Episode 1

[Theme music playing] ♪ ♪ Mature Jennifer, voice-over: Some things are so easy to spring-clean.

Glass can be restored to sparkle, tiles to a warm, smooth glow.

Cobwebs vanish at the duster's touch, and wood reveals its perfect grain once more.

♪ The world itself appears to gleam, and rendered spotless, we can start afresh.

Right.

If our newcomer can find one speck of dirt in this clinical room, I will personally eat my hat with a knife and fork.

I feared we might have rather over-catered.

I wasn't sure how many would be sitting down.

A simple afternoon tea with those of us who will become her closest colleagues.

That's what we were told by Sister Julienne.

She didn't want her to feel overwhelmed.

♪ [Woman speaks indistinctly] ♪ Welcome, Sister Veronica.

Well, it's a good thing I arrived feeling slightly peckish.

Heh heh heh!

What a tremendous amount of trouble you've gone to just for me.

Oh, it's always like this.

Oh!

I almost forgot.

Marmalade, all my own work.

It is grapefruit, though, so I'm afraid it's out of bounds for anyone taking Nembutal.

Doubt you'll find anyone on that medication round this table.

Sister Veronica: My first foray into medicine was as a trainee dispensing chemist.

I've kept a keen interest in pharmacy ever since, although, of course, I seldom get the opportunity to work with Chinese medicine, now the Lord has called me back to Blighty.

Sister Veronica was with the Order in Hong Kong for 13 years.

So you must have worked with Mother Mildred?

Sister Veronica: I was well prepared for it.

Heh!

My father was a Regimental Sergeant Major.

[Sister Veronica chuckles] Can you sing?

I don't think you'll find me troubling the Hit Parade.

Oh, I--I do not refer to the performance of novelty songs.

I refer to the liturgy, to the raising of our voices in praise.

Sister Julienne: We have been somewhat challenged musically, while Sister Monica Joan and I have been the only sisters in choir, even though Mrs. Turner is kind enough to join us at Compline from time to time.

I remember your voice, in the chapel, at the Mother House.

♪ Thou also shalt light my candle ♪ ♪ The Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light ♪ ♪ For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men ♪ ♪ And with the help of my God ♪ ♪ I shall leap over the wall ♪ [Sniffs] [Pills rattle] You got a little headache?

Yes.

It's my time of the month, again.

Maybe next time.

Yes?

Can't believe I fell pregnant by accident the first time.

Now we're having to try so hard.

[Chuckles] Sometimes the Lord just likes to take the scenic route.

Hmm.

[Kiss] We need everything in that toy box cleaned every week, and I am taking the cowboy hat completely out of circulation.

It's my opening salvo in the war against nits.

I have good news, Sister.

The GPO have agreed to install an additional telephone line as a matter of urgency.

Oh, that is marvelous.

I can use the one on the main desk till then.

Sister Julienne will be first on call today.

Nurse Robinson... [Clattering] I've put you on the mid-- the midwifery roster with me.

I've given you Greta Pickard and her... varicose veins.

She will not wear her support hose!

Meanwhile, Nurse Corrigan, we've a new patient with terminal cancer.

The lady discharged herself from hospital against medical advice.

Oh, God love her.

Hmm.

Here you go.

[Sighs] This one has got a brand-new chain on it, no expense spared.

Oh, no, no, no.

No, this saddle's far too high.

I'm going to do myself a mischief.

♪ [Distant pop music playing] [Babbling] Knock, knock.

Ha!

I'm looking for Mrs. Greta Pickard.

Is she in?

Bless you, Nurse.

And Kenny would sleep in that box if I'd let him.

Right.

Come in.

I've just made a cuppa.

I'm glad you don't take sugar.

I'm clean out of it again.

[Sighs] What do you want to look at first?

Do I need to take me knicks off?

Not yet.

[Sighs] Oh... Mrs. Pickard, Nurse Crane said these veins were getting worse.

I've told my Wally I'll train them to grow in the shape of his initials... Oh.

Or maybe I should get some sort of dockers' motto-- "Arise Ye Workers."

Might look quite good running down me shins.

Mrs. Pickard, you really need to wear your support hose.

You must have knocked this one, and it's become infected.

Also, you need to rest.

Heh!

I'm on me fifth, Nurse, and I've had to take on extra work down the rag stall on the market.

Are you always on your feet?

I have to be because my husband is always on his arse.

Heh!

He's either out of work, on strike, or sat down the Black Sail, planning the Revolution.

No.

I am so sorry.

This one definitely keeps listing to the left, and I just don't trust the brakes on it.

Oh.

I can always work on the brakes.

Also, I'm not keen on the handlebars.

♪ [Distant bells tolling] District nurse calling.

Is Dr. Turner here?

I had to send for him.

My poor lodger.

She's in so much pain.

Thank you.

[Panting] The anti-emetic is in your system now, and so is the morphine.

[Groans] It will work.

Just give it a few minutes.

[Hyperventilating] Oh...

Feels...like a knife.

It's like being stabbed again and again.

It will ease off, and Nurse Corrigan and I are going to work out a plan to preempt the pain and keep it at bay.

[Groaning] Ah, look at the state of you.

Let's put this to one side and get you a bit more comfy.

It's Olive, isn't it?

Is the pain in your tummy?

It's in my breastbone and my ribs.

[Olive whimpering] There are two types of morphine here: injectable, which we'll see to when we visit, and an oral suspension, which you can take as needed.

The sooner we can get this from the pharmacy, the better.

I'll go now.

Nancy: See?

You'll be on top of this in no time.

I'm a lucky woman.

Not many people have such an obliging lodger.

[Breathing raggedly] Poor woman.

Multiple myeloma is one of the most painful cancers there is, and the lesions are studded throughout the bone marrow.

And she's going to be desperately anemic, so too weak to get out of bed.

We'll have to guard against pressure sores.

And we need to be alert to signs of kidney failure.

That's probably what will take her in the end.

How...long does she have?

We never know.

But so often in these cases, for the patient, it tips over from longing for more time to begging for less.

All we can do is make sure the latter doesn't happen.

Fred, your mince is getting cold.

It's from the authorities.

They're disbanding the Civil Defence Corps.

Well, they've been talking about that for months.

Yeah, well, now it's official.

I don't know what I'm gonna do with myself.

I do.

You can spend more time in the paper shop, and the outside of this building needs painting.

I've had a uniform of one sort or another since 1939.

I just feel... finished.

Mm, these have got worse with every pregnancy, haven't they, Greta?

I'm shutting up shop after this one, Dr. T. Will they get better then?

They may not get worse, but even so, I think we're looking at surgery within a year or two.

Here, you wouldn't have a look at my Anita while you're here, would you?

It's her mouth.

It's got a great, big lump in it.

[Sighs] All right, young lady.

Open wide.

Mm.

It's an abscess in her gum.

I can give her antibiotics to tackle the infection, but really, you need to get her to a dentist.

[Scoffs] We're not with a dentist, Doctor.

They cost money.

[Sighs] [Indistinct chatter] Matthew.

[Rings bicycle bell] The caterers have to have agreed to all of our requirements.

The canape list will include miniature Beef Wellingtons, salmon mousse en croute, and pea pods filled with swirls of Primula for the vegetarians.

Will there be many vegetarians?

Nurse Crane has a surprisingly hearty appetite, and there's your cousin Venetia.

Ah, of course.

Venetia.

Mm.

I liked her when I met her, although I think she might give us some of her pottery as a wedding gift.

Heh!

Yeah.

Sorry.

I will be placing a tasteful but comprehensive list at Peter Jones that should keep unsolicited gifts to a minimum.

Dinner service and bedding aside, is there anything you'd like me to add?

Do you know I was actually thinking about a set of golf clubs?

Golf clubs?

Mm-hmm.

You can't mark our eternal union with a set of golf clubs.

I'll put a lawn mower down.

I expect we'll have a lawn eventually.

Now, how are we getting on with meeting each other's families?

I crossed Venetia off the list.

And, um, my Uncle Ted and Aunt Maud will be over from Singapore at the end of the month, and meanwhile, there's, um, afternoon tea with Fiona's parents.

It's already in the diary.

[Chuckling] I know that you've met them before, but, uh, not as my fiancée or even as my girlfriend.

I bought a fawn two-piece and brand-new beige accessories.

Everything is in hand.

Right.

[Clinks spoon] [Children shouting outside, knock on door] [Door opens] Nancy: District nurse.

I come bearing gifts.

Heh!

Look at this.

Brought to you by beautiful, technicolor prisms.

Yeah, Jessie put them there.

Are you warm enough with that window open?

I like hearing what's going on outside.

I grew up in Poplar, so when I hear the factory hooters and the...coal car going past, I know I'm home.

[Distant sea gulls squawk] I was away a long time.

Ah, did you run away to see the world?

[Chuckles] Sort of, except I joined the Land Army.

[Chuckling] So what I--what I saw was plowed fields and potatoes and turnips.

[Knock on door] Um, am I right in thinking you're keeping on top of your pain, Olive?

A certain person is keeping me in line.

I shall be putting my prices up.

[Olive chuckles] Sister Veronica: Your children are entitled to free treatment, Mrs. Pickard, and so are you, as an expectant mother.

If we fill in the forms now, it'll be that much easier when you take Anita to the dentist tomorrow morning.

I can really see her as soon as that?

I told them she was at risk of blood poisoning.

Even with the antibiotics?

Now, you are up to date in terms of claiming your Family Allowance... [Baby crying] and you've been signed up for milk tokens since 1962.

Full marks, but according to our records, you've missed out on vitamin tablets for the children.

[Door opens] Wally: Daddy's home, kids.

[Door closes] Hello, my duchess.

Afternoon, Sister.

You must be Mr. Pickard.

Have you finished work early today?

Ah, there is no work, Sister.

There's nothing to unload.

I come in every day and head for a swill at the sink, and more often than not, my hands aren't even dirty.

Meanwhile, Paul and Anita are at, uh, St. Mark's, I believe.

Wally: Yeah.

I've put the paperwork in place for them to have free school meals.

What?

Well, that way, they can be sure of meat and two veg every day with a nice, robust pudding to follow.

Greta: Oh!

Wally: It also means they can be sure of finger-pointing, stigma, and ridicule.

Don't you dare raise your voice to the sister.

She's only trying to help.

And it's up to me what type of help we accept.

I don't mind getting what other people get.

That's called entitlement.

Getting free food is called charity, and we don't want charity 'cause we ain't poor.

What do you mean, you don't know what shade it is?

Well, there wasn't a label on the tin.

That's why it was half-price.

I mean, it was a bargain, even for Cash and Carry standards.

Anyway, the clue is in the name-- "Purple Heart," see?

Oh, perhaps you better test it on a bit of cardboard first.

It--it might look... better in the daylight.

Hmm.

[Distant train whistle blows] [Olive gasps, sniffles] I cannot even move.

[Exhales sharply] I can't even roll over in bed, unless someone helps.

[Exhales sharply] I could get you a bedpan if you need to go.

[Chuckles] The day I give in to a bedpan, you'll know I'm dying.

[Gasps] Do you want to see if we can get you onto the commode?

OK. All right.

OK. [Groans loudly] [Olive crying] [Sobs] I'm so sorry.

[Door opens] Olive, sobbing: I'm sorry.

No.

It's all right, love.

It's all right, dear.

I'm a nurse.

And I'm not, but she needs me more.

[Sobbing] Come on, darling.

[Kiss] No more secrets.

Come on.

Oh.

[Gasping] Oh... [Sobbing] Jessie: Oh.

[Crying] [Kiss] [Chuckling] Can't we have them in a less-tight size, or maybe fishnets?

[Chuckles] If they're not tight, they're not working.

Oh, I'm gonna look like a right tragedy case with these on.

[Chuckles] People already feel sorry for me 'cause I'm pregnant and working.

My neighbor, Mrs. Saeed, she brought me over a pot of stew this morning.

That was nice of her.

She's a nice little woman.

Well, I say stew.

It's actually curry.

Ooh, lucky you.

I love curry.

Oh, you eat it and all?

Oh, you wouldn't take it, would you?

Only I can't throw it out 'cause we use the same bins.

I think it's got spices in it.

It certainly does.

I will take it home to my husband, with pleasure.

Maybe wrap it in your cardy.

I wouldn't want to cause offense.

She's finally nodded off.

The liquid morphine does seem to help.

I'm going to get this sample tested, just to check her potassium levels... but it does look as though her kidneys are failing.

What does that mean?

She may start to have some trouble with her breathing.

It might be better to put her back into hospital.

No, not under any circumstances!

[Sighs] Oh... [Sighs] We met in the Land Army.

She'd never been outside the East End.

She'd never seen a cow or an owl or a cabbage patch.

I...

I'd never seen anyone like her.

[Chuckles] We were both fish out of water.

Then we realized... we were both swimming at exactly the same pace.

[Sniffles, sighs] I mean, after the war, the government was crying out for teachers, so we became Miss Macketts and Miss Parris.

I taught physics, and she had a flair for children's art.

That's where the prisms come from.

It's something we both had in our classrooms.

I knew the science.

She simply knew that they were beautiful.

We've spent the last 25 years hiding in plain sight.

Landlady and lodger, usually, but we often forget who's who.

We didn't even get a dog, in case it would obey us both equally and give the game away.

Sorry.

You didn't need to know this.

I think I do.

I'm her nurse and... you make her feel better.

I tell you, Lucille, I don't know who Mrs. Saeed is, but... [Chuckling] I need to shake her hand.

That was a magnificent curry.

I wish we had something for dessert.

I got something better than dessert.

The pictures from Celine's wedding?

Contains photographs.

Do not bend.

Ho ho!

[Giggles] It's not that I'm shocked.

I've heard of lesbians before.

I've just never met any.

You probably have.

The thing about people who lead unusual lives is they tend to mind their own business, and so should we.

Is it still illegal, like it was for men?

Mm, lesbianism has never been illegal.

So why are they so scared?

Because it's not laws that rule this country.

It's attitudes.

There's no law against unmarried mothers, but you and I both know more about that shame than most.

I suppose that's why Olive doesn't want to die in hospital.

Jessie can't be her next of kin, so she wouldn't be allowed extended visiting.

She wouldn't be allowed to be there when she dies.

That's criminal.

Nobody ever forgets what happens at a deathbed.

It's like you feel everything 10 times more intently-- the hate and anger and resentment, as well as love.

Hmm.

Auntie Priss said she was going to wear yellow with a turquoise hat.

The thing is, a photograph can't really show you how yellow or how turquoise.

And I can't tell if Celine's bouquet has stephanotis in it.

And she is taller than Edwin.

No, I think it's just her headdress.

My mother kept hinting he was small in her letters, and you can't see how short his legs are.

Oh, Lucille, the man's height has no bearing on his-- on his character.

You don't know that... and what I know is this... Celine's my sister.

I haven't seen her for years.

I've never met her husband.

She has never met you.

We used to plait each other's hair.

When she was a baby... [sobbing] she used to suck my thumb so she could go to sleep.

And now we just send photographs of all the things that matter.

[Sighs] Oh, Fiona.

[Yawns] [Door closes] Goodness me, Doctor.

Are you up early or going to bed late?

I was called out to Olive Mattocks.

She's developed pulmonary edema, so she's going to need oxygen and diuretics.

Nancy's built up quite a rapport with them.

Do you want to give her particular instructions?

You'll need to be involved as well.

Olive is going to need someone with her most of the time now.

It won't be for long.

Mm.

I telephoned Phyllis.

I told her you were ill and you couldn't come in today.

Did you say it was a tummy upset?

I did, but I don't like lying.

You're not sick, Lucille.

You're just sad, and maybe that needs a different kind of medicine.

♪ Oh, I'm sorry, Fred.

I mean, I've looked at it in the dark, in light rain, under a streetlamp, and now in early morning sunshine.

And?

There is no way on this earth that you're painting my shop that color.

I mean, this is a respectable neighborhood haberdashery, not one of the fleshpots of Carnaby Street.

[Door opens, bell rings] Sometimes I have to remind myself that even moths are God's creatures.

And delayed GPO engineers.

[Both chuckle] Also, bicycles.

Have you not found one that suits yet?

The problem isn't to do with any of the bikes.

It's to do with me.

I have health concerns that mean I must avoid all vigorous activity.

Mother Mildred said nothing about this.

I really think it might be best if the Order were to purchase a car for me.

A car?

Well, once my program of home, school, and nursery visits starts, I could be covering 20 miles a day, which would be quite a challenge on 1 1/2 lungs.

Sister... have you had... part of a lung removed?

Life in the Far East can take quite a toll.

[Door opens, bell rings] Evening, Fred.

Got any Turkish Delight?

Oh, you're trying to butter up that missis of yours, are ya, eh?

I know it's her favorite.

Yep, on the house.

Oh, no, Fred.

Here, have it, and, uh, got some free paint, too, if you want it.

What sort of paint?

Purplish.

You could give the flat a once-over if you like.

We like it the color it already is.

Fair enough.

[Bell over door rings] [Sighs] There you are.

Nothing like the good stuff to set you up for the day.

Olive, weakly: I think the oral morphine has stopped working.

I was telling Olive before you came that it's like the difference between Ribena and neat whiskey.

Are you going now?

I just popped in to make the introductions, but Nurse Franklin will stay with you for a few hours.

We're like the Windmill Girls.

Great legs?

Trixie: No.

"We never close."

[Both chuckle] [Children shouting] Fred: Oi!

Over here!

Oh, no!

Come on, then!

Yes!

Come on!

Bobby Moore!

Yes!

What a goal!

Oh, what a shot!

Yes!

Nobody else about, Sister?

Everyone is engaged.

Saturday is not a holiday at Nonnatus House.

I have deliberately sought out honest toil, lest I be accused of sloth.

You can give the woodwork a bit of a touch-up, if you like.

Was gonna park this paint in the shed in case we need it.

But this is purple.

The color of intense ecclesiastical potential!

Ah.

I shall require sandpaper, brushes, a--a--a rag, and turpentine.

I have received a letter from Mother Mildred and I quote... "Sister Veronica came to the Order "in perfect health and has had no serious illnesses, "hospitalization, or surgeries in the intervening years.

"Her propensity for tactical falsehoods, however, remains an enduring flaw."

She's saying I tell fibs, isn't she?

Yes.

She is.

I never do it lightly.

I do penance every single time, but sometimes embellishment is such a useful tool.

[Exhales sharply] Suggesting the Order purchase a car for you is not embellishment.

It's highway robbery!

Part of my remit as Health Visitor is to convince the people of Poplar to embrace everything that's positive, modern, a-and new.

I can't do that on a 1930s bone shaker!

Unless you can find some way of funding an alternative, I'm very much afraid you will have to.

The minute I saw those photographs, all I wanted to do was go home.

Jamaica felt like the solution to everything.

But you've a home here now.

You've a career and purpose and people who love you.

Radio announcer: And now some breaking news...

Shadow Defence Secretary Mr. Enoch Powell has today denounced the rising number of Commonwealth immigrants in Great Britain.

Mr. Powell's speech, coming just days before the Race Relations Bill is heard in the House of Commons, has provoked criticism.

[Turns off radio] Powell: In this country, in 15 or 20 year...

I don't want to hear this.

We can't turn it off.

Powell: the black man will have the whip hand over the white man.

We must be mad, literally mad as a nation... Incitement to racial hatred in this country is a crime!

Who is going to arrest a politician?

Who will stop people from acting on his words?

Powell: busily engaged in heaping up its own funeral pyre!

May the Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

♪ O God make speed to save us ♪ Sisters Veronica and Julienne: ♪ O Lord make haste to help us ♪ Sister Veronica: ♪ Glory be to the Father ♪ ♪ And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost ♪ Sisters Veronica and Julienne: ♪ As it was in the beginning ♪ Is now and ever shall be world without end, Amen ♪ [People speaking indistinctly] It is simple afternoon tea, Trixie.

There's nothing simple about it at all.

They're Fiona's parents.

I understand that it might be awkward... painful, even, for them as well as for you.

It isn't painful for me.

Fiona was their only daughter.

To them, she was irreplaceable.

If you don't want to take tea with my former in-laws... then--then I respect your wishes.

It has a high-gloss finish.

It merely requires a longer drying time.

I am responsible for the maintenance of this building, and I expect to know what is going on inside it.

You are fracturing the sanctity of the Great Silence.

Indeed I am, and I don't do it lightly.

♪ I find myself under instruction to donate this to the wider community.

Have you any int... Oh.

Oh, lass.

What happened to best foot forward?

It's the news, Phyllis, the things Enoch Powell said and the support he's getting.

Lucille, he's been sacked.

It was on the news.

The damage is done.

He has said that resenting immigrants is acceptable.

[Sniffs] Listen, Enoch Powell or no Enoch Powell, you're in no fit state to go out this morning.

I'll add your house calls to my list... while you collect yourself.

Thank you for letting me know, Councillor Reed.

And if I am approached by the press, either local or otherwise, you can rest assured that I shall be telling them exactly what I think!

[Slams phone] Violet.

Got any brown paper?

I'm gonna wrap this up and put it away.

The dockers are going on strike in solidarity with Enoch Powell!

That is people from this borough, people that I represent!

And what is more, they're staging a march on Parliament tomorrow!

What you mean?

Like a demonstration?

And the slogan is going to be... "Back Britain.

Not Black Britain."

We can't afford for you to go on strike again, Wally, even if it is just for one day!

And if we don't, who will?

You said the Smithfield porters will be at the march!

Why can't they support ruddy Enoch Powell!

Mrs. Pickard, I need to look at your dressings as well as check your blood pressure, and I'm afraid my time is limited.

Well, it shouldn't be.

The National Health wouldn't be in the state it's in if the doors weren't wide open to all and sundry!

Shall we adjourn to the bedroom, Mrs. Pickard?

Oh, he just goes on and on, Nurse.

It's like he's boring into my brain!

♪ [Crumples flyer] [Shallow breathing] Olive, weakly: Thank you.

You're welcome, sweetie.

I thought you might prefer the lemon flavor to the boring old spearmint.

You remember the first time you had lemon in a gin and it?

1946.

We hadn't seen lemons the whole of the war, not during the whole time we'd known each other, and suddenly there they were behind the bar of an otherwise frightful hotel in Margate.

Your lips were chapped.

You said the lemon made them sting.

[Shallow breath] Afterwards, when everyone had gone, I kissed them better.

♪ You're in for a long night, Jessie.

Lay down when you're tired.

[Sighs] Thank you.

This is a disgrace.

Immigrants have never taken dockers jobs.

The dockers wouldn't let them in!

What are they going to put through the door next, Mrs. Wallace?

Dog dirt?

Well, if they do... we'll put it in the dustbin, which is where this is going.

[Ripping] Um-umm.

Cyril: I thought the church was welcome here.

No one else said otherwise until the...

Member of Parliament said we should go home.

Home?

We are home!

We have earned our place in this country.

We work and we pay our taxes.

And you know what the trouble is?

We are on the way up, with the help of Jesus.

And you see all of these people, these protestors, they are on their way down.

♪ May I come in?

Yes.

[Footsteps approach] She's gone.

When?

Few minutes ago, I think.

Difficult to tell.

♪ How long will she stay warm for?

A little while.

♪ There's a shirt on top of the dresser.

Would you help me put it on her?

Of course.

Land Army uniform.

We only kept one of them.

We could never work out whether it was hers or mine.

♪ I'd put a prism in her coffin, but... there'd be no light there.

♪ [Telephone rings] Nonnatus House.

Midwife speaking.

Dr. Turner has asked if a midwife could come to the Maternity Home directly.

Mrs. Greta Pickard has arrived and is in labor.

Oh, I like Mrs. Pickard.

I'll be coming myself, Miss Higgins.

Tell her I'll see her shortly.

[Hangs up phone] [Shouting] Grab a placard!

Grab a placard, mate.

Wally: 1,000 London dockworkers are on strike today!

We will be marching shoulder to shoulder with our fellow workers from Smithfield market!

Mmm... Dr. Turner was right.

Things are just starting to get going.

Did you have any breakfast this morning?

No.

I wasn't in the mood.

Oh.

Mmm... [Shouting] Wally: We will march to Westminster together!

We will support Enoch Powell together!

Wally: And together, we will fight to keep Britain for the British!

[Cheering] ♪ Wally: Stand in solidarity with British working men!

Come on!

[Cheering] [Teacups rattling] Dr. Turner will come to certify Olive's death shortly, and then you can take the paperwork to the registrar.

[Door opens] Nancy: I heard the news.

I just came to give you a hug, really.

♪ Thank you.

It was a privilege looking after her... and you.

You've both been so good about not saying anything.

In fact, no one has ever said anything, not even us.

[Sighs] When she's gone and everything's cleared away, there won't be a single thing to show we were here at all.

♪ [Sighs] Oh, I'm so sorry.

I was part of her story, and she was mine.

It matters.

[Door opens, bell jingles] Fred, I have a question for you.

Where did those marchers get that purple paint?

What purple paint?

The paint daubed all over their banners, the paint that they have used to write obscenities, the paint that you were trying to give away!

No!

I would never!

The tin I had went up to Nonnatus House.

I think Sister Julienne got rid of it.

I would have poured it down my throat rather than let it get into the wrong hands.

Wotcha, Fred.

We've got a carload heading up to Parliament for the march.

British jobs for British workers, all that.

Any chance of some free fags?

No!

All right.

Don't ask, you don't get.

See you later.

[Bell jingles] [Door closes] I'm sorry, pal.

Oh, it's not you.

I've known dockers and porters around here for 60 years.

I've never seen them organize themselves so quickly.

[Woman screams, thud] ♪ I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

See if she's hurt, Fred.

You're in the CDC.

You know First Aid.

♪ Fred: Call 999.

Get the ambulance and the police.

♪ Fred: Need something to put under her head.

She needs her mum.

Find out where she lives.

I'll go fetch her.

♪ You're gonna be all right.

I'm gonna look after you now.

♪ Uhh...I'm hot.

Do you have to keep touching me?

It's the best way of checking on your progress, Mrs. Pickard.

Have I made any?

Yes, you have.

You're not fully dilated, but you're getting close.

I want the gas.

I want to go in the delivery room.

You said I could have the gas in there.

We need to get to the bottom of your disappointing record with regard to measles.

Disappointing record?

Miss Higgins: Would you care to clarify?

Well... Zoya, crying: Oh!

Oh!

Help me!

It's all right.

Mrs. Patel, you're in the right place.

All day I think it is just-- just practice pains!

Aah!

Oh!

This is not just practice pains.

Mr. Patel, sit over there.

With me.

That's it.

That's it.

Aah!

Oh!

Aah!

Aah!

Mrs. Patel is in second stage, Nurse Robinson.

I'm taking her straight through to delivery.

OK. Zoya: Oh!

Aah!

♪ No!

What about me?

I'm meant to be going in there!

You promised me the gas!

Miss Higgins: One portable gas and air machine, as requested.

Now, Dr. Turner is taking a look at Mrs. Patel, then he will be with you forthwith.

I didn't realize I was in a queue.

Enoch Powell was right!

Ohh!

Let's just concentrate on what's best for baby.

Aah... Ohh...

I want you to breathe as calmly and deeply as you can, Zoya.

Just breathe.

Ooh... Breathe.

Ooh... She's fully dilated, but baby's head is very high.

And the membranes are still intact?

Not anymore!

We have meconium.

I'll prepare the forceps.

Aah!

Aah!

Ohh!

You're sure you're comfortable on your feet?

You can start to push when you feel the urge.

Mmm.

We don't want you taking in too much gas.

Uhh!

[Inhales] Mrs. Pickard!

It's bad enough being shoved in a corner.

Then I'm being left in bloody agony because of somebody who has no right to be here, coming in and queue-barging, like the place belongs to them!

Mrs. Patel is having her first baby.

She's better off in a delivery room if there are complications.

The complication is immigrants coming in, grabbing things other people have paid for, and taking all the jobs!

British people were born here.

We come first.

They should all go home!

Of course, I don't mean you, nurse.

I'm sorry, but you do mean me.

I'm an immigrant, but like everybody else from the Commonwealth, I came here to work [voice breaking] and to play my part and to take my place.

I came to make Britain my home, and I did not expect to be made unwelcome!

[Inhales] Ohh!

I just walked out on Mrs. Pickard.

She's going into second-stage labor.

♪ Aah!

Zoya, we're almost at the end of the journey.

Soon, you're going to see your baby's face.

[Crying] You will help me?

Doctor and I are going to give you so much help.

We're going to do this together.

Greta: Ohh... Ohh!

Have I upset Nurse Robinson?

Yes.

Now, where were we?

No.

You said you were a Health Visitor.

I hope you're experienced.

In my previous incarnation, I delivered 97 babies-- 45 boys, 52 girls.

Have you any preference?

It's not too late to place an order.

Ohh!

Just keep pushing, Zoya!

Long, strong pushes now.

Long, strong.

Oooh!

There!

It's out.

Dr. Turner: It's a boy.

Ohh!

We need to clear its airways.

Huh?

Oh, please tell me you can see the ruddy head!

Greta, I can.

Now, just keep bearing down gently.

That's it.

Down.

Ooh!

♪ [Crying] W-Wh-why is he silent?

Why does he make no sound?

♪ [Crying] Ha ha ha!

Ohh!

It's a little girl, Greta.

Beautifully delivered.

[Baby crying] You could do this professionally!

So could you.

[Baby continues crying] ♪ I'm gonna call her Marie.

There's been Maries in our family ever since we came over from France... as silkweavers 200 years ago.

We ain't seen silk since.

We don't care, do we darling?

Hey.

[Exhales softly] Drink this.

I should never have walked out of that room.

If you had been alone, at a home delivery, you would have been severely disciplined.

But Sister Veronica was able to step into the breach and fortunately all is well.

All is not well with me, Sister.

I know.

Trixie: I should be no longer than 2 minutes!

Or possibly 3!

Mm-hmm!

Oh!

Mr. Aylward, how fortuitous.

I was just waiting on Nurse Franklin.

She's just getting dressed.

Perhaps in due course, you would care to come and see me at my desk.

I have a request to make of you as our benefactor.

I shall be telling you about my pulmonary problems.

So, you must steel yourself.

[Door opens] I've decided against the fawn two-piece.

What do you think?

Uh, it's great.

It's great.

I need this to be so much more than great.

It has to say so many things when I meet Fiona's parents.

You sure you want to go ahead with it?

I'm part of their story, too, just like Fiona was and just like you are, and that matters.

Cyril, I want to go home.

Just take the sick leave.

Sick leave for your nerves, like Dr. Turner said.

I'm not sick.

I'm sad, and like you said, maybe that needs a different kind of medicine.

Going home is not the answer, Lucille.

I can't leave my job, not even for a holiday.

And we're saving for a house, hmm?

That's where our home will be.

You and me and... whoever God sends along to keep us company.

[Kiss] Hmm?

We'll work on that another time.

You sleep now.

[Distant baby crying] That yours or mine?

[Sobbing] Hey... [Sniffles] Nurse Crane'll go in.

I mean, she's a bit of an old iron-knickers, but there's nothing she don't know about newborns.

[Crying] When my baby was born, it didn't cry.

All I wanted was to hear it, and now he cries and I am not there.

[Baby crying continues] [Sniffling] Have you got slippers?

[Baby grunting] Mrs. Patel thought her baby was crying.

No, it's Mademoiselle Marie that's giving me the runaround.

I was just about to give her a bottle.

Thank you.

Hussein is not hungry, I think.

He's a lovely little thing.

And your daughter is beautiful.

[Footsteps approach] Fred: Violet!

[Singsong] I've got a surprise.

What sort of surprise?

[Breathlessly] I've been down the council, and I got myself a little part-time job.

It involves a uniform, and I get to make the world just a little bit safer.

Doing what?

[Sighs] That little girl getting knocked over made me think, so...

I'm going to be... [grunts] a lollipop man!

Oh, ho ho!

Oh!

Heh heh!

One can understand the desire for acknowledgement.

My defining relationship was always with my parents.

It was such a consolation to know that I was recorded as their daughter on the Census.

Olive and Jessie were recorded as landlady and lodger, which is a lie.

She's gonna have to register her death.

What's she supposed to put for "Description of Informant"?

Tell her she can fill in that section with "Present at Death."

"Present at Death"?

There is no more intimate connection, really.

It will speak long after all of us are dust.

[Horn honks twice] Whatever is that?

[Scooter engine rumbling] Make sure you turn the engine off before you kick the stand!

[Engine turns off, kickstand clicks] Sister Veronica, what is this?

Scooter, courtesy of Mr. Aylward.

Heh!

The Order has entered the 1960s.

Barely 8 years late.

♪ Mature Jennifer, voice-over: Not every new beginning is a good one.

There are things we cannot clean away, but we can invest in the water and the light.

We can choose to listen and to speak.

♪ Mature Jennifer: We are more enmeshed in others' lives than we imagine.

We are all somebody's memory, someone's joy or their regret.

[Camera shutter clicks] [Bicycle bell rings] We are the weavers of each other's cloth, the keepers of our fellow travelers in time.

Change is not a threat.

It is a chance, and if we embrace it, we can begin again.

Oh, slow down, Lil!

Ha ha ha!

Come on!

Man: And I don't think you're a Londoner.

[Giggles] [Children laughing] You'd think I was dead already!

[Children shouting] Cease this at once!

Cyril: Lucille!

Nurse Crane: She needs help.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪