A Very British Christmas (2019)

[bunniefuu]

How things
change in a heartbeat.

My flight to Vienna has
been diverted

due to heaven knows what,

and I find myself
in a provincial airport

in northern England.

As charming as that sounds there
are no hotels,

no restaurants and nowhere to
k*ll a few hours at the airport.

I'm taking a train to
the nearest civilization

in hope that I
can find coffee and-

Excuse me ma'am
are you ok there?

Oh hi, uh yes thank you.

There'll be one
along in a minute.

Well ok then.

American, hm?

Yes. Hey, um do you
know if there's a town nearby,

I mean closer than um, Barston?

Well yes there is, are
you looking for someone or...

My flight got diverted.

I've no idea
when I can get another,

I just know it's
an overnight delay

Oh dear, you'll
be needing a hotel then.

Yeah, surely
there's one closer right?

Yeah. Get on the
next train and take the second

stop, Farmoor.

There are a few B&Bs there,

shall I get you a
pamphlet? Hold on...

Oh you've got to be kidding me,

where does
this go, wizard school?

Farmoor, stops!

♪ LIVELY ORCHESTRAL SWELL ♪

What is it they say, when life
gives you lemons, make lemonade?

Just boarded a steam train to
a town I've ever heard of and...

it's quite exciting.

Next station last stop.

Oh no no no no.
Where on earth am I?

♪ QUIRKY MUSIC ♪

Oh hi! I'm sorry we
are just about to close.

Fellow American?
What are the chances?

I'm Amber, Hi. I haven't heard
an accent from home for ages.

Jessica, Jessica Bailey.

Amber Very nice to
meet you. It' not a problem,

just go ahead
and have a seat and relax.

So what brings
you to our sleepy little town?

Well, it's a little
embarrassing, but um...

I got on the train
from the airport and... I...

Fell asleep right?

Yeah, wow! you've done that?

Yes. It's like a
sedative, I can't go anywhere

on that train
without dozing off!

Well listen, you
are in Knaresborough,

we are twenty something
miles from the airport,

it's a charming
town like something

out of a Charles Dickens novel,

complete with
Dickens characters of course.

Everyone drinks tea or some
espresso type based drink but I

keep a secret
stash of special roast filter

that I drink every
morning, how about I make some?

I mean now I
believe in guardian angels.

♪ CHARMING ORCHESTRA ♪

Wow! I mean that
was some serious pie.

My uncle owns this
place, he bakes them,

they're legendary.

Hey, do you know if
there's any hotels nearby?

I'm kind of stuck.

Oh, well there might be a few
pubs that would have some rooms

but they tend to be quite full.

The main ones
close for winter season.

Oh, that's not good.

No, well let me just go
ask my uncle, he knows everyone.

♪ CHARMING ACOUSTICS ♪

Daddy, food's ready.

Okay sweetheart, I'll be there
in a minute, stay back now.

Grandma says that if
you say in a minute then

she's giving yours to the birds.

Don't sh**t the messenger!

Okay.

♪ CHARMING ORCHESTRA ♪

Hold on.

Oh! Oh.

Weren't you expecting us?

Well not on
time. That's a first,

wash your hands.

♪ QUIRKY MUSIC ♪

Goose or turkey?

I thought it was
stew, it smells amazing.

No, for Christmas?

Christmas?

Whatever you like mum.

Katie?

Katie Can we have...
Mince pies for breakfast,

Turkey and roast
potatoes for lunch

and chocolate trifle for dinner?

Oh well that's
a nice try poppet.

But it's Christmas and
you're allowed nice things

at Christmas.

Well we will see what we can do.

They called again today.

What this time?

They said they'd like
to get the contract finished

by the end of
the year, they said

it would be a nice treat for us

to have security for Christmas.

Security? Why,
have they tripled the offer?

♪ WISTFUL MUSIC FADES IN ♪

It's alright
sweetheart, it's alright,

nothing to worry about.

Mince pies for breakfast Ooh!

Pine Falls Holiday Park.

Hi Andrew this is
Amber from Crumble Cafe.

You wouldn't happen
to have any spare lodges

available tonight would you?

I've a lovely woman
from America here in desperate

need of accommodation because
every room in town is booked.

- Well how many do you want?
- I've been empty for weeks.

Oh Fantastic!

Um not that you've
been empty but, you know...

I know, I know. Well give us
minutes to get one warmed up.

Is it just for the night?

For now but, we'll see.

♪ QUIRKY MUSIC ♪

Hi, I'm Andrew.

Oh hi, Jessica Bailey.

Oh let me get that.

Oh thank you, it's a
really beautiful place.

Thank you, it's a bit
chilly in there at the moment,

but it will soon warm up.

Great.

Oh wow,
what a cute little lodge,

this is way
better than a hotel room.

Um, have you eaten?

Um Crumble Cafe pie.

Of course, yeah they're
pretty special aren't they?

They're good. Wow I
love this, where did you get it?

Really? You like it?

Yeah, I mean I'm no expert

but I know what
I like and I love that.

Must be a local artist right?

Yeah really local,
you're talking to him.

Yeah I know, I know how
can a big old lump like me paint

something so sensitive right?

No, no, no I didn't mean that.

It's fine.

Well maybe just a
little. But don't judge me for

judging I'm jet
lagged. I need sleep!

Okay, so, breakfast. Shall
I bring you over something

around what, ?

That's perfect Andrew thank you.

♪ PLEASANT MUSIC FADES IN ♪

Well you have a lovely night
and I'll see you in the morning.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

She's a singer.

Who?

The guest, Jessica Bailey.

Jessica Bailey is one of the
most sought after Soprano

singers in the US,

her style ranges
from Gospel to Classical.

She's won over major awards!

You Googled her?

I always do. It pays to
know who you have around.

Isn't that what
the internet's for?

I can think of other uses.

I said we'd do breakfast.

We don't do breakfast.

Oh come on, she's in a bind.

Where else is
she going to get food?

Alright. She
liked one of my paintings,

and I liked the
compliment. It's not a crime.

No it isn't Andrew.

It most definitely isn't.

♪ GRACEFUL PIANO ♪

Pine Falls is
cozy, cute and warm,

just like the owner.

It's a shame that I
have to leave so quickly.

This is a place that deserves
a couple of days to explore

Oh, I'm sorry but
that's just not good enough.

I have to get to a concert,

a concert that will
not wait for airline problems!

Could you call me the second you
get another flight available?

I can't miss that
concert. Ok thank you.

Hi.

There's bacon, sausage,
egg, mushrooms, tomatoes,

preserves, black pudding,
orange juice and coffee.

I thought you'd
prefer coffee over tea,

and I baked some bread.

You've baked, wow!
That's great thank you.

What's black pudding?

Well I'll give you the recipe
if you like it how's that?

Oh okay.

I'm Andrew's
mother by the way, Sandra.

Oh I'm so sorry, I see.
Would you like some coffee?

Or breakfast,
there's kind of a lot.

No, no no thank you,
I don't like to intrude.

I hear you like his paintings.

Oh I love it,
he's such a talent.

He used to be a full time
artist, you know paintings,

sculpture and pottery.

Really? What happened?
If you don't mind me asking.

Well, I'll just
say he lost his muse

and leave it at that.

Oh, who is she?
She's adorable,

I love those boots.

That's my grand daughter Katie,

and she's
every bit as cute as she looks.

♪ PLEASANT CHIMES AND FLUTES ♪

Alright Andy?

Oh, morning Ben, I
thought I felt the sun go in.

You go inside love,
get ready for school.

Now no need to be like that
Andy lad. I'm being friendly.

Well you weren't being
so friendly when I wanted to

build a play park, and you
weren't being friendly when I

wanted to build a shop
for my guests to buy food.

You've objected to
everything I've proposed

to try and improve my business.

Well you're best off
selling up then aren't you

Andy lad?
While the getting's good.

This is business Andrew.

Now I know that you've
got an offer on the table,

and if you don't
take it then I can't sell

now we both know that.

Then that's a shame for you.

What and you
think that's it Andy?

A few words on your
driveway and it all goes away?

This is a business opportunity
and I'm a businessman.

My family has worked so hard
to make this place what it is,

and we're not
ready to give it up.

And what is it? Empty buildings!

You can't make this
work without your wife,

a blindman on a
galloping horse can see that.

We'll see. Goodbye Ben.

Do the right thing Andy.

At least have a
good Christmas with

what's left of your family.

You know I'm right.

Oi! Get along now Ben Ritchie!

There's nothing for you here.

Oh but there is, Sandra.

Ask your lad
there, he'll tell you.

I don't want to give up, Mum.

We've worked too
hard and look around.

I want Katie to grow up
here not in an apartment.

Don't get worked up,
he's just a bully love.

Don't give him the satisfaction.

♪ GRACEFUL ORCHESTRA SWELLS ♪

Would you like
me to take one with you in it?

Oh, thank you,
that's really thoughtful.

Smile!

Thank you.

He was a kind of scruffy looking
guy, waxed jacket, curly hair.

Ben Ritchie I'll bet.

What's the deal?

I thought Andrew was a softie
but this guy really got to him.

Ben gets to everyone.
Remember I said this town had

its Dickens characters?

Well Ben would be
two combined, Fagin and Scrooge.

Bah humbug!

♪ JOLLY BRASS INSTRUMENTS ♪

Good afternoon ladies, and
how are we this fine afternoon?

This is my uncle Adam,
owner and baker extraordinaire.

Ah so you're the
artist responsible for that

heavenly fruit
pie I had last night.

Glad you enjoyed it,
Yorkshire's finest rhubarb

but that crucial pinch
of Seville orange zest

elevates it to the sublime.

I'm sure I recognize you.

Jessica's a singer.

Madison Square Gardens!
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Movie Magic.
You was the Soprano!

That I was! Wow
you have some memory!

It's only a couple of years ago.

Five, at least five.

Well, I was
there, and I loved it

and I've never
heard a better Soprano.

I went on
about you that much I thought

the wife was going to
make me sleep on the couch!

Thank you, you
like classical music?

Oh my Gosh! There is never
a moment around uncle Adam

without music. Music or poetry.

Poetry, wow!

Don't let these
baker's hands fool you.

Underneath this
apron beats the heart

of a compassionate romantic.

Speaking of which, we
were just talking about Andrew.

Legend that man!
Heart of gold, and his Mum.

Yeah he seems really nice.

Oh he's more than nice.

Are you going
back up to his lodge?

I am, I can't get
hold of the airline

about when I fly to Vienna.

For a concert.

Oh I wish I were going to that.

Me too.

Hey, it's not all that
bad, Christmas is coming.

Oh don't say that, I
have to go do my concert and

then get back to
Chicago for Christmas.

Do you have family in Chicago?

No being a singer,
the road's your home.

Kids need their Mom around.

Husband, or boyfriend?

No husbands and
boyfriends kind of need their

partner around too.

Well, why don't you just
spend Christmas here then?

I can't. Because
what I do have is an agent,

who has an awful lot planned
for me over the holidays.

Well, if you have to go
back, let's at least have some

fun while you are here.

Deal.

Okay.

Would you mind
taking these up for them,

the cake's for Katie.

Wow!

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪
♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪
♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

Well, we're
waiting on the vegetables.

Thanks for inviting me,
I hope I'm not intruding.

You carried that pie
all the way from town!

You deserve a piece.

And the cake!
I don't mind sharing!

Well, how magnanimous of you!

Daddy, are you showing off?

Grandma said you're a singer.

Oh wow! News travels fast.

Adam recognized me from
a concert I did a few years ago.

I can sing, listen.

♪ Silent Night ♪
♪ Holy Night ♪

She's in the
nativity choir at school.

♪ Round young virgin ♪
♪ mother and child ♪

That's great Katie,
now try sitting up straight,

take a deep breath, now try
singing from your stomach.

♪ Silent Night ♪

♪ Holy Night ♪
Oh yeah!

Katie, well you've
learned something tonight.

What's America like?

Well now. It's a big
big country so there are a lot

of different places but where
I'm from it's nice and warm

in the Summer.
And there's a huge lake.

Is it cold in Winter?

Yes it is. Everybody
wears hats and scarves.

Does it snow at Christmas?

Yes it does. what about
here, you guys get snow at

Christmas right?

No we never do it's not fair.

Oh that's a shame.

It used to.

When I was young, we
always had a white Christmas.

I bet that was fun
when you were a kid right?

Even when I was
younger it always used to snow

in time for Christmas.

Well maybe it will this year.

Will it? Will yo make
it snow this Christmas?

Katie, Jessica my be
special but she can't control

the weather. Can You?

I wish. I tell you what
though Katie, if i could I would

get you a white Christmas.

Even if I'm not her
to share it with you.

Why won't you be here?

Jessica's a busy lady,
and she has her own family to be

with over Christmas.

Will you help
put up our tree then?

Katie, Jessica's our
guest, she hasn't got any

interest in our Christmas tree.

Oh Jessica if you're
foolish enough to want to be

around this one while she's
on a tree decorating mission

I'd love to. If that's okay?

Yeah that's fine,
I'll get one tomorrow.

Yes!

♪ One horse open sleigh ♪

♪ GRACEFUL PIANO ♪

I have to say, the views

in this town are breathtaking.
Everything is like a perfect

patchwork, there are no blocks
of buildings, everything just

seems to fit together. It's kind
of random but it just works.

Hello?

Ms. Bailey?

Speaking.

Oh hello Ms Bailey,
I'm pleased to tell you that

we are now able to
offer you a flight to Vienna.

About time, what date?

It will be for
tonight, nine thirty.

Tonight, Oh I'm
sorry I can't make tonight.

I'm too far away I wouldn't-

Oh, that may be a
problem. We won't have

anything else for a week or so.

Then that will have to do.

Could you call me when
you've got another date.

Okay, I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

Jessica Bailey what on
earth are you doing?

♪ WISTFUL OBOE ♪

They are all very
similar, some have more bedrooms

and they are
very well appointed.

And of course
they've got great artwork!

But nowadays,
lodges have to have

flat screen TVs and hot tubs.

And, well, of course we can't
afford to put those things in.

Who goes to a beautiful
lodge in all this amazing

countryside to watch TV?

I sometimes wonder.

I can understand the hot tubs,

I'd like one, myself.

You know in the states,
we go to places like this to get

away from TV and
social media and all that stuff.

We go to
hike and maybe fish the lake.

When I was a kid we used to go
up to sand dunes in Michigan,

I'd swim all day, like,

walk in the woods, barbecue
at night. It was heaven.

You really are a country girl.

Yeah, it's funny,

you get so
caught up in all things

that you think
are important and then...

Then you realize
what really is important.

Now it must
get very lonely of a night

in those five star hotels.

Yeah I know, I have no
reason to complain do I?

No, no I'm serious. You know.

No matter all the wealth

and all the fame
and all the traveling.

But where is home?

Where does your heart live?

When Andrew was traveling for

exhibitions and what-not,

he loved it and he enjoyed being

busy and he loved all the
success, that's what bought

all this to start with.

But, no
matter how much he loved it.

He always wanted to come home,

he always loved to come home.

You know to the fire
and the meal with the family,

and his own bed.

Going my way?

Oh hey!

Gives this one half a chance
and he'll lop down a tree.

I got us a beauty look.

Oh wow! It's going to look so
good, oh and that smell of pine.

Oh if we could bottle that and
sell candles, come on jump in.

Come on love.

Careful.

♪ TENSE STRINGS ♪

There. Now if you dig
a ten foot radius around that,

that will be good practice.

Ten foot?

Well near enough.

Don't go too deep,

look just get the hang of it

so as we can get
these new drains dug out.

Can't we just go on a course?

What? You're on a course,
the Ben Ritchie digger drivers

for beginners! It's easy
enough. Look.

Yeah?

♪ JOLLY ORCHESTRA ♪

Hot chocolate everyone.

Oh lovely.

Oh I just love
trimming the tree.

What shall we start with?

Baubles!

Tinsel!

Oh now we're torn.

Oh that's perfect, I love it.

Oh, good girl!

Here, grab this
and we'll wrap it round.

Is that it?

That's perfect
sweetheart. Uh, Katie. Perfect.

Thanks sweetheart, now
let's put another layer on.

Oh Katie you're so precious.

Why thank you ma'am. Here, grab
this and lets make a spiral.

Okay.

Hey Katie you know we hang
candy canes on the tree at home.

Grandma do
we have any candy canes?

Candy canes? No love, but
we do have chocolate coins.

Now, Katie, whatever you do,

do not eat these
before Christmas day okay?

Okay.
Do you promise?

I promise.
Because that
would be really naughty

Hey!
What?

You're being naughty!

Oh they're so good
aren't they Jessica?

So naughty.

Do you want to be
naughty as well Grandma?

Me?
Yeah.

Me, naughty
Grandma? Yeah!

No no no no no, yes
alright then okay, here.

Hey! I want to be naughty.

Come on then. Come
on then princess lets all be

just a little bit
naughty shall we?

Oh lovely.

Oh that's nice.

Hey, why don't
we use this as an idea?

What's that?

Well your Mom and I were
talking about people who come to

these lodges and then watch TV
or play video games when they

should be spending
time with their families.

Well why not turn
a negative into a positive.

Like sure, you can't afford
the upgrades that others can,

so we advertise that the
lodges are deliberately designed

to be retreats
away from all that stuff.

No Andrew it's
okay I understand.

Look.

We can dress
the lodge up in like

a good old
fashioned American style,

photograph it
for a new web site,

I guarantee you will have guests

looking for a
traditional Christmas retreat.

Let's just put it out there.

Well um, thanks for
the thought, we'll be okay.

What, what on
Earths, what's happened?

Oh I shouldn't
have said anything.

No, Katie, would you just
go and get some candles from the

kitchen
cupboard? Thank you love.

No it's alright, I
think your idea is wonderful.

Andrew, well he's a proud man.

He wants to be strong, and
he doesn't like to admit that

he's not a
very good businessman.

I didn't mean to upset him.

No, no no you didn't
love. No he'll come round.

You'll see.

Where have you been?

I've got the generator working.

I saw a lot of lights
over by Ben Ritchie's land,

probably the power
company fixing the fault.

Anyway the generator should
keep us going until morning.

What?

You know what. You
were very short with Jessica

She's a guest in the park,

lets not burden
her with our problems.

Andrew, I know
you better than anyone.

Mum. Goodnight.

What if today is the day?

What do you mean?

What if today is the day?

Or tomorrow or
next week or next year?

Mum, please just
say what you've got to say

I'm really tired.

One day, you're
going to meet someone.

Who'll brighten up your world.

Someone
who'll fill you with joy.

Someone to share the good
times and ride out the bad ones.

But you have to
let that person in.

Andrew,

Andrew I know
what you're scared of

but Jessica wants you.

You and Katie.

She was very quick to start
working on the business ideas.

Well that was
from here, not here.

Just give it a chance.

I'm not saying jump straight in

but at least, give her a chance.

She's going to be gone soon so

We'll see.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE PIANO ♪

It's really not like me,
and I should know better.

All I can put it down to
is the magic of this place,

so peaceful, so...

Ah! Who
am I kidding,

I'm falling for
Andrew and who wouldn't.

But we live four
thousand miles apart

and he probably hates me now.

I'll call the
airline first thing,

if I can't get a flight
to Vienna, I'll go home.

In the morning you
apologize, it's not hard.

So I left early, hoping
I wouldn't see anyone.

You haven't checked out though?

No I can't, I don't
have anywhere to go.

I could have got a
flight last night but...

What?

There was a flight to
Vienna, last night. But

I promised Katie
I'd help trim the tree...

So you put Andrew and
Katie before your concert?

Yeah, I suppose
I did, how foolish.

No, it's not foolish,
you're a wonderful, warm

thoughtful person.

No I'm not I
just. I don't know.

Listen, when his wife
passed, Andrew had a really

tough time, and of
course his business suffered.

It's never really recovered.

Oh my goodness,

I know I probably
shouldn't be telling you his

private affairs but everyone
around here already knows.

He can barely even
bring himself to come into town.

Poor Katie as well.

Yeah.

Good morning Jessica Bailey

are we in fine
song this morning?

♪ Sleep my child ♪
♪ and peace attend thee ♪

♪ All through the night ♪

Welsh folk
song, it's not a carol.

♪ Guardian angels... ♪

So you haven't
called the airline yet?

I'm glad.

♪ All through the night. ♪

♪ Soft the drowsy hours are ♪

♪ creeping Hill and vale ♪

♪ in slumber sleeping ♪

Oh I forgot the next bit.

Room for me in the choir then?

♪ QUIRKY ORCHESTRA BEGINS ♪

Mister Hunter?

Mister Hunter?

Can I help you?

I'm from the power company.

We've detected a fault in the
area and I was just wondering,

have you been without any power?

Yes, yes we have. We've
been running on the generator.

I was about to call you lot.

Oh I'm sorry about that, it's a
strange one this one you know.

Our system says that
there's a break in the line,

but there hasn't been any
thunderstorms. I mean the cables

that feed your park
they're all underground as well.

They run across
that area over there.

Yeah I know where they run.

What we'll do is we'll
put you a temporary connection

to the power line, until we
can you know trace and fix the

problem.
But it will take a few hours.

I think I might have
an idea where that is.

♪ CONSPICUOUS MUSIC ♪

Morning, Ben.

I've just been checking.
I've got no power me. Nothing.

Nobody asked
what you were doing.

Is he
the police?
No.

Oi! Get off my land mate!

He's from the power company.

What have you done?

Who me? Nothing.

I found
that like that this morning.

Well you've made a
right mess of it haven't you?

What are you writing?

I'm filling out the details.

Alright.

Why is he doing that?

I've got to send a
report, get this fixed pronto!

Look, uh...

I'm sorry, I never
was any good on that digger.

No worries Ben,
these things happen.

♪ CHARMING BELLS ♪

Hello?

Don't shout, It's
four in the morning!

Oh hi Marvin, what are
you doing up so late?

Business never
sleeps, am I right Jess?

You're always right.

So you're not in
Vienna, that ship has sailed.

I'm so sorry Marvin.

Not your fault, they're
trying to hit us for some no

show fee but I've
sent them to the airline.

When can I get you back?

Oh um, I don't
know. A few days?

I've got the big one,
Chicago Symphony Chorus

Carnegie Hall. Five nights.

Oh wow! That's fantastic!

That's not the best
of it. I got three solos.

That's amazing
Marvin when is it?

Christmas Eve. So you
got to be back by nd

to rest your voice yada yada!

Oh, so soon.

I didn't realize.

Well, we've got to
make up for the Vienna hit.

Christmas
don't pay for itself, kid.

No, no I guess it doesn't.

OK well thanks
a million, Marvin.

Hey, where are you going?

I've got a whole bunch of stuff
lined up for Christmas week

we got New Years and
then there's that new theatre

Will you try one of these?

Amber's been on at me for
months to try some American

recipes.
Voila!

Katie had a quick whip round
with extra tinsel this morning

before she went to school.

Aw, it looks great.

Ah she loves Christmas, we
try to make it special for her.

Sandra, I hope you don't mind.

And please don't be angry.

But I spoke to Amber
about what happened last night.

Oh.

No, it wasn't gossip I
promise, we kind of bonded

she's really helped me out,

we've become
friends I would never-

It's ok love. I'm used to it.

She told me what
happened to you all.

How bad the
situation is, or was...

I don't know
what it's like now but,

I'd just like
to help if I could.

We have nothing.

We can keep the park
open until the end of January,

then we'll have to close.

There's an offer
from a mining company.

But they will destroy the
park, everyone in town knows it.

That's why Adam was
so quiet about Andrew.

Andrew has a
choice, either he sells,

and we have enough to get a
house and move away from here

and the town
becomes a mining town.

Or we stay.

And I don't really
know how that plays out.

Well I can see why
he doesn't want to sell.

None of us want that.

The thing is,
our piece is very small

compared to
what Ben Ritchie gets.

That was the guy that
was here the other day?

Yes. Our land
sits right between

the access and
Ben Ritche's land.

Now if Andrew
doesn't sell, he can't.

Ah Jessica, morning.

Hello love.

Hi.

Oh right, do you know I must go.

I've got
some washing I've got to do.

Jessica, um.

I'm... I am... I'm sorry.

No I'm sorry Andrew. I-

Please, um let me explain.

It's been a
difficult time for us,

and I haven't made it any
easier by being overly proud.

I'm a man, I can't
help it sometimes but um...

you were only trying to help
and I should have seen that.

And I'm sorry.

Andrew please let me
help you. And Katie and Sandra.

I don't even know if I can, but
every piece of me wants to try.

I'd love to have
you help us, thank you.

What time does
Katie finish school?

Because we need to go shopping.

♪ CHEERY ORCHESTRA SWELLS ♪

It's absolutely
perfect except for one thing.

What's that?

There's
nothing on top of the tree,

it looks unfinished.
Do you have a star, or?

I know.

This is the one that Daddy made.

Oh that's so amazing!

Daddy made it.

Oh it's beautiful.

Shall we put it up?

Ready? Two, three.

Aw...
There, lovely.

Andrew, could you make
some more of those please,

I'll have one for
the cafe and one for my flat.

You could sell those easily.

Really?
Yeah.

Yeah I mean one of those
might even make up for the lack

of snow.

Oh okay.

Alright come on
lets get some pictures.

OK everybody ready?

I have to say, I barely
recognize the lodges,

they look amazing!

You're just used to
them, the lodges are amazing.

This is just a sales angle.

I'm going to send
these to my agent,

he can sell anything to anyone,

and then I'll start
work on the web site.

You're a web designer as well?

No, but I'm about to learn.

I can't thank you enough,
all this trouble you've gone to.

It's my pleasure,
I just hope it helps.

I was wondering, you know
as a thank you, if you'd like

to join us at
the Winter Wonder Park?

The what?

Well, since we don't
get any snow any more,

there's this place
and it's got a maze,

woodland walk and a load
of Christmas stuff you know?

Does it have hot chocolate?

Of course.

With marshmallows!

I forgot about you under there.

I'd love to come.

Great, well we're
going to go this Saturday.

The twentieth?

Yeah um, yeah I suppose
it is, you'll still be here?

Yeah.

Of course
she will be here Daddy,

sweetheart's going to
be here for Christmas!

What, have you bought
shares in the park or something?

No, it's just a fried,
I want to help him out.

I admire your generosity
kid, but they're no friends of

mine and my time ain't free.

Marvin, come on. Just
make a phone call, or two.

I'll make it up to you somehow.

Well. Just for you kid.
Now get back here would ya?

No promises Marv.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE ACOUSTIC ♪

♪ CHEERY ORCHESTRA ♪

You'll see evidence
all around Nigel. I'm sure.

I mean, there are
plenty of car tires and feet

that travel
through this whole area

and that's why we
can't be too careful.

What now Ben?

Ah. Gentlemen this
is Mr. Andrew Hunter,

the proprietor of this park.

Gentlemen,
what can I do for you?

We are...

trusted professionals...

from the forestry commission...

This learned man Ben Ritchie,

Thank you.

Has brought it from...

our attention...

that you're trees are...

Have...

They've got Dothistroma.

Needle blight, Mr Hunter.

And um, we have taken
photos of the infected trees

and it looks like all these
are going to have to come down

to stop the spread.

Shall I go and get my chainsaw?

This is no laughing
matter I can assure you Andrew.

I mean,
I'm scared about this disease

traveling across the landscape

and decimating my woodland.

I mean What
would Pine Falls look like

without any pines I wonder?

Well I'll wait to get the
letter before I take any action.

The what?

Well surely there will
be a headed letter from the

forestry commission advising me
of the results of the analysis

and an opportunity for me
to discuss my options at an

official meeting.

Yes. Exactly,

and that is
what these men will do.

Or, alternatively, I
could just sell the land to you

now couldn't I,
before there's any trouble?

Well. I might be
prepared to help you solve this

little problem.
However, this land is soiled now

so I will be dropping my price.

Oh what a surprise.

Andrew Hunter?

Mister Moore,
Threshold Minerals.

Mister Moore we
have nothing to discuss.

Ah you didn't come and see me.

Mr. Hunter is there somewhere
that we can go and talk?

I'm not here to
pressure you I promise.

You can talk here.

Ow!

This way mister Moore.

What did I say about the
beard? What did I say eh?

His idea.

♪ SOFT PIANO ♪

Threshold Minerals
deals in facts mr Hunter

and here they are. Whilst your
land holds no significant value

as a mineral resource, in
order to gain access to the land

that does, we
would need to traverse it.

We are prepared to offer you
the same purchase rate as the

resource land. It is a very
generous and, I have to add,

unprecedented offer.

I'm sure it is.

However, if you open a mine,

it will destroy Knaresborough

and the
surrounding areas as we know it.

I also deal in facts.

There is an alternative.

We can circumnavigate
your land Mr Hunter.

It would most certainly
be inconvenient, but not

impossible. Should you decide
that you do not want to sell

to us, your park will inevitably
neighbor the largest potash

mine in the UK, with a steady
flow of large plant traversing

the edge of your
woodland hours per day.

Now that's not a place
that I would choose to holiday.

Take the offer Mr. Hunter.

♪ CHEERY ORCHESTRA FADES IN ♪

Quick, this way, come on!

Come on, she's off!

♪ CHEERY MUSIC SWELLS ♪

Hi Marvin.

Really, that's great!
Could you text me the number?

Um Marv, I'm so sorry,

I don't think I'm going to
get back for the twenty second.

I know, sure,
the twenty third, I'm on it.

Yeah I'll
call the airline and fix it.

No I can't tonight but I will.

Thanks again for the number
Marvin, I owe you another.

Hey. Oh thank you.

Everything okay?

Sure, it's just my agent.

You're not going back are you?

No, not yet.

Good, because
you're my Christmas present.

♪ " DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"
ORCHESTRA ♪

♪ CHRISTMAS JAZZ PIANO ♪

There you go.

Excuse me, can you
tell me where you got that

lovely angel from
on the top of your tree?

Sure. Well we have a
local artist who makes a limited

number of them every year.
We believe in supporting local

talent and-

Oh, local talent yes,
can we have one each.

Sure.

I'd better have a couple
love, if your taking orders.

Okay.

Can we have one
for our house grandma?

Course you can love.
Make that half a dozen love.

I think we could arrange that.

Did I mention
that he also paints?

Oh paintings.

I'll have a look
at them as well love.

Okay.

Thanks.

I think my favorite
thing, were the owls.

My favorite part was
the uh, water fountain.

Oh. yeah, now shall we go
and have a nice, warm bath

uh Katie? Goodnight.

Can we bake
cookies together tomorrow?

Of course, I'm not
sure I'll be any good

but I'll give it a go.

That's okay, my cookies
are the best that grandma has

ever tasted. Lets bake
them in the decorated lodge!

Is that okay?

Yeah, that
sounds like a great idea.

Goodnight Sandra,
thanks for a lovely day.

Night Katie.
Goodnight love.

Come on now, off we go.
Lets get that nice hot bath

eh? Alright,
good girl. Up them stairs.

I'm so glad you came.

Me too, I had a blast.

Maybe you'd like to have a look
around town with me tomorrow?

Around town?
Sure that would be great.

Well I don't go out
much now but they've um.

They've got these lovely little
rowing boats down by the river.

Maybe we could-

I would love to.

Well um, wrap up warm,

it gets um, it
gets cold on the river.

I will.

Andy!
Andy I've been waiting all day.

Great timing Ben, as always.

That bloke who came
round to see you the other day,

from the mining company.

He says he made you a great
offer and you've not answered.

That's correct.

Well?

You have
grandchildren don't you Ben?

Yeah.

Well, did you ever stop
to think what their world might

be like if everybody
sold out their future?

But they'd do well
if we sold all this lot.

Think about it. Your children,
and your grandchildren,

they all live in Knaresborough,

and they have great lives right?

Yeah, worth a hundred
quid a week to live round here.

There won't be an
around here if they build

a huge new mine.

See this town
it just can't accommodate all

that a new mine brings. And if
the town center stays as it is,

the shops, they are going to
get forced out by chains. Then

there'll be retail parks,
housing estates to cope with the

expansion.
It happens every time.

And you can be part of
that, or you can choose to

preserve that life that we have.

Yeah but the offer, I mean
my grand kids could have a field

day with that.

You think so?

Think back, think back to the
happiest times of your life Ben.

Now, tell me about it.

Well, probably um, probably
when I was a kid, round here.

We used to build dens and that,
climbing the trees for apples

and berries all
that kind of stuff you know.

Yeah those long Summer days eh?

Eh, and a good fire in
Winter, messing about in all the

snow and that. yeah.

And how much
did those days cost?

Priceless memories Ben.

Well times change and I want
a good life for those kids in a

modern world.

I get it, I do.

All I'm asking, just have
a think about what I said.

And see if you'd prefer to have
your grandchildren around you,

playing on your unspoiled
land, breathing the fresh air.

♪ CHEERY ORCHESTRA RETURNS ♪

Thanks Marvin.

Oh hi, Mrs. Morgan?

It's Jessica Bailey
sorry that...

Oh he did? Really?

♪ GRACEFUL PIANO ♪

Such a beautiful
day with Andrew and his family,

I feel so at home with them all.
Tomorrow I'm going into town

with Andrew, I expect he will
be nervous as, I'm told that he

has been a little reclusive
since his wife passed even

though it's been a few years...

Hello.

Oh Ms Bailey,
we've a flight for tomorrow.

Tomorrow, no I can't.
Why do you always give me such

short notice?

Well you said it was
urgent so we've been-

It is urgent, I just
need a little notice.

Well at this time of
year it can be difficult,

I've only got
cancellations really.

Okay listen, book me a
flight for the twenty fourth.

Christmas Eve?

Yes, Christmas Eve, to New York.

Well that's going
to be very expensive.

I don't care about the cost.

Twenty Fourth

Twenty fourth of December yes.

Is a night flight okay?

Night flight's fine.

Okay then
I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

What am I doing?

♪ SOFT CONTEMPLATIVE PIANO ♪

Have you ever been
on a rowing boat before?

No I haven't
especially not in Winter,

it's delightful.
Look at that beautiful bridge.

Ah you should
see the in the snow.

That was built in
, and still going strong.

You love it here don't you?

Yeah I do, I couldn't imagine
living anywhere else now,

and I've been around.

Have you been to America?

Yeah, I've been to um
New York, um Los Angeles,

Austin Texas.

And?

Well, what I've seen is that
wherever you go in the world,

what's important
is the people you're with.

As an artist I was around some
extraordinary people you know.

But some very
greedy ones as well.

In Knaresborough
you've got Adam the baker,

and them you've got
the likes of Ben Ritchie.

Yeah, I guess that's true.

I loved my time in
America, it's an amazing

country, with
some amazing people.

So, what about
little old England,

are you enjoying your time here?

It's an amazing country,
with some amazing people.

Are we talking about Adam again?

No, we're not.

Andrew Hunter you are
such chivalrous gentleman.

Would you just kiss me please?

♪ CHEERY ORCHESTRA SWELLS ♪

Can you put in the
vanilla please sweetheart?

Oh sure, um how much?

Half a teaspoon please.

How do I? Of course.

Don't worry sweetheart,
you'll get the hang of it.

I guess you can tell that
I've never been a Mom right?

Well you can be mine now.

Just for Christmas then.

Katie you dear thing,

I wish that, well...

You're going to stay
sweetheart, you know that.

Oh Katie, look, I
want let you know that...

I do love it here
and I love being with you

and your Grandma.

And Daddy.

Yes, of course, daddy too.

But Katie,
my life is in Chicago,

I have a house
there, and my work...

Yes but you can
sing here if you like,

there's a Christmas choir,
I want to hear you sing...

Oh Katie. I'm so sorry, I
just want you to be prepared.

I will have to go soon

Okay?

Okay then sweetheart.

Did you preheat the oven?

Hello Mrs. Morgan?

You have orders
for sixteen angels.

Sixteen!

And uncle Adam wondered if
you want to put some of your

paintings up for sale at the
cafe, I mean I know it's not

the Louvre but...

Oh yeah,

Thank you Amber, this is
great news, you'll be back in

full swing in no time.

Thank you so much Amber
and please, thank Adam for me.

Sure.

Right well I'd better
get cracking on these Angels if

they want them
in time for Christmas.

Andrew!
Andrew are you there?

Are you okay, what's the matter?

Nothing's wrong, I
have great news. I just got a

call from a distribution buyer
in the US. A woman that supplies

all the major chains,
they want to work with you!

They what?

That Christmas Angel.
They love it! They want to use

the design and work
with you to create more pieces.

I, I don't understand.

You would be doing what
you've always done, being that

great creative artist, but this
time the world will get to see

what you can do.

Who do they supply?

Who don't they
supply? They're mainstream.

Andrew, you're
going to do so well.

But I've got orders
from Amber's customers.

They want you to keep
painting and designing and doing

all the things you love.

They want Andrew Hunter

the Yorkshire artist
working with them!

I can't believe it,
I can't take this in.

This is huge Andrew.

Does this mean that we
can keep the park open?

Yes!

Easily, that beautiful landscape
that I love so much in my lodge.

Yeah?

They want to print it,
and they want to see the rest of

your collection.
Andrew your worries are over.

Yes.

You're booked for
the twenty fourth okay?

Yes, thank you.

It's going to be an
eight o clock flight

one way to New York
is that alright? Ms Bailey?

Yes.

Great and if you can
just confirm that we can use the

credit card that's stored.

Yes I can confirm, you
can use my stored card.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE PIANO ♪

♪ QUIRKY ORCHESTRA FADES IN ♪

Oyez!

Oyez!

Citizens of Knaresborough

are pleased to welcome
Ms. Jessica Bailey of Chicago

in the United States of America.

Oyez Oyez!

Ms Bailey has to
return to her native country

but she is to
be thanked for her generous and

magnanimous behavior
from her friends and beloved

Knaresborough
citizens the Hunter family.

Hear now all ye citizens,

Ms Bailey has a
lifetime of free coffee

and deserts at the Crumble Cafe.

Who wish her all the best
for her return to Chicago.

God save the Queen!

Come on, lets go get
a decent cup of coffee.

When are you going back?

Christmas Eve.

Oh what a shame.
You're going to miss Christmas.

I have to, I have a
concert on Christmas Eve.

I'm going straight from the
airport to the Carnegie Hall.

Wow! That sounds tight!

Foolish is what it is, I
don't know what I'm thinking.

I think we both
know what you're thinking.

I'm a strong, independent
woman, I have built a career...

We all want
someone special right?

I've never needed anybody.

And now you do,
aren't you lucky?

I'm behaving like
a lovesick teenager.

And it feels good, right?

Of course. It feels
great but if I miss that

concert, I can kiss goodbye
to my singing career. There is

nothing worse than being
unreliable and I already missed

Vienna!

That wasn't your fault.
Besides, you'll recover.

You could say that you were ill.

But I'm not.
No I have to go.

Like, this is great.
I have had a wonderful time

but I have to go and that's it.

♪ QUIRKY MUSIC SWELLS ♪

Smell the
power of my flour ladies.

Spiced mincemeat and
Christmas crumble slices.

Oh Adam you're
pulling out the big g*ns.

Oh I hope you don't mind
Jessica, but I've asked the

choir to save a space for you in
our Christmas Carol service.

I know it's just
our daft little choir but...

Eh what's wrong?
It's just a bit of singing.

Jessica has to
go home on Christmas Eve.

Oh, oh I see.

Oh, this is silly
I'm being pathetic.

No you're not love, I
gave up the finest patisseries

of France to set up here. I
don't regret it for a second.

You did?

Oh aye, I've worked for
the best in the world. But

people like Andrew Hunter
and his family, they only come

around once in a lifetime.
People like them combined with

our beautiful town
and unspoiled countryside...

Makes up for the lack of
Christmas snow. I only came here

for a Summer writing
holiday. That was two years ago.

Oh you're not helping.

Or maybe we are Jess. Maybe
we are, have a crumble slice.

♪ SOFT FOLKSY FLUTE ♪

Ben! Listen,

I can't match what
Threshold minerals are offering

but if you still
want to sell your land

I'll pay over the market price,

maybe half of
what they're offering.

Why?

Because. I can't live
with myself if I stand by and

watch all this get ruined.
Knaresborough deserves to stay

the great town that it
is, for generations to come.

Can you afford it?

Not yet but just give
me a couple of months.

Sandy?

Yes love.

There's
something I have to tell you.

It's alright love, I know.

I feel terrible, I don't know
how to tell Katie, or Andrew.

They'll understand.

And Katie's
young, it's Christmas,

she'll be excited. Not to
mention all the presents that

you've bought her.

And Andrew?

Oh Jessica I'm glad
you're here, I'd like to ask

you to stay for Christmas.
I've just been to order a

goose and... what's wrong.

Andrew I'm so sorry, I'm
going home on Christmas Eve.

I have a flight booked.

Ah that's good um.

That's fine. Yeah okay um.

I wish I could stay, even
for a little while longer but...

Maybe that would
just make things worse.

I have to remember
who I am and how I felt before

I arrived here. This trip has
changed me, but I have to stay

strong.

Hi Marvin.

Hey kid, you
can't make that concert.

What?

A flight direct to New
York on Christmas Eve? You'll

be in no shape to sing even if
you could make it on time, which

you won't!

How do you know?

It's my business.

You checked up on me?

Of course I did.
For your own good.

You didn't need to do that.

Yes I do it's my job.

I look out for you so you can do

the things that
you love. Am I right?

Yeah. Yeah You're
right. I think I got a little

caught up in things here.
I will make the concert though.

Listen Jess,

if you want
me to cancel, I will, but you

need to let me
know now, so I can fix it.

No, no I'll make it,
sorry Marvin, maybe I just

needed a vacation.

Right after Christmas,
we'll get you on some nice

island somewhere

What would I do without you?

See you soon kid.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE PIANO ♪

Hey Katie.

Hey Jessica.

Come here.

Katie, I have something really
important but sad to tell you.

I know, grandma told me
this morning. But it's okay.

Are you sure?

You'll be back sweetheart.

Katie I'm not sure about that,

but hey, maybe we could be pen
friends and write each other.

Sure. I love you.

I love you too.

And
I'm going to miss you so much.

Jessica.

Oh, hey.

Oh um, sorry about last night.

No I'm sorry, it had
to happen at some point.

Guess it's just bad timing.
I would love to have been able

to spend
Christmas with you but...

No I know, I know.

You've got a great
opportunity ahead of you

it's um, it's important.

I can't be selfish and
expect you to drop everything.

Life goes on doesn't it?

You know I'll never forget you.

You have changed
my life, in so many ways

You deserve it,
and your Mom and Katie.

So um, why don't you
come to the carol service

tonight. It would be a great
send off and we never did get to

hear you sing did we?

It's going to make
sago goodbye so much harder.

Just one more night?

Okay.

Thank you.
For everything.

Jessica? Jessica?

Dearest Andrew, I
know that you are going to be

disappointed by what I've
done, but please believe me when

I say it's the only way that
I could leave. Seeing you and

Katie tonight at the Carol
Service would have been too much

for me to bear. I hope you
can see that it's only because I

have such strong feelings for
you that I have to leave like

this. I wish that we
could have met under different

circumstances.
Please forgive me.

All my love, Jessica.

♪ UPBEAT CHRISTMAS INSTRUMENTALS ♪

There they are, right
now you go and join them

and good luck love. Good luck.

She's taking it so well.
I thought she'd be upset.

Ah well, there's
a lot of distractions.

And she said
that Jessica is coming back.

Maybe it's not such a
bad thing that she thinks that,

she'll be over it in a couple
of days before she realizes that

Jessica isn't coming back.

Good evening ladies and
gentlemen! And welcome to the

Knaresborough
choir Carol Service.

Please please
feel free to join in

and a Merry,
Merry Christmas to you all!

Thank you.
Thank you.

♪ SOFT
CONTEMPLATIVE INSTRUMENTALS ♪

Well, good evening ma'am!

Hi.

You got organized
with some accommodation then?

Yeah.

Well I, I hope you
enjoyed your visit, it's not

much like
where you're from I'll bet.

No, no it's really not.

Well this train
is due to depart in...

twelve minutes,

I hope you've got a warm
coat on, it's going to snow!

Snow? but I thought
it didn't snow here until

January?

That's right!
But there's an arctic wind

coming down. It looks like
we're going to have a white

Christmas!

Oh!

Here it comes, look!

Ah It's a good omen,

everything is going to be okay.

Eh, what a beautiful sight.

Just makes me think of family

and the magic of Christmas.

I'll bet you'll have a

smashing time back with
your loved ones this Christmas

Ma'am oh yes indeed.

Now you look after them,

there's nothing more important
than your loving family.

Nothing in this world!

♪ Silent Night ♪

♪ Holy Night ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round

yon Virgin ♪

♪ Mother and- ♪

Oh wow would you look at that!

Wow!

Oh, that's magical,

Oh, Katie will be so pleased.

♪ MAGICAL FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA ♪

Ask me to stay.

Stay, we need you, I need you.

I need you too.

Hey.

I knew you'd come back.

Well I should have just listened
to you then shouldn't I?

Listen to this, you're
going to be very happy with us

sweetheart, you're
our Christmas Angel.

Is that offer
still available Andy lad?

It will be, yes.

Well you can
hold on to it. I'm not selling.

You're going with
Threshold Minerals?

Listen to what
I said. I'm not selling.

What, at all?

No.

This one and his cousins
deserve what we had don't they?

Can't put a price on that.

Thank you Ben, thank you
for making the right decision.

Merry Christmas to you
Andy lad, Mary Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Ladies and Gentlemen I am
very proud to announce that for

the final carol of the
evening, we are joined by the

internationally celebrated
Soprano Jessica Bailey.

♪ O Holy Night ♪

♪ The stars
are brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night ♪

♪ Of our dear savior's birth ♪

♪ CHEERY CHRISTMAS
INSTRUMENTALS SWELL ♪

♪ LIGHTHEARTED AND UPBEAT
CHRISTMAS INSTRUMENTALS ♪