All Creatures Great and Small (1978–1990): Season 6, Episode 2 - The Course of True Love - full transcript
It's February 1952 and Calum and Deirdre have a terrible row. She would like to talk more, hopefully about setting a date for their wedding, while Calum hasn't a clue why she is acting the way she is. Siegfried decides to try and play matchmaker and get the two of them back together again. Meanwhile, James meets Mr. Potts, a one-time client who is now elderly and retired and takes to visiting him and wife in their home from time to time to relieve some of their loneliness. Everyone is saddened by the sudden death of King George VI.
Bodie! This is the last one.
Hello, boy.
Nip?
Nip, what are you doing here?
Are you lost?
(man) Oh, Nip ain't lost, Mr Herriot.
Good Lord. Mr Potts. What are you doing
in this part of the world?
- Margadale's miles away.
- I'm retired now, Mr Herriot.
- You've given up the farm?
- Aye.
That yonder's our abode now. Yon
cottage. Moved in a couple of weeks ago.
Well, it looks very nice.
Well, it's a bit of a change from Margadale
but it does us all right.
Come in and have a look
if you've got a moment to spare.
- I can't stay too long.
- Madge'll be right glad to see you.
Yes, all right. Lead the way.
- How are you keeping, Mr Potts?
- Oh, champion.
(coughs) Not getting any younger, mind,
but I still manage to give Nip his walk
over t' fields of a morning.
- What have you been doing this morning?
- The usual things. Torn teats. Cleansing.
- And yesterday?
- Yesterday I saw a lame bullock,
I treated two cows for mastitis
and one for milk fever.
Oh, it's a beggar, that milk fever.
When I were a lad,
good cows used to die like flies with it.
Always good milkers after the third or
fourth calf. They couldn't get to their feet.
We used to dose 'em with all sorts
but they died, every one of 'em.
It must have been heartbreaking
in those days.
But then we started blowing up
their udders with t' bicycle pump.
(both laugh)
And do you know, they jumped up and
they walked away. Like magic, it were.
I know. I've blown up my share of udders,
Mr Potts. But never with a bicycle pump.
I had an inflation apparatus. It was a little
black box with shiny cylinders and a filter.
- That'll be summat new.
- Oh, yes.
I was worried
about spreading tuberculosis.
And then we started using
calcium borogluconate.
Tell me more.
It's good to hear news from up t' Dales.
How they're all getting on without me.
I had a stinker of a foaling last week.
Took me more than two hours.
- I'm still aching from head to toe.
- The foal would be laid wrong, I reckon.
That's right. Crossways on.
Had a struggle to turn it.
Dost tha remember that Clydesdale mare
you foaled up at my place 15 year ago?
It must've been one of the first jobs
you did when you come to Darrowby.
It was, almost.
I remember it very well, Mr Potts.
- I was most grateful to you.
- You were?
For putting me at my ease.
I was pretty green
and most unsure of myself.
It were a Sunday night as I recall. Quite
late. We had a right tussle with that one.
- Yes, we did.
- Oh, they were good days, Mr Herriot.
They were. Indeed, they were. You've got
a nice bit of ground for your vegetables.
It's about all we can manage now.
(coughs)
Thanks. Stay there, Bodie.
(MrPotts) Come in,
if you can squeeze in.
- Hello, Mrs Potts.
- Nice to see you again, Mr Herriot.
- Nice to see you.
- Can I get you a cup of tea?
I don't have time at the moment. Thanks
all the same. How are you settling in?
Well, I'm sure you'll remember
my kitchen at Margadale.
Yes, I do. But this is very cosy.
Aye, well, it can't be helped.
It were getting a bit too much for us,
the old place.
Aye, it were. You'll forgive me
if I sit meself down, Mr Herriot.
Yes, yes, of course. Please.
We handed over to young Giles.
You remember our boy Giles?
- Indeed I do.
- And his wife Peggy.
They're in charge there now.
Best get out from under their feet,
we reckoned.
Lead a quieter life.
Leave it to the younger ones to carry on.
Absolutely. I'd better be off now.
I have to be back at surgery, you see.
Oh. Work to be done, eh?
Look, I'm often up here with Bodie.
Next time I'm passing,
why don't I pop in?
Oh, do that. It were grand
talking about old days.
Time lays a bit heavy on your hands
when you get to my age, Mr Herriot.
Yes. Yes, I expect it does.
Well, please don't get up, Mr Potts.
I'll see myself out.
Bye.
(Calum) Oh, darling, so do I.
Oh, God, so do I.
Yes.
Do you think about me
at work sometimes?
Oh. I tell you what, Deirdre.
Why don't you come over tomorrow night
and I'll cook us something to eat?
No, I promise it won't be Buchanan duck.
I know the food doesn't matter, but I want
to make something special just for you.
Get yourself on a bus that'll get you here
by about half past seven…
Ah, dear.
I had thought our friend and colleague's
passion for the delightful Deirdre
might assume reasonable proportions
once she'd moved back to Manorton.
- It seems I was mistaken.
- What makes you think that?
He's out there on the telephone now
at the expense of the practice
whispering sweet nothings,
inviting her over
to a tete-a-tete tomorrow evening.
You shouldn't eavesdrop, Siegfried.
My dear James, you cannot eavesdrop
a public announcement.
Thank you.
His mind cannot possibly
be concentrated 100% on his work.
- Why not?
- You've heard him.
He's hopelessly in love,
like a moonstruck housemaid.
- Oh, Lord, no.
- What now?
James, look here. You know how fond
I am of Bodie and of dogs in general
but the surgery is no place for them.
I mean, think of the potential hazards.
Infection, disease.
I know, but it's cold out there.
He'd freeze in the car.
Really no excuse, James.
If only you'd given yourself more time,
thought ahead for once,
you could have easily
dropped him off at Rowangarth
and he'd now be happily installed
in front of the fire
instead of getting under our feet here.
I really don't know
why you have a dog at all.
I mean, what's the earthly use of a pet
to people in our position?
Sheepdogs, hounds, working dogs
are one thing, but a lap dog?
I don't know why you got
another dog after Dan died.
It's the wisest decision I ever made.
Don't you ever miss Gemma?
Well, of course we miss her, don't we?
Wonderful little bitch.
- Affectionate?
- Yes.
- Undemanding?
- Yes, yes.
- Marvellous company.
- Yes, yes.
- Encourages exercise.
- We know all that, James. But…
You don't know what you're missing.
- Everything all right, Calum?
- Oh, aye. Everything's just fine.
Now, look here, Calum.
Giving Bodie a cuddle, are you?
That's nice.
I'm simply keeping him off the ground
and out of our way,
since James insists on
cluttering the place up with him.
And since it is imperative
that at least one member of this practice
turns his attention to the larger animals
upon which the nation
depends for its food,
I suppose that person had better be me.
(hums)
Well, they don't look at all healthy,
I must say.
Neonatal scour would seem
to be your problem, Mr Bush.
It's a severe form of diarrhoea. All too
common in newborn piglets, I'm afraid.
When did they start with it?
Pretty near just after they were born
three days ago.
I wish I'd seen them sooner.
I might have been able to do something.
I thought it was nowt.
Maybe t' milk were too rich for 'em.
(piglet squeals)
They're in a bad way.
There's really not much I can do for them.
I've got some new antibiotic mixture in
the car but I doubt it'll work at this stage.
However…
I can't see t' point in all this, Veterinary.
We can but try, Mr Bush.
Thank you.
It'll never do any good, you know.
No, well, I've already explained
my doubts on that one, Mr Bush.
- But I should have thought it was still…
- I'd best get on.
I am so sorry to drag you
from your work, Mr Bush,
but if I could just perhaps possibly
explain what you should do
if by the merest chance any of these
happens to be alive in the morning, right?
Yeah.
I suggest that you give each of them…
another squirt of this stuff
on the toddle, all right?
Aye, all right. Better be awake at t' time.
- James, can you spare me a minute?
- What do you want?
Well…
- I've decided to give her turbot.
- Give who what?
Deirdre, tonight, for dinner. I got a lovely
piece of turbot from the fishmonger.
- But I'm not very sure about the sauce.
- Must you have sauce?
- Oh, aye. I'm going to poach it.
- Oh, yes, of course.
You see, I recalled a fine sauce that Helen
made the last time we had poached turbot
and I was just wondering if you might
be able to remember the recipe.
Do you know, Calum,
I do believe it's slipped my mind.
- Why don't you ring her up and ask her?
- Thanks.
- Oh, you're both in.
- Hello. Dropped in from the North Pole?
- What? No, it's damn cold outside.
- Uh-huh.
Oughtn't you both to be out and about?
It's my surgery.
I've got this lot to catch up with.
Calum is preparing tonight's culinary
masterpiece. We'll be here for ages yet.
You've not been out after rabbits,
have you?
No, Calum,
I've not been out after rabbits.
I'm a respectable veterinary surgeon,
not a common poacher.
I've brought something in
for an injection, that's all.
- Something?
- Yes.
There.
If one of you could oblige me
by holding her steady on the table…
- Yes, of course.
- Thank you, James.
Well. Whose is she?
Whose, James? Well…
Until about half an hour ago
she belonged to old Joe Walters,
you know, over at East Garsby.
Ah. And now?
Now, James?
Um, actually she belongs…
to me.
You, Siegfried?
- Yes.
- A pet?
- (Siegfried) Certainly not.
- A lap dog?
Sometimes I really don't understand you.
Why should a simple addition to
my household cause you such concern?
Yes, absolutely right, Siegfried.
So, what are you gonna call her?
Isolde? Eva? Brunnhilde?
Woglinde? Wellgunde? Flosshilde?
(laughter)
For once, this latest addition
to the Farnon family
will not be saddled
with a Wagnerian name.
She will be known to all and sundry as…
- Polly. There.
- Polly. That's a nice name.
No, no, no, no. Steady, Bodie.
Be careful.
He won't harm her, Siegfried.
He's curious, that's all.
Well, gentlemen,
I diagnose a case of love at first sight.
The trouble with you
is you've got love on the brain.
Well, you know what they say. When
you're in love, you see it everywhere.
I suppose so. James, since you're here,
would you mind taking surgery?
I've got a couple of important calls
that I really ought to make this morning.
And I'd be awfully pleased
if you could keep an eye on her.
She looks capable
of looking after herself.
Yes. She's only been in the place five
minutes and she's got an admirer already.
Shows initiative, at least.
(chuckles)
For God's sake, you two.
(laughs)
- Would you like some cheese?
- I couldn't eat anything else.
It was lovely, though.
Look, why don't we just have some coffee
and talk for a while?
All right. I'll just take these through.
(sighs)
Like to sit somewhere
more comfortable?
- We can talk here.
- We can talk on the couch.
- All right.
- Don't forget your wine.
It was sweet of you
to go to so much trouble.
Nothing but the best for you.
- Calum…
- Mm-hm?
Do you ever see us
doing this sort of thing in the future?
I rarely think about anything else.
No, I mean, eating together and cooking
for one another. That sort of thing.
And cuddling up together afterwards.
- Oh! Oh, no. I'll get a cloth.
- No, it doesn't matter.
A drop of wine won't make any difference.
I'll put it down there in case you spill it.
I won't spill it. Look, Calum…
Calum, don't do that.
Please, Calum, don't do that.
Calum, don't do that!
- What's the matter? Don't you trust me?
- Och, it isn't that…
If you can't trust me to respect you, then
you can't have a very high opinion of me.
Calum, it isn't that.
Look.
This is just as hard for me
as it is for you.
Can't you see that?
The wine and the dinner and everything.
Look, just don't try to force things.
I just want to talk to you.
Force things?
All I want to do is to kiss you as any man
would expect to kiss the woman he loves,
- and you lecture me about it?
- I'm not lecturing you.
Deirdre, I did not invite you here
this evening to sit and hold hands
and listen to a sermon
on the sins of the flesh.
I don't think you intended
to listen to me at all.
For God's sake, Deirdre,
what is there to talk about?
It doesn't matter.
(both sigh)
It obviously does matter.
- What do you want to talk about?
- The future.
The future?
Well, a fine future we're going to have
if you think I'm trying to force things!
Right! lf you can't understand
my feelings better than that
then we'd better just call this a day.
You can take me right back to Manorton
before we say something
that we might just regret.
Right.
We'll go now, then.
Thank you.
Hi, Calum.
You look like the wrath of God.
Anything wrong?
I hope Deirdre enjoyed her dinner
last night, her boiled halibut.
- Poached turbot.
- I tell you what it is.
With a special sauce of Helen's.
Aye.
What happened?
- They write all these songs, don't they?
- Who writes all what songs?
"The touch of your lips.
A kiss in the dark."
"Press your lips to mine, baby."
- And all that nonsense.
- Is it?
Yes. Try putting it into practice with a girl
you're supposed to be going steady with
and she'll scream the place down as if you
were trying to drag her into your bed.
Oh, well, women, you see, now, Calum,
they're very sensitive creatures.
They're vulnerable and anxious and have
to be treated with the utmost delicacy.
Och, in the name of God, what did she
expect after a dinner and a bottle of wine?
- A game of draughts?
- Well, I haven't a notion, my dear chap.
You plainly went too far.
It's a common mistake.
My advice to you, take it or leave it,
is write her a conciliatory letter.
Admit you were wrong. Apologise.
Well, it's up to you.
Think about it.
I didn't want to ruin it after he'd gone to
so much trouble, but I just wanted to talk.
And he didn't?
What did you want to say?
I was trying to get him to set a date.
Since he asked me to marry him
he hasn't mentioned it.
He thinks that's all there is to it.
Yes, but I didn't want him to think
I was trying to drag him to the altar.
(sighs) Deirdre, men can be
very obtuse, you know.
He hasn't given a thought
to all the preparations.
He hasn't said anything.
I was beginning to wonder
if he still wanted to go through with it.
How far did you get?
Absolutely nowhere.
He just thought I didn't want to kiss him.
- Oh, no, Deirdre!
- Exactly.
And then we both lost our tempers
and I threatened to go home
and he said, "Right, we're going now."
- A bit of an awkward journey home?
- Oh, it was terrible.
We didn't say a word all the way there
in the car and then he opened the door
and he said goodbye really coldly,
so I just ran for it.
- I'm waiting for him to apologise.
- Do you think he will?
I don't know. Oh, Helen, I'm sorry.
I didn't feel like going home after work
today and now I'm barging in on you…
Deirdre, Deirdre, please, don't worry.
The children are doing their homework,
or should be.
James will probably be late back.
Have another cuppa.
No, thank you. Look, you've been
so kind and helpful already.
- Well, I only wish I knew what to say.
- Well, it was sweet of you to listen.
- Hello.
- Hot bath, stiff whisky.
- Yes.
- Oh, hello, Deirdre.
Deirdre's popped in for a chat.
Supper's nearly ready.
Why don't you go upstairs
and have a hot bath?
There's no hurry.
I think I know why you're here, Deirdre.
- I'm really sorry.
- How did you guess?
He looked like an undertaker with a bad
cold and we guessed you'd had a tiff.
A tiff? It was more like a blazing row.
- I'd better get back to Manorton.
- I'll run you back.
- Are you sure?
- Yes, of course. Come on.
Oh, Helen, it was sweet of you,
it really was.
- I just wish I knew how to advise you.
- I know what I'd advise, if I were asked.
- What?
- Give him a couple of days to telephone…
- Then what?
- You go and see him.
Ask him does he want to see you again
or not? Take it or leave it.
- Take me or leave me.
- Well, yes.
- James, that's a bit drastic.
- It is no good shilly-shallying.
You've got to be positive.
Grasp the nettle by the horns.
Come on, Deirdre.
Good luck.
I mean it.
- (sighs) Oh, no.
- (boiling over)
- Are you gonna be here?
- (Siegfried) I am.
- I've got to go check Seth Pilling's puppy.
- Oh, yes.
Then to Mrs Furly where there's
a bull terrier Bodie doesn't care for.
Is there, now? So?
I thought you wouldn't mind
keeping an eye on him for me.
- I thought so.
- Well, just till I get back.
Then I'll take him for a walk. Oh, thanks.
Behave yourself for Uncle Siegfried.
There's a good dog.
- (phone rings)
- I'll get it.
No, James, I'll deal with that.
You go on. On you go.
Darrowby 385.
No, I'm afraid Mr Buchanan's out.
Can I give him a message?
Oh, good, she's eating better.
I'll tell him. He'll be pleased.
Monday morning.
Goodbye.
(phone rings)
Darrowby 385.
Mrs Who?
Oh, Mrs Blythe. Yes.
I'll go and see. Hold on, will you?
I'll have to get your card out of
the index file. Would you please hold?
Hello, there, Bodie. Right.
I've got your card in front of me,
Mrs Blythe.
It's about your red setter, I take it? Max?
Well, he had his last distemper injection
in March 1949, so you're quite right.
He's due for a booster.
Would you like to bring him in?
Er, tomorrow morning about nine?
- Right you are, Mrs Blythe. Goodbye.
- (Bodie growls)
No, Bodie, you're being a bore.
- (ringing)
- I don't believe it.
- Darrowby 385.
- (ringing)
Hello? Oh.
Bodie, go off and pester
somebody else. Go on.
- Oh, my God, Deirdre.
- Is Calum in?
No, my dear. Nobody's in.
- Oh, Siegfried! (sobs)
- Oh, lovey, what is it?
What is it?
It's not as if he never proposed.
He asked me to marry him
before I went back to Scotland.
So I suppose we are engaged,
well, technically.
There's no "technically" about it, my dear.
- You're either engaged or you're not.
- Well, I suppose we are, then.
Oh, I just didn't want to force him
into naming the day
until I was quite sure he was quite sure.
I don't think he'd have got to the point
of popping the question
unless he'd been pretty sure.
Yes, but I don't think he's sure now.
- Well, I believe…
- I just wish I'd never tried to talk about it.
I just felt that marriage to Calum
had to be the ultimate aim.
Otherwise the relationship's
got nowhere to go.
Well, it's not gonna go anywhere unless
somebody takes the bull by the horns
and mentions the little question
of a wedding date.
I mean, you two can't go on pussyfooting
around each other much longer.
- You take it from me.
- Oh, I know you're right.
The trouble with Calum at the moment
is he's so absent-minded
and up in the clouds,
probably because he's in love
for the very first time,
and it simply hasn't occurred to him
to discuss a date for the wedding.
Well, it never will now. (sniffs)
Bodie! Bodie! Bodie!
Hello, Nip. Hello.
Come on. How are you?
Nip, fetch. Go on.
- Morning, Mr Potts.
- Mr Herriot. A bit milder today.
Yes, it is. Glass is up a touch.
We… we were recalling summat
t' other day when you had to go.
- What was that?
- Blessed if I can remember.
Oh, I know.
It were the time old Ramsden's bullock
jumped out of t' truck on market day
- and ran down t' street in Darrowby.
- (laughs)
(coughs)
Come on, Mr Potts. Over here.
You rest for a moment, eh?
- Oh, it'll pass.
- All right.
I've got a bit of bother
with one of me lungs, Mr Herriot.
Like the old king.
I reckon t' surgeons will best take
a piece out of mine, too. (coughs)
- Would you like to move on a bit?
- Aye, a mite further. I'll manage.
- Sure?
- Oh, aye.
As I was saying, old Ramsden,
he chased after that bullock
all t' way down Norgate Street
and into t' public car park.
Yes. Yes, I heard about it.
Talking of bullocks, we had one up at
Margadale got summat stuck in its throat,
so Mr Farnon come over -
Mr Siegfried, that were -
and somehow he got some pliers
down into that young bullock's gullet
and the torch, so he could see.
- He got hold of it.
- (laughs)
- So, how's Nip adjusting?
- Oh, I think he misses it.
Especially at milking. He used to skulk
around t' yard when I were doing it
and suddenly I'd feel summat
fall on me boot.
There was old Nip stood there
looking up at me.
He'd fetched a stone in, you see,
and put it on me foot.
So, I'd reach down, pick up t' stone and
chuck it out at t' cow shed across the yard
and old Nip, he'd scamper off after it
and fetch it back in again.
Really? Er, Mr Potts?
I'm sure, as an old farmer,
you understand
how important it is
to stick to a regular schedule.
You've got to go, haven't you?
I have enjoyed chatting about the old
days. It really has been fascinating.
- But I have to get back, you see.
- You go, Mr Herriot.
You're a busy young fellow.
I'm just an old retired farmer
with nowt to do with himself all day.
I won't keep you.
I'll be up this way again soon, I promise.
Good. Then we'll have
another good old chat, eh?
- Yes. Right.
- All right.
- Goodbye, Mr Potts.
- Bye.
Come on, Bodie.
- How's Calum this morning?
- The same.
When's he gonna stop moping around
the surgery? It gets depressing.
It is a shame
those two can't make it up.
As far as I know
they haven't spoken a word to each other.
Both too proud to give in, I suppose.
(radio pips signal the hour)
(newsreader) This is London.
It is with the greatest sorrow that
we make the following announcement.
It was announced from Sandringham
at 10:45 today,
February 6, 1952,
that the king, who retired to rest
last night in his usual health,
passedpeacefully away in his sleep
earlier this morning.
The BBC offers profound sympathy to Her
Majesty the Queen and the royal family.
Well, he certainly did a magnificent job
when you consider
that he never expected to be king.
- Just as well he was.
- Oh, absolutely.
Such a good man, wasn't he?
A simple man.
Bertie.
An extraordinary sense of duty
and a sense of honour.
In fairness the same could have been said
about his elder brother in the beginning,
but not, alas, after he took up
with that lady from Baltimore.
Aye, that's true.
He put the lady before his duty, didn't he?
Yes, he did.
Well, we must all look forward
to a new reign now.
A second Elizabethan age. It's curious.
This country's always done well
under our queens. Queen Elizabeth l,
Queen Anne, Queen Victoria,
and now Queen Elizabeth ll.
Will it be a new golden age of
good poetry, music, discovery, I wonder?
Who can tell?
Well, the nation may have lost a sovereign
but life goes on.
The sick animals must be treated and l,
for one, must face another minor tragedy
at the farm of that surly, ill-mannered
and humourless creature Frank Bush.
- Those wretched piglets.
- Those wretched piglets,
not a single one of which
I expect to have survived.
However, I must set forth.
And so, my friends, adieu.
The Elizabethan age
is upon us already.
Is this the same litter
that I treated last week?
Because if it is, and the same sow,
then all I can say is that a miracle
has taken place here, Mr Bush.
A miracle of veterinary science.
Are you not as amazed as I am?
Aye. But I've lost a bit of ground.
(laughter)
(James) They seem to be getting on
extremely well, don't they?
(Siegfried) It's more than just getting on.
He's in love with her
and she's in love with him.
(James) They appear
to worship each other.
(Siegfried) I'm not surprised.
She's a dear thing.
(James) No wonder
he can't resist sniffing around her.
If you two are talking about Deirdre and l,
which I assume you are…
- We're not, actually.
- Oh.
We were talking about
our respective dogs, actually, Calum.
Polly and Bodie and the passion they
seem to have developed for each other.
Actually, I'm delighted that
you're both here, the pair of you,
because I was planning…
- Ah, James.
- Oh, sorry, Siegfried. Sorry.
- Thanks very much.
- Sorry.
I was planning a little get-together
of the practice this evening,
that is, if you're both free,
and Helen too.
- A get-together?
- Yes.
I thought here at Skeldale, about 7:30.
Well, I'll be free, God knows.
Yes, so will I.
I… I already asked Helen, actually,
and she said that she'd very kindly
provide some snacks for us
and put a bottle of champagne on ice.
- Who's paying for that?
- No one's paying for it, Calum.
I happen to have a case left in the cellar
from the old days for just such occasions.
What such occasions?
(Siegfried) Wait and see.
Is it somebody's birthday?
(Siegfried) Calum, I've no idea.
Well, I don't see anything to celebrate.
Are we to drink to the miraculous
recovery of Frank Bush's piglets?
- Wait and see.
- Right, well, I'm off on my rounds.
And I'll take Bodie for a walk before lunch,
work off that surplus fat. Come on, Bodie.
- 7:30, then?
- Yes, that's right, and don't you be late.
I won't. Bye.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
Did you… did you write that letter
I suggested to Deirdre?
I did.
You did? Good.
When?
Three days ago, and not a word from her.
She must have got it by now.
Why on earth did you wait so long
before you wrote?
Well, I couldn't think of anything to say.
Yes, well, no doubt she's taking her time
thinking of a suitable response.
- To hell with it. I'm gonna telephone her.
- No, no! I…
No, don't, Calum.
The telephone's no way
to effect a lasting reconciliation.
Wait and see
what effect your letter has.
Possess your self-impatience.
Give her time to reflect.
Aye. Maybe you're right.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
There's a good boy.
Come on. Through. That's it.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
Bodie, come on.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
What's the matter, Nip?
You're looking very sorry for yourself.
Are you going for a walk?
Where's your master? Hm?
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
Good morning. It's about time…
Oh, dear.
I'm so sorry, Mrs Potts.
I didn't know.
(Mrs Potts) He was a good man, my Jim.
- He lived his life to the full.
- I'll say he did.
He suffered, mind, these last months
with his lungs.
But he never complained.
I reckon he suffered
more than he let on.
Didn't want to bother other folk
with his ailments, you see.
He was that proud.
That old cough
must have distressed him a lot.
Oh, it did. And he hated
having to slow down.
Only he couldn't manage
the long walks no more,
nor do much about the place.
Too much effort tired him, you see.
Any road,
he's at peace now.
Yes.
I'm going to miss him very much,
Mrs Potts.
We had some good chats during
those few weeks about the old times.
Oh, I know you did, and he enjoyed
himself no end talking to you, Mr Herriot.
He used to look forward
to you coming by here with your dog
and going off, him and old Nip here.
He often told me so.
I wish there was something
I could say to comfort you.
It's funny you should say that, Mr Herriot,
but I find it quite comforting to think
that my Jim was taken to his rest
on the very same night as his king.
He was a bit older, mind, Mr Potts was.
Of course.
Aye.
My Jim would have liked to have known
that he was called to his Maker
at the same time as His Majesty.
Yes.
Yes, I'm sure he would have.
So you see, Mr Herriot,
I feel I can share my grief
with Her Majesty the Queen,
if you see what I mean.
Such a lovely lady.
We've both lost our husbands
at the same time.
Something we can always share,
the two of us.
Yes.
I'm afraid Nip's gonna miss his walks.
Oh, I know. That's something that's
worrying me, Mr Herriot, to be honest.
Jim always took him out
along t' river most days.
I know he did.
And you see, with my arthritis
I doubt I'll be able to manage it.
Not walks with Nip.
Well, that's not a problem, Mrs Potts.
I come up this way with Bodie
nearly every afternoon now.
I'll collect Nip and he can come
for a walk with us. How would that be?
Oh, that would be a kindness, Mr Herriot,
if you really mean it.
Of course I mean it. It'd be a pleasure.
He can come for a walk now if he likes.
Help cheer him up.
Oh, I know he'd love a walk,
wouldn't you, Nip?
He's not been out of the house
since the funeral.
Go on, then. Go for a nice walk
with Mr Herriot.
- Come on, Nip. Come on.
- Go on.
- I'll have him back in about an hour.
- Aye.
That'll be quite satisfactory, Mr Herriot.
- (doorbell)
- Ah.
Who's that at this time of night? Probably
somebody with a choking budgie.
No, no, I shouldn't think so.
It's probably James and Helen.
- It's you two. Well done.
- (Helen) I've made some nibbles.
- I hope there's enough.
- I'm in charge of the salted almonds.
We've come a bit early
so that I could put the champagne on ice
and I could sort these out
if you were busy.
- Thank you.
- Give me the salted almonds, darling.
There you are.
All right, Siegfried. What's it all about?
Are you gonna tell me?
No. You'll find out soon enough.
You go in and help, James.
I'll just finish off in the surgery.
He still won't tell me what this is all about.
Why the great mystery?
We'll just have to wait and see.
It's some anniversary
we've forgotten about.
The first time Tris and I performed
a caesarean on a cow.
I know. It's a year today since we got
drunk on vodka while examining sheep.
- He'd hardly open champagne for that.
- No. Let's organise the ice for the bubbly.
Oh, that's a good idea.
Just the thought of it's making me thirsty.
(Calum) ls there anything
I can do to help?
No, no, thank you, Calum. James
and Helen are coping with everything,
getting ice from the fridge.
No, you just, um… stay where you are,
finish what you're doing.
No hurry. Not yet half past seven.
Um…
Cheer up, Calum. All is not lost.
That's what you say.
Well, l-l-l think I'll just go
and deal with the champagne.
Righto.
(doorbell)
(car drives away)
(door opens)
(footsteps)
(Siegfried) Ah. Well, it sounds
healthy enough. It's 1937 vintage.
Ah, it's kept wonderfully.
There. Just try it.
Oh, it's delicious.
Oh, I adore champagne.
- What are you doing?
- That keeps the bubbles in.
(laughs)
Well, now, bring the glasses.
I'll carry that.
You're a mine of information, aren't you?
Quick, quick, quick.
(clock chimes halfpast)
(gasps) I don't believe it.
Calum! Oh, God.
- Oh, I've missed you.
- Oh, I've been so miserable.
So have I.
- Do you forgive me?
- Of course I forgive you.
Do you forgive me?
- Right. Let's get married right away.
- What about the banns?
- Oh. Um, how long does that take?
- Three weeks.
- Right. In three weeks, then.
- Oh!
(Siegfried) Now that that matter appears
to be settled, I suggest we all have a drink.
I need one.
But first I would ask
Calum and Deirdre to appreciate
that although the principal purpose of this
get-together is to see them reconciled
and reunited under this roof,
there is a little matter of protocol.
So before we raise our glasses to them,
let's drink a toast
to the health and long life
of our new sovereign
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
Thank you.
There we are.
- The queen.
- The queen.
And now let's drink
to the health and long life and success
of our dear friends Calum and Deirdre.
May their marriage be blessed
with whole regiments of toddlers.
Any number of them.
(all) Calum and Deirdre.
Hello, boy.
Nip?
Nip, what are you doing here?
Are you lost?
(man) Oh, Nip ain't lost, Mr Herriot.
Good Lord. Mr Potts. What are you doing
in this part of the world?
- Margadale's miles away.
- I'm retired now, Mr Herriot.
- You've given up the farm?
- Aye.
That yonder's our abode now. Yon
cottage. Moved in a couple of weeks ago.
Well, it looks very nice.
Well, it's a bit of a change from Margadale
but it does us all right.
Come in and have a look
if you've got a moment to spare.
- I can't stay too long.
- Madge'll be right glad to see you.
Yes, all right. Lead the way.
- How are you keeping, Mr Potts?
- Oh, champion.
(coughs) Not getting any younger, mind,
but I still manage to give Nip his walk
over t' fields of a morning.
- What have you been doing this morning?
- The usual things. Torn teats. Cleansing.
- And yesterday?
- Yesterday I saw a lame bullock,
I treated two cows for mastitis
and one for milk fever.
Oh, it's a beggar, that milk fever.
When I were a lad,
good cows used to die like flies with it.
Always good milkers after the third or
fourth calf. They couldn't get to their feet.
We used to dose 'em with all sorts
but they died, every one of 'em.
It must have been heartbreaking
in those days.
But then we started blowing up
their udders with t' bicycle pump.
(both laugh)
And do you know, they jumped up and
they walked away. Like magic, it were.
I know. I've blown up my share of udders,
Mr Potts. But never with a bicycle pump.
I had an inflation apparatus. It was a little
black box with shiny cylinders and a filter.
- That'll be summat new.
- Oh, yes.
I was worried
about spreading tuberculosis.
And then we started using
calcium borogluconate.
Tell me more.
It's good to hear news from up t' Dales.
How they're all getting on without me.
I had a stinker of a foaling last week.
Took me more than two hours.
- I'm still aching from head to toe.
- The foal would be laid wrong, I reckon.
That's right. Crossways on.
Had a struggle to turn it.
Dost tha remember that Clydesdale mare
you foaled up at my place 15 year ago?
It must've been one of the first jobs
you did when you come to Darrowby.
It was, almost.
I remember it very well, Mr Potts.
- I was most grateful to you.
- You were?
For putting me at my ease.
I was pretty green
and most unsure of myself.
It were a Sunday night as I recall. Quite
late. We had a right tussle with that one.
- Yes, we did.
- Oh, they were good days, Mr Herriot.
They were. Indeed, they were. You've got
a nice bit of ground for your vegetables.
It's about all we can manage now.
(coughs)
Thanks. Stay there, Bodie.
(MrPotts) Come in,
if you can squeeze in.
- Hello, Mrs Potts.
- Nice to see you again, Mr Herriot.
- Nice to see you.
- Can I get you a cup of tea?
I don't have time at the moment. Thanks
all the same. How are you settling in?
Well, I'm sure you'll remember
my kitchen at Margadale.
Yes, I do. But this is very cosy.
Aye, well, it can't be helped.
It were getting a bit too much for us,
the old place.
Aye, it were. You'll forgive me
if I sit meself down, Mr Herriot.
Yes, yes, of course. Please.
We handed over to young Giles.
You remember our boy Giles?
- Indeed I do.
- And his wife Peggy.
They're in charge there now.
Best get out from under their feet,
we reckoned.
Lead a quieter life.
Leave it to the younger ones to carry on.
Absolutely. I'd better be off now.
I have to be back at surgery, you see.
Oh. Work to be done, eh?
Look, I'm often up here with Bodie.
Next time I'm passing,
why don't I pop in?
Oh, do that. It were grand
talking about old days.
Time lays a bit heavy on your hands
when you get to my age, Mr Herriot.
Yes. Yes, I expect it does.
Well, please don't get up, Mr Potts.
I'll see myself out.
Bye.
(Calum) Oh, darling, so do I.
Oh, God, so do I.
Yes.
Do you think about me
at work sometimes?
Oh. I tell you what, Deirdre.
Why don't you come over tomorrow night
and I'll cook us something to eat?
No, I promise it won't be Buchanan duck.
I know the food doesn't matter, but I want
to make something special just for you.
Get yourself on a bus that'll get you here
by about half past seven…
Ah, dear.
I had thought our friend and colleague's
passion for the delightful Deirdre
might assume reasonable proportions
once she'd moved back to Manorton.
- It seems I was mistaken.
- What makes you think that?
He's out there on the telephone now
at the expense of the practice
whispering sweet nothings,
inviting her over
to a tete-a-tete tomorrow evening.
You shouldn't eavesdrop, Siegfried.
My dear James, you cannot eavesdrop
a public announcement.
Thank you.
His mind cannot possibly
be concentrated 100% on his work.
- Why not?
- You've heard him.
He's hopelessly in love,
like a moonstruck housemaid.
- Oh, Lord, no.
- What now?
James, look here. You know how fond
I am of Bodie and of dogs in general
but the surgery is no place for them.
I mean, think of the potential hazards.
Infection, disease.
I know, but it's cold out there.
He'd freeze in the car.
Really no excuse, James.
If only you'd given yourself more time,
thought ahead for once,
you could have easily
dropped him off at Rowangarth
and he'd now be happily installed
in front of the fire
instead of getting under our feet here.
I really don't know
why you have a dog at all.
I mean, what's the earthly use of a pet
to people in our position?
Sheepdogs, hounds, working dogs
are one thing, but a lap dog?
I don't know why you got
another dog after Dan died.
It's the wisest decision I ever made.
Don't you ever miss Gemma?
Well, of course we miss her, don't we?
Wonderful little bitch.
- Affectionate?
- Yes.
- Undemanding?
- Yes, yes.
- Marvellous company.
- Yes, yes.
- Encourages exercise.
- We know all that, James. But…
You don't know what you're missing.
- Everything all right, Calum?
- Oh, aye. Everything's just fine.
Now, look here, Calum.
Giving Bodie a cuddle, are you?
That's nice.
I'm simply keeping him off the ground
and out of our way,
since James insists on
cluttering the place up with him.
And since it is imperative
that at least one member of this practice
turns his attention to the larger animals
upon which the nation
depends for its food,
I suppose that person had better be me.
(hums)
Well, they don't look at all healthy,
I must say.
Neonatal scour would seem
to be your problem, Mr Bush.
It's a severe form of diarrhoea. All too
common in newborn piglets, I'm afraid.
When did they start with it?
Pretty near just after they were born
three days ago.
I wish I'd seen them sooner.
I might have been able to do something.
I thought it was nowt.
Maybe t' milk were too rich for 'em.
(piglet squeals)
They're in a bad way.
There's really not much I can do for them.
I've got some new antibiotic mixture in
the car but I doubt it'll work at this stage.
However…
I can't see t' point in all this, Veterinary.
We can but try, Mr Bush.
Thank you.
It'll never do any good, you know.
No, well, I've already explained
my doubts on that one, Mr Bush.
- But I should have thought it was still…
- I'd best get on.
I am so sorry to drag you
from your work, Mr Bush,
but if I could just perhaps possibly
explain what you should do
if by the merest chance any of these
happens to be alive in the morning, right?
Yeah.
I suggest that you give each of them…
another squirt of this stuff
on the toddle, all right?
Aye, all right. Better be awake at t' time.
- James, can you spare me a minute?
- What do you want?
Well…
- I've decided to give her turbot.
- Give who what?
Deirdre, tonight, for dinner. I got a lovely
piece of turbot from the fishmonger.
- But I'm not very sure about the sauce.
- Must you have sauce?
- Oh, aye. I'm going to poach it.
- Oh, yes, of course.
You see, I recalled a fine sauce that Helen
made the last time we had poached turbot
and I was just wondering if you might
be able to remember the recipe.
Do you know, Calum,
I do believe it's slipped my mind.
- Why don't you ring her up and ask her?
- Thanks.
- Oh, you're both in.
- Hello. Dropped in from the North Pole?
- What? No, it's damn cold outside.
- Uh-huh.
Oughtn't you both to be out and about?
It's my surgery.
I've got this lot to catch up with.
Calum is preparing tonight's culinary
masterpiece. We'll be here for ages yet.
You've not been out after rabbits,
have you?
No, Calum,
I've not been out after rabbits.
I'm a respectable veterinary surgeon,
not a common poacher.
I've brought something in
for an injection, that's all.
- Something?
- Yes.
There.
If one of you could oblige me
by holding her steady on the table…
- Yes, of course.
- Thank you, James.
Well. Whose is she?
Whose, James? Well…
Until about half an hour ago
she belonged to old Joe Walters,
you know, over at East Garsby.
Ah. And now?
Now, James?
Um, actually she belongs…
to me.
You, Siegfried?
- Yes.
- A pet?
- (Siegfried) Certainly not.
- A lap dog?
Sometimes I really don't understand you.
Why should a simple addition to
my household cause you such concern?
Yes, absolutely right, Siegfried.
So, what are you gonna call her?
Isolde? Eva? Brunnhilde?
Woglinde? Wellgunde? Flosshilde?
(laughter)
For once, this latest addition
to the Farnon family
will not be saddled
with a Wagnerian name.
She will be known to all and sundry as…
- Polly. There.
- Polly. That's a nice name.
No, no, no, no. Steady, Bodie.
Be careful.
He won't harm her, Siegfried.
He's curious, that's all.
Well, gentlemen,
I diagnose a case of love at first sight.
The trouble with you
is you've got love on the brain.
Well, you know what they say. When
you're in love, you see it everywhere.
I suppose so. James, since you're here,
would you mind taking surgery?
I've got a couple of important calls
that I really ought to make this morning.
And I'd be awfully pleased
if you could keep an eye on her.
She looks capable
of looking after herself.
Yes. She's only been in the place five
minutes and she's got an admirer already.
Shows initiative, at least.
(chuckles)
For God's sake, you two.
(laughs)
- Would you like some cheese?
- I couldn't eat anything else.
It was lovely, though.
Look, why don't we just have some coffee
and talk for a while?
All right. I'll just take these through.
(sighs)
Like to sit somewhere
more comfortable?
- We can talk here.
- We can talk on the couch.
- All right.
- Don't forget your wine.
It was sweet of you
to go to so much trouble.
Nothing but the best for you.
- Calum…
- Mm-hm?
Do you ever see us
doing this sort of thing in the future?
I rarely think about anything else.
No, I mean, eating together and cooking
for one another. That sort of thing.
And cuddling up together afterwards.
- Oh! Oh, no. I'll get a cloth.
- No, it doesn't matter.
A drop of wine won't make any difference.
I'll put it down there in case you spill it.
I won't spill it. Look, Calum…
Calum, don't do that.
Please, Calum, don't do that.
Calum, don't do that!
- What's the matter? Don't you trust me?
- Och, it isn't that…
If you can't trust me to respect you, then
you can't have a very high opinion of me.
Calum, it isn't that.
Look.
This is just as hard for me
as it is for you.
Can't you see that?
The wine and the dinner and everything.
Look, just don't try to force things.
I just want to talk to you.
Force things?
All I want to do is to kiss you as any man
would expect to kiss the woman he loves,
- and you lecture me about it?
- I'm not lecturing you.
Deirdre, I did not invite you here
this evening to sit and hold hands
and listen to a sermon
on the sins of the flesh.
I don't think you intended
to listen to me at all.
For God's sake, Deirdre,
what is there to talk about?
It doesn't matter.
(both sigh)
It obviously does matter.
- What do you want to talk about?
- The future.
The future?
Well, a fine future we're going to have
if you think I'm trying to force things!
Right! lf you can't understand
my feelings better than that
then we'd better just call this a day.
You can take me right back to Manorton
before we say something
that we might just regret.
Right.
We'll go now, then.
Thank you.
Hi, Calum.
You look like the wrath of God.
Anything wrong?
I hope Deirdre enjoyed her dinner
last night, her boiled halibut.
- Poached turbot.
- I tell you what it is.
With a special sauce of Helen's.
Aye.
What happened?
- They write all these songs, don't they?
- Who writes all what songs?
"The touch of your lips.
A kiss in the dark."
"Press your lips to mine, baby."
- And all that nonsense.
- Is it?
Yes. Try putting it into practice with a girl
you're supposed to be going steady with
and she'll scream the place down as if you
were trying to drag her into your bed.
Oh, well, women, you see, now, Calum,
they're very sensitive creatures.
They're vulnerable and anxious and have
to be treated with the utmost delicacy.
Och, in the name of God, what did she
expect after a dinner and a bottle of wine?
- A game of draughts?
- Well, I haven't a notion, my dear chap.
You plainly went too far.
It's a common mistake.
My advice to you, take it or leave it,
is write her a conciliatory letter.
Admit you were wrong. Apologise.
Well, it's up to you.
Think about it.
I didn't want to ruin it after he'd gone to
so much trouble, but I just wanted to talk.
And he didn't?
What did you want to say?
I was trying to get him to set a date.
Since he asked me to marry him
he hasn't mentioned it.
He thinks that's all there is to it.
Yes, but I didn't want him to think
I was trying to drag him to the altar.
(sighs) Deirdre, men can be
very obtuse, you know.
He hasn't given a thought
to all the preparations.
He hasn't said anything.
I was beginning to wonder
if he still wanted to go through with it.
How far did you get?
Absolutely nowhere.
He just thought I didn't want to kiss him.
- Oh, no, Deirdre!
- Exactly.
And then we both lost our tempers
and I threatened to go home
and he said, "Right, we're going now."
- A bit of an awkward journey home?
- Oh, it was terrible.
We didn't say a word all the way there
in the car and then he opened the door
and he said goodbye really coldly,
so I just ran for it.
- I'm waiting for him to apologise.
- Do you think he will?
I don't know. Oh, Helen, I'm sorry.
I didn't feel like going home after work
today and now I'm barging in on you…
Deirdre, Deirdre, please, don't worry.
The children are doing their homework,
or should be.
James will probably be late back.
Have another cuppa.
No, thank you. Look, you've been
so kind and helpful already.
- Well, I only wish I knew what to say.
- Well, it was sweet of you to listen.
- Hello.
- Hot bath, stiff whisky.
- Yes.
- Oh, hello, Deirdre.
Deirdre's popped in for a chat.
Supper's nearly ready.
Why don't you go upstairs
and have a hot bath?
There's no hurry.
I think I know why you're here, Deirdre.
- I'm really sorry.
- How did you guess?
He looked like an undertaker with a bad
cold and we guessed you'd had a tiff.
A tiff? It was more like a blazing row.
- I'd better get back to Manorton.
- I'll run you back.
- Are you sure?
- Yes, of course. Come on.
Oh, Helen, it was sweet of you,
it really was.
- I just wish I knew how to advise you.
- I know what I'd advise, if I were asked.
- What?
- Give him a couple of days to telephone…
- Then what?
- You go and see him.
Ask him does he want to see you again
or not? Take it or leave it.
- Take me or leave me.
- Well, yes.
- James, that's a bit drastic.
- It is no good shilly-shallying.
You've got to be positive.
Grasp the nettle by the horns.
Come on, Deirdre.
Good luck.
I mean it.
- (sighs) Oh, no.
- (boiling over)
- Are you gonna be here?
- (Siegfried) I am.
- I've got to go check Seth Pilling's puppy.
- Oh, yes.
Then to Mrs Furly where there's
a bull terrier Bodie doesn't care for.
Is there, now? So?
I thought you wouldn't mind
keeping an eye on him for me.
- I thought so.
- Well, just till I get back.
Then I'll take him for a walk. Oh, thanks.
Behave yourself for Uncle Siegfried.
There's a good dog.
- (phone rings)
- I'll get it.
No, James, I'll deal with that.
You go on. On you go.
Darrowby 385.
No, I'm afraid Mr Buchanan's out.
Can I give him a message?
Oh, good, she's eating better.
I'll tell him. He'll be pleased.
Monday morning.
Goodbye.
(phone rings)
Darrowby 385.
Mrs Who?
Oh, Mrs Blythe. Yes.
I'll go and see. Hold on, will you?
I'll have to get your card out of
the index file. Would you please hold?
Hello, there, Bodie. Right.
I've got your card in front of me,
Mrs Blythe.
It's about your red setter, I take it? Max?
Well, he had his last distemper injection
in March 1949, so you're quite right.
He's due for a booster.
Would you like to bring him in?
Er, tomorrow morning about nine?
- Right you are, Mrs Blythe. Goodbye.
- (Bodie growls)
No, Bodie, you're being a bore.
- (ringing)
- I don't believe it.
- Darrowby 385.
- (ringing)
Hello? Oh.
Bodie, go off and pester
somebody else. Go on.
- Oh, my God, Deirdre.
- Is Calum in?
No, my dear. Nobody's in.
- Oh, Siegfried! (sobs)
- Oh, lovey, what is it?
What is it?
It's not as if he never proposed.
He asked me to marry him
before I went back to Scotland.
So I suppose we are engaged,
well, technically.
There's no "technically" about it, my dear.
- You're either engaged or you're not.
- Well, I suppose we are, then.
Oh, I just didn't want to force him
into naming the day
until I was quite sure he was quite sure.
I don't think he'd have got to the point
of popping the question
unless he'd been pretty sure.
Yes, but I don't think he's sure now.
- Well, I believe…
- I just wish I'd never tried to talk about it.
I just felt that marriage to Calum
had to be the ultimate aim.
Otherwise the relationship's
got nowhere to go.
Well, it's not gonna go anywhere unless
somebody takes the bull by the horns
and mentions the little question
of a wedding date.
I mean, you two can't go on pussyfooting
around each other much longer.
- You take it from me.
- Oh, I know you're right.
The trouble with Calum at the moment
is he's so absent-minded
and up in the clouds,
probably because he's in love
for the very first time,
and it simply hasn't occurred to him
to discuss a date for the wedding.
Well, it never will now. (sniffs)
Bodie! Bodie! Bodie!
Hello, Nip. Hello.
Come on. How are you?
Nip, fetch. Go on.
- Morning, Mr Potts.
- Mr Herriot. A bit milder today.
Yes, it is. Glass is up a touch.
We… we were recalling summat
t' other day when you had to go.
- What was that?
- Blessed if I can remember.
Oh, I know.
It were the time old Ramsden's bullock
jumped out of t' truck on market day
- and ran down t' street in Darrowby.
- (laughs)
(coughs)
Come on, Mr Potts. Over here.
You rest for a moment, eh?
- Oh, it'll pass.
- All right.
I've got a bit of bother
with one of me lungs, Mr Herriot.
Like the old king.
I reckon t' surgeons will best take
a piece out of mine, too. (coughs)
- Would you like to move on a bit?
- Aye, a mite further. I'll manage.
- Sure?
- Oh, aye.
As I was saying, old Ramsden,
he chased after that bullock
all t' way down Norgate Street
and into t' public car park.
Yes. Yes, I heard about it.
Talking of bullocks, we had one up at
Margadale got summat stuck in its throat,
so Mr Farnon come over -
Mr Siegfried, that were -
and somehow he got some pliers
down into that young bullock's gullet
and the torch, so he could see.
- He got hold of it.
- (laughs)
- So, how's Nip adjusting?
- Oh, I think he misses it.
Especially at milking. He used to skulk
around t' yard when I were doing it
and suddenly I'd feel summat
fall on me boot.
There was old Nip stood there
looking up at me.
He'd fetched a stone in, you see,
and put it on me foot.
So, I'd reach down, pick up t' stone and
chuck it out at t' cow shed across the yard
and old Nip, he'd scamper off after it
and fetch it back in again.
Really? Er, Mr Potts?
I'm sure, as an old farmer,
you understand
how important it is
to stick to a regular schedule.
You've got to go, haven't you?
I have enjoyed chatting about the old
days. It really has been fascinating.
- But I have to get back, you see.
- You go, Mr Herriot.
You're a busy young fellow.
I'm just an old retired farmer
with nowt to do with himself all day.
I won't keep you.
I'll be up this way again soon, I promise.
Good. Then we'll have
another good old chat, eh?
- Yes. Right.
- All right.
- Goodbye, Mr Potts.
- Bye.
Come on, Bodie.
- How's Calum this morning?
- The same.
When's he gonna stop moping around
the surgery? It gets depressing.
It is a shame
those two can't make it up.
As far as I know
they haven't spoken a word to each other.
Both too proud to give in, I suppose.
(radio pips signal the hour)
(newsreader) This is London.
It is with the greatest sorrow that
we make the following announcement.
It was announced from Sandringham
at 10:45 today,
February 6, 1952,
that the king, who retired to rest
last night in his usual health,
passedpeacefully away in his sleep
earlier this morning.
The BBC offers profound sympathy to Her
Majesty the Queen and the royal family.
Well, he certainly did a magnificent job
when you consider
that he never expected to be king.
- Just as well he was.
- Oh, absolutely.
Such a good man, wasn't he?
A simple man.
Bertie.
An extraordinary sense of duty
and a sense of honour.
In fairness the same could have been said
about his elder brother in the beginning,
but not, alas, after he took up
with that lady from Baltimore.
Aye, that's true.
He put the lady before his duty, didn't he?
Yes, he did.
Well, we must all look forward
to a new reign now.
A second Elizabethan age. It's curious.
This country's always done well
under our queens. Queen Elizabeth l,
Queen Anne, Queen Victoria,
and now Queen Elizabeth ll.
Will it be a new golden age of
good poetry, music, discovery, I wonder?
Who can tell?
Well, the nation may have lost a sovereign
but life goes on.
The sick animals must be treated and l,
for one, must face another minor tragedy
at the farm of that surly, ill-mannered
and humourless creature Frank Bush.
- Those wretched piglets.
- Those wretched piglets,
not a single one of which
I expect to have survived.
However, I must set forth.
And so, my friends, adieu.
The Elizabethan age
is upon us already.
Is this the same litter
that I treated last week?
Because if it is, and the same sow,
then all I can say is that a miracle
has taken place here, Mr Bush.
A miracle of veterinary science.
Are you not as amazed as I am?
Aye. But I've lost a bit of ground.
(laughter)
(James) They seem to be getting on
extremely well, don't they?
(Siegfried) It's more than just getting on.
He's in love with her
and she's in love with him.
(James) They appear
to worship each other.
(Siegfried) I'm not surprised.
She's a dear thing.
(James) No wonder
he can't resist sniffing around her.
If you two are talking about Deirdre and l,
which I assume you are…
- We're not, actually.
- Oh.
We were talking about
our respective dogs, actually, Calum.
Polly and Bodie and the passion they
seem to have developed for each other.
Actually, I'm delighted that
you're both here, the pair of you,
because I was planning…
- Ah, James.
- Oh, sorry, Siegfried. Sorry.
- Thanks very much.
- Sorry.
I was planning a little get-together
of the practice this evening,
that is, if you're both free,
and Helen too.
- A get-together?
- Yes.
I thought here at Skeldale, about 7:30.
Well, I'll be free, God knows.
Yes, so will I.
I… I already asked Helen, actually,
and she said that she'd very kindly
provide some snacks for us
and put a bottle of champagne on ice.
- Who's paying for that?
- No one's paying for it, Calum.
I happen to have a case left in the cellar
from the old days for just such occasions.
What such occasions?
(Siegfried) Wait and see.
Is it somebody's birthday?
(Siegfried) Calum, I've no idea.
Well, I don't see anything to celebrate.
Are we to drink to the miraculous
recovery of Frank Bush's piglets?
- Wait and see.
- Right, well, I'm off on my rounds.
And I'll take Bodie for a walk before lunch,
work off that surplus fat. Come on, Bodie.
- 7:30, then?
- Yes, that's right, and don't you be late.
I won't. Bye.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
Did you… did you write that letter
I suggested to Deirdre?
I did.
You did? Good.
When?
Three days ago, and not a word from her.
She must have got it by now.
Why on earth did you wait so long
before you wrote?
Well, I couldn't think of anything to say.
Yes, well, no doubt she's taking her time
thinking of a suitable response.
- To hell with it. I'm gonna telephone her.
- No, no! I…
No, don't, Calum.
The telephone's no way
to effect a lasting reconciliation.
Wait and see
what effect your letter has.
Possess your self-impatience.
Give her time to reflect.
Aye. Maybe you're right.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
There's a good boy.
Come on. Through. That's it.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
Bodie, come on.
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
What's the matter, Nip?
You're looking very sorry for yourself.
Are you going for a walk?
Where's your master? Hm?
Come on, Bodie. Come on.
Good morning. It's about time…
Oh, dear.
I'm so sorry, Mrs Potts.
I didn't know.
(Mrs Potts) He was a good man, my Jim.
- He lived his life to the full.
- I'll say he did.
He suffered, mind, these last months
with his lungs.
But he never complained.
I reckon he suffered
more than he let on.
Didn't want to bother other folk
with his ailments, you see.
He was that proud.
That old cough
must have distressed him a lot.
Oh, it did. And he hated
having to slow down.
Only he couldn't manage
the long walks no more,
nor do much about the place.
Too much effort tired him, you see.
Any road,
he's at peace now.
Yes.
I'm going to miss him very much,
Mrs Potts.
We had some good chats during
those few weeks about the old times.
Oh, I know you did, and he enjoyed
himself no end talking to you, Mr Herriot.
He used to look forward
to you coming by here with your dog
and going off, him and old Nip here.
He often told me so.
I wish there was something
I could say to comfort you.
It's funny you should say that, Mr Herriot,
but I find it quite comforting to think
that my Jim was taken to his rest
on the very same night as his king.
He was a bit older, mind, Mr Potts was.
Of course.
Aye.
My Jim would have liked to have known
that he was called to his Maker
at the same time as His Majesty.
Yes.
Yes, I'm sure he would have.
So you see, Mr Herriot,
I feel I can share my grief
with Her Majesty the Queen,
if you see what I mean.
Such a lovely lady.
We've both lost our husbands
at the same time.
Something we can always share,
the two of us.
Yes.
I'm afraid Nip's gonna miss his walks.
Oh, I know. That's something that's
worrying me, Mr Herriot, to be honest.
Jim always took him out
along t' river most days.
I know he did.
And you see, with my arthritis
I doubt I'll be able to manage it.
Not walks with Nip.
Well, that's not a problem, Mrs Potts.
I come up this way with Bodie
nearly every afternoon now.
I'll collect Nip and he can come
for a walk with us. How would that be?
Oh, that would be a kindness, Mr Herriot,
if you really mean it.
Of course I mean it. It'd be a pleasure.
He can come for a walk now if he likes.
Help cheer him up.
Oh, I know he'd love a walk,
wouldn't you, Nip?
He's not been out of the house
since the funeral.
Go on, then. Go for a nice walk
with Mr Herriot.
- Come on, Nip. Come on.
- Go on.
- I'll have him back in about an hour.
- Aye.
That'll be quite satisfactory, Mr Herriot.
- (doorbell)
- Ah.
Who's that at this time of night? Probably
somebody with a choking budgie.
No, no, I shouldn't think so.
It's probably James and Helen.
- It's you two. Well done.
- (Helen) I've made some nibbles.
- I hope there's enough.
- I'm in charge of the salted almonds.
We've come a bit early
so that I could put the champagne on ice
and I could sort these out
if you were busy.
- Thank you.
- Give me the salted almonds, darling.
There you are.
All right, Siegfried. What's it all about?
Are you gonna tell me?
No. You'll find out soon enough.
You go in and help, James.
I'll just finish off in the surgery.
He still won't tell me what this is all about.
Why the great mystery?
We'll just have to wait and see.
It's some anniversary
we've forgotten about.
The first time Tris and I performed
a caesarean on a cow.
I know. It's a year today since we got
drunk on vodka while examining sheep.
- He'd hardly open champagne for that.
- No. Let's organise the ice for the bubbly.
Oh, that's a good idea.
Just the thought of it's making me thirsty.
(Calum) ls there anything
I can do to help?
No, no, thank you, Calum. James
and Helen are coping with everything,
getting ice from the fridge.
No, you just, um… stay where you are,
finish what you're doing.
No hurry. Not yet half past seven.
Um…
Cheer up, Calum. All is not lost.
That's what you say.
Well, l-l-l think I'll just go
and deal with the champagne.
Righto.
(doorbell)
(car drives away)
(door opens)
(footsteps)
(Siegfried) Ah. Well, it sounds
healthy enough. It's 1937 vintage.
Ah, it's kept wonderfully.
There. Just try it.
Oh, it's delicious.
Oh, I adore champagne.
- What are you doing?
- That keeps the bubbles in.
(laughs)
Well, now, bring the glasses.
I'll carry that.
You're a mine of information, aren't you?
Quick, quick, quick.
(clock chimes halfpast)
(gasps) I don't believe it.
Calum! Oh, God.
- Oh, I've missed you.
- Oh, I've been so miserable.
So have I.
- Do you forgive me?
- Of course I forgive you.
Do you forgive me?
- Right. Let's get married right away.
- What about the banns?
- Oh. Um, how long does that take?
- Three weeks.
- Right. In three weeks, then.
- Oh!
(Siegfried) Now that that matter appears
to be settled, I suggest we all have a drink.
I need one.
But first I would ask
Calum and Deirdre to appreciate
that although the principal purpose of this
get-together is to see them reconciled
and reunited under this roof,
there is a little matter of protocol.
So before we raise our glasses to them,
let's drink a toast
to the health and long life
of our new sovereign
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
Thank you.
There we are.
- The queen.
- The queen.
And now let's drink
to the health and long life and success
of our dear friends Calum and Deirdre.
May their marriage be blessed
with whole regiments of toddlers.
Any number of them.
(all) Calum and Deirdre.