"CLOCK TICKS" "Oooh!" "Mrs McCarthy?" "We won!" "Cheltenham 2-1 Evesham!" "Father, in here!" "You have a visitor." "Canon Fox from the Diocesan Office." "Ah, Father." "I trust there's nothing wrong?" "Oh, if there were, you could be sure" "Bishop Reynard would be here in person." "No." "Actually, it's about your Christmas Day Mass." "The nativity procession is the highlight of our calendar." "It also has a reputation for being somewhat eclectic in its interpretation of the Gospel." "Last year, for instance," "Our Lady's arrival at the stable was on the back of a goat." "Well, we had trouble finding a donkey." "Where the Christ Child was worshipped by, amongst others, five kings, two cocker spaniels and the Lone Ranger." "Derek Miller." "He made a spirited argument that if the sheep had shepherds, the oxen should have cowboys." "It seemed churlish to deny him." "And then there's your..." "Sunday school choir." "What they lack in voice, they make up for in enthusiasm." "It is for the children." "Not this year!" "This year, the Duke of Frome is spending Christmas at Montague." "And, we're informed, will be attending Christmas Mass at St Mary's." "As he's Britain's premier Catholic duke, we're keen you don't let the side down, so to speak." "To wit, I will be attending in person." "And as the reputation of the diocese rests on a somewhat dubious precedent," "Bishop Reynard thought it judicious to put down a few markers." "This year, he wants the full biblical line-up." "He wants wholesome-looking children." "He wants ox and ass and chorales that put King's College, Cambridge to shame." "Damn it, he wants snow!" "I'm not sure I can stretch to snow." "Then you'd better get praying." "♪♪" "Thank you for coming, Father." "I could curse Monty for not being here." "Missing the Yuletide ball!" "The great and the good." "Oh, I appreciate the moral support." "I'm surprised you need it." "The duke and you are cousins." "You were practically brought up together." "Oh, John and Diana are lovely." "Good morning, Windy." "Hello, Nanny Langton." "You did well for yourself, for a redhead." "Diana!" "John!" "How lovely to see you!" "You remember Father Brown?" "Holy Mother...!" "(Oh!" ")" "He's cold as ice." "Oh, goodness!" "Poor soul probably froze to death." "Oh!" "May his soul rest in peace." "That... was my intention, until some infernal woman started squawking!" "(Boo!" ") What are you doing here?" "I just wanted to see where you're billeted." "Can't you see I've work to do?" "You don't say." "More precious than baby Jesus, this one." "Don't call him that." "Why not?" "He's a miracle, by all accounts." "What are you doing here?" "!" "One of the cases got mixed up with the duke's." "Huh!" "See you around." "Trouble in trousers, that one." "And what he sees in you is a mystery." "Congratulations on the birth of your son and heir." "I'm grateful for your intercessions, Father." "Prayer succeeded when medicine failed." "Scores of doctors and treatments." "And when we'd finally given up hope..." "Talk of the devil!" "John will hold him." "He cries when I do." "I'm not sure that he likes me very much." "THEY CHUCKLE" "Come here." "Hello." "Such a handsome boy!" "He looks just like his father." "So, Windy, where's this husband of yours?" "Windy?" "It's a childhood nickname." "Windermere by name, bowels like bellows." "Monty's on tour with Her Majesty, Nanny." "Oh!" "God bless her." "Did John tell you about our diamond jubilee party at Frome?" "Felicia meant the new queen, Nanny." "I know that." "I don't know what her parents were thinking of, allowing the girl to marry a Greek!" "We do possess a plentiful supply of cutlery." "Nature's spoons." "His name is Michael Negal." "I found him in the church half-frozen to death, so I brought him in for a hot meal." "Not that I've received any thanks." "She woke me from a perfectly good sleep, and her food's over-salted." "This is a harsh winter to be sleeping rough." "You could perish." "Oh." "Seeing as you ask, maybe I could stay for a bit." "Odd jobs in return for some grub and a floor in the church." "I'm afraid that won't be possible." "But there is a room for you here at the presbytery." "I hope you know what you're doing." "The Bible tells us to be hospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise." "BELCH!" "Well, in that case, maybe he could take up my offer of a hot bath and some clean clothes." "I'm attached to my dirt." "We've been travelling companions for a long time." "Is there an inside privy?" "Upstairs on the left." "Good." "Because this stew will take some shifting." "BELCH!" "MICHAEL BREAKS WIND" "Time to go to sleep now, David." "Yes, it is." "Night-night." "Night-night." "BABY GURGLES" "Old bag's nightcap." "They're run off their feet in the kitchen." "Since when were you so considerate?" "Since they bunged me a bottle of champagne." "I thought us two could slip away and watch the party." "What about Nanny?" "She'll be dead to the world in no time." "Half an hour." "SHE GIGGLES" "MUSIC:" "Once In Royal David's City" "LOW CHATTER" "Divine outfit, Mrs M!" "Oh, good news!" "Harry Bainbridge has come up trumps with a donkey." "He'll be delivered on Christmas Day." "Bless you!" "One less thing to worry about." "The honour of the parish is at stake." "We won't stand accused of letting the side down." "Where is he?" "Basil!" "If I'd known you were in the area, I would have invited you." "Delightful to see you too, Cousin(!" ") He's here, I take it?" "Never mind, I'll find him myself." "A relative of yours?" "Barely." "Third cousin goodness knows how many times removed, and a thoroughly bad lot." "Enjoying the party, Inspector?" "Does it look like it?" "I hate Christmas." "I hate parties." "And I particularly hate parties with dancing!" "Begging the question, why are you here?" "There speaks the voice of a celibate." "Keep your eyes peeled when the dancing starts." "5' 7", brown hair, green dress." "If she asks, you haven't seen me!" "Aren't you excused?" "An attack of gout doesn't get me a red card." "She merely views it as a challenge." "A bad run of luck!" "You expect me to settle your gambling debts?" "My credit isn't what it used to be." "Then you're a damn fool for borrowing off your expectations." "Think of them as debts of honour." "We wouldn't want a stain on the family name." "You're family by default, and you've been staining my name for years." "No more, Basil!" "From now on, you're on your own." "If you'll excuse me, I must join my hostess." "You'll regret this, Cuz!" "My apologies." "That was very unbecoming." "It's Basil who should be apologising." "Will you excuse me if I go to my room?" "I think I'm starting a headache." "As long as you don't mind me borrowing your husband for dancing." "I'll try not to wake you when I come up." "Forgive me for saying, but Diana doesn't seem herself." "Oh, it's nothing." "A touch of the baby blues, according to Nanny." "APPLAUSE" "MUSIC:" "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" "My Lord Duke, lords, ladies and gentlemen, dancing will begin in the ballroom." "ANIMATED CHATTER" "Mrs Mallory, 6:00." "LAUGHTER" "Sorry to disturb your party, sir, but the baby marquess is missing." "Trusty Goodfellow!" "What would I do without you?" "Lead on." "There's no sign of forced entry." "My babies' windows are always left open at night to let Captain Fresh Air fly in." "And you were...?" "Watching the party." "I'm so sorry, Your Grace!" "No-one blames you, Amy." "You're entitled to some fun." "Were you with anyone?" "Oh, you stupid girl!" "I warned you he was trouble." "George Parkin, my valet." "Has he been with you long?" "About six months, since leaving the army." "The problem with soldiers is they can't keep their trousers buttoned." "And you were in bed the entire time?" "I'm a very light sleeper, if you're suggesting what I think." "I'm not suggesting anything, Miss..." "It's Nanny Langton to you, and I've been minding babies for 50 years." "When they wake, I wake." "Yes, ma'am." "Nanny Langton." "You're saying the baby didn't wake up?" "And you can write that down in your book." "Well, what are you waiting for?" "Was anything missing?" "His eiderdown, and lamb." "It's his favourite toy." "He's not allowed it at night." "Nanny says he'll get crooked teeth." "But I always put it by his bed so he can see it." "I fail to see how any of this will find him." "It appears we're dealing with a kidnapping, so you can expect a ransom demand." "I want extra constables, roadblocks at five miles, a full search of the grounds, with dogs, and a full search of the house, basement to attic." "In the meantime, until they make contact, all you can do is wait." "And we will pray." "BARKING" "A terrible business." "We assume it's a kidnapping?" "The police seem to think so." "Although as yet, there's no ransom demand." "Then God willing, he'll be returned by Christmas." "Hm." "In the meantime, arrangements must proceed as planned." "I trust everything is shipshape and Bristol?" "We have an ox and an ass." "The adult choir has been practising for weeks and Dafydd Owen has agreed to be soloist." "He's Eisteddfod champion tenor." "So we're hoping the Bishop will overlook the fact he's a Methodist." "Well, it is Christmas." "And I took it upon myself to take care of the casting, so there will be no surprises this year." "Donkey's here." "Already?" "!" "Did you not tell him he wasn't supposed to drop him off until Christmas Day?" "Tell him yourself." "Mrs Hornby says you're not letting the maids in." "At least let me get these clothes cleaned." "I know what they're saying." "No-one's saying anything." "That it's my fault." "Why would they say that?" "Because they know that I'm..." "Because she's got a head filled with nonsense on an empty stomach." "Beef broth." "I made it myself." "I'm not hungry." "And you, you, off with you!" "And find something useful to do, or I'll find it for you." "Yes, Nanny." "Hello." "Padre, in case you hadn't noticed, this is a crime scene!" "Goodfellow, I've got the Commissioner, Chief Constable, not to mention the Home-ruddy-Secretary breathing down my neck, so please tell me I've got something to report back!" "They found half-a-dozen sets of fingerprints, sir, but no surprises there, it's the gardeners' ladders, so they'll have to be eliminated." "Still nothing from the kidnappers?" "No, sir." "Inspector Mallory?" "I wonder if you would indulge me in an experiment?" "The ground is soft." "But the bottom of the ladder has barely sunk in." "Spare me the riddles and get to the point." "May I demonstrate?" "I think the Father's trying to say that..." "Thank you, Watson!" "Which means the kidnappers didn't gain entry or exit via the ladder." "And then went to great lengths to make it look like an outside job." "It was the Yuletide ball." "The entire county was here." "But of those, how many knew where he was sleeping?" "Or that his windows were open at night?" "Or to take his favourite toy?" "What are you implying?" "If you would let me get a word in edgeways," "I am deducing that the kidnappers had knowledge of the baby and his routines." "Which suggests an accomplice within the family." "That's preposterous!" "How many servants accompanied Your Grace?" "Just our nursery maid and my valet." "There's also the nanny." "Nanny is not a servant, Inspector, more a member of the family." "On the subject of family, your cousin Mr Urquhart was conspicuously present last night." "Does anybody know of his whereabouts?" "He's in the Ochre bedroom." "Slightly worse for wear, I'm afraid." "Then I wonder if Your Grace would permit me to wake him?" "MUSIC:" "The Holly And The Ivy" "He looks a bit miserable." "You'd be miserable if you had to listen to that caterwauling." "My choir is in fine fettle, thank you very much!" "They're flat on the top Cs." "Oh, and you'd know, would you?" "I've sang in the finest choir in existence." "Huh!" "And what choir would that be exactly?" "Mind your own business." "SHE SIGHS" "Mr Urquhart!" "You left the party last night after an argument with the duke." "Keep the volume down." "Every word is like a nail in my skull." "And approximately half an hour before the baby was found missing!" "Can I ask where you went?" "Up here, in search of a bed." "You were conspicuous by your absence when all the drama was going on." "I was as drunk as a skunk." "Until recently, YOU were the duke's heir." "Two wars have left the male Langtons distinctly thin on the ground." "Behold, the bottom of the barrel." "The birth of the marquess must have come as quite a blow." "Crushing!" "But, as I am first to admit," "I would have made a spectacularly bad duke." "If you're suggesting what I think, then you're way off the mark, old chap." "It transpires that the kidnappers may have had an accomplice known to the family." "So I'm sure you'll understand my request when I say, don't go anywhere for the time being." "FAINT BARKING" "Morning, Miss." "Can I ask what you're doing here?" "Do you recognise this woman?" "I've never seen her before." "Which is peculiar as she claims to be the wife of your valet, despite him telling my sergeant he was unmarried." "Parkin?" "I'm sorry, Your Grace." "He was just out of the army." "He needed a job and it was a bachelor position." "A man can only serve one master." "I'm not his master, I'm his wife." "And I live in Hambleston." "So when he was here over Christmas, I just..." "I just wanted to give my husband a Christmas card." "READS:" "On Christmas morning, under the mistletoe, remember our kisses." "That's personal." "I can see that." "Very poetic!" "I will leave whenever is convenient, Your Grace." "I think His Grace has more pressing matters on his mind." "Indeed." "And I won't punish a man for wanting to support his family, nor separate him from his wife." "When... all this is over, we'll look at moving both of you into a cottage." "Thank you." "You're doing a fine job." "I was an apprentice to a master carpenter back in the day." "Back in your daydreams." "The ass has lost its appetite." "Is he ill?" "He's missing his friend." "Oh, you speak Donkey as well now, do you(?" ")" "If you've finished, you can go to the kitchen for your tea." "Yes, Nanny." "Don't say I didn't warn you." "The likes of him would never be interested in a girl like you." "BARKING" "WHISTLE" "Can you confirm that this is your son's?" "I'm not sure." "Nanny would know." "I did the embroidery myself." "This means he's been injured, or worse!" "If he's been kidnapped, they're hardly likely to harm the golden goose." "Quite." "It's too soon for alarm." "We don't even know if it's human blood yet." "Get that to Scenes of Crime and tell them I want the results yesterday!" "♪ Above thy deep and dreamless sleep" "♪ The silent stars go by... ♪" "That's only half the choir." "Where's the other half?" "They're dropping like flies, I'm afraid." "There's been an outbreak of laryngitis." "Oh, my mother of God!" "It's Christmas Eve - what are we going to do now?" "Don't worry, Mrs McCarthy." "We are small but mighty... ..and Dafydd will carry the day." "♪ For Christ is born of Mary" "♪ And gathered all above... ♪" "This "unusual" interest started when, exactly?" "The minute he arrived." "He was always looking for excuses to hang round the nursery." "Did it occur to you as odd?" "I thought he was..." "You thought he was "paying court"." "And neglected to tell you he had a wife." "Not that we...." "I'm not that sort of girl." "I don't doubt it for a second." "And on the night in question?" "He bought up Nanny's cocoa from the kitchen." "But I think that was just an excuse to get me out of there so..." "George Parkin brought the nanny's cocoa?" "CLOCK PLAYS A TUNE" "CLOCK CHIMES" "Our thoughts and prayers are with you." "How is your wife?" "I'm afraid she's unwell and taken to bed." "Forgive me for saying but, even before this happened," "Diana hasn't seemed herself." "Do you know something?" "Diana left the ball to go to bed." "But, the next day, I found mud on her gown." "I expect she went for a walk." "At night?" "It's not unusual." "She's had great trouble sleeping since David was born." "Hardly surprising after what she went through." "Nanny!" "What do you mean?" "She gets confused." "We should never have taken her to that dreadful place." "What place?" "John?" "Diana had complications and needed surgery." "There wasn't time to get to the hospital, so we were directed to a maternity home, where there was a doctor attending another birth." ""Doctor"?" "Sawbones!" "We nearly lost the both of them." "But, thanks to God, we didn't." "The birth announcement said that David was born at Frome." "I admit the sin of snobbery." "Well, Cedar House was a facility for unmarried mothers." "It's hardly an auspicious birthplace for a future Duke." "KNOCK ON DOOR" "Lady Felicia, I need your permission to make a search." "Sarge!" "Right." "Let's see if we can find George Parkin, shall we?" "Do you recognise this?" "Have trouble sleeping, do we?" "If you'd fought in two wars, then you'd have trouble sleeping." "Ten years in the Royal Worcester Fusiliers." "Honourable discharge in February." "And then, in April, you took employment with the Duke after lying about your marital status." "I explained that." "Your wife is a very attractive woman." "Leaving me pondering your interest in Miss Amy who... let's just say wouldn't win prizes in a beauty contest." "Men will be men." "And a man like you could have his pick." "I'd wager, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't look at her twice." "And so to the night in question, when you brought the Nanny's cocoa to the nursery..." "The kitchen were run off their feet." "And here's the coincidence." "The dregs of the cocoa were tested and found to contain Nembutal." "Coincidentally, the very same drug we found in your possession." "Like you say - coincidence." "Too many for my liking." "So I'll ask you the question again - who were you working with?" "And I'll tell you again - it had nothing to do with me." "Oh." "Anything, sir?" "A big, fat nothing." "Hm." "The Chief Constable wants you to call him back, and Mrs Mallory phoned again to remind you that the shops shut early on Christmas Eve." "Padre." "I don't suppose you're here to wish me a merry Christmas." "I heard that you had made an arrest and I was wondering..." "If you could have a good snoop?" "..if I could do anything?" "Only if you could add professional torturer to your list of skills." "So he's admitted nothing?" "And he's as guilty as sin." "I can smell it on him." "I want to see my husband." "Out of the question." "He's under arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap." "But as you're here, Mrs Parkin, maybe we could have a chat?" "I've nothing to say." "I don't need to remind you that a baby is missing." "So if there's anything at all you want to get off your chest...?" "I can tell you this." "I swear on God's word that my husband is innocent." "Then you'd better pray he turns up without a scratch, or your husband will be facing a murder charge." "And there isn't a jury in England that wouldn't see him hanged!" "You're making a mistake." "See her out, Sergeant." "Yes, sir." "This way, madam." "I-I just want to speak to him." "Is that really too much to ask?" "CHURCH BELL TOLLS" "Merry Christmas, my Lady." "Merry Christmas, Father." "I came to light a candle for David." "I take it there's still no ransom." "John's beside himself." "He's determined to attend Christmas Mass, however." "It seems terrible to be celebrating the birth of one child when your own is...." "BABY CRIES" "BABY GIGGLES" "Hello, David." "Hello." "MALLORY: 'Back with his parents, sir.'" "Not a scratch on him." "At least it seems he was well looked after." "Indeed it is, sir." "Yes, sir." "And to you, too." "I suppose that means Christmas dinner with the family." "You suppose wrong." "The baby may be back, but his kidnappers are still at large." "Well, cheer up." "Who'd want to be stuck at home, surrounded by stockings and screaming children, when there's villains to apprehend?" "Once we nabbed the valet, the kidnappers knew we were closing in and panicked." "You still think he's involved?" "He's guilty as Bluebeard, and his accomplice is still out there." "Was the church locked after Midnight Mass?" "The church is never locked." "And the baby was found at seven in the morning, which gives us a window of approximately..." "Sir!" "Your secret's safe with me, Padre." "Merry Christmas." "Ah, yes, and merry Christmas to you too." "DOOR CLOSES" "Dafydd's down with the laryngitis now." "Could be worse." "We've no soloist, we've half a choir and a missing donkey." "Exactly how could it be worse?" "DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES" "You slept in the church last night." "Well, it's better than up there." "The mattress is all lumpy and you snore like an elephant in heat." "I have a question." "Oh, I hate questions." "But as it's Christmas, I'll let you have one." "And an answer." "The sacristy door was locked, which means that anyone entering the church would have to pass by the confessional." "That's not a question." "Who did you see?" "Jocabed." "Now, what's that supposed to mean?" "That's two questions." "And I have places to be." "And where do you have to be that's so important on Christmas?" "I have to see a sheep about a donkey." "Talking in riddles as usual." "DOOR CLOSES" "And who is Jocabed when he's at home?" "She." "Moses' mother." "SHE GASPS" "Who put the child in a basket and hid it in the bulrushes." "Where he was found by Pharaoh's daughter... and raised a prince." "Well, now, where are YOU off to?" "Canon Fox will be here..." "SHE SIGHS" "..in an hour" "Have you news about my husband?" "HE CLEARS HIS THROAT" "He's still under arrest, and the police are looking for his accomplice." "Contrary to appearance, the Inspector is no fool, and it's only a matter of time before he works it out." "Works out what?" "Mind if I sit down?" "HE GRUNTS" "That it was you who left the baby in the church." "You-you don't understand." "I understand a lot more than you think." "I know that David was born in Cedar House... ..and that another mother gave birth that night." "Was that woman you?" "(Yes.)" "SHE STRAINS AND SCREAMS" "The Duchess of Frome has just arrived with suspected pre-eclampsia." "Get some drugs in her and get it out as quickly as possible." "Forgive me..." "..but, um, I thought that your poetic skills left much to be desired." "Until I realised that is was an acrostic." "You swore on God's word... ..that your husband was innocent." "And I think that you were telling the truth." "Because you can't steal... what is yours." "HE CLEARS HIS THROAT" ""OUR SON SAFE."" "They are the thieves." "They stole our child." "Where's my baby?" "I'm afraid he didn't survive the night." "No!" "That's not true." "You're lying!" "Now then..." "Please say you're lying!" "There's no need for hysterics." "You'd only have given him up for adoption." "'Wasn't true.'" "We were keeping him." "George and I were getting married as soon as he was back from Korea." "Instead, he returned to find his son was dead." "How did you know?" "When I saw this." "When he was born, I saw it as clearly as I see you." "BABY CRIES" "Is it..." "Is it a boy or girl?" "'And I remember thinking, if it was a girl, we'd call her Stella.'" "Star." "And what if it was a boy?" "Jacob, after my father." "When George got the job, it wasn't to..." "Not at first." "We just wanted to know that he was happy and loved." "That's rich." "Left in the care of a senile old woman while his so-called "mother" could hardly even bear to look at him." "'All we did was take back what was ours." "'He didn't make a sound." "'It was like he recognised me.'" "Ah!" "'The nightdress would have given him away at once, 'so I had to get rid of it.'" "Ah." "The blood was yours." "They thought he was dead." "They would have hanged his own father for murder." "HE PUFFS" "You could have gone to the police." "The word of a servant over that of a duke?" "The word of a duke... is NOTHING to God." "How...?" "Where on Earth did you find him?" "They share a field." "They don't like being separated." "And where are you off to now?" "Oh..." "Come on." "Come on." "God heard your prayers." "And sent us a Christmas miracle." "What can I do for you, Father?" "I came to offer my condolences on the death of your son." "I suppose I always knew the truth would out." "I can explain." "I can't wait to hear it." "Diana nearly died." "She needed an operation and it caused..." "The doctor said that she would never bear another child." "And as for our son, he was weak." "Fighting for his life." "COUGHING God gives strength to those that need it." "He gave this one strength enough for two." "A misbegotten by-blow destined for adoption." "Your son carries the weight of destiny on his shoulders." "They seem such fragile shoulders." "Your Grace..." "Your Grace?" "There's no need for alarm." "It's good news." "The Marquess has rallied and is out of danger." "Would you like to hold your son?" "I'm afraid he became poorly and died during the night." "It's a shame." "There's a waiting list for boys." "At least he won't be mourned." "It's for the best." "You knew, but you told no-one." "We don't expect your sort to understand." "Centuries of duty and obligation, destroyed in a generation by a black sheep named Urquhart." "Did you tell your wife?" "That the child she'd prayed for, the only child she would ever bear was dead?" "Someone else would only have adopted him." "No harm done." "No harm?" "A mother who mourned him day and night." "And a father in prison for kidnap." "Parkin?" "Oh, dear God, what have I done?" "Nothing." "You've done nothing." "Do you think anyone will pay heed to these ramblings?" "Listen to Nanny, John." "Think of your position." "His position... ..means NOTHING to God." "BABY FUSSES" "There, now." "Ssh, ssh, ssh..." "What must I do?" "What any man would do." "I don't defend my actions." "But had I known he was wanted, I would never have kept silent." "That woman stole my child." "She acted on my behalf." "The responsibility is mine and mine alone." "I told myself it was for others." "To spare my wife's grief, to... ..safeguard our family name, but in truth..." "..it was my selfish desire for a son that blinded my integrity." "What's to be done?" "I will inform the authorities and take my punishment like the honourable man I once was." "And may God forgive me." "That's not in doubt." "The question is, Hannah, can you find it in your heart to show mercy?" "I lost one son." "You've lost two." "It's punishment enough for any man." "May I say goodbye?" "You be good for your parents." "Hmm?" "Make them proud." "DOOR CLOSES" "MALLORY:" "The babies were" ""accidentally" switched at birth?" "Lest there be any doubt, I've informed the relevant authorities including the Chief Inspector and the Home Secretary." "And this has only just come to light due to the timely intervention of Father Brown." "Oh, I'm late for Mass." "And Mrs McCarthy will no doubt be having an apoplexy." "I trust the case is now closed and Parkin will be released so that he can spend Christmas with his wife and..." "..and child." "I'm very sorry for your loss." "Thank you, Inspector." "Is everything all right, sir?" "The thing about kids is... ..they might be pains in the backside, but at least they're your pains in the backside." "Amen to that." "FOX:" "So we have a half-strength choir and no soloist." "On the bright side, there is a donkey albeit with no passenger." "I assume Our Lady will be making an appearance?" "Yes, yes." "Peggy Harrington." "This year's Queen of the May." "Lady Felicia has just gone to fetch her." "Bad news, I'm afraid." "It seems Peggy received a pair of roller skates from Father Christmas." "And what has that got to do with the price of figs?" "Where is she?" "The Cottage Hospital with a sprained ankle and a concussion." "Chin up, Mrs M. We'll just have to improvise." "I knew you'd do the right thing." "I don't dare hope for your forgiveness." "When he looked at me, I saw hatred in his eyes." "I thought it was me." "That I was going mad." "That I was wicked and unnatural for not loving him." "Now I think he knew." "We both knew." "It was an unforgivable deception." "You did it because you love me, John." "I won't hate you for that." "Inspector Mallory." "Happy Christmas." "Erm..." "I wonder if I might beg a favour?" "Shall we make a start?" "♪ Once in royal David's city" "♪ Stood a lowly cattle shed" "♪ Where a mother lay her baby" "♪ In a manger for his bed" "♪ Mary was that mother mild" "♪ Jesus Christ, her little child" "♪ He came down to Earth from Heaven" "♪ Who is God and Lord of all" "♪ And his shelter was a stable" "♪ And his cradle was a stall... ♪" "And they found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger." "And seeing, they understood the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child." "This is the word of the Lord." "ALL:" "Thanks be to God." "And now, we will stand and sing hymn number 35." "ORGAN PLAYING While Shepherds Watched" "Are you still unwell?" "The doctor came." "I'm not ill, John." "I'm with child." "Around four months he said." "♪ The angel of the Lord came down" "♪ And glory shone around" "♪ Fear not, said he" "♪ For mighty dread... ♪" "I am sorry." "Of course you must go." "We feel terrible leaving you alone on Christmas day." "Oh, don't worry about me." "I'll be fine with a few brandy cherries and the Queen's speech." "She will not be alone." "Not when there's turkey enough for ten in the Presbytery." "Gosh." "Really?" "Yes." "You can help me peel the sprouts." "Of course." "Goodbye, Father, and thank you for everything." "God be with you both." "Please convey my compliments to Bishop Reynard and inform him" "I've never experienced a more uplifting Mass." "Well, we aim to please." "They're full of seasonal spirit." "Although I won't be much of a Santa Claus this year." "Still, it's not all about presents, is it?" "Actually, sir, I did some shopping myself yesterday and took the liberty just in case you didn't get time." "There's a model Spitfire and one of those music boxes with the ballerina and a bottle of Elizabeth Arvon, which Mrs Goodfellow is very partial to." "Thank you, Sergeant." "That's... very thoughtful." "You're welcome, Sir." "Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas, Goodfellow." "Best be off." "Donkey needs feeding." "Would you get a move on?" "At this rate, we'll be eating them raw." "Oh, you really don't know how to peel a sprout, do you?" "There's more than one way to skin a cat, Mrs M." "Yes, well, the next time I meet a cat peeling sprouts like that," "I'll make sure..." "Mrs M." "Another sherry." "Oh!" "Thank you." "Absent friends." "Happy Christmas, Sid." "Happy Christmas, Sid." "Happy Christmas." "Now, where has that Michael got to?" "He went to feed the donkey." "He's nothing but trouble that man." "Are you sure that's where he went?" "I don't see any footprints." "Oh." "Perhaps he's a Christmas miracle." "Now you're being ridiculous." "The thing about miracles is that they do happen."