'Standing Up'

cannot relax because her mother is coming to help her with the garden. Her face drops when she sees that her last patients of the day are Becky Lou Bradshaw (40) and Candice Bradshaw (16), because the mother is like a rotweiller.

Candice has had pain in her lower abdomen, and Becky Lou is eventually sent outside so that Candice can actually speak for herself. Candice is evasive in answering Melody’s questions, and she is adamant that she has not got a boyfriend and could not possibly be pregnant. Melody asks her to provide a urine sample and go to the hospital.

Becky Lou is outside smoking a cigarette while Melody rings the hospital to arrange a scan for Candice, still thinking she might be pregnant. Candice returns from the toilet saying she couldn’t go and will give a sample at the hospital. Ungratefully Becky Lou marches Candice out, hurrying to get back to work. Becky Lou instructs Candice to go home to bed.

Karen asks Melody to drop off a few files at the Campus surgery on her way home. Delivering the files to Julia Melody hangs around, wanting an excuse to avoid her mother for a bit longer. Julia mentions she saw Ruth at the weekend. They also discuss Becky Lou and Candice.

Celia Bell arrives at Melody’s house and rings the bell, only to discover that Melody is late. She gives Melody a ring to discover she is going to be another hour. Melody tells her where a spare key is hidden so that she can let herself in. In the kitchen, Celia is unimpressed with the level of dirt and dust. Melody arrives home to find her mother still inspecting her kitchen. They have lunch then start in the garden. Celia doesn’t help Melody carry the large bags of manure because she claims to have a bad back. However, she refuses Melody’s offer to look at it.

They discuss JJ’s situation; Melody constantly has to bite her tongue. They discuss Melody’s imminent exams. Melody says she’s not sure she wants a job at the Mill even if they offer it to her and she’s not even sure if she wants to stay in general practice because she always gets sucked into people’s lives. She mentions Candice’s case as an example. Celia again mentions JJ, suggesting the time he spent with Melody pushed him off the rails. Infuriated Melody leaves under the pretence of buying more plants.

Candice arrives at the hospital and goes into the gynaecology department. Whilst waiting she tries to send a text but is told to put the phone away, yet carries on when Dr James Magness (late 30s) turns his back. Her phone rings and seeing it’s her mum she ignores it. She is then called through to see Dr Magness. He addresses the possible pregnancy and again, getting upset, Candice gets up and storms out.

As Melody pulls up at the shops Candice is out of sight sitting on a bench in pain. Becky Lou rings again and interrupts Candice’s attempt to open up, telling her off for not being at home. By the end of the conversation Candice is doubled up in pain. At this point Melody spots her. Hearing that she didn’t have the scan Melody again asks if she could be pregnant. Candice finally admits that she drunkenly had sex a couple of months ago. Realising the need to get her to hospital, fast, Melody helps Candice into her car.

At the hospital Melody tries to get Candice ahead of the queue fearing that she has an ectopic pregnancy. Convinced by the symptoms Dr Magness leads Candice through. Melody phones Becky Lou as Candice is taken into theatre to have her ectopic pregnancy operated on. Seeing that Melody is anxious to be somewhere else Dr Magness tests the water by asking if she is meeting a boyfriend. After a pause Melody lies and says yes. He congratulates her on her diagnosis.

As she is recovering from surgery, Candice and Melody discuss their difficult mothers. Melody says their officious behaviour is the result of how much they care. Becky Lou enters and starts to reprimand Candice, but is forcefully interrupted by Melody who poignantly points out that Candice could have died because she was too scared to talk to her mother. Melody leaves the mother and daughter to actually talk and listen to each other.

Celia rings Melody; getting the answer phone she leaves an impatient message. Then seeing the mess in the garden she starts tidying. As she bends down her back immediately locks. When Melody finally gets home she finds Celia stretched out on the kitchen floor. She lets Melody examine her. Melody confronts Celia about her constant undermining of her career. They also agree not to blame each other for what happened to JJ and to leave him to get on with his life. They decide go out to dinner and have a proper catch up. Melody smiles triumphantly.