[light music]
Could I have the...?
Thank you.
[light music]
We'll keep it in overnight.
Their owner can pick it up tomorrow.
[cat meowing]
I'll get cleaned up.
[knocking]
Finished up already?
Being able to visualise the break
before I operated certainly made life easier.
It looks like a clean fracture.
She's a young, healthy cat.
Should heal well.
Every practice in the country should have an X-ray machine.
Oh, well unfortunately it doesn't come cheap.
[cat meowing]
I shall be sorry to see you go.
We've got used to having you around
these last two weeks, haven't we?
Aye, it's been lovely.
Glad to help out.
A good vet is hard to find.
I hope your boss appreciates how lucky he is.
In his own special way.
Deep down.
If you ever get the yearning for home,
the lad you're covering for is joining up.
Six months' time, there's a job if you want it.
That's a very kind offer, Bill, but...
Veterinary practice isn't all about farm animals.
Pets is where the future lies.
I don't need your answer right away.
Take time to think on it, eh?
[light music]
[street chatter]
[Vendor] Bring the lads home.
Read all about it!
[indistinct]
Thanks, Craig.
[car honking]
[Vendor] Read all about it! [continues shouting]
[uplifting music]
Pint, Jim?
I can't stop.
Ma will string me up if I'm not home for my tea.
You always were a mummy's boy.
Get a pint at the till for me.
Oh, you're hanging around long enough to drink it, then?
You're not going anywhere, are you, Stevie?
Ha, not likely.
[uplifting music]
Hold on!
Dumbarton Road, please.
[uplifting music]
[woman] James!
Haggis and tatties?
Bet you can't get grub like that
down where you've been, can you?
I don't know. Mrs. Hall cooks it.
No.
Nothing like the taste of home.
And here's a pot of tea to go with it.
Thanks, Mum.
And maybe we won't have to wait
until next Easter for you to show your face again.
Hopefully not.
That practice of Bill's is always busy.
It's a lovely wee business he's setup for himself there.
And it's not too far away.
And you don't have to go traipsing out
in the cold at goodness knows what time in the morning.
Bill's been talking.
Oh, ho, I'm so happy for you, love!
How's Dad doing?
Soldiering on.
At his age he struggles to get picked out the line.
I'm doing the odd bit of needlework.
Don't worry, we get by.
Haggis, neeps, and tatties, eh?
Somebody wants to keep our boy home.
Well he needs a decent meal in him for the journey.
It'll be six months before he has another.
You're taking the job then?
Of course he is!
I thought you made a bit of a life for yourself down there?
Aye, but home is where the heart is.
Is it not, James?
Aye, Mum, it is.
[dog panting]
Good lad.
[train whistle blowing]
[uplifting music]
How's things with you then?
Good grief.
Two weeks away and I can barely understand you.
The place rubs off on you.
Well, if you want any of the farmers
to understand a word you're saying
you'll have to rub it off again.
Is that chocolate?
Huh?
No, no.
No, I don't think so.
That reminds me, a present from Mrs. Hall.
Easter egg.
I'm afraid Jess got at it while her back was turned.
Uh, good break?
Parents holding up all right?
Aye, just about.
Dad's struggling with his back.
Mum's picked up some extra work to get them by.
How's it been here?
Oh, you know how it is with my brother.
Peace and tranquillity.
Mrs. Hall just about manages to keep him in line.
And you've been your usual industrious self?
Oh, you know me, nose to the grindstone.
[James] Where are we going?
Oh, Benson's got a load of ewes lambing.
So he's letting you off the leash a bit more?
Happily still tethered to the dispensary in the main.
Siegfried's meeting us there.
[uplifting music]
Good afternoon, Mr. Farnon.
Isn't it though?
[bleating sheep]
I see my gallant crew have arrived.
Clearing the decks for their captain.
Where's your tie, man?
Oh, I...
I left it in the car.
A well tied tie is the mark...
Mark of a well made man.
Good to see you again, Siegfried.
Yes, you too.
I had the fortitude to deal with the caseload in your absence.
Lesser men would have failed.
I'm sure that's true. What have you got?
A big lamb, stuck right in the birthing canal.
My great mitts, no use at bringing her out.
It's a good job we've got those
little lady hands of yours, Mr. Herriot.
The head's stuck fast.
I can barely get a finger inside.
Now have you got hold of the leg yet?
Trying to.
Come on, man, there's no need to make such a meal of it.
We're not getting paid by the hour.
I'm just trying to bring it around now.
She should come out after that.
I can always take the reins if it would help, James.
I'm happy, Siegfried. Thank you very much.
Oh, hello. Who's this little chap?
[Rob] Herbert.
Poor little lamb's mother won't have him at any price.
She took spite to him at birth.
Though she thinks the world of her other lamb.
Yeah, sounds very reminiscent of my upbringing.
You were given the love you deserved.
He's been fending for himself.
He goes from one to another chancing his arm.
Hey, Herbert.
Mind yourself.
Might get a kick.
They don't always let him have it. It's a crying shame
but you've got to let nature run its course.
Here we go.
It's coming.
[bleating sheep]
Oh, there she is.
What a grand 'un.
[light music]
There we go.
[light music]
Hello, little one.
Hello.
That's good.
A healthy wee lamb.
Got there in the end.
[bleating lamb]
[dog barking]
Is that one of yours?
No.
It belongs to Alderson.
[dog barking]
That'll be the second time he's been over.
[dog barking]
[door opening]
Oh, it's only you.
Only, Mrs. Hall? Only?
How far I've fallen in your estimation.
What's this?
It's a bag.
Yes, no, I see what it is.
Then why'd you ask?
- I meant... - I got it for Tristan.
I see.
We can't have him filling his pockets
with scissors and goodness knows what, the holes they make.
I'll be darning night and day.
You shouldn't have done this, Mrs. Hall.
- I didn't. - You didn't?
- You did. - Did I?
I took the money out of the pine pot.
I knew you'd want to get him something special
in recognition of all his hard work.
I thought you might give it to him on his birthday.
But it's not till the summer.
Well, the best preparation for tomorrow
is getting it done today.
Your heart is in the right place
but I would have preferred it if you'd asked me first.
Well, I couldn't have done that.
Why not?
You might have said no.
Yes, well, I'm sorry to put my foot down like this, Mrs. Hall,
but you can't give it to him.
Are you aware of what this mysterious contraption
in the hall is for?
It slips off.
Because you don't put it on properly.
You hounded that boy for the last five years
to pass his exams.
Now that he has, the least you could do
is reward him for it.
You said you were proud of him.
I am, it's not... I just.
I'm not sure about qualification letters after his name.
It's very ostentatious, very showy.
Now you've got it next to your name by the front door.
I earned that qualification!
What, and Tristan didn't?
You know there was something I was about to do.
[dog barking]
Oh, you're back.
Good to see you, Mrs. H.
Sit yourself down.
I've made you dinner. How was Glasgow?
Your mother must have been so pleased to see you.
I want to hear all about it.
There isn't much to tell.
I don't believe a word of it.
Oh, it's good to have you home.
[light music]
I've got a little list.
I've got the little list.
James, only a few for you today.
Tristan, if you wouldn't mind.
Dispensary, mixing the medicines,
feeding the animals, got it.
We could be putting Tristan to better use.
Maybe it's time he had a list of his own.
To conquer the ziggurat of life,
one must climb the first step.
Quite right, big brother.
Crawl before you can walk.
We'd be freed up to do the farm work more quickly.
And it would allow us to take on more small animals.
We are principally a farm practice.
More and more people are keeping pets now.
Yes, why people keep animals as pets is beyond me.
A dog should have a function.
Let it be used for farm work, for shooting,
for guiding, not just hanging about the place.
[phone ringing]
Where's Jess?
What about Mrs. Tompkins budgerigar, for instance.
It only needs its beak clipped.
Surely Tristan can take that one on by himself.
Yes, I suppose there's only so much harm he can do.
What?
Aren't you sick of not being giving any responsibility?
On the contrary, I am at my happiest
when he doesn't allow me to do anything.
It means I get to finish my crossword.
That were Mr. Benson.
He's had a dog attack his sheep.
Sounded pretty upset about it.
James.
[light music]
Were that bloody dog from next door again.
The Aldersons'?
Yeah, I caught him and tied him up in our shed.
I have half a mind to shoot the damn thing me self.
Let's hope it won't come to that.
Good god.
[ominous music]
- This one's still alive. - This one too.
[heavy breathing]
Siegfried.
There's nothing here.
Not a single bite mark, no blood.
I can't find anything wrong with them.
This one's rasping a little.
See how her head's lolling like she's drunk.
[Rob] What's that you're saying?
They're still alive, Rob.
Oh, thank God for that.
Well, let's not be too hasty.
There's still something seriously wrong with them.
Maybe it's something they've eaten.
I shouldn't think so.
Can't calcium deficiency be brought on
by sudden exertion or stress?
So it might occur after being chased by a dog.
They need a calcium injection.
I've got one.
I have more in the car.
[light music]
Good morning.
Morning.
[light music]
[knocking]
[light music]
Hello, who is it?
It's the vet, Mrs. Tompkin.
Come in.
Peter's in here, love.
Poor little fellow can barely eat with beak as it is.
And I'm worried about him.
He's my only companion, you see.
Mind the table.
Oh.
Don't you worry.
We'll soon see him right.
Mr. Farnon, you do sound different today.
Have you a cold?
No, it's Tristan, Siegfried's brother.
Oh, I see.
Well, I don't actually.
Barely.
Not for 10 years now.
Thankfully I've got this one.
His singing keeps you company?
It's a funny thing, but Peter has never said owt.
I think he's lazy.
But I likes having him near me.
I hear you fluttering, don't I?
Yes, well, I can see his beak has got long.
Nothing I won't be able to sort out.
We'll have him done in a jiffy.
Right, come on, Peter.
Good lad, there he is.
Come on then.
Come on then, you.
There he is, good boy, good boy.
[clock ticking]
Oh, God.
Is something the matter, dear?
He's a little love, isn't he?
Yes.
Um, I just need to, um...
Mrs. Tompkin I think it would be best
if I did this in more of a clinical setting.
I'll take him back to the surgery
where I've got more... tools.
Oh.
If you're sure it's not too much trouble.
Oh, yes, yes, yes.
Don't you worry.
He's in perfectly capable hands.
[farcical music]
It were a hell of a thing.
I thought I'd lost the lot of them.
Me heart were up here where me throat should be.
Thankfully the dog just gave them a bit of a chase.
Still doesn't excuse it.
You were lucky not to lose any.
[bleating sheep]
[thudding]
Mr. Farnon!
I think she's in labour.
We'll need water and soap, please, Rob.
I've got some by the pens.
It's happening very quickly.
Hold on a second.
Easy girl, easy.
Easy, girl.
Was it brought on by the dog?
Could well have been.
Hang on.
Hold on to her.
I've got it.
Right.
Let's see if we can't get this chap going.
[sombre music]
Sorry, Rob.
Nothing we could do.
They have so many born each year,
you'd be forgiven for thinking it wouldn't hit them hard.
Mm, but it does.
One of us should drop by the Aldersons'.
They need to know this happened.
There's no guarantee the dog did this.
We both know that level of distress
can cause a ewe to miscarry.
Their dog was loose in Rob's field.
If something isn't done it could well happen again.
Hard as it is, one of us needs to tell them.
I'll pass by on my way through.
[light music]
Trist.
Mm-hm?
What are you up to?
Mrs. H, you do have a suspicious mind.
It's not what it looks like.
Is it a dead budgie?
Yes.
Then it's exactly what it looks like.
I didn't kill it.
Well, I suppose I did, but it was an accident.
Entirely natural causes.
All I did was try to pick it up.
So not entirely natural.
It must have been on its last legs
and the shock just finished him off.
I didn't have the heart to tell Mrs. Tompkin.
The bird's all she has.
I don't see any way out of it.
Unless you somehow learnt the powers of resurrection.
[light music]
Mrs. Hall, you're a genius.
- I am? - You are.
Whatever you're thinking about doing, oi.
What about this one?
Ah, yes.
Don't worry, I'll give him a proper burial later.
[farcical music]
Good G...
Scruff!
[dog barking]
Scruff!
[uplifting music]
He was over at Benson's again.
In with Rob's sheep.
I'm afraid he lost one of his lambs.
Jenny, what did I say would happen
to that dog of yours if he got out again?
He didn't attack any of them.
There were no bite marks
but one of the ewes miscarried.
We can't be sure it was anything to do with Scruff.
But he was chasing them around before.
Dad, what are you gonna do to him?
What are you gonna do to my dog?
We've no choice, love. He's got to be put down.
No, you're not hurting him.
You're not hurting my dog.
Scruff!
Jenny!
Jenny, get yourself back here.
Dad, Dad, don't bother.
You'll never catch her.
Girl's like a bloody whippet.
[Helen] What happened?
That hound of hers got in with Benson's sheep.
He's lost a lamb.
He's not a dangerous dog.
Young and over excited,
but he doesn't have a bad bone in him.
Oh, aye, what do you know about it?
Dad.
I do have some experience with animals, Mr. Alderson.
Yeah, well your animal does something like that,
hurts another man's stock,
you should take responsibility for it.
It's not right to kill a perfectly healthy animal.
That's the way things are done around here, son.
Mind you, I don't expect your type to understand that.
He's upset.
I can tell.
You know the dog can be trained.
It was just a mistake.
Well, like Dad says, this is the way things are done.
I could go after her, if you like.
We could take my car.
It's not the first time she's run away.
She always comes back, eventually.
All right.
Well, you know what's best for her.
Yes.
Bye, James.
[light music]
Jenny!
Jump in, I'll give you a lift.
[dog barking]
- Are you all right? - Yeah.
You do have one?
Oh, fantastic.
Yeah, I'll be there first thing tomorrow.
Thank you.
Oh, sorry, one more thing.
What colour is it?
Mm, right.
Uh, no, no, that'll be fine, actually.
Um, yep, tomorrow.
I'll see you first thing.
[Siegfried humming]
[farcical music]
- What are you doing? - Doing? Nothing.
Sounds about right, what's that?
- What's what? - That!
- What, that? - Yes.
It's Mrs. Tompkins budgerigar.
What's it doing here?
I thought it needed it's beak clipped.
Yes, but I thought I saw some mange,
so I wanted to give him a more thorough examination.
Well, I'll have a look if you like.
No, don't!
[clearing throat]
You entrusted this case to me.
For far too long now, I've been shirking responsibility.
Taking the easy way out, but not any more.
I'd really like to see this one through myself.
All right then.
It's very quiet.
The budgie. I haven't heard a peep out of him.
He's sleeping.
Sleeping?
Yeah.
All right then.
It's delicious, love.
Just as mother cooked it.
I burnt the onions and I forgot leeks.
As I said.
You have to remember you only got to eat your mother's meals
when she spent years perfecting 'em.
I wish there were more for ya.
Hey, never apologise to me for that.
[sighing]
Hungry?
How far did you go?
Jenny, love, where's the dog?
[light music]
There you go.
Good lad.
[light music]
[bells ringing]
[bird chirping]
He's not even the same colour.
That's not going to matter to Mrs. Tompkin.
I don't know what's more disappointing,
the fact that you're contemplating the thing
or that I'm not even surprised.
What's the problem?
One budgie's not so different from another.
Herriot!
[dog barking]
I know what you're going to say.
I wonder if you really do.
We both know this is not an aggressive dog.
He can be trained not to chase sheep.
And the Aldersons have given you permission to do this?
Jenny has.
Jenny?
Oh, really, James. Have you not done enough damage
interfering in that poor family's business?
What does that mean?
I want you to take this dog back
to the Aldersons first thing this morning.
And if I don't?
I think your time away has led you
to forget exactly who it is you work for.
I'm not entirely sure that's possible, Siegfried.
Take this dog back to where it belongs, now!
[light music]
[sighs]
[birds chirping]
Good girl.
That's it, Candy.
Oh, good girl.
[light music]
Where are you off to?
Dad wants me to get some grain for the geese.
[light music]
[dog barking]
Jim, hold on.
I thought you could do with the company.
If you're lying to protect the feelings of someone,
is that really such a bad thing?
Yes.
How?
If Miss Tompkin knew Peter was dead,
she'd be devastated, alone.
Now she'll have company.
But it's not her bird.
You're not being honest.
We don't all have to be honest all of the time.
Even you avoid the truth when it suits.
When?
I assume we're taking this one back
to the Aldersons as agreed?
This isn't going to end well, Jim.
Jenny loves that dog.
It's not fair on either of them.
Well, I hope that's the real reason
and not some misguided attempt to win your way
back into Helen's heart.
Because if it is, I'll tell you now.
It's not.
[light music]
[dog barking]
Hello, boy.
Thanks again for this, James.
- Hello, Trist. - Hello.
[light music]
How's your sister?
Haven't seen much of her since the wedding.
She's been going on lots of walks.
I think she feels guilty.
You know, he's in France.
I did, I do.
He writes to her.
A snuck a look once.
I don't think you should be doing that, Jenny.
He still loves her.
Keeps banging on about how much it hurt
when she called it off and can he have another chance.
But don't worry, she doesn't write him back or anything.
Worry? Why would I worry?
You know, I was listening by the door when she did it.
You really shouldn't have done that.
Absolutely.
And we absolutely do not want to hear what was said.
- Do we, Jim? - Absolutely not.
Ah, what's the harm?
Helen said, it's not that she didn't love him,
because she did.
But not in that way. And he didn't understand.
And I don't blame him, 'cos I didn't understand either.
I thought he were gonna cry, but she wouldn't budge
and said it was better for both of them.
Then Hugh got really cross
and asked her if she was only calling it off
because she liked someone else.
And um, did you happen to hear what she said?
Thought you said I shouldn't be telling you all this?
No, you're right. You shouldn't.
But I have no such moral compunction.
Come on, Jenny, spill the beans.
Dad dragged me away before I could hear her owt.
Give us a clip around the ear for me troubles, too.
[light music]
Mrs. Hall!
It doesn't matter, found it.
Whenever you want to waste me time,
feel free to holler.
Matches.
Oh.
You weren't supposed to see that.
Did you know about this?
Mrs. Hall?
Mrs. Hall!
Well, far be it for me to reveal
the underhand goings on in this establishment.
Mrs. Hall, why on earth is there a dead budgie?
[bird chirping]
No.
I should have known better than to trust him.
And why might that be?
If you have a point, Mrs. Hall,
I'd rather you got on and stabbed me with it.
I had a very strange phone call this morning.
Given our clientele, I can't imagine
that's a unique occurrence.
It were the dean of Edinburgh Veterinary College.
Ah.
They wanted to know if Tristan would be returning
for the autumn term.
I told them, they must have made a mistake
because Tristan passed his exams last Christmas.
Where was that, um, thing I was after?
Siegfried Donald Farnon!
I've no doubt there's a very simple,
logical explanation for all of this.
You told him he passed his exams when he blooming well didn't.
One really mustn't leap to outlandish conclusions.
- All right, I did it. - You lied to him.
It was for his own good.
What would the blasted university call him for anyway?
- Well, they didn't. - What?
I knew you were up to something.
I knew you wouldn't tell me the truth.
Mrs. Hall, I'm shocked.
A woman of your integrity.
Don't even start.
What is it the seventh commandment tells us?
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Well, the other one then. - What were you thinking?
That it might be nice if I wasn't constantly
hounding him about passing his damned exams.
I thought we might be able to salvage something
that approximates to a relationship.
Oh, for goodness sake.
You're both as bad as each other.
What's that supposed to mean?
Mrs. Hall!
[chirping]
[sheep panting]
- [Rob] All right there, Jim. - Rob.
Morning, Mr. Benson.
Scruff's my dog.
I wanna say I'm sorry you lost your lamb.
Well, it's big of ya to come say so yourself.
How's the mother?
Not too clever.
She won't get up, won't feed or drink.
That can happen after a stillbirth.
What she really needs is a lamb to look after.
How about that little orphan you had?
Hubert?
Herbert.
Well, it's worth a go, I suppose.
[whimpering dog]
What the bloody hell's that thing doing up here.
I know this dog is the last thing
you want to see right now.
But he didn't attack your flock.
You saw that yourself.
I still lost one of my lambs all the same.
Because he's not been trained how to behave around sheep.
He just got over excited.
I don't see that as reason enough to put him down.
What if he comes back and it happens again?
We'll train him so he doesn't.
With your permission, I'd certainly like to try.
[dog barking]
[light music]
Jenny!
They're hoggs, so that means that...
They're too young to have babies and won't have lambs in them.
It won't do them any harm if they get a little startled.
Now you need to hold him tight.
Keep him close to your side.
The moment he growls or barks you pull him back.
Tell him to stop, sit.
Pull him back, stop, sit.
And be firm.
If he obeys your command, give him a treat.
- Tristan. - Mm?
Oh, sorry Jenny. I was feeling a bit peckish.
Come on, Scruff, that's it.
Come on.
That's it. Be good, Scruff.
Do you really think this is going to work?
I hope so.
And if it doesn't?
- [dog barking] - Scruff, stop!
Stop it, Scruff. Scruff no, stop.
Stop! Scruff.
[barking]
- Stop! - It's all right, Jenny.
I've got him.
Come on.
Let's take him out for a minute. Give him a moment to calm down.
Why won't he stop barking?
Don't worry, we'll try again.
You need to stop, Scruff, please.
- Why won't he stop, James? - He can still see the sheep.
Here, walk him away and keep talking to him, all right?
Come on, Scruff.
That's it, come on. Come on.
[dog barking]
Come on, Scruff, come on.
What'd ya think?
I really don't know.
[farcical music]
[bell ringing]
I've got it!
Mrs. Tompkin, how lovely to see ya.
Let me help you inside.
Now you set yourself down there.
Oh, don't worry.
I can find my way.
I'll fetch Mr. Farnon.
Oh, here he is now.
Mrs. Tompkin, what an absolute pleasure.
I know young Mr. Farnon said
he'd bring my Peter back this afternoon,
but I couldn't wait.
My boy don't come back to see
his old mum as much as I'd like.
It's hard, isn't it, when children grow up and leave home?
Well, it might silly to you,
but hearing his fluttering around
and pecking at his cage, it warms my heart
knowing he's there.
That doesn't sound silly at all.
[chirping bird]
What was that?
[bird chirping]
Is that?
Well, that's not my Peter.
Mrs. Hall, I believe Tristan spoke
to you about this matter.
Well.
Yes.
Mrs. Tompkin.
It is Peter, and he's already for you to take him home.
Oh, my goodness, thank you.
But he never used to be able to cheep.
Um...
Well...
The thing is.
Peter needed his beak trimmed
and now that he has, it's allowed him
to find his voice again.
Oh, how wonderful!
He's like a different bird.
Oh, thank you both so much.
And say a big thank you to that brother of yours.
Let me help you out.
Oh, I can manage.
Once I've walked it once, it's no bother doing so again.
I'll bring Peter home to you, Mrs. Tompkin.
Thank you.
And as far as his exams go,
Tristan can never find out the truth.
Understood.
You can't keep him hidden
in that dispensary cupboard, either.
He needs to get out and start doing
some proper work.
I'm sure I can fill any gaps in his knowledge.
And when his birthday comes,
he's getting that bag.
[light music]
Let's see if you can't keep each other company.
Afternoon, Rob.
I thought I'd drop a few things round.
Least we could do, considering.
Oh, there's really no need.
There is and we're sorry.
Have you seen our Jenny?
She took off this morning.
We've not seen hide nor hair of her since.
Aye, she's in top field with veterinary.
Leave them be, Scruff.
Trist.
- Afternoon, Helen. - Don't afternoon me.
Look, none of this is my doing.
He's only doing what he thinks is right.
It's all he ever does.
Even if it's not easy.
I'm sure that's something you could relate to.
It's good to see you again, Helen.
You too.
Keep encouraging him.
Leave them be, Scruff, leave.
That's it, give him a treat.
All right.
Now you can try letting go of the lead.
Be good, Scruff.
Please, be good.
He's doing it, James!
He's really doing it!
Good lad, Scruff!
- There you go! - He's not even looking at 'em.
Helen, we've just been...
Jenny, get back up to the house.
- But. - Now please, Jenny.
Sorry, I maybe should have spoken to you...
Maybe?
There's no maybe about it.
I know I'm not from around here
and I might not understand the way things are done.
But I know the difference between right and wrong.
Killing a perfectly good animal can never be right.
It's not your dog or your reputation.
It was a mistake.
Animals mess up sometimes.
Just like people do.
There's no reason for you
to keep punishing yourself for anything.
What am I supposed to do?
Carry on as if nothing's happened?
What's the alternative?
The dog didn't do anything wrong.
He deserves a second chance.
I think you both deserve a second chance.
I should get Jenny back.
I've missed you.
Missed you, too.
[light music]
There you go, little one.
[light music]
We've worked hard with Scruff.
He's not going to scare any more sheep.
He's good now, Mr. Benson.
And I'm gonna make sure he never goes off again, anyways.
All the same, if you say he needs...
You know.
Nay, you carry on, lass.
I reckon some good came out of it after all.
[light music]
What do ya think Dad will say?
Oh he'll huff and puff and eventually blow himself out.
And you won't let him do anything to Scruff?
Well, now he's been trained, there's no need to.
Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
It's not James' fault, you know?
He wanted to take me home
but I said I wouldn't go unless he helped me.
I'm not sure it was fair to put him in that position.
I don't think he minded.
It gave me and him a chance to talk.
[light music]
And what have you and James got to talk about?
You know, stuff.
Aren't you interested?
In what?
In what we spoke about.
Why would I be interested?
Just thought you might be.
Well, I'm not.
He is great, though.
Not a lot of blokes who stick their neck out like that.
He's got a good heart.
- He's not bad looking, either. - Jenny!
I'm just saying.
Yeah, well, you're too young to be thinking about his looks.
Good or otherwise.
I am right though, aren't I?
You're not wrong, I'll give you that.
[light music]
- Good evening, James. - Good evening.
[light music]
[bleating sheep]
Here we go.
Mm, I'll get you one back next time.
It was only a couple weeks I was away.
You forget how beautiful this place is.
There you are.
I called in on Richard Alderson this afternoon.
Before you start, Rob Benson agreed to it.
I don't care if it was sanctioned by the bloody Pope.
I distinctly remember telling you...
You don't always have to live
by the old rules on how to do things.
We can make some of our own.
You made me a senior vet because you thought
I could add something to the practice.
I think you should start trusting me to do that.
Quite right.
It's about time you started ploughing your own furrow.
[chuckling]
Tell the truth, you missed him, didn't you?
- [Siegfried] As for you. - Oh God, here it comes.
Mrs. Tompkin popped in earlier.
She was very happy to be reunited with Peter.
Was she?
Well good, excellent. I mean, why shouldn't she be?
So thanks to James' good idea,
we can look forward to you doing
a lot more work around the place.
Under my expert tutelage, obviously.
Obviously. Eh, oh!
Come on, mustn't keep Mrs. Hall waiting.
I think she wants to make sure
you never dream of going away again.
[light music]
Ah!
[light music]
Just a light meal tonight.
There's no need to drown the damn thing.
It's dead already.
I like to mop it up with my Yorkshire pudding.
Mop it up?
This is the dinner table, not some backstreet kitchen.
Oh!
There's plenty more in the pan.
Mm.
All right?
It looks tremendous.
Remember, it's not the mountain we conquer.
[Together] But ourselves!
[Mrs. Hall] Welcome back, James.
[Siegfried] Welcome back.
[light music]