06x01 - Gathering the Flock

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ARCHIE: Away, Fly. Come away, Lad.

BLEATING

Come by!

ARCHIE WHISTLES

Away, Fly. Away!

HE WHISTLES

Away.

Away.

HORN BEEPS,
BAAING

Nee-ow! Nee-ow!

Jimmy!
Dad!

What are you doing out so early?

Flying my plane.
Mum's making breakfast with Rosie.

Quite right, too. Shall we finish
your patrol together?

And then go inside
and fill up our tummies?

Nee-oww!

Nee-oww!
JAMES LAUGHS

ROSIE CRIES OUT
I've got her.

What's up, Rosie?

HELEN: Shall I take her, Jenny?
She's fine here with her aunty.

Sorry I didn't make it home
last night.

I never sleep as well when you're
not next to me. What happened?

Siegfried happened.
I had to stay at Skeldale again.

Oh. Well, it were right cold
without you to keep me warm.

That's enough of that kind of talk,
thank you very much.

ROSIE COOS

I'd better get on.
Are you back tonight?

That depends on Siegfried.

There's nothing I can do. I have
to be at Skeldale to be on call.

Mm.

Maybe if we put in a phone line...

We're not having a telephone.
I've told you.

Bloody witchcraft.

I'm sorry. I'll do my best.

But I won't make promises
I can't keep.

I know. It's not you.

We're really struggling
without Mrs H.

The practice is a state.

We're short on stock,
our profits are down.

I'm not sure he's remembering
to charge half our clients.

There's only so much I can do.

Are you worried about him?
Aye, I am.

There is one thing we could do.
No, James. We agreed.

It wouldn't be fair.

I know. I know, you're right.

Come along, Jimmy.
Have a good day.

Don't show your dad up.

Got everything you need in there,
Jimbo? Aye.

As long as he's got nothing
wants sluicing out.

Flocks of sheep grazed these hills
for hundreds of years.

And the sheep,
they know to stay in the same place.

Away!

They know where they belong.
It's in their bones.

Passed from one generation
to the next.

Aye, the leg is caught,
so I just need to bring it around.

BAAING

Here it comes.

You did it, Dad!

Is that how it were with our Rosie?

Kind of.

Less messy, I imagine.
Although I have heard stories.

She's all slimy.

Grab some straw.

Brush her down, Jimmy.
Like this? That's it.

That's it. Good lad!

I never grow tired of seeing it.

What a thing, eh, lad?

DOG BARKS

What on earth?

Damned Barghest.

It's a dog? A stray maybe?

BARKS

Come on, Jimmy.

Fly! She's got caught in the wire.

Mr Herriot!

FLY WHIMPERS

All right, girl. All right.

Just watch... watch the barbed wire.

GENTLE SNORING

DOOR OPENS

JAMES: Apologies for the state
of the place.

We're between housekeepers.
Yet again.

FLY WHIMPERS

All right, Fly.

It's not as bad as I first thought.

There's no break, and it only needs
a couple of stitches.

She'll be all right to work again?

Given time to recover.

I'm just going to check
your hind legs

to make sure you haven't
done yourself a mischief.

FLY WHIMPERS
Is that sore?

That's sore, isn't it?

You said it weren't too serious.
Good girl.

How old is she?

Fly were born
around the great blizzard.

That'd be in '33.
Well, at least 12.

So she's getting on a bit.
Aye.

Your man Farnon did what he could,
but we lost her mother in the doing.

That's the way it goes sometimes.
The injury isn't bad.

But when I move the limb, it's sore.

I'm concerned it's arthritis.

Could be why she fell into the wire.

TRICYCLE BELL RINGS

Dad!

Over the years,
the cartilage has been ground away,

and that's stopping the joint
from moving smoothly.

There are things we can give her
to take the edge off it.

But this is a problem
that's only going to get worse.

I can't afford to keep a dog
that can't work.

JIMMY: Dad!

Dad!

SIEGFRIED GROANS
Ow!

There's a horse!

And one of Uncle Siegfried's rats!
Oh, Jesus.

Susan!

Hm?

Oh, heck. You're joking me?

What on earth?

Go.

No, don't go!

Buongiorno, mio Principe!

JAMES: Tris! What's this?

Window?
All the way from Italy!

I didn't know you were back today.
I told Siegfried last week.

He must have forgot that he was
picking me up from the station.

No surprises there.
Oh. What is that godawful smell?

Our new house guest.

Quickly!

Good grief!

This place is a state!

What on earth has he been up to?

Ah.

I suppose we should be grateful

Siegfried didn't bring
anything worse home with him.

Well, who knows? Perhaps he did.

Morning, Archie.
Afternoon, Mr Farnon.

Problem?
Arthritis.

So says young Mr Herriot.
Ah, well, don't worry.

We'll soon sort that out,
won't we, Fly?

Good girl.

I hope you lot
aren't charging by the hour.

Ah, yes. Of course, of course.
That makes sense.

Herriot. Tristan. What?

No, you're right. It's a completely
normal state of affairs.

A severe case of laminitis.

I brought her home last night
for some close monitoring,

which I have been doing diligently
while everyone else was asleep.

It's the afternoon.
Which is precisely my point.

And the rats?
Needed the exercise.

I'll put them back.
They always turn up in the end.

Tristan... you're here.

Ah, the penny drops.
Why didn't you let me know?

I'd have picked you up
from the station.

It was all in the letter
I sent from Italy.

Well, what kind of fool
doesn't ring ahead to check?

We spoke a few days ago...
at length.

And I must say,
you're a terrible mumbler.

I'm not sure you were as clear
as you thought. Oh.

I'll just put this one outside,
and then we can catch up properly.

I suppose you'll be coming back
to clear up this mess.

Thank you, James,
that's very kind of you.

KNOCKING ON WINDOW

KNOCKING ON WINDOW

Excuse me.

I left my handbag.

And you can tell him he owes me
a new pair of stockings an' all.

But he can bring them
when he drops my Gladys off later.

Gladys?
Aye.

Siegfried's been seeing to her.

My pygmy horse.

BOTH: Ah.

There's a perfectly reasonable
explanation

for that... her... Susan.

Me and James are dying to hear it.
Aren't we, James?

She...
Susan?

..had... has a horse.

This horse, in fact.
We were at a dance...

With the horse?
Must've been a barn dance.

Had to have been, yeah.
Mm.

Susan mentioned the horse.

Its hoof was inflamed,
so I offered, rather gallantly,

I thought, to have a look at it.

We came back here,
all three of us...

So very gallant of you [!]
Her knight in shining armour.

Mm. On a tiny little horse.

Shut up!
THEY LAUGH

Why I'm explaining myself to you,
I do not know!

THEY LAUGH

What happened to your letters?

Your dispatches from the front

were one of my few sources
of entertainment.

I ran out of anything
I wanted to say.

Cheers.
To your good health.

Well, I love what you've done
with the place [!]

Siegfried deserves
most of the credit.

Ah. Forgetful, erratic?

Unreasonable, irascible.
Plus ca change.

Not like this.
I wouldn't be so sure.

You know he forgot to pick me up
from school once?

I slept in an empty dorm for a week
before he realised.

It was after Evelyn died.
He wasn't himself.

In fact, he was himself,
just a much worse version.

It stayed like that
until Mrs Hall arrived.

Helen doesn't think
we should bother her.

She's really settled there.

It's up to you.
You're the one stuck here with him.

Me? I'll be in much more comfortable
surroundings -

being shot at by Nazis [!]

BUS BELL RINGS

BUS BELL RINGS

So, how do you
want to go about this?

Club her over the head and
bundle her into the back of a taxi?

We're not Shanghaiing Mrs H.

I don't see how else we're gonna
convince her to come back.

We're not going to convince her.

We're not?
Then what are we doing here?

We're going to explain the situation
to her and hope that...

Blimey, it's busy around here.
They've rented a couple of rooms.

Ah. Makes sense.

What was I saying?

Er, we're not trying to convince her
to come back.

No. Yes. No.

Well, we are.
Just don't lay on too thick.

HORN BEEPS

It has to be her choice.
Reading you loud and clear.

We all agreed
she should be with her family.

Well, desperate times, old chap.

Because...
Worry ye not, Jim.

The mission parameters are clear.

This is her boarding house.
This it?

TRAM BELL RINGS

Oh, my goodness!
Mrs H! James?!

Hello, Mrs H.
Tristan!

I thought you were in Italy.

Oh, it's good to see you both!

Have you made friends
with Uncle Tris?

Have you, Mary?

Have you said hello?
She were saying "Ma" at nine months.

Weren't you?
TRISTAN CHUCKLES

All right, lads?
Edward, good to see you again.

And you.
Here she is.

Hello, my little angel.

Glad to see you back in one piece.

I left a few bits behind,
but I'm right now, thanks to Ma.

Oh, he keeps saying that.

I think he's fed up
of me fussing over him.

Do you wanna go and get some tea?

Well, come on.

THEY CHUCKLE

He's a good dad.

Dotes on her.

So...

..what brings you two here?

Oh, you know...
Just passing through.

Sunderland?

I didn't just fall off
the turnip truck. Out with it.

Well, the thing is, Siegfried...

The old goat's lost his marbles,
he's gone totally berserk.

Tris...
The man's a menace.

Worse than he was
when you first met him. Worse?

I thought we weren't going to lay it
on too thick. He needs help.

WE need help. Yours specifically.

Not that we want to put you
under any pressure.

No, of course not, but we would
be completely lost without you.

And does Mr Farnon want me
to come back?

Course he does.
Yeah, absolutely.

Not that he'd ever admit it.

I see.
Just for a few weeks.

Help us turn things around.
Get him back on track.

We wouldn't ask
if it weren't desperate.

BARKS
Come on, Lad.

Archie!
Afternoon.

Thought I'd come and have a look
at Fly's dressing,

see how she's getting along.

None too clever, Mr Farnon.
She's in here.

You all right, Lad?
I'm here see your mother.

There we are.

Don't worry, old girl,
we'll soon sort you out.

She remembers you well enough.

I brought her into the world.
I should hope she does.

Oh, yes, Herriot's not done
a terrible job there at all.

That looks to have healed nicely.

Let's get you a new dressing.

Good girl. We'll have you
up and running in no time.

Yes, that's the spot, isn't it?

Mr Herriot says there's no hope
of her working any more.

He's right
in that arthritis is incurable.

But it can be managed
with painkillers.

They'll see her right?

They'll allow her to work
without too much pain.

Herriot has a habit of rushing in

when what's needed
is careful consideration.

I suppose it'll give me more time
to get Lad trained up.

He's a good dog, but he's got
no sense when it comes to sheep.

He needs his mother by his side,
or it all goes to pot.

Well, we'll have to make sure
we keep her going, then, won't we?

I'll prescribe some tablets.
How does that sound?

Expensive.

Not as expensive as acquiring an
experienced sheepdog, I promise you.

Now, then... sure I've got something
in here somewhere.

Ah, here we are.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Couple of these today,

and I'll be back
with another prescription tomorrow.

Shall we?

Hello, love.

Sorry about the state of the place.

Don't know what you mean [!]

Jimmy doesn't always remember
to put them in the compost.

I hope that's all right.

Mm. I can certainly taste the tea.

I couldn't find the strainer.

Don't worry about that.

No, sorry.

It'll drive me bananas.

Oh, Mrs H!

Hello, Tris.

Helen will be pleased to see you.

What about Helen
and the little ones? How are they?

Well, Helen felt... we felt
it better for them, us...

..to stay at Heston while everything
is in a state of... flux. Chaos.

I'm between the two houses.

We get calls
at all hours of the night.

Sometimes, it's easier
to just get my head down here.

Helen mentioned. You poor things.

But we're managing.

Well, I'm here now.

Like I said, it's only for three
or four days while Edward's away,

but maybe I can help get you
back on the right track.

How did Mr Farnon take the news?

He does know I'm coming?

Leave it. I'll do that.
No, I don't mind.

There was something
I wanted to mention, actually.

Nothing important.
Barely needs mentioning.

James, what have you done?

Now... this is one of those times

where you think you're
going to be cross with me...

I think I'm gonna be cross,
or am I actually gonna be cross?

Initially, perhaps.

But then you'll realise
that I was right all along

and you'll be eternally grateful.

Will I?

I asked Mrs Hall to come back.

Oh, James, we agreed.

You said...
And you didn't disagree.

I thought it best to skip that part.

Well, what does Siegfried
make of it all?

He doesn't know, does he?

LAUGHS

SIGHS, THEN LAUGHS

Goodness me!

No. Clear off.

Go on!

Mrs Hall! What on earth...?

Mr Farnon.
What are you doing here?

I were in the pantry.

All this time?

No, I just arrived.

Ah, that does make more sense.
I was joking.

But how...? What...?
I didn't know you were coming.

Neither did I till a few days ago.

It's good to see you again.

You, too.

Oh, there's a rat in the pantry.

One of yours?
You found one? Excellent.

In there, at the back,
scrabbling amongst the tins.

Yes, don't worry, he's one of mine.
Oh, well, that's all right, then.

Should've offered him a biscuit.

Vonolel's grandson.

His name's Gerald. You see,
he has got a bit of a moustache.

How are you getting along, then?
So, what are you doing here?

Well, Edward and his fam...
Never better.

After you.

They've, er...
gone to visit Betty's parents,

so I thought I'd drop in and see
how you're all getting along.

I should've let you know.
No, no. You're always welcome here.

How are you all getting along?

Good.

Edward and Betty are sick of me
looking over their shoulder,

I should imagine.

I can't believe that's true.

And how're things here?
Oh, you know, the usual.

I see you've developed
a taste for fish. What?

Oh, the sardines. Yes.
Would you like one?

Perhaps later.
For dinner?

You cooking?
Am I? I hadn't planned to.

So, are you staying long?
Just a few days, maybe a week.

There's no rush.
Stay as long as you like.

Within reason, otherwise we'll have
to start charging rent. Oh, right.

Oh, another joke.

Yeah, I tidied up a bit.
Force of habit.

I thought it looked different.

Herriot's terrible
at clearing up after himself.

I was going to have a go
this evening.

Better get this one
back in his cage.

Come on, Gerald.

It must be from
one of my old army pals.

Liquid gold from Scotland.

Might want to read that label again.

"Captain T Farnon."

What? They made you a captain?

Field promotion.

Careful, Siegfried,
he'll outrank you soon.

Why didn't you tell us?
Oh, you know me, Mrs H.

Never one to brag. I know
how insecure it makes my brother.

Absolute ba*ls.
I rest my case.

You must've done something important
to deserve it.

No, not really.
I was just next in line.

It's 8:30.
Aren't you going to open one?

No. I'm going to save them
for a special occasion.

If it's your whisky,
you're a model of temperance.

If it's mine,
you guzzle it by the gallon!

I better get going as well.

I'm heading up to the Tredwells
this morning.

Taken care of. I went up yesterday
and checked the stitches.

And it pains me to point it out...
You did what?

..but you did use
rather a lot of suture.

Only a couple of stitches short
of the Bayeux Tapestry.

That was my case,

which I was supposed
to be attending

while I covered you
at surgery yesterday.

No need to thank me.

And I'd remind you
to take care with these farmers.

They're a hard lot.

As soon as you make them think
an animal's no use,

they get rid of it.

Fly has arthritis.

I made my diagnosis,
and I stand by it.

You can't write a dog off like that.

It's tantamount to a death sentence
in these parts.

I'm taking a repeat prescription
up to Tredwell today.

I'd like to see
how Fly's managing myself,

if it's all the same to you.
If she breaks down,

it could leave Archie's flock
in trouble.

Well, it sounds like
you're in agreement, then.

How?
Are we?

You can both go up
and check her over.

Two heads are better than one.
I'm not sure about that.

I read an article once
about a two-headed snake.

Bit itself to death.

All right. If that's the case,

then you can stay here
and help me clear up this lot.

I'm driving.

You'll need these.

Thank you.

DOOR CLOSES

It seems like yesterday
she came into the world.

We should get her and Mary together.
Oh, I'd like that.

I have missed you all.

Of course, it's lovely
to be with Edward and Mary.

He's got himself a good one
with that Betty. Aw.

How are Jenny and your dad
getting on?

Oh, he never changes.
Jenny never stays the same.

Got one foot out the door already.

She's talking of London
of all places.

I didn't leave Yorkshire
till our honeymoon. London?

Whatever for?

Lord only knows.

Can I have another cup?

You pour some in there.

Here we go. Eh?

SHE CHUCKLES

You two forgotten you're friends?

You going somewhere swish tonight?

Yes. How could you tell?

Your cologne walked in before you.

No matter. I'll pack this away.
No, I've time for a quick game.

Will you?

Just a small one.

Ah-ha!

Oh, that's the pair of them.

Thanks, Maggie.

Any word from Arthur?

Tried to find Burma on the map
last night.

Such a long way from here.
Mm.

It's all right. I know.

CHILD COOS
Mummy, Mama!

Here you go.
Why don't you play with this?

Arthur's ma was supposed
to pick him up before my shift.

If there's anything you need
now I'm home, anything I can do...

Want to take Albert for the rest
of the day and night for me?

Almost anything I can do.

THEY LAUGH
Thank you.

When do you go back?

Just when I'm told.

There's talk
of being redeployed to India.

Scared?

No, not a bit of it.
I'm excited at the prospect.

All right, somewhat scared.

Make sure you come home.

I'll try.

Mummy!

Your Arthur will make it back, too.

Promise?

Didn't think so.

Meldrop.

A bit of mucus
on the end of the nose.

I'll choose to believe you.

Thousands wouldn't.

Does Edward play?
He's never been a man of words.

But he's a dab hand at cards,
let me tell you.

I'm so pleased for you.

If anyone deserves the happiness
a family can bring, it's you.

Even if my leaving
were rather sudden?

Well, what were you supposed to do,
let him recover by himself?

I didn't think
it would be permanent.

Nothing in life is,
and you're a grandmother now.

It's only natural
you'd want to be with them.

Although, again,
something of a surprise.

SHE CHUCKLES

Betty and Edward.
They're a very sweet couple.

Hm.
Good heart, the pair of them.

We missed you at the wedding.

I was just incredibly busy,
especially...

Well, especially since you left.

You didn't think hiring another
housekeeper might be sensible?

We tried.

None of them cut the mustard,

or any other condiment
for that matter.

Although, in truth,
it was something of a blessing.

How so?

With you here doing everything,
we were robbed of our autonomy.

Robbed?
Exactly.

None of us realised
we were perfectly capable

of looking after ourselves.

All of us pulling together,
there's really nothing to it.

I don't think that's how James
and the others see it.

What do you mean?

Mrs Hall?
Did Herriot say something?

He mentioned
there'd been some problems.

Problems?

Mm.
Is that why you're here?

Is that what I am to you,
a problem to be solved?

Well, I wouldn't put it
quite like that.

It's later than I thought.

Thank you for the game.
Someone's expecting me.

SHE SIGHS

DOG WHIMPERS

DOG WHIMPERS

Hey.

SUSAN: He's like a whirlwind.

It's a wonder his head
doesn't come off his shoulders.

Morning, Mr Farnon.
Morning.

I understand you're in need
of a cup of tea this morning.

I'll make myself some coffee.
Coffee?

I've developed a taste for it.

Oh, right.

It's good of you to come, Susan.

I was planning to return your horse
this afternoon.

It's no bother. I thought I'd better
drop these off, any rate.

You left them at the Renniston
last night.

Those glasses and the car keys.

You'd think they had legs,
the places you find them.

I wasn't aware
you two knew each other.

Only a little.

Yeah, Susan and I were on
the church fundraising committee.

A while back.
What about you two?

Us?
Oh, er, Mr Farnon and I...

We're... She's our old housekeeper.

We've been friends
for nearly a decade. That's right.

I am. I... was.

Oh, I see.

And what brings you back?

Just visiting.
Damn and blast!

Let me grab you a cloth.
No.

Leave it, thank you very much.
It's fine.

Really, it's no bother.
I don't need your help!

Someone's woken up
on the grumpy side of the bed.

Thank you for returning my glasses.

I really think it would be better
if you leave.

Oh. I... I do, too.

Goodbye, Audrey.
Bye now.

You should run that
under the cold water.

I know what to damn well do!

I can look after myself.

Siegfried, he's badly hurt.

I was over the peak at Niddsdale,
not far past the w*r memorial.

That'd be right.
We were up there yesterday evening.

Couldn't find the flock.
Weather turned.

Night came in. I lost both the dogs.

The injuries are quite severe.

Torn flesh, puncture wounds,
scratches.

Damned Barghest.

What's that?
The stray we saw up in the Dales.

That would explain why the sheep
scattered. Will he make it?

He's young and strong,
so I'm hopeful.

If it can do this to Lad,
Fly will have stood no chance.

I only took her up there cos
you said she were all right to work.

We'll help you look for her
and the flock.

DOG WHIMPERS

All right, Lad.

Fly!
Fly!

Here, girl!
Fly!

Fly!

Come on, girl!
Fly!

HE WHISTLES

Fly!

We both thought Fly was responding
well to the painkillers.

Did you tell Mrs Hall
I was a problem?

Me?

I might've mentioned something
to that effect.

In future,
if you're going to stab me,

do it in my front.

All right,
if that's what you'd prefer.

Since Mrs Hall left, you've become
more and more erratic,

short-tempered...

If I have occasionally been
a trifle abrupt,

that's because you have driven me
to the point of distraction.

Me distracted?

You're the one who keeps forgetting
everything. Completely untrue.

It can't go on. The wheels have
well and truly come off the wagon.

There is no bloody wagon!

And even if there were,
the wheels would be firmly on.

Siegfried, we've all missed Mrs H...
No. We're not doing this.

Doing what?
Talking.

Having a heart-to-bleeding-heart,
telling sad stories.

It won't change anything.

Doesn't fix anything
or make anything better.

It just makes you feel
things have been made better,

and what the hell use is that?
Well...

She left us!
What was I supposed to do?

Pretend to be happy?
Pretend to be fine?

If you keep pushing people away,
eventually, they will go away.

Well, thanks a lot.
That's very bloody incisive!

Come along now.

Dash?

I know you don't want to,
but we've got to go.

Sorry, love. But it's time.

Dash. Come on.

Don't make this any harder
than it already is. Come on now.

SNIFFLES

Dash.

SIGHS

Here, Fly!
Fly!

Fly.

WHISTLING
Here, Fly.

Here, girl.

There's still time
before we lose the light. Nay.

The flock'll have scattered.

There's no way Fly could
keep 'em together, not in her state.

They're done for.

I'm so sorry.
I pushed you to keep her going.

I should've known better.

Ten years, Fly and me worked
these hills together.

Ten.

She were more
than just a working dog.

She was your partner.

I should've taken better care
of the girl.

I owed her that much.

Instead, I put her to work.

I were too hard on the poor thing.

It was me that prescribed
the painkillers. It's my fault.

Nay. I knew.

Forced myself to pretend I didn't.

It's easier that way, in't it?

I can see something.

It's a sheep!

And another!
There's another coming up behind.

There's more. Dozens of them.

Yours? Are they yours, Archie?

I'll be able to tell
once I see their horn marks.

There's six, seven of 'em.
I count 12.

There's 30 at least.
By God, they're mine!

It's the whole flock.
They're all here.

THEY CHUCKLE

Fly.

Oh... good girl.

That's a good girl.
She's been attacked?

What's it done to you?
What did it do?

We need to get back
to the surgery now.

Lie her on the table.

Mrs Hall? Mrs Hall?

DOG WHIMPERS

Siegfried?
Mrs Hall!?

It's all my fault. I drove her away.

There's still time.

Keys.
You were driving.

Keys! Where are my bloody keys?!

Where have they gone?

Well, they have to be somewhere.
You must've put them down.

So where the hell are they?
You just had them.

Somebody must've moved them!
What's going on? Keys.

Why can't anything just stay in
one place? Is that too much to ask?

It's maddening!
Why does everything have to change?!

Where you threw them.

Right, this way.

Sunderland, please.
Course. One way.

She's been very brave.

She gave everything she had,
and more, to protect the flock.

It's done for her.

I know I said Fly was getting on.

That doesn't mean
she's still not got a part to play.

Let her point Lad
in the right direction,

he can put in the legwork.

And when she does stop working,

she can live out a good few years
as a pet,

curled up next to you by the fire.

A pet?

See how we get on, won't we?

TRISTAN: James!

James.
Excuse me.

CHURCH BELLS RING

What's going on?

I think it's happened.

MAN ON RADIO:
'We interrupt this broadcast

'to bring you
a special news bulletin.

'Germany has signed
an unconditional surrender,

'bringing to an end
six years of w*r in Europe,

'according to reports in France.'
Sorry. Excuse me. Excuse me.

'This evening, the Ministry
of Information has confirmed

'that an official statement
declaring the end of the w*r

'will be made...'

CHEERING

Helen, the kids...
Yeah, go, go, go, go, go!

'The day has been declared
a national holiday

'to mark Victory in Europe Day.'

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

Mrs Hall!

Mrs Hall!

HISSING,
BRAKES SCREECH

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Sorry, not now.

Mrs Hall! Audrey!

Mr Farnon,
there really is no need.

We tried to find a replacement.
It could never work.

No-one could ever work.

Because they'd never put up
with your nonsense.

Because they're not you.

I understand you might have
to live your life.

If that's not here with us...

..well, that's up to you.

But you should know
that we would like it to be.

Take as much time as you need.

So, what do you say?
About what?

About coming back.

You said I could take my time.

Yes, well, we can't wait around
all day.

Well...

What on earth's got into everyone?

Oh, that. The w*r's ended.

What?

What did you say?
With Germany.

It's over?

It's over?!

Oh, dear God. It really is over?

Yes.
HE CHUCKLES

SWING MUSIC PLAYS

BACKGROUND CHATTER

CHEERING

THEY CHEER

Here y'are.

CHEERING

You were right where
you needed to be.

You did your bit,
just as much as any other man. Aye.

I love you, James Herriot.

I love you, too.

FIREWORK HISSES

CHEERING

Jimmy, look!

With any luck,
the whole show will be over soon.

This the good stuff?
Only the best.

It's mine, isn't it?
Very generous of you.

All those years of uncertainty,

never knowing if a b*mb
would drop on our heads

or we'd be invaded any moment.

We made it through.

Some of us did.

Mrs Hall and I stood on this spot

wondering if we'd ever hear
the bells ring again.

She said we should be grateful
for what we have.

Well, we have to fight for it, too.

Not just be grateful.
We have to fight for it.

FIREWORK HISSES,
CHEERING

Go. Go and enjoy yourself.

I'll join you in a minute.

Shall we?

Oh, it's good to be back.
It's good to have you back.

THEY CHUCKLE

But just wait till you see how far
behind we are with the laundry.

Let's not. Just for tonight.