05x07 - All God's Creatures

[bunniefuu]

Where's thar want it, Mr Farnon?

Just in the back,
fat end first, please.

Marvellous. That looks lovely.

Merry Christmas to you.
And to you, sir.

Found the old wrapping paper!
MRS HALL: Oh!

MRS HALL LAUGHS
Well done.

Had to stop his nibs here
from ripping it all to bits.

Little monkey!

Perhaps he'd like to help us
make paper chains?

Yes, it's about time
he made himself useful.

I've flour and sugar put aside
for the cake,

but there's no chance
of a Christmas pud.

And I'm not convinced

by Alice Dinsdale's
blackberry mincemeat.

HE GRUNTS
I know.

It's a poor show
for your first Christmas, in't it?

It's not the end of the world.

Least we'll have
plenty of potatoes and sprouts.

Well, that might be all we have.

The butcher said this morning

I'd more chance
of flying to the moon

than getting a roasting joint
this side of Christmas.

Although... I may have a lead
on something better.

Oh, yes?
I just need to pop out for a bit.

Very mysterious.

I won't be long.

DOOR CLOSES
JAMES: Hello!

Did you have to bring home
half the countryside?

You said you wanted holly.

Well, if nothing else,
we'll certainly look festive.

Ah-boo!
JIMMY COOS

NEIGHING

You won't have met many mules
before now,

but they're the animals

you'll be dealing with mostly
out in the field,

so you need
to get to grips with them.

Trouble is,
much like Yorkshire farmers,

they're stoical buggers...
LAUGHTER

..and it's not always easy
to tell what's wrong with them.

Take colic, for example.

I'm assuming you didn't miss that
week of veterinary college, Duggins?

No, I didn't.

When a horse has colic,
you can see he's in pain,

but your mule just soldiers on.

So, what symptoms do we look for?

A high pulse
and a discoloured membrane.

And if we need further confirmation?

Best thing is to listen to its gut.

Give that man a coconut!
LAUGHTER

You want to hear rumblings.

No gut sounds
means you're in trouble.

Oh, now you're just showing off.
RECRUITS GROAN

ROBERTSON: A word, Farnon.

How are they getting on?
Very good, sir.

They're a bright bunch.
Hm. And you?

I wouldn't call myself bright,
but I'm willing. Hm!

You'll be glad to hear I've got
a special project for you, then.

Sir?

Things are heating up
since the Japanese attack.

With the Americans on board,

this particular project might prove
vital to our joint efforts.

Pigeons.

Pigeons, sir?
Yes.

We are bolstering the colony

for a number of upcoming
classified operations,

and I need you to source a dozen

of the fittest and fastest
for breeding.

You've plenty of pigeon fanciers
in the Dales, haven't you?

I-I believe so, yes.

And you don't know the first thing
about them, do you?

They're really not my area, sir.
Right, well...

I reckon you might be surprised,
Farnon.

They're bloody heroes,
these little birds.

If you say so, sir.
Yes.

I don't care where you find them,
but we need the best of the best.

And ideally,
we need them before Christmas.

Think you can manage it?

Yes, sir. Absolutely.
Good.

Hey! You! Pockets!

You let us down, Duggins.
RECRUITS GROAN

Right, what have we learnt? You.

Merry Christmas!

Right, 12 coupons, as agreed.

Ta, Audrey. You're a life-saver.
Oh, I'm glad to help.

And you said we could pick it up
on the 21st?

I'll have him put it aside
under "Farnon".

Wonderful.

You all right, Christopher?
What've you got there?

My pet snails.
Oh!

That's an unusual pet.
Mm. That's nothing.

We've had a bat, a duck...
Lord knows how many mice.

MRS HALL CHUCKLES
Sounds like our house.

My boss, Mr Farnon, he's a vet.

He even has a pet rat.

Does he?
Don't go giving him ideas.

Oh, it's... it's quite sweet
once you get to know it.

Right, well, come on, you lot.
Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, girls.

Come on. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!

Come on, then, you bugger.

Ooh!

See? It's not too big.

We just to need to find something
to hold it in place. Right.

JIMMY MOANS
Ooh!

Well, you look pleased
with yourself.

I've just got us a goose
for our Christmas dinner.

No, really?
How?

SHE CHUCKLES

Miggins's sister's eldest
is getting married,

and she needs
extra clothing coupons,

so we came to an... arrangement.

Audrey, you're a marvel!

Ooh!
Oh, I'll do it.

Will you watch him?

Come on. There we go.

CHUCKLING: Oh, steady on.

He's raring to go today.

I think he'll be walking
by Christmas.

I wouldn't be surprised.

Did you decide what you're going
to do for his birthday?

We thought we might have
a tea party.

Do it up at Heston on Christmas Eve.
Oh, that'd be lovely.

You know,
I could make a birthday cake

instead of a Christmas one.

Aw!
Just cos he were born on the 25th

doesn't mean he should miss out.

Exactly!
Can't have our boy being upstaged.

Not even by the big man himself.
HELEN TUTS

James! He'll send a thunderbolt.

Who left that bloody great
fir tree outside?

Afternoon, Mrs H.
Hello, Tris, love.

I was rather hoping
you'd help me bring it in, actually.

So, this you done
for Christmas, then?

Mm. No such luck.

Been lumbered with
a special assignment.

I would sound enthusiastic,

but it's hard to be excited
about pigeons. What?!

Surely you remember
Grandad's pigeon loft?

A bit before my time, I'm afraid.
I suppose it would be.

They're remarkable birds.

They can find their way home
from a thousand miles away.

So can I. Not without a map
and compass, you can't.

And they proved themselves
invaluable in the last w*r

as very reliable mail carriers.

You must've heard of Cher Ami?

Rings a vague bell.
Amazing bird.

Shot through the wing at Verdun,
still managed

to save the lives of 200 soldiers.
You should look it up.

JIMMY COOS
All right, Tris?

Mustn't grumble, Jim.
Well, good afternoon.

At last, a chance for
some intelligent conversation.

DOORBELL RINGS
So, tell me, Jimmy, what wonders...

I'll get it.
..have you encountered today?

Your tea, your Lordship.
JIMMY GURGLES

SQUELCHING
Oh! Oh, yes!

Good heavens!

Christopher?

Christopher!

What's all this?

Feel free to lend us a hand, James.

Sorry, I was only asked
to find holly.

SIEGFRIED:
If it's pigeons you're after,

you should talk to Enoch Sykes.
Oh, yes?

He's bred champions for years.
I'll find you his address.

Shh! Something's happened.

RADIO: '..HMS Prince of Wales
and HMS Repulse

'have been sunk
whilst carrying out operations

'against a Japanese attack
on Malaya.

'An official communique
issued by the Japanese

'claimed that both were sunk
by air attack

'at around five o'clock
this morning, Greenwich Mean Time.

'No further details are
yet available.'

The Repulse?

Edward's ship.

We have to tell Audrey.
Yes.

Yes, I think perhaps I should.

Mr Farnon?

We've rather
an unusual patient arrived.

I told him to wait by the front...
What is it?

What's wrong?

I'm afraid there's some bad news.

The Repulse came under enemy attack.

She's gone down
off the coast of Malaya.

SWING MUSIC PLAYS
ON RADIO

I see.

What about survivors?

They don't know how many yet.

But they should know more
by the morning.

What did they say, exactly?

Only that the Prince of Wales
and the Repulse had been sunk,

apparently by
Japanese aerial attack,

and they were awaiting
further reports.

Well, there's no use worrying
till there's more information.

Exactly. And for all we know,
it may not be as bad as it sounds.

They're sure to have released
air support and local rescue boats.

Yeah, Tris is right.
Can't be certain of anything yet.

Quite.

Th-There's a... There's a boy -
Christopher Taylor.

CHUCKLING: He's brought in a fox.
A fox?

He's in the waiting area.

Right, yes. Erm...

I'll take care of that.

All right, then.

Better get the tea done.

Oh, I can do that.
I've only the potatoes to do.

Still, if there's anything
we can do to help?

You can move that.

James, could you...?

You... You should really have...
left him where he was.

It's not a good idea
to handle wild animals.

I know.

But he kept coming into my garden,

and I thought he might be hungry,
so I put him some food out.

Well, that was hardly sensible.

Most people consider foxes
to be vermin.

Especially farmers.

A lot of people say the same
about rats.

Well, anyway, I...

saw his tail, and I thought summat
were wrong with it.

Shh, shh, shh, shh.
FOX SQUEAKS

Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.

It's just a little bit of mange.
Nothing too serious.

Can you fix it?

I can give him something
to clear it up,

but then I have to take him
back out into the wild.

You could always put him in t'woods.
That way, he's not near many farms.

That's not a bad idea.

And I could come with you.

Yes, I suppose you could.

EXHALES DEEPLY

Through here, Christopher.

Apologies, Mrs Hall.

We just need to take this
little chap back where he belongs.

JAMES: I'm sorry, I didn't hear.
HELEN: Oh, he's just a bit restless.

He'll settle quite quickly.
That's good.

Good morning.
Morning.

Morning.
Good morning, young Jimmy.

Tea's in the pot.
Wonderful, thank you.

Any sign of Tristan?

The paperboy didn't come,
so he, erm...

DOOR OPENS

DOOR CLOSES

What does it say?

Well, they believe around...
half the crew have been lost.

But that means
at least half of them survived.

And there's bound to be a lot of
confusion, so it could well be more.

Exactly.

Anyway...

they say they'll be...

publishing a list of casualties
in the paper in the next few days,

after they've informed
the next of kin.

All right.

Erm, while I remember...

..Miggins is putting aside
a goose for me.

It'll be ready on the 21st,
if you wouldn't mind picking it up?

No, of course not. But, erm...

we really don't need
to worry about Christmas right now.

Well... it's less than
two weeks away.

Tris is home. James is home.

Not to mention,
it's Jimmy's first birthday.

There's lots to do.

I know, but we can...
I just want to be ready.

I suppose it's best she keeps busy.
JIMMY WHINES

Once we know for certain,
it'll be a different matter.

You're talking
as if it's a foregone conclusion.

Siegfried's just being realistic.
No, he's assuming the worst.

You realise
there's still a 50/50 chance?

The report said
at least half have survived.

God knows how many others could've
been picked up. You're right.

We don't have enough information
to draw conclusions.

Is there anyone you could talk to?

I suppose
I could call the Admiralty office.

Don't think they'll be able
to tell us anything yet.

The best thing we can do
is carry on as normal.

Speaking of which,
I looked up that address for you.

What address?

Enoch Sykes. The pigeons.

PIGEONS COOING

DOG BARKING

HE KNOCKS
Hello?

MAN: Don't you go fussing!

Plenty of room for t'both of you.

No need for that carry on.

Is there, Ripley?

Hello there! Mr Sykes?

Who the bloody hell are you?

Tristan Farnon, from the RAVC.

The where?
The Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

I don't care where you're from.
Get down off my wall.

I'd like to talk about using your
pigeons for our breeding programme.

I've been told
they're particularly fine specimens.

You can bugger off, wi' you!

Sneaking about and spying.

You're not coming near my birds!

Oh, for God's sake.

KNOCKING
Mr Sykes. Mr Sykes!

What the hell are you playing at?

As I said, Mr Sykes,
I came to talk about your pigeons,

but I couldn't help but notice...
some of their... deposits

have rather a green tinge.

You what?

Could point to any number
of gastric conditions,

possibly even
a parasite of some kind.

Oi!
WHISPERS: Keep your voice down.

Left untreated,
there's always a danger

it could decimate your entire flock.

Get yourself in here.

Standing out there,
shouting the odds.

Has Battersby put you up to this?
Mr Sykes, I can assure you...

Ten years,
he's been after my feed recipe.

I wouldn't put it past him
to try summat like this.

I'm here on official RAVC business.

Aye. Well, there's nothing wrong
with my birds.

In which case,
you'll have no objection

to my taking a look
inside this loft here.

You can look.

But don't you touch owt.
They really are beautiful.

I can see
why you're so proud of them.

But actually, Mr Sykes, I'm seeing
a lot of green faeces in this one.

Give over!

Some of it looks almost luminous.

Well, there's a couple
with upset stomachs,

but they'll be right
in a day or two.

Perhaps, but speaking as a vet...

I've got no time for veterinaries.
Never have had.

Well, why don't I just take
a few samples

to see if we can get to the bottom
of what's causing this,

in case it is something nasty?

And you'd do that out of the
goodness of your heart, would you?

Let me run a few tests
on a couple of the affected birds.

See if I can solve the problem.

And if I can,

then maybe we can discuss
the breeding programme.

Well, Ripley...

..he's been out of sorts
for a day or two now.

Well, it would be a terrible shame
if the problem were to spread.

Or if, say...
Battersby were to get wind of it.

Right. You can take him.

But only till tomorrow.
And I'm not making no promises.

Thank you, Mr Sykes.

HELEN: Shall I make us a brew?

Aren't they expecting you
up at Heston?

They can manage.

Audrey...

..I can't imagine
what you're going through.

But you're not...
Helen.

I know you mean well.

And I'm grateful, but...

..please, just...

..just go to Heston.

Dad heard it on the radio.
He was sure it was Edward's ship.

We're just praying
he's amongst the survivors.

How is Audrey, love?
Putting on a brave face.

You know, just trying to keep going
till she knows more.

Yeah, well, send her our best.
I will.

Where have you two been?

We've been looking at cows,
haven't we, Jimmy, lad? Hey?

I tell you what, he's not daft.

JIMMY BURBLES
He's taking it all in.

I know! I know!

I reckon he'll be talking soon.
Look!

Oh, don't you start.

James is convinced
he'll be walking any minute.

Aye. Well, he might be right.

You were a fast walker.

I remember your mam

taking her first steps. Yeah.

Straight into a cowpat.

Eh? Born farmer.

What's this about a tea party, then?

Not expecting our Jenny
to make a cake, are they?

No, I'll make it.
Yes. Yes, that'll be much better.

Much better that you make it.

Ooh!
THEY LAUGH

What's she doing to your grandad?
JIMMY GIGGLES

The powder should do the trick,
Mrs Gough.

But if Genghis has any more
problems, just bring him back in.

Thank you so much, Mr Farnon.

Thank you. Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.

Success.
What you got there?

One of Enoch Sykes's famous pigeons.
He let you have one?

Well, not exactly. Actually, I was
hoping you could give me a hand.

A few of his birds seem to have some
kind of gastric problem. Oh, yeah?

If I can figure out
what's wrong with them,

I reckon he might lend me
a few of the good ones.

So, I thought we could take
a few samples,

you could diagnose the problem,
and then, hey presto -

I'm the new poster boy
for Pigeon Weekly.

Yes, those samples might prove
a little challenging.

How so?
This pigeon's dead.

Oh, God.

"Should a postmortem be required,
see diagram M."

Have you got anything?

Sorry, no mention
of "luminous green guano".

Of course, a less-accomplished vet

would simply send the animal
off to the lab for testing.

But then you'd have to wait
for the results.

Although it is an extraordinarily
fiddly and delicate procedure,

a pigeon postmortem.

All those tiny clustered organs,

each one crucial to the diagnosis.

One mistake, and...
CHUCKLES

..well, it's all over.

But I'm sure you know
what you're doing.

Envelope.

BOTH: The lab.

I guess we'll just have to wait,
won't we?

WHISPERS: You're not there.

I promise you, Mr Sykes,

I did pass on your message
two days ago.

Yep, and the time before.

In fact, you're in luck.
He's just walking towards me.

Terribly sorry, Mr Sykes.
Seems I was mistaken.

But I'll have him call you soon.
What on earth...?

Was that supposed to be me?
I don't know.

Tristan, you cannot leave
the poor man in limbo.

And I'm not going to. I'll call him
as soon as I get the lab results.

But you've failed to tell him
that his pigeon is actually dead!

I thought it better
to break the news in person.

Besides, I have a bigger problem.
Which is what?

I've tried five other breeders now,
and nothing doing.

One of them even slammed
the bloody door in my face.

They're very protective
of their birds.

With good reason, in this case.

Hello there.

Where you off to?

CREAKING
Oh, I see you.

What are you doing?

You shouldn't be in here.

Are you hungry? Is that it?

They're dog biscuits.

I know you'd prefer meat,

but I thought you might like 'em.

Quite nice in here, in't it?

Ah, here he is.
I'll leave you to it.

Now, then.

Where the bloody hell's my pigeon?

Mr Sykes.
"One day," we said.

That were nearly a week ago.

Yes, sorry. Things have been, erm...

..rather busy.

Just go and get me my bird,
will you?

Unfortunately, that won't be
possible at this precise moment.

Oh, why not?

Well, I'm afraid to say that, erm...

..despite my best efforts...

He's dead, in't he?

Well, if one were to define it
in clinical terms, then... yes.

I'm sorry.

And you've been ignoring my calls
like a damn coward.

I can see
how it might look that way,

but I was just waiting
for the results to come back.

Looking after your own backside,
more like.

There were nowt wrong
with them birds.

And then you turn up,
and they're all dying.

Other birds have died, too?
That's what I just said.

You're like a great bloody raven.

I beg your pardon?
A raven.

Unluckiest bird there is.

Well, that's a bit strong.

And don't think you can go playing
your tricks on other breeders,

cos I've warned 'em all.

They know all about you.

Come on, Betty.

CLINKING

Doesn't that make a good noise? Yes!

You all right there?

I was just thinking
about Jimmy's presents.

There's so few toys in the shops
at the moment.

Oh, he'd be happy
with an orange on a stick.

Wouldn't you, eh?

I think we can do
a bit better than that.

SHE CHUCKLES
About bloody time.

The lab results from Sykes's pigeon.

Audrey.
Thanks, love.

So?

Lead poisoning, apparently.
Oh.

I wonder where from.
No idea.

But the old bugger can hardly
blame me for that, can he?

SIGHS DEEPLY

I suppose I'd better get up there
and have a look.

Anyone have any chain mail
I could borrow?

THEY LAUGH,
JIMMY GIGGLES

Edward!

December the 2nd.

Must've posted it before...

Audrey?

You see, this is just
what I was worried about.

Sorry?

You should never
have got her hopes up.

EDWARD: 'Sending this early
so it will reach you by Christmas.

'I shall write more
when I have time,

'but for now,
I have a favour to ask.

'A pal of mine, Paddy Grainger,
has just been invalided back home.

'He lives in Skipton,


'Could you take him a bottle of rum
and some of your shortbread -

'if you have the sugar -
as a Christmas present from me?

'Love from Edward.'

Lead poisoning?

What a load of cack.

The tests were conclusive,
I'm afraid.

It must be coming
from inside this loft.

That one is fine.

If summat's poisoning 'em here,
how come they're not still badly?

But they're not?
They're right as rain.

I thought you said others had died?

Aye, two of 'em.
But that were over a week ago.

Just after you last come.
So you stay where you are.

That is strange.

It couldn't be something
in the feed?

I haven't changed that recipe
in ten year.

The only thing that's different
round here is you showing up.

There is one other thing
that's different.

You could barely get out
of that chair last time. Aye.

Lumbago. I've never 'ad it so bad.

I'm all right now.

Couldn't even stand up
to feed t'birds.

I really need to take another look
inside this loft.

I told you,
you're gonna stay where y'are.

But the birds could get sick again,
and as a vet, I have a duty.

What, you...?

Hmm.

What are you on about?
It can't be t'paint.

That paint's been there 20 years.

Just show me exactly what you did...

when your back was bad.

What...?
Please.

Waste of bloody time.

Go on.

Hm.

And there's your answer.

What...?

Here.

Every time you flung it
in like that,

little flakes of lead paint
got mixed in with the feed.

So it were all my doing?

Oh, my...

I, er, rather feel
you owe me an apology.

So I gave a couple of 'em a quick
dose of calcium sodium versenate,

and now he's agreed to lend me
his six finest

to take back to Doncaster.

Driving them up tomorrow morning.
What's that, Tris?

Sykes has decided
Tristan is no longer

the bird k*ller of Darrowby.
Come on, jump off.

Is he asleep?
Big lump!

Out like a light.

So, Mission Pigeon Breeder is a go,
but don't worry.

I'll do my best to make it back
for Jimmy's party.

Oh, me and James have been talking.
We don't think it should go ahead.

I'm sure Mrs Hall wouldn't want you
to cancel on her account.

I know, but it just feels wrong,
celebrating.

She can't even bring herself to sit
down here with us in the evening.

And as for Christmas Day,

I don't think she can do that,
either.

No.

I'll speak to her in the morning.

MRS HALL: Mr Farnon!

FOX WHIMPERING
Mr Farnon!

Mr Farnon, come quick.

Mr Farnon, I need your help.

All right. Through here.

It looks like
a particularly nasty dog bite.

You can see the puncture wounds.

Where did you find him?

He were curled up in the shed.
Our shed?

Is this the same fox
that boy brought in?

It is.

Well, judging by the state
of the wounds,

he was bitten
more than 24 hours ago.

I haven't seen him
for a couple of days.

You see, this is what happens when
animals lose their fear of humans.

They no longer keep their distance.

FOX WHIMPERS
It's all right, it's all right.

The wound is already infected.

The kindest thing now
is to put him down. What?

No.

No, you can't do that.
There's little chance he'll recover.

It's just a simple injection.

And why should you get to decide?

He's one of God's creatures.

Why should you get to decide
if he lives or dies,

whose life's important enough
to be saved?

That's not right.

That's not... fair.

You shouldn't...

You shouldn't...

What did you say to her?

Right. Best behaviour.

So... these are Yorkshire's
best flyers, then?

So I'm told, sir.
I hope you're right.

For all the modern equipment
and advanced technology,

it's still these little birds that
we rely on, at the end of the day.

How many are in the colony, sir?
At present, around 500.

That's just locally.

There must be
at least a hundred thousand

in service across the country.

And we have to keep the numbers up

because they keep on
getting shot down.

Bloody warriors. Ah.

One of the fellas wanted me
to give you that.

BOTH CHUCKLE

They were given
their deployment orders last week.

Burma.
They've been deployed already?

Mm. They've been given
a couple of days' leave,

and then they're off.

Right.

Don't worry, Farnon.

You're staying put for a while.

You're much more use to us here
as an instructor.

Right. Thank you, sir.

Anyway, the fellas all speak
very highly of you, Farnon.

They wanted you to have that,
as something to remember them by.

Merry Christmas, Farnon.

TRISTAN CHUCKLES

SHE RINGS BELL

WOMAN: Hello there.
Afternoon.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Paddy Grainger?
Yes?

I'm Edward Hall's mother.
Oh. Come in.

Please, have a seat.

Thank you.

These are for you.

It's just a few biscuits I made.

Oh, and Edward said in his card
that it ought to be rum.

Yeah.

Eddie always give me his rum ration.

Said he didn't care for it himself.

Thank you.

So, your hand...

..is it badly broken?

Crushed - got trapped in a winch.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Shouldn't have been working it,
by rights.

Was just helping out.

Because you work in the engine room,
don't you?

Like Edward?

Aye.

Sorry, you must think me daft,
but...

Edward doesn't write much
about his work.

The engine room, that's...

that's down
in the bottom of the ship, in't it?

Aye.

I'm gonna ask you something, Paddy.

And I need you to be honest with me.

Please, Mrs Hall.
I don't know any more than you do.

I've been checking the papers
every day.

So have I.

So, if he were down
in the engine room...

..when the ship were hit...

He wouldn't have stood a chance.

He couldn't have. I'm sorry.

SHE EXHALES DEEPLY

He was a good man.

The best of 'em.
I'm sorry, Paddy, I'm sorry.

Yeah, that's not too bad, is it?

I just didn't want Audrey
to be worrying about it.

Jimmy doesn't know any better.

He's probably gonna grow up thinking
they're all meant to look like that.

Hey! Don't you start.

What shall we do?
Shall we wait for 'em?

We could always just do
our presents.

Oh, go on, then.
I know you're desperate to show me.

RICHARD: Now, then.
Blimey. What's all this?

You said we had to get
two lots of presents,

one for t'birthday
and one for Christmas.

Oh, I know, but he didn't have
to have 'em all in one go.

Oh, well, might as well open 'em
while we're here.

Aw!

You got him some wellies.

They're not just some wellies,
they're YOUR wellies.

It's t'first pair we got you.
Aw. Thanks, Dad.

They'll be perfect for him...

in two or three years' time.
JAMES CHUCKLES

HELEN GASPS

Oh, Dad. Where'd you get all this?

Some fella down at t'Drovers
were having a clear-out.

Thought our Jimmy might like it
when he's a bit older.

I think he'll love it.

Thank you.

There we go! Look.

Look.

JIMMY BURBLES

Right.

Look inside.

It's a doctor's kit.

No, no, I made him
his own little vet's bag.

See?
Ah.

It says "J Herriot and Son"
on the front.

Aw! So he can take it
along with him on visits.

See? Oh, James,
that's a lovely idea. Give over!

See? He likes it.

Now, then, Jimmy.
Look at that cow. Eh?

Just like ones you're gonna be
milking when you're a bit older,

only it's a bit smaller
and made of lead.

Unless he decides to be a vet.

What are you talking about?

There's five generations
of farming blood in that lad.

True, but there's plenty
of father-and-son vet practices.

Oh, aye?

He's gonna be a farmer,
like his mother.

It's a bit early to decide that yet.
It might be.

But you can tell by looking at him,
he's got farmer's hands.

WAILS

All right, that's enough.
He's the brains of a vet.

Both of you, enough.
He'll be a farmer.

It says "and Son" on the bag.
James.

"Alderson's Farm", it says.

Both of you! He's a baby.

Wishing his life away.

Long as he's happy and healthy,
that's all any of us could want.

Isn't it?

He'll be a farmer.
Dad!

SIEGFRIED:
He's not out of the woods yet.

He may not even make it
through the night.

But I've done what I can.

I'm sorry.

I should never have fed him.
It's all right.

SHE SIGHS

Jimmy's birthday tea.
They understood.

We can wish him
happy birthday tomorrow.

SIGHS

I keep seeing him in the water...

..clinging on
to a piece of wreckage...

..or on a little island,

with no way of sending a message.

I just keep going round and round

every possible place he could be,
but...

..I cannot imagine him dead.

And I know it's ridiculous.

It's unrealistic.

VOICE BREAKING:
But so long as there's a chance...

..I have to keep believing
he'll come home.

JIMMY BURBLING

Merry Christmas.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Oh! It's like animals
don't know it's Christmas.

TRISTAN: I'll get it!

Hey, Jimmy, my boy! Hey.

Good morning.
Good morning!

JAMES AND HELEN:
# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Jimmy

# Happy birthday to you. #

Hey.
Hello.

Good morning!
There we go.

PHONE CONTINUES RINGING,
HE YAWNS

North Pole Veterinary Service
for Wounded Reindeer.

How can I help?
'This is the operator.

'I have a long-distance call
for Mrs Audrey Hall.

'Will you accept it?'

Er... of course. One moment.

How is he?

Well, he's no worse.

He made it through the night.

And he may even have turned
a corner.

SHE GROANS

Mrs Hall, there's, erm...

there's a telephone call for you.

Audrey Hall speaking.

'Putting you through now.'

EDWARD: 'Happy Christmas, Ma.'

Edward?

'Aye, it's me.'

SHE EXHALES SHARPLY

SOBBING: Merry Christmas, son!

Where are you?

MRS HALL LAUGHS,
SOBS

There were nothing in the papers!

Right, no, no, don't worry about me.

Just... Just write me a letter
when you're able.

And take care of yourself, son.

He's all right.

He's injured.

But he's all right.

Where is he?

He's in hospital.

In... Singapore.

I think he's been in a bad way.
But he says he's on the mend.

Why did no-one tell you?

It wouldn't be the first time
a telegram had gone astray.

They should have sent a pigeon.

LAUGHTER
Oh, Tris!

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

You'll be wanting your breakfast.
SHE CHUCKLES

Jess, move!

Oh!
And we'd better get that goose on.

Yes. Let's do that.

Where did you put it, Siegfried?
Sorry?

The goose. Where did you put it
after you collected it from Miggins?

Ah. About that...

Oh, you absolute donkey.
Oh, Siegfried!

I am incredibly sorry, Mrs Hall.
It totally slipped my mind.

Not to worry.
We'll come up with something.

I can't believe I forgot.
It's unforgivable.

It doesn't matter.

Nothing matters.

MRS HALL LAUGHS
Not today.

I think we all need a festive drink.
Sherry, Mrs Hall?

Oh, that would be lovely.

Whisky for me.

And a double for the wee man.
I'll go and get him.

That really is
the most marvellous news.

Yes. Yes, it is.

Is everything all right?
Absolutely.

I found out yesterday

my latest batch of recruits
have been deployed.

Does that mean you have to go...?
No. No, no, no.

I'm staying in Doncaster
for the foreseeable.

I'm very pleased to hear it.

I'm ashamed to admit
I was pretty relieved, too.

I don't see any shame in it.

It's just...

you forget sometimes.

You know exactly what you're
sending these men off to.

I suppose that's why I was trying to
look on the bright side for Mrs H.

A part of me needs to believe
that everything'll be all right.

Selfish, really.
Not at all.

It was exactly what she needed.

Love, I-I'm sorry to have gone on
about Jimmy being a farmer.

No, you're all right.
He can do whatever he wants.

Always said that about my kids.
Can go wherever life takes them.

This time next year, I'll probably
be in Leeds. No, you won't.

Dad!

SIEGFRIED: Thank you. There we are.

MRS HALL: We're just about ready.

Now then, Jenny.
Don't tell your dad.

Er, before we start,

I thought I might say a few words...
Actually...

Mr Farnon, may I?

Yes. Yes, of course.

Doesn't want it.

These past few weeks...

..have been the hardest
of my life.

And I don't think
I'd have got through them

without your kindness...

..and your understanding.

So I just wanted to say,
from the bottom of me heart,

thank you.

And more importantly...

..today is someone's special day.

THEY CHUCKLE

So I just wanted to say
to young Jimmy, happy birthday.

ALL: Happy Birthday!

And Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

TRISTAN: Cheers.

Oh, Mrs Hall,
you've outdone yourself.

Let's get these sprouts divvied up.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS
ON RADIO

I'll go first. Where were we?

Right, we ready?
Yes, carry on.

Er, nervous?

Nervous person, bird man.
HELEN: Are you dancing?

Bird man. Flying...
Feather!

Birds, birds of a feather!

Oh, for God's sake,
it's Midsummer Night's Dream.

JENNY: Oh.
What's all the flapping?

Clearly, I was being a fairy!

I see.
LAUGHTER

Right, it's your turn!
HELEN: Go on, James.

JAMES: OK. Er...
Go on.

Er, two words. And a film.

Charlie Chaplin. Er, City Lights.

Dancing?
TRISTAN: Caveman?

Er, what is it?

Oh, no. Erm...

Ah, yes... I know what you're doing!

Yes, King Kong!
CHEERING

You'd have made a lovely Fay Wray.