All Creatures Great & Small

Darrowby 2-2-9-7.

Dave Kitson. Mr Kitson.

I've got a cow that needs seeing to. Yes.

Right away. Yes, all right.

Easy girl.

Easy. There now.

Why didn't you get dressed?

You asked me to come right away, Mr Kitson, so here I am.

Is that all you're doing for her?

I've given her a shot of Prontosil that'll help with the pneumonia.

I'll come back this evening to see how she's getting on.

And I suppose you'll still be charging us for that then, will ye?

That's how a business tends to operate.

What's the trouble here?

She had a rough time lambing yesterday.

How'd you mean, rough?

Big lamb got stuck with its leg in a funny position,

couldn't fetch it round.

So you just pulled it out as it was?

Aye, there was nothing else I could do.

Ey. What are you up to?

Look, don't bother yourself on my account. It's over for her.

Maybe there's something I can do.

Ey, lad. You have stock that long, you know when they're done.

At least let me ease her pain.

Pay you for what's gonna pass anyway?

No, thank you.

I'd rather let nature run its course

than have knacker's yard pick her up later.

Merry Christmas, Mr Kitson.

Aye, you too, lad.

Here now.

This will ease the pain.

It'll soon be over.

Keep going. More?

Well, you want to have leftovers in the evening.

Sprouts. Couple of handfuls.

Carrots, and... Ooh, parsnips. Yes.

How many are you feeding?

Well, they're hard-working men. For the most part.

Er, excuse me! I've been the model student these last three months.

No doubt you'll reap the reward. What're your plans for tomorrow?

I'm rather looking forward to having an empty house for once.

Radio on, a glass of sherry in my hand.

You're not just saying that?

No, it'll be a delight.

Audrey. When does the party start tonight?

Oh, any time after 7:30.

I look forward to it.

See you then.

Make sure your lipstick's on and your mistletoe is up.

Gerald's a friend, and I'm a married woman.

So was I in the not-too-distant past.

Just look at all the fun I'm having now.

Oh, spare me the details. Please.

Honestly, Audrey...

a little feeling can make you feel a whole lot.

I'm perfectly happy feeling exactly as I am.

Well, I'll see you later.

Make sure you wear something to catch his eye.

I don't know about...

Wish she wouldn't talk about my brother like that,

it's enough to bring my breakfast up.

Tris, would... would you mind picking up the rest?

I've just got to pop back to the house for something.

Not at all, Mrs H, happy to help. Both sides!

Morning, Mrs Hall. There you are, two letters.

Oh, thanks! Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Tristan, is that you?

Only me.

What happened to this one? Had his ear bitten off.

Know the feeling.

Are you aware that Diana's on her own for Christmas?

She says she doesn't mind.

'Tis a shame though, in't it?

Mrs Hall, I feel you want me to do something,

but you don't want to ask because once you do,

you know I'll have to say yes,

and then the illusion that I have at least some semblance of control

over the goings-on in this place will evaporate,

and then where will we be?

I think you should invite Diana for Christmas lunch tomorrow.

Now, the problem, you see,

the problem, Mrs Hall, is...

with something like Christmas Day,

it's a day for the family.

To invite Diana might raise certain expectations.

It's your house, your decision.

But I think it's wrong she's on her own.

Well, why don't you invite your gentleman friend?

He's a bachelor, isn't he?

Perhaps it's best we keep the numbers as they are.

Far be it for me to disagree with you, Mrs Hall.

Darrowby 2-2-9-7.

Good morning, dear. Oh, Mrs Pumphrey.

Could one of the uncles attend for Tricki?

Of course.

I'll send one of them up to you right away. Thank you.

What was that? Mrs Pumphrey, there's summat wrong with Tricki.

I'll do it. No, no, James, you had an early start with Kitson,

you've got plenty on today. Leave it to me.

Thank you, Siegfried. Mm.

Mrs Pumphrey's always generous with the sherry this time of year.

Presents? For the Aldersons.

That's lovely. Here...

Looks like you've a few Christmas cards.

Ah, this is from Dad.

Your mum must be upset you're not back for Christmas.

Oh, they've got Uncle Alf and kids coming over.

I'm sure she'll be fine. Oh, James. Your mother won't be fine.

Which is why she's got people coming to stay,

take her mind off it.

He wants me to call tomorrow at five.

Well, that's good, in't it?

Means you get to speak to your mum.

Oh, I hope so. We haven't spoken since they visited,

I wrote, but I only heard back from Dad.

She's your mother,

course she wants to talk to you on Christmas Day.

Hello?

In here!

Oh, look, Tricki, it's Mr Farnon!

Morning, Mrs Pumphrey, hello, Tricki!

Please excuse the state of things,

I've sent my staff home.

It's only right people should be with their families at Christmas.

What seems to be the trouble with you, then?

Aren't you going to say hello?

Oh, can't even raise a paw.

He's been off his food for a few days now.

Don't worry. I'm sure we'll have no trouble finding out

what's wrong with him.

'Scuse me, Tricki.

Cook's been away, so it hasn't been his usual fare,

I thought perhaps that was it, but...

..this morning, poor darling had the trots.

I'm sorry to embarrass you, Tricki,

but he's a doctor.

He's been terribly depressed.

Tricki's got gastro-enteritis.

He's lost a lot of weight, and I'm seeing signs of dehydration.

I'm afraid we'll have to take him in for treatment.

Oh, dear!

I won't be with my little man for Christmas!

Rest assured, we'll do everything in our power

to have him right and back with you by tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr Farnon.

You are so kind.

Oh, Merry Christmas, Maggie.

How've you been in my absence?

Didn't notice you were gone.

Here you go, gentlemen.

Thanks, Maggie. Thanks, Maggie.

Really, Maggie? You know I was away at college,

advancing my prospects.

Oh, really? See you've got your mistletoe, then.

Oh, you know me.

Oh, yes.

Ale?

Please.

So did you, then?

Did I what?

Advance your prospects?

I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

Just got to fix me hair and I'll be ready to go.

I've got a few visits to make on the way, I hope you don't mind.

I'll wear me wellies.

Are those presents?

I think they might be,

but I'm not sure there's any here for you.

I'll put them under the tree.

Jenny, why don't you show James your pudding?

I been soaking it in brandy every week for over a month.

Dad's worried it might get you tipsy.

I don't know how I got this reputation.

It looks fantastic. Mrs Hall would be proud.

It were actually her recipe I followed.

It's only been the three of us at Christmas since Mum died.

So we're quite excited, aren't we?

You better wear loose trousers,

because we have got a hell of goose in this year!

She's determined to cook tomorrow.

She's even missing out on tonight's party

so her and me dad can prepare it all.

I didn't realise you'd be inviting me to Christmas lunch!

Oh, where did you think we'd be? Skeldale House.

Mrs Hall's expecting us.

So, what d'you think?

Oh, aye! Well...

You took your time.

Had trouble finding redcurrants.

No, they don't sell them at the Drovers.

How do you know? How do you always know?

Because I'm a mother. We've a sixth sense...

and a nose.

Anything from Edward this year?

No. I didn't expect it.

That doesn't mean I weren't hoping for it.

Nothing for me, I suppose, from Edinburgh?

I'm sure Mr Farnon has learned his lesson.