[theme music]
[inspirational music]
[chickens clucking]
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 the missus.
She's very worried about her and her pups. [chuckles]
Thanks so much for coming, James.
You're welcome, Anne. Hello, Suzie.
-[Suzie whines] -Good girl.
Let's take a look at you.
I hear Hulton's putting on a right proper spread at the Drovers.
-[Anne] Listen to you! -[Bert] Well, what is it now?
We'll be there to celebrate Hugh and Helen's marriage.
-Huh. -Not line our stomachs.
Ah! Will we be seeing you there as well, Jim?
No, 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?
Er, I think you'd better be off, we might be on this for a while.
Merry Christmas.
[both] Merry Christmas!
[Siegfried] 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...
Alright, alright! No need to lay it on so thick.
[brass band plays "Deck The Halls"]
How do we feel about Brussels sprouts? Edward likes them.
Well, you can't not have sprouts. I'll get a pound.
-I feel honoured you even asked. -[Tristan] Siegfried!
Siegfried, good tidings in this time of festive merriment.
Good God, man! You smell like a barmaid's apron.
I've been in Brawton for the bell ringers' Christmas celebrations
and 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 have been delayed in the Christmas post.
Oh, I was so looking forward to having something to celebrate.
Well, let's see, shall we?
[donkey brays]
I need sprouts.
[donkey brays]
What are you eating? David!
Can you grab hold of your donkey? Otherwise, Mary will be walking.
-This way, Bob. -Come on. Come on!
[James] Tristan.
Oh, Jim!
[Tristan laughs]
I was worried you might have decided to go home early.
Not until tomorrow.
Staying for the wedding? Or is that all too heartbreaking?
I couldn't be happier for Helen... and Hugh.
Don't you just sound it!
Still, there's always Connie to take your mind off 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.
[donkey brays loudly]
[Tristan laughs]
Don't know why you're looking at me. It's you pair that are under it.
I'll, er, I'll take the whole lot, every last sprig.
Yeah, and it'll be put to good use tonight, don't you worry.
[James and Tristan laugh]
I just hope our Christmas party guests are hungry.
[Jess barks]
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! Eh?
-You're incorrigible. -James, if you're to win at this game of life,
-you must play many hands. -Siegfried.
[James] 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.
[Tristan] Oh, really?! [chuckles]
Were you taking those plates somewhere?
Oh!
As for you, if you think you're spending the evening eating, drinking and carousing,
-you've got another thing coming. -[jingling]
-Oh, no! No, absolutely not! -[Siegfried chuckles]
[chatter, children laughing]
[jazzy music plays]
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.
Don't...
Right, King Herod's best behaved. He goes first.
I'm not Herod. I'm a Wise Man.
[giggling]
Just get in there!
Hello. Er, 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 knees.
That's in the past. We're putting all of that behind us.
You just make sure you hide the silverware.
-I'm sorry, Aud, once bitten... -He wants to come.
-That's enough for me. -[doorbell rings]
That could be him now.
-Happy Christmas, James! -Oh...
Merry Christmas, Mrs Dobson.
Helen. Didn't expect you tonight.
Siegfried as Father Christmas? I wouldn't miss it for the world.
[James] Evening, Mr Alderson.
Er, sloe gin.
I'd, er, go steady on it.
I know 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.
[Hugh] I guess I'll see you at the church.
-This time tomorrow we'll be married. -I know.
-Then the rest of our lives. -[Helen laughs]
James.
Oh, you're popular.
[children giggling]
-[girl] I can see Santa! -[boy] So can I!
Oh, my God! It's a real, real miracle!
Give Father Christmas some space, please.
-[giggling] -OK. Come on.
I thought you'd be at home resting up for the big day.
-It's really not that big. -A Christmas Day wedding?!
The whole of Darrowby will 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 will be there.
Jim will probably be the only one missing out.
Well, he'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. Oh, I'd better mingle.
Siegfried impressed on me that we only invite these "infernal people"
to drum up business.
-Always full of festive spirit. -Yeah!
Ah, 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 say hello.
Here she is, look. Blushing bride-to-be.
-[woman] Congratulations. -[man] Yeah, congratulations.
-Looks lovely, don't she, eh? -Dad!
[phone rings]
Darrowby 2297.
-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 can come with me if you like.
-To a farm? -No... No, you're right.
-Stupid suggestion. -[Connie laughs]
I'll be back as quick as I can.
Helen?
I used to sit for hours watching it fall past my window when I was a kid.
Are you OK?
Everybody wants to talk about the wedding. I just...
rather talk about anything but.
I sometimes wish we'd have eloped, just the two of us.
No fuss, no bother.
Have you been called out?
Going up to the Chapmans.
Suzie's having trouble with her pups.
Oh, I love Bert and Anne.
Do you mind if I come with you?
I think you should probably stay and enjoy the party.
Please, James.
Anything to take my mind off it all.
[doorbell rings]
Hello! Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas! Welcome! -Merry Christmas.
Come on in.
[knocking]
Come in!
-Oh! -Evening.
Oh! Evening, Bert, Anne.
Oh, alright, lass.
What are you doing up here at this time of night?
-Oh, I needed to get out. -[Anne] Don't blame you.
I had ants in my pants night before my wedding.
Oh! I slept like a baby.
[Anna chuckles] That was the barrel of brew you had.
Well, how else did you think you were gonna make me go through with it?
-Eh! [Anne chuckles] -Eh!
Now then, Suzie, let's see how you're doing.
How are those pups?
Oh, I say, Helen! Look at you, all dolled up.
-I'm just going to have a little check, Suzie. -[Anne] Oh, heck!
We haven't pulled you away from a party, have we?
It's no trouble. I'd rather make sure Suzie's safe and well.
-What're saying there, Jim? -I don't know yet.
I'll have to have a feel inside. Would you mind bringing me some hot water, please?
No.
[Suzie whines]
How old is she now?
Must be five years since you got her.
Six. When our last left home.
Soppy git!
Wouldn't admit it were because he were heartbroken.
[Bert] My heart is fine, thank you very much!
-[James laughs] -[Bert] I were glad to see the back of her.
[they laugh]
Thanks, Bert.
Alright, Suzie.
Just going to check how you're doing.
[Suzie whines]
You're alright. That's it.
Good girl. Good girl.
-[Suzie whines] -[James softly] Shh-shh-shh.
Alright.
-Hey... -[Helen] What is it?
I'm afraid there's a big pup stuck fast.
But I have a feeling if we can remove this chap,
then the others will come away and they'll probably be smaller.
Try not to worry. I'm sure we can help her get them out.
Siegfried.
Siegfried?
Tris?
Hmm?
You wouldn't happen to know why James might have taken Helen out with him?
The sly old dog.
James isn't sly.
Is he?
It's always the quiet ones.
Hmm?
What's wrong?
It were my fault.
And now he's poorly.
You show me where he is, David.
[they sing "Silent Night"]
-Is it this chap here? -Yes.
Hello.
-Hello. -[donkey brays]
You've got a poorly tummy?
[donkey brays]
Right, I can see he's not well.
Let's get him inside.
Now, come on.
[donkey brays]
And just round here we have a little stable.
-Easy, Suzie. Easy there, girl. -[Suzie whimpers]
Oh!
It's no good. I can't get him free.
Is there nowt more you can do?
I'll try forceps.
But if that doesn't work, I might have to take her away for a Caesarean.
I told you. Six-year-old is too late for a first litter.
-Oh, she's far from too old. -Suzie's a strong dog.
She'll be able to cope. Won't she, James?
-Yeah, I'm sure she will. -Will it hurt her?
I'll be as gentle as I can be.
But I'm afraid the pup blocking the birth canal is unlikely to survive.
-Oh. -[Suzie whimpers]
Alright, Suzie.
[Suzie whines]
Thanks.
[Bert] Oh, I can hardly bear to watch.
It's bloody medieval.
[Anne] That there is the reality of child birth.
-Yeah, yeah. -It's alright for you men.
You wait outside smoking and drinking.
The nurse hands you a bonnie wee baby all cleaned up and wrapped.
Yeah, yeah.
It's not how they come out, you know.
Yes. No, no, you can spare us the details, love.
-I won't spare the details. -No, no...
Enough, thank you, petal.
You wait, this time next year, you'll know all about it.
Aye!
No sooner are wedding bells quiet,
then the sound of a baby's cry is heard.
That's what my mother always used to say!
I've nearly got it.
Keep stroking her. Try to keep her calm.
That's it, here. Place your hand here.
[Suzie whimpers]
Keep talking to her. It'll keep her relaxed.
That's it, Suzie. Nearly there.
James is going to look after your babies.
It's coming.
I can feel it coming towards me.
-[Suzie whines] -She's starting to push!
Good girl!
[Helen] Good girl!
I've got it!
-It's a little boy! -Hey!
Why isn't he moving? Is he dead?
I can feel a heartbeat.
It's very faint.
Hey! Come on, boy!
Let's get some air into your lungs.
[blows]
-That's all we can do. -Has he gone?
Let's see if his mother can get him going.
Oh, my goodness!
Hello, little fella!
[Bert cheers]
[Bert] There you go, Suzie! There's your new little lad!
Isn't it grand?
Oh, thank you, Mr Herriot.
[Bert laughs] Eh?
You had our Annie right worried there!
Well done.
You, too.
I'll give Suzie some pituitrin to help her get the rest out.
[Siegfried singing] I know a youth who loves a little booze.
-[man] Merry Christmas! -Merry Christmas!
Siegfried, I need... Ooh!
Did I overdo it with the cologne?
Well, it depends if you're trying to attract her or fumigate her.
Nothing a spot of fresh air wouldn't fix. Come on, you're needed outside. It's urgent.
Could be something he swallowed. Has he eaten anything he shouldn't have done?
-This is your donkey, isn't it? -[donkey brays]
Siegfried, I think you're scaring him... a little.
-I'm not the least bit scary! -Well, now you're scaring me.
I'm simply trying to find out if this animal has ingested something
-that might have caused this. -Look, it's alright, David.
This is Father Christmas. Not the real one, obviously.
-You remember, inside? -I didn't mean for it to happen.
Look, maybe I'll take care of this one.
Why on earth did you drag me out here?
-I don't know. -Your patient.
Siegfried.
-You seem a little agitated. -Agitated? I'm not agitate.
I'm perfectly bloody fine!!
[donkey brays]
Still no word from Edward?
You know Dorothy has to go back to Scarborough tonight?
Yes!
I must say that while the flesh is willing the spirit slightly lacks.
The less I hear about your willing flesh, the better for both of us.
Go on, there's a brave little soldier.
Excuse me.
Sorry about that. Sick animal. Occupational hazard.
It's worse for the donkey, mind you. My brother's taking care of it now.
Audrey told me, you brought him up yourself.
Since he was 13, yes.
I won't pretend it's all been plain sailing.
Long time spent in the doldrums.
Some very stormy weather along the way.
But you lashed yourself to the wheel and made something of him in the end.
-One does what one can. -Mmm.
Your life gets bound up in theirs,
until they bugger off and you've got to find something new to do with yourself.
Yes, we haven't quite reached that stage with Tristan.
-It won't be so bad for you. -How so?
Well, you'll be able to stop being a father and start being his brother again.
It's a terrible parasite, you know?
Mistletoe. It clings on to a tree,
suffocates it, sucks the life out of it.
Interesting, given its association with romance, wouldn't you say?
I hadn't thought about it before.
Not that I think it's an apt metaphor for a relationship,
per se, it's just, um...
you know, ironic really.
-Right, I might just see if Audrey needs some help. -Yes, I should...
Of course. I must go, anyway.
[donkey brays]
We need to know what he's eaten so that we can make him better.
You're not going to get into any trouble.
Does he like flowers?
Or berries?
Can I tell you a little secret?
I'm quite shy, too, just like you.
That's not what my sister said.
Maggie. Well...
She, er...
She doesn't really know me.
Beneath it all, I'm not like that.
I've just got a way to pretend.
Would you like to know how I do it?
Come closer so I can whisper.
I've got a magic mask.
And when I put it on, I can be anyone I like.
I can be funny, I can be brave and I can talk to anyone,
even though I'm very scared of the world.
Would you like to see?
Yeah?
See?
I'm just as scared as you.
Do you want to try it on?
Now, doesn't that feel better?
-What's his name? -Bob.
And has Bob been eating something he shouldn't?
Mistletoe.
Well, let's see if we can help him then, shall we?
[donkey brays]
I think we're just about done here.
Shall we wait till the rest are born?
Suzie shouldn't have any more trouble with the other pups and we should really get going.
We can't thank you enough!
No. And we'll see you in the morning, Mrs Hulton.
[Bert chuckles]
Let's get you home.
Huh! Well, that looks fair set in.
[Bert laughs]
I can't drive home in this.
[phone rings]
Edward?
-[James] No, it's me. -James, where are you?
We've had a slight complication.
Helen's not still with you?
She wanted something to take her mind off tomorrow.
You know I'm not one to use choice language but what the bloody hell were you thinking?
I was trying to help.
By dragging Helen all the way up the Dales the night before her wedding?
Are you on your way back?
The fog's set in.
I'll try to make it back up tonight, if not,
tell Mr Alderson to meet us at Skeldale in the morning.
James...
please tell me you're not going to do something you'll regret.
James?
I've got to go.
I'll have her back in time, you have my word.
You can't see five foot in front of your face.
I'm sorry. I should never have brought you up here.
-It was my idea. -The winds might pick up.
-It could clear as suddenly as it came in. -[Anne] Not up here, it won't.
That'll be it till morning.
What an earth was I thinking?
You could blame me.
I won't need to ask anyone to do that. I'm sorry.
-It's really not your fault. -It'll pass.
I know. I know it will.
And even if it doesn't, they'll be time in the morning.
Your dad will bring your dress to Skeldale. It's right by the church.
Yeah, you're right. It'll be fine.
Yeah.
[Bert snores]
[Anne laughs] Look at this one!
Beside himself with all the excitement.
40 year!
We didn't have a crowd of folk like you will when we got married.
-Sounds perfect to me. -[Bert snores]
It were and it weren't.
Weren't many round here wanted to see a Yorkshireman
marry a woman that looked like me.
But you can't help who you fall in love with.
[James] How did you meet?
I were working in service at the farmhouse.
Bert came to work as a hand.
Both of us tried to fight it.
We knew it'd cost us our jobs, our friends. [she laughs]
It were worse for Bert, of course.
I was already an outsider.
By rights, Bert should've wanted nowt to do with me.
[she laughs]
But love don't see with the eyes.
It comes from in here.
In the end, there's no fighting it.
Where do you get your water? I'll put us a brew on.
Pump's out back.
Does she know?
Know what?
It don't come along very often,
even when it makes life hard.
She's marrying Hugh tomorrow.
Yet here she is, night before her wedding,
up in the high Dales with your sorry-looking face.
[door shuts]
[James coughs]
He should start feeling much better now.
Well done for being so brave and telling me.
Do you need your mask back?
Oh, no. No, there's no need.
What will yo do without it?
The same thing my brother did when he gave me his magical mask.
Just make a new one.
Go on back to the party.
-Bob will be happy here with me. -Thank you.
-Well? -Mistletoe. I've flushed him out with paraffin.
Good.
Something else?
I... I wanted to ask your advice.
Sorry, you want to ask me for advice?
-I should've known better. -No, no, no. No.
Don't be like that. Understand this is an entirely new state of affairs.
As you know, it's been some time since I...
courted.
And I must admit to feeling a little ring rusty.
Will you wipe that bloody stupid smile off your face?!
OK, I'm trying really hard not to enjoy this.
-Just tell me what the hell I'm supposed to do! -With what?
With Dorothy, who do you think?
-You can stop shouting, for a start. -Oh! It's ridiculous.
-What's the problem? -I just seem unable to...
initiate.
Oh, you old romantic.
Alright, alright, there's no science to it.
I tend to imagine that I'm someone they're really besotted with
and then I just, you know...
Dive in! [chuckles]
Yes, I was hoping you might be able to offer me something a little more nuanced.
I'm dressed as an elf and my date for the evening is a donkey.
Let's forget we ever had this conversation.
Not a chance.
[Tristan chuckles]
-[puppies squealing] -[Helen] Aah!
Oh, they're so lovely. So tiny!
-[Anne laughs] -Yeah.
That's the last of them.
He's lively!
[Anne] Hear that, Bert? You can rest easy.
-What's up? -Your snoring!
I weren't snoring. I was heavy breathing.
My neck it were!
-Bed! -Huh?
-Oh. -Thanks, James.
-See you tomorrow. -Goodnight.
Yeah, thanks. Goodnight.
-Goodnight. -[Bert grumbles]
[Anne laughs]
Did you see the way she were looking at him?
Even when he was snoring. They're still so...
Full of love?
Mmm.
-[Mrs Hall] Merry Christmas. -[woman] Merry Christmas.
Goodnight. Merry Christmas.
-Lovely party, Audrey. -Thanks.
-Very good. -Thank you.
-Have you seen our David? -In there. Night-night.
Which hand is it in?
[children] That one! That one! That one!
-That one! -No, that one!
[all] Yeah!
Right! Maisy, Cassie, Elizabeth, Robert, come on.
[boy] Bye, David. Thank you very much.
-What have you got to look so happy about? -Tristan made Bob better.
Did he?
-Come on. -Merry Christmas.
Oh, Merry Christmas, Maisy.
Enjoy your orange.
-[boy] Merry Christmas. -[Maisy] Thank you.
-[Mrs Hall] Night-night. -[woman] Merry Christmas.
[Mrs Hall] Yeah, Merry Christmas. See you at church.
-Night, Mrs Hall. Thank you. -Night-night. Merry Christmas.
-Lovely party tonight. -Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas. See you at church.
Can't convince you to stay?
My sisters expecting me.
[church bell ringing in the distance]
You're allowed to be upset, you know.
About Edward?
No, I'm pleased for him.
He's probably got something much more exciting to do on Christmas Day
than hanging around with his mother.
Audrey, he has no right punishing you, like he does.
Even if you had done something, which you didn't...
He said he'd try.
There were no promises made.
And no one's getting punished.
[door shuts]
Dorothy...
Dorothy?
Well, good luck.
Be gentle with him.
[Siegfried] Wait.
I'm sorry, I haven't been very attentive this evening but, um...
I had a lovely time.
Yes, well, I, um...
believe I, um...
like you.
Is it hard to imagine I was once rather good at this sort of thing?
-A little. -Yes, I walked into that one, didn't I?
Show me then.
Show you what?
The old Siegfried, the one who was good at this.
What would he do if he were here?
Oh, um...
probably say something to make you laugh.
Mm-hmm.
Um, most likely at his own expense.
-An easy target, you see. -Mmm.
And then?
And then he'd tell you that he's....
really rather taken with you.
But that some part of him is still...
married to someone he can't let go.
But he'd like to try.
And then I suspect he'd ask if you might let him kiss you.
And I'd think about it...
but not for long.
Wasn't so hard, was it?
Oh, maybe from where you're standing.
[she laughs]
It was nice meeting the old Siegfried.
I'd like to see more of him.
New car?
I decided I might be around these parts a little while after all.
Allow me.
Edward didn't turn up.
Look after her for me, will you?
No change.
[puppies squealing]
Do you ever wonder what your life would've been like if you hadn't come to Darrowby?
I'd be on the docks,
working as an apprentice plater.
I wanted to go to secretarial college, move into town.
But you love the Dales.
I do, but there's a big world out there.
Then my mum died.
Jenny needed me, so did Dad.
Life has a funny way about it sometimes.
When I think about where I was less than a year ago.
I can't imagine that house without you now.
It's like you're already part of the furniture.
[laughs] So much has happened.
All of it good?
Most of it.
There's a few things I'd change.
Like what?
I'd probably have stood up to Siegfried sooner.
I might have kept more clothes on that time you saw me.
Yeah! [he laughs]
I'm always careful to shout out whenever I walk that way now.
[they laugh]
I might have told you...
What?
What might you have told me?
That going up to a farm in the high Dales
the night before your wedding was a very bad idea.
[he laughs]
It's probably best Hugh never finds out.
I'm not sure he'd take too kindly to it.
He won't hear it from me.
You should probably get some rest.
Big day tomorrow.
Night, James.
Goodnight.
[congregation singing] ♪ Joy to the world
♪ The Lord is come
♪ Let earth receive her King
♪ Let every heart prepare Him room
♪ And Heaven and nature sing
♪ And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing... ♪
[poignant music]
♪ ...Prepare Him room
♪ And Heaven and nature sing
♪ And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
♪ Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns!
-[she sighs heavily] -♪ Let men their songs employ
♪ While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
♪ Repeat the sounding joy
♪ Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
♪ He rules the world with truth and grace
♪ And makes the nations prove
[she sobs quietly]
♪ The glory of His righteousness
♪ And wonders of His love
♪ And wonders, wonders, of His love ♪
I really thought he might be ready to forgive me.
You've never actually told me what Edward...
I caught him stealing from my former employer.
-He expected me to lie for him. -Were you blamed?
I told Mr Grenville what Edward had done
and offered my resignation.
They... They put him in borstal for six months.
He still hates me for it.
You took me in, no reference or explanation as to why I left my previous job.
I should have told you before,
but I couldn't stand the thought of you disapproving of me.
Oh, Mrs Hall, I don't think I ever could.
Of course, I had no real choice about offering you the job.
What, no one else could you up with you?
Exactly.
[cockerel crows]
It's time to go.
[gentle music]
[Siegfried whistles a tune]
Anything I can do to help?
Mm, stay out the way and don't touch anything.
Understood.
[she sighs]
Shall I peel the sprouts?
Oh, Edward was the only one who actually liked them.
We are not sad on Christmas Day.
Now, make yourself useful. Pour us a sherry.
Right-oh!
No sign of James yet?
He said he'd have Helen here on time and he will.
What about Tristan?
Still in his pit, I expect.
Not as it happens. Just been checking over our inmate, Bob the donkey.
That for me? Perfect.
Merry Christmas.
Well, let's see, shall we?
Oh! Another?
This arrived on Christmas Eve.
We decided to hold it back, but then I thought
perhaps it might be the best present of all.
Whether you open it now or later is up to you.
-Ah, let's wait. -Oh, nonsense!
You passed.
-I'm sorry, what?! -Oh, I knew it!
-That's my boy! -You passed, little brother.
-I passed? -[they laugh]
Our father would be very proud of you and so am I.
[doorbell rings]
-Still no sign? -Not yet.
Come on, you.
-Oh, make yourself comfortable. -Yeah.
Right, let's hang this up, then you can have a look at the flowers.
[engine stutters]
It's no good. I'll have to crank it by hand.
[engine ticks over]
Come on! We've still time.
What are you grinning about?
I thought today was gonna be boring.
Mmm.
They're here!
Come on!
We've got your dress upstairs, don't panic.
There's still plenty of time.
Thank you.
Happy Christmas.
You alright?
I'm fine. I just...
Long night, that's all.
You should get home to be with your mother.
I was considering staying.
Don't.
It's for the best.
Sorry, love.
I'd like you to take the Rover.
It's a long drive to Scotland.
Thank you, Siegfried.
[poignant music]
[engine starts]
[wedding bells ringing]
My little girl.
You'll be alright, won't you, Dad?
Don't worry about us, love.
[Helen sniffles]
Hey, hey, hey.
I'll look after him.
Alright, come on.
Let's go and get you wed.
[poignant music]
You don't ever have to do anything for me.
We'll be alright...
no matter what.
[he sighs]
I missed it?
Oh, did you ever!
[rain patters]
I thought you were going home.
Something inside said I should be here.
Told you I'd make a fool of myself.
Is anyone still outside?
I'm sure Tristan led everyone to the Drovers.
Of course.
Hugh paid the tab in advance.
He does have an uncanny ability to sniff out a free pint.
Oh, James!
What have I done?
You didn't deserve this.
How am I going to face anyone?
You didn't do this because you're cruel or unkind.
You did it because you're the opposite of those things.
That's not how it feels.
Your dad's waiting outside with Jenny.
Let's get you home.
[Tristan chuckles]
What the bloody hell do you think he was doing there all night?
[Mrs Hall] Not at the dinner table, please, Tristan.
Shh, he's coming.
[Siegfried] James, come and sit down. We waited for you.
A hat, he needs a hat. Um...
Here.
[cracker bangs]
Did you see Helen?
Her dad took her home in the truck.
Your mother weren't too upset you're not coming?
I wouldn't have made it until evening.
[scraping sound of knife sharpening]
-So, James... -Lovely goose.
-I'm sorry, I can't do this. -Tristan...
I can't be the only one dying to know what on earth happened...
-There is a time and a place! -...with Suzie's puppies.
What did you all think I was going to say? James?
-[James smirks] -Let's eat and don't be naughty!
Before we start, I'd like to say a few words.
-Don't roll your eyes, Tristan. -I didn't.
-You bloody did. I just saw you. -The goose is going cold.
It's times like this which remind me how grateful I am...
for everything I have.
Not the practice or the house, or the...
beautiful countryside,
or any other... thing.
It's the people.
Infuriating as you all are...
I'm rather fond of you.
And...
Well, there's that.
So... Well...
Merry bloody Christmas!
[all] Merry bloody Christmas!
[King George VI on radio] And every one of us can help
by making that...
immortal message...
the keystone of our daily lives.
And so to all of you...
whether at home...
among your families,
as we are,
or in hospital,
or at your...
posts,
carrying out a duty
that cannot be left undone,
we send our Christmas greetings...
and wish you, under God's blessing,
health and prosperity
in the years that lie ahead.
[theme music]