrive in Poplar until 1903.
13:29My brother Sammy,
13:31he was born in 1903
13:33and the others came after him.
13:37Then
13:37you must be the child
13:40with the large round eyes
13:42that sat on the bed
13:44and watched as I bathed
13:46this infant sibling.
13:48You had a remarkable gaze
13:51even then.
13:53Yes, I remember that.
13:56And I hope I remember you.
13:58I am most grateful for your assistance.
14:02Good day.
14:05Harry.
14:06Yes, Auntie.
14:07Miss Higgins.
14:10Just while we're in the surgery.
14:11Now, take Dr. Watkins her coffee.
14:14Then I need you
14:15to go to the records office for me.
14:18All right.
14:25And that
14:26was our kindly supporter
14:27at the British Army base
14:28informing us
14:30that Sister Prudence
14:31also tested positive
14:32for tuberculosis.
14:34And so have
14:35two of the children.
14:36This is a really
14:38vicious strain.
14:39Thank goodness
14:40we've all been vaccinated.
14:41We will have to get them
14:42transferred to the sanatorium
14:44and fumigate their room
14:46as well as Sister Ediths.
14:47Patrick,
14:48there's something
14:49you need to see.
14:52Hello, Teddy, dear.
15:02Teddy, whatever happened
15:03to the Christmas tree?
15:05Petula knocked it down.
15:07Where are the girls?
15:08In their bedroom.
15:10Playing with nail varnish.
15:12Nail varnish?
15:14Angela and May Turner.
15:16Hello, Miss Higgins.
15:22I have brought
15:23savoury mince
15:24and a peach blancmange.
15:26You will come and eat it.
15:28After which,
15:29we will re-elect
15:30the Christmas tree,
15:32erase all evidence
15:33of these manicures,
15:36and discuss a plan
15:37for the remainder
15:38of your parents' absence.
15:40There are photographs
15:44and letters in this bag
15:46that we sent to Esther
15:47from England.
15:48There are also
15:49what look to be
15:50her personal belongings.
15:52There's a comb
15:53and lipstick
15:54and underclothes
15:55and a child's shoe.
15:56Mrs. Ma,
15:58Esther is a very,
16:00very important person
16:01to our family.
16:04This is her daughter, May,
16:07who is our daughter now.
16:09You make good life
16:11for this girl.
16:12But Esther has another child now.
16:15A little boy.
16:17A little boy
16:21who was missing his shoe.
16:22And possibly missing
16:23his mother.
16:25Mrs. Ma,
16:26we don't even know
16:27if they're together anymore.
16:30Sister Edith, no.
16:32You are Sister Edith.
16:43No.
16:45Mrs. Forsyth.
16:47The midwife
16:49who attended
16:49your little girl's birth
16:51took great care
16:52to record her birth
16:53and her death
16:54in the proper way.
16:56I said she was kindly.
16:58And it seems
16:59that your daughter
17:00was born with a condition
17:02called anencephaly.
17:05The top of her head
17:06hadn't developed
17:08in the womb
17:08as it should have done.
17:10And her brain
17:10would have been
17:11very badly affected.
17:13Could it have hurt her?
17:14No.
17:15But I heard her cry
17:17and all babies cry,
17:18Queenie.
17:20It's a sign of life.
17:23And it's beautiful.
17:25Even if that life
17:27doesn't last very long.
17:32Was it something I did?
17:34No, Queenie.
17:36It wasn't.
17:37I can promise you that.
17:39All I want
17:40is to hold a life child
17:42in my arms
17:43and to tell it
17:45that it's mine.
17:46that the child's name
17:55is Christopher.
17:56She will protect him
17:57with her life.
18:00His father wants
18:01to take him from her.
18:03And his father
18:04is a criminal.
18:05A gangster?
18:06Of the worst kind.
18:08He has offspring
18:12by numerous women.
18:14But Christopher
18:15is his only son.
18:18What has Esther done
18:19to make him
18:20turn on her like this?
18:22Every time she conceived,
18:23she came to us.
18:25Aghast that this
18:26had happened again.
18:28But all she ever wanted
18:31was love.
18:34It happens the world over.
18:35I've seen it
18:36time and time again.
18:38No.
18:39You have not
18:40seen a man like this.
18:43They call him
18:44the Coormorant.
18:47He has ordered her
18:48and her child
18:49to be hunted
18:50down like dogs.
18:53At one point,
18:54we persuaded
18:55Mrs. Ma to hide her.
18:57But Sister Edith,
18:58it's as though
18:59they are both vanished.
19:02There is one place
19:05she thought
19:06that no one
19:07could ever find her.
19:09Will you tell me
19:10where it is?
19:11I must.
19:13Or when I die,
19:14the waters
19:15will close over her.
19:20What does that say?
19:21I think those
19:22two pictograms
19:23together mean
19:24for auction.
19:25We won't be
19:26going down that route.
19:27We won't be
19:28going down the rental route
19:29or the purchase route
19:30either, sister.
19:32I'm going to have
19:32taken every penny
19:33you possess.
19:34We're quite
19:34accustomed to poverty.
19:36Yes, we gave up
19:37money when we
19:38gave up men.
19:40What about
19:40this one?
19:41It says,
19:42Dancing Girls.
19:43You've dropped off
19:44property and drifted
19:45into nightclubs.
19:46Oh, please.
19:48I can read this one.
19:49It says,
19:50Police.
19:52Huh.
19:52We've got no apartment
20:12number,
20:12no floor number.
20:14We just have to keep
20:16on going.
20:17Keep on looking.
20:18How can she
20:20even survive
20:20like this?
20:33I want to find her.
20:34I just want
20:36to find her here.
20:36Esther?
20:54Esther?
20:56Esther?
21:00Esther?
21:01Can we talk to you?
21:03I have Mrs. Turner
21:05with me.
21:10I know you.
21:25You must be Christopher.
21:26I'll be waiting to meet you.
21:29Do you keep forgetting
21:36that it's advert?
21:37Yes.
21:38And it's not even
21:38the absence of cold
21:39that I marvel at.
21:40It's the absence,
21:42the absolute erasure
21:43of weariness.
21:44Do you feel it too?
21:45I've never felt
21:46such energy in years.
21:48You have to let us
21:50get you out of here.
21:52It is somewhere
21:52where you can be nursed
21:53and we're given
21:54food and shelter.
21:56I don't go out.
21:57I stay here.
21:58I always stay here.
22:02The altar in the corner
22:03is beautiful, Esther.
22:05I pray always for you
22:06and for the souls
22:08of my parents.
22:10They have no sons.
22:12Christopher's father
22:13wants him very much,
22:14doesn't he?
22:15He will give him
22:16a wicked life,
22:17make his child
22:18a criminal.
22:22Sisters,
22:23I don't tell
22:24your sincerity
22:25and I do accept
22:26that you
22:27and your associates
22:28have been targeted
22:29by local
22:30undesirables.
22:32Triad.
22:33Let's call a spade
22:34a spade, shall we?
22:34We have been targeted
22:35by triad.
22:37The Order of St. Raymond
22:38and Artis
22:39have given shelter
22:40to abandoned babies,
22:41provided medicine
22:42and alternative employment
22:43to street girls
22:44and persuaded addicts
22:46and persuaded addicts
22:47to turn their backs
22:48on heroin.
22:50That,
22:51according to Mrs. Ma,
22:52is our crime.
22:54A young man
22:55enslaved to drugs
22:56is at the mercy
22:57of his masters.
22:58he will do whatever
22:59he is asked to do
23:01in exchange
23:01for the one thing
23:02that will give
23:03his body peace.
23:05But if he is
23:06freed from addiction,
23:07if he finds
23:08there is a better way
23:08to live,
23:10he will turn his back
23:11on crime itself.
23:13They become free men
23:14and sometimes
23:16police informants.
23:19I'm not going
23:20to deny that.
23:21Then you cannot deny
23:22the fact that we
23:23are doing you
23:24a service
23:24and in so doing
23:25warrant your protection.
23:28And how do you
23:29propose that we
23:29provide that?
23:32Properties vacant.
23:33Third column across,
23:34fourth paragraph down.
23:36This
23:37was an annex
23:38of the old training school.
23:40No longer in use,
23:41standing empty
23:42and crucially,
23:45still in police possession.
23:50I can't believe
23:51we're leaving them.
23:53We are coming back
23:54tomorrow.
23:54With food.
23:56They're both sick,
23:57Sheila.
23:57But I need to run
23:59some test on the little boy.
24:01There's something
24:01very, very wrong with him.
24:12Mind your fingers.
24:14Everything's under control.
24:16What?
24:17I need tasters.
24:18Joyce,
24:19you can pronounce judgment
24:21on the whiskey cream punch.
24:23Sears,
24:24I want your opinion
24:25on the coconut frappe.
24:28That's going to give
24:29my snowballs
24:29a run for the money.
24:30I know,
24:31it slips down
24:31like a tart stocking,
24:32doesn't it?
24:33Sis?
24:34It's divine.
24:35Call me a miracle worker.
24:37It's mainly condensed milk.
24:39Oh, Jeffrey,
24:39that's going to make it
24:40very calorific.
24:41It's Christmas.
24:42I have personally
24:42declared an amnesty
24:43on slenderizing.
24:44Nanata's house,
24:51midwife speaking.
24:52Hi, Trixie.
24:52I've just been observing
24:53a bowel and anastomosis.
24:55That's nice.
24:56I asked you around the canteen.
24:57I've drummed up a few more
24:58for the party.
24:59And Miss Higgins
24:59is staying the night
25:00with the children.
25:03Everyone's bringing a bottle.
25:04Nanata's house,
25:10midwife speaking.
25:10Nurse Hilward,
25:11are you able to come
25:12to the maternity home?
25:13Queenie Forsyth
25:14has just arrived.
25:18Hello, Mum.
25:22Busy again?
25:24I've managed
25:25to persuade
25:26Hong Kong Rotary Club
25:28to offer a modest grant
25:29to the sisters
25:30to set up a new clinic.
25:32I'm trying to work out
25:34if it will stretch.
25:36Chin up.
25:37Sun's over the yard on.
25:39Derek,
25:40gin and tonic.
25:41Madam?
25:41Thank you, Grace.
25:42I'm not sure.
25:43I wouldn't normally imbibe
25:45when I've got
25:45the ready reckoner app.
25:46Mum, please,
25:47take a break.
25:49Please stop doing stuff.
25:50Stop doing sums.
25:51It's all I can ever remember.
25:53You with your head
25:53in a column of figures.
25:55It's who I am, Derek.
25:57I know.
25:58I'd love it not to be.
26:00Just for half an hour.
26:02Just while we have
26:03a drink together.
26:03in the sun.
26:05Shall we do something
26:06together tomorrow?
26:09All right.
26:20Very good.
26:21Esther.
26:22I think Christopher
26:36may have a problem
26:37with his kidneys.
26:39I need to take him
26:40to a hospital.
26:42No.
26:44We'll stay here.
26:44Will you let doctor
26:47examine you now, Esther?
26:49We can talk about
26:50Christopher after that.
26:56Esther.
26:57You have breast milk
26:59soaking through
27:00your clothing.
27:02You don't still feed
27:03Christopher, do you?
27:05No.
27:07There is no baby.
27:09not here.
27:11Have you given birth
27:12to another child, Esther?
27:15If there is another baby,
27:18will you tell us
27:19where it is?
27:23I leave my daughter
27:24where she will be safe.
27:28I leave her with sisters
27:30at the step of the restaurant
27:32in the box.
27:38Oh.
27:40Two copies
27:41of the Pickwick papers.
27:43One
27:44from the
27:45Poplar Public Library.
27:47the other
27:49from mine
27:49own
27:50shelves.
27:51Oh.
27:52I am driven
27:53from my heart
27:54by the frivolities
27:56of youth.
27:57Oh, I have
27:57formed memories
27:58of the frivolities
27:59of youth.
28:01The appreciation
28:03of such pleasures
28:04pass me by.
28:06Any regrets?
28:08That is
28:09between myself
28:10and the Almighty.
28:11We can take you
28:19back with us, Esther.
28:20We can reunite you
28:21with your baby.
28:23I cannot go back
28:23to Hibiscus Street.
28:25My daughter is saved
28:25and my son's not.
28:26Esther,
28:28have you had to choose
28:29one child
28:30over the other?
28:31My son's father
28:32only want him.
28:33He will kill for him.
28:35Is this man
28:36the Cormorant
28:37your little girl's father
28:38too?
28:39I may do life.
28:41I thought he was
28:42a better one.
28:43A better man.
28:47I was wrong.
28:58You're a better
28:59woman than I expected.
29:00I mean, my baby
29:03I'm the love
29:05All in the sound
29:07of me
29:08All in my dream
29:11When do you think
29:15it's a good time
29:16to start party games?
29:17I don't think
29:17I don't think
29:17it's ever a good time
29:18to start party games.
29:19Oh, so well.
29:20This house is full
29:21of nooks and crannies.
29:22It's just crying out
29:23for a game of sardines.
29:24I've talked to Marie and baby Luke
29:38up for the night
29:38on the sideboard.
29:40They're both fast asleep already.
29:46Nurse Aylward,
29:47could you listen
29:48to baby's heartbeat
29:49for me?
29:49What's wrong with a third piece?
29:51Nothing's wrong, Queenie.
29:52We just like to keep an eye on things.
29:54I want to go home.
29:55I'm not good here.
29:56I can't do it.
29:57You're only married
29:58Mother of God.
29:59I can't do it.
29:59Sweetheart, this is where
30:00you need to stay as calm
30:01as you can
30:02and save as much strength
30:03as you can.
30:04You're going to be able
30:05to start pushing this baby
30:06out soon.
30:06The heartbeat's dropping
30:09and she's exhausted.
30:10We need to get her to hospital.
30:21By now to disperse
30:22as soon as you get to the landing,
30:24all of the lights
30:25will be turned off.
30:2720 minutes doesn't count
30:28as rapid transfer
30:29in my book, I'm afraid.
30:31The practice doctor
30:32is not answering her telephone
30:33and the flying squad
30:34are not available.
30:34We need an ambulance
30:36as soon as possible.
30:38I hope I find you.
30:46Now this is a good part of it.
30:50It's bedlam out there.
30:52There are three medical students
30:53in the airing cupboard.
30:56Why don't we just go
30:57to your bed setter for a bit?
30:59This is all getting so raucous.
31:02As long as we don't do anything
31:04improper.
31:06We never do anything improper.
31:08The rules of the studio couch
31:09are very firmly established.
31:12No.
31:12If you haven't got the strength
31:16to push, just pant, Queenie.
31:21The ambulance is on its way.
31:25Queenie, would you like us
31:26to wake Marie?
31:27And she could come
31:28and hold your hand.
31:28No, I'd be after worrying about her.
31:31I have seven children alive
31:33and living in the world.
31:34But the only one I can think about
31:36now is one inside of me.
31:37I need to hold it in my arms.
31:44We've had half an hour
31:45of second stage contractions
31:47and there's been no descent
31:47of the head.
31:50I'm going to deliver this baby now.
31:52My forceps.
31:54The only doctors deliver my forceps.
31:56Sister, we don't have the luxury
31:57of making that distinction.
31:59This baby's heartbeat
32:00isn't picking up
32:01and if we delay
32:01we're going to lose it.
32:07I'm not sure I know
32:09what the rules of this game are.
32:10I mean, we are sat in a cupboard
32:12with no drinks
32:13and there's no room for dancing.
32:16So we have to wait
32:17to be discovered
32:18and then the next person
32:20who discovers us
32:21has to squeeze in.
32:22and then the next one
32:23and then the next one.
32:24Right.
32:27Found you.
32:32What do we do now?
32:34We wait.
32:35Apparently.
32:39Well, to misquote Captain Oates
32:42I'm coming in.
32:47And that may be some time.
32:49Oh, can I smell old clothes?
32:54Yes.
32:56My whole childhood's flashing
32:57before my eyes in here.
32:58I can see the jumper I wore
33:00in grammar school.
33:02Oh, I see nurse's uniforms.
33:05And a nun's habit.
33:08Ow.
33:10Sweetie, I know you're tired
33:11but three women
33:12are stronger than one on her own.
33:14We're going to work together
33:16to get this baby out
33:17and in your arms.
33:19Together, Queenie.
33:22Do you hear that?
33:23We're all going to join forces.
33:31Will you tell me
33:32when you can see its head?
33:36Geoffrey Franklin,
33:38Timothy Turner,
33:39Harry Chopra.
33:39What are you doing
33:41in my bedroom?
33:42Good things come
33:43to those who've waited.
33:44Geoffrey!
33:44Try to bear down, Queenie.
33:47As soon as you feel
33:47the next contraction,
33:48clear down.
33:54Now.
33:54Now.
33:59Here.
34:10I can hear the ambulance.
34:17And it's out.
34:28No ambulance required.
34:29Do you hear that, Queenie?
34:45Isn't that a beautiful sound?
34:46Glory be, but I love you.
34:49You are mine.
34:52And you are complete.
34:53And you are mine.
34:56And you're crying.
34:59And they didn't even tell me
35:00if you're a boy or a girl.
35:02Oh, sorry.
35:03I forgot.
35:04It's a boy.
35:05Baby.
35:07Baby, Lord.
35:07Baby, Lord.
35:16My baby, Lord.
35:18I need you.
35:19Oh, no, I need you.
35:22But all you do is treat me better.
35:26Don't break my heart and leave me sad.
35:29Tell me what they hide your own.
35:32To make you stay away so long.
35:42How many old recollections
35:44and how many dormant sympathies
35:47does Christmas time awaken?
35:49Year after year,
35:51we met on that day
35:53a merry and joyous circle.
35:56Many of the hearts
35:57that throbbed so gaily then
35:58have ceased...
36:01have ceased to beat.
36:06Many of the looks
36:07that shone so brightly then
36:09have ceased to glow.
36:12The hands we grasped
36:20have grown cold.
36:25The eyes we sought
36:26have hid their luster in the grave.
36:29And yet the old house,
36:30the room,
36:31the merry voices
36:31and smiling faces,
36:33the jest,
36:34the laugh,
36:35crowed upon our mind
36:36at each recurrence of the season
36:37as if the last assemblage
36:40had been but yesterday.
36:42Happy,
36:43happy Christmas
36:44that can win us back
36:46to the delusions
36:47of our childish days.
36:50That said,
36:51I'm Jewish,
36:54Sister Monica Joan.
36:56Well,
36:56that does not prevent us
36:57from being companions
36:58in nostalgia.
37:00Christmas is but
37:01one instance
37:02of a glimmering
37:03into the darkness.
37:05Yes.
37:07We have our
37:08Feast of Lights too.
37:10Hanukkah.
37:13It falls
37:14almost on the same date
37:17as Christmas this year.
37:33Joyce.
37:41Hmm?
37:42I'm dressed as a nurse.
37:44If it's any consolation,
37:47you weren't the only one.
37:48Is there anything else
37:49I need to know?
37:57It's all right,
37:58Tony.
37:59I think we're safe.
38:03If that aren't
38:32the only racket
38:33you're making
38:33is supposed to be
38:34my punishment,
38:35I accept it
38:36as long as it's
38:37followed by
38:38strong black coffee.
38:40Go, you'll get coffee
38:41and it will be
38:41accompanied by
38:42a dustpan,
38:43a brush
38:43and a pair
38:44of rubbered loves.
38:45I suppose we ought
38:46to roll up our sleeves.
38:47We?
38:49We?
38:50Geoffrey,
38:50I have been up
38:51all night
38:52delivering a baby.
38:53And I've been
38:54wielding a bucket
38:55for this poor lamb.
38:57Florence Nightingale's
38:58got nothing on me.
38:59Good morning,
39:03Rosalind.
39:04Or should I say
39:05Nurse Clifford?
39:06I'm sorry.
39:07I stayed the night
39:08at Cyril's.
39:09Morning orders
39:10will take place
39:10in three minutes.
39:11Nenata's house,
39:17charlady speaking.
39:18Has no one observed
39:19that I did not sleep
39:20in my accustomed bed
39:22last night?
39:22Sister Monica June,
39:23this morning
39:24that is scarcely
39:24cause for comment.
39:26Our charge,
39:26Mr Fisher,
39:28fell into a decline
39:29before midnight.
39:31I assisted him
39:32to his bed,
39:34then deemed it
39:34inexpedient
39:35to leave him.
39:37There,
39:37I can't wait.
39:38I can't wait.
39:38Oh, good morning,
39:42Harry.
39:42The cloud of cologne
39:43on which you enter
39:44does nothing
39:45to reassure me.
39:46Would you like
39:46a cup of coffee,
39:47Harry?
39:57Merry Christmas.
39:59And thank you
39:59very much
40:00to all concerned.
40:00Chased your rainbow
40:11anywhere you find it
40:14and maybe you'll find it
40:17tomorrow.
40:19Love is a rainbow
40:21to light up your life.
40:24It's a strong wind
40:26that blows away sorrow.
40:28when you walk
40:31along lonely road.
40:34When you're down
40:36and all the world
40:37can see.
40:39When you want
40:41to run away
40:42and hide.
40:48I was afraid
40:49both Christopher
40:50and his mother
40:51would test positive
40:52for TB,
40:53but I was wrong.
40:55They're clean.
40:55You weren't wrong
40:56about this, though.
40:57Unilateral renal mass.
40:59Right-hand side.
41:01There isn't a scrap
41:02of fat on him.
41:04I could feel it
41:04on palpation.
41:07Soft tissue x-ray
41:08can be quite equivocal.
41:10Nothing equivocal
41:11about this, though.
41:13Wilms tumor.
41:14Haven't seen a Wilms
41:15in general practice
41:16for nearly a decade,
41:17but...
41:18Yes.
41:19Cancer of the kidney.
41:20And he's two years old.
41:23There was nothing
41:24here for him.
41:25I know that.
41:28But...
41:28Nine months ago,
41:30we did have a Remy sergeant
41:31whose daughter had it.
41:32We got the family
41:33sent back to the UK
41:34on compassionate grounds.
41:35Did they lose her?
41:36Far from it.
41:38There's a new chemotherapy
41:39being trialled
41:40at one of the London hospitals.
41:42Brutal,
41:43but spectacular.
41:44Is it working?
41:46Yes.
41:47I had a penny.
41:52A bright new penny.
41:54I took my penny
41:55to the market square.
41:58I wanted a rabbit.
42:01A little brown rabbit.
42:03And I looked for a rabbit
42:04most everywhere.
42:07For I went to the store
42:08with a salt, sweet lavender.
42:12Only a penny
42:13for a bunch of lavender.
42:15Have you got a rabbit?
42:17Because I don't want lavender.
42:20They...
42:20They didn't have a rabbit.
42:26Not anywhere there.
42:29You must be
42:30baby Beryl's mummy.
42:32Esther would like
42:33to feed Beryl.
42:35Sister, do you think
42:35she's hungry?
42:36Well, most certainly.
42:38She is a peckish
42:39little thing.
42:40I can remember
42:59lying in bed
43:00and seeing
43:01exactly this view
43:03of the snow
43:05pouring.
43:06Pauline.
43:08There were four of us
43:09under the eyedadar.
43:11David,
43:12Sammy,
43:14Isaac,
43:16and me.
43:17I have often pondered
43:18what it must be like
43:19to share a bed
43:22with others.
43:24It's warm.
43:25Knock, knock.
43:31Oh, it's not
43:33that comp plan
43:34of yours again,
43:35is it?
43:35No matter how often
43:36you gussy it up
43:37on those paper umbrellas
43:38of yours,
43:40I'm still bored of it.
43:41It's actually
43:42a whiskey cream punch.
43:44A recipe that proves
43:44so efficacious
43:45at our Christmas party.
43:46I'm thinking of
43:47applying for a patent.
43:49Oh, is it?
43:50Is it?
43:51Is it the 22nd
43:55today?
43:56It's the 21st,
43:58Mr. Fisher.
43:59Oh.
44:01Then it's tomorrow.
44:03What's tomorrow,
44:04old chap?
44:05The first night
44:06of Hanukkah.
44:09A feast of lights.
44:13Would you like me
44:14to find a rabbi
44:15for you,
44:16Mr. Fisher?
44:18It wouldn't hurt.
44:21Can you just take
44:26a kitty halfway
44:27round the world, Doc?
44:28If he needs
44:29life-saving medical
44:30treatment,
44:31and his mother
44:31gives permission,
44:32yes.
44:34But you don't
44:35have to adopt him?
44:36No, thank God.
44:38It took us years
44:39to adopt me.
44:40Christopher won't
44:41have years.
44:42He may not even
44:43have months
44:43if we don't act fast.
44:45It's good of the army
44:46to donate stuff.
44:47I just hadn't
44:47reckoned on there
44:48being so much of it.
44:49We need a taxi.
44:50We're in luck.
45:00Hibiscus House
45:0179 Elgin Gardens,
45:03please.
45:05Blimey.
45:11You know, Mum,
45:12you've done great things.
45:14Here?
45:15In Hong Kong?
45:16Well, here
45:16and at home.
45:18I've only heard about
45:19you being mayor
45:19in Tower Hamlets.
45:21But now I've seen you
45:22being someone,
45:23doing something
45:24in a city I can barely
45:25get to grips with.
45:26All I've done is raise
45:28a bit of money
45:28and got people
45:29who can help
45:30talking to people
45:31who need help.
45:33It's what I do.
45:34Perhaps because
45:35it's all I can do.
45:36Well, that's not nothing.
45:39I'm sorry.
45:40I needed evidence
45:41before I could
45:42respect you for it.
45:43There's no need
45:44to be sorry
45:44for anything
45:46ever.
45:47You're my son.
45:52Hello, Grace, dear.
45:55Do you need something?
45:56Mr. Fred
45:57and the doctor
45:58are in trouble.
45:59What sort of trouble?
46:00Worse than trouble.
46:01They're in danger.
46:02Please,
46:02don't ask me
46:03how I know this.
46:04If you don't tell me,
46:06I can't act
46:06on the information.
46:08My husband
46:08works for the comrade.
46:10I hear talking
46:11on the phone.
46:11No.
46:16You're not taking
46:39my son to England.
46:41If we don't,
46:42he will die.
46:43You don't know that.
46:45You've given me
46:46no proof of that.
46:47Or any proof
46:48that you're even
46:49a doctor.
46:50I can assure you
46:51his credentials
46:52are totally bona fide.
46:54I'm even a scouser.
46:57What school did you go to?
46:58Liverpool Institute.
47:00My father
47:01had an ironmunker's
47:02shop in Cornwallis Street.
47:05I probably walked
47:06right past it.
47:10When war broke out,
47:12they took me
47:12to a ship
47:12to be deported.
47:13I had an English
47:15wife
47:16I never saw again.
47:19Sometimes you
47:19lose people.
47:21Sometimes they're
47:22stolen.
47:23Oh, you are.
47:26Are you a gambling man,
47:27Dr. Tanner?
47:29No.
47:30I am.
47:32If you want my son,
47:33you have to play me
47:34for them.
47:36How about
47:37argent?
47:39What cards?
47:40Poker?
47:42Some air defair?
47:43Blackjack?
47:45You choose.
47:46notebooks.
47:47Yeah.
47:48Oh,
47:49God.
47:52That's it.
47:53That's it.
47:55Can you study them?
47:55được
47:57A-Ruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam,
48:05Asher Kitshanu B'mitzvotav,
48:09V'Tziwano L'hadlik Ner Shel Chanochah.
48:18Amen.
48:34Is he allowed to choose a deputy? I could play on his behalf.
48:37I don't think that would help, Fred.
48:40You can play as many games as you want.
48:44With cards, with words.
48:47With me.
48:49But if Christopher's life is lost, who will pray for him at your altar?
48:54Who will pray for you?
48:57Who will carry on your family line?
49:03You could have all of those things.
49:05I can find a Chinese doctor for him.
49:09I could be the one that saves his life.
49:12Or you could just have your pride.
49:15It doesn't matter who saves his life.
49:18As long as it's saved.
49:20And if it is saved, I guarantee I will send him back to you.
49:27If he's anything else, he does!
49:29Get away!
49:32Let's continue this conversation elsewhere, shall we?
49:36Go.
49:37Doctor.
49:39Take the kiss.
49:40Tell him to give him a chance.
49:41Let him breathe as nature intended him to breathe.
49:55Let him breathe as nature intended him to breathe.
50:04There is no consolation for him now, in artificial air.
50:09That's her, old chap.
50:10That's her, old chap.
50:12That's her, old chap.
50:15That's her, old chap.
50:20No, no, no.
50:24No, mm.
50:24It will take time to rebuild, but the foundations have been laid.
50:51Are you happy to be staying on?
50:54Yes, because I don't doubt our purpose here.
51:00Are you happy to be going home?
51:03Yes, because I'm more convinced than ever that our work is vital wherever we are called.
51:10Why do you imagine we'll be called next?
51:12I don't imagine, but I will go and do whatever I am asked.
51:21Things are ticking along like clockwork, Doctor.
51:24Well done, Yu-Chan. Pre-eclampsia isn't easy, but you did everything you were told.
51:29Do you lie down? There's no hard work.
51:31Good lass. Good lass.
51:38I'm glad this baby's arriving before we leave, but if it's the first baby born in a new brunch house, it seems to me it should be brought into the world by one of the sisters.
51:49Yes, it should.
51:52Yes, it should.
51:53Oh, I'm keeping people waiting.
52:07They're all just as they were when they were here when we were all at home.
52:21A little girl, you child.
52:22Congratulations.
52:23Oh, I'm so proud.
52:25I'm so proud.
52:27You look good to her.
52:33A little girl, you child.
52:48Just look at her.
52:49Just look at her and laugh.
52:50She's gorgeous.
52:51You have been my mother.
52:53Now I'm her.
52:55I give a name.
52:56Dad always bring your face to me.
52:57We all agreed that Phyllis was too hard to say.
52:58No, Phyllis.
52:59Ness.
53:00Ness is easy to say.
53:01I'm so proud to say.
53:02Look at her.
53:03Look at her.
53:04Just look at her.
53:05And now she's gorgeous.
53:06You have been my mother.
53:07Now I'm her.
53:08I give a name.
53:10Dad always bring your face to me.
53:13We all agreed that Phyllis was too hard to say.
53:18No, Phyllis.
53:19Ness.
53:20Ness is easy to say.
53:22I'm happy to remember.
53:31I have seen death before.
53:33It is terrible.
53:34And it can be beautiful.
53:37I think today it was that.
53:40I have seen lovers come to fetch the dying.
53:44I have seen mothers come.
53:48But I have known no lover.
53:50I have born no child.
53:52And my parents have spurned me.
53:56I have asked myself more often of late than in years gone by.
54:02Who will come for me when my time on earth concludes?
54:08Your sisters will come for you.
54:11Those you knew in life.
54:14Those who coached you through the novitiate.
54:18Those who knelt beside you in prayer.
54:21And by the beds of everyone you served.
54:25And by the beds of everyone you served.
54:27So many sisters will come.
54:29God can't have you yet, sister.
54:31We can't spare you.
54:32We can't spare you.
54:37We should perhaps turn our attention for the return of those we love.
54:46The Hong Kong party.
54:48Let us light a light for the living and marvel at them while we may.
54:54Christopher, you're going to give your mummy a kiss.
55:11Please, keep him warm.
55:19I have a coat to put on him, as well as this card again.
55:23It used to belong to his sister.
55:26I like that.
55:31I like that.
55:33Bring in wops.
55:40Make sure you're smiling.
55:42Look!
55:43Smile!
55:44Yes!
55:45Quick, quick, quick!
55:46Quick, quick, quick!
55:57The little boy will get better.
55:59We're in here?
56:01There's every chance he'll get better.
56:03Till then we just have to take care of him.
56:05And be his family.
56:09Oh, they're here!
56:10Hi!
56:11I miss you!
56:12Oh, Miss Higgins, haven't they managed?
56:15Well...
56:16And this is Christopher.
56:19You look so sweet.
56:21Aw, baby Christopher!
56:23Aw!
56:24You look, he smoked.
56:25His hair feels like mine.
56:28Hi!
56:32Christopher!
56:33Oh, my goodness, I've been dying to see your face.
56:38Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho!
56:40Christmas can start now, can't it?
56:42Yes, it can, because I'm AP and you're home.
56:46Aw, ho, ho, ho, ho!
56:48Does Christmas come at the end of the year
57:13Or does it provide its turning point
57:16Is it the moment where we close the door
57:20On all that has passed
57:22In the months that have preceded it
57:24Or is it the time where we open our arms
57:28And say come
57:29We are ready
57:31We will embrace it all
57:33Christmas begins with a baby
57:35Therefore Christmas is all that is unknown
57:39All we must cherish
57:42And all we must shield
57:44From the winds of fortune
57:46Like a candle flame
57:48You'll be pleased to hear
58:06There's a new series of Call the Midwife
58:08Coming soon
58:09With the slew of holiday crimes
58:11And a heartwarming reunion on the line
58:13In the new Beyond Paradise Christmas special
58:15Press red to watch now
58:16On iPlayer
58:17On iPlayer
58:17On iPlayer
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