24/12/2017

At Grey Gables Brian notices a light on in Oliver's suite. He expresses his surprise to Roy. Surely Oliver's in America with his daughter? Roy goes to investigate, and discovers that Oliver's planning to spend Christmas alone. He's had lots of invitations to spend Christmas with friends and family, but all he wants is to be near Caroline.

Pat and Helen spend Christmas Eve volunteering at the Elms homeless shelter. The clients remind Helen of some of the people she met in prison. They've had so few opportunities in life. Helen is grateful for having had a family to support her. Pat suggests that she leave early, but Helen wants to stay. They both find the experience incredibly rewarding. So rewarding that they sign up to help on Christmas Day. When they return to Bridge Farm Tony is pleased to hear that it went well. But he's baffled to discover that they're going back. Who will cook their Christmas dinner? Pat is confident that between them Tony, Tom and Johnny are perfectly capable of roasting a turkey.