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Dear Mother, it'’s been quite some time.

I'’m training with the Navy

and will be given leave next month to visit family.

I think it would feel right for us to meet.

Are you able to come to Keighley train station?

I can meet you in the waiting room there

on the morning of Monday the 10th of July.

I hope to hear from you.

Edward.

You lads. Hurry up!

-Come on, go. -Sorry.

Go on, it'’ll suit you.

Is this some kind of joke?

You'’ll cook and clean in Mrs Hall'’s absence.

I do hope you were listening to her this morning.

She left a list of things to do by the telephone.

I thought we were divvying up the jobs.

-That is the fair way. -Don'’t panic.

I'’m not expecting you to have this place tiptop by any means.

Just try to complete the tasks as satisfactorily as you can.

Who'’s that?

-Hello. -Hello.

And what was so terribly wrong with the front door?

I do apologise, sir.

-I'’m Andrew Simmonds. -Siegfried Farnon.

Don'’t ask.

Oh, good God.

What is it?

We promised his headmaster a day'’s work experience.

If it'’s too much trouble, I'’ll...

No, no, it'’s quite all right. My brother Tristan will happily...

Make you a cup of tea before you get cracking with your mentor here.

Just try to complete the tasks as satisfactorily as you can.

Excuse me, Andrew.

Milk and sugar?

-Yes, please. -Yes.

Sorry, big brother.

Hello.

I changed me mind.

That'’s lovely, thank you.

Changed your mind?

Yes... please.

Thank you.

Did you miss your train?

Er, no, no.

I'’m... I'm... I'’m waiting for someone.

Who?

No. No, that'’s not why I'’m here.

Um...

are the trains late?

Sometimes.

I'’m sure they're on their way.

Yes, I hope you'’re right.

Mm, please, yes.

Is that for them?

Yes.

What'’s their name?

It'’s, um...

Edward.

Edward?

Edward. That'’s right, yeah.

He'’s, er...

He'’s my son.

Er, my... My son? But big.

Son.

Son?

Oh, right.

Yeah, my son.

Thank you.

Thank you.

-There you are, Andrew. -Thank you.

Right, tour. Follow me.

♪ My name is John Wellington Wells ♪

♪ I'’m a dealer in magic and spells ♪

♪ In blessings and curses And ever-filled purses ♪

♪ And prophesies, witches and knells ♪

The dispensary.

Lotions, potions, poisons and otherwise, all stored here.

Fever drinks, stomach powders, boric-acid pessaries. Onwards.

♪ And if anything anyone lacks ♪

♪ He'’ll find it already in stacks ♪

♪ If he'’ll only look in On the resident djinn ♪

♪ Number seventy, Simmery Axe! ♪

Patients are brought here from the waiting area.

This is where healings of all kinds unfold

under the watchful eye of my good self.

I'’ll show you the office.

This is where we handle correspondences, invoices, receipts,

and I come face-to-face with the very bane of my existence, stingy clients.

His name'’s Volonel.

Volonel.

He'’s beautiful.

Beautiful.

You can hold him if you like.

Can I?

Let'’s get him out.

There we are.

Do you know that rats can'’t sweat?

Yes.

Don'’t they use their tail to regulate their temperature?

They do,

by expanding and contracting the blood vessels.

Clever things.

Hello, Volonel.

I could get used to living up here.

It'’s a shame Dad's back from his brother'’s tomorrow.

Don'’t you dare. Don't you dare?

No, don'’t throw those mushrooms. Stop it! Stop it.

Ow! There'’ll be none left.

Will you pair stop mucking about?

Where'’ve you been?

-James, stop mucking about. -Come inside for breakfast,

otherwise, it'’s going to get cold.

James. James, break--

Behave yourself. Behave yourself now...

Jenny, this is brilliant.

It'’s nothing really.

It'’s delicious.

And this is nice. Could have this on the bed.

You not eating?

Oh, I'’ve already had mine.

You can fry them mushrooms we picked for Dad tomorrow.

Mushrooms I picked, I think you mean.

Oi, I picked at least half of '’em.

Are you fibbing again, Helen?

Shouldn'’t you be getting ready for school?

Cutting it a bit fine, aren'’t you?

I'’m not going.

Why?

I left.

Jenny?

I'’ve left school.

What do you mean, you'’ve left?

Well, I'’m allowed now, now I'’m 14.

I want to work on the farm.

Well, you never talked to me about any of this.

I'’m telling you now, aren't I?

Does Dad know?

Yeah.

And he doesn'’t mind?

No.

Right. I'’ve got to sort out the sheep.

See you later.

Do you do all these by yourself?

Dad trusts me with them.

They look great, Jenny.

Thanks.

I wish we'’d have spoken about school.

It feels like a big decision.

What is it?

It'’s nothing, Jenny. Don'’t worry.

Is that foot rot?

Oh, no.

It'’s all right.

We'’ll get James to have a look when he gets back.

I don'’t see how I could'’ve missed it.

It'’s easy to miss, and you'’re still learning.

Thank you for the tea.

-It was nice to meet you. -You too.

Cheerio.

Mother?

Edward.

Sorry for making you wait this long.

It'’s quite all right.

I really am sorry, honestly.

Don'’t be silly.

I'’ve not been here that long.

-Er, did you-- -How are you--

-You go. -No, you.

Ma, please.

I were just gonna ask how your journey were.

Not bad. Yours?

Didn'’t feel as long as anticipated.

I were dreading it, to be honest.

Not this. The journey.

I'’m talking too much.

No, it'’s all right.

Let'’s find somewhere to sit, shall we?

Is it nice there, Darrow?

Er, D-- Darrowby.

Lovely.

Little paradise on Earth.

You'’re always welcome.

I have invited--

Never mind.

-Haven'’t had the time. -Of course, I know.

Well...

we'’re here now, aren't we?

Oh. It'’s full.

Go to the left luggage.

It'’s quiet there.

Oh. Up there?

Thank you.

What about here?

It'’ll do.

What time do you have to leave?

In a while.

Both medicines look identical but they perform very different functions.

It'’s important they'’re kept separately

A fact that my brother conveniently ignores.

Do sit down.

I am concerned about Mrs H'’s future.

I think I'’ve firmly put her job at risk.

Well?

It'’s...

rather different from what I was expecting, I must confess.

Different? "Different" meaning?

Better.

Ah, we got there in the end.

Oh, yes, you want some more. Feel free, please.

-Would you like some? -No, thank you.

-Brought me packed lunch. -Ah.

-That looks delicious. What is it? -Egg mayonnaise.

-Oh. My favourite. -Mine too.

Your mum must be a very good cook.

I made '’em myself, but she is that.

I'’d be lying if I said otherwise.

Did you really make them yourself?

How very impressive.

Thank you, sir.

That'’s kind of you to say.

So... the badge-- Do you like giraffes?

More than rats?

Giraffes are me favourite, sir. Rats are a close second.

Is that so?

Did you know that giraffes spend most of their lives standing up?

Yes.

Even when they'’re asleep and giving birth.

Precisely so.

Well, good choice.

Good choice, indeed.

What'’s your favourite, sir?

Oh, dear.

I think it would be remiss of me to choose.

Sorry to disturb you, Jess.

Over here. Hurry yourself, will you?

It'’s our Benjamin.

We were working in the field, a--

And he were kicked by a cow.

-OK, let'’s get him inside. -Careful.

Have you got him?

Put it in there.

Don'’t worry, I'll take care of .

It may be instructive for our budding vet here.

I'’d quite like to take a look at Benjamin myself.

Haven'’t you got washing up to do?

-That can wait. -Stop your faffin'’, will you?

I'’m sorry.

I don'’t mean to be rude.

He means an awful lot to me, you see, and I...

I can'’t see him like this a second longer.

Of course. In there.

That'’s it, that's it.

Thank you.

Come through, Mr Sunningwell, Door and blind please, Andrew.

It'’s all right. That's it.

There we are.

How do you do it, Mrs H?

You must be ravenous. Here, have these.

I had a sandwich before I left.

A sandwich don'’t fill you up.

It did me.

I'’ve got no appetite left.

Well... there'’s always room for something sweet.

That'’s what you used to say...

remember?

Look inside.

Go on, open it up.

You shouldn'’t have gone to so much trouble.

You used to like '’em.

I still do...

sometimes.

Well, you can take '’em with you for the trip, if you like.

You don'’t need to eat them now.

Me bag'’s full t'brim.

They look just how they used to.

Well...

you didn'’t see all the burnt bits and the misshapen offcuts.

Dad always liked '’em burnt, didn'’t he?

Oh, my word.

He used to ask me to burn them.

It broke me heart, it did, every time.

How is your dad?

Don'’t know.

You don'’t?

Don'’t speak to him anymore.

Why'’s that?

Why all the questions?

Sorry.

I can'’t stand the fool.

You can'’t speak about him like that, Edward.

You were close to your dad.

That was before I saw him for who he really was.

Is he still drinking?

Course he is.

He'’s always drinking.

-And how about you? -Not any more.

Your dad is a victim of his circumstances, like many people.

That'’s no excuse for the way he treated you, though, is it?

I don'’t hate him, Edward.

You don'’t?

He were a good man before the war.

And a damaged one after.

Does it damage everyone-- War?

Not everyone.

-You were OK. -Yeah.

Yeah. Suppose I were...

"lucky."

Andrew.

You look like there'’s something you want to say.

It'’s nothing, sir.

Well, I were just thinking to meself,

is the injury internal or external?

Cos...

I can'’t see any marked wound on him.

Indeed.

You'’re bang on.

Almost impossible to identify.

He was injured all right, kicked by a cow.

I should'’ve kept me eye on him.

Do you know exactly where he was kicked?

Knocked down before I could see t'’poor lad.

Can'’t you help him?

He may be concussed.

We'’ll have to go carefully if we give him any general anaesthetic.

There'’s a small chance he may not return.

He'’s all I've got.

It'’s just me and him.

It'’ll be all right, sir.

Mr Farnon here will make little Benjamin better.

Perhaps you might like to wait outside, Mr Sunningwell?

We'’ll take good care of him, I assure you.

Easy, Nelly.

Easy.

How is she? James?

She'’s not doing so well right now.

But things might change.

Is it bad?

The infection is spreading across her hoof.

So what happens now?

Well, she has a temperature, and she'’s not eating.

So, I'’ve given her an injection of Prontosil.

We'’ll have to wait and see.

And if it... gets worse?

Well, sometimes they can deteriorate quite quickly.

And in those cases, we would have to remove the necrotic part of the hoof

in order to stop the infection from spreading.

So, if it does spread, then what?

The best thing would be to put Nelly down.

-It won'’t come to that, Jenny. -No. I'’m sure it won't.

Do you think it'’ll happen? The war?

No. No of course it won'’t. You'’ll be fine.

How can you be so sure?

You'’ll do your training, then you'’ll come home, in one piece.

It happened before.

That were different.

-You said war damaged Dad. -In some ways, yes.

What if it damages me?

It won'’t.

It won'’t even touch you, Edward, '’cause it won't happen.

This seemed the right thing to do, us meeting...

just in case.

There will be another time.

Many more.

How'’s your training? Do they treat you well?

They do.

It, er...

takes time to make good friends, though.

It always does.

But, er...

No one really knew who I was when I started, so...

I could pretend to be someone good, which is nice, I suppose.

You are someone good.

Look at me.

Edward Hall...

I'’ve always seen the good in you.

Then why did you give me to the police?

Did you see the good in me then?

Yes.

I always have.

I did that...

for your own good.

For my own good?

I know it didn'’t seem like it at the time, or now even.

Borstal ruined me.

I know it were hard.

It took away all the good I had left.

All the good you saw in me then, it'’s all gone.

No, it in'’t.

You'’re stronger than you think.

No, it has.

And you did that to me.

Hey.

Hey.

What'’s wrong? Eh?

She'’s waiting for our housekeeper to return.

She'’s like a mother to that one.

Is that right?

Don'’t worry.

Mother will be back for you in time.

All right?

Would you like something to drink, Mr Sunningwell?

Aye, that'’d be nice.

I promised her I'’d take good care of him.

-Who? -Me mum.

He'’s the only living, breathing thing I'’ve got left connecting me to her.

I let her down.

You haven'’t let her down, Mr Sunningwell.

You sound so sure.

No, I think she'’d be proud of you'’ve done for little Benjamin.

He'’s in good hands, and he'll be back by your side in no time.

How do you take it? Your tea?

Milk. No sugar.

That were her doing.

Won'’t be a minute.

Thank you, son.

Andrew, look at his hip.

Do you see?

It juts out slightly.

It'’s dislocated.

Don'’t worry, old chap.

We'’ll have you chasing cows in no time.

I don'’t think he'll be in any hurry to do that, Mr Farnon.

We'’ve just used a very small amount, just enough to relax his muscles.

All right.

That'’s it. That's it.

That'’s it, good boy.

You have a little kip.

That'’s it. Go on.

That'’s it.

Now...

we have to clip that back into place.

I'’m going to need your assistance.

Ready, sir.

Have you ever played tug-of-war?

Yes.

Then you'’ll know what to do.

Take hold of the end of that towel, nice and tight.

That'’s it.

Nice and firm.

Good.

Are you sure about this, sir?

-Don'’t want to harm him. -He'’ll be fine.

I'’m with you.

I'’m going to count back from three.

You ready?

Ready.

Then take the strain.

Three.

Two.

One.

Relax.

That'’s it.

There we are.

Congratulations, young man.

You'’ve just treated your first patient.

How do you feel?

Ecstatic, sir.

Absolutely ecstatic.

Perhaps you'’d like to tell Mr Sunningwell the good news.

Yes.

-The other one. -Oh, yes.

Mr Sunningwell, he had a dislocated leg but we'’ve popped it back into place.

He'’s all well, he's better.

Thank you very much, Mr Farnon, for taking such good care of my boy.

Really no need.

You should be proud of your lad.

You'’ve got a good 'un there.

Keep him close.

Not all of us are so lucky.

-Are you happy to see your son? -Oh.

Yes, my son.

Thank you.

Edward...

I couldn'’t lie for you.

I never wanted you to lie for me.

Well, then, what did you want?

Mr Granville trusted me with his house, his things.

I bet you wish you never let me into his house.

No.

You were always welcome, wherever I worked.

You always are.

You'’ve always cared so much about the people you work for.

-Edward! -They meant more to you than we ever did.

That'’s not true.

You were humiliated by me.

Is that how you felt?

It'’s the truth.

It couldn'’t be further from the truth.

I love you...

more than anything in this world, Edward.

You'’d need to know how much you mean to me.

From the moment you were born to this moment right now...

that'’s never changed one bit.

I don'’t know how to talk to Jenny anymore.

I wonder if that has anything to do with her wanting to leave school.

I think she can sense you disapprove of her decision.

I don'’t disapprove of it. I just want to talk to her about it.

There'’s a big world out there.

I don'’t want her closing off her options too soon.

I know that...

But Jenny doesn'’t?

She wants your approval,

and perhaps she'’s convinced herself

you don'’t think she has what it takes to make a good farmer.

I don'’t think that at all.

She'’s done wonders to this place.

I just want the best for her.

Talk to her.

Let her know how you feel.

Potato. Yes, right.

You do like potato, don'’t you?

Yes. Yes, far more than egg mayonnaise, that'’s for certain.

That'’s a pity.

These are splendid.

I don'’t doubt it.

Would you like to taste some?

No, thank you.

Me mum likes to cook potatoes.

A versatile vegetable, she calls it.

Your mum sounds like a wise woman.

Aye, she is.

So, do you have any brothers or sisters, Andrew?

No, it'’s just me.

You can'’t possibly imagine how fortunate you are.

I'’m not sure about that.

It'’d be nice to have someone around.

Yeah. A younger brother to reprimand.

Or an older one to show me t'’way.

You don'’t need that.

You'’re an intelligent young man, wise beyond your years.

Oh, good God, not again.

Can'’t you cook anything else?

I'’m happy to relinquish my duties if you'’d like to take over.

I'’ll go and see Florence.

-No. -No, I thought not.

Andrew here was absolutely professional earlier.

Compassionate, sensitive, caring...

You know, that approach to vetting isn'’t unique, actually.

Oh, I beg to differ.

Well... perhaps you'’re not as attentive as you always claim.

What'’s that?

-That'’ll be me dad. -Oh. Are you off already?

One day, Andrew...

you'’re going to be a credit to our profession.

Mark my words.

Thank you, sir.

That'’s kind of you to say.

Well...

goodbye.

Goodbye.

-Goodbye. -Goodbye, Andrew.

Now then, lad. Have you had a good day?

Dad, it were brilliant.

A sheepdog called Benjamin came.

And Mr Farnon asked me to go and help treat him...

Here. How is she?

I'’m afraid she's deteriorating rapidly.

Her temperature'’s increased.

Thanks, James.

What do you think we should do?

Why are you asking me?

'’Cause I want to know what you think.

Well, James said that removing a small part of the hoof

is the best chance we have of saving Nelly.

I think that'’s what we should do.

But I don'’t... I don'’t know.

It'’s hard.

Aye.

Always is.

But I think you'’re right.

I think that'’s what we should do,

and James'’ll give her something to numb the pain.

It'’ll be here in a minute.

You can'’t get the next one?

I haven'’t a choice in it, it'’s the Navy.

Not a day'’s gone by where I'’ve not felt guilty for what I did.

-The past can'’t be changed. -No, you'’re right.

It can'’t be.

But I'’ve felt far more guilty that you got in that position in the first place.

I don'’t understand.

I wondered where I'’d gone wrong, what I did to you.

I committed the crime. Not you.

I'’m your mother. It were my job look after you.

It is my job. Stay a moment longer.

I'’ve got to go.

Edward...

let me walk with you.

-You don'’t need to. -I'’d like to.

Edward.

Edward.

I panicked that day.

I didn'’t do it to punish you. I didn'’t.

I thought it would fix the mistakes I had made, somehow.

I'’m sorry, Edward, I'’m so sorry.

I never stopped loving you.

Edward.

Edward.

Edward.

Edward.

Bye.

Take good care of yourself, will you?

Please?

I'’ll make room for the tin.

What did you say? Edward?

I can'’t hear you. Say it again!

What is it? Edward?

"I love you, Ma."

He said, "I love you, Ma."

That'’s it.

I'’m sorry.

What for?

Making you feel like you weren'’t good enough.

It'’s all right.

You didn'’t make me feel that way.

It'’s so big, this world.

So much bigger than Darrowby, though we often forget it.

I know.

And I don'’t wanna be anywhere else.

You can do anything you want, Jenny.

Be anything.

And if that'’s being a farmer, then so be it.

You'’re not just saying that?

The truth is...

you'’ve always been a farmer, a truly excellent one.

-No, I haven'’t. -Yes, you have.

Well, if I'’ve been any good at anything,

it'’s all been down to you.

It went well.

Thank you, James.

You all right?

-No, of course I'’m not. -Come here.

Come here.

-Ow! -Oh, sh.

I hope this isn'’t how you treat the animals.

What on Earth were you thinking?

Rustling something up for Mrs H.

Mashed potato, I presume?

Shepherd'’s pie, actually...

Very enterprising.

Come on, that'’s it.

Thumb over. Thumb down.

There we are.

I used to be just like him, you know?

Who?

Andrew.

When I was his age, I used to look up to you the way he did.

I was just as shy.

Timid but curious.

And eager to learn everything from you.

But I think you always resented me a little.

I mean, why wouldn'’t you?

You were lumbered with a kid.

And you had no choice but to take me in.

Pish.

Is that untrue?

What'’s untrue is that I didn'’t care about you.

All right, I wasn'’t quite ready back then for parenthood.

I didn'’t need a parent.

I never needed a parent.

I didn'’t mean you, Tristan.

Before you came, years before, early in our marriage,

I told Evelyn that I...

wasn'’t ready for children.

What kind of father would I be?

The notion was absurd.

She didn'’t understand.

She saw something in me I...

I didn'’t see.

Then you came.

And you needed our time.

Then...

she got ill.

Just when I was ready, she got ill,

she died, and...

There we are.

You never told me.

There'’s not much to tell.

I probably would'’ve done things differently.

If I'’d had another chance.

A part of me wishes I had.

Differently?

With you.

Is it the biscuits you'’re after? Come on.

Jess, in. Come on. Hello?

Hello.

Come on, then. There you go.

Oh, my. What happened here?

I was trying to make you a surprise Shepherd'’s pie supper, Mrs H.

The oven fought back.

Oh, Tris.

That'’s very kind of you.

Now, I'’ve a tincture for that.

No, look, I'’ll be fine.

You'’ve just got back, you must be gasping for a brew.

Why don'’t you go sit in the living room and I'’ll bring one through for you?

-What about your hand? -I'’ll survive.

Go on. Both of you.

Come on, you. Come on, Jess.

Here we are.

-Oh, thank you, love. -Oh! Mrs Hall'’s shortbread.

Thank you.

So, how'’s your Florence?

I haven'’t seen her.

Been rushed off my feet all day.

Jess.

Well, you'’ve passed the baton back to me now, so go on.

Go and see her.

By the way, the place looks spotless.

Well done.

Indeed it does.

No jibes from you?

No.

Credit where credit'’s due.

Tristan steadied the ship marvellously.

Good to hear.

I wish the past would invite me back to rectify a thing or two.

Whatever it is, Mr Farnon, you'’re forgiven.

-Did he turn up? -Mmm-hmm.

How was it?

I don'’t know how to explain it, really.

It were all too brief. Over before I knew it.

And yet...

the very ground beneath me feels like it'’s shifted.

I feel...

"lighter."

He'’s finally realized how much you care?

Oh, I don'’t know.

I hope so.

I don'’t think any of us know quite how to express our gratitude to you, Mrs Hall.

Believe me.

Mmm.