♪ ♪ We make a good team.

What he means is, he couldn't do it without me.

HELEN AND TRISTAN: Surviving Siegfried.

(James chuckles) MRS. HALL: You really are the most ridiculous creature.

I hope you're referring to the dog.

♪ ♪ MAN: I believe that we all end up exactly where we're meant to be.

♪ ♪ HERRIOT: Dreams do come true.

Eh, lad?

Aye.

JAMES: It seems they do.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (plane approaching) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (exhales sharply) ♪ ♪ There he is, my boy!

Hello, Mum.

(chuckles) You're too young to be getting married.

You should still be at home with your mammy.

He'd be an old man before he get wed if it was up to you.

(chuckles): Hello, son.

Hello, Dad.

Let me take those.

(Herriot grunts softly) You all right there, Pa?

Aye, just a bit sore.

HANNAH: They've got him working all hours plating ships at the dock.

You'd think we're already at war, the rate they're building.

It won't come to that.

But I'm happy to do my bit all the same.

Aye, you did that the first time around.

You sure you don't want to join us tonight, Pa?

Well... Look, your father's got no time for all that carry-on, have you, dear?

Eh, no.

No, I suppose not.

I'll carry these inside for you.

MRS. HALL: It might be James's last night as a single man, but don't drink too much.

(chuckles) And more importantly, don't let James drink too much.

(dog barks) We want him walking Helen down that aisle tomorrow, not staggering.

You can lead a horse to water, Mrs. H., but you can't make it guzzle six pints of Sharpe's Brew.

(dog food clatters in dish) Well, if you pour it down his blooming neck, you can.

(Tristan chuckles, sets dish down) (whines) Oh, don't be so fussy, Clancy.

It's just for one night.

Mr. Mulligan will be back to pick you up tomorrow evening.

What're you doing?

It's only five and 20 to 6:00.

Finished for the day.

Already?

MRS. HALL: Plenty of bread.

SIEGFRIED: The Harrises' cat that needed spaying?

Done.

And there's milk, too.

What about Mulligan's hellhound, Clancy?

TRISTAN: Oh, the usual vomiting, but there's something on his chest, too.

I've administered digoxin, but we'll keep him overnight, see how he responds.

Well, make sure he's locked away, or he'll chew the place to pieces.

(chuckles) Wha...

Slow and steady wins the race.

(sighs): Look, I know this must be hard for you both, but your days of mollycoddling me are over.

I'm a fully functioning member of society now, and you'll just have to find someone else to mother-hen.

Ah, Jim!

Perfect timing.

Mrs. Hall's got your first tipple of the evening.

(breathes sharply) (voice trembling): Parents get settled in all right?

Yes, they're staying at the Falcon Inn again.

SIEGFRIED: You know, James, this wedding business is really rather inconsiderate of you.

Oh, is it, Siegfried?

SIEGFRIED: Yes, it damned well is.

And then there's the honeymoon you're drifting gaily off on.

MRS. HALL: Well, you can't begrudge the boy an holiday.

A week in North Riding-- lovely.

It's not lovely, it's bloody awful.

A whole week, and I'm here, running around disappearing halfway up my own backside.

Oh, only halfway.

Should've booked in for two.

(chuckles) I'm sorry, Helen, but spring is our busiest time of year.

I didn't mean to land you in it like this.

TRISTAN: Oh, no.

He's only had it booked in for six months.

Exactly, you don't plan ahead.

You go belting in without a care in the world.

Now, hang on a minute, it was you who...

Marriage is a serious step-- it shouldn't be undertaken without serious thought.

Right.

May I remind you of the old saying, "Marry in haste, repent at leisure"?

Well... Um... SIEGFRIED: Oh, not you two.

I, I meant people-- other people.

You'll probably be fine.

Are we sure we don't want him to say a few words at the service?

(chuckles) SIEGFRIED: Even if it does rather leave me in the lurch.

We're keeping it small tomorrow, Mrs. H., but if you did want to bring Gerald along... No, no, we, we just walk our dogs together.

I completely understand that you want to keep it to your nearest and dearest.

And sorry to you, too, Siegfried.

Oh, nothing to apologize for.

I wouldn't want any of them to get the wrong idea.

Them?

Um, hadn't we better eat?

We're due at the Drovers' in what, an hour?

How do you mean, "them"?

So many lovely things!

Almost too much choice.

Ring?

Safely stowed in my... (mutters): Oh, my God... Ah, just joking!

It's just a joke!

(laughs) Can I check?

Almost offended.

Your life wouldn't be worth living.

Do we understand one another?

♪ ♪ Thanks, Tris.

JAMES: Let's eat.

TRISTAN: Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. H. JAMES: The first time I ever saw you, I was so distracted, I got off the bus in the middle of nowhere.

(chuckles) HELEN: Alton Cross.

I remember wondering what you were up to.

I never imagined for a second this is where we'd end up.

Yes, you did.

Yes.

Yes.

I did.

(bus idling) Better hop on.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Count on it.

(chuckles) Hm.

(engine revs) Still time to change your mind.

Not for anything in the world.

SOLDIER: Gentlemen.

I'm sure you're aware of the growing tensions in Europe.

University-educated men like yourselves would likely come into the Army as officers.

Well, it would be nice being the one giving orders for a change.

Are the R.A.F.

looking for recruits?

There'll be officers from the other branches visiting here soon, I'm sure.

You're wasting your time with these two, I'm afraid.

Well, hang on a minute, I'm perfectly capable of...

Reserved occupation-- vets.

Like farmers, they have a more important role to play at home.

Now then, gentlemen, I think we've got some business to attend to.

(Tristan chuckles) Come along, look lively!

JAMES: Best man buys the first round.

(both chuckling) ♪ ♪ JENNY: One last look?

Ah.

Spoilsport.

You're going to be all right?

Don't worry about me.

(door opens) All right, don't wait up.

Look after James.

Don't you misbehave, either!

Right, you two be careful up on that roof-- and you!

Steady with my ale.

Can I have your room?

Since you're not coming back this time.

My bed'll barely be cold before you're in it.

Well, what did you expect?

It's way more comfy.

Course you can.

(sniffles) I'll be back here every day.

Hey, nothing's going to change.

Just 'cause I'm getting married, it won't be any different.

You know, Mum would be so proud of you.

Everything you've done for us.

Don't-- you'll set me off.

I love you to your ruddy bones.

Even if you're an annoying little tyke.

Ah, less of the little now.

Aye, less of the little.

Now then, lad, I'm under strict orders to make sure you don't get in trouble, so, um... Go steady on that ale.

(chuckles): Aye.

(fiddle playing) Tom, sort out James, will you?

ALDERSON: Same again, Maggie.

A shot of Dunville's coming up.

Something stronger?

No, no more, Tom, look, I've plenty left here.

Ah, it's empty!

Which is plenty enough for me!

He's empty!

Um, a yard of ale, if you wouldn't mind, please, Maggie.

I'll bring it over.

Arthur, shelf in stockroom.

Thanks, Arthur.

I still don't see what he's got that I haven't.

That tells a story of its own.

(fiddle continues) Ah, just in time, big brother.

Um, how much is that, Maggie?

SIEGFRIED: But Tristan, you're a fully functioning member of society now.

Yes, I am a tiny bit short.

Go on.

(Maggie chuckles) WILLIAM: It's a hell of a thing.

One cow we sold turned out to have tuberculosis.

Me whole herd might be infected.

It's the waiting.

I can barely sleep for worrying about it.

Losing your herd is a terrible thing to contemplate.

It's not me herd, it's the infected milk that might come from it.

People'll be drinking that!

We need to know.

Sorry, I shouldn't be spoiling your fun like this.

No, it's fine.

Have a good one, lad.

(fiddle continues, people talking in background) He lost his first son to TB ten years ago.

Young Wilf there and his dad had a struggle.

Milk from his old herd.

You know you're in trouble when they serve drinks by their length.

(laughs) What?

No.

No, I can't... Come on.

Well, I shouldn't.

(woman whoops) TRISTAN: Come on.

Come on.

(fiddle continues, people clapping along) (crowd cheering and applauding) (people pounding tables, cheer) Oof, blimey.

It smells like a brewery in here.

(Tristan stirs) No, Maggie, you're a married woman.

(groans): Jess, it's just you.

Breakfast will be on the table in five minutes.

Okay.

Where's James?

I hope you didn't lose him last night.

I confess the details are a little hazy.

(Jess panting) (groans) (sighs) Oh, no, no, no.

The ring!

(exhales) (quietly): Oh, God.

(singing) You certainly seem in a better state than your brother.

The exuberance of youth is no match for the resilience of experience.

Yours, I believe?

I found them covered in mud.

I may've had a slight tumble on my way home.

I found them in the pantry.

I was in need of cheese.

You took your clothes off for a slice of cheddar?

I'm not entirely compos mentis.

And I found this in the pocket.

I thought it prudent to relieve Tristan of the responsibility.

He left it on the table last night.

I doubt he even realized.

Well, breakfast will just be a minute.

The rat's yours, I presume.

Ah, yes, I do now recall.

Do you?

Not particularly, no.

And what about James?

His bed don't look like it's been slept in.

SIEGFRIED: Here he is, the worst man.

He did come home with you?

SIEGFRIED: Ring all safe and sound?

Mm-hmm, yep.

How're you getting on with your prize?

Prize?

What prize?

What are you talking about?

Siegfried got himself embroiled in a drinking contest.

We all did, actually.

Would you both please just...

I don't remember any contest.

Oh, it wasn't.

You drank us under the table.

Did I?

Where's James?!

♪ ♪ Oh, God.

What is it?

You better take the Rover, it'll be quicker!

(groans) Keys, where are the keys?

On the hook!

Where they live!

Live, yes, yes!

(birds chirping) (cow moos) (door opens) Got a brew for you.

(sniffs) Thank you, um... Get cracking, shall we?

Don't want you late to church.

Uh... WILLIAM: I said you shouldn't the night before your wedding.

But you wouldn't take no for an answer.

Insisted on coming back no matter what.

Well, we don't like to let our clients down.

You said you wanted to get started first thing this morning.

I'm sorry, started on what?

(chuckles): Dear me.

You were three sheets to the wind, weren't you, lad?

The testing.

(sniffs) The TB testing.

TB testing.

The cows?

Me herd?

I see, of course.

Aye, we picked up your equipment on the way.

I would've brought you in the house, but, huh, you insisted on the barn.

Couldn't shift you for love nor money.

(chuckles) Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on you.

That's not Heskin Fell?

Aye, that it be.

Now, shall we get started?

(cows mooing) ♪ ♪ There they are.

I'll get the lads together.

It won't take long to round them up.

Once they're in the crush, it should be easy enough.

Unless you're worried it'll be cutting it fine.

We should be all right.

Ah.

(mooing) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (rooster crowing faintly) (rooster crowing) What's that face?

Bloody typical.

A decent breakfast on the day that you're leaving us.

I heard you come in last night, along with half the county.

Oh, well, it was very dark, hard to see where I were going.

I said I'd do breakfast this morning.

Hm.

Well, saying and doing are two different things.

What happened?

Happened?

Nothing happened.

I'm going to muck out Candy and Joan.

Love, sit yourself down.

I'm fine, Dad.

I'd rather keep busy.

Hm.

Hm.

(engine stops) Jim?

JAMES: Seven, eight.

What you saying there, Mr. Herriot?

All good so far, Mr. Henry.

No sign of TB in the half we've done.

Thank the Good Lord for that.

(mooing) Let's have the next one through, then.

It is kind of you to come up so fast, Mr. Herriot.

I was sorry to hear about your son.

Nah, well, you go over and over it, don't you?

Wondering if you might've done something different, but, hm, they weren't testing it same way back then.

Come on, Wilfred!

Get another through.

Come on-- stubborn beggar won't shift.

I saw that recruiting officer got stuck into you, too, last night.

Aye, he did that.

WILLIAM: Though Wilf didn't take much persuading.

I was under the impression farming was a reserved occupation.

Oh, it is, for the older folk.

But there's nothing stopping these young lads from signing up if that's what they want to do.

I'm proud of him for standing up.

So you should be.

TRISTAN: James!

JAMES: Tris?

What are you doing here?

Well, I think I'd be neglecting my best man duties if I didn't ask you the same question.

Mr. Henry needed his cows testing.

I'm getting an eerie sense of déjà vu, only last time it was Helen hiding up in the Dales having second thoughts.

I'm not having second thoughts.

I told him it could wait until after his wedding.

Jim, you're getting married in two hours' time!

If any of these cows have tuberculosis and we don't pick it up, it could spread to the rest to the herd and into the milk.

We're here now, and we have a job to do.

We'll get it done.

(rain falling) ♪ ♪ (sighs) ♪ ♪ (barks) (Jess barks) Knock, knock!

So I'm clearing out the bedsit for Helen and James, and I found this.

What's this?

(sniffs, chuckles): Handsome creature.

Ah, well, I was younger then, you see?

Still, the years haven't been completely un... You're talking about the horse, aren't you?

Yeah.

(chuckles) That's Sergeant Maurice Oliver.

Has his own practice now.

(chuckles) I haven't seen all this stuff for years.

Evelyn boxed it all up before she died.

She was very practical.

(chuckles): She knew that I was perhaps a bit lacking in that respect.

There's a lot more boxes up there.

Oh!

Oh...

Yes, I had to get a day's extension to my leave so we could marry.

We didn't even have time to buy a ring.

I tied a knot in a length of twine.

Very practical-- Evelyn would approve.

Hm.

You've forgotten where you put it, haven't you?

No, absolutely not.

♪ ♪ Mrs.

Hall?!

Mrs.

Hall?!

(drawer opens and closes) (shouts): Mrs. Hall!

You really will burst something one of these days.

The ring box!

It was right there, and... (Clancy snuffling) Oh, dear.

(Clancy whines) (Scruff barks) JENNY: Let me-- you'll be absolutely reeking when you walk down the aisle.

I've time for a bath afterwards.

Well, it's hardly putting you in a romantic mood.

(chuckles): I'd rather keep meself busy.

To keep your mind off it?

(Scruff barks) Because I like to be busy.

Why don't you stop?

I can fill the bath for you, if you like.

What're you up to?

Nothing, I'm, I'm not up to anything.

(stones clattering) And what're you hiding back there for?

No one's hiding.

I were just...

There's, uh, a few stones out of place.

The wedding isn't till this afternoon.

ALDERSON: Ah, we know.

We've a right to worry, though, haven't we?

You know, after last time.

You have got form.

I called off one wedding.

It happened once, that doesn't mean I've got form!

I love James.

I'm marrying James.

Today, this afternoon.

Nothing's going to get in the way of that.

At least I think it won't.

You think?

Helen?

Well, I've just got so much running through me mind.

You know, I mean... What about the chickens?

The chickens?

What about them?

Then there's the cows.

What're you talking about, lass?

The chickens are fine!

I'll be milking the cows.

And then I think what it might be like to be married.

Oh, what you... James isn't... bad!

Dad!

All right, then, he's good.

No father could wish for more for his daughter.

But I'm telling you, I'm not going through all that bloody nonsense again, I'm just not!

(chuckles) Oh.

(laughs) You're having me on.

(rock drops) She's having me on, very funny.

I'll go and see to the pigs.

You're gonna give me a bloody heart attack one day, you!

(laughs) (giggles) You can pack it in and all.

I thought farmers and vets were protected.

They are-- we are.

Reserved occupations.

But Wilfred was able to volunteer.

Maybe we could, too.

Looking after animals keeps food on plates.

Doubtless, you'll protect more people by preventing TB spread than you ever would with a gun in your hand.

It's a shame for the women of the world, though.

I mean, I would look good in a uniform.

Right, this looks like the last one, come on.

Confirm cow number 76.

Six.

Seven, seven.

(mutters): Seven, seven.

Your herd's in good shape, Mr. Henry.

Thank the Lord for that.

Grand work, Mr. Herriot.

That's the last one-- come on, then, let's go.

Are we missing some?

Huh?

No, no, I don't think so.

(flips pages) There's one left to do.

(sighs) She could be in the bracken down by the stream.

(shouting): Wilfred, get down in the gully and look for a cow!

I'm afraid we, we really must be getting going, Mr. Henry, it's...

He's right, I won't have you missing your wedding.

Thank you for coming up so fast.

Make sure you keep her away from the rest of the herd, or we'll have to test them all again.

Will do.

Now, don't keep that young lass waiting a moment longer.

Thank you, Mr. Henry.

WILFRED: Dad!

Dad!

Mr. Herriot!

(cow mooing loudly) WILLIAM: Come on, then!

(moos) She must have done something to her leg, Mr. Herriot.

(moos) (snorts) There we are, Clancy-- oh, I'm sorry.

(whines) That doesn't taste very nice, does it?

Shouldn't they be back by now?

My brother is reliably unreliable.

And what about this one?

Still no luck?

For a dog with a fondness for vomiting, he's been decidedly uncooperative.

I've tried linseed oil, salt water, and now mustard and then soda crystals.

(water runs) See if that doesn't force the issue.

One wonders if a lesson might've been learned.

(Clancy barks) What are you implying, Mrs. Hall?

Well, there's no implying.

I'm straight up telling you.

Sticking your beak in has created this mess.

I dispute that.

Because of my actions, we know exactly where the ring is.

It's inside a dog.

Well, if I'd left it with Tristan, we wouldn't have a bloody clue where it was.

At least this way, we're sure.

For all the good it does us.

I think it's extremely unfair of you, given the efforts I've made.

I let Tristan run surgery entirely by himself, and you know how much I value James.

That don't change the fact he's getting married today, and because of your meddling, there's no blooming ring and he's up in the Dales instead of here getting ready for his wedding.

It was James's choice to go up to Henry's.

Oh, I'm sure the way you went on last night had nothing to do with it.

Which one?

That one.

I'm touched you even asked.

I don't know why you're carrying on like this.

I'd finished.

You know, Herriot has a much thicker skin than you give him credit for.

He's only up at that farm because you made him feel guilty about going away.

Why're you giving me this?

I need you to run me up to Heston Grange.

I said I'd help Helen get ready.

And you need to get over to Henry's and bring that boy back.

Well, what about Clancy?

I've just given him an emetic-- I can't very well leave him.

(Clancy whines) (sighs) (whimpers) You really are the most ridiculous creature.

I hope you're referring to the dog.

(engine starts) Did you put James's suit in the back?

He won't have time to come back here.

SIEGFRIED: Yes, yes.

(bone crunching) Definitely sound of crepitus.

Did you hear the cracking as the bone moved?

What do you say, Mr. Herriot?

(cow moos) It's not great.

Mr. Henry, the metacarpus is fractured.

And the bone's only staying in place because these muscles of hers are holding it there, and it's causing her a great deal of pain.

Right.

If there's nothing that can be done, that's the way of it.

No need to delay yourself any further, Mr. Herriot.

Time to get thee wed. (shake hands) Wilfred, fetch me gun, would you?

That's it?

We tried.

Not very hard, from where I'm standing.

Wilfred!

Sorry, Pa, but they're meant to help.

Otherwise, what's the point in them?

I suppose we could try a splint.

It'll keep the weight off the leg and maybe give it a chance to heal-- it's a long shot.

But at least then we can say we've exhausted everything.

What about your wedding?

Well, we'll go straight to the church when we're done.

Helen'll have to take me as I am.

Thanks for doing this again.

No, it's my pleasure.

For a mother without daughters, this is something I never thought I'd get to do.

Once, let alone twice.

(chuckles) First time were a bit more rushed.

(laughs): It were!

But we managed to turn you out half-decent in the end.

I never wanted a big wedding.

Hugh's idea to invite half the county.

I expect you were obliged.

Hm.

I just wanted it to be Jenny and our parents-- well, Dad.

♪ ♪ I wish me mum were here.

She is.

In you.

And in your sister.

And in every part of this house you made your own.

I remember when me mum did that.

She was so cross with me and Jenny for fighting, she thumped the pan down, sending the soup all over the place.

(chuckles): That sounds familiar.

She were raging.

But she had leeks and all sorts dangling from her hair.

Smoke were rising up from pan burning the wood.

Me and Jenny couldn't stop laughing.

Pretty quick, she were laughing, too.

All three of us in hysterics.

Me dad thought we'd lost our minds when he came in.

She wouldn't want you looking back.

Making your own mark in the world.

Aye.

♪ ♪ Were you nervous?

I didn't have time to be.

Robert only had a few days' leave.

Not just about the wedding.

Everything after.

We were in love.

Robert were kind and a good man.

It didn't turn out how I'd hoped.

The war put paid to that.

But when I married him, I didn't have any doubts at all.

You don't have any doubts about James, do you?

Definitely not.

♪ ♪ Right.

Lovely.

Give us a minute, would you?

(door opens) (birds chirping) Mrs. Pumphrey's sorry she can't be here, but Tricki has promised to tell her all about it.

Funny-looking thing, isn't it?

Mr. Alderson, apologize at once.

All right, lad.

Uh, right, um...

I'm sorry, Tricki.

(giggles) Your sister is aware of the time, is she?

Oh, keep your hair on, Dad.

♪ ♪ Look all right?

Aye, uh... Middling.

(Jenny chuckles) I'll see you there.

ALDERSON: Careful on that bike.

(dog barks) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (calling): Herriot?!

Mr.

Henry?!

This was never going to work.

Then the question does beg to be asked.

What was I supposed to do, just walk away?

SIEGFRIED: What on Earth do you think you're doing?

WILLIAM: Hi.

Good afternoon, William.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to take this one away with me.

No, I need to splint the leg.

It's your wedding day, you damned fool!

I'm sorry, I've never known anyone with more passion and dedication to the care of animals.

But he still doesn't know when to call it a day.

I thought that maybe if she keeps the weight off it... You know perfectly well that's just going to prolong the inevitable.

(cow moos) Out of the way, let me see.

♪ ♪ (cow mooing) James, it's your wedding.

I understand you felt you had to do this, but really, some things are more important.

Mr. Henry, we've done everything we can for her and she must be in terrible pain.

I understand.

Thanks for trying, Mr. Herriot.

Wilfred.

(cow moos) You shouldn't have to do that today.

(sighs) I'll do it.

Very good.

I'll follow you.

Mm-hmm.

Uh...

I'd rather not stay, if you don't mind.

♪ ♪ (cow snorts softly) Bye, old lass.

(snuffling) (moos) WILFRED: Used one before?

When I was much younger.

(snuffles) Safety's still on.

(safety clicks) (moos) (sighs): If you've not got the stomach for it... (moos) Thank you.

(moos) Someone's got to do it.

(gun fires) (cow falls) JAMES: Siegfried, why is Clancy coming to the wedding with us?

Hm?

Oh, he's been a friend of the practice for some time now.

It'd be strange if he wasn't there.

I didn't sleep the night before my wedding.

My head going a thousand miles an hour.

JAMES: Did you ever worry what kind of husband you would be?

What sort of man?

(chuckles): Too late.

If I decided... What if I was needed somewhere else?

Somewhere else?

What are you talking about?

Wilfred signed up.

James, no!

What you do, what we do is far more important than any... You shouldn't even be contemplating such a thing, today of all days.

♪ ♪ You're too important here.

You're staying here, and that's a bloody end to it.

(organ playing "Sheep May Safely Graze") (exhales) You know, it is the tradition that the groom arrives before the bride.

He'll be here.

(organ continues) ♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: Come on!

(gears shift) Shoes-- Siegfried, where are my shoes?

Borrow mine!

No, you're driving!

(wheels screech) JAMES: Siegfried!

There we go.

(exhales) They're too big.

(Clancy whimpering) SIEGFRIED: Wellies it is, then.

(vomits) Oh, well done!

That's absolutely perfect timing!

What is?

What's wrong with him?

That's it, Clancy, good lad!

(chuckles) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh, well done, good lad!

Oh, God.

(panting) HERRIOT: All right, lad?

Take a breath-- she's not here yet.

Oh, thank Christ-- heavens.

(gasps) HANNAH: James!

HERRIOT: Oh, here.

Wellies!

Take mine.

What's happened to your good shoes?

(brake engages, engine stops) You missing something?

(car door closes) Oh, God-- thank God!

You know, Tristan, you really ought to start taking your responsibilities more seriously-- use me as your example.

I pride myself on always, always... Siegfried.

It's nothing to do with me-- you're on your own.

God.

Siegfried, you need to help!

I don't, I, I, I'm sorry.

(Clancy barking) Helen's right behind us!

I know!

She's going to hurt me.

Something, no, something will... Oh, God.

Come on, Clancy.

Don't eat your lead, please, don't eat your lead!

(Clancy barking, Herriot and James panting) (Clancy barking) Oh, don't ask.

SIEGFRIED: Clancy!

Clan... (barking) Clancy!

Excuse me, sorry, sorry, everybody.

Sieg...

Sorry.

SIEGFRIED: Excuse me, sorry, everybody.

By the skin of your teeth.

Well, that we're here at all is something of a miracle.

(whispering): Siegfried.

(organ playing) (Clancy barks) Hold this.

(exhales) Sieg... (footsteps approach) Ready to go?

Hm?

Yes, yes.

Absolutely tip-top.

(Tricki Woo growls) MRS. HALL: It's the ring, isn't it?

(mouths): Help.

♪ ♪ (organ playing "Wedding March") VICAR: Please be seated.

Wilt thou have this woman... And will thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, and to live together according to God's law in the holy state of matrimony?

Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health?

And, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him for as long as ye both shall live?

I will.

Excellent.

Now, the ring.

The ring?

Tris.

Hm?

Ah, the, the ring.

You want the ring?

Here.

VICAR: At this point in the service, that is the tradition.

But how do we feel about tradition in these modern... Tris.

(laughs): It's all right.

I pocketed it before we went out last night for safe... My other jacket.

Perhaps this might suffice?

HELEN: Perfect.

Absolutely perfect.

VICAR: Shall we proceed?

Repeat after me.

I, James Alfred Herriot...

I, James Alfred Herriot... Take thee... Take thee, Helen Rosemary Alderson, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.

I memorized it.

Of course you did.

Now the bride.

Repeat after me: I, Helen Rosemary Alderson.

I, Helen Rosemary Alderson, take thee, James Alfred Herriot, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.

I didn't want you showing me up.

You may now...

Kiss the bride.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Nice.

Yeah.

(talking in background) JAMES: So good, Mrs. H. HANNAH: You'll get yourself a bellyache carrying on like that.

I'd better take it off his hands.

You let me have that.

Don't spoil that nice suit of yours, do we?

Thanks so much for all this.

No, you're more than welcome.

Now, you better get going, or it'll be dark before you arrive.

Helen.

Now you look after her, James.

All the best, love.

Dad.

ALDERSON: Ah, love.

Now, I've just had the tires done, so don't let him slide it around like he's at Monte Carlo.

(chuckles) Dreams do come true, eh, lad?

Aye.

It seems they do.

♪ ♪ Now, James, I was just telling Tristan... Oh, leave the man be.

Have fun!

(door closes) (chuckle) You, you take it.

Don't look at me.

(all saying goodbye) ♪ ♪ Go all right with Henry's cow?

She was in terrible pain.

It was the best thing.

Doesn't make it any easier.

James felt he couldn't give up.

His sense of duty will be the death of him one of these days.

♪ ♪ How was it today?

No drama or last-minute wobbles?

No, none.

You?

No.

Stop the car.

Pull over up here.

♪ ♪ You know, this is the furthest I've ever been from home.

♪ ♪ (engine stops) (people talking in background) James?

Look at this!

(door opens) SIEGFRIED: Oh, James, is that you?

How was it, good trip?

Yeah!

Hello!

MRS. HALL: Has he seen it yet?

The sign?

Good God, why is that thing always out of its cage?

JAMES: I did notice the sign, but why?

SIEGFRIED: Name above the door?

Wedding present-- well, not a present.

You've deserved it, earned it.

Commitment to the cause and, and whatnot.

Sorry, deserved what?

I am...

He's making you partner!

Oh, Mrs. Hall, I was really rather hoping to tell him that myself.

Partnership?

In the practice?

A 50-50 split?

Well, plenty of time to iron out the details.

(both laughing) Thank you, Siegfried.

Really.

Yes, thank you.

Oh, good God, there's no need to get all dewy-eyed about it.

Oh, the boy's happy-- leave him be.

(door opens) TRISTAN: See you again soon.

You're back!

How was it?

I want to hear all about it-- let me just get changed, then we'll go to the Drovers'.

HELEN: Actually, we thought we might go and get settled in the bedsit.

Didn't we, James?

We did?

Oh, right, we did-- we did.

Oh, James, you'll find another little wedding present installed in your... (Helen giggling) ...new home.

(door closes) (phone rings) At least it'll save traipsing all the way downstairs.

(James yelps, Helen laughs) (both laughing) We'll find somewhere new.

I promise, I... Shh.

James, it's perfect.

As long as we're here together, it'll be perfect.

(phone ringing) Someone else will get it.

(phone continues) Oh, for goodness' sake!

(picks up receiver) Darrowby 2297.

♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: Allow me to introduce you to the inner workings of the practice.

TB testing's really not popular with farmers.

If I can show him it'll bring in more money... Siegfried has never wanted a partner.

You shouldn't make promises you can't keep.

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♪ ♪