As summer draws to a close in Poplar, the pupil midwives arecoming to the end of their training on the district, andprepare to sit their final exams and viva. Joyce is amethodical planner and can keep calm under fire, but Rosalindis becoming more and more anxious. It takes an unusualintervention by Nurse Crane and a sensitive case to seeRosalind put her nerves behind her.When two little boys arefound abandoned in the local church, triggering a nationwidehunt for their mother, Cyril, as child welfare officer, isfaced with his toughest challenge to date. When their heavilypregnant mother is found, Cyril must make the difficultdecision of whether the children will be taken into fostercare.Matthew's financial woes come to a head when he issummoned to a board meeting with his mother about the state ofthe business. Following a number of unwise business decisionsand investments, that almost bring the company to its knees,it's time Matthew finally comes clean with Trixie.Elsewhere,Dr Turner is alarmed by local moneylender and matriarch GladysBell's swollen ascetic abdomen. He promptly refers her to StCuthbert's, where a biopsy diagnoses mesothelioma of theperitoneum - an asbestos-related cancer in its advanced stages.When Gladys refuses treatment, an unlikely ally gives her foodfor thought.Meanwhile, Sister Veronica and Shelagh spearhead asummer singing event.
