All Creatures Great and Small (1978–1990): Season 5, Episode 1 - Against the Odds - full transcript

- Morning, Mr Maxwell.
- Aye.

- Hello, Tess.
- Hello, Mr Herriot.

How's your missus?
I heard she slipped a disc.

- It's gonna take weeks.
- Aye, they can be a painful job, backs.

Yeah.

- What do you think of this one, then?
- Pigs now, is it?

Good-looking sow.
Must have set you back a fair bit.

- Aye, she did. She's for Tess.
- Oh.

My birthday present, Mr Herriot.

She's always wanted a pig
she could call Polly.

- She's going to farrow soon.
- Get on.

- I reckon there are a dozen in there.
- Aye, and they'll be mine, too.

- Aye, if you look after 'em, lass.
- I will.

No one ever gave me a pig for
my birthday. So, how are the calves?

Oh, one up to you, I reckon.
You stopped that scour.

No, no, no.
Fascinating experience, James.

Moving among the lrish
like a latter-day St Patrick.

- What I need to hear, Siegfried.
- Don't give it a second thought.

The pity of it is that the ministry
wouldn't release Tristan.

Much as I would hesitate
to inflict him on the Celts,

tubercular testing cattle
in and around lrish bogs

might have had a steadying
if not sobering effect on him.

So, what's your situation?

Well, as you know, Bob McKinney's stud
having been blitzed with equine flu,

I have to attend there
every day at the moment.

- Sorry, darling.
- If only discs were unslippable.

- It's not your fault.
- Indeed, it's not.

I'm sure I'll find a willing volunteer.
You'd go, wouldn't you, good old Dan?

Wonderful addition to the house.
Never known a keener animal.

(James) Absolutely.

- (Siegfried) James?
- Oh, thanks.

Rosie's got Brownies tonight.
You mustn't keep Prudence waiting.

- And have you done the shopping yet?
- No, not yet.

- It's just...
- Helen, I am doing the best I can.

- Sorry. I'm not criticising.
- I'm not complaining.

Now, then, Helen, another drop
of the cup that cheers?

No, thank you. Since my back went I must
have had the entire family's tea ration.

(laughs)

- But you're fairly comfortable, are you?
- Yes, thank you.

As comfortable as I was last time
you enquired and the time before.

Please stop clucking like broody hens
and get back to work, both of you.

Maddening, aren't we? Oh, good Lord.
James, look at the time. Come on.

- I'll see you later.
- Bye-bye.

It's no use. Dad'll never sanction it.

It's a respectable dinner dance,
not some pagan orgy.

- You know how he is.
- You're 24 years old, for God's sake.

He's not keen on dances.
He thinks they're unsuitable.

- You know, morally dubious, like you.
- Me?

The rule is if I go out with a new chap
Pru has to come along, too.

Pru?!

No, I'm not having her with us.

Tristan, she is my sister.

Couldn't you find someone
for a foursome?

- Who'd want an evening with Brown Owl?
- Tristan!

I'm sorry. It's just...

well, she makes me feel
like I failed all my badges.

Unless you find someone for her
I can't go.

Oh, allow me.

Calum.

My dear chap. How are you?

- Hello, Tristan.
- Still down in the dumps about Deirdre?

She's in Edinburgh. I'm here.
How do you expect me to feel?

True love. Up one minute,
down the next 100 years.

We're not all emotional
grasshoppers like you.

I see. If you must spurn
the hand of friendship, go ahead.

A hand about to offer you
a lift out of the depths.

- Get to the point.
- Calum, I understand how you feel.

Good Lord.
You may be pining for Deirdre,

but don't forget,
I no longer have a Rachael.

- Tristan, it's hardly the same thing.
- Because I refuse to let it get me down.

Doom and gloom are all very well
but not as a way of life.

The question is, are we masters
or merely playthings of our fate?

- And you have the answer, I take it?
- I know what's needed in your case.

- What?
- A little diversion.

Come on, Dan. Come on.
Let's go. Quick.

(Mrs Pumphrey) Please, Mr Downs.

Ocean Breeze on the nose.

- (man) Ocean Breeze.
- Tricki-Woo.

(whistles)

All right. Sorry, lads.
That's your lot for today.

(phone rings)

- I'll take it, Verity.
- Yes, Dad.

Geoffrey Barraclough.

Er...

Sorry. I-l wanted the gas works.

- James.
- Ah. Snowing again.

Are we treating
any of the Barraclough animals?

Yes. Siegfried saw a mare of his.
Sprained tendon.

Aha. Very serious,
these tendon problems.

- What?
- Better check it out immediately.

- Tristan!
- Surprise, surprise.

- What on earth are you doing?
- (Geoffrey) Who is it, Verity?

- Oh, you, is it?
- Sorry to disturb you, sir.

I didn't ask you to come out here today.

It's just a routine call, sir,
to check on your mare.

Your brother said
there was nothing more to do.

And anyway,
why are you here and not him?

Siegfried wanted a second opinion,
actually, Mr Barraclough.

Well, then.

- You'd better give it, hadn't you? Verity.
- Yes, Dad?

- Show him where Charity's kept.
- Yes. I'll just get my coat.

- Hellish weather we've been having.
- No call for that kind of language.

- No. Sorry. I just meant that...
- Ready.

Come along, Tristan.

Er, yes. Excuse me, sir.

- Don't be out too long, will you, Verity?
- No, Dad.

Prudence!

- Tristan!
- Shh.

- Why did you come?!
- I had to speak to you.

- Have you heard of the telephone?
- I tried but he kept answering it.

- It's on for the dance.
- I told you...

Keep moving in case
he starts nosing about.

You know Calum Buchanan?
Well, he's agreed to make up a foursome.

- Your father can't possibly object to that.
- If Pru can come too, I suppose not.

But where someone like you is concerned,
who knows?

- What's wrong with someone like me?
- You drink, you smoke.

You have lots of girlfriends.
Everything as far as Dad's concerned.

Well, nobody's perfect.

- Oh, hang it all, Verity.
- Don't take it out on me, Tristan.

Tristan, does Calum know Pru?

Well, they haven't actually met, but
I have told him how... interesting she is.

Well, it's just a bit of fun.
Calum's got a girlfriend of his own.

Just like you and Rachael Bosworth?

I told you, Rachael Bosworth
has moved away to London.

You're the only girl
in my life now, Verity.

(Prudence coughs)

Hello, Prudence.

- Siegfried!
- Ah, that'll be Calum.

- Sounding a bit put out.
- Yes, he would be, James.

- Siegfried.
- Ah, Calum.

- You can't be serious.
- What's wrong?

- It's the lrish tuberculin testing stint.
- I can't do it, Siegfried.

Come, now. It's a wonderful opportunity
for an adventurous young chap like you.

But lreland?!

My dear boy, it's not Devil's lsland.
It's the island of saints and scholars.

And think of the bird life.

New fields to conquer.
New knowledge to be gained.

I don't mind doing it.
I just don't want to do it in lreland.

- Why ever not?
- Because it's a long way from Scotland.

- What's that to do with the price of eggs?
- Deirdre.

Aha.

Well, the fact of the matter is, Calum,
that James can't possibly do it

with Helen hors de combat

and Tristan's at the ministry,

so that's it and all about it.

But I'll be away for weeks.

You'll enjoy every moment there
with your Celtic cousins.

- Och, Tristan and I had other plans.
- Plans?

Yes. Tristan's arranged for me to get out
and about more and meet new people.

- Ah, those plans.
- Aye. We've both been a bit down of late,

with Deirdre being in Edinburgh
and Rachael Bosworth being in London.

Younger brother thinks it's time for you
to sample the social delights, does he?

Well, yes. So he's arranged a group outing
on Wednesday night.

Ah. How considerate of him.

Yes. Amazing how unvarying
are the ploys of Tristan.

It's nothing serious, you know.

No, of course not.
There we are, James.

A little diversion to soften the blow?

Exactly. I think it was very good of him
to go to all that trouble.

Well, I'm terribly sorry but this is
one delight you'll have to postpone.

Of whom precisely
did the group consist?

Oh, Verity and Prudence Barraclough.

- What's wrong?
- No, brilliant. Brilliant.

Superb. You have not, I take it,
met the fair Prudence?

No, but I've met her sister
and she's very nice.

Verity? Very nice.

- I don't really have to do this, do I?
- You are the only one of us available.

And when you come fully
to understand Tristan's methods,

you may be truly grateful.

Are you ready to see my pig now,
Mr Herriot?

- Well, as soon as I can, Tess, eh?
- I'll be with Polly, then.

Right.

Hey. What's going on here, James?

- What's that?
- Over here. Look.

(James) Oh, that's a reaction
to my hand moving the uterus.

- Often happens when they're cleansed.
- Well, I never knew that.

You'd better hurry up or I'll be knocking
the price of a few pints off your bill.

- An offering for la dame aux camelias.
- More like the wreck de la Hesperus.

Now, you're not to worry.
Tristan will see all is shipshape.

I'll pick up the children from school
in a minute, get their tea,

then I'll knock up
something for your supper.

Tris, you're an angel.

I do hope all these chores don't interfere

with your social life too much,
or your work, for that matter.

Things are a bit slack
in both departments.

They're so slack at the ministry, they'll be
nonexistent by the end of next week.

What? (moans)

It's all right. Just a twinge.
What was that about the end of the week?

By the end,
you will be looking at T Farnon, Esq,

Iate of His Majesty's Min of Ag and Fish.

- Really? You're leaving the Min of Ag?
- I am.

- What will you do?
- Work full time in the practice again.

Good Lord, I seem to spend
most of my waking hours here.

Have you told Siegfried and James yet?

No, not yet. I'm hanging on till the
formalities of the civil service are settled.

I can't wait to see their faces
when I announce the prodigal's return.

The plain truth is they need me here.
In fact, they've never needed me more.

Yes. Well, if they don't want you
I'll certainly take you on.

Mock not. You are looking
at the expert on hospital corners.

All those nurses you've known,
so you should be.

- Oh, that wind!
- Aye, no consideration.

It just goes straight through you.
It'll be snowing before long.

The cold won't harm her babies, will it?

With this to snuggle up to,
they'll hardly know it's winter.

- She all right, is she?
- Absolutely. No problems.

You've done a grand job with her, Tess.

Ah, Tristan, you might be useful.

You haven't seen Calum, have you? He
seems to have vanished into a Celtic mist.

- Indeed he has.
- But he is taking evening surgery?

No, no, no, no, no.
How can he?

- Well, when can we expect him?
- Er, March?

Let's see. He should have crossed
on the night ferry, so about...

Yes, he should be marvelling at the glories
of the Vale of Limerick even now.

- Limerick?
- County Limerick, lreland.

I know that.
What's it got to do with Calum?

That's where he is. Tuberculin testing.
You didn't know?

Oh, no!

Well, yes.
There you are, Ethelred.

Edgar. He can't be, Siegfried.
He promised.

Yes?

- We have an arrangement for Wednesday.
- Oh, dear. How terribly inconvenient.

Was it important?
Bear a hand, Tristan.

It's vital, Siegfried.
He's got to be here.

Well, I'm afraid he's there,
but you do have my every sympathy.

- But Siegfried, look...
- (whispers) No, no, no.

Never in front of the clients, Tristan.

There we are, Mr Munford.
Ethelred's ready.

Edgar.

I shan't keep you long, Mrs Wilson.

Speaking for myself, Tristan,
if I had to choose between lrish bovines

and a night out
with Prudence Barraclough...

You know?

Indeed, but have no apprehension,
dear brother.

You'll have a splendid evening,
you and Verity.

And the inseparable Prudence. Come in,
Mrs Wilson. Let's see what we can do.

- Oh, come in, Mr Herriot.
- Hello, Edna. It is cold, isn't it?

Aye, sir.

- Oh, thanks.
- There you are.

- I'll just fetch your slippers.
- Right.

(Edna) Madam is expecting you.

- It's Mr Herriot, madam.
- Thank you.

- Mr Herriot. How very nice.
- Hello, Mrs Pumphrey.

You must be perished.
Here, come and sit down by the fire.

- Thank you.
- And how is dear Mrs Herriot?

Not so good, I'm afraid.
I think it's gonna take some time.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Mm.

- Would you like your sherry now or later?
- I'd better see Tricki first.

Of course. He's outside with Hodgekin
having a turn around the garden.

Yes, I saw them.
Hardy pair.

Hodgekin has been well fortified,
I can assure you.

(chuckles)

Hodgekin will bring dear Tricki in directly.

- Good.
- Oh, are you keen on horse racing?

I like to put a bet on now and again.
Only the big events, of course.

- That's where he gets it from.
- Sorry?

Tricki. He's an absolute wizard
at picking winners.

Ah.

Thank you, Hodgekin.
Put him on the sofa for Mr Herriot, please.

- Thanks so much, Hodgekin.
- Don't worry, darling.

Uncle Herriot just wants to make sure
your nasty little tummy's all right.

Has he been vomiting?

Not since he went onto plain chicken
and biscuit, prepared exactly as you said.

(James) It may well have been a reaction
to your supreme de volaille sous cloche.

Well, of course, it could always
have been gambling fever.

Well, it's just that I did see you both
with the bookie the other day.

Having a little flutter is entirely Tricki's
own idea. Isn't that so, Hodgekin?

(grunts)

Only this morning I caught him
reading The Sporting Life.

He's quite determined
to put £10 to win on Canny Lad

in the 3:30 tomorrow at Redcar.

£10?

- Good judge of form, is he?
- Excellent.

(grunts) What about
my 2s 6d pension money, then?

Went straight down the flaming drain.

That was years ago. He's much more
skilful now he's grown up.

Isn't that so, darling?

If you had any sense
you'd follow his advice tomorrow.

(grunts) Not ruddy likely.

Well, don't say Tricki didn't try to help
you in return for all your little kindnesses.

He is in very fine condition.
The exercise and diet has worked.

- (Mrs Pumphrey) That's marvellous.
- It's me that needs looking after.

Out there in the cold weather
with no time inside.

That's quite enough of that, Hodgekin.
And we needn't detain you any longer.

That's it, my darling. You tell
Uncle Herriot how grateful you are.

Well, anything for a nephew who knows
his way around the form book, eh?

Oh.

Do you know Mr Downs?

- Is he the bookie?
- Yes.

I wonder. Would you give him Tricki's
little wager for Canny Lad tomorrow?

I'd do it myself
but he's become so difficult of late.

- Mr Downs has?
- Yes. He's so unsporting.

I suppose it's because Tricki's too clever
at picking winners. Isn't that so, darling?

He's...

I believe he's usually
in the Drover's at lunch time.

- Would you mind awfully, Mr Herriot?
- It'd be a pleasure, Mrs Pumphrey.

(clears throat)

Good, is it?

- What?
- Good news?

- Not news, darling. Horses, actually.
- Is there a big race on today, then?

- Oh, just the Millwrights' Plate at Redcar.
- What are you up to?

Mrs Pumphrey asked me to put a bet on
for Tricki. He never loses.

- Oh, really.
- (phone rings)

- He's given his uncle a tip.
- How absurd!

Darrowby 385.
Ah. Hello, Mr Maxwell.

- She's showing all the signs of farrowing.
- Since when?

- Ooh, about an hour since.
- Has anything happened?

Oh, no, no, they've not come yet
and she seems all right but...

- I'd betterget out there.
- Aye, if you would.

Since she's a bit special, like.

I'll come out as soon as I can.
Goodbye.

- Bye-bye, darling. I have a date.
- Anyone I know?

Polly by name and pig by nature. Since
I'll have to put on the bet as I'm going...

- Don't you dare touch my housekeeping.
- Not even the loose change?

If you're going to bet on the horses
you use your own money.

- It's a dead cert. 5-1 .
- Five times nothing is still nothing.

(whispers)

- Hello, Tris.
- Oh, hello, James.

Uh, you wouldn't happen to fancy
a night out, I suppose?

With Pru Barraclough? I'm surprised at
you, Tris. A happily married man like me.

Fine friends I've got.
A bit off your beat, aren't you?

Ah, well, I'm putting on
a £10 bet for Mrs Pumphrey.

Got Uncle Herriot on the go, have they?
What's her fancy?

- Canny Lad, three o'clock.
- Canny Lad.

Whoever's giving Mrs P the information
knows his stuff.

Her maid reckons she hasn't lost
this season. I might have a go myself.

- (laughs)
- What's the matter?

Canny Lad. Out three times this season,
went down every time.

- Really?
- See for yourself.

- I don't really understand these things.
- Well, leave it to those of us who do.

Hey, Martin.
Canny Lad, he says. (sniggers)

- Who do you suggest, then?
- In the three o'clock? Um... Boxcar.

- Boxcar, Boxcar.
- Dead cert, James. All the money's on it.

Placed three times this year and this time
in against absolute no-hopers.

Mrs Pumphrey's convinced
that Canny Lad's gonna win.

James, sweet elderly ladies
who stick pins into form sheets

are not what this game is about.

No, I've gotta go anyway.

Mr Downs?

£10 on Canny Lad,

three o'clock, on the nose.

What? Your bet, Mr Herriot?

No, Tricki-Woo's.

- Mrs Pumphrey, Balby Grange.
- Her again. Oh, I see.

- What's the trouble?
- It's her and her friend from the stables.

Driving the small businessman
into the ground with that carry-on.

- What carry-on?
- Oh, don't play the innocent with me.

No one can pick 'em like that without
knowing what's going on on the inside.

Anyway, I'd like to place a bet, please.

- Got you at it too, has she?
- Certainly not.

Half a crown, Boxcar.

Each way.

Here we go.
Come on. Come on.

- That's it.
- You've done a grand job.

It's all her own work.

Come on, Tess.
Let's get 'em suckling.

Let's get 'em all onto the teat side.
Help her out a bit. Come on. Come on.

And you.

Ah, well, I can see you won't need me.

Go on, Dad.
Me and Mr Herriot can manage.

Hello, Tris. Come on, Danny.
How'd we do?

Fine. The kids have had their supper
courtesy of Uncle Tris.

As you can see, I'm returning
the kitchen to its pristine state.

- Tris, I meant the race.
- Oh, the race.

- Did we win?
- Which horse did you back, again?

- Boxcar. You gave me the tip.
- Boxcar. His prospects were excellent.

Tristan! Did we win?

We, James?

Boxcar.

Lost. Sorry. Probably still search parties
out for him, for all I know.

- Oh.
- Yes.

Still, at least one of us had the sense
to follow Mrs Pumphrey's advice.

- What?
- Canny Lad romped home.

Made me a modest little packet.

I tell you, when a bookie's scared of
a punter like Downs was of Mrs P, well...

- You told me it hadn't a hope.
- Did I?

Maybe I did.
Just shows you how wrong I can be.

Got to hand it to Mrs Pumphrey and dear
Tricki. Formidable team, those two.

From now on I don't share a tip
and I do not listen to you.

- In future I will handle the bet myself.
- Too late for that, James, I'm afraid.

- What?
- Downs won't be around to take your bet.

The price of pitting his skills against
the knowledgeable citizens of Darrowby...

- What happened?
- What normally happens to bookies here.

Everyone in the Drover's was on
Canny Lad, and at 5-1 , well, we broke him.

(Helen) James!

(strong wind blows)

I swear half the county's covered in snow.

Yes, James.

- James! I've just been talking to Pattison.
- Who's Pattison?

- At the ministry.
- Oh, yes, of course.

Tristan has resigned.

Well, that's marvellous.

It's rather good timing for once, too.
We do need all the help we can get.

I knew he was bored to death behind
that desk. Farnon blood will out, James.

- Why on earth hasn't he told us?
- Exactly so.

He was duty-bound to do so.
Brother's forgotten his priorities.

Playing games, in fact, when
common sense would dictate otherwise.

Well, two or even three can play
at those games, yes, James?

- (phone rings)
- (Tristan) I'll get it!

Hello. Darrowby 385.

Oh, hello, Verity.
All set for tonight, are we?

That's what I want to talk about.
Pru's down with a bad cold.

- She's had to go to bed. She can't come.
- Oh, no.

I've managed to persuade Dad
and he's agreed to let me come alone.

- Well done! Brilliant work, Verity.
- So you'll pick me up?

- Yes, I'll call as arranged.
- OK. I'll look forward to it.

Me, too. Goodbye.
Oh, and tell Pru to get well, won't you?

- But not too soon.
- OK. Bye.

- Hi, Tris.
- That was Verity.

- You sound in fine form, dear brother.
- Top of the world. Pru's in bed with a cold

but the old man has agreed to let Verity
come to the dance on her own.

Yes, a very close-run thing
but the night is ours.

If only James and I could plan
our social lives with such assurance.

But we're subject to the vagaries
of private practice, ever on call.

Whereas you, a pampered civil servant
working regular hours -

it's a blessed luxury
we can only dream about.

Ah, that reminds me. I have, in fact,
a very important announcement to make.

Oh, really?

The fact is I recently handed in my
resignation to the Ministry of Agriculture

and as of the end of this week
I am once again a free agent.

Which means, of course,
I am open to offers.

Well?

Ah, yes, I see.
Well, that's... that's very interesting.

- Not so, James?
- Absolutely.

Very courageous, Tris.
Well, what made you do that?

- You know perfectly well why I've done it.
- I haven't the faintest idea.

- Siegfried?
- I'm baffled, James. Utterly baffled.

So, what are you gonna do?

Well, work full time here again, of course.

- (James) Seriously?
- Of course. You know that.

I'm sorry, Tristan.
I suffer a lapse of memory.

Remind me, when exactly
did we offer you full-time work here?

Well, you didn't,
not as such, but...

You mean it was just an assumption
that such an offer would be forthcoming?

But you need me here.
Don't you?

I'm afraid that's absolutely
beside the point.

Tris, you know perfectly well that
engaging full-time staff is no easy matter.

One has to be certain
that people measure up.

- Measure up? Me?
- Yes. You see, we owe it to the clients.

Nowadays they expect - no, demand -
not only professional skills

but also integrity, aptitude...

- What do you mean, integrity?
- Discipline, punctuality.

- High moral standards.
- (Tristan) Are you insinuating that...?

Look, if this is some kind of a joke I'll...

Yes, Tristan? You'll do what? Withdraw
your resignation from the ministry?

Well, I can't do that, not now.

Very hasty act.

One which he may have
to repent at leisure.

You're serious?

Well, engaging staff for the practice
is a very serious business, Tristan.

All right.

If that's how it is,
it's perfectly fine by me.

After all I've done
for you two for the practice!

Fine.

Never mind.
You live and learn.

Fine. I'll just go and say goodbye to Helen,
if that's not considered being overfamiliar.

- Enough?
- (phone rings)

And you can answer
your damn phone yourselves!

(laughs)

Darrowby 385.
Oh. Hello, Mr Maxwell.

Oh, thank God I got you.
I thought the phone lines might be down.

It's Polly. She's lost her milk
and the little 'uns are starving.

Oh, hell. Well, mastitis?
ls the udder hard and swollen?

No.

Oh, well, a shot of pituitary
will put her right.

- Look, is that top road still open?
- No, it's blocked for two miles, I'd say.

I'm worried.
The little 'uns are going downhill fast.

Mm. Have you tried
getting a substitute into 'em?

Cows' milk with some of the glucose
we used on the calves might do the trick.

Well, I've tried everything.

They won't take it and, well,
I don't have to tell you how Tess is.

They'll certainly die if they don't feed
soon. Look, I'll try and get out to you.

The main road's open.
I'll take the car as far as I can, then ski.

- Ski?
- How do you think I got round in '47?

Yes. Bye, Mr Maxwell.

- Mr Maxwell's pigs.
- I heard.

- I've got to get out there straight away.
- Yes, I know. I heard. Look here.

- Top road's closed?
- For about two miles.

Well, let's work backwards
across country.

- Here you are, James. Senna Bank.
- It's the only possible jumping-off place.

It's about three miles from there
cross-country.

- Have you thought of the risks?
- I'm no expert on skis but I'll be fine.

- James...
- I've been to Maxwell's stacks of times.

But not in deep snow.
People have died, as you very well know.

- I couldn't face that kid if I didn't try.
- But James, extreme caution, yes?

No risks, I promise.
Could you pick up the kids for me?

- Yes, of course.
- Thanks.

There's no need to say anything to Helen.
I'll tell her myself when I get back. Bye.

No, Dan. Not today. It's too blooming cold.
Go on, back indoors. There's a good dog.

(Dan whines)

Dan!

All right, but only if you're sensible,
and I mean sensible.

There's Canada or New Zealand.
They want qualified vets.

I've seen the advertisements.
Good money, a house, a car.

Oh, Tris, do stop going on.

Of course they're pulling your leg.
It's obvious.

James still hasn't forgiven you for that bet.

You don't think
he'd let you get away with it?

Typical. He was always a bad loser.

- (Siegfried) Tristan!
- Coming!

What am I doing?

They've done me a favour. I have lived
in Siegfried's shadow for too long.

Tristan!

Never having to jump to that voice again.

Tristan? Ah. Clayton at Pike End's got a
good cow down with milk fever. See to it.

Me?

Oh, for Pete's sake, are you a partner
in this practice or are you not?

- But you said...
- Yes or no?

Well, yes.

Thank you.
Are you quite comfortable, Helen?

Music Ta da dum, ta da da dum

Music Da dum dum dum

(Helen) Welcome home, Tristan.

You'd better get a move on
if you want to make that dance.

Oh, don't worry.
Pike End's on the main road.

A straightforward job. There'll be time for
a grateful farmer to welcome a brave vet

with a restorative glass
in front of a roaring fire.

I'll be able to get my hair trimmed
before I don my finery.

Hm.

(Dan barks)

Be a good dog, Dan.
Good dog.

- Is that you, Mr Farnon?
- Yes, it is, Mr Clayton.

And if you wouldn't mind letting me in...
It's freezing out here.

Aye. All right, you are.

I'll just finish me dinner first,
then I'll be right with you.

Now, then, Mr Farnon.

I've finished my dinner now.

Beast is up at the barn yonder.

But that's half a mile away, Mr Clayton!

Aye.

It'll help walk me dinner off.

That cow's got more than milk fever,
Mr Clayton! lts calf bed's out.

Aye, you're right there.
It must've happened since I phoned you.

Oh, this is gonna take ages!

And I'll need some help.

Well, let's get on with it. We have a lot to
do today. Darkness is coming in and...

Yes, I have things to do, too, Mr Clayton.

(Dan barks)

Do you think we could have a light here,
please, Mr Clayton?

(Clayton snores)

- Dan, in the kitchen.
- Thank God! Did you get there?

No, Siegfried, I got completely lost.

Well, thank heavens you had
the good sense to turn back.

- Good sense had nothing to do with it.
- Dad, it's snowing...

I must make this telephone call.
I'll talk to you afterwards.

- Rosie, please.
- Hop in the kitchen.

Dad'll be with you in a moment.
There you go.

Come on, come on. At the end I found
I'd been going round in a complete circle.

- You must be frozen stiff.
- Ah, Mr Maxwell?

Look, I'm awfully sorry.
I had to turn back.

A fellow got lost in the snow
and died a couple of years back.

I'm very sorry.

James, do you remember that sow of old
Buckle's that wouldn't let down her milk?

Hold on.
The one Calum got going again?

Yes. How long ago
did Tom Maxwell's sow farrow?

- About 24 hours.
- He'll have to hurry

or the cervix will tighten up.
Tell him how to do it.

There is something you could try.

Listen. Remember that cow
I was cleansing that let her milk down?

- Aye, Myrtle.
- Get some warm waterand some soap.

Eh? What are you asking me to do?

MrMaxwell, I want you to examine Polly
internally. Now, soap yourarm really well.

- Use disinfectant.
- Disinfectant?

Any household disinfectant will do.
Insert yourhand slowly into the vagina.

You come to the cervix and you reach
a fingerin and wiggle it around.

- Have you got that?
- Oh, heck, I don't fancy that.

It's the only chance we've got. You'll have
to do it every time the litter needs to feed

- until I can give her a shot.
- (line goes dead)

Mr Maxwell? Hello?

The damn lines are down.

Well, there you are.

Now, that were a right grand job
we did there, veterinary.

Yes, well, I couldn't have done it
without you, Mr Clayton.

Well, it'll be tea time now.
I reckon I'll get back to the house.

Not that long since
you've had your dinner, is it?

What? Two hours or more.

That'll be hot dumpling stew and a glass
of something warming by the roaring fire?

Aye, happen it will.

Yes, well, I'm sorry I can't join you,
Mr Clayton, but I have a dance to get to.

Oh, my God.

It'll take hours to shovel
our way through that lot.

Aye, it's a plain sort of day.

Come on.

You've done all you can.
Not just animals die in this weather.

I hope Maxwell understood
and he's not too squeamish to try.

- He hasn't listened to a word I've said.
- The line seems to be down over Senna.

Oh, really? Well, how long
do you think that'll take?

Oh. All right. Thank you.
They don't know when they'll be back.

- James.
- She'll be heartbroken if the piglets die.

Worrying is not going to help.

- Come in.
- Sorry I'm late.

- Where have you been?
- I just popped in to let you know...

- (Geoffrey) ls that the Farnon chap?
- Yes.

Ah. Been in the wars,
have you, young fellow?

As I was telling Verity, sir,
I got called out and the weather...

- Have you told him?
- Not yet.

- Told me what?
- Well, what with the bad snow and such,

I phoned up the organisers of that dance.

Well, it's been called off.

- Called off?
- On account of the weather.

- I couldn't find you to let you know.
- Oh, I see.

Sorry, Tristan.

By the look of you, I'd say
it was a good scrub-down you need.

Yes, well...

Aye, well.

All for the best, I'd say.

Yes, well, er...

better be on my way.

Good night, sir.

Good night... young man.

Well.

- Good night, Verity.
- Good night, Tristan.

Tom?

Tess wants to see you.

What do you reckon to 'em,
then, Mr Herriot?

They're fine, Tess.
They're just fine.

It were my dad who got her milk going.

- Only he could have done it.
- Aye.

(James) I'll give her an injection,
make sure the milk keeps flowing.

How did you manage, Mr Maxwell?

You chaps earn your keep, all right.

- The places you have to put your hands.
- It worked.

Oh, aye, it saved the pigs, all right,
but I'll tell you straight, I didn't enjoy it.