♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: If I were you, I would forget the lead.

Life's just too short, isn't it?

♪ ♪ JAMES SR.: You're taking the job?

HANNAH: Course he is!

Home is where the heart is.

I want to be with you.

The lawyers added Helen's and Jenny's names.

They'll inherit the lease on the same terms.

JAMES: I felt I owed him a win.

(cheers and applause) HELEN: I know.

And I love you for it.

I realize now that I may have been wrong.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (indistinct chatter) ♪ ♪ (quietly): Cranford's giving you a look.

There.

Go and have a look.

Go and have a look.

Don't know why.

I saved a cow of his last week.

Poor thing had colic.

(grumbling) (sighs) ♪ ♪ (bell chiming) Sorry, ladies and gentlemen.

MAN: Oh, here he is...

It says 8:00 on there.

(keys jingling) ♪ ♪ (indistinct chatter) Hello.

Hello.

Enjoy the film.

Thank you.

(music playing over speakers) (indistinct chatter) (music playing over speakers continues) NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER (from film): And then a gasp of amazement and satisfaction runs 'round the world, a prime minister decides to fly to a personal meeting with the German chancellor.

So at hest and after 69 years of a busy life, Mr. Chamberlain makes his first trip in a plane.

There is proof of determination.

CHAMBERLAIN (from film): The German chancellor, because the situation seems to me to be one in which discussions... (quietly): It'll get sorted.

CHAMBERLAIN (from film): ...may have useful consequences.

Are your parents still coming down to see you?

Day after tomorrow.

They can only stay the one night.

Hello.

She's dead.

"Dead?"

Aye, she is.

Dead.

(indistinct chatter) Not her!

My cow, you silly beggar!

I am sorry about that.

Ah don't think it was owt to do with her stomach neither.

(whispering): Sorry.

(stifled laugh) (laughing): I am just relieved he wasn't talking about his wife.

(laughing quietly) And... and here's another thing.

You never sent me that salve you promised me either.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Shh!

(Helen laughs, newsreel continues playing) ♪ ♪ What d'you think?

That it's beyond saving.

I thought I'd get it in for your parents.

They're still stopping by tomorrow?

Is there any more mustard?

You've got legs.

They're welcome to stay, you know.

It's no bother making up another bed.

They've got the inn booked.

They didn't want to impose.

Has your mum got any idea you're not coming back?

I didn't want to do it over the phone.

With everything else going on in the world, maybe she'll mind less.

What's this?

Oh, just... looking to the future.

Making decisions.

I'm still thinking about it.

You're a good vet.

It's only one exam.

(door opens) I can help you revise if you like.

Aw... (door closes) SIEGFRIED: ♪ My gallant crew, good morning ♪ An enjoyable evening with Diana?

Mind your beeswax.

Good God, man, you smell like a tart's handbag.

Parma Violet if I'm not mistaken.

(sniffing) I wondered where my bath salts had gone.

(telephone ringing) We had a rough time of it last night.

Oh aye...

I was at the cinema with Helen... MRS. HALL: I'll get it.

...but Cranford wouldn't stop going on about some bloody salve.

(ringing continues) (sighing): I'll do it.

It would've been nice to have one night out with Helen that didn't end in disaster.

When are you gonna stop this nonsense and get wed?

(laughs) Why are you laughing?

You're not serious, are you?

But I've no money... no house.

Where would we live?

Here, of course!

With Tristan sleeping in the cupboard?

I wouldn't mind waking up to Helen.

Sorry, that's inappropriate, but it's true.

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today Tomorrow will be dying.

I'm not getting married.

You're getting married?!

Oh James!

I'm not!

SIEGFRIED: Caution is often a virtue, but you carry it too far.

You need to take a chance, lash out a little!

Carpe some diem!

Throw off these hesitant ways, and remember, (dramatic voice): there is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood...

Yes, Siegfried, all right.

All right... (door closes) Stop it.

Who was on the phone?

Mrs. Dalby.

She wants you to look over her stirks.

♪ ♪ (Tristan humming "Bridal Chorus") (Mrs. Hall laughing, Tristan continues humming) (cows mooing) ♪ ♪ PHYLLIS: Why aren't you off to school yet?!

I just wanted to see about the cows.

Billy Francis Dalby, if you're not on your bike this second!

(groaning): Mum!

You must be proud of him.

Oh, I am that.

(chuckles) Now I know you told me not to put them out again, but we worked through the hay so fast, I couldn't afford to keep feeding them cake.

I can see they've been suffering with diarrhea.

Yeah... it seems to have happened within a few days.

Maybe it's something they've eaten.

You any idea what it might be?

There's a few possibilities.

The most troubling is it could be salmonella.

(sighing): Right.

Let's wait until we know before we start worrying.

I'll take some samples, get them analyzed, and by tomorrow we'll know what we're dealing with.

(sighs) I sometimes wonder... maybe we'd be better off if I'd just listened to you and sold up whilst we still had the chance.

You kept the farm for Billy, to give him hope, a future.

God, we spent all that money on cake as well.

We need to wait for the results and then we'll deal with it.

So let's stop all this talk about moving on.

Your life is here, this is where you belong.

Thanks, James.

Don't forget to stop by the house for a brew.

(birds twittering) MRS. DONOVAN: Well, you see here, Mr. Thomas, what I am saying is... they call themselves vets, and they're all right with cattle and that class of thing, but they're no use with dogs and cats.

You mark my words.

What you need is some of my shampoos.

Oh that'll see him right as rain in a minute.

Won't it, Rex?

Won't it, my sweetheart?

(Rex growling) MAGGIE: You're starting early.

Do I detect a note of judgment in your tone, Maggie?

Far be it from me.

(laughs) (barking) Off with, Rex, you'll give yerself a sore throat.

♪ ♪ Rex?

(places basket down) (Rex barking) Come here, Rex!

(barking continues) Rex!

(car horn honking) (loud thud) (Mrs. Donovan cries out) ♪ ♪ MAN: It came out of nowhere!

TRISTAN: It's all right.

I'll take care of him.

What are you doing?!

Come on... (Rex whines) He needs a vet, Mrs. Donovan.

Rex... My boy... SIEGFRIED: I've no doubt Mrs. Donovan's shampoos are marvelous for cleaning up a dog's fur, but it'll do nothing to mend a broken hip.

If you'd like to wait, Mr. Thomas, then I'm sure Mr. Farnon will be with you in a minute.

Thank you.

(door opens) Siegfried, hit by a car.

Hold on!

Hold on!

(door closes) What're you gonna do to him?!

Mrs. Donovan, perhaps you should wait in the living room.

I am not leaving my dog.

SIEGFRIED: What happened exactly?

Oh, he bolted, and then a car came.

Chloroform.

There's no need.

Has he gone?

No, he hasn't!

That's my dog!

♪ ♪ Massive internal hemorrhaging, I think.

I can feel damage to the pelvic bone.

Nothing we could have done.

I'm so sorry, Mrs. Donovan.

♪ ♪ (door opens, closes) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (brakes squeal, engine stops) JENNY: Hi, James!

JAMES: Afternoon, Jenny.

Hello.

Hello... ♪ ♪ (sniffing) What is it?

No.

Nothing.

Must be some pollen in the air.

♪ ♪ That's it, Candy.

Good girl.

Jenny!

You're not jinking off school, are you?

Oh, I said she could, she didn't want to miss the birth.

It's all Pythagoras and his blooming triangles anyway.

How's that supposed to help me milk the cows?

Speaking of which.

Why don't you make yourself useful?

I'll leave you pair to it.

(giggles) I was always trying to skip school at her age.

Really?

I always had you down as a bit of a goody two shoes.

I'll try not to take offense at that.

Shall we have a look at you then, Candy, see how your foal's doing?

Many more calls today?

You're my last.

I've got to get a sample from the Dalbys over to Harrogate.

Could be salmonella.

Oh, that's the last thing Phyllis needs.

When will you get the results?

Should be a day.

It's a fair drive.

If you're able to get away, it'd be nice to have some company.

There's a few things I need to finish on the farm first.

I'm happy to wait.

I thought we could have dinner with my folks tomorrow.

Together?

All of us?

Well, I'd like to introduce you to them, since you are... well, we are... um... you know.

And I met your dad.

I even wore his shoes.

(laughs) Right.

I best check I've got a clean frock then, for tomorrow.

♪ ♪ MRS. DONOVAN: Do you think he suffered at all?

I'm certain he didn't.

You can leave him here if you'd prefer.

Oh, no.

My Rex will have a proper burial.

There's a spot down by my boat... under a tree, he used to like it.

Sounds perfect.

♪ ♪ Shall I carry him over for you?

(exhaling): I... well...

I suppose that's all right then.

♪ ♪ (birds twittering) TRISTAN: Did you have him long?

MRS. DONOVAN: Eight years all in.

He must've seen a lot of the world with you.

I'm sure he had a wonderful life.

(chuckling): What would you know about our life?

Oh no, I'm not saying I do, I just imagine.

Whenever I saw him out and about with you, he always looked happy... You know where you are with a dog.

They're loyal.

They don't judge you for who or what you are, without knowing.

(whining) Sounds like Rex was very important to you.

Maybe you should think about getting another.

"Getting another"?

A dog's not a toy or a trinket you replace once it's broke.

It's a living thing!

They choose you just as much as you choose them.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive.

I-I just thought that... (groans): That's the trouble with people, too busy thinking or not thinking.

Instead of just being!

(birds twittering) MRS. DONOVAN: What is it you're after?

Because I'm telling you, if it's money you'll get none from me.

I'm not after anything.

Right, well, why are you doing this then?

You hardly know me.

TRISTAN: I saw what happened to your dog and I wanted to help him.

And I suppose, deep down, it also means I wanted to help you too.

♪ ♪ (laughs) It's not just the animals... Are you soft in the head?

What are you on about?

It doesn't matter.

Something somebody said to me once.

More than once.

You're a funny man.

Has anyone ever told you that?

More often than I care to mention.

Well... you might take it as a compliment.

There's room enough in this world for folks of all kind of different stripes.

(indistinct chatter) Yer all right, he's with me.

♪ ♪ That's my boat.

You may lie him there.

My Rex is dead.

He felt nothing.

♪ ♪ You we'uns can help me lay him to rest.

(birds twittering) Dad, there's a pie in the kitchen.

I should be back to get it in the oven, but if I'm not-- I'm sure we'll manage, love.

(car door opens) Thank you.

My pleasure.

(car door closes) Cheerio, Mr. Alderson.

Aye... (car door opens) (engine starts) ♪ ♪ How old were your parents when they got married?

Dad says he were barely out of short trousers when he asked my mam.

I don't know how my parents got engaged.

I never thought to ask.

No... you've never struck me as the romantic type.

I am romantic!

(laughing): Oh no, no, I didn't mean it in a bad way.

I just meant you're not one for grand gestures or anything too extravagant.

I like that about you.

My mum thinks if I stay in this job I'll never find a wife.

And Siegfried thinks I should just get on and marry you!

(scoffs) What did you say?!

(chuckling): I laughed.

He said I had a habit of being too cautious.

That I don't have the courage of my convictions and see dangers where there are none.

That's how Siegfried put it anyway.

Do you think your mum wants you to get married?

I think she wants grandchildren.

(chuckles) You know there's something in what Siegfried said.

In what way?

Well, you do sometimes overthink.

See catastrophe 'round every corner.

It's not something I want to do.

Then don't.

"Don't?"

Overthink.

Worry less.

I wish I could.

Well, you can.

I can?

Why not?

Just decide to be positive and take the plunge.

What's the worst that could happen?

You'd say no!

To what?

Asking you to marry me.

♪ ♪ Stop the car.

(pulls brake) ♪ ♪ (birds twittering) ♪ ♪ (sheep bleating) Helen, I'm fine with you not being ready.

I just...

I just need a moment.

♪ ♪ But I'm not afraid to say it.

Say what?

I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Here, in the Dales.

I'm not afraid either.

You're not?

No.

♪ ♪ (sniffing) James, why do you smell like that?

(sheep bleating) I ran out of bath salts, so I used Mrs. Hall's.

I may have overdone it somewhat.

What?

Is it the smell?

Don't worry it'll be gone in a couple of days.

It's not the smell.

The ring-- I haven't got a ring!

You see this is the problem with not planning...

It's Dad.

I take it you haven't spoke to him?

(sighs) ♪ ♪ HELEN: Look Dad in the eye and don't gabble.

Sometimes when you're nervous, you gabble.

What d'you mean I gabble?

I don't gabble.

When have I ever...

I hardly ever, unless I'm really nervous, maybe.

Right.

(rushing footsteps approaching) Something's wrong.

(panting) I was going to send for Mr. Farnon.

There someat up with our Candy.

Come quick, will yer?

(labored breathing from Candy) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (labored breathing continues) Uterus is twisted.

♪ ♪ And that's bad, is it?

Give me your hand.

Now when it's open like this you can put your hand straight through.

But if I twist it.

Nothing can get through.

That's what's happening inside Candy.

We need to unwind it.

If you can't?

We'll lose them both, love.

♪ ♪ Jenny, go up to the phone box.

and call Skeldale House.

We're going to need some help.

♪ ♪ (telephone ringing, radio playing music) (ringing continues, typewriter keys clacking) Darrowby, 2297.

Oh!

Jenny... Hello, how're you?

(indistinct chatter on phone) Mr. Farnon!

He's just coming, love.

MRS. HALL: It's Jenny Alderson.

SIEGFRIED: Jenny... (indistinct chatter on phone) I'll be up there straight away.

I'll get your jacket.

Is something going on?

Problem with the Alderson's horse.

James needs my help.

Hold that.

Thank you.

♪ ♪ CHAMBERLAIN (on radio): This morning I had another talk with the German chancellor, Herr Hitler.

(Mrs. Hall exhaling) (on radio) And here is the paper... Hello, you.

(on radio): which bears his name upon it... Good book?

(cheers and applause on radio) Hm... (car engine starting) (on radio): Some of you perhaps have already heard what it contains, but I would just like to read it to you.

The British prime minister... Siegfried!

Wait!

(on radio): ...have had a further meeting today and are agreed in recognizing that the question of Anglo-German relations is of the first importance for the two countries and for Europe.

(crowd agreeing on radio) We regard the agreement signed last night, and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.

(cheers and applause on radio) (labored breathing from Candy) SIEGFRIED: Evening, Richard, Helen, Jenny.

What's the presentation?

Uterus is still twisted.

It's too late to carry out a caesarean.

Don't worry-- the cavalry's here.

So you're going to try to turn her over to unwind it?

That's the plan.

I'll take hold of the hooves.

Siegfried, Mr. Alderson, when I say, roll the horse over, hopefully it'll untwist the uterus around the foal.

Triss, give them a hand if they need it.

Jenny, love...

I'm staying.

JAMES: Ready?

Come now.

Mr. Herriot, Candy was their mother's horse...

It'll put everything right.

♪ ♪ (labored breathing continues) (grunting) (straining): I've got hold of the feet.

All right-- now!

Roll her!

(men grunting) Stop, stop, hold on!

(labored breathing continues) I'm losing my grip on the foal's hooves.

♪ ♪ (labored breathing, grunting) All right.

I've got them.

Ready... Go.

Is it working?

Yeah.

I can feel it loosening.

♪ ♪ (labored breathing) She's coming towards me!

The foal's coming...

It's coming...

It's coming... (horse whinnying) It's coming!

♪ ♪ (grunts, women exclaiming) He's done it!

It's out.

(knocking) (Rock barking) (whining) (dogs barking) Oh... Evening.

I thought we'd drop by and see if you fancied a stroll.

Let me grab my coat.

Come on.

♪ ♪ (laughs) JAMES: Go on, go on!

SIEGFRIED: Go on.

JAMES: One more, one more.

Come on, little one.

JAMES: Go on, little one.

There we are.

(laughs) ♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: Our work here is done.

(Candy knickers) I'll call her Joan.

After Mum.

(inhales) Aye, that'll do.

We'll, um, leave them be.

Mother knows what's best for them.

Jenny?

Jenny.

But... Must be going bummy soft.

She's, a... she's a good girl, is Candy.

Mr. Alderson.

I'd like to marry your daughter.

Right.

You better come up to the house, lad.

♪ ♪ MRS. HALL: Oh, it's good to get out, and away from that talk on the radio.

(chuckles) Our illustrious leader's trip to Munich?

They all want their heads banging together.

(chuckles) They should send you over there.

Give me one afternoon with that man and his ridiculous mustache, I'll have it all sorted.

Be a damned sight easier than the job I've got, I can tell you.

(Gerald laughs) MRS. HALL: You mustn't repeat that.

GERALD: Mm, my lips are sealed.

I can't help thinking of my boy.

Be just like him to follow in his father's footsteps and get himself in trouble.

Your husband fought in the war?

He were a good man.

Kind, affectionate.

But that were before.

He came home without a scratch on him.

Not a mark.

Not one that you could see, at any rate.

I saw it happen to friends of mine.

I got hit and sent home before it had a chance to ruin me.

I were lucky.

(sighs) I can't bear the thought of my Edward... Hey, there's a chance the whole thing will be called off.

There's still hope.

♪ ♪ Been good weather for hay.

Aye, it is, that's true.

A drop of rain wouldn't do any harm, mind.

Oh, definitely, definitely, just to... moisten it.

No, I'm fine-- actually, thank you.

I had a wife in a thousand.

I've heard a lot about her, she certainly sounds it.

Aye.

Nobody thought she'd settle for a fella like me, you know.

But she did.

One in a thousand, she were.

Could be bloody stubborn, though.

If she set her mind to it.

I... all right, why not?

You know, I can't...

I can't picture her face the way that I used to.

Time passes.

But I see it in them girls of mine.

I see it in our Jenny, she has that look when she gets cross.

And our Helen has her smile.

I see it sometimes when I catch her looking at you.

Aye.

Mr. Alderson, I love Helen.

I'll take care of her.

Hm, I doubt that.

She'll be the one taking care of you, lad.

With your permission.

What for?

You've already asked her, haven't you?

I did, I have, how did you know?

I told you, that smile.

Her mother's smile.

Listen, there's no point in asking me for my permission, lad.

That lass does exactly as she chooses.

Like her mother, stubborn.

♪ ♪ That were Helen's mother's.

Our Joan.

Why don't you use it?

I'd be honored.

Thank you.

Aye.

Good lad.

(dog whines) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping) Morning.

Morning.

Dad!

Get in here before it goes cold.

MR. ALDERSON: Coming!

You made breakfast?

Well, go on then, don't just gawp at it.

I've got to get the eggs in.

Already done, cows milked too, chickens fed.

There's nothing left for you to do.

Oh, that smells good.

Boots off.

I'll not have you making this into a pigsty.

I've fed Scruff.

I'll check Joan over and put in some fresh straw for Candy.

Then I'm off to school.

I should do the horses.

I told you, there's nothing left for you to do.

Come here.

Thank you.

Leftover stool samples.

Unlike James not to have cleaned them out.

Lovely.

Where is he by the way, shouldn't he be up by now?

MRS. HALL: Yes, Mr. Cranford...

Didn't get back from the Alderson's until late last night.

I know you want the salve, Mr. Cranford, but we are not a delivery service.

If you'd like to come by and... (muffled yelling on phone) (Cranford hangs up) (hangs up) Rude man.

That Cranford?

Need you ask?

I'll drop the salve around for him later.

SIEGFRIED: Oh, there you are, James!

What time do you call this?

Sorry, Siegfried.

late night, I got waylaid at the Alderson's.

(laughs) Oh, really?

Talking to Richard.

Oh, Richard, now is it?

Asking his permission to marry Helen!

Oh, my goodness, congratulations!

Oh!

(laughter) Oh, let me give you a kiss.

Well, hang on, she hasn't said yes yet.

She has?!

Oh James, well done!

I might've got the order of things a little muddled up.

And I've got you to thank for that, Siegfried.

Yes, well, you took your time about it.

Mr. Farnon.

What?

Oh, all right, well done, yes, very good, very moving.

Drinks later to celebrate?

Well, let's see how dinner with my parent's goes first.

Are you bringing Helen?

Oh, they're going to be so pleased.

Another busy day?

Oh, a list far too long and varied to encapsulate in a few brief words.

You said he had to come to it himself.

Oh, rubbish.

What happened to doing as you're damned well told?

(chuckles) Go on, you'd better be off to meet your parents.

Oh, hold on.

I had a phone call from the lab in Harrogate.

They said they didn't find anything.

Why're you smiling, is that a good thing?

Aye, it is.

(birds chirping) (dog whimpers, barks) There you are.

Come on then, what's this?

Come on.

Good boy.

Good boy.

Come on then, you, come on.

That's it, good boy.

♪ ♪ HANNAH: There's my boy!

(laughs) Give your ma a kiss!

Let me take that for you, Dad.

Thank you, son.

We'll drop your things at the inn, and then we'll go for a drive.

Where to?

You'll see.

On a beautiful day like this, you can see for 20 miles.

But when the weather comes in, it's a brutal place.

Snow ten foot deep, fog so thick you can barely see your hand in front of your face!

I don't like the thought of you going out in weather like that.

Thank goodness you won't have to do this much longer.

It's not so bad.

Slipping off in the dead of night, not coming home until morning?

You'll never find a wife carrying on like that, you know.

It's unnatural.

And those grandkiddies don't make themselves, you know.

Good to see you, Dad.

Pick the leaves out these, and don't be pulling up the meadowsweet because it needs leaves to bloom.

Right, look miserable.

Hello, Mrs. Donovan.

What's up with this one, then?

He's a stray.

Where are you taking him?

Well, with no home to go to, there's really only one option.

We'll have to put him down.

We've got no one to take care of him.

No one's going to want a dog in this state.

Give him to me, I'll have him.

Well, really, he should be checked over by a qualified vet.

Oh, I'll take care of him, never you worry.

He might benefit from those shampoos of yours.

Maybe he's not as daft as he looks.

Come on, down you get.

That's a good un.

Why on earth have you brought us here?

I've got a few jobs to get through this afternoon.

I'm sorry, it won't take long.

Right there, Jim.

Afternoon, Phyllis.

These are my parents.

Hannah and James.

Hello.

Afternoon.

Hello.

What're we saying then, Jim?

Don't keep us waiting.

Thankfully, it's not salmonella.

In fact the laboratory couldn't find anything wrong with them.

Oh, there must be a mistake, because I can see how bad they are, and they're getting worse by the day.

There's something I want to show you.

Come on, why don't we take a look?

(laughs) Come on!

Oh.

(groans) JAMES: See this light coloration around the eyes?

BILLY: It's like they've got spectacles.

Aye, that's right, Billy, well-spotted.

I noticed it last time I was here, but I wanted to rule out everything else to confirm the diagnosis.

So what is it?

They're suffering from copper deficiency.

You can tell by the loss of pigment in the coat, particularly, around the eyes.

I take it by the smug look on your face you know how to fix it?

Certainly, I do.

A simple solution given orally.

It'll have to be repeated to make sure they don't get deficient again.

Other than that, they'll have a long and happy life.

And is it very expensive?

JAMES: Cheap as chips.

Yes!

JAMES: We mix it and you administer it yourself.

I'll have some ready for you to pick up tomorrow.

(sighs) Good God, Jim, don't do that to me I thought for a minute there we were beaten.

I don't think you'd ever be that, Phyllis.

Well, better get back.

Mm-hm.

Get tea ready for the brood.

Yeah.

Thanks, James.

Cheerio.

Nice to meet you.

See, I told you everything would be all right.

Yeah.

It is beautiful up here, isn't it?

Aye, it is.

I'll drop you off at the inn to freshen up.

Where are you galivanting off to now?

I'm bringing someone to dinner I'd like you to meet.

(cheering on radio) CHAMBERLAIN (on radio): This I want to say, that the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved, is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace.

(cheers and applause) (sighs) Careful, you'll get messed up!

James' parents will have us down as a right bunch of scruff-bags.

Yeah, well, they need taking in, otherwise they'll be roosting all over the place.

Give 'em here, give 'em here.

Ready to go?

Um, I'll just go and see if dad needs a hand with anything first.

Don't worry, they're going to love you.

Hmm.

Is that, do you have something on the back of your dress?

(gasps) Who said I couldn't do romantic gestures?

Get up, you daft beggar.

Is that... is that my mam's?

It is.

(clock ticking) (sniffles) James will be back soon.

SIEGFRIED: Drink, anyone?

Whiskey perhaps?

God, yes.

We won't, actually, we're not big drinkers.

No, neither are we.

Special occasions.

(clears throat) It's a fine place you have here, Mr. Farnon.

James can't speak highly enough about it.

Ah.

You must be sorry to be losing him.

What?

What are you talking about?

Oh no, me and my big mouth.

Did you not know?

JAMES: Hello!

Sorry, that took a while.

No trouble at all, son.

Mr. Farnon's been keeping us entertained.

We were just talking about how sorry he'll be to see you gone.

Yes, something of a shock.

No doubt we'll find a replacement easy enough.

Siegfried... Who's this?

Aren't you going to introduce us?

JAMES: Um, right, Mum, Dad, this is Helen.

My fiancée.

Hello, how do you do?

It's lovely to meet you both.

Tristan, would you like to come and set the table for dinner?

Why don't I give you a hand?

JAMES SR.: So you're from farming stock?

Aye, we've got a place.

It's been in the family over a hundred years, one way or another.

It'll be hard for you to leave, won't it?

Your dear mother can't be happy.

Oh, she died, a few years ago now.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Aye, love.

Helen helped raise her little sister, and looked after the farm.

You're a lucky girl, you know, you won't find better.

I'm not sure he will either.

(chuckles) Once you're married, we'll see if we can't squeeze a bigger bed into James' room.

Ah, we should be able to manage that.

It'll be a busy house, but I'm sure we'll all rub along just fine.

Mum, I want you to know, this hasn't been easy, but... What, what hasn't been easy?

I should've told you sooner, but the truth is I didn't fully know for a long time.

I'm staying here.

And it's not only because of Helen.

What about the job?

I was tempted, I won't lie.

But thinking about it has made me realize all the more how much I love it here.

Every day is different.

I wake up and have no idea where the job will take me.

I could be up in the High Dales wrestling cattle, or helping a dog that's had its paw caught in a trap.

It's this place, and those hills.

James is too modest to ever say this himself, but he's made such a difference to so, so many people since he arrived.

It's especially true for me and my family.

And so many others.

That farm you visited today, the Dalby's, that's the second time he's saved their herd this year.

What he does here really matters.

What about Bill's place?

You can work normal hours, it's so modern and new.

That's not what makes a practice.

It's the people.

I love this place.

It's my home now.

You should be so proud of him.

I certainly am.

And I love him, with all my heart.

So long as you're both happy.

That's all we've ever wanted for you.

Aye, it's true.

JAMES SR.: Thank Mrs. Hall again for that grand meal yesterday.

HELEN: I wish we could convince you to stay another night.

No, we need to get back and see about finding some work.

I'll be back up to visit you as soon as I can, Christmas maybe?

Visit?

You don't visit your home.

It's your real home.

And it always will be.

I know, Mum, I didn't mean that.

You're my boy.

Bye, son.

You've made a nice little life for yourself down here.

Thanks, Dad.

Look after him for us.

I will.

Bye.

Bye, love.

Right, let's get you on that bus.

(engine starts) (crying) I love you.

I love you, too.

CRANFORD: Oi, Herriot!

Oi, I want a word with you.

It's about that, that damned... salve you sent me.

SIEGFRIED: To peace, to Mr. Chamberlain.

ALL: Mr. Chamberlain!

TRISTAN: Good man.

MRS. HALL: Isn't it something?

You don't realize how much something weighs on you until it's gone.

I know exactly what you mean.

Now look here, I think it grossly unfair of you to characterize my support as something akin to the trials of Atlas.

I only push you because I know you can achieve so much more than you do, and if I didn't push you, then you damned well wouldn't do anything useful and, Here!

Hear this, what do you think of this one then?

Aw.

MRS. DONOVAN: Haven't I made the difference?

And all it took were some of my shampoos.

I named him Roy.

And to think you were going to do away with him.

You were right, Mrs. Donovan.

Your shampoos really seem to have done the trick.

Come here, you.

You needn't think I don't know what you were up to.

(growls) (laughs) Come on, Roy, come on, son.

How is everything?

MAGGIE: Can I get you anything else, some more drinks?

There was a stray moping about the place.

I wanted to see if I could do something for him, and help Mrs. Donovan at the same time.

That sounds very kind of you.

Hm.

Sorry, Siegfried, you were saying something about me never doing anything useful.

I take it back.

Now you're going to have to give me some money.

I just bought you a drink, don't tell me you've guzzled it already.

So, I can go back to college.

I've decided to resit parasitology.

I think veterinary practice might be my calling after all.

(both chuckle) JAMES: Tristan, is it possible that you got Cranford's salve mixed up with a stool sample?

We just bumped into him outside The Falcon Inn, said he'd started to rub it in before he realized.

No one gets to be rude to Mrs. H. Quite right, well-played.

Good boy.

JAMES: Siegfried, I know I should've told you about the job sooner, but I meant what I said.

I've learned so much from you.

Yes, well, I couldn't help noticing that both of you took rather a long time, fully, to appreciate... Oh, be quiet.

Here, you pair.

To your engagement.

And a very happy future together.

Hear, hear!

Thank you.

ALL: Cheers.

So Helen, do you think you'll be able to go through with it this time?

Triss!

What, I'm only saying what we're all thinking!

Ow!

(laughs) (indistinct chatter) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: We'll have to take him in for treatment.

We'll do everything in our power to have him back with you tomorrow.

I didn't realize you'd be inviting me to Christmas lunch.

Mrs. Hall is expecting us.

I really did apply myself this time.

And I'm sure you'll get the results you deserve.

Merry Christmas!

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