♪ ♪ Mature Jennifer, voice-over: There's always so much that we do not know.

For every fact we have at our disposal-- the date on the calendar, the safe route home-- there are a thousand more that we must learn.

Who is it that needs us?

How can we help?

Where is our journey taking us and why?

Which tools should we carry and how do we deploy them?

It can be a lifetime before the questions cease.

-[Gasp] -[Puff] And when silence comes, it is not because we now have all the answers.

It is because the answers do not matter anymore.

There's only the truth, and it is absolute.

♪ Oh, go on, Sister.

Have a word for me, will ya?

Alas, I cannot interfere.

Nurse Crane is in charge of the roster.

If you would like to leave duty early next week, you will have to take it up with her directly.

If you're putting your head on the chopping block, I hope it's for something exciting.

There's going to be a massive Raise the Roof meeting.

Biggest yet, campaigning for better pay for nurses.

If anything, it's a noble reason to take time off.

I'm not sure Nurse Crane will see it that way.

♪ I'll sign the death certificate.

You collect it whenever you feel ready and then you can talk to the undertakers.

You really have done a remarkable job, Gladys.

I was never going to put him in a home.

Devotion is the balm that eases life's great pains.

It works both ways.

He used to rush home, put me to bed every night.

And now... ♪ Grandad?

Has he...?

Why?

Why didn't you wake me?

You've got West Ham scouts coming to training today.

I want your head firmly in the game.

Come on now.

Tears are just timewasters.

Mrs. Turner, delighted to see you looking so bonny.

I've brought sustenance for the children and our repertoire.

3 beautiful hymns, one of which will be sung in a round.

A round?

That's all going to be ever so complicated for the children.

And coordinating it will be very tricky for us.

Precisely.

That is the whole point.

We shall all be challenged.

Challenge is life's great teacher.

Stops us all from getting lazy.

[Church bell chiming] [Whistling] [Baby babbling] What on earth?

♪ Little lambs, who do you belong to?

♪ Oh, my goodness.

♪ Whatever's the matter?

There are two very young children in the church.

They've been abandoned.

They've been left by their mother.

She begs someone to look after her children.

Oh... ♪ [Baby fussing] My name is Sister Veronica.

I just want to make sure that you are all right.

Biscuit there.

[Crying] And for you.

♪ Let's take this off.

It says in the letter that your name is Tommy.

Is that correct?

You were brought here by your mummy?

Where is she now?

The children will start arriving for the Singing School soon.

The rehearsal will have to take place elsewhere.

We need the police here urgently.

♪ There's no need to dispose of all these medical aids right away.

It's no use to us now dad's gone.

Need all the space we can get round here.

My eldest's expecting her fifth.

Well, at least let us take some of it away for you.

[Grunting] It appears we have a scholarship girl in our midst.

Ah, only for a term, Sister, until my dad lost his job.

We needed the extra income, and I started working.

Dad was gutted.

He was desperate for me to stay at school.

But I took to debt collecting like a duck to water.

[Sigh] It's like he was never here.

In the wake of loss, however foreseen, it is wise to pause and grieve with those we love.

Never paused in me life and I ain't planning on it now.

Besides, there's debts need collecting.

You're not going to work now?

Just gonna change me drawers.

In my line of work, things can get feisty.

Last thing I want is to be carted off to the hospital wearing undergarments that have seen better days.

It ain't seemly.

Is it wise to lend to those unable to repay?

Oh, I make sure they do, Sister.

♪ We've had to move the Singing School rehearsal.

Is there any chance we can use the parlour?

Of course.

You're most welcome.

Thank you.

Come on, children.

Ah... [Laughing] I believe you know Child Welfare Officer Cyril Robinson.

I'm WDC Grayson.

I'm taking over the case.

How are the boys, Dr. Turner?

Dr. Turner: They've got nits, a smattering of scabies, and the baby has nappy rash.

But they're not underweight, and there's no sign of injury.

Someone has been doing their best to feed and care for them.

We'll get them placed with an emergency foster family.

I take it there's been no luck finding the mother?

No.

This is a clear case of child abandonment.

It's a crime, and we'll be pursuing the case as such.

[Baby fussing, crying] Hello.

My name is Cyril.

I heard you drove here in a police car.

I used to fix cars like that.

Once, I even tried the siren.

This side is going to sing "Sing!

Sing!

Sing!

Sing!"

And this side is going to sing the full chorus, starting with "Sing Hosanna!"

1, 2, 3.

Shelagh and children: ♪ Give me oil in my lamp ♪ Children: ♪ Sing, sing ♪ Shelagh and children: ♪ Give me oil in my lamp ♪ ♪ I pray ♪ ♪ Give me oil in my lamp... ♪ Children: ♪ Sing, sing ♪ ♪ Sing, sing ♪ This is all the boys' paperwork from the station.

Dr. Turner's report is in there, too, as are the medicines he's prescribed.

He suggests keeping the boys away from the other children until they're better.

Little loves.

I'll get them into some nice, clean clothes.

I've got some old bits they can wear.

We can always roll up the trousers.

Mrs. Simms will be looking after you both for a while.

I'll be back tomorrow.

Does that sound all right?

♪ God, I hope someone comes forward and claims them.

Otherwise, two of them, so little?

And there's a real danger they might get split up.

♪ Come here.

If I lend you money, you'll pay what you owe--£3-- and be quick about it!

♪ [Exhales] [Exhales] ♪ The newspapers are calling them the "Red Ribbon Boys."

Poor, little souls.

♪ Gladys: I'm here for the paperwork so I can collect Dad's death certificate.

♪ [Exhales, gasps, exhales] It can still come as a shock to see it all written down so boldly.

Oh, no, um...no, it's not that, Doctor.

Was there something else?

♪ We were gonna send a search party out for you.

Work started two hours ago, you know.

Apologies, Mr. Reid.

I went straight to the magistrate's court to get a, um, Place of Safety Order arranged for the abandoned boys.

I'm also going to call all the Irish families we have on our books.

Someone might know something.

Word to the wise.

If you want to contact every Irish family from here to Donegal, you go for it.

But remember, you've other cases, too, and lots of them.

It's up to you to find time for it all.

[Winces] Ooh.

How long has your abdomen been like this, Mrs. Bell?

I'm not sure, Doctor.

When did you have your menopause?

A couple of years ago.

Maybe 3.

I didn't take much notice.

Why didn't you come sooner?

It's not really my scene, being ill.

I don't have time for any of it.

Well, you'll be needing to find the time now.

I am making an urgent referral to gynaecology at St. Cuthbert's, and I want you to go straight there.

What, now?

This is important.

We need to find out what we're dealing with.

Something is causing this, and we need to know what it is.

It could be ovarian.

Perhaps one of your family could meet you at the hospital.

No, I'm fine.

It's a lot of nonsense about nothing.

♪ Man: ...thus bringing the total financial debt you have accumulated in the company's name to a figure well in excess of £250,000.

You have brought Aylward Estates to the brink of ruin.

And only the emergency reserve and a sizable donation from your mother Lady Aylward has kept the company afloat.

What do you have to say?

Simply that the company was not in the best of shape when I inherited it, or at least inherited my father's role, and that I did everything I could to reverse its decline.

You did your best, in other words.

Absolutely my best.

Nevertheless, we are now obliged to take a strong stance to reassure our clients.

As a result, you are to be immediately struck from the Board of Aylward Estates.

I anticipated that, and I respect the Board's decision.

And I'm afraid there are other measures required.

Your salary from the company will be stopped forthwith.

♪ Mother.

Matthew, please, don't plead with me.

I found the situation in that room extraordinarily trying and don't need matters to be made worse.

The Board's decision is final and cannot be overturned!

I wasn't planning to ask for clemency.

I simply wanted to apologize...again.

Your foolishness with the premature sale of the warehouses and unwise investment is best left undiscussed.

I wish I could turn back time.

To what end?

You were a lovely, kind-hearted child, and you're a lovely, kind-hearted man.

That's nothing to be ashamed of.

I'm just sorry we've all paid such a high price.

♪ I'm not convinced this is a gynaecological concern.

Please take Mrs. Bell straight up to the third floor.

She'll need an abdominal aspiration as a matter of urgency, please.

No, you're all right.

I need to be getting back.

I'm planning my dad's funeral, you see, and there's my work.

My family rely on me.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Bell.

You won't be going anywhere.

I believe you may be looking at something very serious indeed.

♪ The foundlings are on television!

WDC Grayson: The oldest child cannot give us any relevant information about their circumstances, but he repeatedly asks for his mother.

We urge her or any relative to come forward.

Man on TV: What sort of woman would do this to her children?

How about an exhausted one?

Or a sick one.

She may have been both.

Women can do the unthinkable when they're desperate.

It's been happening since time immemorial.

Moses himself was entrusted to the river and the care of those who knew him not.

He was raised by royal family.

I doubt that's going to happen to these poor scraps.

♪ [TV playing indistinctly] [Door closes] Matthew, where have you been?

[Turns off TV] [Sigh] I waited at the showroom for two hours.

And what's worse, they said they didn't have a Sunbeam Imp or any car at all under the Aylward name.

You have to call and complain!

Trixie... there is no car.

What?

Th-there were problems at the point of order.

What sort of problems?

A problem you couldn't fix?

I can fix most things, can't I?

But I can't make this better.

Believe me, I've tried... and I've failed.

♪ Do you want to tell me what's happened?

I kept hoping that I could make it right... that you'd never have to know.

But I think I have to now.

♪ I've made a complete and utter mess of the business.

My father had his own way of doing things, but I'm not him.

I took risks.

I made...stupid investments, all the time at the back of my mind thinking, "If I can make this work, he would be proud of me."

Instead, I've lost everything he worked for.

You can't lose a business like Aylward Estates.

It's been in your family for generations.

That fact has been pointed out to me.

Well, what are you going to do?

Have you discussed this with the Board?

♪ I'm not on the Board anymore.

♪ I'm not on the payroll, either.

What?

And I'm out of a job.

And I'm broke.

No.

♪ We're broke.

We're married.

For better, for worse.

For richer, for poorer.

Do you remember that?

♪ Oh!

Excuse me!

Rosalind: No, it's fine!

I didn't realize it was occupied.

No, I wasn't-- I was just studying.

I didn't want to keep Joyce awake with the light on.

Studying?

At this time of night?

Why are you so worried, lass?

Your written work is decent enough.

It's not so much the exam...but the Viva.

Having to answer questions from a whole panel of people, trying to poke holes in my work.

It's simply to ensure you can explain your thinking and argue your case.

That's just it.

"Don't answer back" was essentially the motto of my childhood.

Hmm.

I suppose that comes with being a headmaster's daughter.

Well, where I grew up, if you didn't fight back, you didn't survive.

I, for one, have never been backward in coming forward.

Perhaps I can help you.

But...how?

Do you have any gym clothes?

♪ What are the lobes on the maternal side of the placenta called?

What is the point of this, other than reminding me of how unfit I am?

Your brain is putting too much pressure on the right answer.

Exercise distracts it.

We are going to train your brain to be ready for anything in that Viva.

Now, those lobes?

Coty--Cotyledons?

You sure you don't want to join us?

Save yourself while you can.

Gym shorts aren't really my style.

Right.

Jumping jacks.

Now go to the bathroom and see if you can wash your own face with a flannel, ready for Nanny coming.

I keep thinking about his future and how different it's going to be from everything we've planned.

You're going to have to put a brave face on it in front of him.

Jonty doesn't know anything about money or schools or holidays abroad.

What he does know about is the difference between a happy father and a miserable one.

At least we won't be uprooting him and moving.

♪ You mean we won't be moving to the new apartment in the Barbican?

I'm no longer mortgageable, Trixie.

Mortgageable?

But you own this flat outright, don't you?

I only own the lease, and it expires in 5 years.

I didn't know that.

Nevertheless, 5 years is 5 years, and we have security of tenure while we get back on our feet.

Some people would give their right arm for that.

If I'm mixing up too many body parts, you'll have to forgive me, because I really do have quite a lot to do today.

♪ St. Cuthbert's have sent over Gladys Bell's results.

Hand-delivered and marked for your urgent attention.

Now, I'm experimenting with a new type of instant coffee.

Thus far, I'm unimpressed.

Cancer... which "cannot be treated with curative intent."

A humbling reminder that cancer may strike even the strongest among us.

And we may never know why.

Not in Gladys' case.

The type of cancer she has is only caused by one thing.

Gladys' illness was probably avoidable.

[Sigh] ♪ Pass.

[Grunting] You could have played in the league, Doctor.

Once upon a time, before my knees gave out.

I've come to see your mother.

How's she doing?

Fiercer than ever, since they cured her at the hospital.

Since they cured her?

We were worried she might be seriously poorly, but when she went for the results this morning, it turns out she's completely fine.

I think I'd better go in.

♪ He impressed the West Ham scouts.

They reckon next year he'll make his debut.

I'm buying a season ticket.

Gladys, your consultant at St. Cuthbert's, did he go through your results with you this morning?

He did.

According to him, it'll start to get worse pretty fast.

He's got it wrong, though, about all of it.

It's a really rare kind of abdominal cancer, almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

And that is how I know I ain't got it.

[Scoffs] I have never been anywhere near that stuff.

Gladys, you are really poorly.

And nobody can help me.

That's what he said, the doctor in the hospital.

You can't be cured, but we will help you, and we will care for you, all the way through the coming weeks and months.

How many months?

We never know for certain.

But I'd say quite a few.

Now, maybe more, if you meet this head on and don't try to pretend it isn't happening.

Well, how does that work, then?

One thing is, it seems that you're eligible to join a study being conducted into asbestos-related cancers.

I may be able to get you in to see them today unless you need time to think about it.

♪ Time's something I ain't got much of.

I'll go, but on one condition.

You don't tell my kids-- not about the cancer, not about me gonna die.

They've got things to do... ♪ and I want them to be happy.

♪ Oh, I shan't have to do my Keep Fit exercises later.

This is exercising every muscle I possess.

My muscles haven't recovered from Nurse Crane's jumping jacks.

I bet you're counting the days till you get your new car.

I thought you were picking it up yesterday.

Things didn't quite go to plan in the showroom.

Gosh.

What's happening over there?

Man: Nurse!

Nurse!

Can you give us a hand?

There must have been an accident.

♪ Sweetie, can you hear me?

Trixie: What's your name?

Woman: Deirdre.

We're here to help you, Deirdre.

♪ [Panting] The baby's heartbeat sounds strong.

Do you know how close you are to your due date, Mrs. Torpy?

22nd of August.

It's the 26th today.

♪ Your own heartbeat is quite rapid, which makes me think you're probably anemic.

I do wish you'd tell us where you've been while you've been pregnant, what sort of care you've been able to receive.

Dr. Turner?

♪ Deirdre: I've seen pictures of them pinned up.

I've seen them being called the Red Ribbon Boys.

But they're my boys, and I couldn't look after them.

Are they all right?

Please, God, please, God, say they're all right.

Please.

With her health as it is, she's not in a good condition for the demands of labour.

And if she's as overdue as she says...

The baby could arrive at any time.

Let's start treatment for scabies and an iron infusion immediately.

Trixie: And a high-calorie diet of Complan will help, too, and sedatives at night.

St. Cuthbert's will need to send a psychiatrist for an evaluation.

In my opinion, Mrs. Torpy appears to be in a deep depressed state.

Well, she's clearly found herself in a terrible situation.

No doubt the police will want to interview her once they get word that she's here.

No police until I say so.

Why don't you run Deirdre a bath?

It's a start, if nothing else.

I tried to keep clean.

A bath will make you feel so much more comfortable.

They always say, don't they, that cleanliness is next to godliness?

I thought if the children were spotless, God wouldn't lose sight of us.

God might help.

Nobody doubts you did the best you could.

And nobody, not even me, really knows how bad things were or how much you had to struggle.

♪ Deirdre... ♪ what happened here?

My husband hit me with a belt buckle.

I took the children with me to the hospital to get it stitched.

And I never went home again.

It would have been them next.

♪ I left Dublin the next day, and the hospitals, it's not what they say, it's what they don't say.

I felt so ashamed.

Nobody is going to make you feel ashamed here, Deirdre.

I promise you that.

♪ From your answers, we're hard-pressed to connect your work to any of the asbestos sites known across this part of London.

What about your parents?

Your father?

Dad?

He was a drill operator at the roofing factory down on Verger Street.

But they shut that down in between the wars.

I'm afraid the drill operators such as your father were drilling into asbestos.

He would have had no idea it was bad for him.

None of the workers did.

Many would go straight home to their wives and children afterwards.

My dad, he'd rush home and put me to bed every night.

He'd still be in his overalls.

Which were probably covered in asbestos dust.

We don't have any cases on the study of secondary exposure affecting the peritoneum as yet.

You'd be an excellent candidate for trialling the colloidal gold injections.

Will they cure me?

There's a possibility that they could prolong your life by several months.

Several more months of what?

Pain?

Vomiting?

Getting my kids to have to life me in and out of bed?

Gladys, we can go through all of this.

No, thank you, Doctor.

I am exhausted.

I ain't got the fight left in me.

I don't want any treatment.

I'm done.

That is my final word.

Nurse Clifford told me about the injury to your back which was caused by your husband.

Did you ever tell the police about it?

And what would they have done that wouldn't have made it worse?

I did what I thought was best and put the Irish Sea between me, the kids, and him.

I must have been expecting when I left I knew you could, er, terminate over here, that it's not a crime.

But I didn't know where to go or--or how to find out.

And I'm glad.

It would have been a wicked, wicked thing to do.

It must have been very hard, on your own in a foreign country.

You could've come to the Welfare Office.

We exist to help people who have nowhere else to turn.

I kept thinking our luck might turn.

That I could somehow work us out of it.

But I couldn't.

And all the time, the little one was getting nearer and nearer.

And one day, I-- I couldn't make the rent and the landlord gave me notice.

So you left the boys at the church?

♪ When we were walking through the market, I-- I saw the roll of ribbon lying in the gutter.

Nobody saw me pick it up, just like nobody saw me leave them there.

I thought my heart would stop, that I would stop, stop walking, go back, not leave them.

[Sniffles] But I had to get them somewhere better.

All we had otherwise was the streets, and...

I love them.

I--I--I love them so, so much.

I don't doubt that for a moment.

And we will do everything we can to get the very best solution for you.

And can I have them back?

Can I keep this one when it comes?

Nothing is going to be decided today, Deirdre.

Mr. Robinson needs to go away and write his notes.

♪ Nurse Franklin's with her now giving her a sedative.

The boys are on course to be moved to more permanent fostering.

And I can't see Deirdre being able to take care of them for a while, all things considered.

What about the new baby?

Couldn't she get some sort of help with it?

Right now, my great fear is that Deirdre is of no fixed abode, physically unwell, and suffering from depression.

She might simply fail to cope.

♪ Is it your decision to make?

I'm just part of the decision-making process.

I'm not sure that makes it any easier.

♪ Oh.

I see you're keeping Nurse Clifford at the maternity home.

Yes.

I want to keep Rosalind with that poor lass they found.

This case will require resilience.

Rosalind has everything she needs to make a fine midwife, but she lacks confidence, always looking for affirmation from her elders.

What will she do when she's out on her own?

If she's to find her feet anywhere, it has to be on the battlefield in a complicated case like this one.

Mm.

You said they'd cured you.

Well, I was lying.

There is no cure.

I've only decided to come clean because I need to get my house in order.

I do not want to see any tears.

Do you hear me?

I want to make sure you're provided for as much as I can.

And, you, you keep going to football practice.

As long as I'm still alive, what I say still goes.

♪ How is this little one today?

Still not interested in making an appearance?

I'll tell you something.

I'm feeling some good, strong kicks.

They woke me up, those kicks.

It was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

[Baby crying] ♪ Look how beautiful they are.

God knows I'm trying so hard not to fall in love with mine, but I can't help it.

I want to keep it so very much.

I want us all to be together.

A proper family.

Me, the baby, and my boys.

[Crying] Then we shall have to do everything we can to convince everyone of how capable you are.

Absolutely.

Thank you so much.

I think I may have something for you to smile about.

I suddenly remembered Sir Randolph is a QC.

I've just spoken to him, and he said there may be an opening at his chambers.

I cannot believe you did that.

Why not?

I said we'd find a way and not only have I been looking for one, I may very well have found one.

I haven't discussed this with anybody yet, Trixie.

I need time to consider the situation.

Plan how to get us out of it with as much dignity as possible and I find you've been running around family friends with a begging bowl behind my back!

Behind your back?

You've been lying to me about this for months.

I haven't been lying to you!

I've been shielding you!

I am your wife, Matthew!

You're meant to come to me with your troubles.

We're supposed to share everything.

Not just the good times.

Not just a home or a child or a bed.

We're meant to share it all!

We can't!

We can't!

Money for you is just something that paves the way for happiness-- your happiness in New York, your happiness when you've run amok in Harrods, your happiness watching me save Nonnatus House or rescue Lisbon Buildings.

I accept the comments about New York and Harrods, but none of the rest of it was done for me.

I didn't ask you to do any of that.

You did it all of your own free will.

Yeah, I did.

I did.

And it made me a better man.

It just didn't make me a richer one or a wiser one.

Or teach me anything but how bloody terrifying it is when the life you had evaporates.

I haven't evaporated.

I'm still here.

There's still time.

♪ [Door opens] [Crying] [Door slams] Are you feeling unwell, Deirdre?

No, no, I--I'm grand.

Did you remember the sandwiches?

Lemon curd, just like you asked for.

I hope the boys don't eat them all.

Lemon curd's my favorite.

Look who's here!

♪ How is my biggest wee boy?

The one who's been so brave and strong and has looked after his brother so well?

♪ [Groans] You said there was no cure for your cancer.

There ain't.

So what's this then?

A letter from your doctor saying you don't want some injections.

They'd only make me live a bit longer.

It ain't worth it.

How can you say that?

♪ [Door closes] ♪ Rosalind: Tommy and Connor couldn't eat them all.

They'd only go to waste.

Do you want the last one?

No disrespect to lemon curd, but I think it's probably the worst thing you could put in a sandwich.

[Cyril and Rosalind laugh] Deirdre: Uhh!

Uhh.

Deirdre!

What's the matter?

I'm grand.

Uhh.

Honestly, I'm grand.

Mr. Robinson, can you come and catch the children, please?

I really don't think you are.

♪ Deirdre: Aah!

Aah.

That's it, Deirdre.

Nice, slow breaths.

[Breathing softly] Baby's not descended any further.

Mother's been in second-stage labour for well over an hour.

It's as if her body is trying to keep hold of the baby for as long as it can while it's still hers.

This mother has been through a great ordeal but mothers are surprisingly resilient.

What can we do to assist the delivery?

We need to rupture her membranes.

I agree.

Deirdre, we're going to help things along by breaking your waters.

Heels to bottom now.

Knees nice and wide apart.

This will only take a jiffy.

♪ Oh!

Aah!

[Panting] Oh, Lord, I need to push.

That's exactly the response I was hoping for.

Aah!

Aah!

That's it, Deirdre!

You're doing a fabulous job.

Baby's head is resting in Nurse Clifford's hand.

Now, Deirdre, now, on the next contraction, slow, gentle pushes for us.

[Groaning] That's it.

That's it.

[Groaning louder] She's here, Deirdre.

[Baby cries] You did it.

You have a gorgeous baby girl.

[Baby crying] [Deirdre crying] ♪ Oh!

Look at you.

You're so beautiful.

I promise, I promise I'll love you and protect you.

I'll do things differently, whatever it takes.

♪ It's a sprain, that's all.

And that's what comes of scrapping with other lads.

None of you know your own strength.

Fighting!

At football practice!

He's got a real chance at playing for West Ham youth team and he goes around thumping people.

Can I go now?

♪ [Door slams] He's struggling, Gladys.

He's tough as old boots.

When you're so young, every day is full of memories made.

He just wants more time with you.

♪ Excuse me, young man.

I ain't crying.

We all weep.

Some of us just weep on the inside.

The bravest of us weep on the outside.

I used to think my mum was the bravest person on the planet.

But she ain't.

She's a coward.

I only want to step out on that West Ham pitch if she's there.

But she don't want to live just a bit longer, not even for me.

Joyce: But-- Nurse Crane: No buts.

I've taken all 4 of you off the roster for this evening.

The exams are tomorrow.

Tonight is for rest or revision, whichever you feel is most fitting.

Oh, and one more thing.

♪ Oh, sorry.

I didn't think there's be anyone in here.

I was going to have a bit of a practice ahead of the performance.

Sister Veronica has quite high expectations of us all.

I'm heading home.

I just came in for a little quiet time with God.

Have you been thinking about the abandoned children?

I've come to the conclusion there's no perfect solution.

There never is.

I've seen that time and time again with my own children, including May, whose mother couldn't care for her.

I joined Social Services to help families.

Now I seem to be breaking one apart.

You're not breaking it.

You're finding the best way to fix it.

Solutions don't have to be perfect.

They just have to work.

♪ You've come to take her away, haven't you?

No, I haven't.

I've come to say... she can stay with you.

♪ Really?

You promise me?

I need to talk you through the benefits I've been able to arrange.

But I've also found a place in supervised accommodation where you can ask for help if you or your baby need it.

♪ J-just the baby?

What about the boys?

We have to see how you get on, Deirdre.

The Welfare office needs to make sure you're able to cope.

I will cope!

I will!

You need to take this little by little.

You need to do your best with the baby.

You're talking sense.

I know that.

[Sigh] And I'll do my best, too.

♪ Sorry.

It took me a while to come to the door.

Come in.

It's this stick.

I am not enamoured of my own.

It is, however, essential.

Please.

I used to walk down these streets, people would cower.

Now they're getting out the way for me.

They feel sorry for me.

I hate it.

You are who you have always been.

"Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful."

As a girl, you underlined this passage many times.

As a girl, I always had my fists up.

But cancer's taken all the power from me now.

Then you must take it back.

Go down as you have lived--fighting for one extra day, one extra hour, one extra second with those you love.

♪ I've popped in to see you on my way home and made you a plate of toast.

Do you want a piece?

Any lemon curd?

It's all gone.

Deirdre...I know the news that the boys must stay in foster care isn't what you wanted to hear.

But-- I needed to be told.

[Sniffles] And I need to accept it.

I can't give Tommy and Connor what they need, Nurse.

Not yet.

♪ I'm just scared that they'll forget me.

Not because I want to be missed, but because I don't want them to be scared if I do get them back.

♪ We can write them a letter.

I'll give it to Mr. Robinson to read to them, next time he sees them.

I've got so much I want to say, it would take all night to get it down, and you've just finished your shift.

I've got all night if you have.

♪ Is there still a lot of work to do?

You'd think going broke would just happen.

But, yes, there is so much to resolve.

Show me.

♪ So we really do have nothing other than my wages?

At least Nonnatus House is safe.

Thank goodness you signed the deeds over to the Order's name.

♪ You did do that, didn't you?

♪ I see from your notes that you regularly seek affirmation from the more senior midwife during a birth.

How would you cope on your own?

♪ By looking at the greatest teacher in the room-- the mother.

Her body tells you what she needs.

You just have to have the confidence to listen.

♪ Sister Veronica will come tomorrow, and Mr. Robinson will visit you and the baby in a few days.

Thank you, Sister, for everything.

I came to England looking for a fresh start and...now I finally feel as though I have one.

I always see a birth as a new beginning.

It's usually here by now.

I don't know-- Am I too late?

Nancy: The results aren't in yet.

I feel sick.

Maybe I should have a cigarette.

♪ You have both worked extremely hard and it has been a privilege for us all to teach you.

♪ Oh...my... We did it, child!

We did it!

Sister Julienne: You have indeed, and it is my very great pleasure to offer both of you permanent positions at Nonnatus House, should you wish to join us.

Gosh, if you'll have me, absolutely.

A million times yes.

[Laughs] As you know, my plan is to become a hospital matron, but for now... thank you.

It's a privilege to accept.

♪ Passed!

We passed!

Oh!

Congratulations.

Right.

Midwives, we mustn't be late!

Patients await.

Choir: ♪ Give me oil in my lamp ♪ ♪ Keep me burning ♪ ♪ Give me oil in my lamp, I pray... ♪ Mature Jennifer, voice-over: There is always so much we can strive for.

♪ Keep me burning till the break of day... ♪ Mature Jennifer: We can try harder... aim higher... reach for more.

We must never stop questing.

♪ [Door opens] We will feel better than this... one way or another.

♪ Sometimes, the balm is simply that we tried to find a way.

♪ We are stronger than we think, and less alone than we imagine.

♪ We are all the answers to each other's questions, and we came here together to love and learn to live.

♪ Can you have your own room?

Bless you.

This isn't a hotel.

Most of the ladies like the company.

There has been a fantastic turnip harvest this year.

I've done a deal with Larry off the market.

Chester thinks he can raise all the necessary capital, so if we join forces, I could see a return on my investment within 5 years.