04x06 - The Home Front

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[tranquil music]

[Oscar purring]

Hello, you.

[tap clatters]

[Siegfried] Oh here, I'll do that.

Helen, I mean it.

James'd have my guts for garters.

[Helen] Are you kidding me?

I promised him we'd look after you.

And I am nothing if not obstinate.

Really?
I wouldn't say that were true.

Oh! No.

I'm not falling for that again.

[Siegfried] Helen?

Tell me, what part of me expecting
means I can't fix a dripping tap?

There.

[Helen] That should do it.

Thank you, Helen.
It's been driving me potty.

[Helen] It'll do for now

but I'd still have someone out
to have a look at it.

Oh, nonsense. I'll do it myself.

[Siegfried] Right, better get on.

Thank you, Mrs Hall.

[Helen] Was it like this for you?

Everybody treating you
like a crystal vase.

[door closes]

It's ever so quiet up there
without him.

Why don't you give
your dad and Jenny a visit?

[Mrs Hall] I'm sure
they'd love to see you.

[gentle music playing]

[sheep bleating]

So, what does James make of Devon?

He says it's beautiful,
but the Dales win hands down.

Oh, you're a godsend.

I can't tell you
how much better that feels already.

Has he flown a plane yet?

It's all lectures and fitness
for a few more weeks.

Sounds like they're drilling him

to within an inch of his life,
poor sod.

Bit of toughening up
will do him good.

[Helen]
He's plenty tough enough, Dad.

I don't like the thought of them
flogging him to death.

Well, he'll come back
with shoulders twice the size,

and muscles bulging everywhere.

How on earth will you cope?

Jenny Alderson!

Well, you won't be wanting
my backrubs anymore,

-I'll tell you that right now.
-[Helen and Jenny chuckle]

I forgot what it were like
when you two got together.

[Helen and Jenny laughing]

Right, come on, Jenny.

[Helen] Leave this, I'll wash up.

Thanks, love. Eh, nice to see you.

What happened, Dad?

[Richard] What do you mean?

Have you hurt yourself?

I've twisted my knee. It's nowt.

Doesn't look like nowt.

He caught his foot
in a rabbit hole.

He won't go to doctor.

[Richard] What's the point?

I've not stopped working, have I?

He can barely get up the stairs
by the end of the day.

Here, let me have a look at it.

Uh, stop making a fuss,
the pair of you.

Tell me the truth, are you coping?

You mean with him
being Mister Hop-a-long

or him being even grumpier
than usual?

It's fine. I'm fine.

[dramatic music playing]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Gerald] I've been saving them.

[Mrs Hall] Thank you.

What a treat.

[Gerald and Mrs Hall chuckle]

Nowt for you, boy.

[Mrs Hall]
You're just like Jess and Dash.

Play me like a fiddle they do.

[Gerald laughs]

-[Mrs Hall scoffs]
-[Gerald chuckles]

Is he alright?

[Mrs Hall] He's walking funny.

You're not wrong.

It's his rear end.

[Gerald] You alright, Rock?

[dog whines]

One of his testicles is enlarged.

It's nothing
to be embarrassed about.

It's probably nothing.

But you should bring him in to see
Mister Farnon just to be safe.

It's best to get these things
looked at before they get worse.

Speaking of Mister Farnon...

I haven't told him yet. I'm sorry.

There never seems
to be a right time.

You've given him all
but ten years of your life, Audrey,

I know it won't be easy.

-I know.
-It's just...

I have to think of Lillia too.

-She needs me.
-Of course she does.

I know it's not
what we'd have chosen.

But we'll be together.

If you're still sure.

I'll do it tomorrow.

[mellow music playing]

[paper rustling]

[scribbling]

[indistinct chatter]

[approaching footsteps]

Thanks for doing that.

You didn't have to.

Just don't ask me to cook 'em.

[cheerful music playing on radio]

[Helen] Audrey, can I talk to you
about something?

Of course.

I think I'm gonna move back home.

My dad's hurt his leg.

Is he alright?

Yeah, you know what he's like.

He'd say he was alright
if his head fell off.

Are you thinking you'll stay there?

-You'll have the baby there?
-[door opens]

I don't know.

-But with James away, I suppose.
-[door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

What's going on?

I'm moving back to Heston.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Richard's injured.

You've been so kind to me...

both of you.

They just need my help.

Don't be daft.
You'll give her a lift, won't you?

-Of course!
-[Mrs Hall] Help her with her bags

and whatnot.

[Helen] Right then.

You must leave a few things
in the bedsit,

so you can come and go...

-Yes.
-[Mrs Hall] ...whenever you like.

Of course I will.

And then there were two,
eh, Mrs Hall?

[dramatic music playing]

[Mrs Hall inhales sharply]

[engine starts]

[melancholic music playing]

Hold that you.
I'm going fetch some more wire.

Don't be daft, stay here.
You need to watch your leg.

It's you wants to be resting,
not me.

I'm expecting, Dad, I'm not ill.

Yeah, well, I'm not an old man.

You're as bad as each other.

What's it feel like?

Like I've eaten
all the pies in Yorkshire.

It's exciting but terrifying.

Well, I can't wait to be an aunty.

I can't feel anything.

[Helen] Some days
she's livelier than others.

It's easy to fret all the time
when you've no idea what's normal.

Well,
you've got nothing to worry about,

you've done it once already.
With me.

That wasn't the same.

It's the giving birth part
that scares me.

I wish Mom were here.

Not just to help me, but...

Me too.

"She"?

It's a hunch.

Imagine Dad with
another Alderson girl to cope with.

[laughs]

[Siegfried tuts]

Oh, bugger it.

[objects clatters]

[Siegfried scoffs]

Mister Farnon?

[Siegfried]
Bloody thing's still leaking.

You couldn't pass me the spanner,
could you?

Mrs Hall?

Is everything alright?

[Mrs Hall] I, uh...

[Mrs Hall breaths deeply]

I need to talk you
about my position, Mister Farnon.

Right...

The thing is...

You're leaving me.

[dramatic music playing]

I've tried to explain it
as best I can in the letter.

[Mrs Hall] I don't know
how much notice period you need,

I'm not sure we ever discussed it.

A month seems too little.

Would three months suffice?

Well, if you need longer,
of course I'll give you longer.

The last thing I want to do
is inconvenience you.

Inconvenience me?

My divorce was approved.

A few weeks ago in fact but, um...

This is a chance for me
to start a new life with Gerald.

And I think if I don't take it now,

I might never.

Well, a month should be ample,
Mrs Hall.

[Richard] Woah, woah, woah, woah!

What do you think you're on with?

Helping out.
Dad, don't start mollycoddling.

I wouldn't bloody dare.

[quirky music playing]

That better be for you.

I know you don't like
to be cooped up inside, so...

I didn't come here to laze about
in the sun like an house dog.

Well, I wasn't thinking about you,
I was thinking about the baby.

Well, that's my job!

Right.

Right, well, put that down
then you can go and feed Smokey.

Or if you don't want to do that,
then you can have a sit down

put your feet up. Up to you?

-Fine.
-Aye.

Hey.

Hey?

Hey!

What's up, lad?

Are you not hungry?

[telephone ringing]

[footsteps approaching]

Darrowby 2297.

Oh hello, love.

Oh, he's in surgery at the minute,

but I could send Mr Carmody over
if you like to have a look?

Alright. Will do.

-Bye then.
-[handset clanks]

You're wanted at Heston Grange.

When did you first notice it?

Audrey spotted it last night.

Last night?

But this must have been growing
for days,

if not weeks.
How did you not notice sooner?

-I don't know, I...
-The poor creature relies on you

to speak up.

-[dog whines]
-You have a responsibility

to do right by him!

[Siegfried sighs]

Although tumours like this
aren't unusual in dogs...

It's a tumour?

Is it serious?

Generally, they're not inclined
to metastasize...

spread through the body
very readily.

But I should still cut it
to out to be safe.

No, no,
I can't put him through surgery.

There must be something else
you can do?

Perhaps some pills or...

It's a straightforward procedure.
I can do it now if you like.

[dog whines]

[Siegfried]
Best to get it over with.

How much of a risk is it?
The surgery?

Well, no operation
is entirely without risk.

I'm sorry, Mister Farnon,
I need some time to think about it.

[Gerald] Come on, boy.

[door opens]

[dreamy music playing]

[Helen] Penny for your thoughts.

It's something my Mom used to say.

As in, I'll give you a penny and
you tell me what you're thinking.

Do I have to?

[Helen] No!

[cow mooing]

You haven't even given me a penny.

It's just an expression, Richard.

Anyway,
what's think's wrong with him?

What's going on there?

[cow mooing]

Summat up with calf?

[Carmody] It seems like Smokey
may have a problem with his rumen

one of his stomach compartments.

-Why didn't you tell me?
-I didn't want to bother you.

[low groaning]

What's he eaten today, do you know?

[Richard] I let him in the orchard
this morning.

He's probably just got
a bellyful of fruit.

[Carmody] That would explain
the lack of rumination.

He's blocked up.

Nothing that a good dose
of linseed oil won't shift.

You wouldn't rather get
Mister Farnon's opinion?

[Richard] How many, uh, years
have you spent on farms, lad?

[Carmody] Years?

Well, we'd certainly be dealing
in fractions.

I've been here four months,
perhaps a quarter

of that out on farms, so...

[Richard] I've spent
the whole of my life on farms

and I'm telling you,

what this calf needs
is some linseed oil.

[cow mooing]

Very well.

I think I've got some in the car.

-[Richard] Oh!
-[cow mooing]

-[Helen] Oh!
-Bloody hell! Are you hurt, love?

No, I'm alright, Dad. No harm done.

I don't know
what I was bloody thinking.

You've got no business
being near beasts.

Look, I'm alright, Dad.

No, you're not.

I'm telling you,

if you're going to be here with us,

you're going
to have to stay out of harm's way.

[cow moos]

Bloody hell fire!

[gloomy music playing]

[Siegfried] Argh!

Damn it!

[objects rattle]

Bloody thing!

[object clangs]

Oh, poppet.

You're really not right, are you?

[Siegfried] Come on, come on...

-[object thuds]
-Bugger it!

[grunts]

[water running]

[Siegfried grunts]

[sighs with relief]

[telephone ringing]

Darrowby 2297.

[over phone] Siegfried, it's Helen.

Yes?

Oh. Uh, well, I wondered
if you could come and look

at a calf with a blocked stomach.

The one Carmody saw yesterday?

Hmm. He gave him linseed oil but...

Well, that should do it.
I have to go.

W-Wait.

I'd really rather
you came and had a look at him.

[Siegfried over the phone]
I'm very busy, Helen.

Is this an emergency?

Well, not exactly, but...

I'll send Carmody.

[quirky music]

[mellow music playing]

[Carmody] This is...

not good.

You should have asked
for Mister Farnon.

I did! He was in one of his moods.

Yes, he does seem to have rather
a lot on his plate today.

So, what do you think
is the matter with him?

I suspect he's overworked.

The leak in the kitchen
probably doesn't help.

Not Siegfried, Smokey!

Ah. Well, his temperature
is close to the moribund level.

And do you see his eyes
have become sunken?

I fear
if something drastic isn't done,

he could be dead by tomorrow.

Are you kidding?

[Carmody] Too much undigested
food has blocked him up.

The only thing
for it's a rumenotomy,

an operation to cut open his
stomach and clear out everything

that shouldn't be there.

Best call Siegfried then.

You're not scared of him, are you?

No, no.

Perhaps a little.

[Smokey moos]

I've got a full list,

can you cope without water
until I'm back?

I'll get someone in to fix it.

Don't be absurd.

I'm not paying someone.
I could train a monkey to do that.

Any chance this monkey
could start immediately?

Only I've a lot of laundry
to get through.

Did you read me letter?

Would it make any difference
if I had?

[telephone ringing]

I'll get it.

[telephone continues ringing]

Darrowby 2297.

Slow down, Carmody.

Yes, alright, I'll be there soon.

I told you not to call vitnery.

Yeah, well, it's a good job I did
because if it was left up to you,

we'd have a dead calf on our hands!

Oh, aye. According to who?

Some nine-year-old
whose farm knowledge

comes from Old MacDonald
and Mother bloody Goose?

Why don't I wait outside?

Are you angry with me
because you're wrong?

Who says I'm wrong?

Or is it because you're scared?

[Richard] Scared?

Scared of what?

You're getting older, Dad,
and if you weren't so pig-headed,

you might just admit
you could do with a hand up here.

This is not about me.
Or even the calf.

This is about you
being mindful of your baby.

I'm perfectly capable of looking
after myself and a baby, Dad!

-It's not as simple as that.
-[Helen] It really is!

I came up here to help you,
and that's exactly...

-...what I'm going to do
-[Richard] Do as you're told!

Just do as you're told!

[tense music]

[door opens]

-[door closes]
-[sighs]

Hello love.

When I said I'd be back
for a cuppa,

I bet you didn't think
it'd be this soon.

What's happened?

Come and sit down,
I'll pop the kettle on.

I'm sorry to burden you
with all this, Audrey.

I suppose
I just needed someone to talk to.

Don't be sorry.
You can always talk to me.

[Mrs Hall breaths deeply]

Are you alright?

I'm alright.

I'm not alright.

What is it?

I've given Mister Farnon my notice.

You're leaving?

You and Gerald.

Are you engaged?

In a manner of speaking,

yes.

Congratulations.

I'll come and visit
as soon as the baby's born,

I promise.

I'm happy for you. I just...

You thought
I'd be there for the birth.

I know.

[Siegfried breaths heavily]

[Siegfried]
He's chock full of food.

There's enough here
to open a greengrocer's.

I'm not sure
that would be very sanitary.

Right, of course.

[Siegfried exclaims]

[Siegfried] That's your lot.

Should be right as rain
once he's sewn up.

It's a good job you called me.

He might not have made it
otherwise.

I, uh, I owe you an apology,
Mister Carmody.

Quite alright.

[Richard] I'll leave you to it,
Mister Farnon.

[Siegfried] Of course.

All yours.

Let's see
what James has taught you.

Stitch him up.

[cow mooing]

[engine starts]

[Richard] Knock, knock

Dad?

So this is where
they've had you cooped up

all these months, then, eh?

I know it's not much,
but we've tried to make it ours.

Is that why you got the cat,

see if there's room
to swing it round?

Have a seat.

Shall I make us a brew?

No, you're alright thanks,
I can't stop, love.

I shouldn't have shouted at you
like I did.

-[Helen] It's alright, Dad.
-No, please, love.

It's not alright.

We lost a child.

When you were three,
you had a brother.

We never got to see him smile,
laugh, cry,

fill his little lungs with air.

He was gone before he was here.

Your mother always used to say
it was God's will,

that there was nothing
we could've done.

I've never been able
to forgive myself.

I don't understand.

[Richard] I used to beg her
to take it easy.

She's just like you,
she was stubborn as a bloody mule.

She used to work from dawn
until dusk, right until the...

right 'til the end.

Why haven't you told me before?

[Richard] We wanted to, love,
the time never seemed right.

You'd think that being a farmer
would help you prepare

but it...

didn't.

Nothing does. Not really.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Well I can't have it happen again.

[Helen] I miss her.

Yeah. Me too, love.

I hate that my baby won't know her.

That she'll just be a name.

No, no, love,
she'll always be more than a name.

I see your mother in you every day.

And in Jenny and all.

So, in that way,
she's not really gone, has she?

Eh, well, I better...
I better get back.

Dad.

There was nothing
you could've done,

either of you.

[dramatic music playing]

[classical music playing]

I can't feel the baby, Audrey.

And I can't remember
the last time I did.

[Mrs Hall] You've been
moving around a lot...

you've probably just not noticed.

It's normal to fret.

I was a bundle of worries.

What if I've lost it, Audrey?

Why would you say that?

I should've listened to my dad,
but I didn't.

-What have I done? I mean...
-Listen to me, love.

I'm sure
there's nothing to worry about.

Where are you going?

I'm gonna see if I can get
hold of the midwife.

I've already tried that!

Is Mr Farnon at Heston?

I think so.

Right, right. Get your coat...

[Mrs Hall] I'll drive.

[tense music playing]

Slow down, Audrey,
we're not in a race!

Maybe not,
but it's important, isn't it?

Mr Farnon.

We need your help.

[Siegfried] Are you sure

you wouldn't rather do this
in the farmhouse?

If it's good enough for the cows.

Right-o.

[cow mooing]

[Siegfried] Just try to relax.

Yup.

Oh, for goodness sake.

I'm not sure I'm needed here, am I?
Perhaps I should make some tea?

[Siegfried] Quiet, please.

[rubbing hands]

[Helen] I wish James was here.

Sometimes it's about
finding the right angle...

[intense music playing]

It's funny,
I've done this hundreds of times.

Just never on a human.

That explains
why your hand is shaking.

It isn't!

[Siegfried breaths heavily]

I can hear your heartbeat...

[Siegfried] Mister Carmody.

Please remove the ear tubes
and put them in Helen's ears.

[heartbeats thumping]

[sobbing]

[gasps]

It's the most beautiful sound
in the world.

[Helen cries]

Oh!

[relieving sigh]

Thank you.

[Siegfried] Well done.

[Mrs Hall and Helen chuckle]

[relieving sigh]

[Helen chuckles softly]

[Siegfried sighs]

[footsteps approaching]

I think I'll turn in Mister Farnon.

Get an early night.

Sorry.

Don't be.

[Siegfried]
If it's not inappropriate,

do you think you might help me
with some of these details?

Read me what you've got.

Housekeeper wanted
to cook and clean

in Veterinary practice.

Is that it?

Well, they charge by the word.

I see.

Well, there's a bit more
to it than that.

Yes, well, um,
laundry and ironing for instance.

Shopping, darning.

Walking the dogs.

Fielding telephone calls...

Finding your keys
and everything else you misplace.

Keeping the peace...

-[Mrs Hall] Holding the fort!
-Quite.

-[Siegfried chuckles]
-[Mrs Hall breaths deeply]

Well, thank you,
that's very helpful.

I'm sure you'll get plenty
of applicants.

I'll place it in the paper,
first thing.

Mrs Hall.

I read your letter.

I should have done that
when you gave it to me.

What you said about my taking you
in all those years ago...

it meant a great deal.

Well, it was the truth.

I was a bit of a mess.

And you were an absolute stalwart.

[laughs]

You can add that to the list!

You'd just lost Evelyn.

How could you not be a mess?

I was at sixes
and sevens trying to come

to terms with what happened
with Edward...

and Robert.
[sighs]

Well, thank you
for your help with this.

You have your own life now,
Mrs Hall.

[dramatic music playing]

You must make the most of it.

[whisking]

[dog whines]

[dramatic music playing]

[bowl thuds]

Hello Audrey!

What's happened?

Do you mind if I come in?

I know you need to go to the Lakes.

There's nothing
more important than family.

But I don't think I'm ready to go.

Not just yet.

I just...

there's Helen's baby.

And there's Mister Farnon.

They need me.

I see.

You should go...

of course you should.

And maybe I'll join you.

When?

I don't know.

This is all my fault.

[Gerald] No, no, it's not.

You don't have to say any more.

I've always known this would come.

Perhaps, it was never meant to be,
you and me.

I'm so sorry.

[Gerald] No.

I never meant for this...

[Gerald] Please, Audrey.

I think it's best you go.

I need to be on my own.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

[knocks]

Audrey.

I thought I'd pop in.

See how you're doing.

Fresh this morning.

Thank you.

It's nice of you
to come all this way

just to bring me a loaf of bread.

I needed some air...

and maybe a friend.

There's been a change of plan.

I'll be here for the birth
after all.

Oh, Audrey, I'm so sorry.

I'm glad I'll be here.

I'll put us the kettle on.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Gerald] Mr Farnon.

She's not here I'm afraid.

Audrey and I are no longer.

I see.

I'm very sorry to hear that.

It was you I came to see.

Now I hate the idea of him
going under the knife,

but if you think
it's for the best...

[Siegfried]
Why don't you bring him through?

[Gerald] Thank you, Mister Farnon.

Would you mind
if I waited out here?

I couldn't bear to watch.

Of course not.

[heartwarming music playing]

[Richard] Penny for your thoughts.

[Helen] I thought
I'd feel different being back here.

Closer to Mom, maybe.

Aye.

But further away from James?

In a funny way, yeah.

I have to look forward, Dad.

Skeldale's my home,

and I want us to be there
when he comes back,

me and the baby.

[Richard] Makes sense.

It's a bugger
to get a postman up here,

never mind a bloody midwife.

[chuckles]

Will you do something for me?

What?

Get that knee looked at?

[Richard] I will, love, aye.

If it means
you're gonna stop nagging me.

[Siegfried]
Yes, everything went well.

I'll send the tumour off
for analysis

but as I say it's probably benign.

[Gerald] Hello, boy.

Oh.

I don't know why I was so worried.

Because the thought of hurting
those we love is dreadful.

Though sometimes necessary, sadly.

It was well done coming here today.

-Thank you, Mister Farnon.
-[door opens]

[door closes]

I'm glad you brought him in.

How is he?

He'll be alright.

It's best he and I go sooner
rather than later.

To the Lakes, I mean.

All things considered.

I see.

It still keeps perfect time.

Goodbye Audrey.

Gerald.

What I meant to say is...

Thank you.

[door closes]

[Mrs Hall breathes deeply]

I'm going completely mad.

Where's the spanner?

Have you got it?

I'm so sorry.

Me too.

Mr Farnon,

I was wondering.

Have you already posted
the job listing?

Well, do you know
the strangest thing,

I bumped into Mary Rudd
this morning and she told me

her sister Winifred was looking
for a Housekeeping position.

I see.

The only trouble is the woman
has a voice that can strip paint

and she hates dogs.

Oh. Goodness.

Well, we can't have that.

Of course I could always stay on
if that would be appropriate?

I think that might be
the most practical thing.

Given the circumstances.

If you're sure,
I completely understand if...

I'm sure.

Mrs Hall, if I've taken you
for granted, over the years...

No.

You haven't.

[Mrs Hall] Right,

I think we could both use
a brew, don't you?

Ah. Yes, um,

the thing is...

Oh. That's odd...

You fixed it.

[quirky music playing]

Well, the point is,
it's working now.

It was Gerald, wasn't it?

It might've been, yes.

Of course, it was.

[horn honks]

[Helen breaths deeply]

[dog barks]

[Helen chuckles]

If you've any laundry needs doing,

best give it to me,
I'm about to do a load.

[Helen breathes deeply]

[Helen] Haven.

That's my tenth word
so that means I've won.

-What?
-Oh!

Impossible.

[chuckles]

Yes, alright, I'll give you that.

Eh, there we go!

Best of three?

[Helen murmurs]

[Siegfried]
That was very, very lucky.

[indistinct chatter]

[closing theme music]