Call the Midwife

- Some pleasures are simpler than others.

The high, bright sky of a brand-new day.

CAT MEOWS

The affection of friends.

Serving others.

Giving to others.

Belonging with others.

And knowing, at last, that a prize

may be within our grasp.

SHE SIGHS

My first event as mayor!

I want it to be

a wonderful seaside experience for everyone.

It'll be absolutely smashing, Vi.

I can't wait. Bit of relaxation.

There'll be no relaxing for you, Fred Buckle.

You're the mayor's consort!

Now, the coach company still needs paying

and...we mustn't forget prizes!

Prizes? For what?

The sandcastle competition.

- Now where are you going? - Oh!

To distribute invitations

and to drum up support from local businesses.

Who could refuse such a worthy cause?

From you? Not many.

Morning.

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

Good morning.

Hello, everyone.

Now, mayor's excursion!

All are welcome,

but spaces are limited.

CHATTER, BABY CRIES

Mrs Webster?

Now, would you like a story

from Sister Monica Joan whilst the nurse checks with the baby

in Mummy's tummy?

Oh, what a little dote!

In the cubicle.

I shan't tell you off for chewing your nails.

That's not my job.

Though I can advise that they're not particularly nourishing.

It's Miss Webster, by the way.

We're not married. Not yet.

I shall ask Miss Higgins to amend your records accordingly.

I know what you're thinking.

Two children out of wedlock.

I've been a midwife for over 45 years.

As shocking revelations go,

that's rather low on my list.

We did plan to get married before we had Danielle, but...

..we used to row something awful,

so we went our separate ways for a while.

Hopefully, that's it now.

Indeed.

You've got two children to think of.

They need stability.

I know.

Neither of us had much of that.

Both grew up in children's homes, see?

My ma died when I was Danielle's age and...

..Dad couldn't cope. That's what it said in my notes anyway.

Melvin doesn't even know what happened to his.

And now you've been blessed with a family of your own.

This is a chance for both of you

to be the parents you didn't have.

That's the thing, though. I thought when you had kids,

that's when you became like a proper adult, but...

..if I'm honest, I feel more like Danielle's big sister

than her mother.

ENGINE OFF

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

I did it!

I knew you could! Yes! Yes!

Well done. Well done.

Hey! Er, wrong side!

Really? You trust me?

Of course! You just passed your driving test!

SHE CHUCKLES

CHATTER

Welcome to the play scheme!

Please find a space to sit.

That's right.

Help yourselves to squash and biscuits.

Danielle, stop it!

The man'll shout.

Oh, no, not at all. It's lovely to see her enjoying herself.

The concept of play is very new

to a lot of these disadvantaged families.

They may take a while to warm up.

ENGINE OFF

Perhaps we could visit a showroom later.

It might be a good idea to build your confidence

before we rush to buy another car.

To quote the examiner, I am extremely assured.

Sir Matthew! Just the person!

Now, I don't know if you've heard about my excursion.

Of course!

It's the talk of Poplar!

And I shall be driving. I just passed my test!

Oh, congratulations!

We're going to a showroom later!

Well, we didn't actually agree on that.

- How are preparations going? - Swimmingly.

Although there is something of a shortfall with funds.

Since the Alderman Matchett picnic fund fell by the wayside,

we're, erm, reliant upon the philanthropy of...

..generous souls...like yourself?

- Usually, I would be very... - He'd be delighted to help!

VIOLET GASPS

Sir Matthew, you are a saint amongst men!

For anyone who hasn't already attended these play sessions,

there are structured activities such as singing and games,

but the most important thing is to have fun!

- Yay! - Oh, and for those of you who haven't already met him,

er, this is Mr Robinson,

our new child welfare officer.

Perhaps you'd like to announce the excursion.

Exciting news.

Our mayor has organised a trip to the seaside this Sunday!

Everybody's welcome!

CHEERING

- Will there be food? - Is it free?

If you can be quiet for a moment,

we'll provide all the details.

I can't think of anything worse.

How can you say that?!

If it was Maracas Bay in Trinidad, then count me in.

The last beach I went to in England was so cold

I nearly developed hypothermia.

And the lucky ladies off to the seaside are...

Nurse Highland!

And...

Nurse Clifford!

SHE GASPS

- Why have you made me a dress? - LAUGHTER

It's a changing cape, Teddy, not a dress.

And you will get plenty of use from it this summer -

the mayor's trip and a week in Devon.

Can we keep this on?

They don't have any arms! They're for getting changed under...

DOORBELL RINGS

..not playing in!

That's it.

SHE GASPS

Timothy!

Are you staying for long?

Yes, I'm home for the summer!

CHEERING

- Oh! - Are those for us?

I've been living off tinned pineapple for two months

to get enough tokens to get these.

It's a beachball!

And a Lilo.

Here.

Oh, that's enough now. It's almost bedtime! Oh...

Lindy Webster...

Young lass at clinic today with her daughter Danielle.

You've visited them before at home, haven't you?

Yes, I have.

And to put it mildly, it was utterly chaotic.

There's a vulnerability about her

that deeply concerns me.

Brought up in a children's home.

And I do worry that without the right support,

it'll be a case of history repeating itself.

Oh! No balloons, thank you kindly.

Instructions from the mayor.

The convoy has to be decorated uniformly,

or, erm...

...she'll have our guts for garters.

That's right, Cubs. Use the full length of the coach.

No jostling, now!

You two! With me!

Tout de suite!

Please, could you just...

In the back. No fighting.

Can I go in your car? Please? That coach is chaos.

It's a case of muck and nettles in my opinion, but hop in!

EXCITED CHATTER

Everybody in your seats, please!

Anyone prone to travel sickness,

please ask me for this in good time.

A queasy tummy can't be helped,

but vomit on the seats will incur

a fine from the coach company and shan't be pleasant for others.

Cast your gaze elsewhere.

My constitution is rather robust at the moment.

Pregnant lady coming through!

You're in the right company if Baby arrives today.

Clear off. I need to put me feet up!

Do you want a drink?

Everyone ready?

As we'll ever be.

How about a song?

# Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside

# Oh, I do like to be beside the sea! #

That's the spirit!

Oh, Matthew, don't be such a spoilsport!