(thunder) (woman wailing) Breathless.

As in stifling, suffocating.

How could that possibly describe London in the early 1960s, on the cusp of the sexual revolution?

Or the life of a handsome, charismatic, brilliant surgeon named Otto Powell, with his beautiful wife and son, his gracious house, his silky blue convertible-- what could possibly be stifling him?

What secret so dark could be making him feel so... breathless?

Nurse.

Clamp, please.

I didn't mean throw the thing at me, Nurse.

(chuckles briefly) Not like it is in the damn manual.

I'm worried about Miss Mulligan's blood pressure, Dr. Truscott.

I'm nearly there.

Mr. Powell, I wonder if Dr. Truscott might have your opinion?

TRUSCOTT: Damn!

Everything all right, Dr. Truscott?

Mind if I have a look, old man?

The patient's in her early 20s, presented with lower abdominal pain.

Ovarian cyst.

I think we might be better off with a Spencer Wells.

Thank you, Nurse.

All right, just let me come in here... (snipping) That should do it.

There we are.

Right-o.

Yes, exactly what I was about to do.

POWELL: Thank you, Theater.

(laughing) No more "Yes, doctor, "thank you, doctor" for me!

No more bed pans!

WOMAN: Ladies!

Congratulations, Mrs. Richard Truscott.

(cheering) Jean's getting married!

♫♫ Excuse me!

Sorry!

(chuckling) Right, Stebbings, you're first.

In you go.

(woman shouts in pain) TRUSCOTT: Feel that?

You're not one of our usual miscreants.

You are...?

Wilson-- staff.

I transferred.

QAH Portsmouth.

Why?

Family, ma'am.

You'll find London full of temptations, and this hospital is no exception.

I'm used to resisting temptation.

Try not to make a fool of yourself.

SISTER NEVILLE: Miss Mulligan, from theater this morning.

So, how are we this afternoon, young lady?

The doctor asked you a question, child.

Well, she certainly presents with a distinct absence of joy, don't you think, gentlemen?

(laughing) Mind if we have a look at our handiwork?

Sister, if you please?

TRUSCOTT: Of course, the moment I clapped eyes on her, I'm pretty bloody certain I'm looking at an ovarian teratoma.

(faint voices behind the curtain) Right as rain.

Next time we meet, I will be delivering your first baby.

Jolly good.

TRUSCOTT: Right, who's next, Sister?

Or is it time for coffee?

NEVILLE: Just Mrs. Harcourt, Dr. Truscott.

Looking much brighter, I'd say.

TRUSCOTT: Oh, yes, hello, Mrs. Harcourt.

MRS. HARCOURT: Hello, Doctor.

TRUSCOTT: Can we have a look at you?

Madam.

Truscott.

I'm really not sure about her.

Quite.

Where's Nurse Meecher?

Jean sent me, sir.

ENDERBURY: This requires the utmost discretion.

You do understand that, don't you, Nurse?

(car engine starting) Don't look so worried, Nurse.

Dr. Enderbury, please, what are we doing here?

WOMAN: Otto, is that you?

I've been such a silly muffin.

Why don't we take a seat?

So when do you think you conceived?

If Madam would care to wait over there.

TRUSCOTT:Darling!

My last day in that ghastly uniform and you show up weeks late.

You are a very naughty boy.

This is my fiancée.

And if you must know, I was held up in theater.

Not the bar, sir?

Operating theater.

(machine whirring) (gas whooshing) Well, this is lovely.

You did your best with that girl, Ricky.

We all thought so.

Bloody Powell stepping in like that made me look a right Charlie.

Oh, come on.

Let's dance the night away.

TRUSCOTT: Tell the boys to give it some life.

(band playing tango) This is for you.

She's going.

Hasn't taken the money.

Where on earth did you find her?

(boat horn blowing) (train rumbling) (faucet dripping) Jeanie!

Oh, Christ!

I'm late for the 6:26.

All right, Dad, you're all right.

I can always change at London Bridge.

Um... (door opens loudly) Ange!

DAD: Jeanie, I'm going to be late!

It's gone 7:30!

There is Dad's pot to do and you are going to be late.

You should've sodding well told me it was an abortion, Jean!

I would never have gone!

That boy...

It is a bloody outrage!

All right, why don't you sit yourself down?

Jean, do you hear, it's a...

I'm glad you came back, Ange.

All right, Dad.

(yelling): That was wrong of you, Jeanie!

It's illegal, to start with.

Mommy, Mommy!

Mrs. J, Daddy's home!

Breakfast first, young man.

Daddy!

Good morning, Master Powell.

Daddy!

What?

(whispering): It's my birthday.

It isn't, is it?

Really?

What is the date?

No, I am sure you are mistaken.

But it is my birthday!

No, I'm sure that's not right.

Happy birthday, Thomas, darling!

Cake for breakfast?

What's the world coming to?

Certainly not on a school day.

I wanted Mr. Powell to be here and you won't be home for tea, will you?

I chose this one.

There you are.

You really should have told me, Jean!

You wouldn't have gone.

I do not want to end up in Holloway.

You won't get five pounds for any other private procedure.

I didn't take the money.

What is it about you, Ange?

You skedaddle down to Plymouth... Portsmouth.

And I came back, if you remember, to fend for Dad so you could get married.

Wedding ring.

Oh, shoot.

Still nothing from Joe?

Oh, Ange...

But you are going to be happy.

And I'm coming to that church.

Me, Dad and half the street!

You are sodding not.

(laughs) I'm late.

It's for the best, Ange, honestly.

They can't know about Dad.

Not like he is.

Richard would run a mile.

I know.

Well, it's the early bird.

You work so hard, darling.

This morning, Mrs. Enderbury, I am on a mission.

I can hardly believe he's eight already.

Yes, every parent must feel that way, I'm sure.

But we are different.

It was the best way, Elizabeth.

Yes, yes, I know.

I worry you're going to exhaust yourself, Otto.

Well, Mrs. J's coffee keeps me alive, if it doesn't actually kill me first.

Oh!

I, uh...

I shall be late tonight.

I hate that thing.

Just insurance.

Best be prepared.

Your fiancé has more money than sense.

Well, I wonder if this NHS of theirs runs to vases.

You gave me a fright, Maureen.

Getting ill like that.

I'm sorry.

All, uh... Ship-shape?

I'm having a word with your father if not, dear.

She can be such a silly thing.

Father's not a flower man, is he, Mo?

Says all that money going to waste after a few days.

(fading out): And a police inspector's salary is hardly paid in bullion.

The next thing I knew, a fireman was pulling me from the wreckage.

My sister, my father, dear Ma, gone.

Like that.

Thank you very much, Mr. Hitler.

A V2!

Really?

The whole street, gone.

So who took you in?

Well, I was evacuated to darkest Somerset.

The people had a pub in Crewkerne.

So are they coming?

To your wedding, silly?

Leave the poor girl alone, Lily, dearest.

Crewkerne is a frightful way away, isn't it?

But what about friends?

Who is coming?

You are.

You're my friends.

And the other nurses.

Now ladies, I have booked a table for some lunch, and time is... (sighs) My treat, Lily, dearest.

You do look completely ravishing.

Well, it's all thanks to you and Mr. Powell.

That'll be last night's dinner.

Richard really went to town.

Please don't think badly of me.

I knew there was something fishy going on!

You won't be the first nurse to go up the aisle expecting.

He said he'd be careful.

He's a gynecologist.

That hardly makes him an expert!

Lily, that really is too much.

LILY: Silly me.

I think I'm just happy for you.

Mrs. Powell, I'm so sorry.

But does Richard actually know, Jean?

Why else do you think he's marrying me?

Nurse Wilson.

Sir.

You have been warned to be cautious around doctors.

Mr. Powell, whatever you may think, what I found myself involved in last night was not only illegal...

Forget it.

It never happened.

That patient had made a mistake.

I can help.

The law... Makes miserable lives and miserable women, whoever they are.

As easy as that?

I didn't say it was easy, but it's what I believe.

Look, at least take the money you earned.

Dr. Enderbury is never at his best agitated.

Good afternoon, Mr. Powell.

LILY: Dearest, we are very early.

ENDERBURY: Well, it's the early bird.

Mission, by the way, accomplished.

Gosh, darling, can we really afford it?

(sighs) You're the tops, Mrs. Enderbury.

The house does look lovely, Mrs. J. Lily, dear.

Elizabeth!

Mommy, look what Uncle Charles gave me!

It's a Scalextric set!

When a chap is eight, it is what every chap has to have.

Remember, not a word about Jean.

Oh, I'm not at all good at lying.

ENDERBURY: Yahoo!

Charlie's a grown man!

He's a wonderful godfather.

And you are a saint, throwing a do for Richard and Jean.

But you are a saint, aren't you?

Oh, I rather doubt it, honestly.

(doorbell ringing) Well, there is, I'm happy to report, nothing amiss with Mrs. Baring.

You see, darling?

As I said, it's just a matter of time.

Your wife is virgo intacta.

Super!

The National Health Service.

For the newlywed.

(rock music playing) ♫She comes on like a rose♫ ♫But everybody knows♫ ♫She'll get you in Dutch♫ ♫You can look, but you better not touch...♫ Bed, dearest.

Now.

Why, Mommy?

School tomorrow, for starters, and for seconds, some things are for grown-ups.

Come on, Thomas, let's have no shilly-shallying.

He's shooting up.

Oh, dear, am I making an absolute nit of myself?

Not at all, it's marvelous!

♫Poison ivy, poison ivy♫ ♫Late at night, while you're sleeping♫ ♫Poison ivy comes a-creepin'...♫ Thursday, yeah... Hello again.

Can I, uh... ...give you a lift?

I'm happy on the bus, thank you.

Bugger this.

Look, there's a Lyon's Corner House at Baker Street.

We wouldn't be breaking any laws having tea, would we?

Or a drink?

I don't.

Me neither.

So back to plan A?

For one thing, Mr. Powell, you're married and... Maybe you're a married woman, or at least an engaged one.

Happily?

My happiness has got absolutely nothing to do with you.

All right, we've got off on the wrong foot.

Again.

I'm just trying to do the right thing and stay out of any more trouble.

Trouble chooses us, not the other way round.

In my experience.

Mrs. J.

Darling!

Sorry, sorry.

My list today was never-ending.

I'm sure all your ladies will be most grateful.

Nice to see you.

Miss Mulligan?

What on earth are you doing here?

You should be in hospital.

Where are you going?

You've just had a serious operation.

No, I'm...

I'm all right.

I'm calling for an ambulance.

No, no, I can't go ahead with this wedding, Nurse.

You're supposed to love your husband, aren't you?

Aren't you?

POWELL: Richard, we all know for a fact there isn't a chap that doesn't envy you bagging the delicious Jean.

And Jean.

I can only say Elizabeth and I are honored to be giving you away.

To Saturday, ladies and gentlemen.

To doctors and nurses!

To marriage.

ALL: To marriage!

That was a very tricky procedure yesterday.

Yes, and you made me look a right Charlie, boss.

No time for business, gentlemen.

We are so lucky.

That's right.

I'm not entirely sure what we'd all do without Mr. and Mrs. Powell.

Cheerio.

I'm sorry, he's a bit... That new girl.

The one you palmed us off with.

What do you know about her?

Why?

She all right?

Oh, yes.

Excellent.

Not a patch on you, Jean.

You'll be wasted in the kitchen.

Don't go.

Please?

Sister, five minutes?

You need to get some sleep.

POWELL: Charlie?

Gave Thomas a Scalextric.

I bought it as much for me, I think.

That nurse yesterday, for the procedure... Did you have a word?

Mm-hmm.

I suppose I'm a bit jumpy about tomorrow.

I don't know what it'll be like striking out on my own.

3,000 pounds a year will certainly oil the wheels, won't it?

You give us what-for at the board tomorrow morning and you'll have the chair of anaesthetics before you know it.

I need this job, Otto.

I really do.

You'll be there tomorrow?

Charlie.

You're always so sure things will work out, aren't you?

Because they do.

For you, Otto.

And you, old man.

Plain sailing.

If no one rocks the boat.

Boss, Mrs. Boss, really super do.

Can't thank you enough.

Oh, come on, Jeanie, let's get you home.

Let's hope the roads are empty.

God, I hope they don't end up wrapped around a lamp post.

JEAN: I know it's silly, but... Mmm?

I'm quite nervous about Saturday.

Well, then, don't be.

Come on, let's go up to your room.

The house is full of nurses.

You'll get distracted.

An atom bomb couldn't distract me.

Anyway, what's so secret in there?

I'm worried it'll harm baby.

Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Darling, you do...?

What, Nurse?

Love me?

Well, I'm marrying you, aren't I?

Of course I do.

I love every... tiny... inch of you.

Now run along before I take the law into my own hands.

Go on.

(door opens) ANGELA: Jeanie?

Jeanie, what on earth's the matter?

All I wanted for years was to be married.

To get away from here.

Well, on Saturday... Have you ever wanted something so much you forget to think about where it might end up?

No, you're too level-headed for that.

I ran away and married Joe.

A sailor, for God's sake!

I do love Richard.

Oh, Jeanie... You are going to be happy.

It's just nerves, I'm sure.

We should get some sleep.

Do you think Richard would go through with this if he saw Dad for half a second?

I'm pooped.

Ange, I'd love you at the wedding.

Honestly.

But I couldn't keep all this up if you were.

When Mom died, I decided.

I'm not going to get left behind.

Nurse Wilson, a word, please.

That nurse.

Wilson.

She's just been called into Vosper's office.

And?

Lovely morning.

Are you all right, Dr. Enderbury?

You look like you've seen a ghost.

Otto, Otto, can I have a word?

Sister tells me that you rescued a young woman who'd discharged herself and then spent half the night on the ward calming her down.

Well done.

Thank you, ma'am.

You won't survive a week here if you worry about every unhappy woman.

Our job is to change dressings and to fulfill prescriptions.

Don't go getting delusions about changing people's lives, Nurse Wilson.

You may go.

Thank you, Matron.

Prolapse, gentlemen, and its grizzly consequences.

Nine little Brownes!

Time to say no, Mrs. Browne.

Or is Mr. Browne simply too persuasive?

Come on in, folks, everybody gather round.

Right-o, let's have a look, shall we?

Not for the faint-hearted, I'll warn you... Maureen?

Miss Mulligan?

(crying) Maureen?

What are you doing in there?

I'm all right.

Sister's going to have your guts for garters, Wilson.

Have you got a ha'penny?

What?

Have you gone mad?

Okay, sh, sh...

It's okay, come on.

No, I can't, I can't.

I can't go through with the wedding.

Please, Miss.

Please just tell them I'm sorry.

What do you mean?

They're coming here today to take me away just because I'm better.

Who is?

My mother and my father.

I can't.

I can't, I can't, I can't...

Right, can you tell Sister you couldn't find me?

That way I'll get it in the neck, not you, okay?

Mm-hmm.

And you, Maureen, you go straight back to bed.

We're going to sort this out once and for all, okay?

You take her.

Excuse me, am I at the right place for the board?

Mehta.

How do you do?

Enderbury.

Sorry, you are...?

You are...?

Oh, I'm just a humble candidate for the chair of anaesthetics.

You on the panel?

Uh, no.

No.

Always jumping to conclusions.

(laughs): Yeah.

Dr. Enderbury, please.

Mr. Powell?

Mr. Powell, I've been looking.

I need you.

Dr. Enderbury?

Well, I'm supposed to be grilling these gentlemen.

Mr. Powell... Maureen Mulligan, the, uh, ovarian cyst.

She's being transferred to a private nursing home today.

I'm worried that she'll harm herself.

The psychiatry department is that way.

Now if you'll excuse me, I do need to appoint a new chair of anaesthetics.

Mr. Powell... What I witnessed you doing...

If I went to the authorities, the police... (sniggering) Why are you laughing, Mr. Powell?

Come along, let's see what we can do, shall we?

After you.

(buzzer) Well, you can dry your eyes, young lady, because I am happy to see you moved today.

Thank you so much for sending Nurse Wilson to fetch me.

Do you mind?

Dr. Truscott, gentlemen, good morning.

Miss Mulligan.

Do you mind, old man?

Let's have a look, shall we?

Sister, I don't want Miss Mulligan moved anywhere for at least 48 hours.

Yes, Mr. Powell.

TRUSCOTT: Miss Mulligan is my patient, Mr. Powell.

She's perfectly fit to be moved.

Not in my opinion.

Sister?

Miss Mulligan can be transferred to a nursing home.

She's fit for that.

Will you excuse me?

For crying out loud!

NEVILLE: Dr. Truscott, please!

WOMAN: Ronald, dear?

Oh!

The incomparable Nurse Wilson.

Were you laughing at me?

You were absolutely terrifying.

Well, thank you for what you did.

Well, I certainly infuriated Dr. Truscott, which in itself was worth the price of admission.

I wonder if you might reconsider my invitation to tea?

Nurse, please... Look, I'm obviously two left hands at this sort of thing, but... You doctors have a frightful reputation.

I'm already in enough trouble without being late back on the ward.

Did you knock them for six?

Where were you?

MAN: Dr. Mehta, please.

Well, it was nice to have met you all.

Good show.

Adieu.

I'm sure you did your best, old man.

(Thomas imitating airplane) ANGELA: You'll be safe here.

What's going to happen when my father finds out I've gone missing?

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

You can't marry a man you don't love.

Now, you need to get some rest.

Have you ever thought of getting married?

I am married.

But Joe disappeared.

So now I'm here, keeping Dad out of embarrassing himself.

Now you need to drink your tea and get some rest.

(phone ringing) The Powell residence.

It's Dr. Enderbury, Mr. Powell.

Right-o.

I'll be right back.

Excuse me, Mrs. J. Charlie?

CHARLIE: You let me down.

Oh, relax, please.

You owe me!

Well, it's probably for the best.

What, that Mehta got the job?!

Charlie...

This is not the time.

Remember Cyprus, Otto?

Otto?

(dial tone) Elizabeth helped me buy it.

With you getting promoted, I thought we could afford it.

Whatever's the matter?

You look wonderful.

Mommy, did you have a dress like that when you married Daddy?

(groans) Thomas, dear, please, will you check the cars are here?

(cries out) Now, darling.

Please.

(gasping) I'll fetch Otto.

(bells ringing) Mother dearest!

Richard.

Well... POWELL: It's gone, I'm afraid, Jean.

We need to get you to a hospital, do a D&C.

I'll call an ambulance.

I'm so sorry.

Otto...

I want to go ahead with the wedding.

You should be in a hospital.

Mr. Powell, please, I...

It's out of the question.

I'll never have a chance like this again.

Please, Mr. Powell?

Elizabeth?

Do it, Otto.

Help her.

(bells ringing) You can do this, Jeanie.

Thank you, Otto.

You... are a remarkable woman.

PRIEST: Do you, Richard Arnold Truscott, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?

To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both may live?

TRUSCOTT: I do.

♫♫ PEGGY LEE: ♫It's a wonderful world♫ ♫I'm just walking on air♫ ♫Talk of Heaven on Earth...♫ TRUSCOTT: Shut your eyes, Mrs. Truscott.

♫Haven't got a care, happy all day through...♫ Now keep them shut, there's a good girl.

(laughing) Your new home.

Well, you have to open them if you want to see it, silly.

Oh gosh, it's super!

Our own little love nest.

(clearing throat) Mother wanted to, uh, show you the flat.

Nice honeymoon?

We want to hear everything, don't we, Arnold?

Well, not quite everything.

Like we agreed, think of queen and country.

(men laughing) ALL: Morning, Mr. Powell, sir.

Oh, bugger.

We meet again.

Good morning, Miss Roper.

(coughing) Do you think Miss Roper might be more comfortable if she wasn't forced to inhale your half-and-half?

It never crossed my mind, sir.

No, quite.

Okay, that's enough, all of you go.

Now!

And learn some manners or go to veterinary college.

Now, would you mind awfully if I see how we got on?

Good morning.

Mrs. Jenny Gilbert?

Yes, at the end on the right.

Thank you.

Darling, what on earth are you doing here?

Eric, dearest.

I came to see Jenny.

How are you, Jenny?

Oh, that's very sweet of you, Val.

Mrs. Gilbert and I were just plotting Fairway's Ladies Day.

I can't escape your husband even in hospital, can I?

(laughing) I mean as club secretary.

(chuckles feebly) Well, I should probably... No, Eric, I think not.

Well, you certainly don't look like someone who's just had surgery.

Oh, didn't feel a thing.

Now right as rain.

Wonder of modern medicine.

And Jean, dearest, would you look at this little chap?

Well, he's certainly grown, hasn't he?

Did you have to, Mother?

MRS. TRUSCOTT: Your father gave the interior designer carte blanche.

Except... Home!

Do you remember it, Richard?

We thought when a little one comes along...

Mother, dearest.

That might be sooner rather than later.

Well, you never know, do you?

Gosh!

Well, that would be a lovely surprise, and so quickly, Richard.

So?

The honeymoon!

Four glorious days.

Richard didn't want to be away from his patients for too long.

Did you, darling?

I don't think we would, Mrs. Truscott, say no to a cup of tea.

Okay.

POWELL: Nurse?

Sir?

Mr. Powell, please, we're jolly nearly overrun on the ward.

Well, I'll tell them it was a matter of life and death.

That would not be entirely true, now, would it?

Everything, uh...?

You enjoying being in this hospital?

Well, you do get a better class of patient here in London.

Do you?

I was joking, Mr. Powell.

How about lunch?

In broad daylight?

With chaperones?

Wheelers does a bloody good Dover sole, what do you say?

I prefer haddock and chips.

(crying) Let me help you.

Valerie?

What are you playing at?

We'd better get you home, dearest.

(humming) (dog barking) There is no little one, is there?

I lost it.

We only hitched in record time because you were pregnant.

When?

When did you lose it?

On the morning of the wedding.

Why didn't you tell me, Jean?

I'm sorry.

And Otto knew when he walked you up the aisle?

Who the hell does he think he is?

Please, darling.

He did it for us.

You wouldn't have gone through with it.

Did you honestly believe I'd cancel the whole shooting match?

Oh, Jeanie... You're my wife now.

Mrs. Truscott.

(laughs lightly) We're meant for each other.

You do still love me, don't you, Ricky?

Of course I do.

(birds chirping) POWELL: Nothing serious.

Though I think a day in bed probably wouldn't do any harm.

Now, I will have words if Mrs. J has it the moment my back is turned you're out building a tree house.

Understood?

You are good with him.

I'm renowned for my bedside manner, Mrs. Powell.

Have a lovely day, one and all.

ANGELA: Maureen, are you up?

Maureen, listen to me.

There was money here in this jar.

Sorry?

Did you use it yesterday?

No, of course not!

ANGELA: Dad!

Dad, are you decent?

He hasn't gone walk about again, has he?

He's not here.

I didn't take it.

(sobs) I'd never take anything from you.

I know what you've done for me.

Honestly, Nurse Wilson, I swear... (someone whistling) Dad?

Dad, are you in there?

Dad?

What?

What are you doing in there?

I'm waiting on the number 27 from Sidcup bypass.

What's it look like?

I've got ten bob.

You can take it.

Well, get some bread from Thompson's on the corner and some milk.

Listen, I'll pay you back.

And remember what we agreed, okay?

Don't let him out.

Like Colditz?

Like Colditz, precisely.

What about my father?

He'll be looking for me.

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Mrs. Mulligan.

I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting.

That's quite all right.

Mister... Chief Inspector.

So, Matron?

Good honeymoon,Richard?

Intercourse when you're married is of an entirely different order.

Don't you agree?

I wish you wouldn't.

MCC necktie, Dr. Enderbury?

You a cricketer?

Oh, this is Richard Truscott, Dr. Mehta.

How do you do?

Have you a considerable list this morning, Dr. Truscott?

Oh, full of women, I suspect.

We all have to be terribly serious working for the National Health.

It's in the contract.

Good to have you on board.

You know Dr. Enderbury.

Yes, of course.

No hard feelings, I very much hope?

Good God, no, no, no.

Bowling the maiden over?

Are you a cricketing man?

However Dr. Truscott may crack jokes, we are a united front in this brave new world.

Would you mind frightfully if I were to observe you, Dr. Enderbury, in theater?

MATRON: You must understand, we can't keep our patients under lock and key, and your daughter is a grown... We lost our Stuart some years ago and I'm not certain I could lose another child.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Might Maureen have gone to a friend?

She is due to be married!

Why would she just disappear?

Young women are prone to emotion.

We will find her.

Beattie?

TRUSCOTT: Of course, we all greatly admire Charlie, Dr. Mehta.

"Calm Under Pressure" might as well be his middle name.

Albeit not a particularly catchy middle name.

There we are, Mrs. Salmon, all your gubbins out.

Right, stitching time.

All right?

You know, I think I might knit our ravishing Nurse Lowe here a sweater.

What do you say?

(nurses giggling) Was that hotel all it's cracked up to be?

Don't take me for a fool, Otto.

Why didn't you tell me what you did for Jean?

I promise you, I'll show you one of these days.

Shall we get running and walking in the right order first, old man?

MEHTA: There's some peer review commentary in the Lancet this week.

Donaldson, may the great man forgive me, please, is a dinosaur.

ENDERBURY: Just waiting to be wiped out by a great big meteorite!

I mean it.

Richard... You simply don't know how lucky you are.

♫If I had a needle and thread, tell you what I'd do♫ ♫If I had a needle and thread, I'd sew myself to you♫ ♫That's what I'd do, I'm telling you...♫ I stole it.

Well, Charlie does count every penny, but I found it looking lonely in his trouser pocket.

Do you disapprove?

No.

No, I don't think I do.

Well, this is on me, so you are complicit.

That's most terribly kind of you, Lily, but really, there's no need.

Oh, there is.

You and Mr. Powell are so generous.

Have you ever had a pizza before?

No, I don't think I have.

You see, my friend... she wants a baby more than anything in the world, but... it's not, well, happening.

Can I ask you a question, dearest?

Can it be the man's fault?

There.

I asked.

I told her I would.

What do you mean?

He-- the man-- doesn't manage to... At all.

Isn't Jean quite lovely?

Yes, just so.

♫♫ (coughing) Mrs. J?

Mrs.

J?!

MRS. J: Now Thomas, I told you to stay in bed, or there will be words from your mother.

Thomas?

(men laughing) Valerie!

The truth is you're finding life a bit of a struggle.

Do you want to have a go, see if you can get anything out of her?

Mrs. Smallwood?

Valerie?

She hasn't uttered a word in here.

She was screaming like a banshee at me half the night, head full of nonsense.

What do you know about the change, Valerie?

Well, of course you know about that!

No one wants to live alongside someone whose hormones are turning them into a monster, do they, Valerie?

I don't think you quite understand my... Look, nowadays we have a choice.

Well, for the bleeding, a nice straightforward hysterectomy, you'll be feeling a new woman in no time.

Or, on the other hand... Yeah, we could pop you on a really modern course of hormone replacement, a simple pill that in a couple of months will trick your body into believing it belongs to a much younger woman.

The flushes, the sagging, the sweating, everything gone, and hey, presto, it's welcome to the 1960s.

The husbands, I'm told, come in complaining they can't keep up.

So if you just pop your things off over here...

I'm sorry, but my husband is having an affair.

Why don't we listen to the doctor and see what he suggests, dear?

What do you like to do with your time, Valerie?

Oh, she's a devil with a nine iron, aren't you, old girl?

Well, there we go, we'll have you beating the girls half your age in no time.

Are you married?

Just, sir.

Not cheap to run, are they?

Not sure I follow you.

Wives.

Look, isn't there something you can give poor old Val to help her?

I mean, an op's one thing, and these drugs... We... she really needs something today.

I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand.

Mr. Smallwood?

Oh, come on, man.

Drugs!

You know the type of thing.

What, you mean a tranquillizer?

I think we'd better go and see the top man.

I'm not someone who likes to waste his time.

Um...

I'm not a psychiatrist, but, uh... Librium or something?

Well, you're the bloody doctor!

Good work, old chap.

What's your poison?

Nothing special, but it gets me from A to B.

Better!

Best, actually.

Look...

Listen, why don't I take you to the Black Boy?

To celebrate your first day.

No, that is most kind of you, Dr. Enderbury, but I... Little woman at home?

Have you lost something?

Nothing serious.

Well, five pounds, actually.

We must find you your own department, hmm?

You won't want me bossing you around for long.

(nurses chatting) (engine revving) I'm thinking of changing the Morris for a bicycle.

But Charlie, you love that car!

Don't be late.

Shoot!

(doorbell buzzes) (doorbell buzzes) Lily!

What are you doing here?

I promised to, uh... Oh, I'm sorry, my head is...

Your feet probably haven't touched the ground!

I promised I'd show you how to throw together a soufflé.

Though I'm sure if you'd rather... Dr. Truscott was, uh... celebrating.

Oh.

Well, I brought some eggs.

Is that a Kenwood?

Well, you're hardly going to run out of champers, are you?

Do you want some?

Ricky reckons play your cards right, patients or their betters will give you just about anything.

Charlie most definitely wouldn't approve.

Well, why don't you get dressed and I'll get going?

Where's the dish?

Dish?

Sorry, my head is... That will be the you-know-what.

I mean the soufflé dish.

Our wedding present?

Oh, I'm sure I can find it.

Here, listen to this.

(rock music playing) Well, that's quite the best Radiogram I've ever heard.

Otto and Elizabeth gave it to us for the wedding.

Incredibly generous.

Make yourself at home.

I'll just go and throw something on.

(sighs) Dr. Enderbury, I would like to let our lovely visitors in.

Just getting a drip up here, Sister, so Miss Tilling can feel more like herself.

Could you lend me a nurse?

Mm-hmm.

Nurse.

Remember, ladies, our families like to see a happy face!

Ah, Nurse Wilson.

Mr. Powell and I run a very tight ship.

If what happened isn't for you, forget all about it.

Do you understand me?

Could you fetch the dressing trolley, please?

Val!

I didn't expect to see you today.

(screaming) (gasping) How did you meet Charlie?

I was a junior nurse in Pediatrics.

One day, a Dr. Enderbury came to check up on a lovely little fellow who'd had his appendix out.

The moment I saw him, I knew.

That's lovely.

He's seen action-- field medic in Italy.

Stayed in.

And got posted on to Cyprus.

This is also the basis of meringue and custard.

You'll be wanting custard when the little one is teething.

I suspect he and Mr. Powell lived out eight of their nine lives in Cyprus.

Of that I'm certain.

What about you?

A little one?

Oh, gosh no, not yet.

There's money to think about.

Charlie wants to get further up the slippery pole first before I start moaning at him and being sick everywhere.

And besides, you've got to show me the ropes.

You'll soon know all about having a baby.

What happened on the ward was extremely serious, Mrs. Smallwood.

When I came here this morning, I just wanted her to tell me the truth.

But when I saw her, every fiber in me knew.

I'm still not entirely sure I'm pleased that doctor stopped me.

Can't see the children coming to see Mommy in Holloway.

My life is over.

Mrs. Gilbert isn't pressing charges.

Well, she hardly wants all Kingston to know.

And I haven't telephoned the police.

Not yet, Mrs. Smallwood.

Oh?

This is a National Health Service, and health isn't solely concerned with the body.

But there's nothing wrong with my mind.

I understand that Dr. Truscott prescribed Provarian and Librium for you yesterday?

But I'm not ill. You're not in control of your emotions, Mrs. Smallwood.

Have you started taking the medication?

You'll feel entirely different.

The Provarian will stop the flushes and the bleeding.

You'll be able to sleep.

And the Librium will change everything.

It'll relax you.

I don't want to relax!

I discovered that my husband of 31 years has been... the secretary of the golf club, and I want to kill her.

I'm sorry, that was not appropriate language.

I know women.

I work with them.

And I know that sometimes we need to be tamed.

(knocking) (quietly): Who is it?

Um... (knocking) Um... What's your name?

Uh...?

(more knocking) Monty, no, no.

Come on.

Look, it'll be my father.

Oh.

Oh, I've come, sir, to see Nurse Wilson.

Get away from the window!

(train rumbling) Sir, please!

I can't be late for the train!

(knocking) Miss Mulligan?

I was so happy for you.

I'm sorry.

And it's terrible to lose it.

(buzzer ringing) Oh, you'd better get that.

Besides, I've got to go.

Is that the time?

(whispering): What are you doing here?

(quietly): Jeanie, I need you.

LILY: And when the timer goes, Jean, take the soufflé out.

What was that?

Wrong floor, can you believe?

Next week, why don't I show you my prawn cocktail?

Invaluable when you're entertaining, as I am sure you will do.

(sudden laughter) (laughing) Sorry.

Well, I'd better run along, then.

(stifling laughter) God, I feel a cow.

You are a cow!

You're the one who's come bursting in here like a lunatic.

And you shoved me in a blooming cupboard!

God, I miss you.

I miss you too.

I'm on lunch-- I've got under five seconds, but I'm desperate.

They will dismiss you if you're late.

Dad took the money from the pot.

I don't know what he's done with it, but I need bread and bacon and milk.

Ange, we agreed.

I'll give you what I can.

Poor Dad.

Thank you.

Looks like you landed on your feet here, Jeanie.

I lost the baby.

It went.

Oh, Jeanie.

Oh, Jeanie, I'm so sorry.

I don't know what to do.

Oh, love.

I'm not sure I can do this.

Oh, love.

What the hell are you doing here, Mr. Powell?

Honestly, if you've got bodies buried under the floorboards, I wouldn't think any the worse of you.

It's not that.

No, I know.

Some things are best kept... Quite so.

How did you find where I live?

I followed you home last night.

I couldn't help myself.

Mr. Powell, I...

I don't know about you, but I for one am absolutely starving, so I'm going to go to the café around the corner.

Thank you for bringing my lunch in.

I honestly think I'd forget my own head if it wasn't for you, Lily.

I'm sure you'd find it again.

(door opening) Two teas, please.

(door opening) To be honest, I wasn't sure walking away like that would have the desired effect.

I can't stay.

I'm already incredibly late.

Mr. Powell?

Pulse sluggish, undernourished...

There's no way you'd be safe with my patients.

Let go of my hand, please.

I'm sorry.

But you should eat.

Mr. Powell.

We're both married.

The last I heard from Joe was a postcard from Oman.

He's coming home.

You must understand.

I cannot.

Besides, I don't want or need or require any more trouble in my life, so can we just...

I do understand.

I have never felt like this.

Sorry.

(men laughing) Ah, Doctor... Caramba!

I can't...

I don't feel anything, Doctor.

Is that correct?

I've been taking the pills you gave me, and I don't feel anything at all.

Nothing.

Mrs. Smallwood?

All right... Oh, dear.

TRUSCOTT: Gentlemen, patients to see.

Okay, here we go.

Let's get you somewhere more comfortable.

THOMAS: Catherine of Aragon, divorced.

Anne Boleyn...

Chopped her head off?

Yes, divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

(doorbell rings) MRS. J: Yes?

I'd like a word with Mrs. Powell.

Can I ask what it's regarding?

Suffice to say, I'm a police inspector.

Can I help, Mrs. J?

Mrs. Powell.

He says he's a ...

Yes, I heard.

You are?

Chief Inspector Mulligan.

There go my manners.

You probably want Mr. Powell, my husband.

He's not here, unfortunately.

No, I'd like a word with you, if I may.

Me?

Well, then, I suppose you'd better come in.

Shall I telephone Mr. Powell?

No.

That will not be necessary.

Sausage and mash for Thomas's tea, I think.

And some of those lovely tomatoes you picked from the greenhouse.

But I hate tomatoes.

Dislike, young man, not hate.

It's quite a residence, this.

Nice lawns.

You've done very well for yourselves.

Very well indeed.

What's this about, Chief Inspector?

And a son.

Handsome lad.

Bright?

I don't understand... Ronald.

Ronald, please.

I only have a girl now.

Maureen is her mother's daughter.

I longed for another son, when... Life changes.

And from that moment, nothing is ever the same again.

Powell cut me dead at the hospital.

Cyprus, 1953.

I want you to go.

Oh, Powell was so desperate then.

The terror of what happened.

The mistakes and the lies.

But you know that, don't you?

But he's done very well, I can say.

He's worked for it all.

He's a lucky man.

Can you imagine how it feels to be me, standing here knowing that I gave him-- you-- all this?

Look at me.

He gave you money.

He paid you.

In your bedroom, Mrs. Powell, is a photograph: an American airman.

I have not forgotten what Powell did, or Dr. Enderbury.

Not in nine years.

Like I say: life changes.

Do you want more money, Chief Inspector?

I can give you money.

How could a man not want to share a bed with you?

He works very hard.

So you keep saying.

I want you to go, to leave me alone, or I will use this.

Think.

My colleagues at Scotland Yard will not rest until you are on the gallows.

Young Thomas's life will be destroyed.

The shame alone.

One word to Mr. Powell and the effect will be the same.

I will expose what him and Enderbury did in Cyprus, and this all comes to an end.

What do you want?

I've never seen anything like you, Elizabeth.

What happens is up to you.

(thunder rumbling) You have a fine gynecologist, Mrs. Truscott.

You should have no trouble conceiving after that miscarriage.

How are things?

How much do I owe you?

Jean, please.

Thank you.

I, um...

I don't want to get up the duff for a little while.

After it went, I... Well, I decided.

Not for a year or two at least.

Just until Richard and I settle.

And I was wondering about this new pill.

I'm married now.

Of course, I think you'd be very suitable.

It works?

Mm-hmm.

All the trials have been effective.

It'd be such a relief, you know?

To be like a bloke, I suppose.

(thunder rumbling) Does Richard know?

You should use normal precautions for a month.

Jean?

The new girl... Is she up to it?

You know what I mean?

Well, I don't know.

Yes, probably.

But she's not keen on the specials.

I'm sure we can find another nurse.

No need to worry on my and Charlie's account.

Good.

That's good news.

Well, if you ever need me for a special, you know, or something, I'm sure I can slip away.

I miss you.

And Dr. Enderbury.

We were quite a team, weren't we?

We were, Jean.

We were.

Richie.

Been a long time.

You're looking well.

Qualified, I imagine?

Margaret, you... Why don't you stop by for a devilish little martini sometime?

You know how I make them.

CUMMING: Next time on Masterpiece Mystery!

POWELL: I need to get our young friend to a hospital.

Hospital?

What happens here has got nothing to do with love.

Always get your lies straight, Mrs. Truscott.

So your life is always like this?

I think there's only ever today.

CUMMING: "Breathless," next time on Masterpiece Mystery!

♫Everybody's somebody's baby...♫ MISS MARPLE: "Remembe Visit us at pbs.org/masterpiece to watch video and explore features, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

This program is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

To order, visit shopPBS.org or call us at 1-800-play-PBS.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org