All Creatures Great & Small

Ah, hey.

I'm sorry to drag you all the way up here on Christmas Eve,

but, well, she's swollen up that bad, she's struggling.

No trouble at all, Bert.

It's missus. She's very worried about her and the pups.

Thanks so much for coming, James.

You're welcome, Anne.

Hello, Susie.

Good girl.

Let's take a look at you.

I hear Hulton's putting on a right proper spread at Drovers.

Listen to you.

What? What have I said now?

We'll be there to celebrate Hugh and Helen's marriage.

Not line our stomachs.

Will we be seeing you there and all, Jim?

No. My mother would skin me alive

if I don't make it home for Christmas.

There's no trouble here, just a big load of pups.

I wouldn't be surprised if she has them in a day or so.

I do hope she'll manage.

Ah, she'll pop 'em out no trouble at all.

Pop 'em out? You think that's what it takes to give birth?

I think you better be off, we might be on this for a while.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

It's his exam results.

It's better to know.

Knowing whether he's passed or failed won't change it.

I don't want Christmas ruined with an unholy argument.

I thought that was the point of it.

That and the silly hats.

I never ask you for much, Mr Farnon.

All right, all right.

No need to lay it on so thick.

How do we feel about Brussels sprouts?

Edward likes them. You can't not have sprouts.

I'll get a pound.

I feel honoured you even asked.

Siegfried...

..Siegfried.

Good tidings in this time of festive merriment.

Good God, man. You smell like a barmaid's apron.

I've been in Broughton for the

bell-ringer's Christmas celebrations.

They're enthusiastic drinkers,

so spillages are inevitable, I'm afraid.

Oh, no.

It came, didn't it? Come on.

Let's get it over with.

No. Your results must've been delayed in the Christmas post.

Oh. I was so looking forward to having something to celebrate.

Well, let's see, shall we?

Sprouts.

What are you eating?

David.

Can you grab hold of your donkey? Otherwise Mary will be walking.

This way, Bob.

Come on.

Tristan.

Ah, Jim.

I was worried you might have decided to go home early.

Not until tomorrow.

Staying for the wedding? Or is it all too heart breaking?

I couldn't be happier for Helen...and Hugh.

Don't you just sound it?

Still, there's always Connie to take your mind of it?

That's not why I'm seeing her.

So, it's love?

I'm teasing.

It's early days.

You know, I don't think I ever received a proper thanks

for introducing you two.

Thank you.

Sincerely.

Don't mention it. A good word with her friends wouldn't go amiss.

Which ones?

All of them. And make sure she invites a few to the party.

Hello, is that you over there, Maggie?

Aye. And I'll be having none of your blather, Tristan Farnon,

so either buy something or get a wriggle on.

Don't know why you're looking at me.

It's you pair that are under it.

I'll take the whole lot.

Every last sprig.

It'll be put to good use tonight, don't you worry.

I just hope our Christmas party guests are hungry.

Anything I can do, Mrs Hall?

You can take them sausage rolls through for me, would you, James?

There's a good lad.

Hey, Merry Christmas, Jess.

Hey.

You're incorrigible.

James, if you are to win at this game of life,

you must play many hands.

Siegfried.

You look very festive.

He's Saint Nick.

Every year, he hands out oranges to the kids.

I thought he wore red and white.

Only since some blasted American drinks company told us so.

The real Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas wears green and white,

and so shall I.

What's all this bloody mistletoe?

It looks like Kew Gardens.

Tristan's playing the odds.

You've the morals of an alley cat.

You'll be thanking me when you find

yourself underneath this with the delectable Dorothy.

Ah, you kept that to yourself.

She's Mrs Hall's guest.

Oh, really?

Were you taking those plates somewhere?

As for you.

If you think you're spending the evening

eating, drinking and carousing, you've got another think coming.

Oh, no.

No. Absolutely not.

Right, I'm seeing a lot of evidence of children being naughty

and not a whole lot being nice.

Except David, so he gets to go first.

Come on.

Right, King Herod's best behaved. He goes first.

I'm not Herod - I'm a wise man.

Just get in there.

Hello.

Hold on. Father Christmas just needs to oil his pipes.

No news of Edward.

It said in his letter he'd be here Christmas Eve.

After what he put you through, he'd better be grovelling on bended knee.

That's in t'past.

We're putting all of that behind us.

Just make sure you hide the silverware. I'm sorry, Aude.

He wants to come.

That's enough for me.

That could be him now.

Happy Christmas, James.

Ah, Merry Christmas, Mrs Dobson.

Helen, I didn't expect you tonight.

Siegfried as Father Christmas? I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Evening, Mr Alderson...

Sloe gin.

And go steady on it. I hear you don't hold your drink so well.

From who?

Hello, Jenny.

Merry Christmas, James.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Hugh. Come on in.

Oh, I'm not staying.

I'm meeting a few chums down the Renniston.

Last night of freedom and all that.

I guess I'll see you at the church.

This time tomorrow, we'll be married.

I know.

And the rest of our lives.

Cheers.

Oh.

You're popular.

I can see Santa!

So can I!

Oh, my God, he's real with make-up.

Give Father Christmas some space, please.

OK.

I thought you'd be at home, resting up before the big day.

It's really not that big.

A Christmas Day wedding?

The whole of Darrowby'll be out for it.

Especially since Hugh's put a pig on.

I'm sorry, a pig on what?

Pig roast at the Drovers.

There's quite a bit of excitement over it.

Hugh didn't tell me.

Everyone'll be there.

Jim'll probably be the only one missing out.

Well, that's one less person watching me.

I'm bound to trip over and make a fool of myself.

I'm sure you'll be perfect.

I better mingle.

Siegfried impressed on me that we only invite these infernal people

to drum up business.

Always full of festive spirit.

Hold up - night before her wedding, you don't want to wish her bad luck.

Oh, right, sorry.

Merry Christmas.

You too.

Oh, I got you.

Helen, love.

Come and say hello.

There she is, the blushing bride-to-be.

Congratulations.

She looks lovely, doesn't she, eh?

Dad.

Darrowby, 2-2-9-7. Hello. How can I help?

Is it Edward?

Bert Chapman.

OK, Bert. I'll be up right away.

The party's only just getting going.

I'm sorry, but I really can't stay. You could come with me if you like?

To a farm?

No, no, you're right.