30/01/2025

Lynda despairs about the panto-in-a-week, and suspects something foul is afoot. Jill wants her dressing gown back, but Tony needs it. The schedule’s so complicated that Prince Charming will only meet Cinderella for the first time at the performance. Cast are dropping out and Berwick’s pestering her with script tweaks. On top of it all costumes are going missing. Lilian’s pragmatic telling Lynda to keep going, suggesting some quick fixes. She reckons Vince is behind cast leaving and the missing costumes. She’ll investigate and see what can be done.

At rehearsals, Berwick’s assertive with Lynda even questioning Leonard’s competency to build the set. Lynda defends Leonard until she discovers he’s only built the coach and none of the actual set. Frustrated Lynda loses her cool with Leonard.

Lilian discovers from Jean Harvey that Vince has told everyone that Berwick’s being paid. Mick thinks it might be because Vince overhead a joke Mick and Berwick had about how much it would take for Berwick to do the panto. Lilian thinks Vince used that misinformation to sabotage it. When Mick wonders why, Lilian explains about Vince’s bet with Lynda.

Vince is unrepentant when Mick confronts him, until Mick says he’s prepared to settle the bet himself if it comes to it. He’s doing all this for Joy and the children who’d otherwise miss out.

Later as Leonard works late to catch up with the set, he’s surprised by Vince returning the costumes. Vince offers to get a team together to get the set ready for tomorrow’s performance, and solve all Leonard’s worries.