# There's a boy coming home on leave
# And his heart will be On his sleeve
# They'll have a grand celebration
# When he comes home on leave. #
That was poor timing.
RADIO MUSIC STOPS I quite like that one.
OK.
RADIO MUSIC STARTS
Shall I come to the port to wave you off?
Gosh, Tris...
awfully soon, your leave will be over
and our relationship will be almost entirely epistolary.
Long pauses really will not work in letters.
Hm.
"Dearest Charlotte..."
"Sincerely, Tristan."
HE LAUGHS
"Dearest Charlotte..."
"I approve."
"I apologise for the lack of words in my previous correspondence.
"I would prefer to focus on the here and now.
"Warmly, Tris."
"Dearest Tristan, I note the opinion expressed
"and would kindly request that you pass the jam tarts.
"Ravenously, Charlotte."
There you go.
SHEEP BLEATING
Surviving without the girls?
Surviving? Flourishing!
You spoken to them? No.
Oh.
But you did manage to get some help in? A new farm hand?
Certainly did. I'm glad you've called, though.
There's summat not right with one of my third calvers.
What's the problem?
I don't bloody know! You're t'vet, aren't you?
Excellent point.
I'll get my bag! Aye.
The buzz on the artery's strong.
There's nothing to suggest there's anything wrong.
Well, that's a mystery, then. She's not been herself.
She has gone in her slacks.
I'd say she'll calve in the next day or so.
How about you come over tomorrow and check up on her
just to be on t'safe side?
How about you ring me if I'm needed instead?
I'm a little busy at the moment.
What with my calls and looking after Jimmy,
there isn't a great deal of time left.
I won't be able to ring.
Why?
I've disconnected it.
What?
Telephone. It's a bloody nuisance!
I haven't got time for all that carry-on.
What carry-on?
Turns out my number's just one different from t'railway station.
Is that a problem?
It is if you've got folk ringing all bloody day,
asking for t'times of t'next train!
You said the girls hadn't spoken to you, Richard.
They haven't.
I think I've just worked out why!
No, no, and thrice no!
Mr Farnon, Elijah Wentworth very rarely requests your services...
Another time, Mrs Hall.
Tristan's still out with the Rover, and I've had a rather busy day.
I saw you playing Patience in the office earlier.
I'm allowed a moment to gather my thoughts.
You are indeed.
And besides, handling a shire horse is definitely a two-man job.
Oh, I'm sure.
But I've a notion you ferreting round for a reason to avoid this
may be driven by something else.
What's that, then?
Elijah Wentworth. The man's a social menace.
He's not much of a talker is all.
Oh, a Yorkshire Dales farmer lacks patter?
I can scarcely believe it.
His entire vocabulary consists of three expressions -
"aye", "ah", and "oh".
Oh. Aye.
Which wouldn't be a problem if he left you to do your work,
but he follows you around everywhere.
Have you ever considered the possibility
that his limited output might not be because he doesn't like talking,
and just because he doesn't like talking to you?
How dare you! Does he have any interests?
He's well-known for his home brew.
Well, there you go! I'd lead with that.
No, no, don't sit down - you can come with me.
Five bob says you get nothing more than "aye", "ah", or "oh".
You can't bet five bob on summat like that!
You're right. Ten! Er...
BOY LAUGHS
That's nice, Auntie Audrey!
Cheeky monkey!
This is going to be the easiest ten bob I've ever made.
You think so?
Absolute pleasure to meet you, Mr Wentworth.
I've heard a lot about you.
Oh.
Did you say your shire was called Weissmuller? Aye.
Ah. I assume he's named after the actor Johnny Weissmuller,
who plays Tarzan?
MIMICS TARZAN'S YELL
TRISTAN LAUGHS
That was me playing Tarzan.
Oh.
A little bird tells me that your home brew
is something rather special?
Oh.
I've been thinking of getting into it myself.
Ah. Yeah, would you recommend it?
Aye. Oh!
Ah, yes, I can see he's not a happy fellow.
Him and me both.
Rear hind. Pointing his toe.
Right, let's take a look at you.
Hm.
Yes, it's hot.
Almost certainly an abscess. Oh.
Not to worry.
No, we'll soon have Weissmuller pulling that cart again.
Let's find where it is.
Got it.
Hm. It's there.
HORSE SNORTS
Tristan, go to his head.
HORSE WHINNIES
Tristan?
The head, man!
WHINNYING
Tristan!
What are you doing?
WHINNYING
What the hell are you doing, man?
WHINNYING
Tristan?
Tristan!
Looks a fine cake, that, Auntie Audrey.
Flattery may get you closer to my heart,
but it won't get you closer to a slice.
Oh! Hm.
SHE LAUGHS
Tom?
I didn't know you were back home.
Oh... Erm...
Oh, it's been a little while now, hasn't it?
How are you?
Sorry, I... I have to get on.
We're fine for a few minutes, aren't we?
Sorry. Tom?
I'm sorry, Audrey. Getting used to being home.
I know.
Oh!
Who's this for? For Maggie.
I heard about Arthur. It's terrible news.
It is. Excuse me.
Yeah.
Come on, you.
Let's not disturb them right now.
You can see Albert another time.
Come on.
Aren't you going to talk to her today?
The cake will say everything I want to say.
I've never had a cake talk to me.
I dare say you've never given it the chance.
SHE LAUGHS
GRUNTS
Now, then, Butch.
Is that Butch Fielding?
Aye.
What's he doing here?
He's my new farm hand.
You can't be serious? Why not?
I thought you were looking for someone to help you
with the physical stuff? And?
Did you not think of getting someone younger? Than you, for instance?
Well, that would've been grand,
but it were only him that were interested.
If your telephone was working, there could've been others.
Well, experience is invaluable, and he's got a lot of it.
As a farrier.
Wouldn't it be better for someone else to do the really hard work?
Oh, that's very kind of you, James.
There are a few things you can do while you're here.
Well, I know what I'll be getting started with.
Connecting your telephone back up.
Scruff, get out of it! Go on.
There we go.
'Number, please.' Lambeth 3497, please.
'Sorry, sir, the line's engaged.'
Well, you can't expect folk to be in all the time.
I know Helen and Jenny have been awfully busy.
You can try again later. I certainly will be.
RINGING Well, there we go!
All those miles between us and them, and they're about to fall away.
Go on.
Darrowby 7632, how do?
'Can you tell me when the trains are to Ripon?'
Two an hour - twenty past and twenty to.
Good day. 'Thank you.'
I'm sure I'll be fine to drop in.
Hm. Tomorrow?
Tomorrow.
Like I said.
Aye.
This will do.
Well, erm... Thank you very much, Mr Wentworth.
It was good to, er...
Aye.
And I thought the Rover was travelling in style.
The Rover wasn't available.
Do I sense a little tension? You'll sense even more in a minute.
What in the name of Jupiter was that all about?
I'm sorry.
I still have a lot of work to attend to, so...
I felt a little peculiar. Well, you looked it!
As did I!
I had to get out of there. And leave me behind?
I said I'm sorry.
Are you... sickening for something?
I don't know. Was it the shire? Its size?
I need to lie down.
You've spent half your life around horses.
You're nearly as good with them as me!
I am better than you.
This is not the moment for you to win that argument!
MUSIC PLAYS
SIGHS
'We interrupt this programme to inform our listeners
'the Prime Minister will address the nation
'in a few minutes, at 12 o'clock midnight.'
Jimmy! Jimmy, you need to get up.
Wake up! Get up!
Tris! KNOCKING
Siegfried! Are we on fire?
Mrs H! Are you drunk?
Not yet! Come on.
Everyone, downstairs!
All right. Come on, it's important!
Ooh.
'This is London. The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable CR Attlee.'
'Japan has today surrendered.
'The last of our enemies is laid low.
'At this time, we should pay tribute to the men from this country,
'from the dominions,
'from India, and the colonies.
'To our fleets, armies and air forces
'that have fought so well in the arduous campaign against Japan.
'Peace has once again come to the world.
'Let us thank God for His mercy.'
KNOCKING
No, thank you.
Can't quarrel with that. No.
Shame, though. It's a very fine year.
And suddenly, it's a very fine night.
How's the... peculiarity?
Remaining. Hm.
Awesome creatures, shires, aren't they?
Less like a horse, more like some figure of myth.
Typhon, the monstrous giant who fought Zeus
and was always accompanied by a terrible storm.
Did things feel a little stormy?
Still do. Hm.
Yes, well, tomorrow may be a bank holiday, but, erm...
No-one's told the animals. Exactly.
So I'd be most grateful
if you'd face your fears and give it another go.
What? Weissmuller.
I'd rather not. Sorry?
If the war is really over, will things be different now?
When you're here, in the Dales, it might not look like it.
The Dales is the Dales, isn't it? Mm-hm.
But I promise you, they will.
Do you think there's more chance of me getting a pair of boots?
Boots? Proper boots.
Like you and Grandad wear? Oh, I don't know about that.
But I'd say it's possible.
It's gonna take a lot of hard work, though.
There's a lot of building to be done.
And even more rebuilding.
Then everyone's going to need boots. They are. They are!
Dad, look!
FIREWORKS CRACKLE
Oh, wow!
Wow!
Ah, look at the colours!
Do you think Rosie stayed up to watch these fireworks?
Yeah. I hope so.
Ooh! Wow.
Pow! JAMES LAUGHS
Good morning, Miss Beauvoir!
Morning, Ernest!
Wonderful news! It is indeed, yes!
KNOCKING Oh!
Oh! Hello there, Charlotte. Hello.
Come on in. Hello!
Well, I'd say good morning, but isn't it a perfectly wonderful one?
It really is.
I'm afraid there's no sign of Tris yet.
Oh, don't worry, if my brother doesn't emerge soon,
I'll give him some encouragement. Do sit down.
Oh, it's fine. I happen to know
that his plans are quite the same as all the rest of us - cancelled!
If only that were true.
Let's get you ready, wee Jimmy.
Will you tell me another Butch Fielding story on the way?
Many as you like.
There's a name from the past.
And the present - he's Richard's new farm hand!
No!
Legend has it, Butch Fielding can talk horse, you know.
First cakes, now horses!
Hello?
Oh, thanks for coming. I need all the help I can get with this party.
Did you say party?
Folk are having them all over the village.
Then everyone's going up the hill later to light a beacon,
if the weather holds.
I can't stay, I'm afraid, Audrey.
My dad's hurt his leg, and I promised I'd give him a hand.
I just wanted to drop these scones off.
Thanks, love.
Very pleased to hear young Tom is home.
Oh, I haven't seen him around!
You wouldn't. Hasn't been around.
He was discharged three weeks ago, and...
he's finding things difficult.
Ah, course.
And now he's left doing some bits at the bike shop,
and he don't say so much, but...
his world as it is ain't his world as it was.
Come on. Herriot and son have a job to do.
I'm sorry, Audrey.
That's all right. Don't give it another thought.
Thank you.
Get onto the Drovers. As long as there's enough beer...
It was the first call I made.
Oh, I'll be happy to lend a hand, Mrs Hall.
As Tristan's not up yet, I'll have some time.
And if he can't help me with Weissmuller,
he can certainly help you.
Well, then, I've a team.
THEY CHUCKLE
Cut that for me. Absolutely.
Right, what's she made?
For reasons known only to herself, Miss Beauvoir is downstairs for you.
Come along, man, that's quite enough, let's be having you.
There we go, just on the left here.
Coo-ee! I've got the bunting!
I'll go.
Thanks, love.
Mrs Hall?
Maggie. Just the two of you?
So far, but we live in hope.
Do you think you'll find it within you to come to the party later?
Well, that's why I'm here. I'm back at work, trying to keep busy.
And I know you made a request, but there is a bit of a problem.
There's been no delivery from the brewery. We're out of beer.
Oh, dear! Well, we're gonna need a bigger buffet.
Mrs Hall, he's gone AWOL.
Tris? Not in his room.
Not sure he's even slept in it. Nobody's seen him in the square.
Well, where is he, then? I wish I knew.
I might.
I was in the church earlier to light a candle for Arthur.
Tris came in as I was leaving.
In the church? Yeah.
Thank you, Maggie. Go and see if he's still there.
No Tris?
Oh, sends his apologies - called away on urgent business,
hopes to join you later.
I see.
Would you mind awfully coming with me?
Why?
I may not be clear on the detail of what's going on with my brother,
but I have long since come to the conclusion
that irrespective of the question, the answer is always... you.
Come on.
What did I tell you? She's worse.
She's probably ready to calve. And don't you worry,
you haven't just got Sherlock Holmes to investigate today.
You've got Watson, too.
Watson, ready for duty!
Get your wellies on, Watson.
Come on!
Grandad's happy to see us, eh? Hm.
The key is to be calm and in control.
All the cow needs to be assured of
is that the vet knows exactly what he's doing.
All right.
There we go.
All right, girl.
I... I...
I don't...
What?
She doesn't appear to be pregnant.
Well, that's not possible.
Well, I can state categorically from the position I'm in
that it is.
Does this happen often?
No!
Oh!
DOOR OPENS
Tristan?
Do you mind if I...? Yes, I...
Why can't people just leave me alone?
Well, for one very good reason, Tris -
they care.
It's clear to me that there are things you need to talk about.
Well...
..there's someone here you can talk to.
Your brother.
TRISTAN SNIFFS
I can remember sitting alongside you at St Michael's,
when you must have been, what, five, six?
And I realised, to my horror,
that you'd actually brought a pea shooter to church.
Siegfried...
I tried to wrestle it out of your hand,
but you had a freakishly firm grip.
I'm really not in the mood.
In the end, all I could think of to say was,
"Anyone but the vicar!"
SIEGFRIED LAUGHS
Please just go.
Not till I'm sure you're stable. TRISTAN SCOFFS
Oh, you're gonna be waiting a long time.
I didn't just think she was pregnant.
She was definitely pregnant!
It's a miracle!
It's not a miracle, she's just had her calf.
You didn't notice anything first thing?
Grandad?
All right, t'gate were open. They chewed through t'string.
A couple of 'em got out, but this one was definitely in there.
Right, so we have a few hours to find a newborn,
and it could be anywhere on the whole farm?
It's in danger on its own. Yeah, I know.
It's gonna be like finding a needle in a haystack.
What can I do, Dad?
You help your grandad.
Where are you going? For reinforcements!
Wilco.
Wait for me, Grandad! Hurry up!
Why did you get the MC, Tristan?
We were, erm...
We were moving camp... Hm.
..when we came under fire.
I was with Billy. Billy?
Yeah, I was always with Billy.
We'd been inseparable since training.
I like him already.
Oh, God!
What?
Tristan?
Suddenly, there was this noise...
..and...
..and he just goes up. Seems like he'd been hit.
He was in a bad way.
I didn't fully grasp what'd happened,
so I went to help him, and he screams at me.
He screams not to move an inch.
It was mined? Yeah.
The whole field.
Someone moved over there, there was another bang.
Someone here, another.
And... the horses pulling our equipment just...
..just went berserk.
You weren't afraid of Weissmuller, were you?
What you couldn't bear was... his fear.
There was no medic, so...
..I did what I could to help them, but...
we couldn't move anywhere without checking the ground.
There was a mine right next to me. If Billy hadn't screamed, then...
TRISTAN SNIFFS
I got a medal...
because I managed to save a few chaps.
But Billy wasn't one of them.
He saved me, but I couldn't save him.
The Cross should be his, not mine.
I've tried to put it out of my head...
..but then you see something, or you hear something, and...
No-one wants it to be over more than me,
but if all it takes is some scared horse to wrench me back there,
maybe it never will be... in here.
SOBS
Shh, shh. Shh.
SHEEP BLEATING
Tom!
If it's Mr Mellor you want...
It isn't. It's you.
I spoke to your mum earlier.
Please, don't offer to help, Mr Herriot.
I'm not going to.
I'm here to ask for some. And it's urgent.
Oh, you're still here?
Your concern is much appreciated.
You need to get back to your party.
You're sure?
We're all right here, I think.
See you in a bit.
Audrey! Am I too late?
Dad's fine. I got away as soon as I could.
Oh, don't you worry about that at all, Grace.
Perhaps today weren't the day for a party, after all.
Mrs Hall!
Well, I never.
BIRDSONG
You hear that? It's a wren.
Such a big song for such a little bird.
Why don't you go and join Mrs H, Siegfried?
I rather think I have to go back to Elijah Wentworth's first.
Can't leave Weissmuller in pain, can I?
Well, I don't think you'll have any more success.
Sorry? With Weissmuller.
It's association, isn't it?
Weissmuller's in pain because of his abscess,
and as you're yet to remove it,
he associates you with the pain getting worse.
What you need
is something he associates with things getting better.
What about someone?
Wait.
We both know it's a two-man job.
Charlotte, how did you possibly do all this on your own?
Oh, I didn't.
Wasn't much use for me at The Drovers with no beer.
I didn't expect you to do anything, Maggie.
Oh, it...
..it was a piece of cake.
Anything?
Can't find the calf anywhere, Dad!
And without feeding, it won't last much longer.
Well, I've got someone to help. Look.
Now, then, Tommy lad! How do, Richard?
Fair do, son. I didn't know you were back?
- Aye, well... - Richard!
How many have you invited?
Nothing to do with me.
No time for conversation, I'm afraid.
We're on our way back to Elijah Wentworth's.
Then what are you doing here?
We're in need of a farrier. Butch?
There's a shire horse waiting for you, if you're free?
All right. So it's one in, one out, then, is it?
Ah, go on.
Thank you, Richard.
You say the calf could be anywhere? Aye.
We've looked over every field up here.
We'd better hurry, then. Aye.
Grandad? Yes, son?
If I were missing, I know who'd find me.
Who's that? Mum!
Why don't we let the cow do the looking?
Ah!
Come on!
My God! Good lad!
Mr Wentworth!
Elijah, I think you know Butch Fielding the farrier.
And Weissmuller knows him too.
Aye. Well...
he's here to take away his fear. Oh!
Why don't you wait outside? I highly doubt Zeus overcame Typhon
by jumping in someone else's car and driving off.
No, I think he socked him with a few thunderbolts, actually. Hm.
Well, if only I had some of them handy.
We all have our own thunderbolts.
You think?
I know you do.
Well, then.
Now, then, boy. Easy, lad.
Easy boy, good boy.
Good boy. Come on, this one.
Good boy, good boy.
Good boy. Come on - this one.
This one. Come on.
Come on.
All right.
Nearly there.
Shh, shh.
HORSE GRUMBLES
Shh.
OK. All is soon to be well.
All is soon to be well.
We're in this together, OK?
I've got you.
That's it.
There we are. That's it.
Ah.
Well done.
Good girl.
Come on!
Come on, Jimmy!
Come on, lad!
She's found her, Grandad.
Well, I've seen it all now.
It seems she's come all the way out here to hide the calf deliberately.
And why would she do a thing like that?
Do you know what I think? She's had two before this one.
I think they were maybe taken a bit too early.
You're not saying...
'Appen this calf, she very much wanted to hold onto.
Thank the Lord for Herriot and son, particularly the son.
JAMES CHUCKLES
And you, Tommy lad, thanks very much for your help.
Well, if you... if you ever need any help again...
OK, well, I'll have a think about your offer.
I've thought about your offer.
When can you start?
Now! Good lad. Good lad!
Well done, son!
My goodness me.
MOOING
Mr Wentworth?
Weissmuller's pain-free and fit as a fiddle.
Ah!
Is that for us?
Aye.
Hm!
Just out of interest, erm...
..how much of that stuff do you happen to have?
Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho!
I was going to wait until your mum was back,
but I'm certain she'd say the moment's now.
Oh, what's this?
Boots!
Thank you, Dad!
Hey, you're welcome. You've earned them.
Why don't you give that telephone one more try?
I mean, if there's no improvement,
I could always get you a timetable to keep next to it.
Aye, all right.
Good lad.
CHATTERING
Mrs Hall, you're a marvel. Well, it's not my work.
This is Maggie and Charlotte did this.
Still one thing missing, though.
Please don't remind everyone!
Sorry, too late. Ladies and gentleman...
..apologies for the delay,
but with sincere thanks to Mr Wentworth here,
we are now in possession
of an entire cartload of his famous home brew!
CHEERING Come and get it!
There we are! Cheers.
Come on. Let's be having you! Very generous of you, Mr Wentworth.
Coming down.
I'm sorry I haven't seen you today.
Truth is...
..I haven't really been myself for a while now.
Who has?
Have the last few months simply been a distraction for you?
A way not to think about what comes next?
Er...
Cos they jolly well have for me.
That's not to say that they haven't meant anything.
I'm not sure they could have meant more.
I think I actually found the letter-writing easier.
Well, then?
HE LAUGHS
"Dearest Charlotte...
"..my concern is that I...
"..shall never quite be the same chap I was again.
"As sincerely as it's possible to be, Tristan."
"Dearest Tristan, that's quite all right.
"I like you now.
"Always, Charlotte."
You see. What?
You didn't need me.
I'll always need you, Mrs Hall.
CLINKING
Oh, a speech, is it? Who the hell wants to speak?
Good Lord.
Aye.
They can declare the peace, and we can all be mighty thankful.
We can celebrate, and we should.
Doesn't mean to say things are gonna be just as they were,
does it?
Hear, hear.
We have kept - all of us -
the fires burning round here, haven't we?
Aye. Aye, we have.
And whatever shall be, that has to be the thing on which we all agree.
Keep the fires burning always.
Aye! Well said.
Hear, hear. Well said. Very good.
APPLAUSE, THEY CHUCKLE
Mr Wentworth, consider me awed!
Huh?
You managed to find the words the rest of us merely felt.
Oh.
Forget Weissmuller, I think you're something of a dark horse yourself.
Aye!
CHATTER AND LAUGHTER
Hello.
Ooh - someone got new boots?
They're vet's boots! You've more than earned them.
Do you want to be a vet one day, Jimmy?
I am a vet! Sorry!
That told you! Tristan!
You're the one with all the thunderbolts today.
BRASS BAND PLAYS 'I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY'