Original subtitles

Goodbye, Mrs Stubbs. Thank you, Mr Stubbs. It'll keep us going.

You're stupid. Anyone knows Flaxton line is failing - it's diluted with racing blood.

- Good for speed, but no strength. - You listen to the gossip you want to hear.

You'll get inbred foals that will break their legs on their first cross-country fence.

If you considered for one moment the real qualities of my Mallow…

- I have. - In that case, you must realise

that King of Flaxton is the perfect stallion to have covered her.

(woman) You're ignorant as well as stubborn.

- Oh, good morning, Siegfried. - Morning to you both.

Don't you think it's idiocy for this man to have Mallow…

This woman, Siegfried…

And a very good morning it is to be at peace with the world.

- I couldn't agree more. Shall we walk on? - Why not?

What about your mare? Siegfried, can you think of any rational explanation

for having her mare Jollity visit that effete creature from Lord Halton's stud?

The wind's brought down a bough off one of the oaks in the spinney down there.

Somebody ought to do a bit of surgery on it.

You two should ride down and decide whose responsibility it is.

- Everything in that spinney is mine. - Is mine.

I refuse to be dragged into a quarrel from the mists of time.

You made him angry.

If you jeopardised his willingness to care for my horses…

It was I who first introduced him to you.

Oh, yes? When he first arrived here I distinctly remember your saying:

"Who can take seriously a vet with a name like Siegfried?"

I haven't time to argue. I'm going to look at my oak.

- My oak. I'm coming with you. - All right.

Last one round the Sowerby Stump is a sissy.

Ah, now that smells good. Not the first of Kit Bilson's new bacon, is it?

- I'm surprised you can smell it after this. - Fresh air, darling. Clears the tubes.

Ah…

Pig men get very sentimental about their stock. You can taste it in the bacon.

All those titbits they put in the feed comes out in the flavour.

The worms in Darrowby churchyard will be saying that about you one day.

- Don't worry. Take it as a compliment. - Charming. Put me right off.

You needed slowing down. You were going at it like one of Bilson's best.

I have been up since five o'clock.

I've delivered twin lambs by Caesarean on an empty stomach…

- You've been absolutely wonderful. - Gosh, thanks.

Just don't give yourself indigestion and suffer all through morning surgery.

For which I'll be late. What else have you got for me?

Jack Scott rang. Said would you go up after surgery. He thinks it's peritonitis.

Not likely to be wrong, is Jack.

And Jenny Garston would like you to look at her pregnant mare.

Now, that's interesting. If her mare foals at the same time her daughter gives birth,

which do you think she'll attend?

Sorry, darling. He's aggressive, stubborn and relentlessly vindictive.

It's a blessed miracle that none of it has rubbed off on Geoffrey.

You're talking about a stranger to me, Mother.

I've never known David be anything but kind, gentle and considerate.

Best thing Geoffrey ever did was insist your uncle renovated that cottage

so you two could live in the house.

That was David's idea and you know it.

I don't trust him. That's all. I just don't trust him.

Oh, thank you, darling.

Don't you think he might have grown up since you were at primary school?

He may be able to give the impression of maturity,

but, believe me, deep down… I know.

I did hope that when the baby was born you might be able to bury the hatchet.

You're not a bad old Master, are you?

Take him in to cool off before you take him out into the field.

- How's Jollity today? - Oh. (laughs)

How the two pregnant mares like to compare notes.

James is coming to examine her this morning.

She looks a perfectly content expectant mother.

- And so do you. - I just wish it was all over.

Oh, darling. Now, don't worry.

Mrs Brown has brought most of the Darrowby children into this world -

without too much trouble, so far as I hear.

David's convinced I'm going to foal at the same time as his Mallow.

Oh, sentimental old fool.

She could make it triplets. (laughs)

You've ridden him into the ground, Uncle.

- We met your mother-in-law. - What does her horse look like?

How that woman could have bred a sensible girl like your Elizabeth beats me.

Oh, hell.

Oh, my God. What on earth happened?

We got to the gate at Sowerby Stump simultaneously.

And you're both too pigheaded to give way.

I'm afraid so. Poor old boy. That's gonna need stitching.

I suppose I'd better telephone Siegfried.

Try James first, will you?

- But Mitch is Siegfried's patient. - We ran into him up at Highbeck.

He witnessed the build-up. He won't have much sympathy.

By God, James!

For the life of me, I've just been converted to the survival of the village stocks.

- Oh? Why? - David Rayner and Jenny Garston.

What on earth does one do with them? Hm?

Two otherwise perfectly sensible people!

Who separately run admirable farms,

who each contribute handsomely to the life of the community,

and yet - and yet! -

when they confront each other they both behave like ridiculous children.

You'd put David and Jenny in the stocks together?

James, desperate measures! Something's got to be done about them.

For heaven's sake, they're going to share the same grandchild in a week's time.

And the stocks will prevent them from tearing it apart?

"Listen to the next instalment of The Wisdom of Siegfried."

I'm going to Highbeck later. I'll suggest it to Jenny.

She'll be happy you're taking it all so seriously.

- I'm not in any mood for levity. - (phone rings)

Are you in the mood for that? I've got to start surgery.

(James) Good morning.

Darrowby 385.

No, Mr Herriot's taking surgery at the moment.

Oh. Geoffrey.

Good morning, Mr Farnon.

Not much good about it any more, Geoff. Still, that's not your fault.

Let's see the damage.

He caught the hinge spike on that narrow gate at Sowerby Stump, apparently.

Racing with Mrs Garston, eh?

Where's the culprit? Gone to ground, I bet.

Over at the cottage taking a bath. Feeling stiff after his ride, he said.

Let me at him with a humane killer, I'll give him stiff.

Hello? Jenny?

- Ah, James. - Hello.

Sorry I'm late. Early call at Tom Maxwell's turned into an emergency. Full operation.

- No problem, I hope. - No. Twin lambs.

Safely delivered by Caesarean section.

But ever since I'm late for every appointment.

- Right. How is she? - Come and have a look.

- I think she's fine. - Good.

(horse whinnies)

Well, she couldn't be anywhere better.

- This is still Tony Binns' work, is it? - Mm.

What a boon he's turned out. When you think what a tearaway he used to be.

Credit to you for spotting the potential and for taking him on.

No, it was your idea, James. He's got real purpose now. I'm teaching him to ride.

- Anything wrong? - A bit pale. Anaemic, I think.

- She eating all right? - As far as I can see.

She was out this morning looking fine. I only brought her in for you to examine.

- I think you should keep her in. - All right.

Monitor her feeding carefully. Supplement it with bran mash.

OK. But there's no problem?

She's never been a problem before, has she?

She's the perfect brood mare.

This will be number six, and she's already given me Master.

Yes. Pulse is a bit fast.

I'll give her a vitamin injection for now, but do keep her in…

- (carhorn) - ..and keep her warm.

Mother! We're going to be late!

Won't be a moment. It's all birth around here today.

We're just taking the family crib to the nursing home.

- Nurse Brown. Midwife in a million. - Oh…

I spoke to Helen. She's coming with us for old times' sake.

- She's probably feeling broody. - What?

(both laugh)

- Jenny, you don't have to wait for me. - Thanks.

By the way, James, I think I may have helped upset Siegfried this morning.

It's nothing serious.

He is going to ask the parish to put you and David in the stocks, that's all.

James, David's antipathy towards me puts you professionally in a difficult situation.

No. No! We… We cope in our own way.

I admire the way you look after his farm animals

and Siegfried looks after his unfortunate horses…

Shouldn't you and Elizabeth be getting off?

But it's very difficult sometimes socially with Siegfried when we're all together.

Normally we know where to draw the line, but this morning…

That's what sparked off the joke about stocks.

- Stocks! James, really… - I have to get the vitamins from the car.

- Excuse me. - James, you don't understand. Look…

James, I understand Siegfried has to be careful for professional reasons…

Quite right. No room for favouritism. Welfare of the animals comes first.

But I always thought that he knew me to be the injured party, with right on my side.

But if the issue has become clouded, which it must have done

if he can remark to you that I should be set in the stocks with that lying…

(carhorn)

Have you done, Mother, or shall I drop this baby here on your gravel?

She shouldn't be standing around.

This is serious and we must talk about it soon.

Any time.

Any time I have a week to spare.

- I know what you mean. - Where'd you spring from?

I've been in t'hayloft. Only thing to do when she gets on about Mr Rayner.

Tony, you're a wise man.

There we are, then.

Aha. Mr Spick and Span.

I trust you're suitably refreshed after your morning's exertions.

Siegfried, I must apologise.

Psychologically out of the question, I'd say.

I keep telling myself that I'm doing it for Mitch.

But since you're paying…

I'm half tempted to charge you double.

My behaviour this morning was… inexcusable.

Not much point in apologising unless you mean to make amends.

All this began a long time ago, before you even came to Darrowby.

Oh, yes, I know, I know. I've heard the story. Bores me to tears.

All kinds of apocryphal variations are bandied about from time to time.

Of course, of course.

Each new outburst of public lunacy between the pair of you

makes people cast about for some credible explanation.

But as far as I can see there is none.

Each of you by yourselves is likable, intelligent and civilised.

But the way you behave to each other would shame a 12-year-old.

Those who do not remember the past, Siegfried, are condemned to repeat it.

Those who are obsessed with remembering it, David,

are condemned never to escape it.

I suppose it was young Peter Garston…

who was the worm in your budding affection for Jenny, was he?

- Well… - Well.

He turned out to be a war hero whose memory we should honour.

Maybe. But at the time the man was no better than a common cheat.

He wasn't a man at all, David. He was a little boy.

You used to crib your answers for spelling lessons from Jenny.

Then you were enraged when she allowed young Garston to do the cribbing instead.

She perpetrated a gross act of betrayal.

By marrying Garston instead of you?

It all meant a great deal to me. I was deeply wounded.

You were 12 years old.

To ordinary mortals, I agree it sounds an unlikely tale.

But you, of course, are a quite extraordinary…

romantic fool.

David, nothing can excuse the sort of behaviour

that causes damage like this to a fine horse.

- Did you take a look at Mallow? - Yes, I did indeed.

She's doing fine. She's still a week off foaling.

Has it ever occurred to you to apologise to Jenny?

You offered an apology to me, which I don't feel inclined to accept

unless you promise to buy a large bunch of red roses,

put charity in your heart and take them to Highbeck.

- I didn't know you were at Eastwood. - I wasn't,

but that damn fool Rayner did damage his horse this morning.

- You're running late, aren't you? - I mentioned the stocks to Jenny Garston.

She locked me in the stable - give me a taste of my own medicine.

- I suppose I'd better buy you lunch. - Siegfried! My very thought!

- We're not far from the Black Horse. - All right. On your marks and…

Iast one there's a sissy.

Tony Binns told me all the gory details.

I see. Black Horse, then.

Russell & Rangham's. Savour the words.

They're full of the flavour they signify, don't you think?

You sound more like Tristan by the minute.

Good chance to drink his health, eh?

After all, he introduced us to this magnificent establishment.

- That's perfectly true. Little brother. - Mr Tristan.

Yeah.

Russell & Rangham's. Got to be the full words, Reg.

Aye. But when I heard this Yank -

it were down south in t'war and I hadn't had a proper drink for months -

took me reet back, it did. I could taste it.

Then it turns out he wasn't referring to this at all.

- "Rest and recreation"? - Tha's got it.

There's more rest and recreation in Russell & Rangham's, I said,

than anywhere on God's earth.

- Did they believe you? - No.

Yanks never could get t'taste of English ale.

But it give me t'taste, in me mind, like.

I were grateful for that. I always remember it.

- Another thing I remember, Mr Herriot… - What was that, Reg?

Years back. That time you was all in here for wetting your babby daughter's head.

When we went on a bit after t'time and had a visit from that copper.

Oh, Lord, yes. PC Goole.

He started all righteous and determined to do his duty as an officer of the law…

- It was Mr Tristan as got round him. - He ended up roaring fit to beat the band.

Never had no promotion though, has Goole.

Reg, it was 3am. He'd have been drummed out of the force

if we hadn't persuaded him not to tell his superiors what he thought of them.

A skinful of your best illegals in him.

Aye! For one as couldn't drink, he damn near drowned in it.

It's always the same thing, isn't it?

The reformed sinner or the fallen saint - no sense of proportion.

(knocking)

Who the…

Good God. Talk of the devil.

- (knocking) - It's him. Get those emptied.

So this baby will unite the interests of both families.

Boy or girl, he or she will inherit Highbeck and Eastwood.

A good farm that'll make if it happens.

It'll happen, Cliff, whether Mrs Garston and Mr Rayner like it or not.

There's nothing like a baby for getting people together.

Aye. We had good times with your Jimmy and Rosie, didn't we?

We certainly did. Being here now brings it all back so vividly.

You're not thinking of coming again on your own account?

I don't think so, Cliff. No, I'm thankful for what I've got.

(glasses clink)

(whispers) Sh…

- I must have their names, Mr Wilkey. - (clinking)

Erm… I don't know what you mean, Constable.

I'm all closed up nice and legal.

I were about to put my feet up when tha comes knocking t'door down.

I see the cars out back and I think:

"Aye. They must be having a bit of lunch with Reg Wilkey."

I don't know who you're referring to, Constable, but…

I've got no customers in here.

I am referring to Mr Farnon and Mr Herriot.

Sorry, Reg.

Well, you're infested all right, and they're whoppers too.

Afternoon, Constable.

And what sort of whoppers would you be referring to, Mr Herriot?

Rats, Constable. Rats as long as your arm.

Running riot down there. Riot.

- Aye. I can smell 'em from here and all. - (Siegfried shouts)

Like bloody alligators. God help us, Reg!

How long have you been running the gauntlet down here?

It's been getting a reet problem this last month or two.

This morning as I was shifting t'barrels one took hold of my arm, bold as brass.

- There you are. - That's when I knew it were a job for you.

- Job for the rodent inspector. - Job for t'magistrate, more like.

Good grief. Mr Goole.

Popped in for a pint after hours, have you?

Like to tell me why the magistrate should be interested in Reg Wilkey's giant rats?

You can say what you like. You were breaking t'law and you know it.

Still…

- 'Tis thirsty work just the same. - That's a capital idea, Constable.

The thought of those rats has dried the spittle in my throat.

Reg, what about a pint of your Russell & Rangham's best for each of us, eh?

- Make us forget all about it. - Mm.

Good God!

May I come in?

If you think a bunch of flowers will help you out of the hole you dug this morning,

then you're cracked as well as criminal.

Jenny, please.

I come in peace.

Haven't smelt fresh yeast like that for years.

And I always liked this room.

Watching your mother making bread.

The flowers were Siegfried's idea. Am I right?

- As a matter of fact… - No, his order.

"I do not attend your horse unless…" That's right, isn't it?

- Yes. - Am I not always right?

Look, I've come here to apologise. I've brought these bloody flowers…

They're not bloody, just insipid.

If you had any gumption in you they would have been bloody crimson.

For God's sake, we're practically members of the same family.

Your Elizabeth and my Geoffrey are about to have a child.

- Not yourGeoffrey. - My late brother's, if you're pedantic.

- Just accurate would be nice. - I have stood in loco parentis

since he was 10 years old.

How Geoffrey's survived that is a constant source of wonder to me.

Are you going to blind yourself with prejudice all your life?

Or might you one day find it in your heart to give credit where credit is due?

I just have. To Geoffrey.

Look at this farm of yours. You've done very well with it since Peter died.

But how? By following every move I've made at Eastwood.

I built up this farm by myself in spite of every obstructive move you've made.

Come on! It's a standing joke,

the way you go round denigrating every innovation I make.

They even ran a sweep at the Drovers

as to how long it would take you to buy a Ferguson tractor after I bought mine.

- Oh? And who won it? - Me.

I needed that tractor. You just followed the fashion in the Farmers Weekly.

You spent 30 days ridiculing it as a nine-days wonder

and then, lo and behold, on the 31st day

the nine-days wonder was actually delivered to you at Highbeck.

And what about my Simplex milking machine?

Out of kindness, I mentioned your name to the agent after I placed my order.

You mentioned my name to that man in the hope that I would waste my money.

When I'd taken the risk and you saw its success, you did what you always do -

you copied me, just like you cribbed your answers at school.

- Never right, were they? - That's not the point.

It set the nature of our relationship. I was the original and you were the copycat.

Oh, yes? When did you ever send me flowers?

Oh! We've already established that that was Siegfried's idea.

May I remind you it takes more than mere imitation to make a real gentleman?

You're impossible. You're obsessed with an image of me

that bears no relation to present reality.

I only hope that the birth of Elizabeth's baby

will have some therapeutic effect on your corrupted sense and sensibility.

- What's the matter? What have you done? - Just snagged my thumb, that's all.

Oh! Those are nice, Mum. I thought I heard David's voice.

Are they a present for the prospective grandmother?

- What a sweet thought. - Oh, darling…

Mrs Garston! Mrs Garston, come quickly!

She's all waxed up like you said, and she's been fretting and stamping.

Tony, I think you're right.

She's going to beat Elizabeth to it after all.

- Shall I telephone Mr Herriot? - Listen to the anxious father.

You're worse than Geoffrey.

This must have been what was wrong with her when Mr Herriot called today.

Just a few days ahead of schedule, that's all.

She knows what to do. We've done it all before.

Maybe the baby has finally got through to him.

He was definitely trying to make it up.

I've a feeling he was got at by Siegfried Farnon.

It doesn't matter who got at him. The fact is, he did it.

He made the gesture

and my ungrateful shrew of a mother was about to shove them back in his face.

Don't be too hard on her, darling. There's ways and ways of making up.

I can't imagine Uncle David's character's changed

after one dressing down from Siegfried.

But why can't she open her heart just a fraction?

I've had to listen to him tearing into her all my life.

Doesn't make any sense to me.

I know Jenny as a sensitive, caring, capable woman.

I know her as a lovely mother to a beautiful daughter.

Agh! Geoff!

- Hello, Jenny. - Siegfried.

I was expecting James.

I'm afraid he's out on another call.

- Thank God one of you is here. - Let's have a look at her.

Tell me about her.

She's sweating. I think she's feverish.

She's been down, what, six or seven times now,

then she just trembles, rolls her eyes and scrambles up again.

And when James examined her this morning?

- Bit anaemic. He gave her vitamins. - Mrs Garston!

That were Geoffrey on the phone. He's taking Elizabeth to Nurse Brown's.

Oh, my God. I ought to be with her.

- Comfortable? - I'll never be comfortable.

Not till what's inside is safely outside.

- I hope that's not before you get there. - Don't say it.

You'll manage it beautifully.

- Bye. - Don't you stay there worrying to death.

Go and have a drink on me.

Good luck!

Hello, Mitch.

(neighing)

Good God!

Oh… darling.

- Darling. - What? What's the matter?

It's all right. You were sleeping.

You should have been in bed hours ago. You're going now if I have to carry you.

(telephone rings)

Darrowby 299.

Yes, David. Yes, of course. Straight away.

Uh…

- Darling. - Hm?

It's David Rayner. Siegfried's already out at Highbeck. There isn't anyone else.

His mare hasn't started too, has it?

Oh, thank you!

Have a drop of this.

Or perhaps I should.

What's the news?

Oh, God.

It's a malpresentation, as I feared.

And if that were all that was wrong we could easily cope.

But… what you have to face, Jenny, is that she's haemorrhaging internally,

which is why James found her a bit anaemic when he examined her.

I've given her a sedative. The foal's still alive.

And there's a chance I can save it.

But you're going to lose the mare.

(Jenny sobs)

(David) Siegfried was here this morning and was sure she had another week.

(James) Right, I'll examine her.

I've put out warm water and towels and there's coffee.

Unaccustomed luxury. This is the Siegfried treatment, is it?

I'm very grateful to you for coming out.

You should have a word with your neighbours.

Explain to them how to treat a vet who they're keeping out of his bed.

I'm not that happy about her. She's sweated up,

she's been uneasy and her teats are waxed.

And she's running her milk.

Won't be long now.

Mr Herriot persuaded him they was here on business.

Looking for rats.

Then Mr Farnon got him to have a drink and forget it.

- He would, wouldn't he? - Aye.

But he might come back and make a proper job of it.

So if you'll pardon this temporary lapse in hospitality

and take yourselves off home, I'd be obliged.

I'd like to get back, see if there's any news.

When there's any news, you'll hear soon enough.

You just get home and get some sleep, cos, believe me, you'll need it.

Thanks for your company, Cliff,

but if there is any news you'll phone, won't you?

Nay, lad, nay. We'll just wait for t'rumour to spread.

Way gossip goes in this place it could be just as quick.

'Night.

Hello again, Constable.

Has tha forgot summat?

I were just on my way home, off duty.

I did hope I'd be in time for a quick half.

All closed up here on time… as always.

But you can have one on the house, with pleasure.

Baby's heartbeat's fine and strong.

I want you to get some rest. There'll be hard work to do in a while.

- How long a while? - It's hard to say rightly.

'Appen waters'll break in an hour or two.

- I haven't come in too soon, have I? - No.

It's your first baby and you've done just right.

She's all right, isn't she? Good, strong and healthy?

It's the foal I'm worried about. I can't feel any movement.

It's not going to be stillborn?

- Am I bleeding? - No, dear. It's just t'waters have broken.

- Won't be long now. - Haven't made a mess, have I?

No one ever gave birth to a baby without a bit of mess.

The leg isn't right back.

- I can't get it. - She can't help you, poor darling.

I'm afraid she's getting weaker.

How was she when you left her?

Nurse Brown took her off upstairs and that was it.

At least I could have held her hand.

Comforted her a bit, like you're doing with Mallow.

She's going to need all the help she can get. Her foal might be dead.

No. Why?

Won't know that till we've had a chance to look at it.

I'm sorry to hear this.

Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. It's been a perfectly healthy pregnancy.

- Is there anything I can do to help? - Yes, get your head down and sleep.

Just as you've left Elizabeth in the hands of Nurse Brown,

you can leave this job to James and me.

Why is everyone telling me to go to sleep? I've never felt more awake in all my life.

Good girl. Good girl.

Now, when t'next pain comes I want a really big push.

- Good girl. - Here it comes.

Take a deep breath and push.

Push.

Push. Push.

Siegfried, I wouldn't dream of offering you advice, but…

What is it?

I can't help remembering that when James called round this morning, he'd…

He'd just performed a Caesarean.

- Do you think it's possible? - Jenny, that was on a sheep.

A Caesarean on a mare is… very rare. And very risky.

There's a chance of saving the foal, but you'd lose the mare.

She has a ruptured uterus and even if she hadn't…

Oh, God, I hope nothing like this is happening to Elizabeth.

Go on, lass. Next one does it. I can see its head.

Go on. Push. Push.

There's a leg.

Tony, will you come to my left and be ready to help?

Give me your hand. Now put it under my arm gently. Not too far.

That's the other leg.

Hold it steady.

Now… in one moment…

we'll pull together. Steady. Steady.

Here she comes. Here she comes.

You look after the foal. I'll see to the mother.

I'm afraid she's gone, Jenny.

Why do we allow ourselves to become so attached?

She's left you with a lovely foal.

It's going to be a full-time job to rear him without a mother.

I'll be his mother.

(David) Come on, girl.

There's the head, David. Can you get the caul off?

Just get that stuff off. Thanks, David, very much.

Thanks. OK…

Yes. Yes.

Come on.

It is dead.

Go on, push. Push.

Go on, lass.

Go on, tha's done it!

Oh, tha's got a beautiful baby boy.

(baby cries)

What'll we do for milk?

I can still draw a first feed off the mare.

It's vital we do that so that he gets his own mother's colostrum.

Now then…

Oh… He's beautiful.

Tha's a lucky lass.

Thank you.

I enjoyed it too, love.

Would you telephone Geoffrey and my mother?

You should get some rest.

Then you can wake up to a new day and a new baby.

Anyroad, seems to me some folk are more interested in horses than humans.

Anyway, I would like them to know.

I am sorry, David.

Look, I suggest you move the foal about.

Frequently at first, and then gradually leave it for longer and longer periods.

Then round about 12 o'clock you can stick it in the next box,

still move it from time to time, making sure that she can always see it.

Not much fun for you, is it?

Still, we must make sure we let her down gently.

- Should I try to milk her? - She probably won't let you to start with.

Could you undo me, please?

Gradually she'll become more uncomfortable.

When she starts to lose interest in the foal, she may be more willing to let you near it.

(sighs) Thank you, James. You've been great.

I just wish I knew why, that's all.

Can I offer you some breakfast before you go?

Oh, thanks, but I have to go home and get some sleep.

I'll talk to Siegfried later. We may want to do a postmortem.

See if we can't get to the bottom of all this.

- (telephone rings) - Oh! Excuse me.

Hello?

Yes.

Thank you, Nurse Brown. Thank you.

It's a boy.

I'm sorry it happened like this.

- You must be dead on your feet. - No more than you.

Now, when Tony wakes up, get him to take Master out into the paddock.

And when it's time for this little fella's next feed,

try and lead him into the next-door box, away from the mare.

- What if he doesn't want to leave? - Let him nuzzle her if he wants to.

He'll gradually lose interest and then… he'll forget.

When he's really hungry, you're the one with the bottle.

He's taking it well.

I suppose you realise this is your second breakfast without any sleep in between.

When you finish this, I want you to go to bed straight away.

- (bang at door) - What's that?

- Siegfried! Good morning. - Oh!

Helen, good Lord! What are you doing up at this time in the morning?

Cooking breakfast. Come in.

Right.

- It's Siegfried. - I heard.

- Morning, Siegfried. - Good Lord! James, morning.

- You're off out already, are you? - Er… no. I've…

I'm only just on my way home. I was passing, I thought I'd drop in a note.

I hoped I could prevail on your good nature

and that you'd be able to take surgery.

Oh, Siegfried.

I've been up all night with Jenny Garston's mare. She's lost it.

Poor thing. Now she's faced with hand-rearing an orphan foal.

- Just a minute… - James, I am utterly exhausted.

Oh, Helen, thank you.

I have just got in myself. Rayner's mare?

I've been up all night delivering a stillborn foal.

- Oh. Hell. - Mm.

Well, sounds like a case of adoption to me.

There was something on the wireless. A woman on the farmers' programme.

She'd tried to hand-rear a foal and was appealing for a foster mother.

So we get…

Rayner's mare to adopt Jenny's foal, eh?

Have you considered the implications? How on earth will we get them together?

I know exactly where to find them this morning.

What a clever girl you are.

I don't know if I feel clever, particularly. Oh, but I do feel proud.

And so you should.

I don't suppose you've thought of a name yet.

He's going to be Peter, after Dad.

Oh, darling, thank you.

And Anthony, after Geoffrey's father.

Oh, good. I was hoping you'd do that.

And David, after… well, David.

Oh, really? Do you think he needs three names?

In this case, yes, and not a word from you against it.

Another visitor for thee, lass.

At this rate it might be easier to take thee and t'baby down to t'flower shop.

- Hello, David. - Elizabeth, dear, congratulations.

- You look wonderful. - Tired, but very happy.

- I've brought you some flowers. - Oh, thank you. They're lovely.

- What a marvellous colour. - I wonder what gave him that idea.

Jenny.

And that's the baby.

Now, listen, you two. As far as Geoffrey and I are concerned,

you both have equal shares in the baby and we want you to share him gracefully.

He's very handsome.

May I?

If you must.

Mallow has suffered a traumatic loss, David.

There's a real danger it could affect her temperament permanently.

Making her a foster mother will give her precisely the role that she needs.

If you insist on hand-rearing Jollity's foal, Jenny,

you commit yourself to six uncertain months of exhausting attention.

Whereas a successful adoption

would give the foal the nearest alternative to her real mother.

What James and I are asking of you is…

your joint agreement

to share responsibility for rearing the foal.

What we're offering you is a chance to snatch a victory

out of the jaws of your separate disasters.

What do you say?

The whole purpose of this is to deceive Mallow

that her foal is still alive in the next box.

If we take these and do a bit of pretending behind the bars between the two boxes,

It might just reinforce the deceit.

Come on, girl.

- This the sort of thing? - It's ideal. Ideal.

A bit grisly, perhaps, but in my view the only virtue in being dead

is to be of continuing service to the living.

So I'll continue skinning the foal.

I'm sorry. Mr Farnon and Mr Herriot are both out on an emergency call.

Is anybody here to collect a supply of medicine?

- (doorslams) - Sounds like one of them now.

Thanks for holding the fort, darling.

Well?

- I think it's gonna work! - Oh!

This time, Jenny, when he's strong on the teat,

fold the skin back gently over his quarters here.

and let the mare have a sniff of his tail.

- What if she doesn't like it? - No need to rush it.

Just put the skin back down again.

But if she does lick him, we know she's beginning to accept him.

All right?

Count the number of times he swallows, David.

He must do at least 25 if he's to get enough milk.

He's getting keener.

Now, Jenny, try folding that skin back off his rear end.

Look, David.

Look.

(rings bell)

Come along, gents and ladies. It's time.

Oh, the new baby and a successful adoption - come on, Reg!

We said yesterday PC Goole only bothers you once in a blue moon.

- He were here last night. - Nothing happened, did it?

- No, I were all locked up on time. - There you are.

He knows you're back on the straight and narrow. He won't bother you for five years.

Tell you what.

I'll lock up. Then we can have one or two on the house to finish up.

While it's still legal, Reg, here's a contribution to the house.

Thank you, Mr David.

Look, just help yourselves, then we'll have a round with closed shutters.

We've had a very successful day, my friends,

and James… and I want to propose one more toast.

We'd like you to raise your glasses…

- David, you got a glass? - Coming.

- Come on, James! - It's coming. On its way.

Raise your glasses to the united houses

of Eastwood and Highbeck, both equine and human.

- The united houses! - (knocking)

- He's never come back again, has he? - (knocking)

All right, I'm coming!

You gave us a fright, lad. Come on in, quick.

- Geoffrey! - (all sing "ForHe's a Jolly Good Fellow")