Miss Potter Page #7

where ourjourney would lead.

It has led us here.

This is your new home.

No tears!

Miss.

Millie!

It's wonderful to see you!

Oh, this place is perfect.

Millie!

What have you brought?

I thought it best not to

bring this, but then...

itjumped into my hand

as I walked out the door.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

It's getting easier.

- It's getting etasier for me too.

- Good

I'm painting again.

My mind's going mad with the story.

I've got pigs running amuck up there.

Well, it's this place, isn't it?

Who'd want to be cooped up in London

when they could be up here?

- I'm so glad you came.

- Me too.

I've been so lucky with visitors.

First, my brother Bertram,

then my mother.

You think that's lucky?

Your mother is a monster!

No, its fine. My mother and I have

come to an understanding.

We've agreed to not

understand each other.

Look, if some city slicker wants to

offer me a half-decent price

for a derelict property and then

pay me and my lads good money

to knock the damn place down.

Let him build what he likes.

If we allow these city developers

to buy up our land,

there'll be no more farming.

And all you're left with is

a ruined landscape and no community.

Miss Potter!

Ah, Mr Heelis.

I see you've found me.

I played here so often as a child.

I know your farm very well.

I swam in the stream,

played hide and seek in the woods

with Cousin Charles.

I brought you the executed deed

for the farm.

At last.

Thank you very much, Mr Heelis.

- Busy.

- Yes.

Yes, I've asked Mr Canon to stay on

and run Hill Top as a working farm.

I'm learning a great deal.

I wish everyone who bought

land up here could be so...

enlightened.

You've bought a farm,

you've kept the workers on,

you're working the land and

you're preserving this place.

Yes. It makes me happy.

Mr Cannon says the two farms

adjoining mine are for sale.

I'd hate to see the developers

get hold of them.

Do you know anything about them?

- Morning, Mr Canon.

- Miss Potter.

My, they've grown!

- Handsome lot, wouldn't you say?

- Yes.

Have you named them?

We don't often give them names,

Miss Potter.

Makes it a bit hard,

come slaughtering time.

Hello, Miss Potter!

Hello yourself, Mr Heelis.

To what do I owe this pleasure?

I've come with a message.

Mr Hubbard is ill

and will be unable to show you

the neighbouring farms today.

- Oh, dear. It's not serious, I hope?

- Chronic illness, I'm afraid.

Recurs several times a month.

Usually after a night

at the Rose And Crown.

I see.

Mr Hubbard wondered if I might

show you the properties instead.

I'd be pleased to have

so knowledgeable a guide.

I'll just get my shawl.

Well, it's prime land.

There's a lot of profit

in building houses on it.

But more value as

a working farm, surely?

Spoken like a true

Lakes woman, Miss Potter.

Indeed, Mr Heelis.

You do realise I've never

been to an auction.

It's simple enough.

Don't bid too early and

stick to your limit.

I know my limit, Mr Heelis.

Craven's Mill Farm,

40 acres of splendour.

1,100 anywhere?

1,100 I'm bid.

1,150?

Come along, gentlemen.

Splendid little farm, this.

Lots of development potential.

1,150.

1,200 anywhere?

1,200.

1,300 anywhere?

Bidding, madam?

1,300.

Seated at 1,300.

1,400.

1,500.

1,600.

Seven hundred.

Eight hundred.

1,900.

At 1,900.

2,000 at the back. 2,000

Any more at 2,000.

2,300.

- Rich Bastard!

- Thank you, sir. 2,300.

At 2,300.

Any more, then, at 2,300?

2,500.

The lady at 2,500.

Against you, sir,

at 2,500. 2,800.

Miss Potter, you've bid more

than that farm is worth.

3,000, at 3,000 seated,

with the lady. Against you, sir.

Are we all done at 3,000?

Going once,

Going twice,

Sold to the lady, 3,000.

Sir, you should control your client.

She has allowed her emotions

to get the better of her.

Really?

She has squandered any possibility

of profit from that farm.

It was prime development land.

This place, this community

is an inspiration.

It should be conserved for

future generations,

and not destroyed.

It deserves protection.

Madam, your observations are

woefully inadequate...

Please, sir. I am no longer

in the habit of being lectured to,

and, thankfully, I do not require

your approval or anyone else's.

So, if you'll excuse us?

Mr Heelis?

I hope you're not going to make

a habit of this, Miss Potter.

Do you know, Mr Heelis,

I think I might.

Now, will you have time tomorrow

to show me those other farms?

- I certainly will.

- Excellent!

Come in.

Oh, my!

Goodness me!

I'll be just a moment.

Now then young man, how are you

taking to your new home?

I know it's not London,

but Hill Top might suit

a young rabbit better.

He seems to be taking

to the place.

As am I, Mr Heelis.

- Now, the road.

- Oh, yes.

Yes, of course, Miss Potter.

How would you feel about

calling me William

instead of this infernal Mr Heelis?

I sound like an undertaker.

Of course, William.

And I believe Beatrix might be

perfectly appropriate as well.

There's something delicious about

writing the first few words of a story.

You can never quite tell

where they're take you.

Mine took me here.

Where I belong.

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