Another Year

---

So how long's this been going on for?

I don't know.

A few weeks?

- A long time.

- A year?

I suppose so.

A whole year?

You've taken your time to come

and see me, haven't you?

You think it's going to stop, don't you?

I'll just take your blood pressure.

Can you pop your arm on the desk

for me?

There you go.

If you straighten it up

and push up your sleeve...

Are you dozing in the daytime?

Sometimes.

So, I just need something

to help me sleep.

I know. How much sleep

are you getting at night?

I'm not getting any. That's why I'm here.

I understand, sweetheart.

OK. It's just going to go tight.

(puffing)

(hissing)

Have you got any particular worries

at the moment?

No financial problems?

No. I don't know

what that's got to do with it.

What about at home?

How are things with husband?

OK, if you just lean forward and take a

few deep breaths, in through your mouth.

And again.

It's lovely and clear.

- Have you got any kids?

- Yes.

- Are they still at home with you?

- Son is, works with his father.

Daughter's left, only see her

when she wants something.

And how about you?

Have you started your menopause?

Yes.

Everything OK?

So, will you give me some sleeping tablets?

Maybe, but it might not solve your problem.

Give me a night's sleep, though,

wouldn't it?

- How much alcohol are you drinking?

- I don't drink. My husband drinks.

Is it a problem?

No.

Are you taking any drugs, medication?

How about coffee?

Are you drinking a lot to keep awake?

Coffee, yes.

- Tea?

- Yes.

Well, we might have to look at that,

mightn't we?

OK.

Your blood pressure is slightly up,

but I'm not overly concerned about that.

But I do want you to have a blood test,

to check your thyroid.

You can make an appointment at reception.

All right?

Yes.

Now, I will give you something to help

you sleep but just enough for a week.

- What good's that?

- Insomnia isn't a disease.

Sleeping tablets won't make it go away.

We need to find the cause.

Now, you're obviously anxious,

and a little depressed.

So I want you to come back

and speak to our counsellor.

- What for?

- I think she'd be able to help you.

But you'll give me the prescription now?

Yes, but will you see the counsellor?

I think it will do you some good.

You think about it for a moment.

(tapping of keyboard)

Tom!

Give us it.

(sighs)

- Don't do your back in.

- I know.

It doesn't get any easier.

Job for a younger man, this.

Joe used to love it here.

Did you speak to my son and heir?

I left him a message on his answerphone.

(panting)

It's going to rain again.

(machinery whirs)

- Now, then.

- Hello, boss.

- What you got?

- You hit rock, then?

Yeah, we just gone through.

This is the fourth, so I reckon, what, 17?

Give or take.

- 17? It's got to be a scour hollow.

- Probably.

- All right, Mick?

- All right.

Hello.

How long will it take us to get back?

- 25, with traffic. Are you hungry?

- I am.

Good.

There you go.

Yes, London clay. Thank you.

- Thanks, Andy. See you.

- Cheers.

Ta-ta.

- Dusting of mica.

- Let's have a look.

Hmm, it's quite nice.

(chuckles)

Very nice.

- It's just a dusting, isn't it?

- Yeah.

What would you say was the happiest

moment in your life?

What do you mean?

Your nicest memory.

Have a think.

When your children were born?

- Your wedding day?

- I don't know.

Take your time.

I can't remember.

- Can't or won't?

- Mm?

Can't or won't remember?

Don't know what I'm doing here.

I didn't want to come.

Don't want to talk about my family.

Why should I?

None of your business.

All I need is a good night's sleep

and nobody's helping me.

Janet, I want to help you.

That's why we're here.

I know it's not easy

to talk about personal things.

Suppose the boot was on the other foot,

and someone came to you,

say, your daughter, and said,

"I haven't been sleeping for months."

What would you say to them?

"Go to the doctor."

What else would you say?

I don't know.

What would you ask her?

Is she eating all right?

I don't know, something like that.

Good.

Anything else?

That a couple of months of proper sleep

would sort it out.

Sort what out?

The sleeping.

OK.

On a scale of one to ten...

...how happy

would you say you are, Janet?

- One.

- One.

I think there's room for improvement there,

don't you?

What is the one thing that would improve

your life, apart from sleep?

- A different life.

- A different life.

Change is frightening, isn't it?

Nothing changes.

Hope to see you next week, Janet.

Same time.

I'll be here, but it's up to you. No pressure.

Bye.

(sighs)

- Bye-bye, Sam.

- Bye.

Look at you!

You look like you're fit to burst.

I am fit to burst.

Big boy's wrestling his way down.

If he pops out, give me a shout.

Sweetheart, I'll do more than shout.

- Hi, Gerri.

- Hello, Mary.

You're a sight for sore eyes.

- Can you process these for me?

- Oh, well, seeing as it's you.

- How are you?

- I'm snowed under, to be honest,

and I've got a headache.

- Have you seen the doctor?

- (laughs)

Hello, Gemma.

Do you fancy a drink tonight?

- I'd love one.

- Great. Are you sure?

- I've only got an hour.

- That's all right.

- Tom's cooking supper.

- Oh, lovely.

- I'll see you later.

- Yeah.

(rain pouring)

(buzz of conversation)

Do you know, Gerri, I've never been with

a man who could cook.

- Haven't you?

- No.

- They could do other things.

- That doesn't get you fed.

No, it keeps a girl happy, though.

(laughs)

- And you can't cook.

- No. Well, I can a bit.

- But it's not really my thing.

- No, it's not.

Oh, no, don't remind me about that,

Gerri.

(laughs)

You could put an ad in the paper

"Chef wanted".

Yeah. "Chef/boyfriend

required for gorgeous girl."

No, "Mature woman with cat."

(laughter)

No, "Maturish".

We don't want to put them off, do we?

It's lovely the way you and Tom

do everything together.

- We're very lucky.

- Yeah. You are, but you deserve it.

- You're both such lovely people.

- Oops, my halo's slipping.

Yeah, Saint Gerri.

No, but I'm really comfortable

with where I am in my life, as you know.

I've got my lovely little garden flat,

a good job.

I've got my health, touch wood,

I've got my independence.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not all rosy.

I have good days and bad days

like everyone else, but, hey!

Are you going to do something

about your garden?

Oh, don't remind me!

I'm really guilty about that.

- I've neglected it, haven't I?

- Yes, you have.

But yesterday I was brushing my teeth

and I looked out the window

and I saw these two daffodils

peeping over the top of the grass.

I must get it cut.

- Get yourself that lawn mower.

- I know.

Couldn't I just get a man in?

It wouldn't cost much.

- Hmm. "Gardener/chef/ boyfriend."

- Yeah! (laughs)

But I don't want to spend too much money

because I'm going to get myself a little car.

- Are you?

- Yeah, I've decided it's about time.

- It's a big step.

- I know. It's exciting, isn't it?

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