15x00 - Christmas Special 2025 Part I

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JENNIFER: Once upon a time,

the season that is new today

was old and closed and packed away.

Advent had erupted into Christmas.

Darkness retreated
in the face of light

and the wheel of the year
kept turning.

But once again,
we gather as the sky grows cold.

The leaves have tumbled,
the fresh snow falls.

Pages turn as new doors open

time and time and time again.

-Merry Christmas, Fred.
-Merry Christmas.

Medical supplies,
packed and labelled

and ready for hand delivery
to the branch house.

Hibiscus Clinic?

Do you think you should
write on it in Chinese?

Hong Kong is a British colony.

I'm quite sure everyone is

competent in our mother tongue.

I detect a want of enthusiasm
on your visage.

When adventure beckons,
you should embrace the call.

This trip is a wonderful opportunity
for Violet to see her son.

And the sisters at the clinic will
be so grateful for these supplies.

I'll just be glad of a chance
to run an errand,

if I'm honest with you,
Sister Julienne.

There's talk of...

- MOCKINGLY:
- ..c*ck parties.

KIDS SINGING:
♪ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

♪ Had a very shiny nose

♪ And if you ever saw it

♪ You would even say it glows

♪ All of the other reindeers

♪ Used to laugh and call him names

-♪ They never let... ♪
-Kevin!

I've told you before -
stay inside the lines!

The lines represent
the edges of the lorry!

-♪ Santa came to say... ♪
-You too, Teddy!

We don't want you falling off
the float and getting run over!

Do you think they're going to need

bigger holes for their mouths,
Mrs Turner?

I'm worried that they're
going to be deprived of oxygen.

Oh, please, please - don't anyone
stop singing on my account!

♪ Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer... ♪

Hello, Diane.

♪ You'll go down in history! ♪

Well, now, pack, what do we say
when a very important lady,

like Mrs Buckle, our Mayor,
is kind enough to come and visit us?

KIDS: Good evening, Mrs Buckle.

Thank you, pack. Now, off you pop
and work on your knots.

It's all set out on the tables.

One piece of cord between two!

I've bought a dozen pairs
of brown tights for the reindeer.

I managed to get them
on a special order.

You'll not get lads of this age
to wear tights, Mrs Buckle.

Well, you'll have to tell them
that it's in a good cause.

I mean, the whole Christmas Carnival
is in a good cause!

Erm, elastic...

...black felt squares...

...erm, sleigh bells...

...and WD-40.

What's that for?
To oil the sled runners?

Fred needs to do
the paper shop bell before we leave!

Mrs Buckle, go.

Go to Hong Kong.

And do not give the Christmas
Carnival a second thought.

SHELAGH: Oh...

Mrs Buckle! I'm sorry.

Oh, no, I'm sorry, Mrs Turner.

I'm not quite sure
which way is up this evening.

I wondered if you could take
a tiny parcel to Hong Kong for me.

It's a letter and some photographs,
for May's mother.

We haven't heard from her
for over a year,

but the sisters say they still
see her from time to time,

with her little boy.

Of course I'll take it.

It must all be, well, such a worry.

I used to fret about my Derek
when he was in the Navy.

But now he's in
the Hong Kong Police.

They have to wear g*ns, Mrs Turner.

It makes me nervous.

You'll be back by Christmas,
with wonderful memories.

And we've got Reggie coming home.

I'm already hoping that
it will be snowing for him.

SHELAGH CHUCKLES

Whoever guesses the mystery
ingredient in this year's chutney

gets to eat the first
mince pie and make a wish.

I'm getting definite
top-notes of tamarind.

Have you been on
another cooking course?

No, Matthew took her to Antigua
for their wedding anniversary.

-Oh.
-It's mango!

-Ah!
-Yes!

LAUGHTER

It's good to hear you're
moving back to London, lass.

Matthew has to stay
in New York until autumn,

and Jonty's starting
pre-prep at Easter.

I needed to get him
home and settled.

Sister Julienne, I will be free
for midwifery duty,

should you be short-staffed.

We very seldom are, at present.

Things have been remarkably quiet.

I have offered her a receptionist's
role at my new osteopathy practice

on Harley Street,
but no dice, apparently.

You're only there four hours a week.

Nevertheless, his couch sees
a constant parade of celebrities,

by all accounts.

Celebrities? Coming to you
with their cricked necks?

I hope you're going to name names.

Professional discretion
is my watchword.

Have a mince pie.

Oh!

Oh...

Fred! Have you seen the time?

We're going to miss the plane!

The party was running late,

and I didn't want to
disappoint the kiddies.

Get in the cab.

You can change
out of your costume on the way.

ENGINE STARTS

AEROPLANE WHOOSHES

Please let me knot my hankie
and put it on my head, Vi.

No! We'll get you a nice,
smart Panama hat

as soon as we've left
these parcels with the sisters.

CLEARS THROAT

We're looking for a sign
that says Hibiscus Street.

Derek says it should be written
in Chinese as well as English.

Thank you.

There it is.

SHOUTING

UNTRANSLATED

The building has collapsed.
Stay back, please.

The building has collapsed.
Please, stay back.

COUGHING

There must be fatalities.

I'm sorry to intercept you, Sister,

but Mrs Buckle has just
telephoned, from Hong Kong.

It's about the branch house.

How on Earth can an entire
building just collapse?

I never heard of
anything so colonial!

There were rumours that the
ground in that area was unstable.

But whatever the cause,

it's the consequences
that are truly shocking.

Sister Alice and Sister David
were both k*lled.

-Oh, no...
-Along with the doctor who worked with them.

Some of the children
in the nursery...

...did not survive.

Meanwhile, the maternity ward

has been destroyed,
the sisters are homeless,

and the people who depend upon them
are scattered across Kowloon.

Once they have overcome this,

they will need somewhere to live
and carry on their work.

Now, they need a doctor.

They need nurses
and they need midwives.

In short, Sister...

...they need us.

I keep thinking we should be making
Christmas trees for the Carnival,

not palm trees.

The theme of the float
is A Caribbean Christmas.

There's going to be a steel band
playing carols and a Gospel choir.

HE SINGS, SHE LAUGHS
KNOCKING

DOOR OPENS

Are these the palm trees?

Mm-hm.

I'm starting to think
we should be making Jacarandas.

So, what's this letter
you want to talk to me about?

If ten days on the ground
in Hong Kong

means that we can get them
through this crisis,

I am more than happy
to put a locum in the surgery.

And, Sister Veronica, you must go.

You were three years
at that branch house -

you're the only one with
even a glancing knowledge

of the way things work out there.

I will go wherever I'm told.

I will do whatever I'm told.

Very well. Dr Turner will go.

As will Nurse Crane, Sister Veronica

and myself.

So, this man, this... Mr Fischer,

who writes with an educated hand
from an address in Belgravia,

wants to rent this flat,
with immediate effect.

For a period of time
that he is unable to specify.

For an amount
that we are free to name.

Look, call me ruthless,
if you want to,

but, Pastor Robinson, what I make
of it is money for the church.

Running a church is always
going to cost somebody something.

I'll find somewhere else to
lay my head for a week or two.

The truth is, I'm more worried
about me missing you over there

than I am about
me being missed over here.

You were vital to everything
when we were in South Africa.

And I came home
with Teddy on the way.

Look, Timothy is quite
old enough to hold the fort,

if you came to Hong Kong.

He's home on study leave
for a month.

Patrick, I'm needed here.

DOOR CLOSES

That's the last box, Miss Higgins.

Dr Elyse Watkiss is our first
choice for locum cover.

She's young
but has excellent GP experience.

I will attend
to the necessary paperwork.

Timothy, you might call the pharmacy
regarding the export forms,

whilst I see to this.

Yes, Miss Higgins.

The posters have
turned out an absolute treat.

I found a photo that must have
been taken years ago.

And you'll never guess what -

you can see it clear as day,
now it's blown up life-size.

Mum, look!

Oh, it's May.

As a baby!

Before we even knew her.

I would recognise her anywhere.

Come on, ladies!
Dig as deep as you can.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you very much.

-Every penny counts!
-Don't be shy!

Some of these clothes are ours, Mum.

Yes. I went up into the loft
and there were bags full of woollies

that went back years.

This was mine. I remember this.

You had it when you first
arrived from China.

Would you rather
we didn't send it off?

The radio reporter says
ready when you are.

Ten-year-old May Turner
has a special reason for helping

with the appeal today.

Can you tell the listeners
what it is, May?

I was born there.

A photograph of May, aged 12 months

and held safely
in the arms of a Nonnatus nun

features on posters
for the rescue mission.

As the Nonnatus Sisters of Poplar
head east to help,

do you have a message
for people listening, May?

WHISPERING: Please give all you can.

Please give all you can.

Because...

...some of the children there
have nothing.

Sister Hilda will be joining
the Nonnatus party at Heathrow.

At least that's only one plane
we have to meet, Fred.

Derek, you're eating
the lime marmalade.

I'm not going to lie to you -

I've laid awake at night
dreaming of this stuff.

Thanks for bringing it.

And the mustard.
Proper taste of home.

It's even got...

..."English" written on the tin.

Fred and I were wondering
about popping over to Kowloon,

to see if there's anything
we can take the poor sisters.

Mum, Kowloon isn't the East End.

Nobody pops over there.

Or not to that bit of it, anyway.

Hibiscus Street's
about as dodgy as it gets.

Drugs, prostitution, smuggling.

Makes you wonder why the sisters
are so keen to stay there.

Well, it's the same as Poplar,
ain't it?

Bad things happen -
good people sort it out.

The best people in the world
couldn't sort Triad out.

What is Triad, Derek?

Organised crime.

It's invisible and it's everywhere.

Oh...

I got used to Tim not being here
because he's at medical school.

What I can't get used to is him not
being here because he's in the pub.

Mum and Dad...

You should be in bed, Tilly Mint.

We've been talking.

Oh, it's very late.

We've all been talking.

And we all want you to go
to Hong Kong, Mum.

Do you?

Yes.

And I want you to take this.

Oh...

Oh!

And that was confirmation

that you can refer
any health visitor business

over to Miss Haines
at the Stepney Clinic.

If I say so myself,
the plan is impregnable!

You, meanwhile, are the only one
I trust with my Rolodex.

I will guard it with my life.

And Nurse Aylward considers
herself on call at any time,

should you require her support
with any administration.

I'm also available
for midwifery duty.

You only have to pick up the phone.

Thank you. It's most unlikely
that it will come to that.

This is a mercy mission.

It's also a mercy dash
and we'll be home soon.

By the time we all
gather here again,

we will have left our friends
in Hong Kong in a place of...

...hope and of comfort and of joy.

Thank you, all of you,
for helping us to help them.

APPLAUSE

I am reminded of Spitfires
streaming overhead,

to skies and fights half known,
but undetermined.

They'll all be home by Christmas.

That was our motto...

...in a different w*r.

I still don't like the idea
of you living in a bedsit,

like you've just come off the boat.

KNOCKING

It's a better bedsit
than I had in those days.

It's got fitted carpets
and hot water.

DOOR OPENS

MAN: - Hot chestnuts.
Get your chestnuts hot here.

BAND PLAYS: Once In
Royal David's City

Ah. You, I take it,
are Pastor CA Robinson,

of the Shining Tabernacle
Church of God?

And you must be Mr Fischer.

Please, come in.

We got rid of the electric meter

to stop the lights going out
when people were testifying.

And this is the bedroom.

DISTANT TRAIN TRACKS RATTLE

We put up thick curtains,

so the trains won't
bother you in the night.

Oh, the trains won't bother me
at any time of day.

I thought you'd be saying Lauds
in your room, Sister Monica Joan.

In Hong Kong, they will be
saying the afternoon office.

And the Psalm does not vary,

no matter from which corner of
the globe we offer up our praise.

I shall raise my voice with yours...

...and theirs.

♪ My help cometh even from the Lord

♪ Who hath made heaven and earth

♪ He will not suffer
thy foot to be moved

♪ And he that keepeth thee
will not sleep

♪ Praise the Lord!

♪ Praise the Lord! ♪

WAILING

WHISTLE BLOWS

OFFICER GIVES INSTRUCTION

The thing is, Dr Turner,
you just have to keep your nerve.

I haven't lost my nerve, Fred.

I HAVE lost sight of the van

containing all of the medical
supplies and the donations.

I told the driver at the airport.

I said they were to follow
immediately behind us.

I wondered what you were saying.

You sounded commendably forceful.

We just have to hope you said
what you thought you said.

If we have any problems whatsoever,

my Derek has told me
which police station to go to

and to use his name.

OFFICER GIVES INSTRUCTION

Thank you very much.

There's one of our sisters!

SHE GASPS

Sister Edith!

I greet you in
the Lord Jesus Christ's name.

We greet you likewise.

SISTER EDITH GASPING

There is much to be considered.

Seven day, I have them upstairs!

Sick nun, sick children.

And we could not be more grateful.

Thank you.

Say that to her in Cantonese.

"Thank you" I know.

Thank you not important.

"Trouble" I know also.

You have trouble. Come. Come.

BABY CRYING, COUGHING

They can't all be living here.

Onward! I can hear the child crying.

HORNS BEEPING

I believe Sister Simon
will need to go to hospital

and have her wrist reset
under an aesthetic.

And I suspect Sister Prudence
has a broken collar bone.

We're going to have to
stand them all down

and send them
for hospital treatment.

When did the diarrhoea start?
Before the cough, or after?

Doctor, I know what ails me.

I have tuberculosis.

Are you sure?

Or do you simply fear it?

Miliary tuberculosis -
the worst kind.

Tuberculosis is so very contagious.

It has spread from my lungs
throughout my body.

I have little time left to live.

When were you diagnosed?

The day the clinic collapsed.

I was told by our doctor, Dr Li.

I took myself out for a walk

whilst she arranged for me
to go to a sanatorium.

And when I returned,

there was no clinic...

...and no doctor...

...and no bed in a sanatorium.

And no choice but to carry on
handling the children.

HE SIGHS HEAVILY

Oh... Oh.

You are kind, Nurse.

Just doing my job, lass.

At least the main treatment
for pre-eclampsia is bed rest.

Both these ladies have had that,

rudimentary though the beds may be.

Once we've unpacked, I'll ask them
to oblige me with some samples

and get the dipsticks out.

This is infected.

I don't think it's been
properly cleaned.

Is it any wonder,
with them all huddled up here

without even the barest essentials?

Not to mention
ignoring their own injuries.

If you ask me, the sisters
worked miracles enough

just keeping everyone alive.

And now it's our turn.

This place reminds me
of a cash and carry.

There must be a gross of tinned
bamboo shoots in this box

and enough soya sauce
to float a battleship.

Do you reckon Mrs Ma would mind
if we move stuff about?

We'll have to ask her, Fred.

I know she's a Christian convert
and she has been very accommodating,

but... these are her premises.

I need the labelled crates
of medical supplies, Fred.

We have to run urgent
TB tests on everyone.

-Over here, Doc.
-Ah, excellent.

Excellent.

No...

Oh, no, no, no, no!

These have been forced open.

HE SIGHS

It's all gone.

Is that the New Vista Sanatorium?

Mm goi. I have a very sick lady
who requires urgent admission.

SHE SPEAKS CANTONESE

You have been
charity itself, Mrs Ma.

-I'll hold.
-You took the sisters in and gave them food and shelter...

Only till rescue.

You are rescue. Now, you all go.

But we have nowhere else TO go.

We will find a new clinic.

We will find a new convent.

But we cannot do that today.

It's not safe!

Why is it not safe?

You stay.

Stay now, but go soon.

And use back door, not front.

PHONE RINGS

Nonnatus House. Midwife speaking.

Can I bring my wife
to the maternity home, please?

Of course, sir.

Er, what name is it?

She says what name?

Diane Mary Edgar!

Diane Mary Edgar.

I made myself a cup of coffee,
Miss Higgins. Do you want one?

Er, thank you. I generally keep
myself in check until elevenses.

Um, your white coat should be
hanging on the back of the door

of the consulting room.
Would you like me to fetch it?

It's fine! I don't need it yet.

We've got bad coughs coming in
at half-past nine

and 10 past 10, and at 11,
all in the over-50 age group.

Have these patients been referred
to the East London Chest Clinic?

I'm sure they have, if Dr Turner
considers that appropriate.

Excellent.

I'll have a quick rummage through
their notes just to make sure.

The files are through here,
aren't they?

They are indeed.
Erm, no fluids in the filing room,

if you'd be so kind.

LOUD GROAN

PANTING

Perfect work.

You certainly know
what you're doing.

Oh, I feel terrible about
bringing those reindeer heads.

I'd have never got 'em
finished otherwise.

Good morning. May I help you?

My name's Queenie Forsyth.

My daughter's in child bed.

We arrived last night.

PANTING

That's six massive pushes
I've done now.

It's not budging, Nurse.

Let's get you back on the bed

and then I can examine you.

We'll soon have a better idea
of your progress.

I'm telling you now,
there hasn't been any.

This one's not playing
the same game as my others.

GROANING

GROANING

Midwives calling!

Good gracious! It's like
the first day of the sales in here.

Can we open one of those windows
and let in a bit of air?

How long have you been feeling
that you need to push, child?

I don't know!

And every time they yell at me
to push, I try.

Five hours.

Five hours she's been at it.

GROANING

OK, honey.

Until we know what's what,
you must not push.

Do you hear me? You must not push.

I am not a bossy woman,
but I am being bossy now.

How much did your
other babies weigh, Diane?

Seven pound six,
and eight pound nine.

Darren was like
giving birth to a sofa.

This one feels like
a ruddy three-piece suite,

and a coffee table.

I think Baby might
be on the bonny side.

But I don't think he's read
the book that tells him

how to line up nicely for delivery.

Doctor, could you pop across
and speak to Dr Watkiss?

It's R-O-T.

A Right Occiput Transverse?

And quite a big baby.

But my dad, Dr Turner,
always attends,

in the event of
any transverse position.

Well, I'd better come through, then.

That poor girl started pushing
long, long before she was ready.

Has she damaged her cervix?

It's not torn,

but it's so swollen
I can actually see it

at the entrance to her vag*na.

No baby's going to get through that
unless we bring that swelling down.

We need ice.

Ice?

I think I saw a refrigerator.

If we don't make this work,
she'll need a Caesarean section.

SOBBING

Diane, don't cry.

There are all sorts of things
we can do to get things moving.

Would Dr Turner
try the ventouse, do you think?

No.

He always uses forceps
in a transverse position.

In which case, we'll continue
with trial of labour.

We'll transfer you to St Cuthbert's,
if we get no joy.

SOBBING

Timothy, this won't do.

Nonnatus House.

If you pursue midwifes, they are
all abroad, or otherwise at large.

-Is there nobody there at all?
-DISTANT SOBBING

Nurse Clifford has a multiparous
woman in obstructed labour.

And the locum doesn't know
how to use forceps.

Supply the details

and I will provide the advice.

You're going to be grateful to me
in the long run

but I'm not going to lie to you
and say this ice pack

is the nicest thing you ever had
slip underneath your covers.

GIGGLING

Are you allowed
to laugh at things like that?

I don't get the chance very often!

Ah!

It's freezing!

Serves you right,
for being disrespectful.

SHE GROANS

Diane, we need you head down
and with your bottom in the air.

This position will stretch
your pelvic ligaments

and give the baby enough room
to adjust its head position.

I hope you have that
on good authority!

The best authority
you can possibly imagine.

Let her have a little nap.

Is there anything else
wrong with her?

I don't think so.

But, Queenie, women need skilled
help when they're giving birth.

Especially when it's their first.

I took her to the doctor when
she first knew that she'd fallen.

We were up in the far north then.

You forget where you've been.

Haven't decided where you're going.

And besides, I went to
the hospital with my last one.

I wouldn't venture that again.

I'll examine her.

Let's hope it's worked.

Oh, I just want to lie down.

Baby has shifted position, Diane.

All we need to do now
is make friends with gravity.

I'm going to have to push.

That's all right, Diane.

You give it everything you've got.

This is the bit where
I'm glad I did the enema.

KNOCKING

I feared verbal instructions alone
would not suffice.

Verbal instruction has done more
than you can possibly imagine.

Baby's head is beginning to crown.

LOUD GROANING

The swelling has gone down, Marie.

But I need you to do
exactly as I say.

Listen to Nurse Highland.

On the next one,
I want your chin on your chest

and a slow, quiet, steady push.

Slow!

Slow.

BOTH: Quiet. Steady.

SHE GROANS

GROANING

We've got the head.

Come on. You can do it!

Keep it coming! Keep it coming!

LOUD MOAN

BABY CRIES

Is it a boy or a girl?

I'm afraid I can't tell.
I've got something in my eye.

LAUGHTER, BABY CRIES

Can you see, Sister Monica Joan?

I can see every aspect
of the miracle.

You have a daughter.

MARIE CRIES OUT

This stinging will end soon, Marie.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

And we have a head!

Well done, honey.

We also have meconium.

The midwife says
we need an ambulance!

Oh. Go on.

MARIE STRAINS

SHE GROANS

You've a little boy, Marie.

Can I hold him?

All will be well, Marie.

I promise you - all will be well.

BABY GURGLES

He must be baptised.

-Now.
-But there'll be a chaplain at the hospital, Queenie.

This is his home,

and he is not leaving his
mother's arms until he is baptised.

- MISS HIGGINS:
- Well,

Dr Watkiss' curriculum vitae

stated very clearly
she is fully trained in obstetrics.

She has now revealed that,
in almost five years of GP practice,

she has only delivered two babies,

neither with any complications.

That's the way it is these days.

We're all trained in obs and gynae,

but the expectation is that almost
every baby will be born in hospital.

Dr Watkiss wanted to
continue trial of labour

but we couldn't countermand her
because she's more senior.

And next time we may not have
Sister Monica Joan to call on.

Any wisdom I have was hard won,

in the days when there might have
been no doctor to send for.

We were wise out of necessity.

And you are skilled
in your own right.

Nevertheless, I will not
permit this to happen again.

I am sending for Nurse Aylward.

Lord Jesus Christ,

who took little children
in your arms and blessed them,

hold this infant, Luke Michael,

in your matchless love
today and always.

Fill his mother and father
with your peace

and cherish him
according to thy will.

-Amen.
-ALL: Amen.

-Amen.
-Amen.

I keep thinking,

May's mother was a nanny
for a British service family.

Is it worth asking
if the Army have any record of her?

She would have just been
cheap, casual labour.

After she lost her job,
she must have been desperate.

And where would desperation
take you, in a city of this size?

We have to find out.

Esther Tang gave us
the greatest gift we've ever had...

...and we can't abandon her.

No. We can't.

Sister Hilda?

Are you lying awake for the same
reason that I'm lying awake?

I don't know.

Well, I'm lying awake because
we've flown halfway round the world

on a rescue mission and if we get
thrown out of this place by Mrs Ma,

we're going to be in as much need
of rescue as anyone else.

The injured and the sick sisters
are leaving in the morning.

Sister Edith to the sanatorium

and the other sisters to
the Roman Catholic hospital.

We have orphans to care for.

And expectant mothers.

Any one of whom
could have caught TB.

And out in the street,
there are prostit*tes and addicts

who will look to us for help.

I know there are.

But we will pray.

And we will wait
to see what love can do.

SISTER HILDA SIGHS

I'm sorry, Miss Higgins.
I've been through all of these cases

and there are at least half a dozen

who should be
at St Cuthbert's and not here.

Well, Mr Parry himself expressed
satisfaction with our care.

Good afternoon, ladies.

Dr Watkiss, I presume?

Nurse Aylward?

Sister Aylward, as it happens.

I've accepted a promotion
during the absence of Dr Turner,

under whom I've worked for 16 years,
ever since I qualified.

Hmm, so we have
three mothers over 40,

two gestational diabetes,

and Maureen Santoro I know already.

She had her first
set of twins with us.

Second set isn't unheard of.

I've never handled
a multiple pregnancy, Sister.

Well, there's always a first time.

Dr Watkiss and I will
call ourselves Cubicle One.

Send them all to us
and we'll see how we do.

Hello?

Queenie!

Have you brought Marie?

She's still above in the hospital,
with the baby.

He's after taking the antibiotics.

She's doing grand.

It's... me that needs to see you.

Are you expecting, Queenie?

Under this coat,
I'm having my ninth.

You don't shout about it
when you get to my age.

But I heard what you and
the other nurse was saying.

I need skilled help.

If you want it,
we'll make sure you get it.

I do want it.

- WHISPERING:
- My last was a stillborn.

Even though I had it in hospital.

I'm so sorry
that happened to you, Queenie.

But we're going to
walk beside you now.

I'll start by filling
in your co-op card.

Ooh!

A tin of Carnation milk,
if you please.

Oh, ah, and erm...

...a quarter of humbugs,
if you'll be so kind.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Perhaps just two ounces.

I do not consume them
in any conspicuous pace.

You don't want them all turning
sticky at the bottom of the bag.

No.

CREAK

Oh!

I thought I heard that.

It catches.

Doesn't it?

I think Mr Buckle was supposed to
oil it before he went away.

He must have forgotten.

Well, then, I...

...I thought I'd imagined it.

HE LAUGHS

LAUGHING

It catches!

It's all very well
and good complaining

that all the people who can deliver
babies have gone to Hong Kong.

I'm more concerned
that all the people who can sew

have gone to Hong Kong.

You're always waving your magic wand
and producing costumes, Geoffrey.

And no-one's going to see
the details. It's for a carnival.

Everything's going to be
moving past at speed.

Well, moving past.

I'm an ideas man.

And a contacts man.

I'm not a needle and thread man!

And it was not my idea

to dress up the midwives
of Nonnatus House as angels,

complete with ostrich feather wings.

I thought we could do it with
just a bit of cutting and sticking.

Like Rosalind
and her Christmas trees.

They're palm trees.

I heard rumours
the sewing machine was out.

Angela just tried on her spoon
costume and ripped it.

Oof. You look like you good
do with a Snowball, honey.

Do you want
a maraschino cherry in it?

I'll have two.

What sort of wounds have they taught
you to suture at medical school?

Well, highlights include closure of
incision after two appendectomies

and I did
a rugby player's scalp once.

Needle. Thread.

If you want a c*ck,
you're going to have to earn it.

UNTRANSLATED SPEECH

Oh...

This is not the way
I intended my service to end.

As a patient in a sanatorium.

You have given all you can,
Sister Edith.

That is enough, and more.

It was the children I lived for
and loved the best.

I remember your daughter well.

May?

Oh, she's ten years old now.

And so many children
pass through the orphanage.

Mm.

I took medicine
to her mother, Esther.

Three months ago, she was
living out on Tau Street.

Number 122.

The number is daubed on,
on the door.

Sister Edith, do you think
she might still be there?

She was there once.

And not too long ago.

Beyond that, I cannot say.

The sooner we are able to
move into the premises,

the better it will be
for the people in our care.

We can even overlook
the pigeon infestation,

for a small reduction in the rent.

Down payment will be


The sisters have the funds for that,

and there will be ongoing support

from a number of
private philanthropists,

plus the Rotary Club of Hong Kong.

Very well.

We shall prepare the documentation.

Ah!

Thank you.

Mm goi.

Let's hope the Army can help
with our medical supplies.

The collapse of that clinic
barely made the news here.

And of course
we're delighted to assist,

now that we know there's
a rescue mission on.

The sisters need
all the help they can get, sir.

It's not disinterest because
buildings fall down all the time.

It's avoidance.

Cos it's going to happen
more and more -

everybody knows that and
there's nothing we can do.

Because of the overcrowding?

Because they just keep building
upwards on insecure foundations.

One misplaced mudslide
could obliterate Kowloon.

At least we can improve
on the human side of things.

-Morning, Major.
-Morning, Corporal.

I'm coming with my best party
manners and a begging bowl.

TRAM BELL RINGS

It really is extraordinarily kind
of you to accompany us, Mrs Buckle.

I thought it may be necessary
to tell untruths, Sister,

and I thought if that was the case
then better me than you.

Mrs Buckle, have you told untruths?

No!

I may have slightly pre-empted
one or two realities.

Although I'm sure the Rotary Club

will be only too pleased
to offer their support,

once I make contact
and explain the situation.

I daren't even ask about
the private philanthropists.

Well, one of them is me.

And I'm sure there will be others.

MAN GIVES INSTRUCTIONS

It's not just
the TB kits and penicillin

I'm grateful to the Major for.

It's use of the Army labs
for processing the tests.

It's all well and good
the sisters having faith in God...

...but I reckon the military
beat him every time.

The military's
certainly better organised.

Well, I suppose they have to be,
same as the police,

-especially with all this...
-LOWERS VOICE: - ..Triad malarkey.

It's just like the Kray Twins.

And then some.

I've stitched wounds
inflicted by the Kray Twins.

They never bothered us,
nor Nonnatus House.

In fact, the sisters were revered.

I don't reckon the Triad
revere the sisters here.

If they did, they would help 'em.

I think you're right.

You know, Violet's Derek says,

there's somebody Triad
in every street

that people have to answer to
or pay.

And Mrs Ma
is living in fear of someone.

DISTANT SIREN

Oh. I'm searching for
a young lady called Esther Tang.

She used to live at this address

and has a young boy about
the same age as this little one.

I wonder if you or your wife
might know where she moved to?

She has gone.

She will not return.

Miss! Miss!

Esther left one week ago.

Did she say where she was going?

She was sick and she was afraid.

Don't look for her, please.

Can I ask your name?

Grace.

Don't look.

♪ Have yourself
a merry little Christmas

♪ Let your heart be light

♪ From now on our troubles
will be out of sight

♪ Merry Christmas
Merry, merry Christmas

♪ Have yourself
a merry little Christmas

♪ Make the Yuletide g*y

♪ From now all our troubles
will be miles away

♪ All your troubles
soon turn into bubbles

♪ Once again as in olden days

♪ Happy golden days of yore

♪ Faithful friends
who are dear to us

♪ Gather near to us once more

♪ Once more

♪ Through the years
we all will be together... ♪

Joyce, Trixie's supposed to
be doing our make-up,

but there's no sign of her.

She's not the only one who knows
what to do with a bit of eye shadow.

And if she doesn't turn up on time,
our float is leaving without her.

Isn't it going to look a bit feeble
with just the three of us?

We are midwives,

not the Four Horsemen
of the Apocalypse!

Pack, pack, pack!

You are all to visit the toilets now
and come straight back here,

as soon as you have
washed your hands.

Right? Now, Harry,

who has arrived from university
just in time to help us tonight,

is now going to hand out cough candy
to help us all with our singing.

Come on!

KIDS CLAMOUR

I want one! I want one!

-Can I have one, sir?
-Me!

Promise me you'll always
have me home for Christmas.

We're going to be late, Geoffrey.

If you were content with
boarding a carnival float

wearing improperly attached
angel wings,

well, I can assure you, I wasn't.

Oh, for pity's sake!

Pushing this pram through snow
is like dicing with insanity.

What's that?

It's a walking stick?

Oh. It's actually rather elegant.

I think it's got a solid silver top.

Oh, no, no. Sis, I know this.

This belongs to one of my Harley
Street patients, Maurice Templemore.

He was an enormous film star
when the talkies first came out.

What's it doing here in Poplar?

Also, if there's
one thing I do know,

if you find a walking stick
lying on the ground,

you're likely to find
its owner nearby

and lying in a similar position.

-Sir?
-No.

Maurice Templemore
cannot be in Poplar.

I doubt he even knows
where Poplar is.

He must have been burgled!

Sir!

-Sir?
-Over... here.

I'm terribly sorry.

I seem to have rather
overstretched myself.

Thank you.

Mr Templemore?

Please don't call me that.

Not here.

CHEERING

STEEL DRUMS PLAY

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

What are you doing in this
insalubrious part of town?

Well, you're in the same
insalubrious part of town.

But you're not well.

I know that because you said so when
I was sorting out your fibrositis.

A blood disorder, you told me.

What kind of blood disorder?

A malignant one.

But I didn't tell him that.

I was born in this flat,

when the paper shop
was a greengrocer.

My father came all the way
from Russia, straight off the boats.

All he knew was beets and turnips

and so he made a life from that.

And you made a life out of
different things entirely.

Yes. Little Manny Fischer

became Maurice Templemore.

New York, Hollywood,

and then home.

Well, to London's West End,

instead of the East End,

and to a life of
comfortable obscurity.

But...

...everyone had gone.

Your family had gone?

Here. Here.

All manner of humanity
that I once loved, had gone.

So I've come home to die.

Mr Templemore,
you live in Belgravia.

Not any more.

And I'm no longer Mr Templemore...

...if ever I truly was.

He needs medical care, Sis.

DOOR CLOSES

And I'll arrange
that in the morning.

But at this precise moment in time,
we have a carnival to catch.

Come along!

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION

I used to... Oh.

I used to make them...

BABY CRIES

Oh, no! No...

A baby. Left to be found.

This happened all the time
at the Hibiscus Clinic.

BABY CRIES

A girl.

I'd not put her at
more than two days old.

And the cord looks to have been
chewed through.

Come here. Come here.
Come on, my baby.

-Oh...
-Oh, it's OK.

Oh...

INDISTINCT SPEECH

What do you mean, we can't have
the house on Half Lotus Street?

We have the keys
and we have paid the deposit!

It is not suitable.

It is extremely suitable.

And we can move there immediately
with the children

and our adult patients.

The man who owns
the building say no.

Give me the keys.

If we are to return them,

it can only be in exchange
for the money we have paid.

Give me the keys.

BABY FUSSES

Keys.

Esther is a very, very important
person to our family.

It's as though
they have both vanished.

What's wrong with its heartbeat?

Only doctors deliver by forceps.

Everyone's bringing a bottle.

CHEERING

Run by a crook who calls
himself the Cormorant.

-A gangster?
-Of the worst kind!

Mr Fred and the doctor
are in trouble.