There’s no time quite like summertime. As luck would have it, this week in Poplar proves to hold an especially exhilarating occasion: a day excursion to the beach! The outing is set to celebrate Violet’s recent appointment to mayor and will feature an array of entertaining activities that no one will want to miss out on.

In other exciting developments, Cyril is back in Poplar and is set to begin his newly-fitted role as the Child Welfare Officer. It’s a relief to see Cyril’s friendly face back, and there’s no denying how well-suited he will be for the role. Speaking of friendly faces, Timothy has also returned home for the summer, much to the excitement of the Turner family.

So without further ado, pack up your swimsuits, goggles, and sunscreen – and let’s dive right in.

A Young Mother

Among Nurse Crane’s patients this week is Miss Lindy Webster, a young mother who is currently expecting her second child. During her check-up, Nurse Crane learns that Lindy grew up in group children’s homes without a supportive family structure. She admits to Nurse Crane that she imagined having a family of her own would make her feel more like an adult, yet in reality, she has yet to experience this. Even after having her first child, Danielle, Lindy feels as though she is more of an older sister than a mother to her daughter.

Later on, Nurse Crane catches a moment with Sister Veronica who has paid Lindy home visits before; she describes the young mother’s house as “utterly chaotic.” Nurse Crane expresses her concern over Lindy’s situation, noting that a lack of strong support now could lead to “history repeating itself”...

Exciting News

The time has finally arrived for one of Trixie’s most trying challenges yet: her driver’s test. But, in typical Trixie-like fashion, she passes on the first go (again, we all knew she had it in her). She celebrates the victorious moment with Matthew afterward, as it appears the couple has mostly moved past the straining disagreements from last episode.

However, on their drive afterward, Trixie mentions they should visit a showroom to look at buying a potential second car. Matthew discreetly pushes back against this idea, but the two of them are ultimately interrupted by Violet. The new mayor needs some philanthropic donations for funding parts of the beach trip. Without missing a beat, Trixie volunteers Matthew to pitch in – though based on the expression on Matthew's face, he’s less than pleased about this.

In Transit

All aboard the packed buses and cars as Poplar residents prepare for their extravagant beach excursion. While Rosalind and Cyril explain general safety tips to the passengers – most importantly, to aim for a bucket if one gets carsick, of course – Joyce manages to squeeze into Nurse Crane’s already-stuffed car. Trixie, still beaming from receiving her license, is in the driver’s seat, navigating Jonty and Matthew.

On the journey, there are naturally a couple of hiccups along the way. A young child nearly unleashes his pool of vomit onto the bus because Rosalind is preoccupied with her conversation with Cyril (re: the importance of the “travel” bucket). Additionally, Miss Higgins gives Lindy a telling-off for encouraging Danielle to chuck a piece of food at someone. Lastly, Matthew makes Trixie take a mini detour to a payphone… for reasons not quite known.

But when has there ever been a travel adventure sans difficulties? (Correct answer: never).

Fun Times Halted

Sunscreen? Check. Mandatory 99 Flake? Check. Sunglasses and swimsuits? Check.

The sun beams down on the English coastline as Poplar residents stream out of their vehicles onto the sandy, serene shores. As with every fun-filled beach outing, it wouldn't be complete without some sand castle competitions and frolicking with friends.

However, the fun for Lindy and Danielle comes to a premature halt upon realizing her water has broken. Nurse Crane rushes to her side, and with the help of Miss Higgins and Shelagh, the women accompany the mother to the car. Off to the maternity ward they go.

While all of this goes down, Angela and May Turner are in their own playful worlds, enjoying their spot on the sand. But May decides she wants to switch things up. With her blue floaty in hand, she hands her cover-up to her sister and walks into the ocean… by herself…

On the beach, Shelagh suddenly realizes she’s lost sight of her two daughters. She frantically runs around, calling out for the two young girls. She eventually finds Angela who tells her that May has gone for a swim in the sea. Unbeknownst to her parents, May is deep out in the water, and struggling to stay afloat against the waves. Fortunately, a nearby Joyce notices May’s flailing arms and immediately jumps into the ocean to save the young girl. While Joyce is able to get to May, she struggles to pull her closer to shore; Cyril ends up seeing the two of them and helps the unconscious May to safety.

Dr. Turner has May lie down on the sand as he attempts to open her airways. An emotionally distressed Shelagh watches over as her daughter finally begins to cough out water: she can breathe again. A palpable sigh of relief rushes over all the bystanders. (That was way too close a call).

Lindy Gives Birth

Following a somewhat bumpy car ride to the maternity ward, spearheaded by Miss Higgins, Lindy prepares to give birth. With Nurse Crane’s assistance, she soon welcomes a young baby girl, named Michelle.

Soon after, Lindy’s boyfriend, Melvin, pops into the ward with his mates to meet his newborn daughter. Nurse Crane is less than amused by the father’s playful display and ushers out the remainder of Melvin’s friends while the father greets his partner. Melvin clearly cares for Lindy and his daughters, despite not being the embodiment of maturity.

May Exhibiting Concerning Symptoms

After her frightful incident in the water, it’s no surprise that May is exhausted. Later on in the evening, the young girl joins her parents on the sofa, expressing both fatigue and some discomfort in her chest. Dr. Turner gives a quick examination of his daughter and determines she’s fine: Sleep is the best medicine.

The next morning, however, May looks more sickly – Timothy inspects May’s lungs with his telescope. Her breathing is labored, and Timothy suspects she could be experiencing a case of water aspiration (aka an inflammation of the lungs). They need to get May to the hospital now, as the condition can prove to be fatal.

Meanwhile, Dr. Turner is at the maternity ward, inspecting newborn Michelle for a check-up. All of her limbs and vitals look healthy… although, there seems to be something a bit off with one of Michelle’s eyes. Dr. Turner notices a potential spot at the back of the baby’s eye, but he can’t assert anything conclusive on the matter. Before he can assess the child any further, Miss Higgins rushes in, telling him that Timothy’s on the phone.

At the hospital, Shelagh is instructed to remain in the waiting room. As she begins to pray, her husband hurries in. The Turners desperately want to tend to their daughter, but all they can do in this instance is wait for any news.

Later on, Dr. Kerrigan confirms May is suffering from water aspiration, meaning the child’s lungs are struggling to function properly. Based on the doctor’s diagnosis, the next few hours are going to be critical for May…

A Photograph Sheds Some Concern

Over at Nonnatus House, Nurse Crane showcases her recently developed photographs to her colleagues. However, Colette, Nancy’s daughter, is quick to spot something peculiar in one of the images: Danielle’s right eye appears to reflect light.

Concerned, Nurse Crane takes up this finding with Dr. Turner (who is ever-anxious, waiting for the news of May’s status). He, too, shares in Nurse Crane’s concern regarding the image. The two of them break the news to Lindy that Danielle and baby Michelle will need to receive further tests from an optometrist.

At the eye specialist, the doctor detects suspected choroidal detachment – not that any of us precisely knows what that means, nor does the doctor explain it to Lindy and Melvin – and conducts a subsequent further test. He doesn’t disclose any of the results to the girls’ parents and instead tells Lindy and Melvin that their consultant will explain the results to them.

An Unexpected Visit

Despite the harrowing scare, May fortunately makes a healthy recovery… however, it looks as though the drama isn’t fully wrapped up just yet.

Miss Williams, one of the officials from the Hong Kong adoption agency, makes a surprise visit to the Turner’s household. Apparently, she’s heard word of May’s incident at the beach and has come to inquire further. She requests a one-on-one conversation with the girl, leaving Timothy and Shelagh to worry about the content spoken in the exchange.

Before she leaves, Miss Williams informs Shelagh that it appears May seems very satisfied with her life at home. Yet as a standard protocol, she will have to write up a full report of the facts to pass on to the foster agency.

Speaking with the Consultant

Meanwhile, Sister Veronica pops by the consultant's office to show some much-needed support for Lindy, Melvin, and the two children.

The consultant has some difficult news to share: Both children have Retinoblastoma, a cancer that originates in the retina, the very back of the eye. For Michelle, the youngest, the cancer can be treated with radiotherapy, but for Danielle, her situation is more extreme. The only way to get rid of the cancer is a full operation to remove the eye.

It’s a lot of news to take in, although the one silver lining is that the removal of Danielle’s eye will hopefully stop the cancer from spreading. Melvin appears to be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and ends up storming out of the office. Lindy is also emotionally flattened – but she is determined to be there for her girls.

Showing Up For Your Children

Back at their home, Melvin and Lindy discuss their family’s difficult predicament. Will the two parents be up to the enormous task of caring for their two children… both of whom will inevitably require loads of undivided attention and care?

Lindy appears to be capable of the challenges ahead. While she feels an enormous weight of guilt for her two daughters’ conditions, she also knows that this is a calling for her to “grow up.” As parents, she recognizes that the two of them have the choice now of what kind of future they want to provide for their girls. Melvin, on the other hand, seems far from convincing.

While at work, Nurse Crane runs into Melvin who’s clearly still shaken by his family’s situation. He admits to Nurse Crane that he may not be up for the challenge. However, she reassures him that if he loves his daughters, he’s more than capable of the responsibility. These words seem to resonate with Melvin as he picks himself up from his slump and gets back to his job.

Later that night, Melvin apologizes to Lindy for his behavior and promises her that things will change. And my, oh my, did he mean it: Moments later, he’s down on one knee proposing to her. A wedding is on the horizon…

Worry for the Turners

As expected, the visit from Miss Williams proved to not be the last. Instead, she’s asked both Shelagh and Dr. Turner to come into the office… where they are informed that Miss Tang, May’s mother, has questions about what happened at the beach.

The Turners, once again, try to reiterate that May’s near-drowning was a one-off, unpredictable occurrence, and not at all reflective of their typical parenting care. Nevertheless, Miss Williams states that their foster daughter may have to be removed to an environment where Miss Tang has “more confidence.”

In the meantime, however, May’s mother has asked for an ongoing review of the situation which will wrap up in three months. It’s heartbreaking news for the two parents, but at this point, it’s all out of their control. All they can do now is wait in the meantime to see what’s decided.

Looking Ahead

Fortunately, Danielle’s procedure goes as planned, and Lindy can celebrate her engagement news with Sister Veronica and Nurse Crane.

Elsewhere, Matthew still won’t confess to Trixie what’s concerning him (Just let it out, Matthew! Tell her what’s on your mind!). Shelagh decides to send a photograph of May to Miss Tang in the hopes that it will demonstrate how much the young girl is valued and cared for in Poplar. That’s all she can do for now – just hope.

Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 13, Episode 4 Recap.