Episode 4

♪ ♪ Mark and I, we've booked a six-week trip to India for my birthday treat.

♪ ♪ HELEN: But Mum, you've just been in hospital.

NATALIE: What if you have another attack?

I'm not pregnant.

I lied to you.

LEILA: You seem a lot calmer these days.

JAKE: Been seeing this therapist sort of a person.

This is dynamite.

Doctor Kinneally stood to benefit... HELEN and JAKE: ...financially from his wife's death.

So she's implying that he murdered his wife?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (sewing machine clicking) ♪ ♪ HELEN: I suppose as the eldest, I felt a sense of responsibility after Dad died to look after Mum.

LINEHAM: Did you feel that she had perhaps rushed into her new marriage?

No.

Not really.

I mean, at that point... well, there was, there was no way of knowing that it would all end in such a, an appalling way.

♪ ♪ (waves crashing) (phone vibrates) Oh.

I can't believe I've slept this long.

That's good, you clearly needed the rest.

Just think, in a couple of days' time we'll be looking out at the Indian Ocean.

Helen just texted and asked me over this morning for a coffee.

She's off work.

Ill?

No, no, just a chat.

I think things aren't quite right with her and George.

Mum to the rescue.

Actually, she never asks for anything, Helen.

Not help, advice, or money.

So if she's reaching out, it's... it's something.

Okay, okay.

Well, I think I'll just nip into town and pick up the rest of the holiday shopping, okay?

(sighs) (seagull squawking) So we're going to try and keep it as low key, as calm as possible-- we don't want to upset her.

Well, she's going to be upset.

Yeah, but if we keep calm... Jake.

Uh, I'm calm!

Yeah, but make it clear that we're here to support her.

(doorbell ringing) Okay, okay.

Good luck, everybody.

Hey, Mum!

Thanks for coming over.

Hello.

(chuckles softly) JAKE: Hi.

Hello.

NATALIE: Hey, Mum.

What's going on?

I haven't forgotten someone's birthday, have I?

No, no.

No.

Everything okay?

Kind of.

Yes, it is!

Not, it's not really, no... Do you want some coffee?

Er, no.

No, no, no.

Why are none of you at work?

(exhales) Look, as you know, we've been a bit worried about you.

About your health and, and... Mark.

(sighing): Oh, no.

Really?

No, just hear us out, Mum.

Please.

Okay, so look, we've been doing a bit of research about Mark.

JAKE: Mm-hmm.

What?

It's just googling, checking his background a bit.

HELEN: And what we've, we've found out is... Well?

Well, it turns out his first wife, she took her own life.

Yeah, she committed suicide, Mum.

Which, it's, it's not what he told us, is it?

No.

There was an inquest, of course, and... And there was some controversy during it that he, Mark, had a hand in her death.

Mum, you cannot go to India with him.

Just-- it's a lot to take in, just give her a minute to absorb it... JAKE: I know it's a lot of take in, but it's just not safe!

We would never forgive ourselves if we didn't say anything.

It's, it's just-- just a bit much of a risk, don't you think, Mum?

I know all about this.

He doesn't tell everyone that she committed suicide, but he's told me.

Of course he's told me, ages ago.

She suffered from depression and she was hospitalized several times.

And she tried to take her own life, and he saved her.

And then, when she finally succeeded, the police questioned him as a routine thing.

That does not mean that he had a hand in it.

He was mortified.

Well, then why all the fuss at the inquest?

JAKE: Mm-hmm.

This woman stood up in court and she said she wasn't depressed, she was perfectly happy.

Charlotte was very good at putting on a brave face, and Mark was most probably the only one who knew how ill she was.

But can we-- you-- really be certain that he's telling the truth?

The police investigated it thoroughly.

And the coroner has made it crystal clear that he was blameless.

It says so there.

Okay, Mum, do you not think we should just get in contact with this woman just to clear the decks, make sure we know all the story... (sisters agreeing) No!

I really don't want to discuss this with you anymore.

(voice wavering): You've clearly all decided that you don't like Mark, or that you don't trust him... (siblings objecting) No, Mum, we're just really worried that he's...

Going to kill me?

Oh, for God's sake.

Look, I'm leaving now, because I don't want to fall out with you about this.

Oh Mum, come on, don't... No, Mum, please.

No!

I'm going.

Look...

I want to have a lovely birthday.

And a lovely holiday, and a lovely marriage to Mark.

Hopefully with my children's blessing.

Can you... can you do that for me?

(front door opens) That went well.

(front door slams) (waves crashing) (shuddering breaths) (seatbelt clicking) (pulls emergency brake) (sighs) (sighs heavily) Um... Viv?

Oh, darling, what-- what is it?

(unsteadily): I just... Are you all right?

Hang, hang on...

I just feel...

Right.

Come on, come on, come on.

I just feel a bit... (knock on door) (door opening) HELEN: It's 11:00.

(Lily sighs) Tea?

Did I hear Grandma's voice earlier?

Yes, she just... she just popped in for coffee.

Did you tell her that Dad's gone to stay with his sister?

No, no, I don't want to worry her.

I'll tell her when she gets back from holiday.

But hopefully he'll be home by then and everything will get back to normal.

Mum... Normal wasn't very good, was it?

Normal is why he went.

He sent me another message last night, he didn't say anything about coming home.

(sighs) I tried him all day yesterday.

I'll try him again today.

Actually, Mum... You have to stop going on at him.

And you have to stop drinking so much.

♪ ♪ MARY: Tea's almost ready.

(cups clinking) (starts humming, stops) (pills rattling) Here we go.

(sighing): Oh, thanks.

You know, we had more fainters than anything else when I was a first aider.

You know, I've never, ever fainted in my life, except once when I was pregnant with Natalie.

I remember it!

So why it's become a thing with me now, I've no idea.

Well, it's the body's way of telling you something's not right, I suppose.

Yeah, but what?

Not like I'm stressed or anything.

Well... (chuckles) Well, maybe just a bit.

Come on, you've got a lot going on.

And you've always seemed to have been there for me in my hour of need, Mary.

Thank you.

And you for me.

Well, I'm not so sure about that.

Who took me to hospital with the baby?

And stayed with me all night whilst... And brought me back again, when it was all...

It was all finished.

I'm always going to be here for you, Viv.

No question.

I know.

Anyway, you don't want to be having turns like this when you're in India.

No, no, I don't.

Well, at least you'll have a doctor with you.

And Viv, listen, don't worry what the kids have to say about him and his wife and all that malarkey.

No?

No!

Because as long as you believe him, that's all that matters, isn't it?

As long as you trust him.

(exhales softly) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (roars playfully) Dad?

Yes?

You know when we go to Disneyland?

Yes.

Can Mum come with us?

Maybe.

(whispering): That was a good question.

(laughter) ♪ ♪ (waves crashing) (snoring lightly) ♪ ♪ (bag unzipping) (gasps) Viv?

(gasps) What on earth are you doing?

LINEHAM: Now, on the day of the party, am I right in thinking that you were under a lot of pressure at work?

What?

I mean, why, it's...

I'm just trying to piece together people's movements and state of mind on that day.

We are creatures tethered to our emotions, aren't we?

Well, I just went to work as usual.

(people chattering) (door creaking open) (knocking) (door opening) Hi Julianne, what's up?

Sit down.

(clears throat) Thank you.

Meera Kapur's lawyer has been in touch.

And they're bringing a case of unfair dismissal against us.

What?

Oh, for God's sake!

Well, she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Has she?

And they're threatening to bring another case against you personally.

For harassment.

Me?

Apparently you went to her house?

But she is stalking me and my whole bloody family.

I'm sorry, Helen, but she also has a number of images of you which she has gathered from your daughter's social media account.

What?

(under breath): Oh no.

There's more.

In a similar vein, I'm afraid.

Mostly alcohol-related.

And she's threatening to take it to the press.

(sighs) So she's... what?

She's blackmailing us?

(waves crashing, gulls crying) Over the years, you collect all kinds of things as a doctor.

You learn to go prepared, especially if you're traveling.

Viv, we have to address this, because if we don't talk about it...

I know.

This marriage is dead before it's begun... if there's no trust.

I do trust you, it's just that...

Your kids don't.

I could feel it from day one, from them, before they knew anything about Charlotte's death.

No, that's not true.

Viv, it's true.

Do you think I'm looking forward to this evening?

Facing them, knowing what they think?

I could...

I could cope with that, Viv.

I could cope with them.

But the one thing I couldn't cope with, it's if you don't trust me.

You have to remember that I...

I trusted Terry, and he'd been lying to me for all those years.

So of course I'm... Viv, I'm not Terry.

It's just... (sighs) I've had enough of suspicion and gossip, and... (sighs) whispering behind my back.

Why do you think I moved away and came down here?

I wasn't even there when Charlotte died, I was with my daughter.

If you don't trust me on this, 100%, Viv, then it's a deal breaker for me.

I love you.

And I trust you.

Of course I do.

(sighs) ♪ ♪ HELEN (voiceover): So, what do we do?

Well, the board have had a series of meetings while you were on leave.

Did you speak to the lawyers?

And we think the best way of protecting you from all this might be if you just... take a step back.

(disbelieving): What?

We just want to avoid her orchestrating a smear campaign on you, dragging you through the dirt.

What, you mean resign?

I'm sorry, Helen.

I know how hard you've worked, how much you care.

Of course, the decision is yours, but we honestly do think that this is the best way forward.

For the trust, for our patients, and for you.

(glasses snapping) (glasses clattering) What are you doing?

I was just getting some fresh air.

Okay.

Um... Are you coming back to bed?

I think...

I think we have to stop this now, don't we?

With things looking so good for your marriage, this, this isn't right, is it?

Look, come on, we both knew it would come to an end sooner or later, didn't we?

Well, I guess I'll...

I'll have to move out.

No, no, no, no, don't be silly.

You can stay here as long as you need to.

Yeah, but the rent?

No, don't worry, I think you are well in credit.

And I don't expect you're going to be here much longer.

I'll miss you.

(sighs) You can't just walk out on me like that.

Just land that on me and walk away.

I'm furious with you, Nats.

I was so excited about the baby.

Our kid.

Then phew... Gone.

I, I know, I'm sorry.

But I reached breaking point.

The one person in my life I thought I could trust, who was on my... who was on my side.

Five years!

And nothing could get between us.

And yet still, I lie awake wondering what I'm going to say to the girls.

How I'm going to tell them Dad's leaving home.

It took guts to do what you did.

Come clean and walk away.

I am so bloody angry with you, Nats, but, try as I might, I still really love you.

I'd be an idiot to let a woman like you go.

(sighs) I'm divorcing Carla, it's all in motion.

I want you to be my wife.

(exhales sharply) (inhales) ♪ ♪ Yes.

Oh no... (baking sheet clattering) (sighing) ♪ ♪ No.

Right... (chickens clucking) (knocking) Hi, Maria.

Hi, Helen.

Sorry to bother you, I just wondered, could I, can I have a word with George?

Course.

I'll go and find him.

Thanks.

HELEN: I've taken you for granted.

I, I can see that.

And I haven't, I haven't listened, or not properly, or just not enough, and I don't blame you for going.

(holding back tears) I've been so bloody lucky to have you.

And, and I love you so much.

I can't, I can't even do that without pushing you away.

I just don't know what to do...

I can't come back.

Not yet.

I'm sorry.

LINEHAM (voiceover): And did you go straight from work to your mother's drinks party?

No, I... went home and got changed first.

You know, it was a... it was a really big deal for her, for Mum.

It was her 70th birthday?

Not just that.

It was us... it was us saying goodbye to her before she left for India on her honeymoon.

You know, it was... supposed to be the start of a wonderful new life for her.

♪ ♪ Thank you.

Sorry.

(sniffles) STELLA: Okay, that was definitely the last time.

I've got to go!

Where's my skirt?

JAKE: It's, uh, sofa.

Okay.

LEILA: Hello!

Jake, I've just come to pick up Maddie's jacket, she's been bugging me about it for ages... JAKE: No, no, no, no... What the...?

It's not what you think.

So what is it?

You are so (no audio) stupid.

Leila, Leila, no, no, no... Leila!

Leila... Do not follow me, Jake.

We're done.

(shuts door) (sobbing, shouting) TONY: Nats, this is going to be the house of our dreams!

I thought... we could put a pool in out the back.

And then there's the horses.

Really?

I promised!

And there will be, well, one, at least to begin with.

Well, that should keep you busy.

You won't have time for work.

But I like working, I'll miss it.

What's my replacement like?

She's crap, a ditherer.

Still, she'll learn.

If not, I'll get another one, I'll manage.

She's your driver, too?

Uh-huh.

So she's with you all the time then?

Yes-- oh, don't be silly, Nats.

I can't do this.

What?

TONY (voiceover): Nats!

(birds chirping) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (waves crashing, seagulls squawking) (dog barking) (sighs) I've hung the lights.

I've opened a few bottles, anything else?

(exhales deeply) That's great, thanks.

Just think, this time tomorrow we'll be on a plane to India.

I wish you'd just enjoy this evening, I'm sure they'll all be on their best behavior.

MARY: Yoo-hoo!

Oh... Hm... she's always the first.

She means well.

Would you do the honors while I get dressed?

Hmm... Hi, Mary.

You look... different.

How are you doing, Mark?

Spot of Dutch courage, eh?

Not to worry, soon it will be over.

I'm just going to pop Viv's present up to her.

She's just getting dressed, actually.

Vivien?

Only me.

Hi!

Oh, hi, Mary.

Close your eyes!

(laughs) Oh!

Thought I should bring your present in while you're on your own.

I haven't wrapped it, I'm afraid.

Oh, dear... it's not a puppy, is it?

(laughing) Okay, and... open them!

Oh, my Lord, it's gorgeous!

It's got bits of all the kids' old clothes in it.

Oh, Mary, it must have taken you hours and hours!

Oh, thank you.

Happy birthday.

Oh...

Thank you.

It's wonderful!

(laughs) And you look lovely too!

Is that...?

Yes, yeah!

I, I shortened it and I just fiddled with the neckline a bit.

(car horn) Oh, here they come!

Oh, oh, right.

Now... let's just hope they all play nicely, Mary.

No, just give me a hand... Hi, Mum!

Just bring up some of the plates.

Happy birthday!

Oh, hello, darling!

No George?

No, sorry.

Man flu!

Um, got it off his sister.

Oh... Hi Mary, you look lovely!

Ah, thank you.

Hi.

Hi, Helen.

Hiya!

Hi, hey, happy birthday!

Thank you, um, oh!

I'll bring them up.

Okay.

Thanks for the flowers, Helen.

Okay.

VIVIEN: Can you bring up a plate, Mark?

MARK: Okay.

(clears throat) Have you told Mum about your job yet?

No, not tonight.

I need to get my head straight first, if that's remotely possible ever again.

How are you doing?

What?

(whispers) My period's late.

Oh... Nats.

I know, ironic, isn't it?

What, have you done a test?

No, not yet, because I really need a drink to get through tonight.

Christ, me too.

Don't say anything to Jake though, will you?

Or Mum, obviously.

Obviously.

I can't look him in the eye-- Mark-- can you?

No.

I think Mum's told him.

He looks really shifty, doesn't he?

He looks guilty as hell!

Hello!

Hi!

Hey!

Hey.

Welcome to the most awkward birthday drinks in the history of the world!

Yeah, but it's not funny though, is it?

Have you been drinking?

Why, have you?

What are you doing out here?

Please, please come in and be sociable.

At least make an effort.

What's this?

What it looks like.

I'm sorry, I used to, I gave up.

What can I say?

Doctors and nurses are the worst.

You've never mentioned it.

It never came up.

Look, Viv...

Sorry to interrupt, just doing the rounds.

Top up?

No, I'm fine, thanks, Mary.

Mark?

Yes, please.

Ooh, smoking!

It's a brave man who smokes near Vivien.

♪ ♪ (laughter) Right, charge your glasses!

(silverware dinging glass) (laughter) Come on, come on, Mary!

(all chattering) Mum, out here!

Ooh, she's got a speech!

Come on... oh, Mary.

Okay, well, I just want to say... uh, happy birthday to... a really, really amazing mum.

Yeah!

Here, here.

Yes, happy birthday, Mum!

You know, you really gave us the best possible start in life-- a happy, secure, loving family, a great place to grow up, you know, and even now we are grown up, you're still here for us.

Always... whatever... whatever messes we get ourselves into.

Um... Yeah and, well, not only is she a great mum, but, uh, she did it all while running the salon.

So you're an amazing role model.

Well, apart from the cooking.

(laughter) Well, luckily you had Mary for that!

Well, it's a... a pleasure, a privilege to be a part of you all.

So, here's to you, Vivien.

Yes, happy birthday... To Mum... ...to the best mum.

Thank you.

JAKE: Yeah, I want to say something too, actually.

Excuse me, can I have some more, thank you.

I want to say something about Dad, um... Can't pretend he wasn't a huge part of this family and that we don't miss him still... because we do.

We can't just airbrush him out.

Yes, he wasn't, uh... he wasn't perfect, as you said, but he was a very... very, very good father to us three, wasn't he?

Yes, yes, absolutely!

To your father!

Here's to Terry!

To Dad.

To Dad.

Love you, Dad.

And can I say how proud I am of you all.

You three... you three are the loves of my life.

And my greatest achievement.

And I'd like to thank Mark too... for taking me on.

Here's to you, Viv.

And to your... (slurring, sardonic): wonderful, wonderful family.

Oh, dear... What's that supposed to mean, Mark?

Jake!

No, no, no, let him speak!

If you've got something to say, say it to my face!

All right, then.

I'm not going to pretend that we're happy about you and Mum, because we're not.

No, you've already made that blindingly clear!

But, uh, if I may say so, it's none of your (no audio) business!

JAKE: Oh, wow!

Mark... We're just concerned for Mum, that's all.

Ow!

Don't touch her!

You know, before Mum met you, she hasn't been sick a day in her life!

Are you accusing me?

Well, you're a doctor, aren't you, Mark?

Dr. Mark, right?

You know where to get all the medicine, you know how to administer them.

You haven't a (no audio) clue about it!

Yes, I have.

Stop it... Stop it, please, please... JAKE: I'm on to you, and I know all about that woman who stood up in court and told everyone everything about your late wife.

(Vivien gasping) We know all about that, Mark, because we've done all the research.

Mum!

Vivien!

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

Let me look at her.

Don't!

Just leave her!

Maybe get some water?

Get a cushion here.

Just get away!

Mark, get back, please!

I'm a doctor!

She needs to see a doctor!

JAKE: Don't (no audio) touch her!

You idiot!

(Jake grunts, glass breaks) Jake!

Jake!

(Helen shouting) (glass shatters) (loud thud) (muffled exhalations) (all gasping, muttering) Oh... (muffled cries) (gasping, sighing) Okay, Natalie... you, uh... you go in to Mum and get a chair and put her legs up onto it, and, Helen, phone... phone an ambulance and tell them there's been an accident, a man has fallen.

Um, he's slipped and he's fallen from a balcony, okay?

No, no, this is nobody's fault because if Mark hadn't been drinking so much, he wouldn't have fallen, do you understand?

Go on, you go... go on.

Jake?

Jake, are you all right?

Yeah... (muttering) Are you all right?

Come on... come on.

(waves crashing) ♪ ♪ Go!

(laughing) Over here!

Daddy, to me!

(playful chatter continues) ♪ ♪ (playful chatter) (kids, Jake chattering) (playful chatter continues) (machine humming) LINEHAM: Apart from his head injuries, it says here "bruising around the torso."

Is there any evidence he could have been... pushed over the balcony?

Uh, his balance would have been way off, given the amount of alcohol and diazepam in his blood, so I really can't say.

What's the likelihood he'll wake up?

It's not looking good at all.

(exhales deeply) All right, girls?

Hi, Mary.

I've put the salmon on; oh good, you've started the peas.

I'll go and check on Mum.

(sighs) ♪ ♪ (playful chatter continues) MARY (voiceover): Well, um... everyone was having a lovely time, you know, we had champagne, music, a few speeches.

But I don't think any of us realized how much Mark had been drinking.

MARY: How are you feeling today?

Oh, I'm fine.

Good.

Let's get you dressed then.

Because Helen's going to take you back to the hospital after lunch.

What would you like to wear?

You choose.

Right... MARY (voiceover): Mark got up to go inside and he... he must've lost his footing and he slipped and... sort of keeled over and then crashed... through the railings and I saw Jake reach out to, to grab him, but he wasn't close enough.

MARY: Thanks, Natalie, that's...

There we are... And then I heard a noise behind me and Vivien had just... collapsed from the shock of it.

There's water there.

MARY (offscreen): And for, for a moment... well, we just didn't know what to do.

LINEHAM (voiceover): And then what happened?

Helen called an ambulance and I went to help Mark because I'd done some first aid years ago and I thought, well I hoped, I might be able to help him.

Mum, here, sit here.

(kids chatting) LINEHAM (voiceover): And when you got down there, what state did you find Mr. Kinneally in?

MARY (voiceover): He... he was unconscious, and I couldn't find a pulse.

MARY: Here's the salmon... Wow, that looks amazing!

Oh wow.

(chattering) And it's huge!

LINEHAM (voiceover): Was he still breathing at this point?

MARY (voiceover): No... and I knew it was vital to keep the oxygen flowing, so I thought I have got to try mouth to mouth.

(shallow breaths) MARY (voiceover): Shall I dish up?

All right... (table chatter) LINEHAM (voiceover): You've had experience with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?

MARY (voiceover): I've had some, but probably very outdated.

Still, I just kept going, I just, I kept going at it until the ambulance arrived.

(tearfully): And I did everything I could...

I did everything... everything I could.

(jagged breathing) (sirens wailing distantly) (on screen): And I did everything I could.

I did everything I... everything I could.

Bon appétit, everyone.

NATALIE: Cheers.

HELEN: Thanks for a lovely lunch.

Okay, Mum?

LILY: Any more spoons?

NATALIE: There you go.

LILY: Thank you.

(silverware clattering) CORY: Sir, we've finally tracked down Mark Kinneally's daughter in Spain.

She's on a plane now.

LINEHAM (voiceover): So, she does exist then?

CORY (voiceover): Yes, it seems they were very close.

Shall we bring her in?

No.

No, let her go to the hospital.

We've got nothing here but an accident.

But...

I can't justify any more time.

Yes, sir.

(sighs) (places folder on desk) (phone beeping) (quiet chuckling) (silverware clinking, family chattering) ♪ ♪ LINEHAM (voiceover): What effect has all this had on the family?

MARY (voiceover): Well, they're in shock, and... and of course it'll be terrible for Vivien if Mark doesn't pull through.

But she'll get over it in time.

She's actually very strong.

And, anyway, the good thing is, I'll be there for her.

It'll just be the two of us.

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