As inspired by one of ITV's most loved Sunday night dramas, THE ROYAL returns twenty years later to embrace the changing culture of the 1980s.

Its been twenty years since we last saw the characters of The Royal desperately battling to save Dr Ormerod's life after violence ensued on the ward. Thankfully Dr Ormerod has survived and with the two eldest children from his first marriage now grown up and flown the nest, he is happily retired along with Jill, his wife, who is now a patron of the hospital.

In the changing world of Thatcherism and boom and bust, the NHS is pushed to its limit and our hardworking staff have to find some way to keep the Royal functioning in the face of adversity.

With the arrival of a new assistant for 'old timer' Lizzie, The Royal faces its toughest challenge yet!

I do not own THE ROYAL, rights of which belong to Keith Richardson, Ken Horn and the wonderful cast and crew supported by ITV and its affiliates.

This interpretation is dedicated to the fans, particularly those who wondered what happened next.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Since I have no medical background, a lot of this is taken from observation from the original series and research. This 'what happened next' is based on the characters rather than the medical expertise. I am not a professional scriptwriter and the formatting is placed in the best presentation for the reader.

Characters from the original are used, however I make claim to any others included in this update.

WITH THANKS AND HAPPY READING!

THE ROYAL, 1980s.

[The titles open in the traditional format reminiscent of the original series, however there is an 80s influence with doctors in NHS uniforms walking around. The camera pans on The Royal hospital, now with an additional small concrete 1970s block at the back.]

EPISODE ONE:

"Don't You Want Me Baby?"

[We see a girl locking a door on a terraced house, climbing on a scooter and riding down a busy street]

Woman: Be careful there, our Mandy!

Mandy: Will do, Mrs Phelps!

Man [in car] Eh! Watch out!

Mandy: Sorry!

[the scooter weaves through the streets of Elsinby, a bag strapped to the back.]

[EXT The Royal where the formerly quaint scene of the 1960s has been replaced by a busy road with parked cars lining the pavement. The girl on the scooter, reminiscent of Lizzie in the 1960s, suddenly appears from nowhere and pulls up in the driveway of the hospital. She removes her helmet and shakes back her waved hair. She leans against the seat of her scooter and swaps her boots for a pair of hot pink stilettos. She flings her jacket over one arm and scuttles into the hospital.]

INT. RECEPTION at THE ROYAL.

[The reception has retained its cosy, homely look. The counter is still tall however part of the wall has been removed to accommodate a shorter counter for patients to use]

[The scooter girl, whose name is MANDY, enters and slams her bag down on the counter. The reception area has been widened and modernised to a suitable 1980s standard. The swing doors have been removed and the corridor lengthened. The waiting area now covers most of the entrance lobby (as one of the doctors offices has been knocked through). The wooden counter still stands but a lower grey 80s counter has been added with the wall taken out.

A selection of 1960s kitchenware stands at the back on a wooden cork shelf along with a microwave which has a handwritten scribble "do not put potatoes in microwave" on a post it note. MANDY notices this as she enters and peers over the counter where a woman with blonde-grey hair is hunched over papers with a phone balanced on her shoulder]

[The woman looks up. Mandy smiles. We see that this is LIZZIE HOPKIRK, NOW LIZZIE TURNER, who has aged by twenty years since the previous series. LIZZIE is wearing a smart full shouldered blouse with a pleat skirt and court shoes]

Lizzie: One moment, Dr Amrit. [searches through a pile of papers] Can I help you love?

Mandy [mouthing]: I'm the new assistant receptionist.

Lizzie [mouthing]: What? Sorry?

Mandy [mouthing]: I'm the new assistant receptionist.

Lizzie [speaking, distracted]: Yes, Dr Amrit. I'll make sure I send that report over this afternoon. Who's your secretary? [pause, listening] Mandie?

Mandy: Yes?

Lizzie [waves hand dismissively] Manti? Mundy? Oh…AMANDA. I hear you now. Sorry about that, Dr Amrit. Yes, you too, sir. Good afternoon [replaces receiver] sorry about that. Where were we?

Mandy: I was trying to say, I'm the new assistant receptionist.

Lizzie [genially]: Of course you are! Maddy, wasn't it? [she emerges from behind the counter, greeting Mandy warmly]

Mandy: Mandy. Close enough [smiles, warmly] I hope I'm in the right place.

Lizzie: If that place is The Royal, then you're absolutely right. I'm Lizzie Turner. Most people know me as Lizzie Hopkirk. That was me maiden name. Then I was Lizzie Kennoway, but you don't need to hear about all that. [She leads MANDY around the back of the counter and begins to show her all the cupboards] Me dad used to work here, he was a porter for years, then it was me Uncle Jack and of course there was always Alun til he found his real-life Georgy Girl.

[Pause] Sorry, I do love a natter.

Mandy: Suits me. Someone needs to keep informed of hospital goings on. I'm cool with chatting. I like chatting too.

Lizzie: Well, I won't pretend this job is easy. It isn't, but I hope you'll stay. Right, now here's the kettle, little kitchenette we've got here. There's a proper kitchen down the corridor, but that's for nurses, really. You can keep your packed lunch in the fridge here, or in the big fridge down the corridor. Just don't give your lunch to Steve or Mervin, they've a habit of eating the lot.

Mandy: How long have you been here?

Lizzie: Almost twenty years now. I wouldn't be anywhere else, let me tell you.

Mandy: No?

Lizzie: No, no chance. Look at me now, eh? Employing me own staff. Used to be just little me, a brew and the typewriter! Now look [she gestures at two boxes labelled COMPUTER] You'll have to show me how to use these newfangled commuters.

Mandy: Oh, you've got computers? Extreme!

Lizzie: I can't make head nor tail of 'em. It's all a blur to me.

Mandy: Well, I en't had much experience with 'em either. We'll just have to figure it out together.

Lizzie: Sounds good to me, Mandy. Right. Now, the rules. I expect they'll have been the same in your last job, but even so. We don't have a clock-in system here at the hospital, but I do expect you to be punctual. I will understand however if there are incidents involving burst tyres and such.

Mandy: How did you know?

Lizzie: I used to ride a scooter myself in the Sixties. Almost broke my leg once.

Mandy: Really?

Lizzie: Yes-and I didn't wear a crash helmet. I hope you do, Mandy.

Mandy: Oh yeah.

Lizzie: Good. So I'll expect you in by eight, kettle on, ready for a brew. No chewing gum in the office, the last girl we had used to chew it and stick it underneath my desk. Oh and if you want to smoke I'd prefer if you didn't do it in here. You can go outside the entrance or to the Quad. It's a lovely patch of ground in the centre of the building-used to be the convalescence garden.

Mandy: I don't smoke.

Lizzie: Good thing too, what with all these news reports now. They're saying that it's really bad for your health.

Mandy: I know, I've seen them too. I tried it once, just didn't like the smell. Put me right off.

Lizzie: Well, that's a relief. I've never smoked either. There's no specific uniform here, we're not like those modern hospitals down South, but we do like you to look presentable. No jeans, you know? [looks at Mandy's shoes] You sure you're going to be comfortable running around in those all day?

Mandy: Yeah. [rolls eyes] went to Etam specially.

Lizzie: I've got a spare pair of flats in the cupboard [taps the cupboard] just in case. [looks around] Now, if the phone rings, answer it brightly with "hello, The Royal, how may I help you?" There's a direct line to all our doctors [she waves her hand across the wall where a set of photographs depicting the doctors and their names] So, we've got five doctors here, on call, two at night. Dr Anderson, Dr Purdi, Dr Williams, Dr Menzie and Dr Ormerod.

[Mandy is particularly captivated by young Dr Tom Ormerod]

Mandy: Ooh, he's nice.

Lizzie: His dad used to work here. Very respected, he were. Nice to see his eldest son inherited his lovely personality.

Mandy: What was he like?

Lizzie [whimsically]: Smart, well spoken. Bit of a dish to tell you the truth, but don't tell anyone I said that.

Mandy: His son looks like he's in the same mould [grins]

Lizzie: You could be right there, Mandy. But enough daydreaming about dishy doctors. Let's get you started. [looks around] I know! Filing! Pop your bag down there [indicates a small space under the desk] Right [assuming the persona of herself in her twenties] Start filing these. We need to find a place for all these bits of paper. I can't believe the amount of paperwork they now want us to fill out. Like we haven't got one hundred and one other things to do? Still, least it keeps us running. Oh and watch the cabinet. [points] it eats fingers.

[Mandy looks horrified]

Lizzie [cheery]: I'm gasping for a cuppa. Want one?

Mandy: Thanks.

Lizzie: Just help yourself. I keep this place well stocked with tea. At least, my husband does.

Mandy: Oh?

Lizzie: He picks things up, here and there. You know.

Mandy: Yes, I do. My dad does the same.

Lizzie: Birds of a feather and all that. We'll get on just fine, Mandy. I can feel it. [poises the kettle] how d'you like your brew?

Mandy [looking through the papers, distracted] Milky. Two sugars.

Lizzie: Two sugars? You'll rot those pearlies of yours.

Mandy: well, I don't normally. I just need the energy.

Lizzie: Late night last night?

Mandy: No! No, nothing like that. I'm just not really a morning person, you know?

Lizzie: I do know. You should have been here twenty years ago…

Mandy: Hmm?

Lizzie: No lie-ins then. I was up by six, in by seven and the doctors were here on the dot every morning. Things have changed a lot. Now our doctors are on call all the time. [looks up] Good morning, Dr Purdi.

Dr Purdi: Morning Lizzie! Do you have my patient notes?

Lizzie: Of course. I got some of that Assam tea, you know. Really nice it is, oh and Roddy took me to the new tandoori on the High Street. Such a lovely place, amazing food. Very exotic!

Dr Purdi [unsure]: Well, that's good to know, Lizzie. Thank you.

Lizzie: Here's your notes? [hands them over] Shall I put your lights up?

Dr Purdi: Not just yet, Lizzie. Dr Ormerod in already, is he?

Lizzie: Course he is. Never stops, does he?

Dr Purdi: He's not the only one! [grins] see you.

Lizzie: Oh, I should introduce you! [clasps Mandy's shoulder] this is Mandy. Mandy, this is Dr Purdi.

Mandy: Hi.

Dr Purdi: Nice to meet you, Mandy. Don't push her too hard, Lizzie!

Lizzie: You're joking! We've all got to start somewhere, haven't we?

Dr Purdi: Absolutely. Thanks for these; I'll be in my office.

Lizzie: No problem! I'll pop the kettle on.

Mandy: Do you live on tea?

Lizzie: Pretty much. You need it in this place. Gets draughty, you know. [looks over Mandy's shoulder]How's the filing coming along?

Mandy: Um… [looks at the piles around her] yeah…its okay…thanks.

Lizzie: Great, so, these ones go into pink folders, patient notes and files into the drawer, green ones are prescriptions and copper ones are specialist referrals. Okay?

Mandy: I think so.

Lizzie: I don't know why we keep half that stuff. It never comes in useful. In twenty years I've never seen one person open that cabinet over there.

Mandy: The one that eats fingers?

Lizzie: No, the big one over here. [she taps the locked cabinet] doctor's stuff, I'm sure.

Mandy: Can I have a look? I'm not scared of a filing cabinet.

Lizzie: Go ahead. Keys are in the little box by the counter.

Mandy [takes keys] Let's have a look… [opens the cabinet and withdraws a set of newspapers] These are all about the hospital, the doctors and patients. Says here Dr Ormerod saved four children from a house fire 'in the line of duty' and a train crash involving Dr Nick Burnett and Nurse Marian McKaig?

Lizzie: Oh, I remember that. We had a house full that day. You've never seen so many casualties. I remember we had to call up Ashfordly General for extra beds.

Mandy: I applied there too. It's a nice hospital. Just been refurbished, you know?

Lizzie: Used to be our rival. No one bothered with us. Why spend money on this place when you can have a brand new shiny hospital with everything under one roof. Sorry, Mandy. I'm not bitter.

Mandy: This is much nicer, I think.

Lizzie: Aw, thanks Mandy. 'Ere, whats that?

Mandy: [drops the newspaper back in the cabinet] This one says about a tragic cliff accident.

Lizzie: Best not to mention that in front of Matron. It was her sister.

Mandy: Right. I'll bear that in mind. There's another one about Dr Ormerod! [picks it out] and another! Blimey, he was quite a hero, weren't he?

Lizzie: I suppose you could say that, yes. He were very brave. He had a lot happen to him but he just kept on going. Nothing stopped him.

Mandy: It must be a hard act for his son to follow.

Lizzie: Yes. He's got [counts on hand] three other children though. Oh, don't misunderstand, they're not all his. I mean…three of them are. The fourth was adopted.

Mandy: His son's got three kids? Blimey!

Lizzie: No, Dr Ormerod has four.

Mandy: Blimey. He must have started early…hang on, that can't be right. You're telling me that he [points to photo] has four kids?

Lizzie: No, that's Dr Ormerod.

Mandy: But he's called Dr Ormerod too...

Lizzie: Oh, you're talking about his son...no, his son is involved with some girl from York, well, so they say.

Mandy: Pity.

Lizzie: Just don't mention the adopted one to Matron. That's our Matron [points to photo in the leaflet]

Mandy: Okay. Don't mention cliffs or the adoptive kid. Got it.

Lizzie: You'll probably see them around. They often pop in.

Mandy: They pop in? To see the hospital? Why?

Lizzie: Oh yeah, the Ormerod family are still very much a part of the hospital.

Mandy: But why would they…?

Lizzie: They're part of the fabric now. You ask anyone about Dr Weatherill and they'll all say the same.

Mandy: So she's…

Lizzie: Dr Ormerod's wife, yes.

Mandy: Right.

Lizzie: She's patron of this place.

Mandy [unsure] Okay...

INT. A normal, suburban house, ELSINBY.

[a man is seen stumbling out of a bedroom, quite drunk, blindly feeling for the light switch. He manages to make it downstairs and into the kitchen where he switches on the kettle]

WOMAN'S VOICE: Dan? Dan, is that you?

Dan [murmuring] course it's me you bitter old witch.

WOMAN'S VOICE: Answer me, Daniel!

Dan: Oh, bugger off! [grabs his coat and slams the front door with ferocity]

EXT. A FEW MILES AWAY...

[A GIRL runs for the bus on a village green. She is hassled, looking flustered. An older woman runs behind her, brandishing a lunchbox]

Woman: KERRY! Kerry love! You forgot your…

Kerry: Oh for goodness sake! [stops and goes back for lunchpack] Thanks.

Woman: You be careful, now. I know what those townies can be like.

Kerry: I've got to get to work. See ya!

[behind her, the bus pulls away]

Kerry [desperately] HEY! WAIT!

[the bus disappears into the distance]

BACK AT THE HOSPITAL:

[INT. MILNER WARD, a familiar setting with very few modern improvements. BRIGID, now MATRON, is attending an old man in the corner of the room]

Brigid: There y'are Mr Oldham, a nice cup of tea.

Mr Oldham: Thank you sister [winces]

Brigid: Still in pain?

Mr Oldham: Not going to change, is it?

Brigid: I'm afraid not, no, but I can ask Dr Williams to come and see you later. See if we can improve things for you.

Mr Oldham: I doubt there's much she can do, I'm here for the duration, aren't I, nurse?

Brigid: Yes. Is there anything I can get you?

Mr Oldham: Some paper, please and a good pen.

Brigid: You're a writer then?

Mr Oldham: I was a council officer. Before they stamped my card and cleared my desk.

Brigid: I see.

Mr Oldham: Before I lost my wife, I thought about nothing but work. Seems silly now.

Brigid: Not silly at all. [looks on his cabinet] Is this your wife?

Mr Oldham: Aye, that's Lucy. [he coughs violently and suddenly fits]

Brigid: Doctor!

Dr Williams: Mr Oldham? Don't worry, we're going to sort you out. [injects him] keep checking on him, will you, Nurse? [to SOPHIE, a new nurse]

Sophie: yes, Doctor.

Dr Williams: Matron, if I could have a word?

Matron: Of course.

Dr Williams: You are aware of his condition, I take it?

Matron: I am aware that Mr Oldham will be here for longevity, yes, Doctor.

Dr Williams: And you have discussed palliative care? Considering that he is unlikely to make a recovery and we can only make him comfortable.

Matron: Mr Oldham has requested that he remain here rather than at home.

Dr Williams: and you have agreed to this?

Matron: I see no reason why he should not remain here if that is where he chooses to be.

Dr Williams: Forgive me for being blunt, but we have a reception full of people waiting to see a doctor, a list of admittances waiting for a bed. We have no room for palliative care at this hospital. I'm sorry, but we have to do what is right by our other patients. Apart from his condition, there is no reason why he shouldn't be treated elsewhere.

Matron: Mr Oldham has specifically asked to remain in the hospital, Dr Williams.

Dr Williams: Then might I suggest that you find somewhere else for him. This is a general ward.

Matron: Our private suite is undergoing renovation. The side ward is already in use by Dr Purdi's patient.

Dr Williams: This is ridiculous. I have urgent cases requiring attention and I find myself at a loss to explain as to why a patient would refuse to be moved.

Matron: Mr Oldham's wife passed away here a few months ago.

Dr Williams: I am sorry. But please, Matron, sort this out. I need that bed for another patient.

Matron: I'll do what I can.

BACK IN RECEPTION:

[Phone rings. Lizzie grabs it]

Lizzie: Hello, The Royal? [repeating] Man unconscious on Elsinby pier. Looks like he might have taken a bit of a tumble…we'll get a doctor out to you as soon as possible. North Pier. Right. [presses buzzer] Thank you, bye.

[To Mandy] That was the coastguard, a man's been found unconscious on Elsinby North Pier. Looks like he's hit his head.

Mandy: I got that. What do I do?

Lizzie: One of the doctors will be out in a moment.

[Dr Tom Ormerod enters. He is tall and handsome. Mandy almost swoons]

Tom: What's the emergency, Lizzie?

Lizzie: A man's been found unconscious on Elsinby North Pier, looks like he hit his head. Cut to the head but breathing's normal.

Tom: I'll go in the ambulance, did they leave a name?

Lizzie: No, they're still trying to get his ID.

Tom: Thank you Lizzie. I'll grab my bag.

[Disappears down the corridor. Mandy is still gawping]

Lizzie: Put your tongue back in Mandy.

Mandy: But….he's gorgeous!

Lizzie: May be…

Mandy: Are you joking? He's like a chunk of Tony Hadley right on a plate. [Lizzie looks bewildered] I know this much is true?

Lizzie: Is he the one from Special Ballet?

Mandy: Spandau and yes, I've got a poster of him at home.

Lizzie [shakes head] Either way, he's a busy doctor in an already overstretched hospital…

Mandy: He's also the most gorgeous guy this side of the Yorkshire Dales.

Lizzie [sighing with a smile] here's your brew, Mandy, although I doubt it'll cool you down. [offers mug]

Mandy [distractedly] Thanks. [takes a gulp] ah, that's better. I can concentrate now.

Lizzie [looking at Mandy's filing] Why have you filed Mr O'Hara under 'H'?

Mandy: Obvious, en't it? O'Hara? [rolls eyes]

Lizzie: Right. [looks confused]

Mandy: I'll be fine. You'll see.